Chapter 71: Buying a Bicycle

Especially when it was someone else’s apprentice?

Qiu Yinuo glanced up at him. “So, did you find anything out?”

Everyone couldn’t help but look at Qiu Qianjin, filled with admiration. How did someone end up with such an amazing sister?

In just one afternoon, they had learned more than they would have in a month with their own master.

They had once looked down on Qiu Yinuo for being a woman, but after witnessing her real skills, they now realized how narrow-minded they had been.

“No, bicycles are in high demand. No one’s willing to sell,” Qiu Qianjin replied.

Qiu Yinuo wasn’t disappointed. “Just keep asking around. We’ve just reached the main point. Come over here, I need you to listen.”

Immediately, Qiu Qianjin pulled out the little notebook he had bought a few days ago, pencil in hand, eager to learn. “Go ahead.”

The others were secretly annoyed, realizing they hadn’t brought any notebooks or pens.

“Master Qiu, can we go get our notebooks and pens?” one of the apprentices asked.

Qiu Yinuo was always kind to those who were eager to learn. “Sure, I’ll give you five minutes. After five minutes, whether or not you’ve all returned, I’ll start.”

As soon as she finished speaking, several figures dashed out like lightning.

Once they were gone, Qiu Qianjin reminded her, “Aren’t you afraid that teaching them all this will leave you starving? You’ll be the one who’s hungry.”

“Of course not. By the time they learn everything I know, it’ll be years before they can catch up.”

“…” It seemed like his sister was showing off.

Qiu Yinuo didn’t mind sharing everything she knew with them; in fact, she was worried they wouldn’t be able to grasp it.

This slow-developing era needed so many new things.

Soon, they returned, practically in a whirlwind.

Everyone took out their little notebooks, panting as they looked at her.

“Alright, let’s move on to talking about the power output transmission shaft…”

She continued talking until the closing bell rang, and when Qiu Yinuo looked up, she saw several other masters from different workshops standing nearby.

“That’s all for today. When I come to work next month, if you have any questions, feel free to come over.”

“Why wait until next month? Can’t you come again this month?”

“Right, I have some things to take care of at home.” Qiu Yinuo had already arranged with the factory manager for time off to visit her family in the city, where she planned to bring back milk powder for the twins that the teacher had sent, along with other items she could store in the space.

She also planned to check if things with Qingqing had settled down.

As everyone started to leave, one apprentice remained behind.

“Master Qiu, I know someone who’s selling a bicycle. I heard it’s about eighty percent new. Not sure if you’re interested?” The speaker was Xiao Zhao, Master Yu’s apprentice. After an afternoon of learning, he had come to trust Qiu Yinuo.

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s Xiao Yang from the second workshop. He bought the bike just a year ago, and he’s taken great care of it. It’s practically like new.”

“If he’s taken such good care of it, why would he want to sell it?”

“Apparently his daughter’s sick, so he needs the money for her treatment. He’s really in a hurry.”

Qiu Yinuo handed her lunchbox to her younger brother. “You go get dinner, I’ll go take a look. Let’s meet at the cafeteria entrance later.”

Qiu Yinuo followed Xiao Zhao to the back employee housing.

As they passed the bike rack downstairs, Xiao Zhao pointed out the bike. “Master Qiu, that’s Xiao Yang’s bike. Looks like it’s been well taken care of, right?”

The bike’s frame was gleaming, and even the wheels were spotless, showing how well the owner had taken care of it.

Qiu Yinuo was quite satisfied, urging, “Let’s go upstairs and ask about it.”

Xiao Yang was a young man, with an elderly mother who had trouble walking and a wife who died during childbirth, leaving him with a daughter.

After two years of recovery, he thought things were improving, and the family even bought a few big items. But then, at the start of this year, Xiao Yang’s daughter began suffering from recurring fevers.

Xiao Zhao got straight to the point, sharing that Qiu Yinuo was interested in buying the bike.

When Xiao Yang heard that, he coldly responded, “I won’t sell for less than 120 yuan, not a penny less.”

He had originally wanted to sell it for 140, but some of the factory workers had been offering ridiculously low prices, around 70 or 80 yuan, or even just 40 or 50, which really frustrated him. So when he saw Qiu Yinuo, his attitude wasn’t the best.

Xiao Zhao gave him a signal and quickly explained who Qiu Yinuo was.

When he learned she was the only female technical consultant the factory manager had hired recently, his heart sank. He quickly apologized, explaining the situation with the workers who had been trying to bargain it down for a lower price.

“Master Qiu, it’s not aimed at you. I’m just afraid that if I open my mouth again, they’ll start bargaining down to ridiculous prices.”

Qiu Yinuo waved it off. “I understand. Can we go take a look at the bike now?”

“Of course, no problem.”

Back in her university days, Qiu Yinuo used to rely heavily on shared bicycles to get around campus, so she could definitely ride a bike. The current 28-inch bikes were a bit too tall for her, and getting on was a bit of a challenge, but with her feet on the ground, she was able to ride smoothly, which showed the bike had been well maintained.

Without hesitation, Qiu Yinuo made a decision. “Can we complete the purchase today?”

“Of course, of course!” Xiao Yang was thrilled. “You’re not going to bargain at 120?”

“Can you lower the price?”

Xiao Yang immediately shook his head. “I’m just surprised you didn’t bargain. Master Qiu, I really can’t lower the price. The money is for my daughter’s treatment in the big city.”

Qiu Yinuo understood. “Can you write up a sale agreement and put your fingerprint on it? That way we can avoid any unnecessary complications down the road.”

“Of course, of course.”

From inspecting the bike to buying it, it only took half an hour. When Qiu Yinuo was pushing the bike away, Xiao Zhao was still stunned. “Master Qiu, you bought the bike so fast! And how do you have so much cash on you?”

“Well, for the bike, of course.”

It was even thirty yuan less than she had expected, and she felt like she had gotten a great deal.

When Qiu Qianjin saw his sister pushing the bike toward him, he was so shocked he forgot to share that dinner that evening was his sister’s favorite—chicken stew with mushrooms.

“Xiao Zhao, thanks a lot today. When I’m back to work, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“No need, Master Qiu. I just happened to know about it.”

As the evening was falling, the siblings headed home.

The 28-inch bike was quite big and hard to ride, so Qiu Yinuo had to ride for a bit and then walk for a while.

By the time they arrived at the village, it was already completely dark.

“I’ll take you home first, then I’ll go return the bike.”

Qiu Yinuo wasn’t being coy about it. Since there were no streetlights in the village, she had been walking in the dark all the way back.

When they were almost at the door, Cheng Hongying quickly rushed over. “What happened to you two? Why are you so late coming home today?”