Siheyuan: After becoming a traitor, first let the Huai Ru River overflow its banks.

……

After saying goodbye to Qin Jingru, Li Jianjun returned home, ate breakfast, and was almost fully awake.

It's the weekend, so I need to find something to do, otherwise I'll have to go back to work tomorrow.

"Oh right, I haven't used the bicycle voucher yet, so I'll take advantage of this Sunday to buy a bicycle."

Li Jianjun acted immediately, hopping on his old bicycle and heading towards the department store.

In those days, the supply of bicycles could not meet the demand.

Despite the very limited number of bicycle tickets issued, countless people still line up every day at the bicycle sales area.

Li Jianjun recalled a movie he had seen in his previous life, "Hello, Li Huanying," starring Jia Ling. In the movie, her mother, Li Huanying, stood in a long queue when she went to buy a television.

Back then it was the 80s, and televisions were scarce. Now it's the 60s, and bicycles are the scarcest thing.

According to incomplete statistics, there were only 8000 television sets in the whole country in the 60s, and they were all distributed in various government agencies and kept by special personnel.

There were only 8,000 units nationwide, and even in important cities like Beijing, television sets had not yet entered ordinary households.

In those days, the most popular bicycle was actually the 28-inch old-style bicycle.

The 28-inch bicycle was a unique type of bicycle that was popular in my country in the 1960s.

It is known for having a large bar between the seat and the handlebars.

Children have to scoot their legs when riding these bicycles.

Thanks to the modifications made by working people, an ordinary bicycle can be used to take the whole family on a picnic.

Install a cargo bed next to the car, where a child can sit.

A child can sit on the 28-inch bicycle, and an adult can sit on the back seat.

Back then, being able to buy a brand-new 28-inch bicycle, especially a brand-name one, was something to be incredibly envious of.

In this era, a newlywed couple would have three turns and one sound when they got married, with the "turn" referring to a bicycle.

The three turns refer to a bicycle, a watch, and a clock; the one ring refers to a radio.

This was the most impressive dowry for a bride in that era.

Li Jianjun shook his head, tossed those memories aside, and returned to reality.

He arrived at the department store, at the bicycle purchase area, and saw a long line of people waiting in line.

A conservative estimate is fifty or sixty people.

That's just how things are these days; even if you have money and tickets, sometimes you still can't buy anything.

Li Jianjun had no choice but to patiently stand in line at the back.

After a whole morning of work, it was finally his turn. Luckily, when it was his turn, there was only one bicycle left, so there was no chance to pick and choose.

"Comrade, there's only one left. How am I supposed to buy another one?"

Li Jianjun frowned.

A large group of people behind them started shouting.

"Young man, if you don't want it, you can give us this bicycle. We don't mind whether it's good or bad."

Li Jianjun finally got to wait in line and thought, "Oh well, this Forever brand bicycle is pretty good too."

Li Jianjun remembers that there was a bicycle of this brand in his hometown.

It was passed down from his father's generation, and he could still ride it before his rebirth, so the quality was truly top-notch.

"Alright, that's it then. Here's the money and the ticket, comrade, take a look."

Li Jianjun glanced at the bicycle; it was brand new and had no problems whatsoever.

He tried riding it for another lap and felt really cool.

So I decided to buy it.

Li Jianjun's decision immediately dashed the hopes of those waiting in the long queue.

"Sigh, let's go. We'll come back tomorrow to queue again. It's really hard to buy a bicycle these days."

After Li Jianjun gave the money and the ticket to the man, the man also gave him a receipt.

But that's not all.

In that era, bicycles were like Maseratis in later times, and they even had to be equipped with bicycle license plates.

Not only that, but you also need a bicycle license to ride a bicycle.

Fortunately, Li Jianjun had already obtained a bicycle license, and now all he needs to do is get a license plate.

In those days, there was no unified standard for bicycle license plates, and license plates varied from city to city.

Li Jianjun directly sold the old bicycle to the department store at a discount, receiving five yuan off.

Since he wasn't planning on riding it anymore anyway, he figured he might as well break one.

After breaking down the old bicycle, he rode the new one directly to the neighborhood office.

