Chapter 43

"Is it true that Section Chief Wu really said that?" Xiao Qiliang asked, a bit disbelievingly.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Yes, of course Section Chief Tang was also there. You can ask her." Tang Xuemei was in charge of passenger services and also managed the crew office. Xiao Qiliang had worked under her for two years and they had a good personal relationship.

Xiao Qiliang pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems the section is really going to promote you to train conductor! You're only 18 this year. If you really become a train conductor, you'll be the youngest in the 38-year history of the Guhe Train Section!"

The Guhe Train Section was established in 1947 and was a comprehensive train section that handled both passenger and freight services. Although the focus was on passenger services, the operations side was also crucial. While there were no major safety issues on the passenger side, the operations side was prone to big problems if not handled carefully.

Xiao Qiliang was actually too quick to be impressed. He didn't know that his precious son had already set one record after another: the youngest Youth League Secretary in the entire division, the youngest section-level cadre in the entire bureau, the youngest full-section-level cadre in the entire railway system, and so on...

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Dad, let's not talk about this for now. We'll know the result in three days when I go to the section." As he spoke, he got up, put on his shoes, and went to his small room to fetch the 300 yuan bonus. He then handed it to his mother, saying, "Mom, this is the 300 yuan bonus I won. It's all for you!"

The 30 new 10-yuan notes formed a thick little stack. Bai Shuxian held the money as if it were burning her hands and quickly pushed it back, saying, "Son, this is your prize money from the competition. I can't take it. I haven't even spent the 100 yuan you gave me last time."

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Mom, this money is for the family. Dad needs money for his medicine, and we need money for food and other expenses. Most importantly, Dad's illness can't be delayed. You need to buy him some good medicine. The medicine from the hospital just maintains his condition; it doesn't cure it. Dad's health is important!"

Xiao Yuanhang was actually quite short of money. He had already decided to go to Linquan to do the pine nut business. Each shipment would cost over 10,000 yuan, and the 1,000 yuan he had wasn't enough for much. His father's illness required constant medication, and last year, his sister's wedding had also cost a lot. The family had no savings. However, he had already thought of a solution, so he genuinely wanted to give the prize money to the family.

Seeing her son's sincerity, Bai Shuxian was deeply moved. Her son had really grown up! After hesitating, she took out 100 yuan and left it, handing the remaining 200 yuan to Xiao Yuanhang, saying, "I'll keep 100 yuan, and this 200 yuan is for you. You studied so hard for this competition. Didn't you want to buy a bicycle? Take this 200 yuan and buy a good one."

In his previous life, Xiao Yuanhang had really liked bicycles. After he started working, he saved up to buy a Phoenix 26 bicycle, which was very nice. But after being reborn, he no longer cared for bicycles. Even the few Suzuki 100 and Honda 125 motorcycles on the street didn't interest him. He wanted to buy a car directly. He pushed his mother's hand back, saying, "Mom, I walk to work every day, and it's not far. I don't need a bicycle. Besides, Dad has an old Forever bicycle that still works!"

"No, even if you don't want to buy a bicycle, you should take this money. Buy whatever you want!" Bai Shuxian was a bit anxious and started to speak in a commanding tone.

Seeing his mother's insistence, Xiao Yuanhang had no choice but to take the money, take out 100 yuan, and give the remaining 100 yuan back to his mother, saying, "Mom, I'll keep 100 yuan. You must take the rest."

Xiao Dongmei also spoke up for Xiao Yuanhang, "Mom, this is your son's money to show his filial piety. Take it."

Bai Shuxian sighed and said, "Alright, son, I'll save this money for you. We'll use it when you get married in the future!"

The family enjoyed a warm dinner together. After helping her mother clear the table, Xiao Dongmei was about to go home. She had a night shift starting at midnight and needed to get some sleep. Xiao Yuanhang said, "Sis, I'll see you off." He followed her out of the main house. As they passed his small room, he went in and took out a bottle of Vaseline from his backpack. He then caught up with Xiao Dongping and said, "Sis, I bought this in Songjiang. It's for you."

