Chapter 15: That

Jia Zhangshi stood behind the crowd, squinting her eyes to size up the bicycle, and said sourly:

"Young people sure know how to scheme. He just arrived and already got himself a bicycle. I really don't know what back door he went through."

Yan Bugui hurried forward, smiling like a chrysanthemum: "Comrade Li, this bicycle is really nice. Would you like me to keep it for you? Things are easily lost in the courtyard; it's safe in my room."

Li Mingyuan knew exactly what this old abacus was planning, so he shook his head with a smile: "Thank you, Teacher Yan, but my own room has enough space."

Yan Bugui looked disappointed, but he wouldn't give up: "Then... how about lending it to me for two days? I have to go to the school for a meeting, and the bus is too crowded."

Li Mingyuan pushed the bike directly toward his own courtyard: "Sorry, it's the factory's rule—no lending to outsiders."

The smile on Yan Bugui's face froze instantly, and a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly piled the smile back on:

"Understood, understood. It is public property, after all."

Yi Zhonghai watched from the side as Yan Bugui got snubbed, secretly calculating in his heart.

This bicycle was a rare item; if he could "reasonably share" it, it would be much more convenient for him to run errands in the future.

"Comrade Li," Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat, walked up, and said with a beaming smile, "Your bicycle is quite nice, but it's a bit of a waste to keep it in the West Courtyard. It would be better to keep it in the main courtyard so everyone can look after it."

The people in the courtyard pricked up their ears, waiting to see Li Mingyuan's reaction.

Seeing that Li Mingyuan didn't speak, Yi Zhonghai continued:

"Our courtyard has always upheld the spirit of mutual help. If any family has difficulties, everyone helps out, and when there are good things, we share them together.

Look, Old Yan needs to ride a bike to teach, and occasionally if someone needs to buy rice or flour, they could borrow it too.

As a state cadre, you should even more so take the lead in carrying forward this spirit of collectivism!"

Li Mingyuan propped up the bicycle and watched Yi Zhonghai's grand lecture with a smile, laughing inwardly.

He knew exactly what kind of abacus this old fox was using.

From watching the TV series in his past life, he had already seen through this "moral kidnapping" trick of Yi Zhonghai's.

Yi Zhonghai looked at the gazes cast by the surrounding neighbors and felt even more certain.

With so many people watching, this young cadre Li Mingyuan couldn't possibly disregard the collective and not give everyone face, right?

As long as this precedent was set today, it would be easier for him to "share" Li Mingyuan's other things in the future.

"Master Yi's words are well said," Li Mingyuan patted the bicycle seat and said slowly, "But I actually think that riding a bicycle is so boring; it's both tiring and slow."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up, thinking Li Mingyuan was about to agree, but then Li Mingyuan changed the subject:

"If you ask me, Master Yi, since you are so enthusiastic about the collective and care so much about everyone, why don't you take your monthly salary and pay for the neighbors in the courtyard to ride rickshaws? That would be much more comfortable than riding a bicycle."

"Huh?" Yi Zhonghai's expression changed.

Li Mingyuan smiled and continued: "Your monthly salary is over fifty yuan, right? Since you are so generous and love helping neighbors, why not keep twenty yuan for yourself and use the remaining thirty for everyone to ride rickshaws or buy things to eat? Wouldn't that be better? Don't you agree that's the logic?"

The courtyard suddenly went quiet, and everyone stared at this scene in stunned silence.

Yi Zhonghai's face flushed red, and he stammered: "This... how can that be the same? I have my own uses for my salary..."

"Oh?" Li Mingyuan raised an eyebrow, smiling even more brightly, "I have my own uses for this bicycle too. Master Yi, why does that grand logic of yours not apply when it comes to yourself?"

He Yuzhu let out a "pfft" of laughter from the side and hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand.

Jia Zhangshi was squinting her eyes, watching the fun without fearing it was too big.

