Chapter 244: How Much Did That Cost?

Fu Mingxue wasn’t interested in knowing who she was.

She averted her gaze and told everyone to clear a path.

"Excuse me, please make way. I need to get home."

When the crowd around her heard this, they couldn’t very well keep blocking her way.

Everyone moved aside.

Fu Mingxue quickly rode up to her own front door.

Just as she was about to push the tricycle into the house, she discovered a major problem.

The gateway was wide enough.

But the gateway had a threshold!

Previously, she’d always carried her bicycle in and out—a bike is small and not very heavy, after all.

But this tricycle... The high threshold was going to be a problem.

Just as she was about to lift the front wheel over the threshold, Mrs. Fu came out of the kitchen.

Upon seeing the tricycle, she was stunned.

"This tricycle? Where did you get it?"

’She’d never seen a tricycle like this for sale at the town’s supply co-op!’

Fu Mingxue was left speechless. ’The way she asked... Does she think I stole it?’

"Mom, hold that thought. Help me get this tricycle inside first."

Mrs. Fu snapped to it and immediately came forward to help lift the handlebars.

Then she helped lift the cargo bed.

Noticing all the eyes outside staring at the tricycle, Mrs. Fu decisively slammed the gate shut.

Shutting out their prying eyes.

She stared at the brand-new tricycle, even catching the scent of fresh paint.

She was flabbergasted. "Did this trike just roll off the factory line?"

Fu Mingxue smiled. "Pretty much."

’After all, it was just assembled this afternoon.’

"You bought it?"

"Pretty much."

The moment Mrs. Fu heard those two words, she shot her a glare.

"What do you mean, ’pretty much’? How much did you spend on this?"

"Mom, never mind how much it cost. The question is, do you like it?"

Mrs. Fu: ...?

’Even if she liked something, she couldn’t bring herself to enjoy it if it cost a fortune.’

’Wouldn’t it be better to save that money?’

She found herself regretting not taking all of her daughter’s money when she’d handed it over.

’If she had, her daughter wouldn’t be spending money like this.’

’At this rate, even a mountain of gold wouldn’t be enough for her!’

"Take this trike back. We don’t need it—"

Fu Mingxue was speechless.

’She knew it; her mom was just heartbroken over the cost.’

So she immediately explained, "Mom, I had it assembled at the bicycle factory. I traded a design for it, and it’s the only one. I didn’t spend any money. But you can’t tell anyone about this."

Mrs. Fu was floored by her daughter’s words yet again.

"What? You... are you telling the truth? You’d better not be lying to me—"

Fu Mingxue rolled her eyes. "Why would I lie to you? Of course it’s true. When have I ever lied to you? Now, go on. Give it a try here in the courtyard."

She pointed at the tricycle.

As soon as Mrs. Fu heard it was free, her enthusiasm soared to an all-time high.

"Alright, let me give it a try."

’Truth be told, as long as it didn’t cost more than a regular bicycle, she’d have thought it was a pretty good deal.’

Fu Mingxue started to explain, "This is the brake. All you have to do is squeeze it—"

Mrs. Fu told her to get out of the way.

"It’s almost like a bicycle, I know how. Now get out of my way."

She then climbed on. At first, the ride felt awkward.

It felt a little different from riding a bicycle.

But after riding a couple of laps around the yard, she decided it was great.

It was so much more stable than a bicycle.

"So? You like it now, don’t you?"

Mrs. Fu’s face lit up as she retorted, "How could I not love something so precious?"