Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

After sending the middle-aged man away, Zhang Dongfang turned to Li Xiaodong and said, "Wait for me for a moment. I'll go ask for leave. Let's find a place to have a good drink to celebrate your wedding in advance."

"If you want to drink, you can come to my house in the evening. Not now because I have to accompany my wife shopping." Li Xiaodong responded.

"What to buy? I'm familiar with this. I can help you." Zhang Dongfang patted his chest and promised.

Li Xiaodong took out the tickets he got from Fatty Yu, picked out a few of them, and said, "Bicycle, watch, and yes, a sewing machine."

"My God, where did you get so many tickets?" Zhang Dongfang looked at him in surprise.

Thinking that the person in front of him was a truck driver, he immediately waved his hand and said, "Don't ask, I know, it must have been given by the leader. I will resign tomorrow and drive a truck myself."

Seeing that he had misunderstood, Li Xiaodong did not explain too much. After all, the origin of these tickets was indeed difficult to talk about.

"I have some watches here, including domestic Plum and Shanghai watches, and foreign Ingenie. In my opinion, your financial situation is not bad, so Ingenie is a good choice. It will make you look good. I can sell it to you at a lower price of 185 yuan." Zhang Dongfang took out a watch from the counter, with Swedish words engraved on the back of the watch.

He noticed that Li Xiaodong's brows were furrowed, and after glancing around to see that no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice and said, "This watch is very popular. Even Manager Liu from the food station came to buy one a few days ago, and I told him it was sold out."

Li Xiaodong understood Zhang Dongfang's good intentions. This Engner could be sold for 280 yuan in the pigeon market. However, it was a bit ridiculous to rely on a watch to show his identity after being reborn. To him, a watch was just a timekeeping tool, just like the dozens of Ferraris in his previous life, which were just a means of transportation.

Besides, the craftsmanship of Shanghai watches is not inferior to that of Ingenie, so why not support domestic products?

"Let's choose a Shanghai watch. No, we want two, one for me and one for your wife." Seeing that Li Xiaodong insisted, Zhang Dongfang said no more.

He thought that if he could find an opportunity to sell the watch, he could make more than a month's salary.

"Shanghai men's watch, if the budget is sufficient, I recommend this one." Zhang Dongfang took out a watch from the bottom of the counter, "This 17-diamond all-steel waterproof and shockproof large three-hand luminous watch is priced at 240 yuan. I'll give you a discount and you can get it for 160 yuan."

Waterproof and shockproof, isn't this the triple-proof watch of later times? It also has a luminous function, so you can easily see the time at night. The price of 160 yuan is quite affordable, Niu Yong's semi-steel Shanghai watch costs 140 yuan!

"I'll take it and help my wife pick one out."

During the selection process, Yu Li was quite concerned about the price. In the end, she chose a Shanghai semi-steel gold bezel ladies' watch, which cost 110 yuan.

After buying the watches, Zhang Dongfang took the tickets and said, "Wait here first, I will buy these for you."

...

It is convenient to get things done by acquaintances.

It has to be admitted that Zhang Dongfang thrived in the department store and quickly bought a product.

"The 'Dongfanghong' from the Beijing Sewing Machine Factory is priced at 180 yuan, and there is also a sewing machine ticket." Seeing the sewing machine, Li Xiaodong confirmed that he had found the right person.

This is a good thing. Even if you have money and tickets, you may not be able to buy it. It is durable and can be passed down from generation to generation.

"Let's go home and have dinner together tonight. I've prepared two bottles of old Fenjiu and we'll have a good drink." Zhang Dongfang loves drinking. When he heard about Fenjiu, he almost got greedy.

"No problem, I'll come over after get off work. Let's go to the warehouse and push the bike over." At this time, Xiaoli, who had gone out to buy needles and thread, baskets and sewing machine oil, also came back.

When she saw the sewing machine, her eyes lit up. Her white little hands gently stroked the shiny black body of the machine, and a satisfied smile spread across her face. The sewing machine meant a lot to her, as it could not only mend clothes for her children, but also help others make clothes and supplement the family income.

I will take on more jobs in the future and earn back the money I spent on the sewing machine as soon as possible.

How can it be possible for men to make money alone?

Li Xiaodong naturally didn't know what she was thinking, so he said, "Take care of the sewing machine while I go buy a bicycle from Dongfang."

Originally, Yu Li should have gone with them.

Considering that Zhang Dongfang is involved, there may be some secrets involved.

"Yes!" Yu Li nodded vigorously, straightened her body and guarded the sewing machine vigilantly.

This is the treasure of our small family and must not be damaged by others.

...

As expected, things developed exactly as Li Xiaodong had expected.

Entering the warehouse of the department store, Zhang Dongfang found an old man in a gray Zhongshan suit.

With a smile on his face, he handed over a cigarette and the two of them talked in low voices.

The old man seemed a little embarrassed, and Zhang Dongfang patted his chest to assure him.

The old man then reluctantly came to the mottled vermilion table and wrote out a delivery note.

"Xiaodong, wait a moment, I'll get you something good."

Not long after Zhang Dongfang entered the warehouse, he pushed out a bicycle.

"The Phoenix 26-beam model is the only women's bicycle in the city. It would definitely be suitable for my sister-in-law to ride, but the price is a little high, one hundred and ninety dollars, plus a bicycle ticket."

"Good stuff! It doesn't matter if the price is a bit higher, I don't need that little money!" Li Xiaodong nodded in agreement.

