The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 45 - 44: The Dowry Bicycle

In the end, they commissioned the main gate and furniture from He Lang’s second maternal uncle. Xue Xingzhou had gone with He Lang to the uncle’s house to describe the style he wanted. The uncle had four sons, all of whom knew a bit of carpentry, and within half a month, the furniture was built and the new house’s main gate was installed.

On February 15th, He Lang decided to move. They moved everything over early in the morning, not that they had many belongings to begin with.

Unexpectedly, Xue Xingzhou arrived at the new house that morning, riding a bicycle.

"Brother, where did this bicycle come from? It’s brand new."

Xue Yue ran her hand over the bicycle. Yangjia Gou wasn’t as populated or as wealthy as Da Liushu Village, so their production brigade had never bought a bicycle. Whenever people needed to go to town, they either walked or took an oxcart. For her brother to suddenly arrive on a bicycle was very strange to Xue Yue.

Inside the new house, Mr. and Mrs. He, as well as the eldest son’s family, were all there and gathered around to take a look.

He Lang looked at Xue Xingzhou and raised an eyebrow. "You just buy this, Brother?"

Xue Xingzhou nodded. "I bought it for you two. Consider it part of Yue’er’s dowry and a housewarming gift."

Guo Jinfeng stared at the bicycle with a look of pure envy. That was a lot of money right there.

"Oh my, Kid Xue, we can’t possibly accept this. A bicycle is so expensive. You should keep it for yourself; it’ll help you find a wife. If our third son wants one, he can just buy one himself when he has the money later on."

Beyond her shock, Mrs. He felt deeply uneasy. ’We married his sister, and not only did he return the betrothal gift, but now he’s giving us a bicycle as part of her dowry. If word of this gets out, people will say our He family is completely taking advantage of them. Isn’t that just bullying?’

Mr. He nodded. "Kid Xue, your auntie is right."

Xue Xingzhou smiled and said, "When my sister got married, she came empty-handed. Now that I have the means, I’m determined to make it up to her, bit by bit. She’s my only sister. No matter how expensive it is, it’s just a thing. Besides, He Lang has to go to town for work every day. A bicycle will make things more convenient for him."

He Lang glanced at Xue Yue, then said with a smile, "Thanks, Brother. In that case, I won’t be polite!"

He Lang had wanted to buy a bicycle for a long time; it was just too inconvenient to get around without one. If he hadn’t been afraid of people questioning where he got the money, he would have bought one long ago.

Xue Xingzhou smiled back. "I wasn’t asking you to be polite. I’ve already been to the vehicle registration office and gotten it plated. Just ride it."

Xue Yue asked Xue Xingzhou, "Where did you get a bicycle voucher?"

Bicycles weren’t just expensive; you also needed a voucher, and those were hard to come by.

Xue Xingzhou wasn’t about to tell Xue Yue that he had made two trips to the black market and had a hard time getting one for 50 yuan.

He patted Xue Yue’s shoulder. "Kids shouldn’t ask so many questions. It’s for you, so just accept it."

Xue Yue shot Xue Xingzhou a sideways glance. ’Who’s a kid? Is he going to follow that up with, ’You’ll understand when you’re older’?’

Regardless of what anyone else thought, He Lang was thrilled. He had a wife, a new house, and a new bicycle. He felt like he had reached the pinnacle of his life.

Seeing their son’s gleeful expression, Mr. and Mrs. He couldn’t help but feel exasperated. ’How can he be so shameless? He just takes whatever people give him without a hint of politeness. It’s a good thing they don’t hold it against him.’

It would be a lie to say He Nan wasn’t envious. His third brother was doing well for himself, and his wife’s family treated him well too. But this was the kind of good fortune you couldn’t just envy into existence.

At noon, they hosted a meal at the new house to celebrate. He Lang had prepared all the necessary supplies in advance. Xue Yue, Mrs. He, and his eldest sister-in-law were in charge of cooking. In the courtyard, five tables were set for the guests.

The guests were all people they were on good terms with, as well as the families who had helped with the construction.

