Chapter 141 (141 Update)
The bookstore is frequented by children, so you hardly see anyone at this time of day. However, sparrows live in the store, so it usually stays open very late.
He was lying in the rocking chair, lost in thought. He wasn't surprised to see people at all, and used his hand to help him stand up: "You're here."
Zhou Weifang touched the counter: "Want a drink?"
The sparrow chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I have a bad drinking habit. Let's finish this drink and then fight. I'll just say a few words."
To be honest, Zhou Weifang didn't know where to begin, and hesitantly asked, "When did you find out?"
"On the day you open your business, I was thinking of helping you gather some people."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Weifang felt even more apologetic: "I wanted to tell you something, it's just that..."
Sparrow understood his awkwardness perfectly well, and said casually, "If it were... it's okay, I'll be fine after a while."
This might not be a good thing, but anything Zhou Weifang said at this moment would only make things worse. After a long silence, he said, "Then I'll be going."
Sparrow: "Okay, slow down."
He watched Zhou Weifang turn around and added, "You two are doing well."
Zhou Weifang grunted in response without turning around and rode his bike forward, where he met Luo Hong, who had just finished get off work, at the entrance of the alley.
My sister isn't at the shop today, so Luo Hong closes up quite late.
There were hardly any people on the street at this hour, and the alley was pitch black. When he turned the corner and saw his childhood friend, he was startled and said to him, "You brought Yanyan back so late? That's a bit inappropriate."
Zhou Weifang: "I went to the bookstore."
In the bookstore, Luo Hongteng patted him on the shoulder: "Want to have a drink?"
Zhou Weifang: "I've drunk enough today."
Almost forgot, Luo Hong said, "Alright, see you later."
He brushed past his childhood friend, and when he got home, he saw that his sister's room light was still on. He knocked on the door and said, "Go to sleep quickly."
Luo Yan: "I'll memorize two more words and then go to sleep."
She has her own study schedule, and although taking a day off wouldn't be a big deal, she just can't get over it.
Luo Hongcai didn't believe the two words she said, so he urged her to repeat them after taking a shower.
Luo Yan had no choice but to turn off the light, and the next second the person warned her: "Try turning on a flashlight."
Luo Yan had no choice but to put the flashlight back next to her pillow, muttering, "The roundworms have become spirits," before lying down.
She was actually sleepy and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Of course, she didn't know that her brother was allowing officials to set fires while forbidding ordinary people to light lamps, and that he was reading idle books until midnight.
Luo Hong watched with trepidation, fearing that his sister might catch him red-handed when she went to the toilet in the middle of the night.
Perhaps feeling guilty, he kept his eyes darting around the next day.
Fortunately, Luo Yan was in a hurry to go to school to practice running and didn't have time to observe carefully.
She ate breakfast in a few bites and went out, almost at the same time as Zheng Sanmei, who was also going to work at the fruit shop for the first time.
The two chatted for a few more minutes at the courtyard gate, and Zheng Sanmei said, "I don't know if I can do this job well."
Luo Yan encouraged her, "You can definitely do it, sister-in-law is obviously a clever person."
Seeing her anxious look, he added, "Zhou Weifang is a very nice person, don't worry."
Only after hearing this did Zheng Sanmei feel at ease, and fearing that it would interfere with her schooling, she didn't exchange many pleasantries.
Luo Yan said goodbye to her and rode her bike to school, moving slowly across the playground, panting slightly as she went to her classroom.
She felt hot inside, so she stood by the window to get some fresh air. She was standing facing the corridor when she saw Zhou Xiuhe walk over.
Their eyes met, and Luo Yan still felt a little awkward, but it would be strange to look away immediately, so she could only look away from a distance.
She was looking too far ahead, so much so that she didn't even notice someone waving in front of her.
Chen Jinghong called her twice: "Where have you been daydreaming?"
Luo Yan snapped out of her reverie: "Sorry, I was spacing out."
Chen Jinhong: "I can see it."
Then, lowering his voice, he quietly asked, "Which one is XX in your class? Let me see what they look like."
Luo Yan whispered furtively, "The fifth one in the third row."
Chen Jinhong glanced over casually and said, "He doesn't seem as handsome as others say."
Someone else? Luo Yan asked curiously, "Who is it?"
Chen Jinghong: "The girls in our class."
It sounded like there were several people, but Luo Yan agreed with her opinion: "I think the best-looking boy in our class is xx."
Chen Jinghong became interested: "Who is it? I'd like to take a look too."
Luo Yan glanced at him out of the corner of her eye: "They haven't arrived yet."
Well, we won't be able to see it today.
Chen Jinhong: "Then I'll go to class first, and we'll talk next time."
The bell rang as soon as she left.
Luo Yan quickly found an empty seat. She had been moving between different classrooms all day, and after school she still had to go to the auditorium for an activity.
The event was so long that Luo Hong looked around the store several times but couldn't find his sister. Just as he was wondering if he should go to the school to look for her, he saw her and breathed a sigh of relief: "What kind of meeting is going on for so long?"
