eurekapd Chapter 49 My Roommate is Awesome
Chapter 49 My Roommate is Awesome
As soon as Jiang Yang stepped out of the station, a group of drivers dressed in various styles immediately surrounded him.
"Sir, are you coming? Where to? I'll help you!"
"My car is fast and the price is fair!"
"Come to my place, I know the way!"
A cacophony of voices surged toward Jiang Yang, and everyone stared at him expectantly.
Dressed in a sharp suit and carrying a brand-new leather suitcase, he looked like a walking gold ingot in the eyes of these simple locals.
Jiang Yang was so overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that he could hardly breathe.
Although he had seen many grand occasions in his previous life, he was still somewhat unaccustomed to this kind of almost barbaric competition.
His gaze swept over the weathered faces, finally settling on a thin, ragged man with one arm.
The man stood on the periphery of the crowd, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and timidity.
Jiang Yang's heart skipped a beat.
In this day and age, life is definitely not easy for a man with one arm who is a taxi driver.
"Driver, to the city center."
He walked up to the driver with the missing arm and spoke gently.
The driver with the missing arm was clearly stunned for a moment, seemingly unable to believe that someone would choose him.
A look of surprise flashed across his dark face, and he hurriedly nodded and bowed, "Yes, yes! Please, sir!"
He took Jiang Yang's suitcase, and despite having only one hand, he worked with extra effort.
The suitcase was heavy, and he struggled to lift it, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
"Let me help you." Jiang Yang reached out his hand to offer assistance.
"No need, no need! I can manage on my own!" the amputee driver quickly refused.
He gritted his teeth and carried the suitcase onto the back of the tricycle.
Jiang Yang noticed that although the driver was dressed in shabby clothes, the tricycle was polished to a shine, and the tattered cloth cushion on the seat was also washed clean.
He nodded secretly in his heart.
It's clear that this driver takes good care of his car and cherishes his job.
The driver struggled to settle the luggage, then straightened up, panting, his dark face gleaming with excitement: "Sir, which place would you like to go?"
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yang slowly said, "Downtown, I guess. Do you know where I can buy electronic communication products? I'd like to buy a pager."
Upon hearing this, the driver's eyes lit up: "Communication products? I know, I know! It's just... a bit far."
"It doesn't matter if it's far, and the cost isn't an issue. If you feel too tired, we can take a break."
Upon hearing this, the driver immediately perked up, patting his chest and assuring everyone, "Not tired at all! This little distance is nothing! Please sit tight!"
As he spoke, he stood up, supporting himself with one arm and one leg, and pedaled the tricycle with all his might. The tricycle creaked and groaned as it carried Jiang Yang slowly into the traffic.
On the way, Jiang Yang chatted with the driver.
"Master, what is your surname?"
"My surname is Li, my given name is Li Niu, and my nickname is Dazhuang."
The driver smiled憨厚ly, revealing a row of white teeth.
You can just call me Dazhuang.
"Dazhuang, how old are you this year?"
"Twenty-one."
"So young. You look... very strong. How come you're doing this?" Jiang Yang asked the question that had been on his mind in a tactful way.
Da Zhuang sighed and wiped his eyes with his empty sleeve.
"Sigh, don't even mention it. I've always been strong since I was little, and I have a younger brother and sister. This arm... it was broken when I was in junior high school. I was doing chores at home, and the roof collapsed and crushed it. I had no choice but to have it amputated. Because of the medical treatment, my family went into a lot of debt, and I couldn't continue my studies. So I had to come out and work. I heard that porters could make money, so I started doing this. I've been doing it for a year now."
Jiang Yang listened quietly, a pang of sadness rising in his heart.
“Don’t underestimate me just because I only have one arm,” Dazhuang seemed to sense Jiang Yang’s sympathy, and his tone became cheerful again, “When it comes to work, some people can’t even beat me with both arms!”
He finished speaking and burst into laughter, but he still couldn't help wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
"My name is Jiang Yang," Jiang Yang introduced himself, "and I'm a... college student."
"College student?!"
Dazhuang's eyes widened, and he pedaled even harder.
"College students are great! I envy you college students! You're so educated! I wish I could go to school too."
"Dazhuang, do you believe in fate?" Jiang Yang asked suddenly, gazing ahead.
Li Niu paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing his white teeth.
"Believe it or not, it's there. My fate is a joke played by God, but I think that even with only one arm, I can still hold up the sky!"
Jiang Yang was infected by his optimism and couldn't help but laugh as well.
He admires people who are positive and refuse to give in to fate.
The number of pedestrians on the road gradually increased, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and bicycle bells mingled together, creating a lively scene of everyday life.
"We're here! We're here! It's right in front of us!" Li Niu shouted excitedly, pointing to a shop not far away.
The tricycle slowly came to a stop.
Jiang Yang and Li Niu took the luggage down together.
"Dazhuang, lock the car and come inside with me." Jiang Yang patted Li Niu on the shoulder.
Li Niu looked puzzled: "Why go in? I'll just wait for you here."
"Just go in, hurry up!"
Without saying a word, Jiang Yang dragged him into the store.
Li Niu was filled with doubt.
What medicine is this guy selling in his gourd?
Jiang Yang walked straight to the counter and asked, "Boss, do you have pagers?"
The boss was a lean, middle-aged man who wore glasses and looked very shrewd.
"Yes! We just received a batch of great goods, foreign brands, take a look!"
As he spoke, he took out a beautifully crafted box from under the counter, with a price tag on it: 200 yuan per unit.
The boss opened the box, revealing a black pager inside.
The pager was small and exquisite, gleaming with a metallic sheen, and Jiang Yang took a liking to it at first sight.
This is a symbol of status!
"I'll take these, two of them."
He took out a thick wad of banknotes from his bag, counted out four hundred yuan, and handed it to the shopkeeper.
Li Niu and the boss were both stunned.
Four hundred yuan!
That's several months' wages for an average worker!
The shopkeeper snapped out of his daze, quickly took the money, and carefully put the two pagers away.
"Sir, you have excellent taste! Please come again next time!"
Jiang Yang took the box and led Li Niu out of the store.
"Brother Jiangyang, why didn't you bargain? This boss is definitely ripping you off!" Li Niu said with heartache.
"Dazhuang, it's not easy to earn money."
Jiang Yang handed one of the pagers to Li Niu, saying, "This is for you."
Upon seeing this, Li Niu frantically waved his hands, "This...this is unacceptable! I can't accept it! It's too valuable!"
Without a word, Jiang Yang shoved the pager into Li Niu's hand: "Take it! I'm in the clothing business. Even if I go to university, I can't stop doing business. Where will I find you when I need to transport goods in the future? Besides, I think you're a good person."