1980 My Literary Era

Chapter 43 Phoenix Bicycle

Of course Lin Weimin knew that Rong Shihui didn't have the ability to help him solve his work problems.

But he also knew that Rong Shihui was considered a veteran in "Contemporary" and even in the People's Literature Publishing House.There is a strong sense of humanity these days, and it is better for him to help open the mouth than to go to those leaders as a child.

Being an editor is the best way out that Lin Weimin found for himself after careful consideration, at least the best way out in the past two or three years.

After experiencing the treatment and social status of literary workers in recent years, Lin Weimin's idea of ​​making waves in the tide of reform and opening up cannot be said to have completely disappeared, but at least it is not so urgent.

The reason is also very simple, he was not a big business man before time travelling, so it's okay to say that the scale of the business is small if he does some speculation, but if it becomes big, he doesn't even have confidence in himself.

Why don't you take advantage of the conditions in the Institute of Literature and Art to lay your foundation first.

He brought the works of his classmates to Rong Shihui and proposed to make an album. To put it bluntly, he just accepted a nomination certificate.

The next day was the weekend, Lin Weimin got up early and went to Yenching University.

"Old horse!" Lin Weimin found the American guy he met in the last exchange and dialogue, Keith McMahon, whose Chinese name is Ma Kemeng.

"Hey! Lin, why are you here?" Ma Kemeng came up in surprise and gave Lin Weimin a hug.

"Of course I came here to play with you, our literary research institute is on vacation!"

"Oh, that's really good news."

"Should you rest today too?"

"Yes, today we are planning to go out to play. It's great for you to come, let's go together!"

Ma Kemeng excitedly pulled Lin Weimin to stand downstairs in Building No. 25, "We'll leave when everyone is here."

A few minutes later, a few more foreign students came, but the only familiar face was Little Kuro Yoko who I met on the day of the exchange and dialogue.

Mark Meng introduced the remaining three people, Yin Geli and Cao Mengde from Austria, Feng Xiaorong from the Federal Republic of Germany, two men and one woman.

These people did not participate in the exchange and dialogue meeting that day, so they did not know Lin Weimin.

Hearing that Ma Kemeng said that Lin Weimin is a very famous writer in China, he couldn't help being curious about him, and even looked at him differently.

Lin Weimin looked at Mark Meng speechlessly. When it comes to bragging, I can't even flatter you Americans.

A group of four men and two women rode bicycles, only Lin Weimin did not.

Mark Meng asked: "Lin, don't you ride a bicycle?"

"No, I'm only studying in Yanjing for a short time, but I can buy one."

"Buy one?"

Mark Meng glanced at him unexpectedly. Although they have not been in China for a long time and they can't speak Chinese well, they still know a thing or two about the domestic income level. A bicycle is not cheap for ordinary working-class people. .

But then Ma Kemeng thought of Lin Weimin's other identity—a writer.

In the United States, as long as they can be called writers, their income is usually far higher than that of ordinary working-class people. It should be the same for Lai Lin.

"However, I don't have a bicycle ticket..." Lin Weimin said embarrassingly.

Ma May waved, "We can go to the Friendship Store."

"That's too much trouble for you."

"It doesn't matter, our foreign exchange certificates can't be spent anyway."

Lin Weimin nodded, "Okay, I'll exchange RMB for your foreign exchange certificates."

"No problem." Mark Meng said straightforwardly.

After a few words to finalize the matter, the group rode their bicycles and headed straight to the Friendship Store.

Domestic Friendship Stores emerged in the 50s in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, mainly supplying scarce and high-quality goods to foreign envoys, seamen, overseas students, and overseas Chinese.

Yanjing's Friendship Store was built in 1964 and is located along Chang'an Avenue, on the bustling Jianguomenwai Street, adjacent to the embassy area.

In these years, because the Friendship Store only accepts foreigners and overseas Chinese, it has always been a daunting existence for ordinary people.

Renminbi is not easy to use in the Friendship Store, you have to use overseas remittance certificates and foreign exchange certificates.The most important thing is that you have to look like a foreigner. If Lin Weimin usually came by himself, he might not even be able to get in the door.

But today is different. Among Mark Meng and the others, except for Little Black Yoko who has an East Asian face that is difficult to distinguish, the others all have the appearance of standard foreign devils.

Therefore, without even blocking the door, Lin Weimin entered the Friendship Store directly.

Lin Weimin wondered if this could be considered a fake tiger's prestige.

Yanjing Friendship Store is a four-story building, and its scale is not inferior to the general large and medium-sized supermarkets of later generations.Even from the perspective of future generations, the shopping environment is not inferior at all, spacious and bright, comfortable and elegant, with complete supporting facilities.

Lin Weimin and others walked around, and found that the variety of products was much richer than that of supply and marketing cooperatives and department stores outside, but it was much worse than that of later generations.

But there are also benefits for others. Lin Weimin saw that there were many extremely exquisite handicrafts for sale, all of which were aimed at foreign friends.

Mark Meng and the others were not in a hurry when they entered the Friendship Store, they walked around while watching.

Yin Geli and Little Black Yoko were still chatting with the salesperson at the counter. Women have no resistance to things like shopping.

Lin Weimin and Mark Meng came to the bicycle counter, where the bicycles of major domestic bicycle factories were displayed, such as Phoenix, Yongjiu, Feige...

Among the many bicycle brands, Phoenix is ​​undoubtedly the loudest, and it is also the most recognized by the common people in recent years.

Without hesitation, Lin Weimin chose a black 28-inch Phoenix bicycle.

Ma Kemeng took the initiative to pay, the salesperson was so friendly, and the shopping process was extremely smooth.

Coming out of the Friendship Store, Lin Weimin paid Mark Meng.

These days, according to official regulations, the exchange rate between RMB and foreign exchange certificates must be 1:1.

But rules are dead, people are alive. In terms of tightness, the renminbi is definitely not comparable to foreign exchange certificates. This has caused the ratio of renminbi to foreign exchange certificates to be higher than the official price on the black market.

Lin Weimin offered Mark Dream at the price on the black market, but Mark Dream refused. He has lived in China for a period of time, and he has some understanding of this aspect.

However, for a foreigner like him, the exchange rate of foreign exchange certificates has no effect. He is purely helping his friends today.

After some pushback, Ma Kemeng still only accepted 160 yuan, which is equivalent to the price of the bicycle.

The group of them went out to play on weekends, and they didn't have a definite destination.

Lin Weimin bought the bicycle, and they were idle, and followed him to the vehicle management office to stamp the bicycle.

(End of this chapter)