Chapter 131: Learning to Ride a Bicycle
Ning Qingyuan came in pushing a brand-new women’s bicycle under the bright sunlight, a wicker basket tied to the back seat. He waved at Ning Xiyue with a big smile.
“Sis, look! Guess what I brought you — a bicycle! Come check it out. From now on, it’ll be much easier for you to go to the market in town. Once you’re on this, you’ll get there in no time — no more walking.”
Ning Xiyue quickly stepped into the yard. The bicycle in front of her was a bit smaller and more delicate than the sturdy 28-inch one in her storage space. She ran her hand over the handlebars curiously.
“Second Brother, when did you buy this? And it’s a women’s model too — that must have cost quite a lot.”
Ning Qingyuan parked the bike, took the basket off the back seat, and said cheerfully:
“Not expensive, only 150 yuan. Didn’t I get that big bonus recently thanks to you? Compared to that, the bike’s cost is nothing. I paid for it, and Big Brother took care of the purchase paperwork — together we got it.”
As soon as he received the bonus, Ning Qingyuan bought the bike so his sister wouldn’t have to walk all the way to town anymore.
“Do you like it? If you don’t, we can exchange it for a different style.”
“I love it! No need to change it.” Ning Xiyue felt deeply touched — both her brothers always cared for her so much, and they had even picked out a women’s bike just for her. “Second Brother, I’m going to the market tomorrow. Make sure you come too. Wait for me at the commune in town — we’ll ride back together.”
She had already decided: tomorrow she would find a way to bring out the 28-inch bike from her storage space for her brother. It was tall and sturdy — perfect for a man.
Then they’d both be part of the “bike owners club.”
“Alright,” he agreed.
Ning Qingyuan then lifted the cloth covering the basket and presented its contents proudly.
“Look, I brought some food too. I caught a wild rabbit on my way here. Already cleaned and prepped it in the mountains — we can cook it for lunch. I’ll cover it back up so no one sees.”
“Brother, you’re amazing.” Ning Xiyue gave him a thumbs-up when she saw the fat rabbit wrapped in large leaves inside the basket. “Stay for lunch today. We’ll cook the rabbit. Yesterday, when I went to the county with Big Brother, I even saved you a big meat bun.”
Hearing that his sister had saved him a meat bun, Ning Qingyuan was delighted. He volunteered enthusiastically, “Alright, I’ll do the cooking then — spicy stir-fried rabbit. But first, I’ll teach you how to ride a bike. It’s the perfect time — no one’s around and you’re free.”
“Okay. Sit for a bit, I’ll go put the basket away.”
Ning Xiyue carried the basket into the lounge, took out the rabbit and placed it into her backpack, then covered the basket and set it by the wall.
When she came back outside, Li Xiuxiu had already arrived and was organizing herbs in the yard — though her eyes kept drifting toward Ning Qingyuan instead of staying on her work.
She tried to strike up a conversation, curiosity in her voice:
“Comrade, are you here for treatment, or looking for our Doctor Ning? I don’t think I’ve seen you around the brigade before.”
Ning Qingyuan smiled politely. “I’m waiting for your Doctor Ning.”
Hearing that, the hope that had just risen in Li Xiuxiu’s heart immediately deflated. She looked down and focused on drying the herbs again.
Ning Xiyue watched the scene with interest — she knew exactly why Li Xiuxiu was acting strange. As their conversation ended, she called out, “Second Brother!”
“Hey!” Ning Qingyuan waved. “Sis, come over here, I’ll teach you to ride.”
“Second Brother?” Li Xiuxiu, who had just been disappointed, immediately brightened up again upon hearing the title. A smile spread across her face. “So you’re Xiyue’s second brother! I’ve heard her talk about you so often — now I finally get to meet you in person.”
“Oh, really? My sister talks about me often?” Ning Qingyuan, who until now had eyes only for his sister, turned to her with sudden interest.
Li Xiuxiu nodded eagerly. “Yes! She’s always praising how good you are to her — says you’re the best brother.”
That put Ning Qingyuan in an even better mood. Beaming with pride, he turned to Ning Xiyue and teased, “Sis, so I’m better than Big Brother in your eyes, huh? Haha, now I’ve got something to tease him about.”
