Chapter 101 Complain

"Hey, let's go now."

Jia Dongxu had no choice but to stand back and cover his body with his clothes when the photo was taken.

Immediately, the group of people walked towards the front yard in a mighty manner, except Xu Damao. He was the only one left behind. He was so busy gathering together that he forgot to push his bicycle out and hurried back.

"Oh, you all look so spirited."

Yan Bugui was waiting in the front yard to watch the fun. Most of the time he admired Li Zhiguo. Even though he had clearly cheated everyone, he was still able to gather people together and live in harmony. How did he manage to make people not bear grudges?
"Hey! Uncle, we're going to take pictures, so we have to dress up."

Shazhu gently stroked his hair, saying, "Don't mess it up."

"That's good. When you go out, listen to Li Zhiguo more and you won't suffer any loss."

If Yan Bugui wasn't a generation older than him, he would have wanted to get a spot in the photo.

At this time, they helped to lift the tricycle out, and Xu Damao also caught up. However, as soon as they were on the road, embarrassment arose.

Xu Damao can ride a bicycle, but he is not very skilled. It’s okay if he rides alone, but it’s much more fun if he takes Sha Zhu with him.

"No, Xu Damao, can you please stay steady? I almost fell down just now."

Even Shazhu, sitting on the back seat, couldn't stop the bicycle from tilting.

"Silly Zhu, you're too heavy. I can't even start."

Xu Damao tried several times, but as soon as he started pedaling, the front wheel deviated. How could he move forward?

Li Zhiguo sat on the tricycle and leaned out to say, "Shazhu, you hold Xu Damao, and you and the tricycle become one, that's it."

"Hey, why am I hugging him?"

Sha Zhu had a stern face. Seeing that Xu Damao really couldn't stand up, he finally reached out and hugged Xu Damao's waist.

"Hey, be gentle, you don't know how to count."

Xu Damao shouted, and this time he actually stood up on the bicycle, holding the back seat tightly, making him and the bicycle one.

"Daughter-in-law, I'm here."

Xu Damao was shouting, and Cai Quanwu in front was already pedaling skillfully, carrying Chen Bihua and Tang Chunyan into the alley.

"Dongxu, it's your turn. You practiced last night. Pedal boldly. You can't fall over with three wheels."

Li Zhiguo was holding little Jingru, with his wife sitting next to him. He was also teaching Dongxu new skills and providing re-employment training for laid-off workers.

"Hey!"

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth and thought that he had eaten two steamed buns in the morning, which should be enough to power him up, but why was the wheel turning so slowly?

"Brother, why don't you stop making things difficult for Jia Dongxu? He is sick."

Qin Huairu saw that everyone had stood up to pedal the bike, and she felt it would be difficult to explain if someone got hurt due to excessive fatigue.

"Okay, let him go back and rest. Don't take pictures. I'll ride the bike."

Li Zhiguo was just pretending. If Jia Dongxu really couldn't pedal, he would call Sha Zhu back to pedal.

"No, I haven't used my strength yet."

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth again, muttering in his heart that the hatred of having his wife stolen from him was irreconcilable. Why was he riding a tricycle with his former blind date and love rival on board? It was so unfair!
"Run, run."

Xiao Jingru clapped her hands and cheered, and hurried to the photo studio because she had never seen it before.

"I just said I didn't exert any strength."

Jia Dongxu was happy and let Qin Huairu know how strong he was. It was just a tricycle.

Li Zhiguo nodded casually. It is difficult to start a bike, but once you really start running it is just inertia. Besides, this is Beijing, so there is no need to climb a hill, so it is no big deal.

"Look, isn't that Jia Dongxu from the big courtyard? Why is he riding a tricycle?"

"Oh, it's really him. I heard that he retired due to illness a while ago and let his wife take over. Eh, isn't that him?"

"In the car sat Li Zhiguo and his wife, who had been on a blind date with Jia Dongxu before, but was snatched away by Li Zhiguo."

"I've never seen anything like this before. Even in such a situation, Jia Dongxu is still pulling a cart for others. Isn't this embarrassing?"

The neighbors in the nearby courtyards saw this situation and pointed and talked.

Jia Dongxu was not deaf. Hearing these gossips made him angry. He suddenly sped up and soon caught up with the tricycle in front.

Cai Quan had no intention of waiting, but Xu Damao couldn't stop once he started running, and had already run far away with Sha Zhu.

"Jia Dongxu, you have to use your strength and move your feet along with the pedals."

