"Li Jianjun? I’m so envious of you! To think you actually bought a bicycle—you’re much more impressive than Yi Zhonghai in our courtyard."
"That old guy still hasn’t bought a bicycle to this day."
"By the way, why not host a couple of tables? Let’s all celebrate together?"
That was his true goal; how wonderful it would be to have another free meal.
"No need."
"I’m a bit tired today, so I’m heading back to rest."
He wouldn't give this stingy old man a chance to take advantage of him. Everyone knew exactly what was on his mind.
Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui felt a bit awkward, and at the same time, very dissatisfied with Li Jianjun. He had bought a bicycle and wouldn't even celebrate? He was just too stingy.
The other residents of the courtyard shook their heads, feeling the same way. But they didn't stop to think about how they had treated him in the past. When Li Jianjun had been struggling, how had they acted? What had they said? To call Li Jianjun stingy now was simply laughable.
"Li Jianjun? You actually bought a bicycle? Where did you get the ration coupon?"
After Li Jianjun arrived at the Middle Courtyard, Yi Zhonghai approached him with a questioning tone. After all, bicycle coupons weren't easy to come by; only high-level leaders usually received them.
Li Jianjun’s tone turned cold.
"Our workshop director gave it to me as a reward. Got a problem with that?"
"Get lost."
With that, Li Jianjun walked away. He couldn't be bothered to pay attention to that old man; the more he saw him, the more revolting he found him.
"..."
"That damn Li Jianjun, what kind of attitude is that?"
Shazhu glared at Li Jianjun with great dissatisfaction. He had overheard the conversation between Li Jianjun and Yi Zhonghai, and he was naturally very annoyed; he had always detested Li Jianjun anyway.
"Shazhu, let it go. Let's go back!"
Yi Zhonghai shook his head and walked away.
Inside the Jia family home!
"Dongxu? Did you see that? That damn Li Jianjun actually bought a bicycle!" Mrs. Jia cried out anxiously.
"I heard, I heard."
Jia Dongxu replied unhappily. He had already been consumed by jealousy, and now Mrs. Jia was there shouting her head off.
"Wait! Where did he get the bicycle coupon from?" Jia Dongxu suddenly interjected.
"Dongxu? You mean...? Do you think he got it through improper channels? Or maybe he stole it?" Mrs. Jia asked.
"It’s very possible. Why don't we go report him right now?"
"Good!"
After discussing it, they both decided it was essential to report him.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Qin Huairu grabbed Mrs. Jia.
"Mother-in-law, I don't think we should report him. He’s such a cautious person—how could he possibly have stolen a bicycle coupon?"
"If the report turns out to be false, we'll have to take responsibility," Qin Huairu said urgently.
"Hmph!"
"Then we'll just report him anonymously, won't we?" Mrs. Jia snorted coldly.
"I'm not talking to you anymore; I'm going to report him."
With that, Mrs. Jia and Jia Dongxu hurried off to file their report.
Qin Huairu was left speechless. She had known Li Jianjun for many years and was very clear about the kind of person he was—he wouldn't do anything without being certain of himself. This time, she believed there wouldn't be any issues.
"Sigh!"
Qin Huairu felt exhausted. If she had known this would happen, she never would have married Jia Dongxu. If she had married Li Jianjun back then, how wonderful that would have been. Perhaps she would be living a happy life now.
...
Before long, people from the subdistrict office arrived; since someone had reported it, they naturally had to come. They went straight to Li Jianjun’s door.
This scene attracted a lot of attention. No one had expected that someone would actually report Li Jianjun.
Jia Dongxu and Mrs. Jia had already returned; they didn't want to miss a moment of this.
But within five minutes, the officials from the subdistrict office came back out, laughing and chatting with Li Jianjun. This left the onlookers feeling very confused.
As the officials reached the Middle Courtyard, Mrs. Jia couldn't sit still.
"Comrades? Does this mean Li Jianjun has absolutely no issues?" she asked, unwilling to let it go.
"What issues could there be?"
"The bicycle coupon is legitimate and has the official seal."
"That’s all. We're leaving."
With that, the staff from the subdistrict office departed. They were very polite to Li Jianjun; after all, anyone who could afford a bicycle in this day and age was no ordinary person. Perhaps they would need to ask Li Jianjun for a favor regarding a bicycle in the future!
"..."
Mrs. Jia and Jia Dongxu stared in disbelief. Li Jianjun’s bicycle was real? This only made them even more jealous.
"Lucky brat," Jia Dongxu muttered under his breath.
Elsewhere, Li Jianjun’s face darkened slightly. He hadn't expected someone to actually report him. He quickly figured it must have been the Jia family.
"Just wait! This isn't over."
...
A few days passed, and the courtyard remained quite peaceful. Nothing much happened, though everyone was envious of Li Jianjun. Since he had bought the bicycle, he looked quite stylish riding it to and from work every day—how could they not be jealous?
Jia Dongxu, in particular, was so jealous his eyes turned red. But there was nothing he could do; he could only work himself to the bone studying, hoping to pass the next assessment so his life might get a little easier.
One day!
Li Jianjun asked his workshop director for time off again. Today was a good day, because the matchmaker had told him she would bring a young woman over to meet him, and he took it quite seriously. He felt a bit lonely living by himself, and if he had a wife, he wouldn't be so solitary anymore.
"Jianjun, good luck! This blind date is sure to be a success."
"That's right! Once you succeed, you’ll have to treat us to a proper meal!"
"..."
Many of his coworkers looked toward Li Jianjun.
"Easy enough. If it works out, I'll definitely put on a spread. But I won't talk to you guys any longer—I’m heading back to get things ready."
With that, Li Jianjun left the Rolling Mill and went to the market to buy groceries. Before long, he arrived at the market. He bought plenty of food—pork, fish, specialty side dishes, whatever he needed. Since the matchmaker was coming, he wanted to host properly. She had mentioned that this girl was quite good-looking, even beautiful. Because of that, he felt a sense of anticipation.
After buying the food, Li Jianjun rode his bicycle back to the Courtyard.