novellhall Chapter 124 Preparing to Buy a Bicycle
Chapter 124 Preparing to Buy a Bicycle
Since the residents of the family compound started growing mushrooms, it has also inspired the surrounding villagers to start growing them as well.
Especially after hearing that Wenrou had made a lot of money by growing mushrooms, everyone became even more enthusiastic.
All they care about now is making money; they don't even consider whether the mushrooms they grow can be sold.
Wenrou doesn't have time to deal with them right now. With Wu Li's introduction, the factory is currently undergoing a complete renovation.
It's just that she has to go there every day, and it takes almost an hour to walk there, which is really inconvenient.
She's considering buying a bicycle to save time, but getting a bicycle ticket is proving difficult.
Wenrou heard that bicycle tickets were sold on the black market, so she thought about it and decided to try her luck.
She hasn't been to the black market since her last visit.
If you do the math, the college entrance exam has been reinstated for three years now, and next year will be 1980. Things won't be like they are now once we enter the 1980s.
She remembered that in her previous life, starting in the early 1980s, the national economy gradually developed, and later it changed every day.
Back then, as long as you could capitalize on the reforms of the 1980s, you could make money.
That's why she's in such a hurry to get the transport team up and running; she's counting on it to make money.
The black market isn't being investigated as strictly as it used to be, so Wenrou simply disguised herself and managed to sneak in.
She wandered around the black market but couldn't find anyone selling bicycle tickets; however, she did find someone selling TV tickets.
She already has a television at home, so she doesn't need to buy one.
Just as she was about to go back, a young man wearing an old factory uniform and a hat walked over.
She hadn't paid much attention to him at first, but Wenrou was stunned when she saw his face.
She had seen this man in her previous life. If Peng Shao was a future business tycoon, then he was a mechanical genius.
In her past life, she had seen him on the news.
Moreover, at that time he was standing right behind Peng Shao, and everyone's attention was drawn to Peng Shao, so no one noticed him at all.
His parents were both workers in a machine factory. After he took over his father's job, he was kicked out of the machine factory for privately modifying the equipment.
She still remembered that it was Peng Shao who took him in, recognizing his mechanical modification skills, and he later followed Peng Shao and indeed made a name for himself.
However, judging by the timeline, it would still be several years before he started working with Peng Shao.
When Wenrou saw him come in like this without even disguising himself, she guessed that it must be his first time in a place like the black market.
Besides, he was still wearing the machine factory uniform. If he got caught, it would probably implicate his family.
As Wenrou walked over, she heard the young man whisper to the person next to him, "Bicycle tickets, do you want some?"
The man waved at him and looked him up and down, seemingly seeing someone wearing a factory uniform for the first time.
People who come here are usually disguised, because they are afraid of being recognized and getting into trouble.
Wenrou hadn't expected him to come here to sell bicycle tickets, but wasn't that perfect?
She walked over and patted the young man on the shoulder.
"I'll take your bicycle ticket. How much?"
Upon hearing that someone wanted a bicycle ticket, the young man held up five fingers and said, "Fifty yuan."
Wenrou frowned upon hearing this.
Fifty dollars? Why doesn't this guy just rob someone?
She had already inquired before coming, and now a bicycle ticket on the black market is worth at most thirty yuan.
"It's so expensive, forget it then." After she finished speaking, she prepared to turn around and leave.
Upon seeing this, the young man hurriedly followed.
"Comrade, the price is negotiable. How much are you willing to pay?"
Wenrou turned around gently, looked around, reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him to the innermost alley.
"Comrade, why did you bring me here? Are you planning to rob me?" the young man asked Wenrou with a puzzled look.
However, he could also tell that the person in front of him was a woman.
"Robbery my ass! Dressed like this, coming to a place like this, aren't you afraid of getting arrested? If you get arrested, it will affect your family and your job at the machine factory." Wenrou could only kindly remind him out of respect for his mechanical genius in his previous life.
Upon hearing the gentle words, the young man looked down at his clothes. Indeed, he had only been thinking about selling bicycle tickets and hadn't paid attention to his clothes.
Now, after her reminder, he finally realized what had happened.
"Oh, I forgot. Thank you for reminding me." He quickly took off his coat after saying that.
He was wearing a vest underneath, standing to the side shivering from the cold as he looked at Wenrou Xiao.