Cai Quanwu taught with good intentions, he is a professional at riding a bike.

"Ok!"

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth and couldn't answer.

Seeing the two cars parked side by side, Li Zhiguo waved and said hello, "Bihua, did you give breakfast to Brother Dongxu this morning?"

"Dongxu ate two steamed breads, which was 4 taels of staple food."

Chen Bihua stuck her head out and replied that other families all ate two taels of rice in the morning, so she did not treat Dongxu unfairly.

Tang Chunyan stuck her head out and said, "Brother Li, how about we go have shabu-shabu for lunch?"

"You want to eat? Sure. I'll arrange it then. Hey, Dongxu, catch up. We're all behind and can't chat."

Before Li Zhiguo finished speaking, he saw the tricycle slow down.

He really didn't mean to make trouble for anyone. Jia Dongxu didn't have a penny and he just went out to take some photos. If he didn't help, he would be left behind to do housework in the yard.

Well, he just wanted Jia Dongxu to experience what it felt like to follow his former blind date, so that he could work harder. This is all for his brother's good.

"Ok!"

Jia Dongxu responded and exerted force with his feet again. Fortunately, they were out of the alley soon and there was a highway in front of them. The road was much smoother and he got a feel for it and was not so tired anymore.

When their two tricycles arrived at the intersection of East Chang'an Avenue and Wangfujing Street, the view became wider, with buses and trams parked on the roadside.

The No. 3 bus that turns north goes to Wangfu Street, and the No. 10 bus that goes straight west is written on the map he bought earlier.

In the future, when smartphones are not yet popular, people will rely on maps to take the bus in the city.

"This way."

Xu Damao was waving his hands on the side of the road, while Sha Zhu was still holding someone in the back seat. Passersby were pointing and talking, but he didn't notice anything was wrong.

"Dongxu, go over there. The photo studio is less than 200 meters away."

Li Zhiguo pointed out the direction, and soon the team met up with Xu Damao and found the photo studio.

Here you can see thick smoke billowing from the roof of the newly built Capital Hotel. That's emitted from the coal-burning boiler. Some people think the smell of coal smoke is pleasant.

"Brother Li, we're waiting for you. The venue is reserved for you."

The master from the photo studio came out to greet him. He had just met Li Zhiguo two days ago. After chatting for a few words, he felt that he had found a confidant. Even though he was several years older than him, he was willing to call him brother. The one who is more accomplished comes first!

"That's great! Let's shoot the interior first, and then take a few photos for us in front of the Capital Hotel. As for the cost, we'll calculate it at the end, the cost price!"

What’s expensive about taking photos now is the film. For example, it costs 50 cents to take a photo, and only 5 cents more to develop another one.

Of course he couldn't charge for each photo, so he just calculated the price of the film and also added the labor cost.

"Brother Li, don't worry. I can make money by taking photos for you. Isn't this a slap in my face?"

The photographer invited people in and started to make arrangements.

There are several sets in the room, including a fake background wall and a seashore, and people can just stand in front or sit next to the props.

Xu Damao couldn't help but ask, "Li Zhiguo, when did you get to know this master? Why are you so familiar with him?"

"It was the day before yesterday. We agreed to take photos and found the person the next day."

Li Zhiguo really took some effort. After all, he had played with a SLR camera and his photography skills were entry-level. He was sure to fool people.

Xu Damao swallowed his saliva. It seemed that it was not that he was too weak, but that the enemy was too strong.

"That's great. I just heard Chunyan say that they're having shabu-shabu for lunch. I'll treat you, buddy."

Xu Damao just spent money to ensure his safety, and let him take the photos smoothly today. He brought his wife with him, so he had to leave some memories of his youth.

"Da Mao, this is what you said! Let's not talk about it for now, let's have a photo shoot first, the five of us brothers."

Li Zhiguo patted Damao on the shoulder and went over first.

The photographer said, "Brother Li, considering your clothes, how about taking a picture with the lake as the background?"

"Okay! Take the photo for us brothers."

Li Zhiguo stood in the middle and waved his hand. He had his arm around Jia Dongxu on the left and Xu Damao on the right. On both sides were Sha Zhu and Cai Quanwu. They stood like this for now and would change positions and actions later.

Except for him who looked relaxed, the other four had tense faces, their eyes staring at the camera, their bodies stretched straight, not daring to move.

"Take one first to get a feel for it."

Li Zhiguo simply shouted, just take a good picture of him, natural memories are the best.

"Crack!"