At that time, there was no vehicle management office, and the street offices handled most of the business.

In 1965, a bicycle management system was established nationwide, and vehicle management offices were established to a certain extent.

Everyone at the neighborhood office knew Li Jianjun, and when they saw him riding a brand-new Forever brand bicycle, their eyes were filled with envy.

"This young man is only twenty-one or twenty-two years old, and he has already bought a brand new bicycle. It's really infuriating to compare yourself to others."

"The key is that he's also so handsome. Look at all those young women and wives next to him, they're staring at him without blinking."

The two young men from the neighborhood office were very envious of Li Jianjun.

"Comrade, I'd like to apply for a bicycle license plate. This is my household registration booklet."

Li Jianjun took out his household registration booklet and handed it to the two staff members.

The bicycle license plate was quickly made and installed on Li Jianjun.

Li Jianjun looked at the license plate at this time and wanted to laugh.

Compared to the rearview mirror of a car, this workmanship is simply too low-class.

With the license in hand, Li Jianjun felt much more confident.

After leaving the neighborhood office, I rode my bicycle and sped towards the courtyard house.

As I approached the entrance of the courtyard house, I saw a woman standing at the doorway in the distance.

Chapter 90 Sha Zhu fanned the flames

The woman was Qin Jingru.

She saw Li Jianjun approaching from afar on a brand-new bicycle. His movements looked incredibly handsome, and it seemed he was gradually winning her heart.

She grew increasingly fond of Li Jianjun.

"Comrade Li, did you go to buy a bicycle?"

Seeing the bicycle in front of her, Qin Jingru felt a surge of excitement.

This is clearly a high-end bicycle. Qin Jingru usually only looks at it from afar when she passes by the store, as her family's financial situation does not allow them to buy one.

It's like a country girl seeing a Porsche on the street; she only glances at it.

"Yes, I just bought it."

Li Jianjun saw Qin Jingru, then stopped the car and started talking to her.

"It really is a Forever brand bicycle, Jianjun, you're amazing."

Qin Jingru squatted down and looked at the bicycle's brand.

She had never been to school and didn't recognize any other words, but those two words were etched into her mind.

She remembered that the first time she came to the city, her father held her hand and told her that the two words were pronounced "yongjiu" (meaning "forever").

They don't have the money to buy such high-end things.

Li Jianjun is good-looking, has a lot of money, and most importantly, he is the deputy head of the security department at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

He'll be promoted to section chief soon.

Qin Jingru was truly glad she left a day later. Not only did she see Xu Damao's true colors clearly, but she also discovered Li Jianjun, a high-quality prospect.

However, she still doesn't dare to express her love for Li Jianjun.

Relationships between men and women were still very conservative in this era.

In their rural area, there is no such thing as free love.

Even if a man took a fancy to a girl, he would ask a matchmaker to arrange the marriage.

Seeing Qin Jingru's flushed face and how she stood shyly in front of him, not daring to look up, Li Jianjun knew that this girl was probably in love with him.

Li Jianjun glanced to the side and saw Xu Damao lurking in the shadows, watching them furtively. He just wanted to laugh.

"It seems Xu Damao has no chance."

Having achieved his goal and with Qin Jingru gone, Li Jianjun decided to ride his bicycle home.

Undoubtedly, his purchase of the car aroused envy and jealousy among the beasts in the courtyard.

Especially Jia Zhangshi, who wouldn't even look at Li Jianjun.

"Hmph, that little brat has really made his fortune. He's become the deputy section chief and even pulled Sha Zhu down from his position as head chef. You little brat, you'll get what's coming to you."

Thinking of this, Jia Zhangshi gritted her teeth in hatred towards Li Jianjun.

Yan Bugui looked on with envy and came forward to stroke the bicycle.

"Not bad, Jianjun, it's a big brand, Forever. You're so young and you already have such a nice car, you won't have to worry about finding a good wife."

Li Jianjun smiled and said.

"Uncle, I didn't buy these vegetables to get married. I'm still young, so I'm not in a hurry. The main thing is that my bicycle is too old and I can't ride it anymore."

At that moment, Xu Damao, who was hiding in the shadows, immediately understood what was going on.