Luo Yan curled her lip: "Boring and meaningless stuff."
She was angry about the wasted hour and complained to Zhou Weifang about it when they had lunch together the next day.
Zhou Weifang was even angrier than her: "I've been counting down the days until I can see you."
Exactly! Luo Yan: "I'd rather play with you."
The word used, Zhou Weifang said: "Not even as good as?"
Luo Yan placed a large chopstick of meat on his plate: "What I mean is, I really enjoy playing with you."
She showed her sincere, bright eyes.
Zhou Weifang pinched her cheek: "The last word and the third to last word can be removed."
Remove it? Luo Yan repeated it to herself, looked around at all the customers in the restaurant, and patted his hand on the table: "Aren't you ashamed?"
She didn't deny it, which was enough for Zhou Weifang. She then said, "Let my sister-in-law get used to it this week, and I'll be able to free up more time next week."
Luo Yan: "I ran into her when I went out this morning. She seemed alright."
Although it was only her second day at work, Zhou Weifang said, "She's quite capable, quick at accounting, and observant."
"That's good," Luo Yan said, beaming. "That way, she won't have to go back to her hometown after the New Year."
However, she thought of something and hesitated to say it.
Zhou Weifang: "What can't I tell you?"
Luo Yan thought so too: "I heard your mother isn't very happy."
After her second son returned to the city, Yu Shuilang gave him her job. She has been unemployed at home ever since, and usually does some handicrafts on the street.
She felt that if her youngest son needed help at his shop, she should be the first person he would consider, since it's better to keep the benefits within the family. She threw a huge tantrum as soon as she heard the news.
Zhou Weifang could guess what his mother was thinking, and frowned: "She went to Jianjun's house?"
Luo Yan shook her head slightly: "I haven't heard of it, I don't think so, Aunt Li is no pushover either."
Indeed, Zhou Weifang said, "I'll talk to her about it later."
His tone didn't sound like he was just saying it casually, so Luo Yan quickly said, "You two, stop arguing."
Zhou Weifang: "They won't be able to start an argument."
Admittedly, he didn't have a very close relationship with his parents, but because he was wealthy, he probably gave the most money to his family among all the children. In addition, everyone knew that he was stubborn and had a bad temper, so he would only grumble a few words at most.
It's best not to argue, otherwise it will seem like you started it.
Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief and asked him, "Are you free on Sunday?"
Zhou Weifang: "From now on, I will always be available every Sunday and Tuesday."
Luo Yan said angrily, "One question and one answer is enough, don't say any more."
Then he asked, "Would you like to go see a movie?"
Zhou Weifang exclaimed dramatically, "I really love watching movies!"
Luo Yan kicked him under the table: "Speak properly."
Zhou Weifang said in a serious tone, "Which one do you want to see? I'll go buy the tickets first."
Luo Yan: "No need to buy, my brother has tickets."
If this were when my childhood friend was still working at the bicycle factory, it would be normal for him to receive movie tickets as a perk. But where would he get tickets now?
Zhou Weifang asked for an answer.
When asked, Luo Yan laughed and said, "Someone came to get their car repaired and paid with the receipt."
There are all sorts of people in the world, Zhou Weifang said. "Did he know he was going to go with me?"
Luo Yan pouted: "I know, that's why they swindled two yuan from me."
Zhou Weifang immediately took out his wallet to pay her back, saying, "It's okay, we have money."
Luo Yan pushed his hand away: "If you keep doing this, we'll each pay our own way when we go out to eat from now on."
Zhou Weifang knew she was unhappy, so he reasoned with her: "I'm the one earning money, and you're still a student, so I should definitely get more money, right?"
Luo Yan snorted: "Anyway, I can't argue with you, but you have to listen to me."
What could Zhou Weifang do? He put the wallet away and said, "Then next time I'll extort some money from Luo Hong, and we'll be even."
That's a good idea. Luo Yan gave him some advice: "When you go into the store later, you should trip and fall, and then ask him for medical expenses."
Zhou Weifang laughed: "It's good enough that he didn't come up and kick me a couple of times."
Luo Yan raised an eyebrow: "Then I'll do the throwing."
Zhou Weifang chuckled: "Yanyan, if we scratch your skin again, it'll be a loss for us."
He didn't know that. Luo Yan said, "Extorting him was just a side thing for me. I never failed."
She actually has a scholarly air about her, and you can tell from her face that she is an excellent student with outstanding grades, but at this moment she is so cunning that you can't help but find her cute even when she is "doing bad things".
Zhou Weifang: "Okay, I'll be your witness. We have to squeeze a big sum out of him today."
Luo Yan nodded repeatedly, put down her chopsticks and said, "I'm full."
Zhou Weifang finished the remaining food and said, "Let's go."
With some time to spare, the two strolled around the park again before Luo Yan went to class.
Zhou Weifang stayed in the childhood friend's shop with a clear conscience, chatting idly with him.
