Chapter 234: Repaying Mom’s Love
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Fina slightly opened its eyes, glanced at the 100 Yuan note indifferently and closed its eyes again, “I don’t think that is a cat.”
Zhang Zian thought it would be interested in the story so he could show off his knowledge. Unexpectedly, Fina didn’t buy it. He walked aside resentfully.
Richard was interested, flapping its wings and landing on his shoulder. It looked at the 100 Yuan note in his hand.
“Jeff, is this all you are longing for?”
“What are you talking about?” Zhang Zian asked.
“Your goal in life. Is it all about RMB?” All of a sudden, the air turned extremely serious.
He said firmly, “No way! My small goal is to get a pretty and wealthy girl! My big goal is to contribute to our great country. I am willing to give all my time and my kids… Of course, I have to find a girlfriend to make some children with first…”
Old Time Tea, who was watching the morning news, started nodding, “That’s great!”
Richard shook its head quickly. “No, no, no, Jeff. You misunderstand me. I meant, RMB is nothing. You will make US dollars following my lead.”
“US dollars?” A beautiful green note came to Zhang Zian’s mind. The US dollar was the one and only currency the whole world was dying for.
“That is right. US dollars! Bucks! Cash! Same thing! If you treat me right, I will assure you an abundant life!” Richard said confidently.
Zhang Zian looked around, and murmured to Richard, “Well…”
“Yes!” Richard confirmed.
“Do you know what I wanted to ask?” He was surprised.
“Didn’t you want to ask if I can get you a white girl? Of course! Dollars will come and so will white girls.”
Zhang Zian was speechless. Although Richard was correct, Zhang Zian didn’t expect it knowing what’s in his mind.
I am that easy to read? he thought. It seemed that everyone, Sun Xiaomeng and Richard especially, could read his mind… How can I be friends with these people and animals?
“Good morning, Brother Store Manager!” A small kid ran in happily. It was Little Celery.
Today, one of Little Celery’s ponytails was sitting down by a quarter of an inch. No one would pay attention to such details like Zhang Zian did. Her face was pink from running and her little hands in knitted gloves were tightly grabbing the two straps of her backpack.
“Good morning, Little Celery. Were you late yesterday?” he asked
“Oh…” Little Celery wrinkled her face and stuck out her tongue, “Scary! I was almost late. As soon as I sat down at my desk, the teacher came in.”
“Well, you’d better pay attention today! Xiao Ling and Ear will be here. You can come anytime you want, but you cannot be late for school, okay?” He acted like a big brother.
“Yes. I know!” she nodded heavily.
“Great! You are such a great girl! I trust you,” He bent down and said to her, “Now, can you do me a favor?”
“Favor? What is it? I always help out at home!” She took off her gloves quickly and rolled her sleeves up, getting ready for some work.
Zhang Zian picked up her gloves, a pair in dark green showing the fingers. It was a good thickness for this time of year. There was a line of small words at the wrist area. He looked at it carefully under the light and it read “Cai Xiaoqin, Class 3, 2nd grade, Binhai No.1 Middle School Subsidiary Elementary School”. The words were so tiny, he had to pay special attention to read it. Any normal person would’ve thought that it was a line of decorative pattern at a glance.
“Did your mom make these?” he said as he returned the gloves to her.
“Yup!” she replied shyly.
What a nice mother! Zhang Zian sighed.
“Did your mom put your name on your other clothes?” he asked.
“Yeah. Here, here and there…” Little Celery pointed at herself all over. Her mom stitched Little Celery’s name and school on hidden areas such as inside the pocket or at the corner. He also noticed that she was wearing a Children’s GPS watch.
“I told my mom there is no need to put my name on my clothes anymore, but mom was worried that I would get lost…” Looking down at her own feet, her face turned red, “I am a grown-up! I won’t get lost. My friends don’t have their names on their clothes anymore. Only me! Some annoying boys call me ‘Mommy’s good baby’…” She said reluctantly.
Zhang Zian patted her head, “Don’t let them bother you. They will regret laughing at you someday.”
“Really?” She raised her head.
“Yes,” he said affirmatively.
“Little Celery, I will teach you a poem. Maybe you already know it, but I am sure you feel differently today.”
Little Celery looked up to him and listened closely.
Zhang Zian slowly recited,
“Needle and thread in doting mother’s hand,
Turn out garments for her son to roam the land.
She puts in more stitches as he leaves,
And frets that his homecoming may be moved back.
Who says the tiny inch-tall blade of grass,
Can repay the warm sunshine of spring?”
He knew nothing about broadcast and recitation, so honestly, he did a horrible job. He thought that Richard would laugh at him; however, it landed on his shoulder and listened closely. It was so quiet in the store that it was kind of awkward.
It was a short poem. It took less than one minute.
After that, Zhang Zian tried to recall if he had made a mistake. If Little Celery found the mistake… then it would be quite embarrassing. Fortunately, he did recite it correctly.
Bowing her head down, Little Celery started rubbing the words on her gloves as she listened. After a while, she looked back up and the sunshine was on her face again.
“Brother Store Manager, you did great! Better than our teacher!” she said.
“Ha-ha, you are so nice! I know where I am with this but I appreciate your praise. Remember, I am most proud of my handsome face, not recitation.” Zhang Zian was embarrassed by Little Celery’s praise but he decided not to show it. Instead, he made it into a joke.
“It was the best! Our teacher didn’t put any emotions when she reads poems,” Little Celery explained.
“Really?” Zhang Zian said, rubbing his own chin, “When I close my pet shop, I should get a teaching certificate. I have to teach high school where there are lots of pretty young girls…”
“Stop it!”
A tall and skinny man with a ponytail was standing at the door. It was Guo Dongyue. He was looking at Zhang Zian with his hands in the pocket. They would be going to the bird breeding base to pick out some parrots today.
Zhang Zian turned to him, looking at this man trying to repay his mom’s love.