Xiao Dongmei, who had studied in the provincial capital, was very knowledgeable. She looked at the Vaseline and said, "Little brother, you actually bought something so expensive?"

Xiao Yuanhang laughed and said, "Sis, you're always so good to me. No matter how expensive the gift, it's not too much. We can't buy Vaseline in Guhe, and I happened to see it in Songjiang, so I bought a bottle for you."

Xiao Dongmei laughed and said, "Alright, I haven't wasted my love on you. I'll take the Vaseline!"

After seeing his sister off, Xiao Yuanhang returned to his small room and took out another bottle of Vaseline from his backpack. He had bought two bottles in Songjiang, intending to give one to Jiang Shan. He hadn't thought about his sister Xiao Dongmei at the time, but her visit today reminded him of all the memories of his previous life. His sister had always been very caring and loving towards him. Thinking of the Vaseline, he decided to give her a bottle.

Xiao Yuanhang poked his head into the main house and said to his parents, "Dad, Mom, I'm going for a walk. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, come back early!" his father, Xiao Qiliang, replied.

Xiao Yuanhang walked out of the house, looked at his watch, and saw it was 10 minutes to 8. At this time, Jiang Shan should have finished her rounds and given injections, and would be free. He quickly headed to the railway hospital.

When he reached the nurse's office in the surgical ward, he saw that only Jiang Shan was sitting at the desk, looking at a medical order. Xiao Yuanhang knew the other nurses were in the rest room, so he called out softly, "Jiang Shan!"

Jiang Shan looked up and saw Xiao Yuanhang, surprised and delighted. "Xiao Yuanhang, you're back?" She was startled by her own voice and looked back at the nurse's rest room. Seeing no reaction, she stuck out her tongue and quietly left the nurse's office, saying, "When did you get back?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "I got home around 5. I came to see you right after dinner." He then took out the Vaseline from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Shan, saying, "Vaseline, for you!"

Jiang Shan was at the age where she loved beauty and knew the price and effectiveness of Vaseline. She had wanted to buy a bottle several times while studying in Haibin but couldn't bring herself to spend the 20 yuan. Seeing Xiao Yuanhang give her such an expensive gift, she was happy but said, "Xiao Yuanhang, this gift is too expensive. I can't accept it!"

"Don't be so formal with me. Just take it!" Xiao Yuanhang took Jiang Shan's hand and forced the Vaseline into it, holding her hand tightly and saying, "We can't buy Vaseline in Guhe. I saw it in Songjiang and bought a bottle. If you don't take it, I'll be upset!"

Seeing Xiao Yuanhang's sincerity, Jiang Shan was very happy but pushed him away, saying, "Let go, you're hurting my hand. I'll take it, okay!"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and let go of Jiang Shan's hand, saying, "That's better!"

"Jiang Shan!" a female voice called from the nurse's rest room.

"Here, Sister Li, I'm here," Jiang Shan replied, poking her head out of the nurse's office.

Nurse Li said, "Tidy up the treatment room. Director Wu will be here soon."

"Okay, I'll do it right away," Jiang Shan replied, then turned to Xiao Yuanhang and whispered, "Our director will be here to inspect. I have to work. How about this: I'll take you to a movie tomorrow night. Meet me at the ticket counter of the cinema at 5:30 PM. We'll definitely meet!"

Xiao Yuanhang was very happy to see Jiang Shan take the initiative to invite him to a movie. He smiled and said, "Okay, I won't disturb your work. See you tomorrow night!"

The next morning at around 10, Xiao Yuanhang was engrossed in reading Jin Yong's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" at home when someone knocked on the door and shouted, "Is Xiao Yuanhang at home?"

Xiao Yuanhang put down the book, got up, and opened the door. It was the section's duty officer, Old Ma. He often saw him at the dispatch office when he was on duty, so he asked, "Master Ma, what do you need?"

Old Ma said, "Xiao, Section Chief Tang wants to talk to you. Please come to the section right away!"

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PS: The competition on the new book chart is intense, and the position is very unstable. I beg for your strong support! More collections, clicks, and recommendations, please!

{Piaotian Literature}