Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 80 Jia Zhangshi is furious
Today, Zhao Weiguo came to present the betrothal gifts, pushing a bicycle in with a big red flower tied to it. With such a display, it's no wonder Aunt Yan was so excited earlier.

In today's world, bicycles can be considered a true luxury item.

Price is one aspect.

After all, the price of a bicycle now is roughly equivalent to a worker's salary for half a year if they didn't eat or drink.

On the other hand, there is rarity.

According to official statistics, the number of bicycles in Beijing exceeded 100,000 before the liberation in 1949, and has now almost doubled.

It sounds like a lot, but the permanent population of Beijing has now reached more than 2.6 million. This only includes the registered population and does not include those who are not included in the statistics. In reality, it is far more than that.

Proportionally speaking, bicycles are now only in the hands of a minority of people, and a large portion of them are used by public officials or organizations.

This means there are even fewer bicycles in private hands.

The key issue is that the economy and industry are still recovering and developing since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Although the production of bicycles has been increasing every year, due to issues with raw material supply and industrial production, the total annual production across the country has not exceeded 100,000 bicycles until this year.

However, Li Hongbing didn't think much of it, nor would he presumptuously assume that the bicycle was one of the betrothal gifts Zhao Weiguo brought today. He simply thought that Zhao Weiguo had borrowed it to make a show of it.

When the Zhao family came to propose marriage last time, bicycles were not among the betrothal gifts they discussed.

The betrothal gifts were merely symbolic.

Li Hongbing is marrying off his sister, not selling her, so he won't make any excessive demands.

however.

Aunt Yan excitedly reminded him, "Li Hongbing, this bicycle is the betrothal gift your future brother-in-law prepared for your family. Hurry up and take it."

As soon as these words came out.

Everyone present, including Li Hongbing and Li Hongmei, was dumbfounded.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Aunt Yan was very satisfied.

While she was outside, she had asked on behalf of Li Hongbing and Li Hongmei, and when she learned the result, she was just as surprised as they were.

Otherwise.

When Aunt Yan came in to deliver the news, she wasn't that excited.

Although this has nothing to do with her, Li Hongbing's family is about to become the first family in the entire compound to own a bicycle, which represents their strength.

If Li Hongbing has it at home, it means that there is one in their yard.

"Brother Weiguo, what's wrong with you...?"

Zhao Weiguo's move left Li Hongbing completely bewildered.

Although Li Hongbing is not short of money for a bicycle, the reason he hasn't bought one is simply because he needs to accumulate running experience points every day on his way to work, not because he can't afford it.

But Zhao Weiguo's actions were truly unexpected to him.

“Hongbing, I saved up this bicycle myself, I didn’t buy it.”

Looking at Li Hongbing and Li Hongmei, who looked completely bewildered, Zhao Weiguo smiled happily and proudly. He took the initiative to confess and explain, "The place you live is far from Fengzeyuan where you work. You have to take the tram every day, and the tram often breaks down, which is very inconvenient for you. Hongmei mentioned this to me before, and I kept it in mind."

I can't afford a new bicycle right now.

However, during this time, I specifically went to find some bicycle parts and assembled one myself.

"Since we're delivering the betrothal gifts today, I'm sending them over together with yours so it'll be easier for you to get to work and saves your sister from worrying all the time..."

Drivers today are different from those of later generations. They not only need to know how to drive, but also how to repair cars. If their vehicles break down on the road, they have to fix them themselves.

As a driver at a food factory, it wasn't difficult for Zhao Weiguo to assemble a bicycle himself.

The difficulty lies in collecting bicycle parts.

Most of them are salvaged from old bicycles that are still usable. You have to find a place to buy them and pull strings to get them, which not only takes effort and time but also costs money.

Although this is more cost-effective than buying a new one, it's not something the average person can manage.

This bicycle not only demonstrated Zhao Weiguo's ability but also his sincerity. Zhao Weiguo spoke casually, but Li Hongbing could feel his care and attention towards Li Hongmei.

Li Hongbing, who had already agreed to and supported their marriage, was even more satisfied with Zhao Weiguo, his future brother-in-law.

"Brother Weiguo, Uncle Zhao, let's go inside!"

Seeing that Li Hongmei was already moved to tears, Li Hongbing had no choice but to accept the bicycle and first invite Zhao Weiguo and Zhao's father, who had come as an elder, into the house.

Besides the bicycle, they also brought the previously agreed-upon dowry and some gifts.

But all of these pale in comparison to this bicycle.

What Li Hongbing didn't know was...

Zhao Weiguo's parents initially opposed his offer to give the Li family a bicycle as a betrothal gift, since it was, after all, a bicycle.

But Zhao Weiguo has his own opinions, and they can't interfere with him.

Furthermore, since Zhao Weiguo had sourced the parts himself and assembled it himself, and they learned that it didn't cost as much as they had imagined, they could only accept it.

Seeing the reactions and behavior of everyone in the courtyard and the Li siblings today, Mr. Zhao felt that everything was worthwhile.

At least we saved face.

……

at the same time.

As Li Hongbing invited Zhao Weiguo and his son into the house, the news that Zhao Weiguo had given the Li family a bicycle as a betrothal gift spread like wildfire throughout the entire courtyard.

"Go quickly and see! Li Hongmei's fiancé gave a bicycle to the Li family as a betrothal gift. It's in the front yard."

"what?"

"A bicycle?"

"real or fake?"

"It's obviously a joke, just kidding!"

"Who gives a bicycle as part of the betrothal gifts? How much does that cost?"

"I'd be a bastard to lie to you. That bicycle is already in the Li family's house. You'll see it when you get there."

"..."

Inside the west wing of the central courtyard, Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu were having a pleasant conversation when the commotion outside quickly caught their attention.

"A bicycle... as a betrothal gift?"

Qin Huairu was utterly shocked.

This moment gave her a feeling of having her worldview completely refreshed.

So, is it true that dowries for city dwellers getting married are this high?

Madam Jia's expression immediately changed. She didn't believe it at all and denied it on the spot, saying, "It's fake, it's fake. Someone must be talking nonsense. Who gives a bicycle as a betrothal gift?"
Even the landlords of the past weren't this wealthy!

Huairu, you must not listen to their nonsense!

This Li Hongbing must have deliberately spread false information to sabotage our blind date...

Judging from Qin Huairu's reaction, Jia Zhangshi was really afraid that she would take it to heart and make exorbitant demands on their family.

Although he looked down on Qin Huairu, he saw that Jia Dongxu and Sha Zhu were all captivated by her. He had just secretly cursed her as a vixen, but what if things actually turned out well?

Madam Jia knew her son too well; she knew he had already taken a liking to Qin Huairu.

Even if it were to happen, Jia Zhangshi would never give Qin Huairu a bicycle as a betrothal gift; she would be insane.

Even if you marry a city girl, you only need to accept a dowry of ten or eight yuan as a token, and the woman's family still has to give you back your dowry!
Thinking of all this, Jia Zhangshi was furious and started cursing under her breath.

(End of this chapter)