Seeing him like this, Wenrou even wondered if she had seen wrong.
"Alright, put this on." Wenrou took off her coat and handed it to him.
She wore several men's jackets when she arrived to appear strong.
Lu Ming took the coat that Wenrou handed him and thanked her apologetically.
"Comrade, you're so kind. Here, you can have the bicycle ticket for whatever price you want."
Wenrou took out three ten-yuan bills from her pocket. "I've inquired about the black market price. A bicycle ticket costs thirty yuan. I won't take advantage of you."
This was the first time Lu Ming had ever met a woman as straightforward and opinionated as Wenrou.
"Comrade, I think we're about the same age. My name is Lu Ming, and I live in the factory's residential compound. I won't say anything else, but I'm an expert at repairing electrical appliances. If you need anything, just come to me."
Wenrou never expected that this guy would reveal his family background to her so easily; he was too honest.
"I've got it. Take this money and get out of here quickly." Wenrou stuffed thirty yuan into his hand, took the bicycle ticket, and prepared to leave the black market.
Seeing this, Lu Ming accepted the money and followed Wenrou out of the black market.
Although the black market isn't being investigated as strictly now, her identity is special, and if she gets caught, it will also implicate Huo Yanchuan.
After receiving the bicycle ticket, Wenrou planned to go back.
Seeing this, Lu Ming chased after Wenrou again.
"Comrade, here are your clothes back."
He changed his clothes and returned the gentle clothes to her.
He didn't forget to casually ask, "Comrade, do you need a watch or a radio or something?"
He thought that since the gentle woman was straightforward and easy to talk to, he decided to sell her everything he had.
Gentle waved her hand, "Not for now."
Seeing that it was almost time, she didn't say much more to Lu Ming and returned to the family compound.
A Forever brand bicycle costs around 160 yuan on the market now. She has enough money, but they're out of stock in town, so she needs to go to the county or city to buy one.
With that in mind, she decided to go home and discuss it with Huo Yanchuan.
"You want to buy a bicycle?"
Huo Yanchuan wasn't particularly surprised when he heard this.
However, he doesn't have a bicycle ticket right now and will have to wait a while.
"Wait a few days, I'll try to get a bicycle ticket, and then I'll buy it."
As soon as Huo Yanchuan finished speaking, Wenrou placed the bicycle ticket on the table.
"The ticket is here. I'd like to go to the county tomorrow."
Huo Yanchuan was taken aback when he saw the ticket in Wenrou's hand, and immediately guessed that she must have gotten it from the black market.
"You went to the black market today? Did anything happen?" Huo Yanchuan asked with concern.
Wenrou shook her head. "I was disguised, and no one recognized me."
Hearing her say that, Huo Yanchuan felt relieved.
"Hao Gang is going to the county on business tomorrow, I'll ask him to give you a ride there."
The next morning, Wenrou got into the car and saw that Peng Xiaowan was also in the car.
"Xiaorou, are you going to the county too?" Peng Xiaowan asked excitedly when she saw Wenrou.
Wenrou nodded gently. "I'll go to the county to see if I can buy a bicycle?"
Upon hearing this, Hao Gang recalled the bicycle he had lent to Huo Yanchuan last time. When he returned it, it not only had several scratches, but the front tire had also burst.
He borrowed that tire specifically for his wedding, and only after he changed the previous tire did he give it back to the owner.
Although Huo Yanchuan ultimately paid out the money to compensate the other party, he almost lost face.
Wenrou had also thought of this, so she said apologetically, "I'm really sorry, there was a problem with the bicycle I borrowed from you last time."
"It's alright, the commander has taken care of it, it's nothing." Of course, Hao Gang didn't dare to complain in front of Wenrou, so he could only keep it to himself.
"I heard that bicycles are hard to get in the county. I wonder if we'll be able to get one this time?" Peng Xiaowan said with some worry when she heard that Wenrou wanted to buy a bicycle.
"Huo Yanchuan said he has taken care of everything, so we can just go there when the time comes," Wenrou said gently.
Although I don't know exactly how he managed to get it done, since he said so, it means there must be no problem.
"That's wonderful!" Peng Xiaowan was also happy for Wenrou.
With her current salary and the allowance Hao Gang gives her, if she saves up a bit more, she'll be able to buy a bicycle eventually.
