Chapter 97 Receive the Award
October 2nd.
The next day after winning the lottery, the father and son decided to go to the lottery center in the city together to claim the prize.
Didn't tell anyone.
As soon as the sky was getting light, the father and son went out quietly without even having time to eat breakfast.
[Thump, thump, thump——]
Fang Wei sat on the back of his father's motorcycle, set out from home, left Donghua Village, passed Shayang Village, passed Pineapple Wharf, drove onto Baitan Bridge, and headed towards Baitan Wharf.
"Awei, are you cold? Why don't you put on more clothes when you come out?" Fang Xianfeng asked, turning around.
"It's okay, it's just cooler in the morning and evening, but it's still hot during the day."
Fang Wei answered, with the sound of motorcycle engines and the cool breeze in the early morning in his ears.
"If we go there so early, will other people not be at work yet?"
"It's getting late. It will take about two or three hours. I asked yesterday and there are people on duty. It should be time to go to work by the time we get there."
"Dad, have you brought your ID card, lottery tickets, and other things?"
"How could you forget this? Your dad is still in his right mind."
After winning the prize last night, Fang Xianfeng immediately called the lottery center to inquire about the prize claiming procedure.
Naturally, the small lottery shop in the town cannot claim such a large prize, so one needs to go to the lottery center in the city, which is Xuanzhu City.
Xuanzhu Island is the largest island in the Xuanzhu Thousand Islands. There are four public high schools in the city, three of which are on Xuanzhu Island.
Fang Wei was not unfamiliar with Xuanzhu City, having once stayed there for three years.
The high school he attended in his previous life was Xuanzhu No. 3 Middle School, which was considered the worst high school.
Even for the worst No. 3 Middle School, getting admitted is not an easy task, especially for students coming from remote towns. The admission rate from junior high school to high school is very low, and 70% of students cannot get into high school.
This is also the exam with the most severe diversion among junior high school students on the island. Most students who fail to get into high school either go to technical schools or go out to work early like Sister Caiwei.
When I told Cailing before that it was difficult to get into No. 1 Middle School, I didn't mean to put pressure on her, because it really was difficult. According to Baitan Middle School's previous high school entrance examination results, only four or five students could get into No. 1 Middle School every year.
Of course, Baitan Middle School itself is very small, with four classes in one grade, with a total of only about 150 students.
……
While chatting, the father and son had already arrived at Baitan Wharf.
It was still early, just six o'clock in the morning, but there were already quite a few people at the pier. After all, it was a holiday, and there were more passengers entering and leaving the island than ever before.
"Can you drive the motorcycle over there? Or should we find a small shop to store it first?" Fang Wei asked.
"Yes, it's not like I'm unfamiliar with you. When I was young, I worked on construction sites in the city for several years. That's when I met your mom in the city. She was selling socks at a stall at the time."
Recalling the past, Fang Xianfeng also laughed.
Although he had heard his parents' love story more than once, Fang Wei still asked with interest: "Then how did you two meet?"
"We just met when we were buying socks!"
"You buy socks from her every day? Are you attracted by my mom's beauty?"
"Qiqi...what the hell, that's because the socks your mom sells are of terrible quality! They've got holes in them after just two days of wearing them. I have to go find her!"
"You didn't cut it yourself, did you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about, kid! Is this the kind of person your father is?"
Fang Wei laughed when he heard this: "You and mom said something different."
"…What did she say?"
"I said you were so annoying! I thought you were a contractor, but you turned out to be a cement carrier!"
"...Nonsense!"
Fang Xianfeng's face turned red and he quickly skipped the topic.
……
Come to the ticket office.
"Two tickets to Xuanzhu Pier. How much?"
“Do you have a car?”
"bring."
"The motorcycle is three dollars, and two adult tickets are six dollars."
"Why is it so much more expensive than before?"
"You haven't sat here for a long time, right? It's still this price now."
"Then give me the two earliest ones."
"Is half an hour later okay?"
"can."
Fang Xianfeng counted out nine dollars and handed it to the ticket seller at the window, who then tore off two white boat tickets and a blue motorcycle ticket and handed them to him.
The transport boats at the pier can take vehicles on board, of course not including cars, only motorcycles and bicycles.
