Chapter 66

What's going on here, so many people, what are they doing? Li Dong had drunk quite a bit, and the bumpy ride made him even more dizzy. He saw Han Guofu pushing through the crowd and grinned.

"Uncle Guofu, you're here, come in and sit down."

"Oh, there's no room inside, everyone just relax. Xiaojuan, Xiaojuan, come here, Dad brought you some good stuff."

Li Dong swayed, the smell of alcohol overwhelming. It was a miracle he didn't have a car accident, swaying all the way back.

Usually, when Li Dong brought so many good things, everyone would stare at them in amazement. But today was different, it was a brand new Forever bicycle.

Han Guofu's first glance was at the bicycle Li Dong was pushing. As for Li Dong, he had just had a bit of alcohol and was swaying.

Han Guofu knew all too well about bicycles. In these impoverished mountain areas, the commercial bureau would issue at most three to five bicycle tickets a year.

Generally, the commune leaders and cadres would get priority, followed by the various teams. In Lishan, there were over ten teams, and it could take years for some team leaders to get a bicycle ticket, often having to spend two to three hundred or even more to buy a high-priced second-hand bicycle.

Although things had improved a bit in the past two years, with one or two more tickets available each year, Han Guofu, not being a team leader, didn't know when his turn would come. Buying a high-priced bicycle was simply too expensive, at least two to three hundred.

This was almost twice the price of buying with a ticket, and the bicycle wouldn't even be new. His third son had always wanted a bicycle, and the family had held several meetings, but couldn't make a decision. The last time Han Guofu asked around, a new bicycle would cost at least three hundred.

Who would have thought that Li Dong, without a word, had brought back a brand new Forever bicycle. In this era, Forever and Phoenix bicycles were almost like BMWs and Mercedes, and anyone riding them would have face.

"Forever bicycle?"

Han Guofu's third son ran in, really, a brand new Forever bicycle, with a night light and a leather seat on the back. This was like a high-end BMW. Han Guofu's third son had wanted a bicycle since he started middle school, and now his eyes were wide open.

"Brother Li, did you buy this bicycle?" Han Weiguo and the other young men's eyes were also wide open. A bicycle, and a Forever one at that, with a light and a seat on the back, they had never seen such a high-end one.

The young men couldn't resist touching the seat, thick and soft. If they had one, taking their girlfriends for a ride on the country roads would be so impressive, they might even agree to marry them on the spot.

Thinking about this, Han Weiguo, Han Weichao, Han Weijia, and the other young men's faces turned red, excited and thrilled. They thought, since they had a good relationship with Brother Li, maybe they could borrow the bicycle to take their girlfriends to the commune, which would also be quite impressive.

Of course, it would be even better if they could buy one. Thinking about owning a bicycle, they all grinned foolishly.

"Go, go away."

"Really bought it?"

Han Guobing also came in, looked at the bicycle, and nodded. "Good bike, oh, a Forever, with a night light, leather seat, and even cargo racks on both sides. This is even more luxurious than the post office bikes."

Li Feng grinned. "Just bought it. It's getting cold, and Xiaojuan has to walk to school, which isn't convenient. Buying a bicycle will make it easier to take her to school."

"Wow, you bought a bicycle just to take the kid to school?"

"Didn't it cost a lot?"

"Of course, at least a hundred yuan." The older people chatted, shaking their heads.

"What, a hundred? This bike must cost two to three hundred."

"What, two to three hundred? That's enough to build a house and get married. This kid, how can he spend so much just to save a few steps for the kid? Oh, this is really a waste."

"Indeed, who sends their kids to school by bicycle? It's not worth spending two to three hundred."

Han Guofu and the others all shook their heads. This kid really dared to say such things, buying a bicycle just to save a few steps for the kid. No one in Han Village had ever done such a thing.

The kids all looked at Xiaojuan with envy. If their dads bought them bicycles to take them to school, they would be overjoyed. Xiaojuan, however, wasn't very happy. She walked fast and wasn't afraid of being tired. Spending so much money was better used to build a house and get a pretty wife for her dad.

Li Dong, a bit drunk, said, "Spending two to three hundred to save a few steps and give the kid more time to study is worth it. Xiaojuan, you should study more. Dad will buy you a smaller women's bicycle to ride."

"I don't want it."

Xiaojuan shook her head, scared. One bicycle was already too much, and now he wanted to buy another one. This almost made her cry, and she shook her head repeatedly. But others who heard this thought, if he could buy a women's bicycle, this kid must have some connections.

Han Guofu was about to criticize Li Dong, but his wife pulled him back. Zhang Chunhua had understood the meaning in Li Dong's drunken words. "Our third son wants a bicycle. Maybe we can buy one from Li Dong, it might be cheaper."

"Let's talk about it later." Han Guofu looked at his third son, whose eyes were wide open.

"Scatter, scatter, don't block the entrance. Those who need to eat, eat; those who need to wash clothes, wash clothes. We'll go to work soon."

Han Guofu's words made most people disperse, but some kids and young men didn't leave in a hurry. The older people shook their heads, thinking this kid really spent a lot of money. "What kind of relatives in the city, how can they spoil the kids so much?"

"How's your leg, after drinking so much?"

"Huh?"

Li Dong was startled. He had forgotten about his leg wound. It wasn't his fault; it had healed a lot last time, and after ten days, it was almost completely healed. This time, it was completely healed.

Traveling through time really benefited his body, which surprised Li Dong and made him decide that he must keep the secret of time travel. "It's better, I got an anti-inflammatory shot in the city."

