Chapter 9: Buying a Bicycle

Chapter 9: Buying a Bicycle

After returning home, He Yuzhu let Yushui play in the room while he took the fish into the kitchen and began to busy himself. He first put the rice on to steam, then started dressing the fish. Once it was cleaned and prepared, he made a pot of boiled fish.

"Yushui, hurry up and wash your hands. Dinner is ready." He Yuzhu served the boiled fish in a large bowl and placed it on the table.

"Brother, what did you make? It smells so good." After washing her hands, He Yushui came running over, hopping with excitement.

"Slow down. This is a new cooking method I came up with myself. Give it a try," He Yuzhu said, doting on her.

"Sss... so spicy! Sss... but delicious!" Yushui picked up a piece of fish, ate it, and immediately shoveled a mouthful of rice into her mouth to cool down. Yet, the spicier it got, the more she wanted to eat.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you," He Yuzhu said, watching her eat in such a rush.

He Yuzhu also picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of fish, and tasted it. The flavor was good, though he hadn't dared to use too much chili for Yushui's sake, so the spiciness was slightly lacking.

At lunch today, Yushui ate half a bowl more than usual. Looking at her slightly rounded belly, it was clear she had overeaten. After the meal, he had her pace around the room to aid digestion and avoid any discomfort.

Once they had rested, He Yuzhu took Yushui out, walking along the streets toward the consignment store, intending to buy a second-hand bicycle.

"Sir, what can I help you with?" As they stepped into the store, a clerk waiting by the entrance approached them.

"I'd like to look at the bicycles," He Yuzhu said.

"Very well, sir, please come this way." The clerk led the siblings toward the warehouse at the back.

Inside, there were about a dozen bicycles of varying ages and sizes. He Yuzhu looked them over one by one and picked out one that looked about ninety percent new.

"How much for this one?" he asked.

"One hundred and eighty yuan," the clerk replied.

Noticing He Yuzhu’s hesitation upon hearing the price, the clerk continued, "Don't let the price deter you. This bike isn't just the best in our shop; you won't find another like it in any consignment store in all of Sijiucheng. The original owner hadn't had it long, barely rode it, and kept it well-maintained. If the family weren't moving abroad and finding it inconvenient to transport, they wouldn't be selling it. Look, it even comes with a basket, a light, and a set of repair tools. One hundred and eighty is a bargain."

"Fine, I'll take it."

He Yuzhu handed over the money. After processing the invoice, the clerk went to the cashier, then handed the receipt to He Yuzhu.

"Sir, keep your receipt safe. We'll bring the bike and the tool kit out for you shortly. Don't forget to take the receipt to the Public Security Bureau to register it and have the serial number stamped," the clerk reminded him.

"Do you have any watches here?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Yes, sir, please follow me. Someone will keep an eye on your bicycle." Hearing his question, the clerk led them to the watch counter.

Looking at the watches and their prices, then thinking of his dwindling cash, He Yuzhu spent 30 yuan on an enamel pocket watch.

Back at the store entrance, he retrieved his new bicycle.

"Yushui, hop on. Brother will take you to the market."

He Yuzhu first took his sister to the Public Security Bureau to register the bike and get it stamped, then headed straight for the Dong'an Market.

"Yushui, tell me what you want, and I'll buy it for you," he said while pushing the bike.

"Brother, I want some picture books."

"Alright, I'll buy them for you." He Yuzhu thought that once she finished reading them, he could collect them; they would be a witness to history.

He led her to the book stalls. After buying her over a dozen picture books, he continued to browse. At the stall of a down-and-out looking middle-aged man, he saw a pile of old books. He picked one up; it was a familiar copy of the *Analects of Confucius*. Looking through the others, he saw they were all old, classical texts.

"How much for these?" he asked.

"One yuan each," the man replied.

"Fifty cents each, and I'll take them all," He Yuzhu said, counting nine books.

"Ninety cents. These are rare classical editions," the man argued.

"Sixty cents. I'm adding ten cents—that's already a high price," He Yuzhu countered.

"Seventy cents. I have more in this crate; you can have them all," the man said, opening the wooden box behind him.

"Fine, seventy cents it is. I suppose I just really love these books," He Yuzhu said after flipping through the crate.

They counted forty books in total, coming to 28 yuan.

"I'll add another two yuan if you let me have the crate, too. Otherwise, it'll be hard to carry," He Yuzhu added.

"Fine, take it," the man said with a wave of his hand.

He Yuzhu strapped the crate to the bike and, after buying a pound of pork belly, headed home.

Back at the courtyard, the Third Master saw He Yuzhu riding a different bike than before.

"Zhuzi, where did you get that bike? It's not the one you were riding earlier."

"Where else? I bought it, of course. My commute is too far, and it’s convenient to have my own. I can't keep borrowing my master's," He Yuzhu replied.

"Zhuzi, you've done something big without a word. This is the first bicycle in our courtyard! Shouldn't you throw a few banquets to celebrate?" suggested Yan Bugui, the Third Master.

"Third Master, forget about the banquets. The money my father left me all went into this bike. I'm broke—I was actually thinking of asking you for a loan."

"You know your Third Master’s salary is barely enough to feed the family; how could I have money to lend you?" Hearing the request for money, the Third Master urged him to hurry home.

He Yuzhu pushed the bike into the middle courtyard, where those not at work gathered to catch a glimpse of the novelty. He parked the bike under his window for people to look at and went inside with Yushui to move the crate.

In this era, entertainment was scarce, and news of such a major event as buying a bike reached the neighborhood office before long.

Soon, Director Wang from the neighborhood office arrived.

"Zhuzi, you bought a bicycle!"

"Yes, Director Wang. I'm training as a chef at Fengzeyuan, and it's quite a distance. I couldn't keep using my master's bike forever. My father's inheritance was enough, so I bought a second-hand one at the consignment store. I have the invoice and the registration from the Public Security Bureau right here." He Yuzhu quickly explained while showing her the documents.

"Oh, I'm not here to investigate you," Director Wang said, glancing at the papers. "I'm here to discuss something. Our neighborhood office only has one bike. It's usually fine, but in emergencies, it's not enough. I was hoping we could borrow yours when the need arises."

"No problem at all. Just let me know whenever you need it, and I'll deliver it to you without a second thought," He Yuzhu promised, patting his chest.

Satisfied with his confirmation, Director Wang took her leave.