Yi Zhonghai stood where he was, his expression changing several times, before finally squeezing out: "Then you keep it well yourself..."

After speaking, he turned around and slunk back to his room, his back appearing exceptionally lonely.

Li Mingyuan pushed the bicycle and walked generously into the West Courtyard, closing the gate behind him.

As soon as Yi Zhonghai entered the room, he kicked a stool with a loud clatter, startling Yidama into quickly putting down the work in her hands.

"What's wrong? Who made you angry?" Yidama asked cautiously.

"Hmph! That Li Mingyuan, a greenhorn who doesn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth!" Yi Zhonghai said bitterly,

"Relying on a bit of skill, he's arrogant and doesn't give me any dignity as an elder!"

Yidama sighed: "I told you not to provoke him. He's a proper state cadre, educated and with status. Aren't you just asking for trouble?"

"What do you mean?" Yi Zhonghai slapped the table, "What, in your eyes, I'm not as good as that yellow-mouthed child?"

"I didn't mean that..." Yidama shrank her neck in fear.

Just as they were talking, Long Laotai pushed the door open; without even knocking, she leaned on her cane and wobbled in.

"I heard it all at the door," Long Laotai chuckled, "This Li Mingyuan is indeed not easy to deal with."

Yi Zhonghai hurriedly poured a cup of water for Long Laotai: "Old lady, you have clear eyes. This kid is impervious to reason; he's too wild!"

Long Laotai took a sip of water and said with squinted eyes: "What's the rush? Such a capable young man—you want to recruit him the moment you see him? How could it be that easy? You have to take it slow."

"Do you have any brilliant ideas?" Yi Zhonghai leaned toward Long Laotai and asked in a low voice.

Long Laotai smiled mysteriously: "This kid is a lone sprout and an Advanced intellectual; his future is limitless. You must plan for the long term: show goodwill first, then slowly win him over."

Yi Zhonghai suddenly realized: "You mean..."

"Stupid!" Long Laotai tapped Yi Zhonghai's forehead, "First, have your woman make some good food and send it over. As for you, help him clean the courtyard or fix things whenever you can to slowly build a relationship. Once he has a good impression of you, then talk about the matter of him providing for your old age."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up: "The old lady is still the wise one! Looking at it this way, that kid He Yuzhu really can't compare to Li Mingyuan. I must put all my focus on Li Mingyuan."

"That is Nature," Long Laotai smoothed her graying hair, "Although that kid Zhuzi is honest, his future is limited. This Li Mingyuan is a pillar of the state; finding him to provide for your old age would be a step to the heavens!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became eerie.

At the same time, in Jia Zhangshi's home, she was grabbing Jia Dongxu by the collar and scolding him in a low voice:

"You useless thing, you didn't even know how to seize such a good opportunity! That Li Mingyuan must have some dirt on him at the factory; you go and find out for me!"

Jia Dongxu looked troubled: "Mom, how do you expect me to find out? He's a Chief Engineer, and I'm just a small worker. If I go snooping into his business and get caught, do I still want my job?"

"Coward!" Jia Zhangshi slapped the back of her son's head hard, "That kid's arrival is suspicious. To be a Chief Engineer at such a young age, there must be something fishy! You just use your head, get close to the veteran masters in the workshop, and fish for information on the side."

Jia Dongxu lowered his head, not daring to retort, and could only agree: "Fine, I'll try to find out..."

"What do you mean 'try'?" Jia Zhangshi widened her eyes, "You must find out clearly for me! Isn't that kid supposed to be so capable? Let's see if he's the real deal!"

Jia Dongxu sighed, knowing his mother was up to some mischief again.

Ever since she was scared out of her wits at Li Mingyuan's house yesterday, Jia Zhangshi had been harboring a grudge, looking for a chance to retaliate.

But what could he do? If he didn't listen to his mother, getting beaten and scolded was inevitable.

"I know, Mother, I'll think of a way..." Jia Dongxu nodded helplessly, though he had made up his mind to just go through the motions.