Chapter 42

Xiao Yuanhang used his chopsticks to open the bottle cap, filled his father's wine glass, and then put the cap aside, saying, "Dad, try this. How does it taste?"

Xiao Qiliang had already prepared a wine glass for Xiao Yuanhang. Seeing that he did not pour himself any wine, he said, "Xiao Hang, have a drink with Dad!"

Xiao Yuanhang was taken aback by this, but quickly responded with delight, "Okay, Dad, I'll have a drink with you."

Xiao Qiliang had strict family discipline and was very strict with Xiao Yuanhang and his sister. Even after Xiao Yuanhang started working, Xiao Qiliang did not allow him to smoke or drink. Xiao Qiliang knew the nature of train crew work, which was very tiring. Even many female colleagues in the team would drink to relieve fatigue when resting outside. How much more so for a young man like Xiao Yuanhang? It wasn't until a year after he started working that he was allowed to drink, but never at home. This was why Xiao Yuanhang did not pour himself any wine.

When his father asked him to drink with him, Xiao Yuanhang felt a warm surge in his heart. This meant that his father no longer saw him as a child but as an equal adult, which deeply moved him. He filled his own wine glass, raised it with both hands, and said, "Dad, I'll toast you. Rest assured, I will work hard and never let you down!" With that, he drank the wine in one gulp!

"Good! With these words, I'm reassured. Now that you've started, the future path is up to you. You must strictly discipline yourself at work and make the leadership trust you!" Xiao Qiliang, moved by his son's determination, raised his glass and drank it in one gulp!

Bai Shuxian, seeing this, became anxious: "Xiao, drink slowly. Don't you know you have liver problems?"

Xiao Qiliang waved his hand and said, "I'm happy today, so don't stop me. Our son will make a name for himself, and we'll all benefit from it. Just this once, no more!"

Xiao Dongmei chimed in, "It's rare for Dad to be so happy. Mom, let Dad drink. He said just this once, so it's fine."

Bai Shuxian thought about it and realized that Xiao Qiliang drank every day anyway. Whether he drank quickly or slowly, it didn't make much difference. He could only handle two ounces, and with their son doing so well, winning first place in the railway bureau, it was a happy occasion for the whole family. So she said, "I'll have a drink too, to celebrate for our son."

Xiao Dongmei went to the kitchen to get a wine glass for her mother. Xiao Yuanhang poured wine for her, then for his father and himself. He raised his glass to Bai Shuxian and said, "Mom, I'll toast you. You've worked hard raising us. Now that I'm grown up, you don't have to work so hard. I will take good care of both of you." With that, he drank the wine in one gulp.

Seeing her son grow up and become considerate, Bai Shuxian was deeply moved. She nodded and raised her glass, drinking it in one gulp!

The family gathered around the dinner table, the atmosphere warm and cozy. As they ate, they chatted. Xiao Yuanhang said, "Dad, Mom, in this railway bureau competition, not only did I win the technical championship, but our division also won the team first place. See that blanket? It's the prize for the team first place."

"Oh?" Xiao Qiliang looked up and said, "I thought that was your prize for winning the technical championship."

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Dad, the prize for the technical championship isn't that meager. The prize is 150 yuan!"

"Ah? So much money!" Bai Shuxian was surprised.

"Exactly, it's as much as my three months' salary!" Xiao Dongmei was even more surprised, as she only earned about 50 yuan a month at the printing factory.

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "There's more. Listen to what I have to say."

"Go on, go on..." Bai Shuxian and Xiao Dongmei urged him to continue, while Xiao Qiliang remained silent, looking at Xiao Yuanhang and waiting for him to continue.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "This time, our division made history by winning the team first place, and I won the technical championship. Three people also placed in the top three. Today, the division held a commendation and reward ceremony in the auditorium. Director Xue and Secretary Luo personally attended and spoke. According to the railway bureau's standards, I was rewarded 150 yuan and given the title of Advanced Producer in the division. I also received a one-level wage increase!"

"Ah!" This series of rewards surprised even the experienced Xiao Qiliang. During his time, such things were unheard of. It seemed that the division now placed great importance on technical skills, offering unprecedented honors and rewards to the winners.

Xiao Dongmei was the first to react. She nudged Xiao Yuanhang and said, "Little brother, how much is a one-level wage increase?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "My current basic wage is 42 yuan. A one-level increase brings it to 51 yuan, which is 9 yuan."

Xiao Dongping excitedly said, "Little brother, this is a big deal. 9 yuan a month, 108 yuan a year. With so many years until you retire, how much will you earn?"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Sister, I have 42 years until retirement. It's not a lot, just over 4,000 yuan in total."

"What? 4,000 yuan is still too little for you?" Xiao Dongmei asked, disbelieving.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "We earn less now, but the country has already opened up and reformed. With the rapid economic development, our wages will increase. Maybe in twenty years, we'll earn 4,000 to 5,000 yuan a month. By then, an extra 9 yuan a month won't matter much!"

"Stop dreaming! Even 400 to 500 yuan a month is impossible!" Xiao Dongmei didn't believe Xiao Yuanhang at all, thinking it was impossible.

Xiao Yuanhang, having been reborn, knew that in the future, train attendants could earn over 4,000 yuan a month, and even more with overtime during holidays. But saying this now wouldn't be believed. He smiled and said, "Sister, I'll put my words here. We'll see what happens."

At this point, Xiao Qiliang couldn't help but speak: "Xiao Hang, don't think about those unrealistic things. You've been away from work for over a month to prepare for the competition. Has the section told you when to return to work?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "When I came back, Section Chief Wu told us to report to the section in three days."

Xiao Qiliang said, "Then rest well for three days at home. Prepare everything you need for work. Even though you won first place, you must still do your job well!"

"Okay!" Xiao Yuanhang nodded and said, "Dad, I'm about to become a train conductor!"

"Ah!" Xiao Qiliang was surprised and said, "Xiao Hang, you've only been a train attendant for two years and haven't even been a business officer. Even if you won first place in the railway bureau, the section wouldn't promote you to a train conductor. You know, a train conductor is a managerial position, and the promotion criteria are very strict!"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Dad, when I won the technical championship in the division, Section Chief Wu told me that if I won first place in the railway bureau, he would immediately promote me to a train conductor. This time, I not only won first place in the train attendant category but also the technical championship. Yesterday, when Section Chief Wu went to the division meeting, he was on the same train as us. He said in front of Director Sun, Secretary Ma, and Section Chief Tang that he would convene a party committee meeting to discuss my promotion to train conductor upon his return!"

*******************************************************************

PS: A new week, and the rankings are starting again. Brothers, if you have votes, please support me!