Chapter 18

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye it was mid-January 1952, and with just over ten days left until the New Year, He Yuzhu almost every day followed the same route: Yagangchang, Courtyard House, Wang Deyou's home. After leaving the trust store that day, He Yuzhu ran to the store wanting to buy a set of materials for an ore machine, but upon arrival he discovered that purchasing the ore machine materials required an introduction letter, which disappointed Comrade He Yuzhu greatly.

Later He Yuzhu made several trips to the purchasing station, buying radios a few times; after several transactions, He Yuzhu now possessed a huge sum of three hundred yuan, becoming a rich man. Of course, when He Yuzhu sold his second radio, he directly obtained it for 25 silver dollars under circumstances involving threats and persuasion.

After studying repeatedly at home for a month, He Yuzhu felt he could manage it, but lacking an introduction letter, he couldn't put it into practice.

Today is a good day, a very good day; today is the day He Yuzhu prepares to pick up his car. Since He Yushui became a goddaughter, she rarely returns to the Courtyard House, so now the Courtyard House is basically just He Yuzhu alone. Every day running back and forth on Route 11 has noticeably thickened Comrade He Yuzhu's legs. Just last night, Comrade He Yuzhu decided to buy a car; he must buy a car.

Just as the department store opened its doors in the morning, Comrade He Yuzhu followed the crowd straight to the bicycle section; however, at the fork, only Comrade He Yuzhu arrived at the bicycle section while everyone else went to other areas.

Looking up, bicycles filled the shelves, one next to another. He Yuzhu touched this one, looked at that one, and said, "Comrade, do you want to buy a bicycle?" How coincidental—this female comrade of the department store was Xu Fang, the person Li Lan Ying had introduced to He Yuzhu; however, the young lady looked down on He Yuzhu for being a cook and had no interest in him.

Upon seeing the acquaintance, He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Yo, it's you, Comrade Xu Fang—have you saved enough money? You're getting ready to buy a bicycle."

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, Xu Fang thought he had come especially to find her; she had still felt a bit disgusted just moments before, but the instant she heard he was there to buy a car, she felt embarrassed.

Comrade Xu Fang let out an awkward laugh twice, "Ah~ha, Comrade He Yuzhu, it's you—come take a look at this newly arrived Forever brand 28-inch thick bar."

"How about it, isn't it nice? Mainly look at the craftsmanship—these materials are very solid."

"How much for the bicycle, Comrade Xu Fang? I just saw this bicycle a moment ago and was about to ask you."

"The bicycle itself costs 135 yuan; adding the headlight and basket brings the total to 140.3 yuan."

"Alright, please issue the receipt, and install the headlight and basket as well." After the department store's installation master fitted the headlight and basket for He Yuzhu, Comrade He Yuzhu walked out of the department store head held high, chest out, amidst envious gazes; from then on, Comrade He Yuzhu became a car owner. However, He Yuzhu's wallet was noticeably lighter.

He went to the Public Security Bureau to have the bicycle stamped and obtain a license, then He Yuzhu ran to the market and bought three catties of big fat plus four catties of spare ribs; carrying the meat, he rode his bicycle amid envious looks straight to Master Wang Youde's home.

Because it was the weekend, He Yushui and Wang Tingting didn't go to school. Seeing He Yuzhu push his bicycle inside, He Yushui ran over on her short little legs, saying, "Ah, brother, you bought a car! Quick, let me ride it!"

Hearing He Yushui's shout, Li Lan Ying came out of the room and said, "Zhuzi, you bought a car? Oh my, you bought all this meat again despite my telling you not to—don't bring things here; tell me how much you've bought this month."

"It's not much money; isn't this just buying a bicycle? I'm buying some meat to celebrate." He Yuzhu handed the meat to Li Lan Ying and said.

"You child, don't buy it again next time—you've bought another bicycle and now you're out of money, right?"

"How could that be, madam? I've earned quite a bit this month selling radios; otherwise I wouldn't dare buy a bicycle." He Yuzhu parked the bicycle by the wall, took the meat from Li Lan Ying's hands, and said, "Madam, you rest this afternoon; I'll go cook."