As long as the couple works together, their future will only get better and better.
Peng Xiaowan knew she wasn't as capable or good at making money as Wenrou, but this simple, ordinary life was exactly what she wanted.
Wenrou also noticed that since Peng Xiaowan got married, things had changed; she had become more confident and cheerful.
After arriving in the county, Hao Gang had to take care of some business, so Wenrou and Peng Xiaowan went to the department store together.
Wenrou had been here before, but this was Peng Xiaowan's first time.
"Xiaorou, this is a department store?" Peng Xiaowan was so shocked by the wide variety of goods sold inside that she was speechless.
"Come on, let's go for a walk first." Seeing this, Wenrou reached out and pulled her inside.
Last time she was busy fetching water, so she only bought some things here and went back quickly.
Since I had nothing else to do this time, I could finally have a proper look around.
"Okay." Peng Xiaowan nodded excitedly.
Women really do love shopping in clothing stores. As soon as the two of them entered, they were immediately drawn to the new clothes inside.
"Xiaorou, these clothes are all so pretty." Peng Xiaowan looked at the beautiful clothes on everyone else, and then looked at her own coarse cloth clothes, and lowered her head with some self-consciousness.
Just as she couldn't resist reaching out to touch the fabric of the dress, a sales clerk's sarcastic remark came from the side: "If you can't afford it, don't touch it. You can't afford to pay for it if you get it dirty."
"I'm...I'm sorry," Peng Xiaowan quickly apologized upon seeing this.
In those days, saleswomen would tailor their services to the customer. She could tell from the clothes Peng Xiaowan was wearing that she must be from the countryside.
She'd seen plenty of these country bumpkins; they couldn't afford it, yet they still insisted on touching it—it was really annoying.
"What are you saying? Who can't afford it?" As soon as Wenrou heard the saleswoman's words, she knew that she was bullying her.
She has nice clothes in her closet, but she's been busy with the transport team lately and hasn't had the time or inclination to dress up.
She was wearing an unremarkable old dress today, and she never expected that the sales clerk would look down on her because of it.
"I've seen plenty of people like you. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. It's not shameful." The saleswoman rolled her eyes at Wenrou and snorted.
Wenrou wasn't going to take this lying down, so she pulled Peng Xiaowan inside and picked out several outfits in one go.
"Take the smallest size of all these clothes, I'll take them all," Wenrou said coldly, throwing the clothes in front of the sales clerk.
The sales clerk looked at Wenrou in shock, noticing that the clothes she was holding cost at least seventy or eighty yuan.
"You...you really want them all?" she asked again, still in disbelief.
The two people in front of her didn't look like people who could afford clothes, but after hearing Wenrou's words, she was no longer sure.
"Yes, I'll take them all. But I need to call your mall manager over. I want to buy them all in front of him, and I also want to ask if all the sales clerks treat customers like you do?"
"You..." The saleswoman blushed at Wenrou's words and was speechless.
At this moment, Peng Xiaowan tugged at Wenrou and whispered, "Xiaorou, let's forget about it. These clothes are too expensive. How much money will it cost you to buy so many?"
She didn't want Wenrou to argue with the sales clerk over her own issues, and she had reached out to touch it without asking clearly earlier.
This was all her fault; we can't let Wenrou take the blame for her.
"Don't worry, I'll handle this. She's just a sales clerk. Do you think we'd let her bully us?" Wenrou wasn't about to let it go.
Soon, what happened here alarmed the mall manager.
Hearing the noise, others gathered around to watch the commotion, and to their surprise, even the mall manager was alerted.
Wenrou placed all the clothes she had just selected in front of the director, saying gently, "Let's calculate how much these cost and see if I can afford them?"
This was the first time the director had encountered such a tough person as Wenrou. Seeing that more and more people were gathering outside, she glanced at the saleswoman from before and could only apologize to Wenrou, saying, "Comrades, I'm so sorry, I'll have her apologize to you right away."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Wenrou directly took out her money and bought all the clothes she had just selected, totaling eighty yuan.
"Director..." The saleswoman's eyes reddened with grievance as she was watched by so many people.
She hadn't expected these two people, who looked like they came from the countryside, to be so rich, so she could only apologize to Wenrou and Peng Xiaowan.