Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest-Chapter 1131: True Proof (7)

Coming out of the south gate of No. 5 Middle School, there is a very bustling street outside, lined with many shops.

Wang Chen was originally planning to go to the bus stop ahead to catch a bus, but he stopped at a bicycle shop by the roadside.

"Student, do you want to buy a bike?"

The store owner had just opened the rolling shutter door, getting ready to display new bicycles, and immediately showed a big smile upon seeing Wang Chen stopping to look.

Wang Chen pointed and asked, "Boss, how much for this bicycle?"

The bicycle shop owner looked in the direction Wang Chen was pointing and was immediately stunned, "Huh? You want this bicycle?"

What Wang Chen pointed at was remarkably an "antique" level 28-inch standard bike!

"Yes!"

This type of bicycle had been popular for decades in the last century, initially holding a status in people’s hearts no less than that of today’s BBA cars, but with the advancement of time, it has long been phased out.

Only some old folks, as well as people with a sense of nostalgia, would still keep them.

It was indeed rare for a teenager like Wang Chen to set his eyes not on those colorful mountain bikes, but on an old 28-inch standard bike.

The store owner had never seen such a thing before and couldn’t help but laugh, "This bike is the treasure of my store!"

Of course, calling it the store’s treasure was a joke—in fact, this 28-inch standard bike was bought by his father earlier this year from someone else, who had ridden it only once and nearly broke his bones.

The store owner left it in the store to see if any sucker would buy it.

And indeed, there was one!

Wang Chen didn’t want to waste words with him, "I’ll take it for three hundred."

"Tsk!"

The store owner clicked his tongue and said, "Student, this 28-inch bike is an original Phoenix Brand, at least 80% new, isn’t three hundred a bit too little?"

Wang Chen turned around to leave.

"Ah, wait!"

The store owner quickly called out, "Deal, I’ll sell it to you for three hundred!" free𝑤ebnovel.com

His main objective was simply to make a sale.

Wang Chen took out three hundred cash and bought the 70% new Phoenix Brand 28-inch standard bike.

Alipay’s QR code scanning service had just been introduced in 2012, and it would be several more years before becoming universally available, so naturally, such a roadside shop wouldn’t have a payment QR code.

Before returning to school last night, Wang Chen had deliberately withdrawn ten thousand yuan from an ATM.

Riding on this 28-inch standard bike, Wang Chen immediately became the brightest kid on the street!

The rate of turning heads was pretty high.

He rode the bike to the nearby International Digital City.

The smartphone Wang Chen was currently using was also second-hand, not only showing signs of wear and tear but also very sluggish in daily use.

An upgrade was a must.

Wang Chen had originally planned to switch to an Apple phone, since at that time, Apple was doing the best in every aspect.

But when he saw the "MEIZU" sign hanging above the entrance of a store, as a once technology enthusiast, he went straight in.

Then he spent 2999 yuan and bought the latest model MEIZU phone.

MEIZU MX Quad-Core 32G version.

The classic black and white colors, the classic small dot, and the classic Flyme...

A familiar flavor.

In fact, the store also had a 64G version for sale, but it was a thousand yuan more expensive, and Wang Chen thought it was better to save that money.

After all, he didn’t play mobile games.

After purchasing his new smartphone, Wang Chen transferred the contacts from his old phone in the store, installed various commonly used apps, and also signed up for a 3G data plan.

As for the old battered phone, Wang Chen replaced it with a new phone mount.

Once he mounted his trusty bike again, he could enjoy the convenience of high-tech phone navigation.

Pedaling furiously, Wang Chen biked over ten miles to reach Shangma Village, located beside Flying Horse River.

This area used to be rural farmland, but with the continuous expansion of the provincial city’s central area, it has now been included within the boundaries of the new city district.

Originating from Flying Horse Lake, the Flying Horse River meanders eastward, nourishing the vast lands and the villages that sit along its banks.

Shangma Village is a large settlement and was once bustling due to a nearby industrial zone.

However, the industrial zone had long since relocated, and the village lands had been marked for expropriation. The villagers moved to newly built homes several miles away, leaving the old village much more deserted.

Only a few elderly villagers remained, waiting to leave once the official demolition began.

But Wang Chen knew they could still live there for another three or four years.

He found a local intermediary nearby and expressed his desire to rent a house in the old part of Shangma Village.

The agent was surprised.

Not only because of Wang Chen’s youth, but more importantly, Shangma old village was about to be demolished. Renting a house at this time – had he been kicked in the head by a donkey?

Out of kindness, he explained the situation to Wang Chen.

Wang Chen chuckled and said, "No problem. I’ll stay as long as I can and leave immediately once the demolition starts!"

He emphasized, "This can be written into the contract."

Since Wang Chen didn’t mind, the agent wouldn’t turn away business and promptly picked up his phone to contact the landlord.

The agent, being a local from Shangma Village, knew the area very well. After understanding Wang Chen’s requirements, he quickly found a suitable property for him.

After arranging a visit with the landlord over the phone, he directly took Wang Chen to see the house.

Efficiency was key.

The homeowner was an elderly man with white hair. The agent even had to greet him respectfully as "Uncle." His house was a two-and-a-half-story rural dwelling, with spacious front and backyards and even a small garden with vegetables on the side.

The elderly man’s family had moved to the new village, and they were uneasy about leaving him alone in the old home.

However, the old man felt that if the house was left vacant, it would soon become overgrown and fall into disrepair. He stubbornly asserted that he would only move if someone else came to live in it, even with the impending demolition.

As for the rent, it was a minor detail.

The landlord’s conditions matched Wang Chen’s needs perfectly, so they quickly struck a deal.

Wang Chen rented the house for a thousand yuan per month, including the rights to the small garden and without the need for a deposit for electricity, while also getting free use of the furniture and appliances.

He would stay until the house was demolished.

After paying the first month’s rent and the agent’s fee, Wang Chen got the keys to the house and a contract.

Everyone was pleased with the arrangement.

After the landlord and the agent left, Wang Chen walked around inside and outside the house before finally climbing to the terrace on the third floor.

The terrace was spacious, with a corner filled with various plants and flowers and a couple of tables and chairs.

Sitting in a chair, he not only enjoyed the rural sceneries of Shangma River but also had a panoramic view of the wetlands around Flying Horse Lake from afar, basking in the wind from the wilderness. It was truly a delightful experience.

With such a prime location and spacious house, turned into a bed and breakfast in ten years, it might cost a thousand yuan for just one night’s stay.

After admiring the countryside view, Wang Chen left the house.

Before leaving, Wang Chen fitted a new lock on the front door.

For the next two years, this place would be his cozy nest in the provincial city!

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The first update is here.