Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 21 Set a date

After that, things were much simpler. After an afternoon of work, as the sun set, everyone prepared to go home.

Since he had promised to pick up the book from Xia Mingyue, Wang Chengpeng unusually took the same route as these educated youth.

Before long, Wang Chengpeng arrived at the entrance of the educated youth settlement. To avoid suspicion, he did not intend to go in.

Perhaps because she felt obligated to pay for his services, Xia Mingyue, unusually, asked Wang Chengpeng a question before taking the book:
"Comrade Wang, what kind of books do you need? If I have them, I will give them to you first."

Recalling the problem he encountered while repairing the radio last night, Wang Chengpeng said:

"Xia Zhiqing, do you have any books about radios?"

“I have a friend whose radio is broken and he wants it repaired.”

"It would be great if I could learn how to repair radios."

I see. No wonder he suddenly asked to borrow my book; he was cramming at the last minute.

Wang Chengpeng probably never imagined that his unintentional explanation would lead Xia Mingyue to imagine a plausible explanation for her suddenly asking to borrow a book from him.

However, Xia Mingyue did not approve of Wang Chengpeng's outrageous idea.
If you could fix a radio simply by studying hard, then what would be the point of having repairmen?
However, she was used to respecting the fate of others and didn't say much. When she came to the gate of the educated youth compound again, she had a book about radios in her hand.

Smiling, Wang Chengpeng accepted the book and agreed to borrow it again after he finished reading it. He then embarked on his journey home once more.

Before long, Wang Chengpeng had returned home.

However, his home was now completely different from when he left, with many things that were not there before.

A simple vegetable garden enclosed by a fence, a few chicks, and some simple decorations.

With these little sprites adding to the ambiance, the house feels even more like home.

Smelling the familiar aroma, Wang Chengpeng shook his head inwardly. The dinner he prepared last night was a bit too much, which meant they might have to eat leftovers for the next few days.

Considering how delicious the leftovers were, none of the family members complained and they all ate with great relish.

It was during the meal that Liu Chunhua told Wang Chengpeng about the marriage proposal that day:
"Cheng Peng, the matchmaker has been found, and the negotiations with the Liu family have been completed. Now we just need to wait for an auspicious day to get married."

"The 8th of next month is a good day, perfect for a wedding. What do you think?"

"Keep things simple. It's fine to get engaged a week in advance. April 1st is a good date."

"The bride price will remain the same as agreed upon, and it will be delivered at the time of engagement."

April 8th? Wang Chengpeng wasn't surprised at all by this date, because it was on this day that he married Liu Yanran in his previous life.

The engagement ceremony and the exchange of betrothal gifts also take place on the old day, which is April 1st.

Today is only March 9th, which makes this wedding seem a bit rushed.

Considering Liu Yanran's special circumstances, it's understandable that she would be in such a hurry.

With limited time and the show about to begin, Wang Chengpeng needed to hurry up and make arrangements.

With that in mind, Wang Chengpeng decided that if he could repair the radio he had brought back this time, he would go to Shanghe City again to meet Zhou Xia, the real father of the child in Liu Yanran's belly!
When the real show begins, it will be difficult to continue without Zhou Xia as the main character.

Despite his many thoughts running through his mind, Wang Chengpeng simply nodded and smiled, saying, "This matter is entirely up to Mother to decide."

"It's about the bride price. I want to buy it myself and personally buy what Yanran wants."

Although the 100 yuan that Wang Zidong lent to Wang Chengpeng was a large sum of money, it wasn't enough when he actually needed it. It was precisely because of this that Wang Chengpeng set his sights on the bride price.

This money can accrue high interest; if you don't make the money generate more money as soon as possible, your family's financial burden will only get heavier and heavier.

After exchanging a glance with Wang Tieshan, and considering that Wang Chengpeng didn't have any history of reckless behavior, Liu Chunhua finally agreed to Wang Chengpeng's request and handed him a wad of cash and receipts.

At the same time, she said with a hint of sarcasm, "The daughter-in-law is really lucky to receive a dowry personally chosen by her husband."

Wang Tieshan: I can't see, I can't hear...

However, this was just Liu Chunhua joking. Amidst laughter and chatter, the family quickly finished their dinner, and Wang Chengpeng returned to his room with his bulging money bag.

The moment he returned to his room, Wang Chengpeng didn't hesitate and immediately opened the book that Xia Mingyue had lent him.

Although he gained a lot from last night's study and improved his proficiency, he also realized his lack of knowledge.

If he doesn't learn more, he won't even be able to fix a radio, which is utterly shameful.

However, as Wang Chengpeng flipped through the book about radios, he unexpectedly discovered a two-cent coin tucked inside the first few pages.

Shaking his head slightly, Wang Chengpeng thought to himself that Xia Mingyue was really careless. She didn't even check the books she lent out properly, and even forgot to put money in them.

Luckily, she encountered someone as honest as herself, otherwise she would have lost those two cents.

With that in mind, Wang Chengpeng slipped the two cents into the last few pages of the book, intending to return it all at once after he finished reading it.

The appearance of these two cents was no coincidence; Xia Mingyue had deliberately placed them in the book as money to buy stir-fried carrot and pork slices.

Perhaps fearing that Wang Chengpeng wouldn't accept it, Xia Mingyue chose this unconventional way of giving money.

The rustling sound was the turning of pages.

"Proficiency +1", "Proficiency +1", ..., "Proficiency +1", ...

The "Heaven Rewards Diligence" system is indeed bugged, especially in learning, where it has an almost godlike auxiliary ability.

Although it cannot directly provide Wang Chengpeng with the relevant skills, it can enable him to have a photographic memory, thus accelerating Wang Chengpeng's learning speed.

The seemingly thick book in front of him was quickly flipped through by Wang Chengpeng, constantly being digested and absorbed, becoming nourishment for him.

When he was engrossed in studying, Wang Chengpeng subconsciously picked up a pen and began taking notes.

One hour, two hours, ..., N hours.

When Wang Chengpeng finally turned to the last page of the book, he was surprised to find that he had been reading for more than five hours straight.

Overwhelmed by accumulated fatigue, Wang Chengpeng felt dizzy and fell into a deep sleep as soon as he lay down on the bed.

The next day, Wang Chengpeng got up early as usual, feeling refreshed.

Looking back at the radio he had disassembled the night before, he had gained even more insights.
If the matching parts can be salvaged from other radios, repairing this radio is a sure thing.

After a quick wash, Wang Chengpeng took the book and headed towards the production team.

Unbeknownst to him, a two-cent coin lay quietly in the corner where he was reading.

(End of this chapter)