Yu Li is not tall, so this kind of women's bicycle is just right for her.

When the two pushed their bicycles back to the entrance of the department store, Yu Li guarded the sewing machine like she was protecting a chick.

Whenever there were passers-by, she would silently stand in front of them.

Seeing the Phoenix 26, Yu Li was stunned and pointed at the bicycle: "This, this, this, this..."

Although she knew about the 26-inch bicycles, she had only seen them at the gate of the military compound.

If the ordinary 28-beam bicycle is Audi or BMW, then the 26-beam bicycle is Maserati.

Any girl would go crazy facing it.

After enjoying the joy, what follows is heartache.

How expensive is this thing!

Seeing Yu Li still standing there in a daze, Li Xiaodong pushed the car in front of her and said, "Try it and see if the seat needs to be adjusted."

"No, why are you buying this? It's too expensive!" Yu Li blurted out in her hometown accent in a hurry.

"Try it quickly. After all, the invoice has been issued and it cannot be returned. You have to get the license plate later." Li Xiaodong pushed the bicycle towards her again.

Yu Li then got on the bicycle tremblingly and tried it out.

It was a great feeling, but the price was just too high.

After installing the license plate and paying the two-dollar license tax, the two prepared to go home.

Because the sewing machine was large in size, Li Xiaodong spent five cents to ask the rickshaw driver waiting at the door to load the sewing machine and other items onto the rickshaw.

After setting off on the road, Comrade Yu Li was always nervous, fearing that the bicycle would fall.

It would be heartbreaking if such a valuable item were to be broken.

Li Xiaodong rode in front to lead the way, the tricycle was in the middle, and Yu Li rode a bicycle to the rear, and the group returned to the courtyard in a mighty manner.

There was a high threshold at the entrance of the courtyard, and the tricycle could not pass through. Li Xiaodong paid an extra 10 cents and asked a porter to help move the heavy objects into the house.

...

The front yard of the Siheyuan.

"Old Yan, you have to remember that Cuihua agreed to marry your Jie Cheng thanks to me... Hey, isn't that Li Xiaodong?"

Jia Zhang was bragging about her achievements to Yan Bugui in the front yard. When she saw Li Xiaodong and his group, her eyes widened instantly.

"Look at that sewing machine and the new bicycle that Yu Li is pushing. It's a rare model. Why is it so short? Oh, they are both wearing watches! These must cost hundreds of dollars, right?"

Jia Zhang was dazzled by the shining watch.

She rubbed her eyes vigorously, and after confirming that she was not mistaken, she felt mixed emotions.

A while ago, Li Xiaodong said that his family was poor and had no money to hold a wedding.

I brought back so many good things today, this is just a lie!

Jia Zhang is a person who will feel something is wrong if you don't let her take advantage.

So, without hesitation, she quickly stepped forward and blocked the way.

"Xiaodong, you said you didn't have money for the wedding, so why did you buy so many things?"

Jia Zhang often visited the house and had a sharp eye. She could tell at a glance that these were top-quality goods.

Li Xiaodong did not respond, but just turned around and looked at Yu Li.

The two had already discussed it, and Yu Li understood what she meant and said with a smile, "Aunt Jia, these are all my family's dowry items."

"Dowry? My God, so much dowry, are you going to marry a princess?" Jia Zhang couldn't help swallowing.

The Yu family actually sent a dowry! Yan Bugui's face darkened.

He didn't ask for a dowry, but still gave such a huge dowry. Is Li Xiaodong really lucky?

If he had known this, he would never have done such a stupid thing.

"Aunt Jia, listen to what you say. Our family thinks that Xiaodong is a good person. It is a blessing for me to marry him. Giving more dowry is voluntary." Yu Li couldn't stand others talking to Li Xiaodong in a suspicious tone.

Jia Zhang, who originally firmly believed that Old Man Li had savings, also began to waver.

Could it be that Yu Li’s family really doesn’t want any betrothal gifts but instead gives a dowry?

Yu Li looks quite smart, why did she suddenly become so stupid?

Wouldn't it be better to save that money secretly?

... "

Chapter 59

"Tsk tsk, Yu Li worked so hard, and the Yu family also gave her such a large dowry. Li Xiaodong is such a sinner!"

"That's right. We have never seen a girl on this street marrying off with such a large dowry."

"The Yan family really made a wrong calculation this time."

...

The aunties and grandmas who were watching the fun around all looked at Yan Bugui with mocking eyes.

Yan Bugui was filled with remorse and wished he could find a hole to crawl into. All he wanted was to marry Cuihua as soon as possible to save his face.

When Li Xiaodong strode into the backyard with his "dowry", he immediately invited Jia Zhang into the house.

Ask the three aunts to make tea.

When Jia Zhang saw that the third aunt was about to add tea leaves, she quickly stopped her and said, "Sister-in-law, I have been feeling uncomfortable in my stomach these past two days and cannot drink tea."

Just kidding, drinking this will give you diarrhea.

Jia Zhang, who had gained weight with great difficulty, didn't want to lose weight.

...

"Then don't brew it." The third aunt felt sorry for the tea leaves and was secretly happy to hear this.

"Oh, don't be so stingy. If tea leaves don't work, can't you add some brown sugar?" Jia Zhang curled her lips.

"..."

The third aunt couldn't make a decision, so she had to turn her eyes to Yan Bugui.