Chapter 135: Photo Frame

Chapter 135: Photo Frame

Riding a bicycle down the street drew a lot of attention.

Especially for the kids—these little ones who didn’t have to go to school loved playing outside. The moment they saw a bicycle, they’d take off running after it.

Some kids gave up when they couldn’t catch up, while others followed all the way to the front door.

Seeing the bike stop, the braver ones would reach out to touch it.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Chunhua came out and helped shoo the kids away. “Go on, go play somewhere else. If you break it, your parents will have to foot the bill.”

As soon as they heard about having to pay, the children scattered like frightened birds.

Wang Chunhua circled the bicycle. “Wow, it’s so shiny and new! You really brought it back.”

Su Zhaozhao opened the door with her key as Gu Heng pushed the bicycle into the yard, with Wang Chunhua following behind.

Su Zhaozhao said, “Having a bike at home makes it convenient to go places. Sister-in-law, if you need it in the future, feel free to borrow it.”

Wang Chunhua nodded with a smile. “Sure, but I don’t know how to ride. Only Old Zhou and our eldest son know how to.”

Gu Heng, who had been washing his hands under the faucet, chimed in, “It’s easy to learn. Xiao Su here has already mastered it.”

In front of others, he called her Xiao Su, but using her full name, Zhaozhao, felt too intimate and might make people blush or tease them.

He only called her Zhaozhao in private.

Wang Chunhua widened her eyes and looked at Su Zhaozhao. “Really?”

Su Zhaozhao: “...Yes.”

That’s right, she was a person with strong learning abilities!

“Xiao Su, you’re amazing! You learned to ride as soon as the bike was bought.”

Su Zhaozhao said, “You can learn it too.”

Wang Chunhua waved her hand and shook her head. “I can’t. I wouldn’t dare to ride such a new bike. If I accidentally scratched or dropped it, I’d be heartbroken.”

“A bike is meant to be ridden. It’s normal for it to get a few scratches.”

Gu Heng also said, “Sister-in-law, feel free to ride it.”

Wang Chunhua didn’t dare to ride it. Even if she wanted to learn, she should practice on an old bike, not a new one. She also advised them, “You two shouldn’t be too generous lending it out to just anyone. If it gets broken, it’ll be awkward to ask for compensation, but if you don’t, you’ll end up losing out…”

In those days, having a bicycle in the family was like having a small car in later generations, a significant household asset.

Su Zhaozhao once had a colleague who, after a year of work, bought a car on loan. He treated that car better than his girlfriend, pampering it like something precious.

Anyone who sat in his car had to be reminded not to drink or eat inside, and to close the door gently. He was afraid someone might accidentally leave a footprint.

Forget about even thinking of borrowing the car.

Back then, a bicycle was like a luxury car. Su Zhaozhao completely understood.

She didn’t find Wang Chunhua’s words exaggerated at all.

After finishing her thoughts, Wang Chunhua gave the bike a couple of pats and headed back home.

Gu Heng, once she left, took a cloth to wipe off the dust and mud that had accumulated on the bike during the journey.

Su Zhaozhao: “……”

With the money from the two reporters in her pocket, she headed out, as she had other things to take care of.

"Sister Su, what brings you here today?" Xiao Tang asked as she entered the shop.

Su Zhaozhao replied, "I went to the city today and ran into the two reporters who came to our place before. They gave me the money they owed."

She then took out the money and tickets for Xiao Tang to write off and said, "I'll inform Director Liu about it."

She could have waited until tomorrow to write it off and reported to Director Liu the day after, but since tomorrow was her day off and Director Liu might be in the city, she decided to come and inform him now while she was nearby and had nothing else to do.

Su Zhaozhao opened the entrance at the counter and went inside.

Xiao Tang called out to her, "By the way, Sister Su, we've hired a new salesperson. They said it's a young female comrade assigned from above, and she reported for duty this morning. Director Liu has her starting next Monday."

That’s quick!

Su Zhaozhao nodded and went to the back.

After speaking with Director Liu about the matter, he also informed her about the new colleague starting next week. "Xiao Su, starting next Monday, you'll work in the office. For now, let Xiao He help you get settled and familiarize yourself with the work."

Su Zhaozhao nodded with a smile. "Director, I understand. I'll work hard and not disappoint the leadership."

Director Liu waved her off with a smile.

After leaving Director Liu's office, Su Zhaozhao went to the Purchasing and Sales Department to let them know she'd be transferred to the office next week.

Section Chief Xie, being the leader, knew right away that Su Zhaozhao would be joining the office next week. He was relieved that Su Zhaozhao would remain in their department; he had been worried that Director Liu might wave his hand and transfer her to another section.

"Xiao Su, this will be your desk from now on," Section Chief Xie said, pointing to the desk opposite He Fang.

The half-old desk, painted with a layer of clear varnish and accompanied by a wooden chair with a backrest, was no different from the other desks in the office.

Currently, nothing was placed on the desk, and three drawers hung side by side under it.

"When you start on Monday, feel free to grab anything you need," Section Chief Xie said.

Su Zhaozhao smiled. "I know, Section Chief. I'm not a newcomer, so no need to worry about me."

Section Chief Xie chuckled and went out with his teacup to make his rounds.

Su Zhaozhao didn't stay long either. After exchanging a few words with He Fang and the others, she headed back.

At home, Gu Heng was hanging a photo frame on the wall.

As she walked in, he asked, "Come and have a look. How is it?"

Gu Heng had hung the photo frame on the wall of the main room, just above the dining table. It was positioned so that anyone sitting at the table could easily see it while eating.

Five photos were neatly arranged in the frame, but one spot was left empty.

Su Zhaozhao said, "I think we could do without arranging them so neatly, don't you?"

Gu Heng glanced at the photos in the frame. "Isn’t it better to keep them neat?"

"It’s not that it’s bad, but it looks a bit off, like it’s pointing out that we’re missing a photo."

It's like a photo on your social media feed is missing a corner, as if something important is left out.

Some people might replace the missing part with another photo, while others don’t mind leaving it as is.

Su Zhaozhao is the type who would find a way to fill in the gap.

Gu Heng took down the frame and carefully pried off the small nails holding the backboard and glass in place at each corner.

Su Zhaozhao rearranged the photos and, to fill the empty space, she added two dried flowers from the windowsill.

A few small, undernourished roses had bloomed in the yard. When they started to wilt, she picked them and placed them on the windowsill, where they dried over time.

The dried flowers were perfect for adding a delicate touch to the frame.