She couldnât help but blink.
In the 1980s, bicycles were incredibly rare. You couldnât buy one even with industrial coupons; you needed a special bicycle ticket just for the privilege of purchasing one. They werenât cheap, eitherânot something an ordinary family could afford.
Even families of officials werenât guaranteed to get one. Typically, the only ones who could afford bicycles were various work units, which would purchase them in bulk as essential vehicles.
"Whose bike is this?" Wen Ci asked curiously.
It was her first time seeing a classic roadster like this. It was much taller than the ordinary bicycles of her own era, its gleaming black paint looking as if it were plated with gold under the sun.
The guard at the sentry post was a young soldier she hadnât seen before.
He glanced at Wen Ci, his young face surprisingly solemn. He stood ramrod straight, rifle in hand, and spoke. "Itâs Mr. Huoâs bicycle."
"Huh?"
Wen Ci suddenly recalled what Huo Jingyuan had said on the old-fashioned green train. He promised he would get her the customary betrothal gifts: the âThree Rounds and a Sound.â
Wen Ci hadnât thought much of it at the time. The âThree Rounds and a Soundâ wouldnât be very useful in the Northwest Military Region. She didnât know how to use a sewing machine, and the base was small enough that she could walk anywhere in just a few minutes.
Riding a big roadster like that would be too ostentatious.
As for a watch, there were clocks at home and at the hospital.
Wen Ci drew in a sharp breath. Hearing a manâs steady footsteps, she couldnât help but raise her head, her gaze locking onto him.
Huo Jingyuan was slightly stunned to see Wen Ci. He knew she had gone to Sea City and had planned on stashing the bicycle at home to give her a surprise.
But now...
Huo Jingyuan looked at Wen Ci, his expression softening with a tender affection. In a deep, unhurried voice, he asked, "I thought you went to Sea City. Why are you back so soon?"
"The bus had a broken wheel."
The new recruit at the sentry post stared at Huo Jingyuan, his expression dazed.
âWhat had he ever done to deserve seeing the Living Yama speak so gently?!â
"You bought this?" Wen Ci asked.
"A surprise for you."
Suddenly, an ill-timed cough echoed from the sentry post. Wen Ci abruptly realized they were still outside, and her face instantly flushed.
Huo Jingyuan shot the man an impassive glance.
"Do you know how to ride?"
Wen Ci shook her head. "I think so, a little."
âShe knew how to ride a bike; before the apocalypse, sheâd ridden a shared bike to school every day. But the seat on this classic roadster was so high she might not be able to get used to it.â
"Iâll give you a ride back."
Huo Jingyuan walked over to the bicycle, kicked up the stand, and gripped the handlebars. Placing his right foot on a pedal, he swung himself onto the seat.
The manâs long, straight left leg braced him against the ground. He patted the crossbar in front of him with a large hand. With his eyelids slightly lowered, he said slowly, "Get on."
Wen Ciâs face flushed red. The gate to the family residences was a three-minute walk from their home at most. Why would she need Huo Jingyuan to give her a ride back on his bicycle?
Besides, she could just sit on the back rack.
âBut no, this damn man had to make her sit on the crossbar in front of him.â
âHad he already forgotten how hard heâd worked to wear me out last night?â
Just then, a few men in dark green military uniforms, each clutching a notebook, walked up to the sentry post and greeted Huo Jingyuan. "Mr. Huo."
The smile in Huo Jingyuanâs eyes vanished. His expression became placid, revealing no emotion as he nodded. "Off to a meeting?"
"Weâre holding a meeting for the new families."
Then, the menâs gazes fell upon the beautiful woman standing nearbyâWen Ci. As soldiers from the family affairs office, they had known about Huo Jingyuanâs marriage for some time.
Knowing full well who she was, one of them asked, "And this is?"