Chapter 25: Full of Ambition

Chapter 25: Full of Ambition

Lu Xiang bought all the old man’s duck necks on the spot, planning to braise them and sell them as duck parts.

However, walking there daily was too arduous. If only she had a bicycle.

There was a blue '28' bicycle prominently displayed at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Lu Xiang had admired it several times.

This bicycle was practically the cooperative's most prized possession.

Many people who came here would stop in their tracks, captivated by luxury items like bicycles and radios.

Fu Qinhui called Lu Xiang aside, seemingly having noticed her fondness for the bicycle. He said, "I have a bicycle voucher. I'll save up and buy it for you."

Bicycle vouchers were rare and precious in those days. His single voucher could be exchanged for five catties of pork and five catties of soybean oil, yet he hadn't traded it, keeping it safe. He just needed to save up for the bicycle itself.

Lu Xiang hesitated, "How much does a bicycle cost?" She had spent quite a bit today and still had just over ninety yuan. A bicycle could last ten years or more, making it a worthwhile investment.

Fu Qinhui replied, "Three hundred."

Lu Xiang was stunned by the price. Twenty years later, with rapid economic development, a bicycle would only cost a little over two hundred yuan. Why was it so expensive in the 1980s when money held so much more value?

But Lu Xiang quickly understood. Bicycles were scarce, and due to the technology of the time, many parts required skilled craftsmen for assembly. Such a significant purchase could be used by the entire family, ensuring bicycles were always in demand. In their Dayu Village, with over a hundred households, fewer than five families owned a bicycle.

It was akin to owning a private car in later times, so it was no wonder that despite the high price, so many people still bought them.

Lu Xiang's face fell slightly; the money difference was too vast.

After getting married, Lu Xiang learned that Fu Qinhui gave fifteen yuan to his family every month, keeping only five for himself. Fifteen yuan was a considerable sum. It was precisely because of this that his elder brother and sister-in-law didn't object to Lu Xiang not working in the fields. Otherwise, if they had to support her entirely, they would have long been unhappy.

Lu Xiang thought it over and decided that earning money was a task she had to undertake.

She cajoled Fu Qinhui, saying, "How about this: I'll braise some duck parts to sell, and you help me push the cart and carry things. Once I earn money, I'll buy you a popsicle."

In those days, a popsicle cost two fen, offering a cool and refreshing treat. Red bean popsicles were five fen, and fresh milk ice cream bars were only one mao. Lu Xiang was referring to the cheapest option.

Fu Qinhui remarked, "You're quite stingy."

Lu Xiang disagreed, saying, "Think about it. One a day, that's two mao in ten days, and six mao in a month. Who in the world would dare to buy a popsicle every single day?" She continued to paint an enticing picture for Fu Qinhui.

If Fu Qinhui didn't agree, she really wouldn't be able to transport all those braised duck parts to sell by herself.

Fu Qinhui's lips twitched slightly as he said, "Alright."

Lu Xiang's eyes immediately lit up.

Fu Qinhui added, "Lift your foot up. I'll put some medicine on it." He had somehow found hydrogen peroxide and cotton swabs.

Lu Xiang was surprised, then felt a bit embarrassed. Although they were married, they had never had any physical contact. "I can do it myself," she said.

Fu Qinhui's voice was firmer. "You can't reach." He always had a sense of uprightness about him, and tending to Lu Xiang's injury seemed to come more naturally to him than to her.

In the office, the director had already left to meet with suppliers, leaving only the two of them.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Xiang took off her shoes and socks. Sure enough, the long walk had caused a blood blister to form on her foot, and it had burst, looking quite miserable.

Fu Qinhui bent down, dipped a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide, and gently wiped away the blood.

Hydrogen peroxide had disinfecting properties, but every time it touched her foot, it foamed up and stung with a gritty pain.

Lu Xiang gasped.

Hearing her reaction, Fu Qinhui gentled his touch. He applied medicine to the entire area where the blister had burst and said, "I borrowed a bicycle from the director. You can sit on the back."

Hearing that she wouldn't have to walk home that evening, Lu Xiang's spirits soared. She praised him, "You're so capable!"

Fu Qinhui wasn't used to Lu Xiang's enthusiastic and straightforward nature. His ears turned a little red, but his tone remained serious as he said, "I'm going to work now."

Lu Xiang kept her injured foot propped up and didn't move around. Instead, she asked Fu Qinhui for a pen and paper and began writing something nearby.

Lu Xiang wrote with great concentration. By the time Fu Qinhui finished his work, she was still writing.

Fu Qinhui asked, "What are you writing?"

Lu Xiang smiled and said, "Calculating the cost of my duck necks." She factored in seasonings and other expenses. Duck necks shrink after cooking, so if she priced them too high, no one would buy them; if she priced them too low, she wouldn't make a profit. She needed to recalculate based on local incomes.

Fu Qinhui stood up and went outside, saying something to the director before returning to Lu Xiang. "Let's go back," he said.

Lu Xiang replied, "But it's only noon."

Fu Qinhui said, "I've taken leave."

Lu Xiang let out an "oh," quickly tucked the paper with her duck neck calculations into her pocket. After putting on her shoes and socks, Fu Qinhui came over to support her.

Lu Xiang, with her arm held by him, got flustered and stammered, "Th-That's not necessary. I can manage on my own."

Fu Qinhui insisted, "Let's go."

Lu Xiang knew how popular Fu Qinhui was among the women at the supply and marketing cooperative. If it weren't for that long-faced woman's constant provocations, she wouldn't have lost her temper.

If others saw them like this, they might think she was showing off. But heaven knew that was absolutely not the case.

Lu Xiang then ducked her head and walked out of the supply and marketing cooperative’s main entrance. Fu Qinhui carried the seasonings and other items she had bought.

With one hand supporting her, Fu Qinhui wheeled out a black bicycle, swung his long leg over it, and steadied the bike. He hung the items on the handlebars.

After Lu Xiang climbed onto the back seat, she put her arms around Fu Qinhui’s waist. His waist was quite slim.

The moment Lu Xiang hugged him, Fu Qinhui went rigid. He then rode the bicycle, carrying Lu Xiang, and headed home.

Lu Xiang finally felt at ease. The breeze brushed against her cheeks, soft and warm.

Before long, Fu Qinhui stiffened again. He could feel Lu Xiang’s face pressed against his back.

Lu Xiang had woken up too early that day, and now, sitting on the bicycle, she leaned against Fu Qinhui’s back and fell asleep.

…

When they finally arrived home, Fu Qinhui parked the bicycle at the Fu residence. Lu Xiang was still holding onto him tightly, her breathing even and steady.

Fu Qinhui had no choice but to gently pat Lu Xiang and say, "We're here."

Lu Xiang woke up groggily, and upon realizing her surroundings, she quickly jumped off the bicycle seat. In her haste, her injured foot hit the ground, causing a sharp pain.

After parking the bicycle securely, Fu Qinhui said, "Why are you so careless?"

A neighbor outside saw them standing at the entrance and asked, "Whose bicycle is that?"

Fu Qinhui replied, "I borrowed it from work."

The neighbor let out an "oh" and smiled. "Newlyweds are always so affectionate." Although she had been married for years and had several children, her husband had never given her a ride on a bicycle, let alone let her wrap her arms around his waist. It was quite embarrassing.

Both of them blushed under the neighbor’s knowing look.