Chapter 1568 - 1559: As Far as the Eye Can See, It’s Everlasting: The Youth Rushing Through the Cold Wind

On the streets of T City, a bicycle was racing along, the man riding it lifting his butt off the saddle as he pumped the pedals hard.

His body leaned forward, phoenix-shaped eyes fixed ahead, his mouth grinning wide, as if something great had just happened.

Yes, this man was Joseph Lancaster, pedaling around the city, buying all sorts of tasty things.

In front of a state-run shop, with a screech of the handbrake Joseph had already leapt off the bike, kicked down the stand, locked it—one quick, urgent, practiced motion—and once the bicycle was secured, Joseph hurried into the shop, went straight to the fruit counter, and handed over a big "ram."

"Please, weigh me ten yuan worth of fruit."

The saleswoman stared at the big note in her hand, stunned. All her years selling fruit, the most generous customers only ever bought one or two yuan’s worth. Someone buying ten yuan in one go—this was a first.

Seeing the saleswoman still fixed on that "big ram," Joseph fished in his pocket again and pulled out another five-yuan note. "Here, make it fifteen yuan’s worth. Fuji apples, mandarins, and those white pears—give me some of each."

"Oh, sure!" The saleswoman finally snapped out of it, took the money from Joseph, turned and slipped it into the wooden cash box, then started weighing out the fruit.

After buying fruit, Joseph bought some meat as well. There was fresh cabbage at home; they could wrap up some plump, juicy dumplings—his sister-in-law would definitely love them!

A few minutes later, Joseph came out of the shop with his haul, hung the nylon bags on the handlebars, unlocked the bike, and hopped back on.

On the way home, Joseph was eager to get back, eyes on the road as he pedaled like mad.

"Candied hawthorn! Sweet and sour iced candied hawthorn, tasty and cheap..."

"Screech—" With another harsh brake, Joseph jumped off the bicycle again, the sudden move making the man carrying the stick of candied haws jump in fright.

"Give me five skewers!"

The candied-haw seller thought he’d misheard, still balancing the pole bristling with skewers as he asked skeptically, "How many did you say you want?"

"Five!" Joseph repeated, ducking his head as he dug into the pocket of his wool coat and pulled out two yuan. "Here."

It was the holiday season, the streets were empty, and the man had been selling candied haws all day without moving many skewers. He hadn’t even had lunch yet. Staring at the two yuan in Joseph’s hand, he swallowed. "How about... you just take all of them? I’ll give you a bit of a discount."

He’d only said it offhand, never imagining Joseph would actually agree. "Alright, count how many there are. No need for a discount!"

The Lancaster Family home was far from the city center; if they wanted to browse the department store, they needed a driver to bring them in. Better to buy more at once. Besides, it was cold now—leave the candied haws outside to freeze, and whenever his sister-in-law wanted some, she could just pick a skewer. Nice and convenient.

...

In the cold wind, Joseph, in his student uniform with a wool coat thrown over it, the front flapping open, one hand on the handlebars and a whole pole of candied haws slung over his shoulder, pedaled quickly toward home.

By the time Joseph got back, it was already dark. Still shouldering the candied haws, he rode straight toward his brother and sister-in-law’s place, cheeks flushed—whether from excitement or the cold wind was hard to say—but his mouth was grinning the whole way.

"Sis, look what good stuff I brought you to eat!"

Before he even reached the door, Joseph was shouting loudly. He hopped off the bike in a rush, unhooked the fruit and pork hanging on the front, let the bicycle go, and ran inside.

As soon as he dashed into the hall, Joseph froze in the doorway, the smile on his face turning stiff.