The last period in the afternoon was a self-study session. With ten minutes left before class ended, Li Ye packed up his bag and bolted."Li Ye, where are you going? Class isn't over yet!" Class monitor Hu Man called out urgently.Without even turning his head, Li Ye replied, "Monitor, I've got something to do. Help me take a leave for this period."Hu Man fumed. "There's only a little time left, why are you even asking for leave? I—"Before she could finish, Li Ye was already out of the classroom, meeting up with Li Dayong as planned, disappearing in a flash.Hu Man's chest rose and fell in frustration, emphasizing the impressive assets of her figure.Still, she sighed, pulled out a sheet of paper, and wrote a leave note for Li Ye—better to cover for him than to struggle explaining it to the teacher later.Li Ye and Li Dayong left the school, riding together on a sturdy "28 Big Bar" bicycle, heading toward County No.1 High School.The distance between County No.1 High School and County No.2 High School wasn't far—less than a ten-minute ride.Li Dayong parked the bike, lit a cigarette, and took a deep breath before asking, "Bro, are you really set on this?"Li Ye nodded slightly. "Yeah, I've made up my mind."Today, Li Ye had come to County No.1 High School to collect a debt.When he had been engaged to Lu Jingyao, he had gifted her a 26-inch Phoenix-brand bicycle.In the 1980s, a Phoenix bicycle required a ration ticket and cost over 180 yuan—and if you didn't have a ticket, even 300 yuan wouldn't be enough to buy one.Among them, the 26-inch model was even rarer than the 28-inch, making a 26-inch Phoenix bike stand out more than a luxury car in modern times.At the time, Li Ye's grandfather and father had just returned to work, and after saving up their industrial ration tickets to buy two bicycles, they planned to get a 28-inch Flying Pigeon for Li Ye.But Li Ye insisted on gifting Lu Jingyao a bike instead.His grandfather used his connections to acquire a 26-inch Phoenix—perfect for a woman to ride—and presented it as an engagement gift.When the engagement was announced, it caused as much of a stir as gifting a BMW to a granddaughter-in-law in modern times.So no matter how much Lu's family wanted to back out of the engagement, they should have returned the bicycle.But when Lu's father had come to annul the engagement, Li Ye's father had thrown the fish and meat out the door in anger, cursing that the bride price might as well have been fed to dogs.And though Lu's father hadn't picked up the food, he also hadn't returned the Phoenix bicycle.Neither Li Ye's calm and composed grandfather nor his frugal grandmother had stopped Lu's father from riding the bicycle away.At the time, Li Ye hadn't understood why.But now, he did.They were swallowing their anger—for his sake.If Li Ye got into university, his family would use both soft and hard tactics to win Lu Jingyao back.And Lu's family?They might have had the same plan.That unreturned Phoenix bicycle was a lingering connection between the two families.After Lu Jingyao left for Beijing, the bicycle was given to her younger brother, Lu Zixue, a freshman at County No.1 High School.The old Li Ye had clung to the hope that Lu Jingyao would come back to him, so he never had the heart to reclaim the bike.But now?Why should he be so generous?If they had just gone their separate ways, he would have let it go.But Lu Jingyao had publicly sent money to the school, painting him as a greedy villain—was he supposed to just swallow this insult?She couldn't take advantage of his generosity while publicly flaunting her "freedom."Most importantly…Li Ye himself didn't even have a bike to ride.Getting around was a hassle—why should he make things convenient for her?Li Dayong took a long drag of his cigarette before hesitatingly asking, "Bro… if you take back that Phoenix bike, you two will really be—"Li Ye glanced at him. "Is Lu Jingyao really that special? Do you think I'd die on just one tree? Your brother here is a man destined to own an entire forest."…Li Dayong blinked, staring in confusion.Wasn't it you, bro, who was ready to die for her before?Seeing his puzzled face, Li Ye didn't bother explaining further.He simply patted Li Dayong on the shoulder, reassuring him.Despite his burly, bear-like appearance, Li Dayong had a keen sense of emotions.His earlier public outbursts—yelling at Lu's house and suggesting they go to Beijing to expose her—had a clear purpose.He wanted to pressure Lu Jingyao into making up with Li Ye."If you don't come out and explain yourself, I'll make sure the whole town knows your dirty secrets!""If you dare to abandon my bro like some heartless scumbag, I'll make sure the entire school hears about it!"Honestly, Li Ye's reputation as "Huang Shiren" wouldn't have stuck without Li Dayong's enthusiastic "help.""Bro, school's almost out. Let's move a bit farther from the gate."As the end of the school day approached, Li Dayong suddenly tensed up."Hmm? What are you afraid of?""County No.1 High School's teachers are tough—I don't want them sticking their noses into our business."…County No.1 High School wasn't like County No.2.Not only did they have strict academic standards, but they were also very firm against troublemakers.By 1981, petty thugs were already roaming the streets harassing kids for money.But none of them dared mess around near County No.1 High School.A burly guy like Li Dayong naturally caught the attention of cautious teachers."What's there to be afraid of? Teachers only have authority inside the school. You think they can control what happens outside?" Li Ye shrugged."Exactly! Teachers can't extend their reach beyond the school!" A nearby man chimed in.Li Ye and Li Dayong turned their heads, spotting a grinning man in his thirties.They had assumed he was waiting to pick up a child.Now, it seemed… he wasn't.Li Dayong frowned, stepping forward cautiously. "Who are you? What are you doing outside the school?"Boys of this era grew up watching patriotic war films—anyone who seemed like a spy, gangster, or shady character instantly drew their suspicion.The stranger had a non-local accent—possibly bad news.But instead of getting angry, the man just chuckled."I sell sesame candy. Want to buy some?"Li Dayong snorted. "What do you think this is, the old days? Selling sweets like a capitalist? Aren't you afraid the Trade Crackdown Office will arrest you?"But even as he scolded, his mouth watered at the thought.Li Ye smiled.It seemed this era's "smart people" were already making their moves.