Chapter 83: The Veteran Driver's Joy!

"Alas, you really are bold."

After a long silence, Chen Yixue let out a long sigh and said.

A perfectly normal sigh?

Looks like Da Yizi has something on her mind! Xu Yuexin mused.

After seeing Chen Yixue off, Xu Yuexin carried a basket of fruit by hand and went to the Drama Troupe to give it to Gong Ruxue.

Gong Ruxue was delighted upon receiving the fruit and treated Xu Yuexin to a meal.

In the evening, Xu Yuexin returned home and was sitting on a chair talking with Chen Qiaoqiao when a knock came from outside.

"General Manager Xu, I'm Xiao Ma."

A stranger's voice came.

Xu Yuexin went up, opened the door, and found the person at the door holding fruit in one hand and a live chicken in the other, with a face full of attentiveness.

Huh, only a few days have passed, and someone is already at the door seeking Dad's help.

"Hey, hello, I'd like to report my thoughts to General Manager Xu."

The visitor bowed his head, nodded, and said with a smiling face, "May I ask if he's at home?"

"There's no General Manager Xu here; you've got the wrong door."

After Xu Yuexin said that, he slammed the door shut and turned back.

Dad just took office; he can't afford any mistakes.

Chen Qiaoqiao watched the whole scene from behind and found it quite interesting.

"Technically, Dad's only been in office a few days."

"Where did they get our address..."

Chen Qiaoqiao muttered to herself, hand supporting her cheek as she fell into thought.

"Those people are incredibly powerful."

Xu Yuexin shook his head and said.

……

A few days later, Chen Yixue took the initiative to visit, telling Xu Yuexin that those audio-visual companies had come looking for her again.

"Your method still works."

Speaking of it, Chen Yixue couldn't help admiring Xu Yuexin's tactics and boldness, "Their attitude is much more proactive than last time."

"I plan to reply that we'll meet in five days; what do you think?"

"No hurry; let them linger a bit longer."

Xu Yuexin, with wisdom at hand, calmly said, "In a few days, send them a Telegram and set the meeting for half a month later."

"Alright, I'll follow your arrangement."

Chen Yixue said convincedly, she now regards Xu Yuexin as the backbone.

Fifteen more days passed, and the day to meet the audio-visual publishing house arrived.

Xu Yuexin's schedule that day was light; in the morning he was to meet three publishing houses with Chen Yixue, and in the afternoon two more.

The first they met was still that female Deputy Manager who wore snowflake ointment.

The female Deputy Manager, upon seeing Xu Yuexin, immediately showed great enthusiasm.

"Isn't that Comrade Chunfeng?"

The female Deputy Manager shook Xu Yuexin's hand warmly and said, "I saw you at the People's Literature award ceremony."

"Let me introduce myself: my surname is Lv, my name is Lv Lin."

Chen Yixue, seeing the other's politeness, couldn't help smiling, and turned her face toward Xu Yuexin.

But Xu Yuexin remained composed, showing only courtesy and no other emotion.

"Hello Manager Lv, it's an honor to sit with you today to discuss matters."

Xu Yuexin shook the female Deputy Manager's hand, let go, and each sat down.

Enthusiasm doesn't mean the price is negotiable; he's here to do business, not make friends, and can't be careless just because of the word 'enthusiasm'.

After a brief chat about the work Night of the Military Port, both sides got down to business and began discussing price.

"Xiao Xu, Night of the Military Port is indeed a good work. After returning last time, my colleagues and I discussed and decided to raise the price to 1,000 yuan; what do you think?"

Deputy Manager Lv smiled kindly, and with a friendly attitude quoted a price that Xu Yuexin could not accept.

"That's no different from before; it's only a 100-yuan increase. You should know we sell to Pacific Audio-Visual for 9,000 yuan."

Xu Yuexin decisively refused.

"We're publishing six months later, we can only take the leftovers."

"Right, so my bottom line is 3,000; we won't ask for 9,000."

"Ah, the southern region's policies toward enterprises are looser, pricing is more flexible; here it's different, we really can only offer this much."

"Besides, you're a nationally renowned author; don't be so petty about money."

"You're mistaken; the thing I care about most in life is money."

Xu Yuexin's face darkened, and he said, "If you think this is petty, then let's drop the matter entirely."

