C35 Shopping With the Tricycle

Since there weren't any buses in the southern suburbs and he might need to purchase a lot of ingredients, Ye Hong had to borrow an electric tricycle from his neighbor, Old Dong.

Old Dong was the boss of Dong's Barbeque Shop next door. He always hung a bright smile on his round face, just like that of a Maitreya Buddha statue.

Every morning, he would drive his tricycle to the market to get ingredients for his shop.

Having known Old Dong ever since they opened the restaurant, they got to know him very well and saw that he had a good temper. Furthermore, Ye Hong's father, would often go out to drink with Old Dong whenever they had the chance to.

Old Dong's wife, Xiao Chunlan , on the other hand, always wore a glum, unkind expression on her face.

Hearing that Ye Hong wanted to borrow their tricycle, Old Dong agreed to lend it to him without hesitation.

On the contrary, Xiao Chunlan's expression turned ugly as she whispered to Old Dong, "The only thing you know how to do is lend our things to our people. I heard that there are even people who collect rent if they lend their car to someone else."

"Yet, you actually lent your tricycle to him for free. You are truly a worthless pig who doesn't know how to do business!"

Even though Xiao Chunlan whispered softly, she could not hide her words from Ye Hong, who had enhanced hearing.

Ye Hong frowned and said to Old Dong, "Uncle Dong, give me a price. I don't think it's right for me to borrow your tricycle for free."

Old Dong immediately glared at Xiao Chunlan and laughed heartily, "Brat, after being neighbors with Uncle Dong for so many years, do you still not understand your Uncle Dong's temper?

"Stop talking about money. If you mention it again, Uncle Dong won't lend you any more!"

Xiao Chunlan did not expect Ye Hong to be able to clearly hear her words. She simply let out an awkward laugh, not daring to say anything else.

The distress in Ye Hong's heart was instantly dispelled by Old Dong's kind, easy-going attitude. Ye Hong could not help but smile and said with utmost gratitude, "Thank you, Uncle Dong."

Having riden his grandfather's electric tricycle before, Ye Hong naturally did not have any trouble driving it on the road.

Now that he took a closer look, the tricycle was probably about the same age as Old Dong.

The rusted body of the electric tricycle continued to rumble on the road as if it would fall apart at any moment.

Many people from the side were pointing at the shabby, old tricycle and making fun of it.

"Since when they allow a pile of scrap to be driven on the road?"

"Little brother, you better cherish your life!"

"Hey, that garbage collector over there, stop looking around. He's talking about you!"

Embarrassed to death, Ye Hong wanted to cover his face with a piece of cloth.

[Ding! Riding on an electric tricycle... Driving Ability: +1, Current Progress :1/10, Current Level: Beginner-level.]

After the longest twenty minutes of his life, Ye Hong finally arrived at the Spring Market in the southern suburbs.

[Ding! Continuing the ride on the electric tricycle... Driving ability: +1, Current progress: 8/10…]

After finding a place to park the tricycle, Ye Hong took out the list of ingredients and started his shopping trip.

"First on the list is... glutinous rice."

Ye Hong walked back and forth in the noisy market with the list in his hands

Walking past one store after the other, his hands were gradually filled with bags of varying sizes.

[Ding! Carrying heavy weight... Lifting Ability: + 1, Current progress: 1/10, Current level: Beginner-level.]

[Ding! Handheld weight... Arm Strength: +1, Current Progress: 1/10, Current Level: Beginner-level.]

At the same time, an old man entered the market with a little girl.

The old man, who was wearing an expensive black windbreaker and had a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, gave off a scholarly vibe.

On his right was an adorable little girl — around the age of four or five — wearing a pink dress that made her looked like a cute doll.

"Grandpa, the food market is such a lively place!"

The little girl was jumping up and down in excitement upon entering the market — a precious sight to behold on a normal day.

The old man smiled lovingly and said, "Xian'er, you must remember to hold tightly onto grandpa's hand. Grandpa doesn't want our little princess to be taken away by bad people, okay?"

Within the bustling crowd, a pair of icy cold gazes stared silently at the two of them.