The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 3 Car Replacement and Planning

It's rare to find a newlywed wife who has no life skills in this era, except for the daughters of capitalists or officials.

Women from other families at least know how to do housework.

Zhou Zhiqiang's new wife probably hasn't even washed her own clothes, so he'll have to do all the washing from now on?

No wonder teacher Guo Linhua said that before leaving; she hadn't made it clear during their blind date.

"Let's go, it's almost time for work."

After finishing her meal, Guo Yuting rested for a short while before asking Zhou Zhiqiang to take her to the hospital by bicycle.

Although she works at the hospital, she is not a doctor or health technician, but a logistics and administrative staff member.

He was a level 6 clerk, receiving a level 24 salary, which was 43 yuan a month.

His salary grade is one level lower than Zhou Zhiqiang's. He is a college student intern and is currently at technical level 14, earning 48.5 yuan per month.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang was a reserve cadre after graduation. Although he is currently in a technical position, he has the opportunity to become a cadre, depending on whether he has the help of others and whether he is willing to do so.

If Guo Linhua, Zhou Zhiqiang's father-in-law, were still alive, he could definitely have arranged for Zhou Zhiqiang to be transferred to a cadre position, given his connections.

Now things are a bit difficult.

Zhou Zhiqiang also thought that these few years were not a good time to become a cadre. If he really wanted to become a cadre, he would have to wait until after 1980.

However, if you really want to become a cadre, you have to be ruthless; you absolutely cannot let him be persecuted.

After Zhou Zhiqiang dropped Guo Yuting off at the hospital entrance on his bicycle, he asked, "Do you want me to pick you up tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Yuting blushed slightly, then turned to the hospital and said, "If you have time, come. I can walk back by myself."

The hospital wasn't far from their home; after all, the courtyard house Guo Linhua bought was in the heart of Beijing, in the Nanluoguxiang area.

I walked two or three kilometers and was home in less than half an hour.

"Then I'll come pick you up. Once I get you a new bicycle, you'll be able to ride it home by yourself."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he paused for a moment, and then continued, "I'll take care of making dinner."

"Row."

Guo Yuting didn't know what to say to her husband, whom she didn't know very well. After listening to Zhou Zhiqiang's well-organized arrangements, she thought for a while and could only manage to utter a "okay".

After saying hello, Zhou Zhiqiang rode his bicycle home.

Although the new 28-inch bicycles will be replaced with 26-inch women's models, the 26-inch bicycle is not actually a women's model. It's just that it's designed for women to ride and is smaller in size, so it's called a women's model bicycle.

Buying a new 26-inch car was impossible. Although Guo Linhua kept some receipts, he didn't want to waste them like that.

If the couple were to accumulate industrial vouchers, it would take at least two years.

The best option would be to use the new 28-inch bicycle that Guo Linhua bought for him to exchange for a 26-inch bicycle at the trust store.

After having an idea in mind, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately rode his bicycle to the trust store.

A short while later, we arrived at the Dongdan Trust Store, which was the most popular place with the widest selection of goods.

After Zhou Zhiqiang went inside, he saw the person behind the counter and asked, "Comrade, do you have any 26-inch bicycles here?"

"A six-inch bicycle? There really is one, three of them."

The clerk at the trust store asked, "What brand do you want, sir?"

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "The brand doesn't matter, but it's best if it's newer."

After the waiter came out from behind the counter, he said to Zhou Zhiqiang, "There really is one. The man's wife didn't know any better. The whole family wanted to buy a 28-inch model, but they bought a 26-inch model instead."

However, the supply and marketing cooperative wouldn't give refunds after registering the sale, so he entrusted us to help him consign it. It's a Phoenix brand, costing 120 yuan, plus 15 industrial coupons.

Zhou Zhiqiang went with the people from the trust store to take a look. It was indeed very new, and the purchase receipt was also there; it had been bought less than half a month ago. Not a single industrial bond was missing, but the price was ten yuan cheaper, probably because they wanted to sell it quickly.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang asked, "Comrade, I'd like to exchange my 28 for a 26. My other car is new, I bought it less than a week ago. Would it be convenient for me to talk to that person?"

"Oh, what a coincidence! Let me take a look at your car first."

The man at the trust store chuckled; it was rare for him to run into two people who had bought the wrong bicycles, and they just happened to be together.

The people from the trust store followed Zhou Zhiqiang out and saw that the bicycle was indeed very new. However, the purchase receipt had been forgotten at home, but no one would forge such a document.

"Okay, the car is nice. Here's what we'll do, comrade, go back and get the purchase invoice. I'll have someone notify this person, and then the two of you can discuss it."

The shop assistant at the trust store said to Zhou Zhiqiang, "The 28 is a little more expensive than the 26. You also bought your car later than his, so he will have to give you a little compensation later."

"I know, I'll be there in a bit. Thank you, comrade."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he rode his bicycle home to get the purchase receipt.

Before long, Zhou Zhiqiang returned to the Dongdan Trust Store with the purchase receipt. He quickly saw the people consigning the 26-inch bicycles.

The man was the workshop director of a textile factory. He had bought the bicycle for his son's wedding, but his wife had bought the wrong one.

After inspecting Zhou Zhiqiang's bicycle and finding no problems, he offered to pay an additional twenty-five yuan.

A 28-inch bicycle is 20 yuan more expensive than a 26-inch one. This person paid an extra 5 yuan because he was in a hurry to get one; his son would need it for his wedding.

Zhou Zhiqiang had no objections. He took the twenty-five yuan and rode his bicycle to the police station to change the information.

The trust store just helped me get a form, and after I got to the police station, they changed the license plate.

------

"The old man is really not bad."

After returning home, Zhou Zhiqiang tallied up his savings. After working for more than half a year, he had saved 136 yuan.

The salary is 48.5 yuan, but 15 yuan has to be sent home. The original owner of this body has a somewhat timid personality, and although she was unwilling to give so much, she was still manipulated.

He had to spend about seven or eight yuan on his own meals and other expenses. Moreover, the original owner of this body was a person who wanted to repay a debt of gratitude, so he gave a lot of gifts to the village chief, the teacher of the township middle school, and Guo Linhua.

Being able to save 136 yuan is already considered very frugal.

Before Guo Linhua and his wife left, they left them 80 jin of coarse grains, 30 jin of fine grains, and 100 yuan.

The couple earns a decent income, owns their own house, and has bought all the major appliances. They could easily make ends meet without spending all their money.

After thinking for a while, Zhou Zhiqiang quickly made a decision: he had no choice but to continue living in this era, but he had to settle his family first.

I need to have a good talk with Guo Yuting when she gets back.

The marriage between the two was arranged, but Zhou Zhiqiang didn't mind. If Guo Yuting had no objections, he was willing to cultivate a relationship with her and support each other in the future.

If Guo Yuting is unwilling, then they can just live together as roommates. Anyway, the Guo family's courtyard house is very big, so sleeping separately will definitely be enough. Or Zhou Zhiqiang can apply for factory dormitory.

He's a college graduate technician and also has cadre status, so he'll definitely be able to apply for a place.

I'll write to Mr. Guo Linhua when I'm ready to get a divorce.

The original owner's parents couldn't possibly give her fifteen yuan; ten or five yuan a month would be enough.

They weren't very kind to the original owner; giving them money was already considered a good thing for their reputation.

If they refuse to accept this and start a fight, Zhou Zhiqiang will make sure both sides suffer losses and refuse to pay, then they'll see who has the tougher backbone.

Only after settling things at home can Zhou Zhiqiang feel at ease to integrate into this era.

The main theme of this era is construction; construction is the only true principle!

(End of this chapter)