The cost of boarding the ship is also divided into two parts, one is the vehicle fee and the other is the passenger fee.
If it is a long-distance ship, such as to Shanghai, you cannot bring your car on board, after all, the ship types are different.
There are quite a lot of flights to the city. Fang Wei took the ticket from his father and took a look at it. It was estimated that the train would depart at 6:30 and would arrive at Xuanzhu Wharf at about 8:30.
The white boat ticket in his hand is the same as the one he remembered. When he was in high school, he also took the boat from Baitan Wharf every time. With such a long commuting time, he naturally couldn't go to school as a day student. He lived in the school dormitory during high school and came back about once a month.
"Come on, buy some buns and eat them. Dad will take you for a good stroll in the city today."
"Okay."
Fang Wei nodded. Excluding the previous times, this was indeed his first time going to the city.
Fang Xianfeng stepped on the accelerator twice to start the motorcycle, and took his son to a tricycle selling breakfast, where he bought a few buns and two cups of soy milk.
By the time the father and son finished their breakfast, the first boat to Xuanzhu City was about to depart.
[Bu——]
"Going to Xuanzhu City! The boat leaves at 6:30! Passengers going to Xuanzhu City, please pay attention! Bring your luggage and start checking tickets to board the boat! Keep a safe distance between vehicles! Don't bump into other people!"
The ship's crew was shouting loudly at the dock with a big loud speaker.
Soon, many people gathered on the covered bridge.
Fang Wei sat on the back of his father's motorcycle and handed the ticket to the ticket inspector.
The ticket inspector looked at the ticket, waved his hand to let me pass, and reminded me: "Place your vehicle on the boarding position, close to the inside."
Fang Xianfeng is very skilled in riding a motorcycle. He puts the motorcycle in first gear, lightly taps the foot brake, sometimes squeezes the clutch, then gives a little gas, and puts one leg down to help maintain balance, to ensure that the motorcycle does not suddenly stall.
A thick wooden board was placed between the deck and the bridge of the ship. As the motorcycle passed by, the board clanged twice and was successfully put onto the ship.
Fang Xianfeng parked his motorcycle according to the designated location.
There are chairs to sit on in the cabin, but there is no air conditioning, only a broken fan. Compared with the transport ship to Shanghai, the conditions are touching.
After all the passengers were on board, the gate of the corridor bridge was closed, and the ship's crew dragged in the wooden board for vehicles to pass through. They then used several long leather ropes to simply secure the motorcycles and bicycles parked on the deck.
If there are relatively strong winds and waves, the ship will not be able to pass.
Today, the sea is calm, the air is clear and the weather is just right.
……
Another whistle sounded.
The ship slowly sailed away from the dock, the propeller stirring, the bow breaking through the waves and heading along the predetermined sailing route.
Taking a boat is the slowest mode of transportation, but it also offers the most amazing experience.
Neither the father nor the son went to sit in the cabin, but stayed on the deck with the motorcycle.
The boat was not going very fast, and the sea breeze blowing towards us had a stronger sea scent than that on the shore.
The sun had just risen and its light was very gentle, feeling warm on the skin, just offsetting the coolness of the early autumn morning.
Occasionally, a few seagulls would take advantage of the air currents created by the boat, spread their wings and follow behind the boat.
The sky is as blue as the sea, and just being here is enough to make you feel relaxed and happy.
Sitting on the boat, looking at the Baitan Bridge that is usually used for traffic and the Pineapple Island where I live, it feels wonderful.
It was like a switch in time and space, as if I had become a part of the scenery.
"It seems like I haven't been out for a long time."
Thirty-eight-year-old Fang Xianfeng stood on the deck, leaning against the railing.
When he was traveling far away, he looked back and saw the world he lived in.
The feeling is different from when I went out at the age of eighteen.
……
It was already 8:40 when we arrived at Xuanzhu Pier.
After all, the ferry is not direct and will stop at some small islands along the way.
It took two hours to finally reach the destination. The father and son felt their legs were sore from standing on the deck.
"Awei, get in the car!"
"Dad, do you know the way?"
"You're kidding. Where in this city hasn't your father been?"
