A Week Before Payday (Part 1)
A week before payday, even a cup of milk tea calls for serious thought.
这个月我买东西买得太多，离发工资还有一个星期，钱就快用完了。I bought way too much this month — payday is still a week away and my money is almost gone.
朋友叫我出去吃饭，我只能说：“下次吧。”A friend invited me out for a meal, and all I could say was, "Next time."
别说去饭馆，现在就是买一杯奶茶，我也要想半天。Never mind a restaurant — right now even buying a cup of milk tea takes me forever to decide.
我每天在家做饭，吃得特别简单。I cook at home every day and eat very simply.
别说肉了，就是鸡蛋我也不敢多买。Forget meat — I don't even dare buy too many eggs.
昨天我看见一双很好看的鞋，看了看价钱，马上就走了。Yesterday I saw a really nice pair of shoes, took one look at the price, and walked right off.
现在我连电影都不去看了，更不用说买新鞋了。These days I don't even go to the movies, let alone buy new shoes.
我朋友比我更厉害：他上个月就把钱用完了。My friend has me beat: he ran out of money last month.
他说别说请客，就是自己吃饭都成问题，只好天天在家吃面条。He says never mind treating anyone — even feeding himself is a problem, so he eats noodles at home every day.
他还笑着说：“等发了工资，别说一杯奶茶，就是最好的饭馆我也请你！”He still laughed and said, "When payday comes, forget a cup of milk tea — I'll treat you at the best restaurant in town!"
我说：“好啊，可是到了那天，你可别又说‘下次吧’。”I said, "Deal — but when that day comes, don't you dare say 'next time' again."
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