The lights flashed, and the first group photo of the five progressive young people in the courtyard was captured on film, leaving a mark of the times!
"Change the background and put on fake flowers!"

After taking a photo by the lake, the five people took another photo of the garden landscape, all of which were posed.

Li Zhiguo asked his brothers to change positions. He held Sha Zhu and Cai Quanwu, and let Jia Dongxu and Xu Damao move to the side. Anyway, he firmly occupied the middle position.

"Crack!"

Another photo. Now everyone has calmed down and passed the tense period.

"No, Li Zhiguo, can you let me stand in the middle?"

Xu Damao plays movies every day, so he has a strong sense of camera and knows where the protagonist should stand. "Okay, I'll stand next to you."

Li Zhiguo pulled Xu Damao to the middle, and he and Jia Dongxu stood beside them.

Xu Damao immediately revealed a smile that was uglier than crying. This was not going to make him feel good, was it?

"Well, I want to take a photo with Sha Zhu and Lao Cai."

I am not afraid of poor quality of goods, but I am afraid of comparing the goods. I think Xu Damao is always better than Sha Zhu and Lao Cai.

"That's fine, but Damao, you're asking for too much! This is paid for by Shazhu."

Li Zhiguo probably guessed what this villain was thinking. Wasn't he afraid of being outdone by him? They were all in the same photo, so how could others not be able to tell the good from the bad?

Sha Zhu immediately shouted: "Yes, I paid for it."

"Oh, I'll pay half."

Xu Damao tried his best. If he wanted to buy a bicycle later, he would have to ask his parents for money anyway, so this little bit was not a big deal.

"That's a good feeling!"

Sha Zhu was happy and let Xu Damao stand in the middle and take the photo as he wished.

I took more than ten photos and one roll of film was almost unsustainable because some of the film was wasted. It’s not because of my poor skills, but because the quality of current cameras is just like that.

"Let's change people! Huairu and I will take a few pictures first."

Li Zhiguo called his wife over. He sat on a stool and let his wife lean next to him, and then he posed for a classic photo of that era.

"Crack!"

The first photo of him and Qin Huairu was born.

Afterwards, each group took a lot of photos, until Li Zhiguo took a photo with his three young wives, and the indoor photo shoot was completed.

The group moved outside, first to the Jingcheng Hotel to take photos, then in front of the bus, tram, city gate, and the preserved archway...

Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower, Dashilan Commercial Street, Qianmen Railway Station, Qianmen Railway Station, Xidan Intersection...

Shichahai, Beihai Park, Jingshan Park and other places have left their footprints.

The mutton hotpot we had for lunch was already in front of Di'anmen in the afternoon.

According to legend, there was a woman who was waiting for her husband to return from the war, and she waited for thousands of years wearing her embroidered shoes.

In later generations, a song called "A Night in the Capital" was adapted based on this legend.

"Crack!"

Li Wuwei took Qin Huairu and took a photo here while holding little Jingru.

"Look here!"

The photographer was doing his job conscientiously and taking pictures a lot, but he just didn't make any money.

I kept shooting until dusk, but there was nothing I could do because the flash didn't work outdoors and I couldn't take any night photos.

"Xiao Chen, thank you for your hard work, that's all for today.

Please calculate how many photos you need first, and then you can give me a price. By the way, when can I get the photos?"

Li Zhiguo got off the car and just took a photo of the Dongxu brothers riding a tricycle. He can show it to Banggeng later.

"I'll have the photos developed urgently and you can pick them up in three days."

The photographer was also very tired. He started from the east and made a big circle, and took pictures all the way to the north.

"Okay, I'll pick it up at the store then."

Li Zhiguo estimated that the price would be expensive, so he would pay some of the cost himself, but Xu Damao and Sha Zhu would also have to pay for it.

He paid for Jia Dongxu's share, which was considered his wages for pulling the tricycle for a day.

Who made the Dongxu brothers so poor? They are so poor that their bells are ringing, but they don’t have a penny in their pockets.

After giving the instructions, the photographer left first and had to return the equipment to the store.

Chen Bihua then said, "Brother Li, I'll give you three dollars. Is that enough?"

"That's enough. Taking pictures and eating are all on my account."

Li Zhiguo took the money. It would be a waste not to accept it as others had just received their wages.

Jia Dongxu moved his lips but didn't say anything. He understood that although three yuan was a lot of money, he and his wife were taking photos and they were still eating out.

After all, it was his brothers who took care of him today, but this made Jia Dongxu feel even more aggrieved. He wanted to make money and also have face.

