Chapter 105

Chapter 105 – Bicycle

Now, Mei Fang and the others have to return home by 8:30 PM every night. If they continue walking back, they wouldn’t arrive until around nine.

Xia Yuan’s father, Xia Xun, felt that although Mei Fang was there, it wasn’t safe for girls to walk at night. Plus, his work had become less demanding recently, so he suggested driving them to and from school every day.

However, this suggestion was immediately rejected by Xia Yuan.

She wished she could spend even one more minute with Mei Fang and Lin You Xi; who would want her dad around? Many topics couldn’t be discussed if he were there.

Although he knew his adorable little girl had entered adolescence, where growth and rebelliousness coexisted, and that the once angelic child who used to hold his hand for hugs was now a thing of the past, Xia Xun still felt responsible as a father.

“If you really don’t want me to pick you up, then take the bus or ride a bicycle, but I need to see you home by nine!”

“Alright, alright! I got it, Dad, you’re such a bother.”

Facing his daughter’s criticism, Xia Xun suddenly felt a sense of helplessness and sadness.

His daughter was growing up, and there was nothing he could do to stop it…

“So… here’s what happened.”

Xia Yuan told Mei Fang and Lin You Xi about what her father said, hoping to discuss future plans for getting home at night.

“The buses are crowded and hard to get on at that hour. And if we have to drag along another person, it would be even worse.”

Mei Fang thought for a moment, “I think riding a bicycle home would be more feasible. But do you know how to ride a bicycle?”

In the small county, everything was close enough to walk. Their student days had been spent mostly walking, and further distances were covered by car. None of them seemed to have much experience riding bicycles.

“We can learn, but judging by your tone, do you know how to ride? I never saw you do it before.”

“I sometimes ride my mom’s bike when I go grocery shopping. You just haven’t seen it.”

“I look forward to that… So, shall we buy a bicycle this weekend?” Xia Yuan thought for a moment.

“I have a bicycle at home, so I won’t buy one,” Lin You Xi shook her head. “I can also ride Liang Auntie’s bicycle.”

“I remember Liang Auntie’s bicycle is quite old. Wouldn’t it be better to buy a new one?”

“Well… no need,” Lin You Xi shook her head again. “I don’t want to waste money.”

After saving up to buy her father an electric scooter, Lin You Xi didn’t do many side jobs, and instead focused more on managing C Station operations. Her allowance wasn’t as plentiful as before, but she was frugal. Mei Fang understood her thoughts and added, “I’ll ride my mom’s bike too. She rides an electric scooter now, so the old bicycle isn’t used anymore.”

“Why don’t any of you buy new bikes… I don’t have one either.”

Xia Yuan seemed a bit discouraged. She scratched her head and said, “I’ll ask my mom if I can borrow a bicycle from a colleague’s uncle or aunt.”

“You can buy a new one if you want, Yuan Yuan. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“But then I’d be different from you guys.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being different…”

Mei Fang shook his head, “If the old bikes are too troublesome, we might end up buying new ones. Then you’ll have to recommend us which one to get.”

“Then, I’ll ask my dad to take me to buy a bicycle on Saturday. We can practice riding together on Sunday afternoon!”

“We’re going to Li Shibing’s house for extra lessons on Sunday, so we can only start practicing after five.”

“Oh, right, I forgot. We’re about the same. Anyway, let’s go practice in the park near our neighborhood after class!”

On the weekend afternoon, Mei Fang and Lin You Xi finished their extra lessons and headed home — because Mei Fang already knew how to ride a bicycle and had even brought one to the lesson today.

“You really can ride a bicycle.” Mei Fang pushed the bike, and Lin You Xi followed beside him. “I didn’t know when you learned.”

“I didn’t specifically learn it. It’s just natural talent.”

