Siheyuan: Bringing Warehouses to 1959

Yan Jiecheng has a girlfriend, is about to get married, and has started working, but he has no autonomy at home. In fact, he has no autonomy not only at home, but also outside.

From the time he started working and received his first month's salary, he kept five yuan a month and handed over the rest to Yan Bugui. In theory, five yuan a month was a lot of money, but it was enough to cover the extra expenses of a young person in a relationship. Although it was not popular to have a romantic relationship in this era, when two people went out together occasionally, they would always go to the movies or something. And they couldn't just watch the movie, they would also have to buy some melon seeds and soda, right?

In this way, it is basically impossible for Yan Jiecheng to accomplish anything big.

"Why are you in such a hurry? The money and tickets are ready." Yan Bugui looked towards Zeng Wangcai's house. He saw Zhang Xiuzhi also went there and guessed that they were talking about something. "They will come out soon. Ask them then. I think you are eager to split up the family, right? It was not easy for me to raise you to this age."

Yan Jiecheng is a shy person, and now that the economic power is not in his hands, he dare not say much.

Yan Bugui glanced at the other children in the family and said, "Big brother, you can't be so conscienceless. You can't ignore the whole family after you get married."

"I know. Don't worry. Even after we get married, I will still hand over my salary, just like now." Yan Jiecheng patted his chest and said, "Until I pay off your debt. OK?"

Yan Jiecheng knew that at this critical juncture, if he didn't come up with something, his father would not let go easily.

"That sounds like human language." Yan Bugui nodded with satisfaction, and turned to the other children and said, "See? Learn from your eldest brother and learn to be filial in the future."

Yan Jiekuang didn't say anything, and the others were all young and could only nod ignorantly.

As if he felt that he had shown enough in this matter, Yan Jiecheng spoke nervously: "Dad, about the bicycle..."

The three things that became popular in marriages later on, namely, the "three turns and one ring", have not started yet. In fact, these things were not popular in the 1950s. Bicycles, watches, and sewing machines were easy to come by, but radios took another two years to become popular because there were too few radio stations and it was troublesome to buy one. Not everyone could buy one as they needed to prove their financial status.

So now when you get married, it’s good enough to have a bicycle. It’s even better if you have a sewing machine. If you add a watch, you’re almost guaranteed to win.

The condition proposed by Yu Li's family was that the Yan family must have a bicycle.

"Don't worry, I have arranged this matter. I have already got the bicycle ticket. I will go buy it in the next two days." Yan Bugui said.

Yan Jiecheng didn't expect his father to agree so easily, and he couldn't help but say, "Why do you have to do it in the next two days? Just go buy it tomorrow. The salary I paid is enough, and you don't have classes anyway."

"Why rush? Just buy it this week." Yan Bugui promised.

The father and son ran out of things to say here, and Yan Jiecheng contentedly pulled his younger brother and sister into the house to sleep.

The third aunt glanced at the room, turned her head and covered her mouth with her hands, and smiled: "You are the best. Let the old man pay for a few more years."

"That's right. If you have enough food and clothes, you won't be poor. If you don't plan well, you will be poor." Yan Bugui said his wise saying, and said proudly, "Our family should have bought a bicycle a long time ago. Not only is it for work, but it is also much more convenient for fishing. I have always wanted to go to Beiding River to try fishing. Maybe I can be as lucky as Zeng Wangcai, then our family will become rich. I don't ask for a day like Zeng Wangcai to pay for the bicycle, but a month will be fine."

It is becoming increasingly difficult to fish in the city now. The moat and the North Sea are full of people. Yan Bugui's level is limited, and under the fierce competition, his catch is naturally less.

The issue of the bicycle was on the agenda and the Yan family could not avoid it. Yan Jiecheng thought that the bicycle was bought with the money from his salary and would belong to him in the future. After they got married, it would be considered his and Yu Li's property. Of course, the actual situation was not like this.

Yan Bugui waited and waited but no one showed up, so he couldn't help but walk towards the house where Zeng Wangcai was.

In Zeng Wangcai's room, several people were counting the accounts one by one. No, not several people. To be precise, Zeng Wangcai and Zhang Xiuzhi were counting the accounts, while Xiaohu and Xiaobao were doing math addition.

"Thirty-six dollars and sixty cents plus fourteen dollars and thirty-six cents equals..."

"Why, no wonder you went through so many first grades. That's forty dollars and ninety-six cents."

"Yes, yes, yes, that's it. How about another seven dollars and eighty cents?"

"If you can't even calculate this, why should I tell you? Calculate it yourself..."

Zeng Wangcai was so confused by the quarrel. Math for both of you is not as simple as what the physical education teacher taught you.

"Can you two shut up? Do you want me to settle the score?" Zeng Wangcai glared at the two brothers and said, "If you really want to help, do the mental arithmetic."

"Oh oh oh, I'll do the math silently!" Little Leopard agreed, took off his shoes to expose his feet, and prepared to count.

"Put on your shoes!" Zhang Xiuzhi said without looking up, "If you two don't allow it, just stay here."

"Oh oh oh!" Little Leopard put on his shoes obediently, not daring to fart.

Zhang Xiuzhi finished the calculation quickly and pointed to a page in the notebook Zeng Wangcai gave her. She said, "Adding the 200 yuan you earned from selling wine, the total is 1,154.97 yuan. This is less the expenses we spent on shopping."

"So many?" Zeng Wangcai was shocked.

As for Xiaohu and Xiaobao, they could no longer speak. It was the first time for them to hear so much money. Note, it was heard, not seen.

Normally, people spend a few cents when they live their lives, or a few dollars at most. Once they spend dozens or hundreds of dollars, it means that the family is going to have a big event. Thousands of dollars are very rare.

"I think the money you earned from selling alcohol should not be included in the calculation," Zhang Xiuzhi said. "We are the only ones who know about this, but we can't calculate the account this way. Alcohol has nothing to do with us."

Zhang Xiuzhi did not ask Zeng Wangcai where the wine came from, but just reminded Zeng Wangcai not to include it in the account.

Zeng Wangcai included this in the calculation because he was worried that he would not have enough money to buy a car. He believed that Zhang Xiuzhi, Xiaohu and Xiaobao would not say anything nonsense, but writing it down in a notebook was another matter.

"Okay, let's not count this bill, that's nine hundred and fifty-four yuan and ninety-seven cents, let's settle the money!" Zeng Wangcai did not avoid the three people. He walked to the corner, squatted down, took out a wall brick, and took out an iron box.

In fact, there is no money in the iron box. All his money is placed in the space. This behavior is just for show.

He opened the iron box, which was filled with banknotes of various types. Zeng Wangcai counted out twenty black money notes and poured the rest of the money onto the bed.

The impact of more than 900 yuan today is no less than that of a large stack of red banknotes flying around in the future.

Xiaohu and Xiaobao only had money in their eyes. They walked forward involuntarily and held a handful of banknotes.

"Too much. Is this all the money we have earned during this period?"

"What do you mean we? We are the big brother!"

Xiaohu gave a round of flattery.

The next step is to count the money, and Xiaohu and Xiaobao volunteered to join in.

"You two are only allowed to spend a few dozen dollars!" Zhang Xiuzhi said.

"Why?" Little Leopard asked ignorantly.

"What do you think? What is seven points plus five points plus three points plus two points, plus nine points plus sixty cents?" Zhang Xiuzhi gave a math problem without even thinking.

"I have dozens of dollars..." Xiaohu began honestly.

At this time, Yan Bugui came to the door and knocked: "Wangcai, are you in the room? Uncle San wants to tell you something. The door is not locked. I came in..."