After speaking, he sprang up, turned his head, and left.

Chen Yixue also felt dissatisfied, furrowing her brows as she listed off Deputy Manager Lv: "With words like that, do we literary workers not need to eat?"

When her words fell, she stood up and walked away together with Xu Yuexin.

Deputy Manager Lv hadn't expected Xu Yuexin's strong reaction, and hurried after him, saying, "Sorry, Comrade Chunfeng, I misspoke just now."

"We can still discuss; the price issue is negotiable."

"Right here, 3,500; we won't sell for a penny less."

Xu Yuexin stopped, turned his back to Deputy Manager Lu and said coldly.

Deputy Manager Lu was a little stunned: "Wasn't it 3000 just now?"

"Your words upset me and my partners, so we need to add money."

Xu Yuexin said resolutely.

The image of a money‑loving, no‑sentiment writer must be firmly established and its reputation spread.

That way, no matter who we meet later, bargaining will save a lot of trouble.

"Kid, you value money too much."

Deputy Manager Lu swallowed his resentment and said earnestly, "In the early stage of life, money isn't really that important."

"3600."

"……"

"3000 then, 3600 really won't work."

"We've already paid the 3000, why worry about that 600? You take the hard work of us creators and singers to make money; giving us a bit more isn't that hard?"

Xu Yuexin bluntly rebuked, because the other's words had displeased him.

Deputy Manager Lu was left speechless, his face as black as a pot bottom.

Chen Yixue felt very pleased seeing this triumph.

A few days ago she had been single‑handedly suppressed by Deputy Manager Lu in a negotiation; today Xu Yuexin truly avenged her.

This brother‑in‑law really has skill in negotiations.

"3600 is 3600, we'll sign the Contract with the Echo Image Society right away."

After a moment of silence, Deputy Manager Lu clenched his back teeth and said, "Don't add another cent."

Success! Chen Yixue felt a flutter of joy.

"Alright, but speed up the signing process; it's cumbersome."

Xu Yuexin urged, "There are still two more in line this morning."

……

After a whole day of nonstop hustling, Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue secured deals with all five audio‑visual publishing houses, earning a total of 15,600 yuan.

In the middle of the night, the two walked out of the last publishing house's office building, both exhausted and excited.

"You were amazing today."

Chen Yixue said admiringly, "Negotiated so much."

"Leave it to me; I'm afraid the total cost of five houses is still less than yours alone."

"A petty trick, really."

Xu Yuexin, with a modest expression, asked, "How do you plan to go home?"

"I don't know, the bus has stopped, and the taxis have finished their shifts."

Being asked that, Chen Yixue felt a slight headache.

"Forget it, I'm uneasy about you going home so late. How about staying at my place; it's close to mine."

Xu Yuexin thought for a moment and said.

Chen Yixue thought it was fine and went home with him.

At home, Chen Qiaoqiao hadn't slept yet, fiddling with a flying chess set in the living room; she was quite happy to see them arrive.

"Sister, why did you come? Want to play a round of chess together?"

"No, Xu Yuexin took me to negotiate a cooperation today, and we were at it until just now, exhausted."

"Huh? Did it go through?"

"It succeeded, we earned a good amount of money."

Mentioning that, Chen Yixue's mouth curved slightly into a smile.

"Come, let's split the gold and silver generously."

Xu Yuexin took out the 15,600 yuan from his pocket, placed it on the table and said.

"Earned this much again?"

Chen Qiaoqiao said excitedly.

"Yes, a fifty‑fifty split."

"7,800 each."

Xu Yuexin divided the money into two equal piles, one for himself and one for Chen Yixue.

"Having money feels great."

After receiving the money, Chen Yixue felt very happy, thinking she was one step closer to the house at Unity Lake.

……

With the 7,800 yuan from the music publishing, Xu Yuexin the next morning took Chen Qiaoqiao straight to the Friendship Store, intending to buy an imported motorcycle.

Xu Yuexin now often darts between different districts of the city; riding a bike is too slow, and there can't be a Dispatch Point everywhere for taxis.

Having a motorcycle would greatly ease his commute and save a lot of time.

A few days ago he spent most of his cash on gold; now his cash pool is replenished, and his first thought is to buy this.

"Excuse me, do you have any imported motorcycles for sale?"

After entering the store, Xu Yuexin asked the clerk.