After lunch, he accompanied He Yushui and Wang Tingting for a short ride on the bicycle, but because they were short, they could only swing their legs over the crossbar; watching their awkward riding posture made He Yuzhu chuckle wryly.

After pacifying the two young ladies, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle to the library, thinking that there were still some aspects of the ore machine he felt could be improved, so he wanted to go to the library to look for materials.

Upon reaching the section where radio-related books were displayed, He Yuzhu flipped through them one by one, but still couldn't find what he wanted; suddenly he saw a copy of *Introduction to Radio* published by Shanghai Zhonghua Book Company in 1947.

Just as he was about to grab it, a hand snatched it away first; he looked up and saw, to his surprise, the familiar Gao Yue.

He Yuzhu laughed, wondering what was happening today—running into Xu Fang while buying a bicycle, then coming to the library to look for a book and running into Gao Yue.

Gao Yue also saw He Yuzhu, saw him smiling while looking at her, and her face instantly turned a little red. "Is that you, Comrade He Yuzhu? Aren't you a cook? How come you're also interested in radio?"

"What, just because you can be interested in radio, does that mean a cook like me can't be? Ah, our university student comrade." He Yuzhu laughed as he said to Gao Yue.

"No, no, you misunderstood my meaning; I didn't mean that—I mean, I'm just happy to run into you here, really happy." After saying that, Gao Yue's face turned even redder.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu stopped teasing Gao Yue and said, "I've been interested in radio since I was little—actually, the radios we use at home are ones I myself picked up at the purchasing station and repaired myself after bringing them home."

"You can repair radios?" Gao Yue exclaimed in surprise, but instantly covered her mouth; still, it drew attention from those around. People looking at Gao Yue made her even more embarrassed, and she pulled He Yuzhu toward another area, saying, "It's all your fault—you've made me lose face."

He Yuzhu gave a wry laugh and said, "My lady, what does it have to do with me? Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over my fixing a radio?"

"But miss, how come you're also interested in radio?"

"As for me, I'm not just interested—I'm a student in the Radio Department of Huaxia University; isn't that impressive?" Gao Yue said proudly.

Upon hearing Gao Yue say she was a student in the Radio Department, He Yuzhu's eyes lit up instantly; he grabbed her small hand excitedly and said, "Do you have an introduction letter for purchasing ore machine materials? Could you lend it to me for a moment?"

Gao Yue was stunned; aside from her father and brother, no other male had ever held her hand since she was little. Her face turned even redder, and she stammered, "Could you first let go of my hand?" After saying that, she lowered her head and forcibly pulled her hand out of He Yuzhu's grip.

Seeing this, He Yuzhu realized he had messed up from being too excited; he hurriedly apologized to Gao Yue. After a moment, once she had calmed down, she said, "Considering you've helped me before, just treat me to a meal and I'll forgive you."

"Sure, it's just a meal—no problem, even ten meals would be fine—but I have a request, may I?"

"Comrade He Yuzhu, are you making demands of me? Don't push your luck."

"No, no, you misunderstood me—I just want to borrow your introduction letter."

"Alright, seeing how interested you are in radio, I agree—but I don't have it on me; I left it at school. Let's do it tomorrow; I'll bring it to you then."

"Fine, Miss, whatever time you say is fine; as long as you lend it to me, it's settled. Come on, let me treat you to a meal."

"Not today—I already have plans with my classmates; tomorrow works, and I'll bring you the introduction letter then."

"Alright, then let's meet at noon tomorrow at Lao Mo's gate. However, Comrade Gao Yue, could you let me look at that book in your hand first? I'll return it to you at noon tomorrow; I still have some questions I don't understand and need to examine this book. Little brother, thank you, Sister Yue."

"Fine, here you go." Saying that, Gao Yue tossed the book to He Yuzhu, "I'm off now—my classmates are waiting for me. Goodbye, Comrade He Yuzhu."

"See you tomorrow, Comrade Gao Yue."