If it were younger Lin You Xi, she might have kicked the bike in frustration, thinking Mei Fang was boasting. But now she was more restrained, “Afang really has a lot of natural talent in sports. He was good at roller skating too…”

“Haha…” Mei Fang scratched his head, embarrassed. “That’s just ordinary talent compared to your coding and cooking skills.”

“I don’t think so, they’re both impressive.”

Lin You Xi looked at the setting sun and said, “Afang, why don’t you go back first? Maybe Yuan Yuan is waiting for you.”

“Let’s go back together. How could I leave you behind?”

Mei Fang noticed Lin You Xi looking at the backseat of his bike and became curious.

“Want me to carry you back on the bike? Not to brag, but my bike skills are pretty good!”

Lin You Xi looked up at Mei Fang, pondered for a moment, and nodded gently.

“I want to sit.”

So, Mei Fang rode the bicycle, and when Lin You Xi sat on the backseat, she did it with ease. She hugged Mei Fang’s waist and rested her head against his back, making Mei Fang feel slightly awkward.

“Even though it’s an old bike, you need to hold on tight.”

“I know.”

Then Lin You Xi held onto Mei Fang tighter.

Mei Fang rode slowly, the sunset stretching their shadows. The streets and alleys showed the slow-paced charm of the small town.

The street vendors calling out, the elderly women leisurely returning from the market with their groceries, the bumpy road made Mei Fang maneuver skillfully to avoid the potholes. Lin You Xi experienced only a brief jolt, otherwise, it was smooth.

Three children playing with sticks caught Lin You Xi’s attention. She couldn’t help but call out to Mei Fang.

“Afang.”

“What’s wrong?”

Mei Fang turned to look at Lin You Xi, who had been gazing at the street scenery, “Did you see something?”

“No.”

Lin You Xi stood up from the backseat, “I was reminded of when we played outside as kids. Once, I accidentally tore a big hole in your pants with a stick. I was so scared you’d tell Aunt Mei, and she wouldn’t like me anymore, and I wouldn’t be allowed to play at your house. I was so scared, crying all the way.”

“Oh… You mean the incident in primary school?”

“Yeah, how did it end?”

“In the end, I said I would apologize to you, but when I told Aunt Mei that I tore the pants myself, she spanked me.”

“How come you always remember my embarrassing moments so clearly…”

“I don’t think it’s embarrassing,” Lin You Xi’s voice was gentle. “I just feel that you were so kind to me back then.”

“Is that so? Am I not kind to you now?”

“Mmm…”

Lin You Xi pondered but didn’t respond, instead, she leaned back against Mei Fang again and started to rest her eyes.

Mei Fang first took Lin You Xi back home to get her bike, then rode home to put away his backpack. Just as he came out with his bike, he saw Xia Yuan from afar.

“Afang, Afang!”

Xia Yuan wore a sports cap and pushed her new white bicycle towards Mei Fang, “Why are you back so early? Did you finish class early?”

“No, we’re the same.”

“Really…”

Xia Yuan tugged at her hair and thought, “So… you rode a bicycle to the tutoring session?”

“Yeah? Why?”

“And you came back by bicycle?”

“Yes.”

“Then… did you not leave You Xi behind and ride back alone?”

“Ah… Of course not.”

“Hahaha, I knew Afang wasn’t that bad.”

Xia Yuan proudly showed off her new bicycle, “What do you think of my new bike?”

“It looks nice, but single-speed bikes might not be easy to ride.”

“Try it and see for yourself.”

“Okay, let me try.”

Under Xia Yuan’s encouragement, Mei Fang got on her bicycle.

As soon as he sat down, Xia Yuan also sat on the backseat, straddling the bicycle and pressing tightly against Mei Fang’s back.

The pressure and sensation were intense.

“…”

“Look at me? You need to carry someone to know if it’s easy to ride!” Xia Yuan pushed Mei Fang forward, “Try it.”

“I know, I know, stop pushing me!”

Mei Fang rode Xia Yuan around the neighborhood until Lin You Xi arrived.

(End of Chapter)