He forced me to sever ties with my family and sleep on a dilapidated boat, then turned around and be

Niu Bayi immediately glared and said, "So what if it's three or four hundred yuan? It's not like I can't afford it. Don't forget, I still have more than two thousand yuan in my pocket. Buying one or even three or four is no problem for me."

He Zhenzhen earnestly advised, "It's better to save money. You still need to get a piece of land to build a house, which will cost money everywhere."

Niu Bayi said, "We should spend money where we can and save money where we can, but we can't skimp on a bicycle. If we buy it, not only can we take you for rides around, but it will also be more convenient for me to go wherever I want."

"Besides, it's only three or four hundred yuan. I can earn several thousand yuan just by going out to sea to fish."

He Zhenzhen said, "Look at what you're saying. Going out to sea to fish doesn't require any cost. Just the diesel fuel alone costs a lot of money."

Niu Bayi simply pointed at her, making a domineering statement.

"Anyway, I'll go buy a bicycle after I finish eating. I have to take you for a ride back to the village so everyone can see how much we love each other. You have to agree!"

"You have no choice but to agree!"

He Zhenzhen pouted and said, "My goodness, you're so fierce... but I like it, hehe, okay, whatever."

After finishing their noodles, the two of them, disregarding societal norms, held hands and ran to the state-run shopping mall.

This small southern town is actually quite large, and it's relatively close to the county seat, which is why it has a state-run department store.

It only opened last year, and it sells all sorts of things, and most of them no longer require tickets.

The era of needing various ration coupons has gradually faded away with the reform and opening up.

When they arrived at the mall entrance, they were both taken aback.

The main gate was packed with people, three layers deep.

It seems like the whole town has come here.

He Zhenzhen exclaimed excitedly, "It's so lively! What's going on?"

She took Niu Bayi's hand and crawled inside.

Not long after, I discovered something very interesting.

The shopping mall is having a lottery promotion.

These days, lottery tickets don't have that kind of covering film; you just scratch it off with your finger and immediately see if you've won.

This is a bit complicated.

A lottery ticket costs 2 cents. It's a small card, about the size of a child's palm, with just one number on it, starting from 001.

People who buy lottery tickets are issued them according to their serial numbers.

The lottery results were drawn live.

A large cardboard box was used as a raffle box.

It was filled with glass beads, each of which was wrapped in a small piece of paper.

The small pieces of paper have corresponding serial numbers on them.

The lottery box was covered with a piece of cardboard with a hole in it.

When the lottery was announced, the host reached his hand through the hole and pulled out the glass bead wrapped with a strip of paper.

Open the slip of paper and read out the serial number.

Those who are drawn will receive the corresponding prize.

From fifth prize to grand prize, the products were all very practical.

For example, the fifth prize is awarded in 100 portions, each containing 10 kilograms of rice.

Eighty fourth prizes were awarded, each consisting of five jin (2.5 kg) of fresh pork.

Fifty third-prize winners—that's even more impressive!

Each serving contains a live chicken, weighing a full four pounds!

Second prize...

First prize...

The grand prize was a Phoenix brand bicycle, displayed on a high platform, so new it gleamed.

Many people lined up to buy lottery tickets; some bought one, while others bought several.

He Zhenzhen said excitedly, "Bayi, should we buy lottery tickets too? What if we're lucky and win that bicycle? Then we won't have to spend three or four hundred yuan."

Niu Bayi's heart skipped a beat, and he thought of the vast ocean space. He nodded and agreed.

He also lined up to buy lottery tickets.

This purchase startled everyone around, including He Zhenzhen.

I bought 20 yuan worth!

There are a full one hundred sheets, numbered starting from 201.

This is a really big customer; most people would only buy ten tickets at most.

He Zhenzhen was a little reluctant to part with him.

"Bayi, do you really need to buy so many lottery tickets? It's such a waste of money."

Niu Bayi said, "The more lottery tickets you buy, the higher your chances of winning."

Then he pointed to the brand-new bicycle.

"We've most likely won it!"

A group of people nearby shook their heads and laughed.

An old man said, "Young man, you think winning the grand prize is easy? What a waste of money! Wouldn't it be better to buy a few pounds of pork with that money?"

Niu Bayi said calmly, "You see, sir, I don't believe that a hundred lottery tickets can't be exchanged for a bicycle."

Those around him burst into laughter.

The old man chuckled and said, "This young man really knows how to dream."

Niu Bayi said, "What's the difference between a person without dreams and a salted fish?"

Shortly after, the host came on stage and announced the start of the prize draw.

He Zhenzhen held Niu Bayi's hand and stood nervously to one side, her hands clasped together, bowing repeatedly.

"May the Jade Emperor bless us! May Guanyin Bodhisattva bless us! May Buddha bless us! We've spent so much money, we absolutely have to win that bicycle, or I'll cry myself to death."

As soon as he finished speaking, a very young and pitiful voice came from the side.

"May Guanyin Bodhisattva bless me! May the Jade Emperor bless me! May Buddha bless me! I must win that bicycle, or I'll cry myself to death."

He Zhenzhen got a little angry when she heard that.

Who stole my words? This is blatant plagiarism!

She turned her head and looked, but her heart softened.

Standing next to her was a little girl who looked no more than seven or eight years old. Although her clothes were clean, they were all patched.

Her small face was a little pale.

She clasped her hands together and earnestly prayed.

He Zhenzhen asked, "Little girl, how many lottery tickets did you buy? You also want to win that bicycle."

The little girl glanced at her timidly.

"I only have two cents, enough for just one ticket. I'm praying to the gods, is it possible to win a bicycle with just one lottery ticket?"

He Zhenzhen said, "It might be a little difficult."

The little girl was about to cry.

"It must be easy, not a little difficult! With a bicycle, my dad won't have to get up so early every day to work in the distant coal mine, and he can come home earlier every night."

"He can ride a bicycle and get to the coal mine in no time."

"He runs every day and his legs are swollen. A couple of days ago he accidentally fell and had to stay home to rest."

May Guanyin Bodhisattva protect us!

May the Jade Emperor protect us!

May the Buddha protect us!

"I don't want Dad's legs to swell up, and I don't want him to fall while running. I wish he had a bicycle."

He Zhenzhen knew that there was indeed a small coal mine about 15 or 16 kilometers away.

Many people from the town and the surrounding fishing villages go there to work.

She said, "There should be three-wheeled vehicles or something in town that go to the coal mine. Why bother going out of town?"

The little girl said, "Riding a three-wheeled vehicle costs money, and my dad can't bear to spend that money, so he always has to walk there, which is very tiring for him. With a bicycle, it's much easier for him. Big sister, don't you agree?"

He Zhenzhen was deeply moved.

This little girl is quite filial.

She nodded and said yes.

The little girl smiled brightly at her.

"Big sister, I heard you prayed to the gods, so I did too. Could you let me pray as well and see if the gods can help me?"

He Zhenzhen had no choice but to generously reply, "Fine, go ahead and ask."

Then, both the older girl and the younger girl were hoping to win the brand-new bicycle.

Niu Bayi watched, his stomach aching from trying so hard to suppress his laughter.

The fifth prize draw is now open!