Chapter 39: Chapter 31.1

In the evening, Wang Tie took Yi Feng home.

As they passed a mobile phone store, Yi Feng asked him to stop.

“What’s up, Brother Feng?”

“I’m going to buy a phone; it’s inconvenient without one.”

Yi Feng got out of the car and continued, “Wait here for me, I’ll be out soon.”

Entering the phone store, the shop wasn’t big but sold various brands of new phones, as well as second-hand ones.

Yi Feng went straight to ask the owner the price of a second-hand Nokia 3310.

The new phone sold for about 1500 yuan, and the owner quoted 800 yuan for the second-hand one.

After some soft talking and haggling, Yi Feng successfully reduced the price to 600 yuan and spent an additional 20 yuan on a 7-digit phone IC card, which could be used after activation.

Yi Feng paid 620 yuan and happily fiddled with the phone.

This 3310 model was the hottest selling phone at the moment, capable of making calls, sending text messages, and playing Snake, making it the best value for money among all phones.

Now I also have a phone!

After buying the phone, Yi Feng left the store and showed off to Wang Tie, “Look, brother, I have a phone now!”

“Let me see, Brother Feng!” Wang Tie exclaimed excitedly.

He took the phone, touching and looking at it from all angles, finding it quite novel.

He had seen this device before but had never played with it.

Yi Feng taught him how to send text messages and make calls, and Wang Tie looked envious.

“Alright, don’t be envious. When I earn some money, I’ll get you one too,” Yi Feng patted his shoulder.

“Really? Brother Feng! I love you so much!” Wang Tie shouted excitedly upon hearing this.

“It’s getting dark, hurry up and ride back home!”

…

Yi Feng arrived home at seven, and as soon as he opened the door, he smelled the aroma of food.

“Wow, it smells good, mom, what delicious food did you make today?” Yi Feng shouted cheerfully.

“You kid, played outside all day and only now you remember to come back? Xixi helped me a lot with the household chores!” Meng Xiaoyun came out of the kitchen carrying dishes.

“Go wash your hands, it’s time to eat.”

Yi Feng saw Gu Muxi sitting obediently on the sofa watching TV.

Gu Muxi also turned to look at him and said, “Where did you and Wang Tie go to play?”

“You didn’t take me with you!”

Her tone seemed a bit resentful.

“Hehe, didn’t do much, just went to fix a computer, why, missed me just after a day?” Yi Feng walked over and teased her in a low voice.

“Hmph, dream on, who would miss you? Only a fool would miss you!” Gu Muxi’s face turned red as she retorted proudly.

“Yi Feng, after you have eaten, come with me, I have something for you.”

Yi Feng was startled, “What are you giving me?”

Gu Muxi mysteriously said, “You’ll know after dinner!”

Yi Feng scratched his head, what is this girl up to?

It couldn’t be some kind of plan to prank me, could it?

No, I have to be careful later.

After washing his hands, Yi Feng came out to find his father, Yi Jianjun, had come home.

“Dad, why did you come back so late today?” Yi Feng asked curiously.

“Sigh, the factory workers have formed some kind of self-rescue union, saying they want to choose a few people to represent them to the city to fight for their rights, I had to attend the meeting, so I came back late,” Yi Jianbing sighed.

“The Guangxi No.3 Rolling Mill is getting more chaotic by the day, I heard that old Gu was sent to Shanghai to discuss a merger with Shanghai Steel, they all have some opinions.”

Yi Feng suddenly understood, the situation was getting worse.

In his memory, the Guangxi No.3 Rolling Mill wouldn’t last until next year and would become one of the state-owned enterprises to close down under the wave of reform.

The Guangxi No.3 Rolling Mill was just a microcosm of thousands of state-owned enterprises.

The biggest wave of layoffs in China had already arrived.

“Dad, it’s okay, things will work out,” Yi Feng comforted.

The general situation was such, individual power was limited, and everyone was caught in the tide of the times.

All one could do was to strengthen oneself and struggle in the tide of the times.

“Let’s not talk about work at home, come on, let’s eat,” Meng Xiaoyun brought out dishes from the kitchen.

Tonight’s meal was as rich as the day before, with three dishes and one soup: two meat dishes and one vegetable, sweet and sour fish, stir-fried bitter gourd with pork slices, garlic spinach, and a very delicious clam and vegetable soup.

Yi Feng thought to himself that these two days were thanks to Gu Muxi’s blessing.

After a satisfying meal, Gu Muxi and Yi Feng went downstairs for a walk.

Under the night sky, the dim streetlights of the workers’ residential area illuminated the path, with occasional barks of dogs.

It was quiet and peaceful.

Gu Muxi covered Yi Feng’s eyes from behind as soon as they reached downstairs, “You can’t open your eyes now.”

“Why? What are you trying to do? Steal a kiss? Hehe!” Yi Feng joked.

Gu Muxi blushed and spat, “In your dreams!”

Why has this smelly Yi Feng become so slick recently?

Always trying to take advantage on the lips!

“I told you I have a gift for you, right? It’s a surprise, you mustn’t open your eyes!”

Gu Muxi instructed, then let go of her hands.

Yi Feng sneakily opened his eyes a slit, but saw Gu Muxi staring right at him.

“See! You peeked again! As expected, you’re not honest!” Gu Muxi caught him.

Yi Feng closed his eyes again, arguing, “No, I didn’t open my eyes, I can’t see anything.”

“Stop making excuses. Now, turn around, face the wall, and don’t turn back,” Gu Muxi led him by the hand to the wall, making him face it.

Yi Feng held her soft hand, thinking how comfortable it was to hold.

“Hey, why are you pulling me, let go!” Gu Muxi blushed and pulled her hand away, giving him a glare.

This smelly Yi Feng… really annoying~

“Is it done?” Yi Feng asked.

“Wait a minute, don’t turn back yet.”

Gu Muxi tiptoed away.

After a while, she pushed out a brand-new Phoenix-brand bicycle from the stairwell.

This was bought with her two years of New Year’s money, a total of one hundred and thirty yuan.

It was also a return gift for Yi Feng.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yi Feng’s bicycle had been used for three years and was already old and often malfunctioned, with unresponsive brakes.

So she thought of buying Yi Feng a new bicycle, so he could also ride a new bike.

He… would probably really like this gift, right?

He would definitely be thrilled!

Gu Muxi secretly looked forward to Yi Feng’s surprised reaction.

Gu Muxi pushed the bicycle behind Yi Feng.

“Smelly Yi Feng, turn around and look at me.”

“Hmm?”

Yi Feng turned around and saw Gu Muxi holding a new bicycle, looking at him with a smile.

He glanced at the new bicycle and exclaimed, “This, this is what you’re giving me?”

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