Riding on a motorcycle, the father and son left Xuanzhu Wharf and rode towards the city.
“There are so many more cars!”
Seeing all kinds of cars of different sizes driving on the street, Fang Xianfeng couldn't help but sigh.
Xuanzhu Island is different from other small islands because it is large enough that cars, which cannot be seen on small islands such as Pineapple Island and Baitan Island, can be seen everywhere in the city.
Of course, there are not many people who own cars these days. As an ordinary prefecture-level city, the main means of transportation are still buses and motorcycles and bicycles.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't seen a four-wheeled car for a long time, even Fang Wei couldn't help but stare at it for a long time.
"When our family has enough money in the future, I will buy a car!" Fang Xianfeng made a bold statement.
Fang Wei smiled and said, "We can't drive on the island."
"I already have money, why should I care if it opens or not? Can't I just buy it and put it there?"
"can."
"Speaking of which, this city has changed so much. I feel a little confused when I'm walking around..."
Fang Xianfeng rode a motorcycle with his son on the street. The things that were familiar in his memory had changed drastically. He inexplicably felt that he could not keep up with the times.
"Dad, how long have you not been to the city?" "About ten years..."
"The changes must be huge. How can we compare the 1990s with now?"
"You still need to go out more!"
"So do you know where the lottery center is?"
"..."
Finally, I decided to ask a local uncle.
"Oh, it would be great if I had a navigation system or something. This city changes every year. Sometimes I can't even recognize the roads after being away for so long."
"Didn't you say it yourself? The way is in your mouth!"
"It's troublesome to ask for directions."
After asking several people, the father and son finally arrived at the lottery center in the city.
What is it like to win the lottery and claim your prize?
Ninety-nine point ninety percent of people are unable to answer this question.
And now, Fang Wei felt that he could answer it.
After parking the motorcycle, the father and son walked into the lottery center together.
Fang Wei could see that his father's face was filled with excitement and his breathing seemed to have become heavier.
On ordinary days, it seems that you never see people who win the lottery, but here at the lottery redemption center, Fang Wei saw one, after all, he and his father were among them.
Before coming here, I thought redeeming the prize would be complicated, but it is actually quite simple.
After the father and son explained their purpose to the staff in the hall, someone came to take them over to fill out the winning registration form.
"Awei, you write it..."
Fang Xianfeng rubbed his hands on his clothes awkwardly: "My palms are sweating a lot. It may be because I have done too much work. I can't even hold the pen steadily..."
Aren’t you nervous yet?
Fang Wei smiled, without exposing his father's image, took the pen from his hand, bent down and started writing a message on the table.
"Hello, could you please check the receipt for me? I think I have it with me, right?"
"I brought it! I brought it!"
Fang Wei was carrying a schoolbag on his back. When he turned around, his father quickly unzipped the bag and took out a red bag containing lottery receipts, personal ID card, passbook and other things.
Under the supervision of technical and financial personnel, the next step is the ticket checking and prize redemption procedures.
"You two can sit down for a while."
"it's okay no problem!"
After waiting for about half an hour, the program finally reached the next step.
"Hello, Mr. Fang. Congratulations on winning the lottery prize of [84260 yuan]. After tax, the amount you can get is [67408 yuan]. Please check if there are any questions. If you are sure, please sign here. We will issue you a tax receipt and check later."
Fang Xianfeng's hands were shaking when he signed.
Even though he had already estimated the amount of money he could win, when the number really appeared before him, his breathing became rapid and his heartbeat quickened.
It's this tax deduction that really hurts him...
However, the total amount he could get was about 70,000 yuan, which was equivalent to his income from working at the dock for seven years!
With this money, the matter of mussel farming... Fang Xianfeng didn't have time to think about it, and signed his name slowly and forcefully.
He was not afraid of being laughed at when he said this, but in his entire life, even when he was studying and taking exams, he had never written his name so seriously.
"Signed."
"Okay, wait a minute."
Another unbearable half hour.
After the financial accounting was completed there, the staff appeared in front of them.
Fang Xianfeng hurriedly stood up from his chair.
"Mr. Fang, congratulations. Here are your tax receipts and checks. If they are correct, please sign and put your fingerprints here."
"I can just take the check and go to the bank to transfer the money, right?"
