Volume One, Chapter 14: Going to Retrieve the Bicycle

Chen Yang was very happy!

Because later this evening he would be able to go to the Youth Work Station to propose marriage, meaning he could soon formalize his relationship with Huang Zhiyao.

In his previous life, he had ended up lonely and alone—a truly pitiful fate.

But fate had granted him a second chance, and his heart was filled with gratitude.

He was determined to make up for all the regrets of his past life, so that this rebirth would not be in vain.

Excitedly flicking the whip in his hand, humming a favorite tune, he was in high spirits.

Upon arriving at the state-run restaurant, he hitched the carriage.

It seemed Liu Guolin trusted him quite a bit this time since he hadn’t come out to wait beforehand!

Of course, Chen Yang wasn’t one to complain about that—as long as he got paid, that was enough.

He then headed inside to find someone to help unload the goods.

“Bang!”

As he opened the door, a hurried figure rushed out from inside.

“Hey!”

Both of them cried out in surprise and fell to the ground.

“Really sorry, comrade, I was in a rush and didn’t see you.”

The other man was the first to get up and apologize, then reached out his hand to help Chen Yang to his feet.

With a square face and upright posture, he exuded an air of competence.

Chen Yang felt this man looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him before somewhere.

But he couldn’t quite place him at the moment, so he didn’t waste time trying.

“It’s nothing!”

“Sorry again, I’m off now.”

With that, the man hurriedly left.

Chen Yang dusted himself off, feeling a sharp pain in his chest from the collision.

At the same time, Liu Guolin arrived.

“Brother, you alright?”

“I’m fine. Liu, who was that guy just now? Quite solid, huh?” (Northeastern dialect for sturdy)

Chen Yang was in robust physical condition at this stage.

Growing up playing in the woods and rivers had forged him a strong body.

But just now, that square-faced man had knocked him down hard, and the man seemed unfazed.

“That’s Li Chengping, captain of the county public security bureau’s criminal investigation team. Didn’t you hear about the notorious bandit who committed multiple crimes across several cities and fled to our county? So the bureau’s been working overtime every day.

Captain Li worked all night tracking him down. He just got a moment to grab a bite here before heading back for a meeting, which is why he was in such a rush and bumped into you.”

Li Chengping!

No wonder he seemed familiar!

Chen Yang recalled that in his past life, Li died in the line of duty and was posthumously honored as a martyr.

His death caused quite a stir in the county, featured prominently in the newspapers—Chen Yang had read those reports.

“No wonder he was so strong; he hit me right in the chest and it hurts. Liu, we have eight baskets of mushrooms today, get someone to weigh them. I need to rest a bit—feels like I’ve been smashed to pieces.”

Chen Yang sat down, rubbing his still-aching chest.

Liu Guolin arranged for others to help unload and weigh the mushrooms.

“Brother Chen, here, drink this!”

Liu handed him a bottle of Jianlibao, a sports drink.

From the earlier glass bottles of orange soda to now Jianlibao, the quality was definitely stepping up.

It seemed Liu had more business for him, hence the improved treatment.

“Thanks, Liu!”

Chen Yang didn’t hesitate to accept. If someone as resourceful as Liu sought him out, it showed his value.

“Brother, your area has mountains and rivers; not only can you supply us mushrooms, but fish and shrimp from the river are also in demand here, and the prices will be fair. See if you can help get those as well.”

Liu Guolin considered Chen Yang extremely reliable, suitable for long-term cooperation.

If he could provide those, Liu could easily absorb them all.

Currently, the suppliers were inconsistent, sometimes selling inferior goods, which frustrated Liu.

“Of course, no problem. But fish and shrimp, I can’t guarantee much—maybe ten to twenty pounds a day.”

“No matter the amount, I want it! And if you have any mountain delicacies, send them here. The bosses love eating something different, you know what I mean!”

Seeing Chen Yang agree, a smile spread across Liu’s face.

“Alright, whatever I get, I’ll send it your way.”

As a child, Chen Yang had hunted birds and caught fish with this crew—it was second nature.

Now those skills could make money, so there was nothing more to say.

Soon, the mushrooms were weighed—158 pounds today, earning 570 yuan, which made Chen Yang very pleased.

“You know, I forgot to invite you to eat here yesterday. Today, it’s on me; you should stay and try our new dishes.”

Liu Guolin enthusiastically pulled Chen Yang in, not letting him leave.

Unable to refuse such generosity, Chen Yang stayed, and Liu personally kept him company.

Four dishes and one soup were served, the soup being a newly introduced mushroom broth, vibrant and flavorful.

The two finished a bottle of Yingchun wine, known as the “Little Maotai of the North,” leaving Chen Yang pleasantly tipsy.

During the meal, their bond grew so strong they almost knelt and swore brotherhood—their relationship advanced rapidly.

Still a bit dizzy, Chen Yang then drove the carriage to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Qi Baozi, who had been waiting for a long time, saw Chen Yang and hurried over, wagging his tail like a dog.

“Brother, I thought you were bluffing me and wouldn’t come today.”

The man’s grin was as wide as a flower. Chen Yang had become his regular big customer.

Just from selling tickets to Chen Yang, he could make over ten yuan a day—quite impressive!

“Damn, am I that kind of person? Got the bicycle tickets?”

This was Chen Yang’s main concern; everything else could wait, but the bicycle must be secured today.

“I took care of it. Here, the tickets!”

Qi Baozi carefully pulled out a bicycle ticket, still carrying his own scent, from his pocket, which disgusted Chen Yang.

Why did people always like to stash money and tickets down their pants?

“There are also a few industrial tickets—all for you.”

“Perfect. If I need anything else, I’ll come to you.”

After saying this, Chen Yang handed Qi Baozi fifteen yuan and sent him off cheerfully.

Holding the bicycle ticket, Chen Yang happily rushed into the cooperative.

Soon, Huang Zhiyao would become only the second person in Wang Chuankou to ride a bicycle—he was proud.

However, the staff informed him that the bicycles were sold out; two permanent bicycles would be delivered from the city later.

If not in a hurry, he could wait here; they would definitely arrive by three or four in the afternoon.

The timing was just right, so Chen Yang chose to wait.

After hitching the horse, he lay down inside the carriage for a nap.

He had drunk quite a bit earlier, so this was also a way to sober up.

The stack of large-denomination bills was tucked into his pocket, and at that moment, Chen Yang finally understood why—it was safest to keep them closest to the gun...