[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji":3,"chapter-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-39":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Siheyuan: Food, Love, and Family in 1960s Beijing",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2314089,4526,"Chapter 39: Chapter Thirty-Nine: That","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>The supply and marketing cooperative was quite spacious; the sales clerks in white lab coats chatted near the counter, and no one paid any attention when Li Xuewu entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching several young girls fussing over bolts of fabric, the clerks rolled their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no such thing as choice paralysis—it was just that their pockets were empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no such thing as indecisiveness—it was just that they couldn’t afford to make a wrong choice. Cowards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu kept his hands in his pockets, feeling the big bills, and wandered around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t peak sales time; there were only a few people inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped at the bicycle counter and examined them closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were Feige and Yongjiu models; in Jingcheng there were also Fenghuang, Hongqi, Guofang, and others, all in 28-inch and 26-inch sizes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Xuewu inspecting the bicycles and even testing the saddle with his hand,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a sales clerk came over and snapped, “Are you buying or not? If not, don’t touch things. Why are you pressing on the saddle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu didn’t look up, replying, “I’m buying, of course. I’m checking if your saddles come with seat heating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk was a young woman, and her tongue was just as sharp: “Oh, I’ll throw in a stove too, then—don’t want to roast your balls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu pulled out tickets and cash while saying, “So you’re hungry for eggs now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk saw him pull out the bicycle ticket and rolled her eyes: “You’re flirting—you’ll get arrested.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu patted his gun holster and grinned, “I’m the one who catches bad guys—I’ll catch myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female clerk fished out the forms and said sweetly, “The bike’s 120 yuan. Want the basket? Add two. Want the Shanghai Yada electric lamp? Add five. Go ahead and arrest yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu pulled out cash, counted out 127 yuan, and pushed it to the clerk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how quickly he paid and how well-dressed he was, the clerk’s annoyance faded; she even enjoyed bantering with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took his money, turned, and issued the ticket, stamping it with the steel seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu picked and chose, going over the options two or three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk grew impatient and scolded, “You’re dragging this out—are you picking a bride?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu shot back, “I can’t just close my eyes and crawl into bed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk blushed and scolded, “You’re treating the bicycle like your bride?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu grinned and asked, “If I said I wanted to test-ride each one, you’d say no, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk spat, “Would your future father-in-law let you test-drive every bride?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu grabbed the basket and lamp, pushed a Yongjiu 28-inch bike toward the exit, and said, “Alright, I’ll take you, my little bride.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk, flustered, snapped, “Pfft, shameless—who’s your bride?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu’s voice came from outside: “Whoever answers is the one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter erupted throughout the cooperative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu had no idea what made a good bike—he picked the largest manganese-steel 28-inch model.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“28-inch” meant a 28-inch wheel; the frame’s top tube could hold people or goods, perfect for a family of three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yongjiu bicycles were always the standard for fashionable youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it was the Yongjiu 28-inch—hoping to stay sixteen forever!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pedaled hard to the police station, found Chen Fang back, asked him to arrange for the bike to be stamped and registered, didn’t chat idly with Chen Fang, made plans to eat together when free, then rode out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pedestrians on the street stared enviously at Li Xuewu’s bicycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu grinned and muttered, “This is nothing—wait till I add the basket and lamp, then it’s a Cadillac top model!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rode slowly to a roadside repair stall and had the old mechanic tighten every bolt, then install the basket and lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mechanic pointed to the handlebar mounting spot and said, “You can’t mount the lamp if you’ve got the basket here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu gripped the handlebars and said, “Old Master Xiu, add a base to the handlebars so I can mount the lamp on them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mechanic gave him a look of deep reluctance: “That’ll cost extra.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu waved impatiently: “Fine, fine, fine—add it, add it. You’re surnamed Ding, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old mechanic, bent over searching for parts, replied, “What Ding? My surname is Xiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man was waiting for me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everything was done, the mechanic took one jiao from Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu patted the leather saddle, swung his leg over, and kicked off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thing was cool to ride—genuine leather seat, panoramic sunroof, open cockpit, energy cost: four steamed buns. Especially the little electric motor—“whirring” against the tire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No more worrying about night rides!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu rode his flashy, upgraded Yongjiu into the street compound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He parked, tossed the gatekeeper a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes, asked if Director Wang’s office had moved, then walked through the inner gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Wang was already familiar—he’d helped cure her daughter-in-law’s infertility, visiting her home for months to administer medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d caused plenty of trouble, and Director Wang had smoothed it over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, her daughter was harassed by a drunk young man; Li Xuewu and Lao Biao had stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their relationship was complicated—no one knew who owed whom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knocked and found Director Wang sitting at her desk drinking tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu put on a formal air: “Director Wang, good day. I’m Li Xuewu, security officer at Hongxing Rolling Mill. Director Dong mentioned me to you on the phone yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Wang put down her teacup and pointed at him: “Little monkey, are you acting out a movie? How many years since you grew up? Forgot who kept bailing you out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Tuan Tan Shu\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu laughed heartily: “I’d never forget you—in our eyes, you’re like our mother, always kind and caring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Wang slapped his arm playfully: “Still not mad I hit you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu grinned: “Parents disciplining kids is natural—what’s there to hold a grudge over?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you need to compromise, compromise. When you need to flatter, flatter—soften the hard pill!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Wang patted Li Xuewu’s arm and praised: “Xuewu, you’ve really grown up, become sensible. Heard you’re a security officer now? Head of the factory guard team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu knew exactly what she meant and spoke openly: “Mom Wang, Director Dong told me your request. Even if you weren’t my mom, I’d do this for you—but you’re my mom, and you’re acting out of public spirit, thinking of our street’s safety! We live here too—I’ll take it seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu sat beside Director Wang on the sofa, leaning back comfortably, and said, “I’ve already planned it: assign eight men, two per team, each paired with a street volunteer patrol member. Every night they’ll ride bicycles to patrol—we’ll provide the bikes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Wang patted his thigh: “Perfect—I’ll assign the patrol team to coordinate with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu agreed readily: “No problem. I’ll issue orders tomorrow—eight men, eight bikes, seven p.m., on time.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1161,"2026-06-20T13:46:54.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8c344245a6315d0bc50edf1f186a9e0a18445f15e1fff937a1a0a214f1506436","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-40","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-38",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-cover.jpg"]