Chapter 49 Preparation before marriage
"Dingle bell, dingle bell~"

At the entrance of Nanluoguxiang Hutong, Wang Mengde came over on a brand new Fei Ge bicycle.

He bought this bicycle at the mall this morning for 215 yuan. After buying it, he went to the police station to have a steel stamp on it.

He didn't install a motorcycle light on this bicycle. Installing a motorcycle light would not only make riding more difficult, but also cause wear on the wheels. He plans to take a flashlight with him when he rides out at night in the future.

Although he felt that the price of 215 yuan was very high, there was nothing he could do about it. In that era, domestic industry was underdeveloped and the cost of bicycles was high.

In 1957, the Ministry of Light Industry published a price list of bicycle parts, which showed that the total price of 43 conventional parts of a bicycle was 132.89 yuan. Adding the costs of transportation, assembly, production, etc., the price of the finished product would be at least 150 yuan.

With a skillful turn of the handlebars, the bicycle entered the alley.

I had not ridden far when a flatbed tricycle came towards me. It was Hou Xiaosi, who worked at the auto repair shop outside the alley.

The two people were getting closer and closer. Wang Mengde straightened his back and shouted, "Hey, hey, hey."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw the tricycle in front suddenly tilt to one side, then turn the handlebars, and the rear wheel on the other side lifted off the ground, so that the tricycle moved forward on two wheels.

This was a trick the two of them used to play often.

When they were almost there, Hou Xiaosi put the tricycle back.

"Meng De, you bought a bicycle!"

"Fourth brother, this is the new bicycle I bought. How is it?" Wang Mengde stopped the bicycle, propped one leg on the ground, and said with a smile.

Hou Xiaosi is two or three years older than him. The two have known each other since childhood and often played together. They can be considered childhood friends.

"This bike is great." Hou Xiaosi praised, and then changed the subject: "If you have any problems with your bike in the future, come to the repair shop and find me directly."

"If I need anything in the future, I will definitely come to you," said Wang Mengde.

"Okay, then I'll go first. There's someone waiting for me in the repair shop." He said and pedaled forward.

"Fourth brother, please find me some unusable bicycle chains. I'll go to the repair shop to get them this afternoon." Wang Mengde was also preparing to ride his bike home, but suddenly thought of something and shouted at his back.

Hou Xiaosi did not reply, but waved his hand behind him to indicate that he understood.

In the courtyard, Wang Mengde pushed his bicycle, passed through the hanging flower gate, and came to the central courtyard.

As soon as he appeared, he was seen by Sha Zhu who was standing at his door.

"Hey, Meng De bought a bicycle. How much did he spend?" As he said this, he took a few steps forward, came closer, and looked at the bicycle carefully.

Many neighbors in the Central Courtyard also cast envious glances, especially Jia Dongxu, who showed a jealous expression.

He knew that Wang Mengde must have bought this bicycle because he was getting married. Thinking about how when he got married, his family didn't buy anything except two new quilts, he felt uncomfortable.

Even now, if he wants to buy a bicycle, the family savings are still a little short of the money required.

"It cost me 215 yuan, Shazhu. Why don't you buy one too? With a bicycle, it will be convenient for you to go out and find a partner in the future." Wang Mengde said.

"It's too expensive, I don't have money." Sha Zhu shook his head.

He is still learning cooking from his master and is not working, so naturally he doesn't have any spare money.

"It's easy to deal with if you don't have money. You can borrow from an old man. I don't have enough money either, so I paid 15 yuan myself. The remaining 200 yuan was taken from my father."

Wang Mengde continued to persuade.

"Let's talk about it later." Sha Zhu continued to shake his head.

Since Jia Dongxu is still around, the relationship between the old man and him is not as close as in the original drama.

However, Jia Dongxu, who was eavesdropping nearby, had something in his mind.

Yes, if I don't have money to buy a bicycle, I can go to my master Yi Zhonghai to "borrow" it. He is my master, and he is also a family with no family, so sooner or later the money will be mine, so I don't have to pay it back after "borrowing" it.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt happy and prepared to go to Yi Zhonghai's house in the evening to find out what was going on.

After chatting for a while, Wang Mengde pushed the bicycle back home. He was worried about leaving it at the door, as he was afraid someone might damage it at any time.

Backyard, the deaf old lady's house.

Sha Zhu was talking to her, and as they chatted, they talked about Wang Mengde buying a bicycle in preparation for his marriage.

Although it has been a week since He Shengnan last came to the Siheyuan, the deaf old lady still remembers her.

"Silly Zhuzi, if you can find such a good wife in the future, I will be able to rest in peace."

"Old lady, I will find a better daughter-in-law than her in the future, so don't worry."

Sha Zhu said confidently.

It won't be long before he can become a master. With his skills, he will definitely be able to find a good job, and then it will be easy for him to find a wife.

The next day.

At the Steel Rolling Mill Workers' Hospital, Wang Mengde had just arrived at the clinic early in the morning when he met Zhao Xiaotao who was helping him get some water.

"Thank you, Nurse Xiaotao."

"You're welcome, Doctor Wang." Zhao Xiaotao said with a smile.

Her eyes narrowed into slits with joy, and she quickly put the kettle next to the wall, then said, "Doctor Wang, I heard that you are getting married on the 14th."

"Yes, we're getting married on the 14th." Wang Mengde said generously.

There was no need to hide this matter. He had told Zhang Hanhua and the hospital leaders about his marriage the day before yesterday. When he went to get his marriage certificate in a few days, he would need a certificate from his employer.

"That's great. The 14th is Sunday, and it's a good day off. Doctor Wang, do you need someone to help you take pictures? My cousin is a reporter, she can help take pictures." Zhao Xiaotao rolled her eyes and said in a low voice.

"Yes, yes, thank you so much, Nurse Xiaotao. I'll invite you and your cousin to come over for the banquet."

Wang Mengde said happily.

If you can take photos to record some of the beautiful moments of your wedding, it will be a good memory in the future.

"Okay, then I'll go there on the morning of the 14th." Zhao Xiaotao said happily.

At the nurses' station, seeing her coming back happily, Xiao Ping asked softly, "Xiao Tao, Doctor Wang is getting married, why are you so happy?"

"I should be happy that Doctor Wang is getting married. Why am I not happy?"

Zhao Xiaotao asked curiously.

Just one sentence made Xiaoping confused. She stood there not knowing what to say.

a few days later.

The west wing of the middle courtyard.

Looking at the house which was much cleaner and tidier than before, Wang Mengde nodded with satisfaction. He was going to get married tomorrow, so he took a day off today and cleaned up the house carefully with his mother.

Ran Xiaomei also specially bought new face plates, spittoons, mirrors and other daily necessities.

After his daily routine study, he quickly fell asleep while lying on the bed. Perhaps he dreamed about something, and a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

(End of this chapter)