Chapter 135 Arrogant Girl Steals Bicycle
Xu Zhili nodded; she knew that too, but still asked, "Comrade, how much does one of these 'Forever' cars cost?"
The salesperson quoted a price, and Xu Zhili quickly calculated in her mind: the price was not cheap, but the reward for her last meritorious service, plus the money she had saved and the resettlement fee for educated youth, should be enough if she gritted her teeth.
More importantly, with bicycle tickets, the money can be spent.
As she pondered, a hint of hesitation crept onto her face.
The saleswoman had a sharp eye. Seeing her expression, she glanced at the people behind her, leaned closer, and lowered her voice to say, "Young man, do you find riding this old-fashioned bicycle difficult?"
"To tell you the truth, Curry does actually own a Phoenix 26-inch women's motorcycle, a cross-frame model, small and easy to ride."
Upon hearing "women's style," "curved beam," and "compact," Xu Zhili was instantly overjoyed and hurriedly asked, "Really? Sister, could you please push it out for me to see? Thank you so much."
"Wait here." The saleswoman turned and went into the back warehouse.
A short while later, she came out pushing a brand new bicycle.
The light-colored frame, the smooth curved beam design, and the wheels that are smaller than those of a 28-inch bicycle (26-inch) make it look exceptionally elegant and light.
Xu Zhian clapped her hands happily: "Sis! This little car is so cute!"
Xu Zhili liked it more and more as she looked at it. She walked around the car and tried the seat height, which was just right.
But then she remembered a crucial question and cautiously asked, "Ma'am, are the prices and tickets for the women's bikes the same as the men's?"
The saleswoman smiled and said, "The price is the same, and the ticket is the same too. It's just that there are fewer women's bikes available, and they're hard to come by. This one was only recently transferred here."
Xu Zhili was overjoyed; this was truly an unexpected delight.
She immediately took out the money wrapped in a handkerchief and the precious bicycle ticket from her inner pocket, and was about to hand them to the salesperson.
Just then, a young woman wearing a trendy floral "Dacron" dress and shiny black leather shoes swept over like a gust of wind, her eyes fixed on the women's bicycle, her voice high-pitched and bright.
"Oh! It's a women's bike, comrade, I want this bike, give me the receipt quickly." As he spoke, he reached for the handlebars.
Xu Zhili frowned, instinctively stepping aside to block the car, while subtly pulling her hand holding the money and tickets behind her back to protect it. Her tone was calm but carried an undeniable, cold voice.
"Sir, please wait a moment. I was the one who first took a liking to this car and was just about to pay for it."
Liu Lili then took a proper look at Xu Zhili.
Seeing her faded but clean old shirt, her unpatched green army pants, and especially Xu Zhian beside her, who was tightly clutching her sister's clothes and had the timid look of a rural child.
A surge of superiority welled up within him, and an undisguised contempt appeared on his face as he snorted, "Oh? You're buying it?"
"Haha, that's hilarious! A country bumpkin sent to the countryside, with a little burden on him, what's he doing buying a women's bicycle?"
"Don't waste good stuff. I work in an office at the county textile factory, a proper city worker. I commute several miles to and from get off work every day. That's what I need. Move aside!"
She raised her voice even higher, trying to intimidate people with her imposing manner.
Xu Zhili's face darkened slightly, her chest churning with anger, but she took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
She knew that in a department store, it was pointless to try to out-shout or throw a tantrum; it would only put her at a disadvantage.
She straightened her back, her voice not loud, but clearly penetrating the surrounding noise, and looked directly at Liu Lili: "Comrade, the country stipulates that as long as you have money and ration coupons, everyone is equal and has the right to purchase goods."
“I was a sent-down youth who responded to the call to go to the countryside to build up rural areas. My younger brother is my family member who depends on me for survival, not a burden.”
"You work in a textile factory and are a proud member of the working class. You should understand the importance of unity, friendship, and respect for others. It's probably inappropriate to belittle educated youth sent to the countryside and rural children like this."
These words had an immediate effect.
The onlookers, especially several older men who looked like workers and several women with children, all changed their expressions.
Liu Lili's harsh words, such as "mud-legged," "little burden," and "wasteful," were already grating to hear.
Xu Zhili's current counterattack, which is neither humble nor arrogant, reasonable, and avoids labeling (unity and friendship, respect for others, and working-class consciousness), has directly struck a nerve with everyone's moral compass.
A middle-aged man in work clothes and glasses couldn't help but speak up, his tone clearly disapproving: "Miss, what that young man said makes sense. When buying things, there's a first-come, first-served principle. Being right doesn't mean raising your voice."
“You’re a worker too, how can you look down on the educated youth who were sent to the countryside? Without their support for the rural areas, where would the city get so much grain?”
An older woman holding a child chimed in, "That's right. It's not easy for that young girl to raise her younger brother. Buying a car would make life and work easier. How is that considered wasteful? I think you should really improve your awareness."
"Exactly, that's outrageous!"
"Just because you're from the city, you can bully people?"
"She doesn't own the department store!"
The discussion grew louder, and the criticism was directed at Liu Lili.
Although not everyone dared to openly criticize her, those disgruntled and contemptuous gazes were like needles pricking her.
Liu Lili never expected this "country girl" to be so eloquent, nor did she expect such a strong reaction from the public.
Her face flushed red and then turned pale; her arrogant demeanor deflated like a punctured balloon.
But under the watchful eyes of everyone, she couldn't bring herself to admit defeat, so she could only stubbornly stick out her neck and snap at Xu Zhili in a high-pitched voice, "Hmph! Sharp-tongued!"
"Who knows where you got your money? You're just an educated youth..."
She wanted to smear him, but under Xu Zhili's clear and honest gaze and the increasingly hostile stares around her, she couldn't bring herself to say anything more.
"Enough!"
The saleswoman, who had been observing coldly, finally spoke up. Her face was stern, and her voice, though not loud, carried an air of authority: "This is a department store. If you want to argue, go outside. This bicycle..."
She pointed to the women's Phoenix car, her gaze falling on Xu Zhili, "This comrade took a liking to it first and even took out her money to buy it. Those of you in line behind, if you want to see other cars, please come this way!"
After she finished speaking, she directly extended her hand to Xu Zhili: "Young comrade, give me the money and I'll issue you a receipt."
Liu Lili was completely dumbfounded.
The sales clerk's attitude was tantamount to a death sentence for her.
Surrounded by disdainful and mocking gazes, she felt her face burning. Unable to stay any longer, she stomped her foot angrily, mumbled a vague "What's so great about him!", and then awkwardly pushed through the crowd, head down, and rushed out.
Xu Zhili watched Liu Lili's retreating figure, feeling little sense of victory, only a trace of helplessness and exhaustion.
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