"Sorry, sir, according to national import‑export regulations, we don't sell motorcycles here," the female clerk replied politely, leaving Xu Yuexin baffled.

He had thought the Suzuki motorcycle he saw that day was bought from the Friendship Store; after all, the policies here are special, perhaps allowing small loopholes beyond the national rules.

He didn't expect it to be just as tightly sealed.

So the question arises: the grandson we saw that day, where did he get the motorcycle? Until we left the Friendship Store, Xu Yuexin was still pondering this question.

"I thought of something."

Chen Qiaoqiao nudged him with her arm and said, "Customs periodically sells confiscated items. The person you saw earlier may have bought it from Customs."

Indeed, that's a possibility.

Later Customs also often holds auctions, but Xu Yuexin had never taken part.

"How can one buy something from Customs?"

Xu Yuexin asked impatiently.

"I don't know either. But I have a classmate whose family works at Customs; I'll ask for you."

Chen Qiaoqiao replied.

That afternoon, Xu Yuexin received the answer from Chen Qiaoqiao.

"Customs sells confiscated items at set times and locations; there will be one tomorrow morning, held at our district Customs Courtyard. Outsiders need an Introduction Letter from the local government to take part."

"Then I have to go."

Xu Yuexin immediately said, "Please open the Introduction Letter for me tomorrow morning."

The next morning, Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao took the Introduction Letter issued by the street office and rushed to the district Customs.

The Customs Courtyard was larger than the Education Committee, because the department had more staff.

Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao showed the Introduction Letter to the guard, registered, and entered the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard were all kinds of confiscated items, from tiny lighters and jeans to large record players and everything in between.

What pleased Xu Yuexin was that there were several brand‑new motorcycles in the courtyard, left in a corner because no one showed interest.

Most of the customers inside were Customs staff in uniform, with a few members of the public like Xu Yuexin who had come after hearing the news.

A table was set up in the courtyard, with a Customs officer seated at the back, ready to answer inquiries.

"Comrade, hello. May I ask how the motorcycles are priced?"

Xu Yuexin stepped forward.

"Suzuki 1000 is 1,000, Harley 3,000. Why do you want to buy?"

The Customs officer raised his eyebrows and said, sounding a bit surprised.

These motorcycles were a chronic problem for their unit; they had been put up for sale many times with no one asking the price, and the price kept dropping.

The officer wondered whether this young man was just inquiring casually or truly wanted to buy.

Chen Qiaoqiao felt a panic upon hearing the price: So expensive? She had thought she could get one for seven or eight hundred at most.

A 3,000‑yuan Harley?

On the contrary, Xu Yuexin felt a jolt and thought it was cheap.

Even at current price levels, 3,000 yuan is a bargain, because the bike costs far more at its place of origin.

Of course, cheap as it is, he still needed to haggle.

"How about 2,600?"

Xu Yuexin asked tentatively.

To his surprise, the Customs officer readily agreed.

"According to regulations we don't accept bargaining. But if you really want to buy, I can make an exception for you."

The officer replied.

According to orders from his superiors, his current top priority was to get rid of these troublesome motorcycles.

"Thanks, I'll go test the bike."

Xu Yuexin nodded, took the key from the officer, and walked up to the motorcycle.

The black frame exuded an industrial metal feel, the steel‑cast rims shone white, and the front and rear wheels looked sleek…

Snagging this premium bike for 2,600 is a huge profit!

Unlock, get on, ignite.

The courtyard instantly filled with the roar of the engine, drawing the eyes of all the officers and onlookers.

"The bike's fine."

Xu Yuexin rode a few meters slowly, got off, turned off the engine, locked the bike, and returned with the officer to the table to pay.

"Remember to go to the traffic authority for the paperwork; the invoice or the purchase certificate we give you will suffice."

The officer took the money, handed Xu Yuexin a stack of receipts, and said, "If there are later quality issues you can send it to a repair shop; we don't handle maintenance."

Xu Yuexin took the documents, led Chen Qiaoqiao to the Harley motorcycle, his excitement barely contained.

From now on, he is the first writer in the whole Jing city to ride a Harley.

No, it should be the whole country!

Buoyed by cheers, Xu Yuexin pushed the motorcycle out of the Customs Courtyard and rode it up with great fanfare.