"Yes."
"Good good..."
Fang Xianfeng signed his name again and pressed hard to leave a red fingerprint.
When I held the check in my hand, it felt like a dream.
"Mr. Fang, this is our welfare donation, take a look..."
"Girl, it's not that I don't want to donate, but this money is very important to me! So, when I have money in the future, I promise! I will strongly support welfare undertakings!!"
"..."
As soon as he got the check, Fang Xianfeng wrote a bad check.
It's funny. It seems that my father is still rational. It's not that he doesn't support welfare undertakings, but he supports them in this way. In the end, anyone with a discerning eye knows who the money ends up in.
……
It's a rare opportunity to go out, so naturally I have to finish all my things before I can feel at ease.
After coming out of the prize redemption center, Fang Xianfeng rode his motorcycle and took Fang Wei to the bank.
Although it was not a working day, there were people on duty at the bank, but they were only open half a day, only handling personal savings business, and closed in the afternoon.
Fang Xianfeng doesn’t have a bank card, only a passbook from the Agricultural Bank of China.
After completing the check transfer, he applied for another bank card at the suggestion of the bank staff.
Looking at the extra numbers on the passbook, Fang Xianfeng finally felt relieved.
Since he was already here, Fang Wei curiously asked the staff: "Hello, I also want to apply for a bank card, can I?"
"What do you want to do with the bank card?" Fang Xianfeng asked curiously.
"I use it to save money. I have money myself. I'm afraid if I keep it at home it will be eaten by mice." Fang Wei said.
"You are not an adult, right? If you are under sixteen... we can do it. Your father is here, so it will be fine as long as there is a guardian. Do you have an ID card?" the staff asked.
"I'm thirteen and I don't have an ID card yet."
"Did you bring your household registration book?"
"I have brought it." Fang Xianfeng took out the household registration booklet from the red bag. He was afraid that he would need it during his trip, so he brought all of them with him.
"Okay, little brother, please fill out this form..."
"Thank you sister."
Soon, Fang Wei's bank card was ready.
Just like in his previous life, the password is still [281615], the number of medals in this Olympics and his lucky number.
Fang Wei was about to leave when his father stopped him and handed him two newly issued bank cards behind the window.
"Hey, girl, please transfer 2,000 yuan to his card for me."
"Ok."
"Dad, what are you doing..." Fang Wei was stunned.
"Here's a bonus for you!" Fang Xianfeng said gritting his teeth.
"Did I hear it right? Two thousand? I remember someone said last time that there won't be any pocket money in the next two months?" Fang Wei touched his head pretentiously.
“…Don’t pull it off.”
"I want it!"
"Save the money you were given and don't spend it recklessly, okay?!"
"know."
Fang Wei smiled. Although two thousand yuan is not as much as sixty or seventy thousand yuan, for a junior high school student, it is no different.
Since his dad is generous, he naturally won't be polite to him. Who would complain about having too much money?
After happily collecting the bank card with a balance of 2,000 yuan, the father and son left the bank.
……
It was already noon.
If you rush back, you will miss the meal.
It was a rare trip to the city, and with a large sum of money in hand, Fang Xianfeng was not stingy and spent it where necessary.
"You choose! What do you want to eat? Dad is bleeding today! Let's just spend some time alone!"
"Then go eat that."
"What the hell is this...McDonald's? What kind of food is this..."
"Let's go!"
……
Inside the brightly lit McDonald's restaurant.
The father and son sat at a small table with hamburgers, fried chicken, and French fries in front of them, things Fang Xianfeng had never eaten before.
"Oh my god, this fried chicken!"
"Is it delicious?"
"Sure, these foreign things are just too damn expensive! Can you take them away? Give one to your mom to try."
"Would you like to pack an extra portion?"
"You haven't eaten yet?"
"I want to take it back and ask Ah Sheng, Cai Ling, Zhi Yi and the others to try it."
"It's indeed something you can't eat on the island..."
"Dad, you sit down, I'll go buy it myself."
Fang Wei stood up and walked towards the counter.
Maybe for adults, this is not a good thing.
But Fang Wei knew that these fried chicken and French fries were the best gifts for his friends.
(End of this chapter)
