Seeing the money earned today needing to be spent tomorrow, Liang Hongmei couldnāt help but feel a bit reluctant. However, looking at the successful hot pot restaurant run by her daughter and son, she was instantly relieved. She just needed to take care of her clay pot restaurant and let the kids do their thing.
The next day, Lin Yinghui went to the city after seven, first visiting the mall selling cars, asking about prices. As suspected, even a mediocre one cost over three hundred.
After checking two markets with consistent prices, Lin Yinghui took Lin Wanās advice and went to the secondhand market.
There were quite a few vehicles, but most were not very functional.
After wandering for half a day, Lin Yinghui hadnāt found one he liked.
"Lin Yinghui, classmate?"
"Mu Qing, classmate?"
Mu Qing smiled at him, "What are you here to buy?"
"Iām here to buy a tricycle. Are you selling bicycles?"
"No, did you find anything you like?"
"Not yet."
"Want me to help pick one for you? Whatās it for?" She knew Lin Yinghui wasnāt a local and still did odd jobs at school. Why the sudden need to sell a tricycle?
"To haul some vegetables." Lin Yinghui thought an extra person might give more opinions, so he casually mentioned.
"Oh... Follow me." Mu Qing gestured to Lin Yinghui to follow her as she spoke.
Lin Yinghui hesitated but followed, when Mu Qing pointed to an old goods store and said, "This is my uncleās place. Letās go, Iāll have him fix one up for you."
"Qingqingās back, werenāt you off yesterday? Why come today? Your aunt thought you would visit yesterday and made a pot of chicken for you." As Lin Yinghui followed Mu Qing inside, he saw a thin, weak-looking middle-aged man tinkering with a bicycle.
"I had some homework to finish, so I didnāt come yesterday. Uncle, this is my classmate who wants a tricycle. Can you fix him up a good one?" Mu Qing said as she crouched next to her uncle, pointing to Lin Yinghui.
"Hello, uncle."
Mu Qingās uncle looked up at Lin Yinghui and smiled, "Qingqingās classmate, ah? Please sit down. I must say, I picked up one the day before yesterday. Itās rusty, the tires and seat are damaged, but the frame is sturdy. I havenāt had time to fix it yet, so I didnāt display it."
Mu Qingās uncle stood up while speaking, walking toward the yard, and shouted to Lin Yinghui.
Within a minute, he pushed the old tricycle out, "Take a look."
The tricycle wasnāt very large, but the cargo hold at the back was deep, with vertical and horizontal iron railings on both sides. The frame looked good, and Lin Yinghui nodded in satisfaction, "Uncle, Iāll take this one. Could you please fix it for me?"
"Sure, it wonāt take long. Qingqing, take your classmate inside to sit down. Your aunt went to work, but sheāll be back for lunch. Since you rarely bring classmates by, stay for lunch."
"No need, no need. I have some things to do and need to leave soon, so letās skip lunch."
Mu Qing smiled at Lin Yinghui and said to her uncle, "Uncle, he has things to do, letās plan for lunch another day. Hurry up with the repairs."
"Donāt worry, wouldnāt trust your uncle? Since heās your classmate, Iāll certainly use the best." Mu Qingās uncle laughed heartily and got busy with the repairs.
"Thanks for today. I really need to treat you to a meal another day." Lin Yinghui, satisfied with his purchase, smiled at Mu Qing at the shop entrance.
"Iāll remember that; you better not back out."
"I wonāt."
"The rust is bad; better paint it over." Mu Qing didnāt ask him why he needed to haul vegetables.
"Iāll buy some paint and do it myself when I get back."