"Da Mao, come on, you treat me, let's go drink together."

Li Zhiguo put the money in his pocket, which means he was transferring the losses.

"No, so you take the money and I treat you?"

Xu Damao was full of complaints, but after the photo shoot was successfully completed, he felt better and could continue to try to resist.

"Xu Damao, I lent you my bicycle for a day, shouldn't it be considered as loss?
Okay, if you don’t want to treat me, I’ll ask your wife to treat us, right, Chunyan?”

Li Zhiguo called Tang Chunyan to stop her, and she could be used.

"Hey, I'll treat everyone to dinner."

Tang Chunyan is generous and has no shortage of money. Her parents are both working and she is the only daughter. In addition, her second uncle was injured when he was a soldier and has no children. She is the only daughter in the Tang family and has no shortage of money.

"Wife, I listen to you."

Xu Damao's resistance failed, but he can fight again next time. It seems that he has not lost anything if he does the math. The photographer Li Zhiguo hired calculated the cost price, so he saved money.

He rode a bicycle and his wife took a tricycle. It would cost money to have a whole day trip.

As for Sha Zhu, he also paid money. Lao Cai didn't give him any money, but he rode the tricycle for a whole day, which delayed his earning money, which was equivalent to giving him money.

What’s more, Sha Zhu and Cai Quanwu are a family.

After everyone thought about it, it seemed that neither of them was at a loss. They had food and drinks, and they even took photos. Everyone was happy.

But who made the profit? Perhaps only Li Zhiguo could figure it out.

Originally Li Zhiguo was going to lose something, but Chen Bihua gave him three dollars, which made up for it. It can only be said that there was no loss or gain, it just depends on who benefits from it.

"Dongxu, let's go. Let's have a few drinks tonight."

Li Zhiguo carried Xiao Jingru into the car and took his wife to sit next to him.

"okay!"

Jia Dongxu pedaled the bike quite skillfully and headed on the road. He made a profit today. He even learned how to ride a tricycle.

Tang Chunyan found a small restaurant, and the eight people including Xiao Jingru all had a delicious meal. The total cost was less than ten yuan, which was considered a loss for Chunyan!
"Yan'er, I'll treat you to a meal some other day."

Li Zhiguo drank several cups and the conversation became a little more familiar.

"Hey!"

Tang Chunyan happily got on the car next door.

As for Xu Damao, he was already drunk. He held Sha Zhu's waist and got on the back seat of the bicycle.

At night, under the starry sky, everyone returned safely to the courtyard, ending a pleasant weekend trip.

"Hey, you guys are finally back, let's have fun now!"

Yan Bugui came out and smelled the aroma of wine and food.

"Uncle, we had a great time. We went to many places to take photos. I even learned how to ride a tricycle."

Jia Dongxu got off the bike, his legs felt weak and he quickly held onto the handlebars, but he was happy and proud in his heart.

"Okay, that's good. It's always good to have many skills."

Even Yan Bugui couldn't hit Jia Dongxu. You rode a tricycle for someone all day, dragging your former blind date and love rival along, and they still flattered you?

"Hey, why did Damao drink so much?"

Sha Zhu stopped his bicycle and finally pried Xu Damao's hands free.

"Wife, let me sleep a little longer."

Xu Damao was so drunk that he mistook Sha Zhu for his wife.

"Hey! You're taking advantage of me."

Sha Zhu was speechless, but still helped Xu Damao in.

Li Zhiguo also got out of the car and said, "Old Cai, Third Uncle, please help carry the car in. I'm drunk. I need to go back and sober up first, otherwise my stomach will not be able to bear it."

"Okay, Brother Li, go back and have a rest."

Cai Quanwu’s alcohol tolerance is not to be underestimated. He has never been drunk and can still work.

"Chunyan, Bihua, let's go. Let Dongxu rest here for a while."

Li Zhiguo brought the man in, completed the task from beginning to end, and sent the man's wife home safely.

When we got back to the backyard and home, I asked Xiao Jingru to turn on the radio. My wife made me a cup of tea and we had some simple meals. This is how life should be lived.

He wanted to write "A Night in the Capital" now, but it contained English, and if he published it, he would be accused of worshipping foreign things, which was problematic, so he gave up for the time being.

"Jingru, it's already June. Next month, your brother-in-law will complete the formalities for your schooling. In the future, you must graduate from a senior primary school."

The so-called high primary school means being able to learn to use a fountain pen and graduating from primary school.

(End of this chapter)