Uncle He’s wife followed Mrs. He on a tour of the house, saying enviously, "Your third son’s house is really well-built! It’s so spacious and has so many rooms. And that modular cabinet set is beautiful—simple and elegant, better than any I’ve ever seen. Who made it?"

Mrs. He beamed with delight. "Oh, that cabinet set was made by my brother. If you like it, just let me know when your Zhen Dong gets married. I’ll ask my brother to make a set for you too."

"I had no idea your brother was so skilled! Then it’s settled. I’ll definitely come to you when my Zhen Dong gets married."

"Haha, just let me know."

In the courtyard, a few of the younger men were gathered around the bicycle, talking.

Shitou looked at He Lang and said, "Third Brother, how did you get so lucky? Not only is your wife beautiful, but you even got a bicycle as part of the dowry. Why don’t I have that kind of fortune?"

He Zhendong slung an arm around Shitou’s shoulders and said with a laugh, "The key is that you have to get a wife first. Then you can have her family buy you one too."

Shitou tilted his head and looked at He Zhendong. "You say that as if you have a wife."

He Zhendong put Shitou in a headlock. "I’ll have you know, my mom is already setting me up on dates. You might be eating my wedding candy before the year is out."

Shitou scoffed. "Even if you do get a wife, her family isn’t guaranteed to give you a bicycle as a dowry."

He Zhendong choked, at a loss for words. He glanced at the bicycle, feeling the sting of the jab even more keenly. He tightened his headlock on Shitou. "You and your smart mouth! See if I don’t shut it for you."

Shitou struggled, fighting back. "Ha! Struck a nerve, did I? Now you’re getting angry because you’re embarrassed! Look at that ugly, jealous face, it’s terrifying!"

"Argh, I’m going to strangle you!"

Everyone in the courtyard laughed as they watched the two horse around.

Uncle He asked Mr. He, "Your third son’s house must have cost a pretty penny, huh?"

Mr. He nodded and held up a few fingers to indicate the amount.

"That much?" his older brother asked in surprise. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The village chief, who was standing nearby, chimed in, "Forget this house. Just that little place for the educated youth cost just under 200 yuan."

Uncle He sighed. "I was originally thinking that after my Zhen Dong gets married, I’d follow your example and split the family property, letting them move out on their own. But seeing this, it looks like I’ll have to wait a while longer."

Mr. He nodded. "There’s no rush. The kids are still young. Take your time."

After lunch, the guests dispersed.

Xue Xingzhou had had a little to drink, so Xue Yue wanted him to stay the night, especially since they now had a room reserved just for him.

Xue Xingzhou shook his head. "Not tonight. I’ll stay over some other time."

He Lang said to Xue Yue, "Don’t worry, I’ll give Brother a ride back on the bicycle."

"Alright. Brother, get some sleep when you get back."

Xue Xingzhou waved a hand and left with He Lang.

Mrs. He and her eldest daughter-in-law helped clean up and then left as well. Xue Yue had them take all the leftovers, which made Guo Jinfeng very happy, as there was still quite a bit of meat.

That evening, Xue Yue soaked in the bathtub in their new bathroom. It was so comfortable.

Xue Yue couldn’t help but sigh. ’Life is so good.’

From now on, they could close their door and live their own quiet life. The more Xue Yue thought about it, the more she felt that only good days lay ahead.

As for their old house, now that it was empty, He Lang and Xue Yue had no intention of moving back in. So, they left it to Mr. He to decide what to do with it.

However, both the eldest and second sons’ families were short on space, and it would be unfair to give the house to just one of them. So, Mr. He announced that whichever family was willing to pay 30 yuan could have it.

He Nan was the first to step forward, saying he would buy it. After all, his daughter, He Ziqing, was already 14 years old. She was a young lady now and couldn’t keep sharing a room with her parents.

Although Gao Cuiyun wanted it too, her husband, He Ze, wasn’t home, and she didn’t dare make such a decision on her own.

But unexpectedly, that very night, a fight broke out in the eldest son’s family over the matter.