Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Moreover, he was riding a tricycle with a 12-year-old girl named Qin Jingru on the back!

I'll have to ride another 40 kilometers back fully loaded with supplies!

This purchasing job is absolutely inhuman!

Fortunately, when he went to the factory to borrow a car, the logistics director, Tian Baocheng, reminded him that if he rode the car there, he should be prepared to spend the night there.

Furthermore, it was suggested that Zhang Dabiao could take a bus there, bring a few sacks, and then take the bus back after collecting the goods; it would just be a little more troublesome.

But Zhang Dabiao shook his head repeatedly. "I hate squeezing onto buses, let alone squeezing onto a bus while carrying two sacks on my back. I'd go crazy!"

Tian Baocheng smiled but didn't say anything.

Zhang Dabiao has a purchasing permit, and the team leader there knows him, so there's no need for a letter of introduction.

Zhang Dabiao scoffed, saying that with his meager strength, riding a tricycle to the countryside to collect supplies would be a piece of cake.

Other purchasing agents can ride bicycles to the countryside, but I, Zhang Dabiao, have to squeeze onto a bus? Isn't that embarrassing?

Absolutely not!

After copying down the materials the factory needed recently, as well as the purchase price list, Zhang Dabiao and Qin Jingru, two hotheads, set off on their bikes without a second thought.

I'll take Qin Jingru home for a visit while I'm at it. Qin Jingru even went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things.

Just treat it as a way to exercise!

As a result, it took them a full 5 hours, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., to finally reach Xingshou Town.

Zhang Dabiao's legs were shaking!

Last time I came here by bus with Director Wang and the others, I only felt that the journey was long, but I didn't think it was that difficult.

But today, he truly experienced it...

This damn road!

In the afternoon, we headed north from Xingshou Town to Qinjiatun, and it was still a mountain road!

Zhang Dabiao really wanted to die—

If he didn't bring Qin Jingru along, he could put the tricycle in his spatial storage halfway through the journey and then either take a car or walk.

But now—

I made the promise myself... I bragged about it, so even if it's tough, I have to ride my horse to Qinjiatun!

Qin Jingru led Zhang Dabiao to a state-run restaurant in town for a meal. She'd been there a few times before and knew the place. Zhang Dabiao ate enough for four people before he finally recovered. Damn it…

Being a purchasing agent is really tough!

And how much money can you make on one trip?

Speculation and profiteering are still the fastest ways to make money!

Just as he was complaining, a voice suddenly called out to him from the side: "Da Biao? Jing Ru?"

Zhang Dabiao turned around and looked—

Xu Damao?

And Xu Fugui?

"Da Mao, Uncle Fu Gui? What are you doing here?"

The two men were riding two old-fashioned bicycles, with projection equipment strapped securely to the back seats and sides. Nets hung from the handlebars, clearly local specialties given by their fellow villagers.

Is this the end of the movie and time to head back to the city?

Upon seeing Zhang Dabiao and Qin Jingru, the Xu father and son stopped the car and entered the state-run restaurant.

"We went to the countryside to show a movie yesterday, and we're getting ready to go back to Beijing today. What's wrong with you guys?"

"Oh, I'm here in the countryside to collect supplies, I'm going to Qinjiatun."

The Xu family father and son sat down around the dining table and quickly understood the situation in a few words.

Xu Damao gave Zhang Dabiao a disdainful look: "Dabiao, now you finally understand why purchasing agents, mail carriers, and even projectionists are among the eight key personnel, right? You think this is an easy job?"

"Just kidding, don't be fooled by the fact that I can't beat Sha Zhu in the yard. His strength is in his hands, while mine is in my legs!"

"Over a hundred miles, regardless of wind, rain, or hail, we carried over two hundred kilograms of equipment without hesitation, braving wind and rain!"

"I'm not bragging, buddy, but my dad and I have been showing movies for years with zero mistakes!"

Xu Damao started bragging again. Xu Fugui slapped him on the head. This kid just loves to show off everywhere—what's there to brag about if you haven't made any mistakes in your job?

"Da Mao, I'll take the projector and film back with me. You can take the generator and screen. You can accompany Da Biao and Xiao Ya to Qinjiatun so that we can keep an eye on each other."

These days, the roads aren't exactly safe, but projectionists are alright. There's not much to steal. Projectors are so heavy, you can't sell them even if you steal them. Besides, stealing projection equipment is important state-owned asset, and if you get caught, you'll definitely be executed.

But for purchasing agents, it's a different story. The overall value might not be high, but the items they're buying...

Especially in these times, it can be a lifesaver in critical moments.

As for why the comprehensive utilization plant felt comfortable letting him ride out alone in a tricycle to make purchases...

These days, it's common for people to change their age at fifteen or sixteen to take over jobs. If you want to work, earn money, and be respected in front of others, you have to endure hardship and suffering.

There's a ton of work going on at the factory. Giving you a workstation is already a huge favor to Liu Guangqi. What, do you expect me to assign you two bodyguards just because you're young?

How much do you earn in a month? What level are you at?

Xu Fugui made this arrangement because he was worried about Zhang Dabiao's safety. If it were an ordinary child, sixteen or seventeen years old would be sensible enough.

But Zhang Dabiao's brain is a little...

How to describe it? His behavior and habits are different from other children, so it's best to keep an eye on him.

Zhang Dabiao understood that Xu Fugui genuinely cared about him, and thoughtfully offered him a cigarette. After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Fugui took the net bag from the handlebars of Xu Damao's bicycle and rode back to the city on his own.

Xu Damao was going to Qinjiatun with Zhang Dabiao and Qin Jingru. Zhang Dabiao had physical strength, but no experience. He didn't know when to slow down or when to speed up, and had no rhythm at all.

Not to mention he's exhausted now, even the insides of his thighs are chafed. Xu Damao couldn't stand seeing him dawdling like that, so he put the bicycle and equipment on the tricycle, told Zhang Dabiao and Qin Jingru to sit down, and said, "Brother Damao will take you flying!"

"Holy crap, Da Mao is awesome! You can even ride that?!"

"Absolutely!"

Then, less than an hour later...

Xu Damao was also shaken...

Because this is not only a mountain road, but also an uphill road.

He usually carries his equipment on his bicycle, but the equipment on his bike only weighs about 100 pounds; the main weight is on his dad.

现在100多斤的设备、170斤的张大彪、70斤的秦京茹、50斤的二八大槓，张大彪和秦京茹还带了50斤物资，许大茂自己还有150斤……

That means Xu Damao was riding a tricycle carrying a load of 590 jin (245 catties) all by himself...

They even rode horses up the dirt road...

It would be strange if he wasn't bluffing!

Qin Jingru looked at these two idiots, and finally got out of the car and followed them.

Are you out of your mind?

Don't you know how to push the bike uphill? It's too heavy, don't you know how to get off and walk?

Xu Damao and Zhang Dabiao were speechless...

Finally, Xu Damao rode a tricycle carrying the equipment, while Zhang Dabiao rode a bicycle with Qin Jingru. They didn't arrive at Qinjiatun until after 7 p.m., when it was already dark.

Zhang Dabiao swore! I'm going to get a motorcycle! A three-wheeled one!

I'm never riding a tricycle to the countryside again!

孽 孽!