Two major news items in the Progressive Brigade: first, the third son of the Xiao family broke off his engagement due to a leg injury; second, Jiang Xile used her dowry money to buy a bicycle.
On the second day of work, many aunties and older women came to Jiang Xile to inquire about her situation, and some even offered to introduce her to potential partners.
Even many of the men in the village would come and loiter around her, hoping to become acquainted with her.
The series of actions annoyed Jiang Xile so much that she regretted buying this troublesome gadget.
In Jiang Xile's eyes, a bicycle is just a means of transportation, which she bought because she was lazy.
It completely ignores the craze for bicycles that people had in this era, but since we've already bought them, this is the only way to go.
Faced with the public's enthusiasm, Jiang Xile had no choice but to take a cool approach, thinking that once the novelty wore off, the matter would be over.
But unexpectedly, there were some fools who were so reckless and fearless that they rushed headlong into the line of fire.
At noon, Jiang Xile had just returned to the educated youth settlement after work, and before she could even enter the house, Duan Nianzhen called her back:
"Jiang Zhiqing, wait a minute!"
Jiang Xile paused as she pushed the door open, then turned to look over.
"Did Duan, the educated youth, call me for something?"
Jiang Xile and Duan Nianzhen didn't have much of a relationship. Although they lived in the same courtyard, they hardly ever interacted.
"Jiang Zhiqing, I took the afternoon off to go to the post office to pick up a package. Can I borrow your bicycle for a bit? You're so generous, you won't refuse, right?"
Jiang Xile frowned. She really hadn't expected that there were so many hidden talents in this educated youth settlement. How come she hadn't discovered the existence of this seasoned green tea before?
"So you're saying that I'm stingy for not lending you my bicycle?!"
"No, that's not what I meant! How could you misunderstand me like that!"
As more and more people returned from work, many people in the courtyard watched Duan Nianzhen perform.
Jiang Xile glanced around and immediately understood what the others meant.
If Duan Nianzhen sets a precedent today, then her bicycle will become something that the public can borrow at will.
If I borrow from her today, I'll have to lend it to him tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow!
"Sorry, I have to go out in a bit, so it's inconvenient for me to lend you my bicycle!"
Duan Nianzhen was shocked that Jiang Xile would reject her, and she felt extremely wronged.
"What could possibly be wrong with you? You didn't even ask the brigade leader for leave. We're all educated youth; shouldn't we help each other out? How can you be so selfish!"
"What Duan said means I have nothing to do just because I didn't ask for leave."
Besides, this bicycle is mine; I can lend it to you if I want, or I won't if I don't.
Stop using the guise of mutual help to justify this; this is my personal property.
You're so generous and selfless, but why haven't I seen you spend money to buy a bicycle for everyone to use?
Even if you're poor and can't afford a bicycle, you still have work points!
Why don't you share your work points with everyone? That would show your selflessness. Why don't you do it?
Should I go talk to the team leader this afternoon and tell him that you've donated all your work points for the team this year?
Duan Nianzhen's face turned red from Jiang Xile's retort. She hadn't expected that her trick would not only fail to work on Jiang Xile today, but that she would also be countered.
“If you don’t want to lend it, just say so. Why make such a fuss? Work points are what I earn through my labor, and I deserve them.”
"You are entitled to the fruits of your labor. I used the inheritance and dowry left to me by my own mother to buy a bicycle. Does that mean I am not entitled to it?"
Instead of constantly scheming and being jealous of others, you should think about why you've only earned six work points after being in the countryside for so long.
If you can accumulate enough work points for the next two years, you probably won't need anyone else to buy a bicycle!
"You, you...."
"What do you mean, 'you'? It's the middle of the day, I just came back from the fields, I'm not in the mood for idle chatter."
Besides, although we live in the same courtyard, we don't have any special relationship. Don't act like we're old friends.
"We haven't even exchanged two words, and you're already asking to borrow my car? What right do you have? Because you're arrogant? Or because you're shameless!"
"How dare you swear at me? If you don't want to lend me your car, fine, I never said I absolutely had to. What right do you have to swear at me!"
“I need you to give me a chance to swear. This is all your own fault. I said from the beginning that I needed the bicycle, but you had to keep babbling on and on.”
"You're blaming me for swearing? Swearing at you is the least of my worries. Stay away from me, or I'll tell you I never hit girls. Do you think you're worse than Duan Chengyu?"
Duan Chengyu, who was called out as soon as he entered the courtyard, froze. The over-the-shoulder throw he had just received was a disgrace to him.
Jiang Xile might not be able to handle him, but he certainly couldn't handle Duan Nianzhen!
Standing in the corner, Duan Chengyu's gaze towards Duan Nianzhen seemed to be laced with poison.
Duan Nianzhen was startled by Jiang Xile's outburst. She had also seen how Duan Chengyu was thrown that day, and she couldn't help but feel a little scared now.
"If you...if you won't lend it to me...never mind, I have things to do...I'll go now!"
Everyone shook their heads and sighed as they watched Duan Nianzhen flee in disarray. Her fighting ability was truly disappointing.
They were waiting for Duan Nianzhen to set a good example so they could benefit from it!
Jiang Xile took in everyone's expressions, rolled her eyes inelegantly, and then went inside.
Although the small storage room has been renovated, it is still the same size, and the already limited space feels even more cramped after a bicycle is placed inside.
Fortunately, Jiang Xile didn't need much indoor activity. After entering the house, she changed her clothes and climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed).
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