The “Master of Stirring the Pot,” Ning Xiyue, just laughed and shook her head. “You’re both great. Don’t go talking nonsense to Big Brother, or he’ll beat you up.”
Ning Qingyuan pretended not to hear. “Close enough — I’m still the best.”
She didn’t bother arguing anymore and just smiled helplessly. She could already imagine her second brother boasting to their elder brother and promptly getting beaten for it — their brotherly squabbles weren’t something she planned to get involved in.
She decided to focus on learning how to ride instead — it would make her trips to town so much easier.
“Brother, show me how to ride in the yard first so I can watch.”
“Alright. Watch my feet carefully.” Ning Qingyuan pushed up the bike’s kickstand.
Li Xiuxiu moved closer to Ning Xiyue, staring at the bicycle with wide, envious eyes. “Xiyue, is this your bike? It’s so pretty — brand new too, right?”
“Mm, my two brothers chipped in and bought it for me. They just brought it over.” Ning Xiyue tried to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. It wasn’t that she was trying to show off — she was just genuinely happy.
Li Xiuxiu looped her arm around Ning Xiyue’s with envy. “Your brothers are so good to you. I’m really jealous.”
Ning Xiyue gently squeezed her hand. “Your brother’s great too. When you weren’t home, he brought you meals every day.”
That hit the sweet spot in Li Xiuxiu’s heart. “True, my big brother might seem a bit simple and quiet, but he’s really kind to me. He always thinks of me when there’s something good.”
A few seconds later, she asked casually, “Xiyue, since your brother is so great, I bet a lot of people like him. Has anyone tried to find you a sister-in-law?”
“You’ll have to ask him yourself,” Ning Xiyue said, glancing at her, already sensing some of Li Xiuxiu’s thoughts.
Li Xiuxiu looked at the tall, handsome figure on the bike and murmured, “He’s really good-looking…”
“What was that?”
“I said, learning to ride a bike is great!” she quickly covered up.
Ning Xiyue chuckled softly as she watched her brother riding, choosing not to expose her. She had no intention of meddling in her brother’s love life.
Most importantly, her brother had no interest in dating — he thought relationships were troublesome and a waste of time he could spend studying or working.
While they chatted, Ning Qingyuan had already circled the yard twice and stopped steadily in front of them.
With a smile, he asked, “Did you get it? Come over here, and I’ll explain step by step.”
Ning Xiyue thought she understood in theory, but she wasn’t sure how it would go when she tried it herself.
“Sis, put the right pedal at the highest point and push down — that makes starting easier,” he explained patiently.
“Got it.”
She followed his instructions carefully.
Li Xiuxiu squatted nearby, listening intently and taking mental notes. It was the perfect opportunity for her to observe and learn. Later, when she had enough money to buy her own bike, she’d already know how to ride.
Ning Xiyue, mentally prepared, was now seated on the bike and ready to go.
“Don’t worry, sis. I’ll hold it steady — I won’t let you fall,” Ning Qingyuan said, steadying the bike from behind.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Xiyue gripped the handlebars tightly. “Second Brother, you can let go. Let me try it myself.”
She replayed the scene of her brother riding in her head and started following it step by step.
With him holding the back, she felt more confident. Wobbly and shaky, she managed to get the bike moving, calling out excitedly, “Brother, look! I’m riding!”
But her joy lasted only three seconds — the front wheel rolled over a small stone, throwing off her rhythm, and she almost fell.
Quick as lightning, Ning Qingyuan grabbed the bike with one hand and pulled her back with the other, saving her from a hard fall.
“You scared me to death!” Li Xiuxiu gasped, patting her chest in relief.
Ning Xiyue, on the other hand, wasn’t scared at all. She laughed. “I’m fine — let’s try again.”
Maybe that near-fall helped her get the hang of it, because her next attempts were much better. She was far from smooth, but she could now manage a few laps.
With no patients at the clinic that day, Ning Xiyue had plenty of time — and after a whole morning of practice, she’d learned how to ride a bike.
And like most beginners, she was now obsessed with riding.
When they returned to the educated youth courtyard at noon, Ning Xiyue handed the basket to Ning Qingyuan, then eagerly sat down on the bike herself and jokingly pointed at the back seat.
“Brother, hop on. I’ll take you for a ride.”