"Drink less, rest at home this afternoon, and tomorrow help the women pull weeds."

"No problem."

Li Dong burped, the smell of alcohol overwhelming. Han Guofu frowned, this kid really drank a lot.

After Han Guofu left, Han Weiguo, Han Weichao, Han Weijia, and Han Weidong all gathered around.

"Awesome, Brother Li, this bike is beautiful."

"Brother Li, can I touch it?"

"Touch, go ahead."

Han Weiguo couldn't resist ringing the bell, which sounded really nice.

"This back seat is really soft."

"Thick leather, so Xiaojuan won't be jolted."

"Really good."

"I'd be so happy if I had one."

"Indeed."

"Feel free to use it whenever you need it."

Li Dong, drunk, waved his hand. Xiaojuan couldn't stop him, her dad was being too generous.

"Really, Brother Li, you're so cool."

Han Weiguo gave a thumbs up, really generous.

"Ha ha ha, no problem."

Li Dong grinned. "A bicycle is nothing, just let me know when you need it."

"Uncle, can I ride it?"

Han Xiaohao came over, licking his lips. Li Dong patted his head. "Go, kid, what bike? Afraid of falling and hurting your butt?"

"I'm not afraid."

"If you're really not afraid, bring me a big goose, and I'll let you ride it." Li Dong joked. Geese seemed to be good; his colleague Gao Jia liked them, and he planned to bring friends to see the geese.

If there were more geese in the reservoir, the name "Swan Lake" might catch on. Of course, this was just a casual remark by Li Dong.

"Okay, I'll remember."

Han Xiaohao took it seriously, but Li Dong, drunk, didn't pay much attention.

"Xiaojuan, help Dad take the things inside. This is from Uncle Gao and Aunt Minmin."

Li Dong took off the malted milk, canned food, sugar, fruit, and braised meat from the bicycle, all good things.

The kids saw and licked their lips. Li Dong wasn't stingy and took out a handful of candy. "Come, come, two candies each."

Xiaojuan sighed, her dad was drunk. She decided to ask him later if he had any money left and make sure he handed it over, so he wouldn't spend it recklessly. It was almost autumn, and after the harvest, they could build a new house.

"Why isn't Dad sensible? He doesn't make things easy for us, sigh."

Xiaojuan shook her head and put the malted milk and canned food in the cabinet. These were all good things, enough for a dowry.

Li Dong lay down in the house and slept until it was almost dark. "Oh, I drank too much, I won't do this again."

"Huh, when did I get back?"

He rubbed his forehead, trying to remember. He had ridden the bicycle back and made quite a commotion.

Would Captain Uncle find fault with him? Thinking about the bicycle and what he said, Li Dong was a bit worried.

Last time, he ate a few extra meals of meat and got criticized. This time, he brought back a bicycle. "Oh, I was careless, I should have been more low-key. Now, I've made such a big commotion."

"Hey, Dad, you're awake."

Li Dong was a bit confused. Xiaojuan seemed very happy. What was going on? In the morning, she had heard about the bicycle and her face had been scrunched up.

Not to mention, he remembered saying some things when he was drunk, like letting anyone ride the bicycle. Xiaojuan should have been upset and complained about his recklessness.

Why was she so happy now? Li Dong was confused. What was going on?

"Xiaojuan, what are you doing?" The little girl's face was dirty, and her hair was soaked with sweat.

"Making adobe bricks."

Xiaojuan wiped the sweat from her forehead, her face dirty. She had been working for a while.

"Why didn't you wake Dad to help?"

Li Dong decided to make amends, washed his face, and prepared to help Xiaojuan make adobe bricks. Xiaojuan was even happier. All evening, Li Dong couldn't figure out why Xiaojuan wasn't angry and was as happy as a little sparrow.

What was going on? Li Dong muttered. When he was changing clothes and taking a bath, he was stunned.

"Where's the money in my pocket?"

"Did Xiaojuan take it?"

Li Dong was surprised. The little girl usually wouldn't take money from his pocket without permission.

"Xiaojuan, did you take the money from Dad's pocket?"

This wasn't a good sign. Li Dong decided to talk to Xiaojuan.

"Ah, Dad, you forgot, you gave it to me in the afternoon?"

"Did I? I gave it to you?" Li Dong was confused, he had a vague memory. I...

At the time, Xiaojuan had said something, and he, in his excitement, had taken the money out of his pocket... After that, Li Dong didn't want to recall, full of salty tears, what a waste.

"Xiaojuan, what are you doing?" The little girl's face was dirty, and her hair was soaked with sweat.

"Making adobe bricks."

Xiaojuan wiped the sweat from her forehead, her face dirty. She had been working for a while.

"Why didn't you wake Dad to help?"

Li Dong decided to make amends, washed his face, and prepared to help Xiaojuan make adobe bricks. Xiaojuan was even happier. All evening, Li Dong couldn't figure out why Xiaojuan wasn't angry and was as happy as a little sparrow.

What was going on? Li Dong muttered. When he was changing clothes and taking a bath, he was stunned.

"Where's the money in my pocket?"

"Did Xiaojuan take it?"

Li Dong was surprised. The little girl usually wouldn't take money from his pocket without permission.

"Xiaojuan, did you take the money from Dad's pocket?"

This wasn't a good sign. Li Dong decided to talk to Xiaojuan.

"Ah, Dad, you forgot, you gave it to me in the afternoon?"

"Did I? I gave it to you?" Li Dong was confused, he had a vague memory. I...