Luo Hong was busy running around, then turned around and saw that he seemed quite at ease. He said, "No, being a big boss is just different, huh?"
Zhou Weifang raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "You're too kind."
Luo Hong was so angry that he wanted to throw something at him, and he gave him the middle finger, saying, "I don't think you're that busy."
She then ordered him, "If you have nothing to do, go and find out where I can buy a house."
Zhou Weifang: "I've been inquiring, but you know the current situation."
The phrase "detached house with its own yard" is too difficult to find. He would stop and look at any "house for sale" sign he saw on a utility pole, but he has never seen one that meets the criteria.
Luo Hong gets a headache just thinking about it: "My mom went to see two places, but neither was suitable."
Zhou Weifang: "I'm also eager to make a name for myself, so I'll wait for more news."
This was the only way now, so Luo Hong nodded and continued working, but then suddenly remembered: "Give me five yuan."
How much? Money wasn't the main issue; Zhou Weifang wasn't a stingy person. But he just didn't understand: "Why should I give it to you?"
Luo Hong said matter-of-factly, "I've created an opportunity for you to watch a movie."
Wait a minute, Zhou Weifang thought he was already good at making money, but he didn't expect there to be someone even better: "No way, you're planning to make seven yuan from two tickets? Even a tractor you repaired isn't worth that much."
This girl has a quick tongue.
Luo Hong: "Why did I tip you off?"
He added, "Is this my legal earnings from repairing cars? It's a chance for you two to see a movie, don't you think it's worth it?"
After hearing this, how could Zhou Weifang possibly say it wasn't worth it?
He readily pulled out his wallet: "You wait, I'll get my revenge one day."
Luo Hong clicked his tongue in amazement: "Now we have you completely in control. It doesn't matter to men like us who have no weaknesses."
For the first time in his life, Zhou Weifang had the desire to act as a matchmaker, asking, "What kind of person do you want to find in the future?"
Although Luo Hong had never been in a relationship, he knew everything about it: "Did you ever think you would date Yan Yan in the future?"
It is clear that rules and regulations are inherently invalid.
Zhou Weifang was rendered speechless twice in one day by him, and had to look at him with new respect: "I now realize that you are also a talent."
Luo Hong: "Why is your praise so shabby?"
Zhou Weifang sneered: "That proves you were originally shabby."
He glanced at his watch as he spoke, then stood up and patted his clothes: "I'm going to buy food."
Luo Hong: "She gets out of school at 5:30, so she has to go buy things like phoenix marrow and dragon liver by 4:30?"
Zhou Weifang patted his childhood friend's shoulder twice: "You don't understand."
Luo Hong didn't really understand, but he knew what it meant to "carry on the side": "Give me two big meat pies."
He ate other people's food, and then took the initiative to move to the doorway during dinner.
Zhou Weifang wasn't afraid of him overhearing, and openly complained: "I was also extorted five yuan."
Huh? I can't believe such a thing happened.
Luo Yan slammed her fist on the table indignation and immediately demanded of her brother, "We'll split it in half when we meet, I want two yuan and fifty cents."
Luo Hong took a big bite of the pancake: "I was only going to charge you two yuan, and you're still planning to make fifty cents off me? Do you think that's possible?"
Luo Yan's eyes darted around: "It all depends on human effort."
Seeing her like this, Luo Hong knew she was up to no good, so he pulled the chair further away: "Don't come near me."
Luo Yan threatened, "You just wait."
They really are a perfect match; they say the same things.
Luo Hong said a few more sarcastic remarks, which finally stopped when his sister hit him on the head with a towel.
This meal was a chaotic affair.
Zhou Weifang picked up the towel and hung it up, saying, "I'm going to Huairou tomorrow to pick walnuts. Can you watch the shop for me for the night?"
No wonder he paid so readily this afternoon. Luo Hong: "I knew there was no such thing as a free lunch."
Zhou Weifang knew that his words meant he agreed, and said, "I'll treat you to a meal later."
At this point, Luo Hong said, "You should eat Jianjun's meal first; he was nagging me about it again this morning."
Seeing that things seemed quite busy, Zhou Weifang thought for a moment and said, "How about Friday? Are you okay with that?"
Luo Hong now treats this kind of thing like a holiday, saying, "I'm free every day."
The two agreed, and Zhou Weifang even made a plan: "I'll pick you up from school after we finish eating."
It was rare for them to get together, so Luo Yan didn't want to spoil the fun: "get out of class ends at eight, I can go home by myself, you guys talk more and drink less."
At eight o'clock in the evening, when the streets were bustling, Zhou Weifang wasn't worried about safety; he just wanted to chat for a bit longer.
However, he thought about it and realized it had been a long time since he had gotten together with his childhood friends, so he said, "Okay, then be careful."
Luo Yan said "Okay" in a drawn-out tone, and after finishing her meal, she checked the time and went to class.
Zhou Weifang left to clean up the table and even wash the dishes before leaving amidst his childhood friend's tsk-tsk comments.
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Author's note: Still typing away.
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