"Come up quickly."

Xu Yuexin called to Chen Qiaoqiao, "I'll give you a ride today."

"Eh."

Chen Qiaoqiao was examining the bike's shape; after being prompted she answered and sat on the back seat.

"Are you seated firmly?"

"I'm seated firmly."

"Alright, hold me tight."

Xu Yuexin instructed.

Vroom! With his wife tightly hugging his waist, Xu Yuexin floored the throttle and sped forward.

Amid the roar of a huge engine, Xu Yuexin became the most handsome guy on this street.

"Kid, what are you riding? So fast."

"It's called a motorcycle, but this one of his is bigger than a usual bike."

"Goodness, it must be expensive!"

The onlookers' gazes have completely surrounded him, countless fresh, envious looks focused on him.

Xu Yuexin carried Chen Qiaoqiao, and under the onlookers' stare he rode away like an arrow loosed from a bow.

In an era without traffic jams or traffic lights, riding a motorcycle is pure bliss.

Especially after getting his permit from the traffic squad, riding home.

These days Jingcheng's Three Ring hasn't been completed yet; beyond the traditional Urban Area it gets sparsely populated, and Xu Yuexin cranked his speed up to 200 km/h!

Speed and passion! "Slow down, I can barely breathe."

Only when Chen Qiaoqiao patted him from behind did Xu Yuexin reduce his speed.

At this moment, Chen Qiaoqiao's upper body was pressed tightly against Xu Yuexin's back, the pressure from her well‑shaped figure overwhelming.

"This should… count as a push‑back feeling?" Xu Yuexin thought evilly.

Riding home, Xu Yuexin glanced at his watch and found only ten minutes had passed.

It was faster than any bicycle could ever be.

He parked the bike and went upstairs.

Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao reached the third floor and found Chen Yixue waiting at the doorway.

"Sis, Xin Ge just bought a big thing."

Chen Qiaoqiao said excitedly to her sister.

"Big thing? What did you buy?"

"Motorcycle!"

Chen Qiaoqiao pulled her sister to the stair corner, pointed through the window downwards, "Look, such a dashing bike."

Chen Yixue's eyes lit up: she had seen this kind of motorcycle when watching an Internal Film before.

Back then she hadn't decided to avoid romance, and had imagined how wonderful it would be if a man rode such a motorcycle and gave her a lift.

She never expected to actually see such a handsome motorcycle now.

Many romantic thoughts floated in Chen Yixue's mind, and she momentarily forgot the bike belonged to her brother‑in‑law.

"So, not bad, right? Harley motorcycle."

Xu Yuexin saw Da Yizi become entranced and asked beside her.

"It's very good‑looking."

Chen Yixue nodded, the image of the metal frame etched in her mind, "Leaving it here, aren't you afraid it'll be stolen?"

"Later we'll go to the neighborhood committee and ask if we can park it there for a while."

"Then figure out a way to make a garage at the back."

Xu Yuexin said, turning to open the door.

"I already talked with the street office; this afternoon I'll go write a document."

As he opened the door, Chen Qiaoqiao said, "Come to think of it… why not go now? We'll still be free this afternoon."

"Alright, you go first."

Xu Yuexin replied.

After Chen Qiaoqiao left, only he and Chen Yixue remained.

"Don't open the door yet; I have good news for you."

Chen Yixue said brightly, "NightAtTheMilitaryPort has been released; in five days all thirty‑thousand Cassette Tapes sold out."

"I heard from Pacific Audio that over in Xiangjiang many people are trying to get a copy,"

"Manager Ye said he's coming to Jing today to discuss business with me; let's go together."

"Where shall we meet?"

"At the Moscow Restaurant; he's treating, and the appointed time is almost here."

"Okay, let's set off."

Xu Yuexin set down the key and walked down with Chen Yixue.

"Get in."

Xu Yuexin mounted the Harley motorcycle, patted the seat and said,

Chen Yixue, seeing his dashing pose straddling the motorcycle, recalled the youthful dream of a girl and couldn't help feeling a blush in her heart.

"Quickly, didn't we say time's short?"

Xu Yuexin urged.

Only then did Chen Yixue sluggishly sit on the seat, her heart pounding wildly.

The motorcycle's speed is high; doesn't that mean she'll have to cling to Xu Yuexin soon? (End of chapter)