Chapter 13

Wei Wei's 100 popsicles from the 10 a.m. train had already sold out. The 12 p.m. train from Beijing had a larger passenger flow, and it was particularly hot today. This time, she brought 200 popsicles. The wholesale price was 7 cents each, and she sold them for 10 cents each on the platform, making 3 cents per popsicle. The wholesaler gave her 7 extra popsicles for every 100 as compensation for potential losses. Just now, she sold all 107 popsicles without any melting, earning 3.7 yuan. If she sold all 214 popsicles, she would earn 11.1 yuan in the morning. There was no basic salary for selling on the platform; she was paid by the piece. She worked in shifts, working one day and one night, then resting for two days and two nights. She had to pay 10 yuan per shift as a franchise fee, and the rest was hers. If she earned the franchise fee in the morning, then the earnings in the afternoon and evening would all be hers. Just as she was envisioning how much she could earn this shift, she suddenly heard someone calling her name.

Wei Wei looked up and saw a very sunny-looking young man smiling at her. Although he looked familiar, she was sure she didn't know him, so she asked in confusion, "Are you talking to me? Do you know me?"

Xiao Yuanhang felt a bit regretful for greeting Wei Wei impulsively, fearing he might leave a bad impression on her. But since he had already greeted her, he had to say, "Aren't you the one who sells popsicles on the platform? I often see you when I'm on the train, and I've even bought popsicles from you."

Wei Wei noticed that Xiao Yuanhang was wearing a uniform and carrying a train attendant's backpack, so she knew he was a train attendant. It was normal for him to see her selling popsicles on the platform. As for whether he had bought popsicles from her, she met so many people every day that she couldn't remember. She asked, "How do you know my name?"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "When you were selling popsicles on the platform, I heard your colleague call your name and remembered it."

"Oh, that's how it is!" Xiao Yuanhang's explanation was reasonable, and Wei Wei accepted it. She suddenly noticed that he looked very much like the young man who was honored on the platform earlier and asked, "I saw a group of people being honored on the platform just now, and one of the men looked a lot like you!"

Xiao Yuanhang laughed and said, "That was me! After the commendation meeting at the division, I was preparing to go home, and I met you here!"

Wei Wei looked at Xiao Yuanhang carefully and said in surprise, "It really is you!"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Wei Wei, let me introduce myself. My name is Xiao Yuanhang. I am a train attendant on the train from Guhe to Huanghai. I participated in the technical performance competition at the division yesterday and won first place. The division leadership took it very seriously and welcomed us with drums and gongs on the platform when we returned, and they also commended and rewarded us!"

Wei Wei said in surprise, "First place in the entire division? You're really impressive!"

Xiao Yuanhang wanted to say more, but Wei Wei looked at her watch and exclaimed, "The Beijing train is about to arrive. I need to go back and sell popsicles. I'll treat you to a popsicle when I see you on the train next time!" She said goodbye and hurried towards the station.

From the conversation, Xiao Yuanhang felt that Wei Wei didn't dislike him, and his efforts to introduce himself had left a good first impression. A good start is half the battle, and as long as he worked hard to pursue her, he would surely succeed.

Guhe City was divided into two parts by a north-south railway line: the eastern and western districts. The eastern district was the city area, and the western district was the railway area. All the stations and segments of Guhe Railway were located in the western district, as well as the residential areas for the families of railway workers. Xiao Yuanhang lived in a traditional Korean-style apartment building in the western district, which was not far from his workplace, only about a 10-minute walk away.

The railway residential area used to be filled with low, old houses, many of which were left over from the Japanese occupation. Many families lived in large rooms with up to seven or eight people. To improve the living conditions of the workers, the Songjiang Railway Bureau began to invest in the renovation of the residential area in 1978, tearing down the old houses and building apartment buildings.

Xiao Yuanhang's family originally lived in a 20-square-meter old house from the Japanese occupation, which was within the scope of the renovation. In 1979, they moved into a new 45-square-meter Korean-style apartment building. At that time, there was no centralized heating, and the apartments had no radiators. Many railway units used stoves for heating in the winter.

Xiao Yuanhang stood in front of his house, feeling deeply moved. Although the building was old, it was a great improvement to live in an apartment with a private toilet in the railway residential area. He was about to see his parents, and he imagined what they looked like at this moment.

Xiao Yuanhang calmed himself down, took out his key, and opened the door. It was a hot day, and the windows and doors of the house were open. His mother, Bai Shuxian, was eating with his father in the living room and heard the sound, asking, "Xiao Hang, is that you coming back?"

"Yes, Mom!" Xiao Yuanhang replied excitedly, first putting his backpack in his small room, then coming to the living room and saying, "I smelled something delicious as soon as I came in. What are you cooking?"

Xiao Qiliang, who was drinking on the kang, heard Xiao Yuanhang come in and slammed his chopsticks on the table, demanding, "Xiao Hang, you should have come back the day before yesterday. Where have you been for the past two days?"

Seeing his father sitting there with the same fiery temper, Xiao Yuanhang felt a lump in his throat. His father liked to drink, and his liver disease was caused by alcohol. When he worked at the division, he drank more moderately, but after retiring, he had nothing to do except cook for his family, and with a bad mood, he drank more frequently, having two ounces of liquor at noon and night, except for the morning. His mother couldn't persuade him to stop.

Seeing that Xiao Yuanhang didn't respond, Xiao Qiliang became angry, "Xiao Hang, tell me, what have you been doing these past few days?"

Xiao Yuanhang quickly smiled and explained, "Dad, last month I participated in the division's technical selection competition and became a contestant for the division's technical performance competition. The competition was held yesterday, and the division didn't notify me in advance. I arrived early yesterday and was immediately taken to the train to Tongshui. After the competition, there was no train back last night, so we took the morning commuter train today."

"Oh!" Hearing that Xiao Yuanhang had gone to the division for the technical performance competition, Xiao Qiliang felt guilty for misunderstanding his son and softened his tone, "Why didn't you tell us at home?"

Xiao Yuanhang sat down at the table and said, "As soon as I arrived, I was taken to the train to Tongshui by the head of the education department, Mr. Tian. I didn't have time to come home. Did the division not send anyone to inform you?"

Hearing Mr. Tian, Xiao Qiliang knew he was talking about Tian Fen. Since he had been the head of the business department, he understood the division's work and said angrily, "Usually, those who participate in the division-level technical performance competition are taken off duty a shift early to rest and study the rules at home. What was Tian Fen thinking? Even if she has a grudge against me, she shouldn't treat you like this! I'll go find her right now!"

Seeing his father about to get up, Xiao Yuanhang quickly held his arm and said, "Dad, don't bother with her. It's not worth getting angry over. Come, let's eat."

His mother, Bai Shuxian, also said, "That's right, Old Xiao. Don't take it to heart. Xiao Hang is still working at the division, and it wouldn't be good for him if things got too tense."

His mother's words made sense, and Xiao Qiliang, who was no longer the head of the business department, had to sit down grumpily. Bai Shuxian immediately changed the subject, "Xiao Hang, look. Your father knew you were coming back the day before yesterday and bought this pork knuckle for you. When you didn't come back, he kept it for you. If you hadn't come back today, it would have gone bad. I stir-fried it this morning. Come, eat quickly."

Hearing this, Xiao Yuanhang was deeply moved. No wonder his father was so angry; he had bought the pork knuckle for him and it had almost gone bad because he didn't come home. No one was as good to him as his parents! He held back his tears, picked up a large piece of pork knuckle, and put it in his mouth, eating it with great relish, even though it was a bit off.

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PS: On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the moon is full. I hope for updates, and I wish all my readers a happy holiday!