Chapter 46

Xiao Yuanhang laughed and said to Jiang Shan, who was standing at the classroom door, "It's just a small technical championship, isn't it? If I take the stage, it will be a piece of cake!"

"Keep bragging, why don't you!" Jiang Shan pushed Xiao Yuanhang away forcefully.

Xiao Yuanhang grabbed Jiang Shan's small hand and said, "Can't you tell I was just joking with you? Actually, this technical performance was quite thrilling. If it weren't for Director Zhang from the passenger transport department insisting on a fair competition and not using the questions set by the department's senior engineers, but instead inviting experts from the Liaodong Railway Bureau to set the questions, I wouldn't have been able to win this championship. Overall, it was just my good luck!"

Jiang Shan let Xiao Yuanhang hold her hand and looked at him, saying, "Luck is only one aspect. If you didn't have the ability, even with good luck, it would be useless."

Xiao Yuanhang chuckled and said, "That's true. In this world, ability decides everything. You might not feel it now, but you will feel it more deeply in the future."

Jiang Shan gave Xiao Yuanhang a sidelong glance and said, "You're getting cocky now that I've said you're fat. Can't you be a bit more modest?"

"Ring, ring, ring..." The pre-show bell for the movie rang, and the lights in the cinema dimmed. A slide prohibiting smoking and affecting the projection appeared on the screen. The cinema staff began patrolling the area to check for any smoking audience members.

Xiao Yuanhang intertwined his fingers with Jiang Shan's, and they leaned close to each other. Soon, the movie officially started. The added documentary was a highlight reel of the Pacific team versus the Hu people team in the American Professional Basketball League, which was incredibly exciting. In this era of underdeveloped media, this film showed the people of Guhe that basketball could be played in such a way!

The main movie was a classic love story, "The Horse Herder." When he had seen this movie in his previous life, he hadn't felt much. But now, reliving this classic as a person with two lives, he was deeply moved. He watched the movie with full concentration from beginning to end. Even after the movie ended, he couldn't shake off the emotions it evoked.

As they walked out of the cinema, the bustling crowd helped Xiao Yuanhang snap out of his movie-induced mood. Checking his watch, it was just half past seven. He pulled Jiang Shan's hand and said, "Jiang Shan, let's go eat grilled fish at the station."

Jiang Shan shook her head and said, "Xiao Yuanhang, let's not go. Grilled fish is so expensive. How much do you earn in a month? Don't waste your money."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Let's not talk about how much I earn in a month. Do you know how much prize money I got from the technical performance at the railway bureau?"

Jiang Shan said, "I don't know, how much did you get?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "The railway bureau gave me a one-time reward of 150 yuan, and after returning, the branch also rewarded me 150 yuan, totaling 300 yuan!"

"Really? That's a lot!" Jiang Shan was very surprised. As someone who had just started working, she earned only about 40 yuan a month. Xiao Yuanhang's prize money was equivalent to more than half a year's salary for her, which was a significant amount in her eyes.

Xiao Yuanhang continued, "In addition to the one-time reward, the branch also promoted me to a higher pay grade! Don't you think we should celebrate?"

"Ah!" Jiang Shan was even more surprised by the amount of honor and benefits Xiao Yuanhang had received. She was also very happy for him and said with a smile, "Of course we should celebrate. Let's go!"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "I'll tell you another piece of good news when we get to the station!"

Jiang Shan stopped and looked at Xiao Yuanhang, saying, "What good news? Tell me now!"

"I'll definitely tell you when we get to the station!" Xiao Yuanhang also stopped and said.

Jiang Shan pulled Xiao Yuanhang's hand and pouted, "If you don't tell me, I won't go to the station!"

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you!" Xiao Yuanhang actually wanted to tell Jiang Shan about his promotion to train conductor, but he had forgotten in the excitement of talking about the prize money. He only remembered when Jiang Shan agreed to go to the station with him, so he said he would tell her the good news when they got there.

Jiang Shan looked at Xiao Yuanhang and said, "Alright, tell me."

Xiao Yuanhang said with a hint of pride, "Jiang Shan, the good news I want to tell you is that I've been promoted to train conductor!"

"Really?" Jiang Shan asked excitedly.

"Of course! The section chief talked to me this morning. On my next duty, I'll be the official train conductor!" Xiao Yuanhang said happily.

Jiang Shan said excitedly, "With so many good things happening, we definitely need to celebrate. I'll treat you tonight!"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Jiang Shan, your intention is enough. How can I let a lady treat me?"

Jiang Shan said, "I must treat you today. You have to give me this chance."

"Alright, alright, I'll give you this chance. You treat, I'll pay the bill!" Xiao Yuanhang said.

Jiang Shan wanted to say more, but Xiao Yuanhang pulled her and said, "Let's go. We shouldn't argue about who pays. Celebrating is the most important thing!" Then, he led her in a light jog.

When they reached the station, they found a relatively clean small stall. Xiao Yuanhang ordered four grilled fish and two bottles of beer. The two of them chatted and sipped as they ate. Today, both Xiao Yuanhang and Jiang Shan had unusually good appetites. After finishing two grilled fish each, they each ordered one more.

Feeling satisfied after eating and drinking, they didn't call for a rickshaw but walked back, enjoying the cool evening breeze. When they reached the entrance of Jiang Shan's alley, she stopped and said, "Let's stop here. My parents are probably still awake at this time. Don't let them see us. Congratulations on your great achievement, and I wish you even greater success in the future!"

Xiao Yuanhang held Jiang Shan's hands and said, "Thank you. With your good wishes, I will definitely work harder!" As he spoke, he gently embraced Jiang Shan. This time, she didn't resist but leaned into his embrace, savoring the warmth of the moment.

After a while, Jiang Shan stepped back, still holding Xiao Yuanhang's hands, and looked at him with a hint of reluctance, saying, "Yuanhang, it's late. I have to go back!"

"Okay," Xiao Yuanhang nodded. Just as Jiang Shan was about to let go of his hands, he suddenly pulled her into his embrace and kissed her passionately on the lips. Jiang Shan was taken aback, her body tensing up, unsure of what to do.

After about four or five seconds, Jiang Shan came to her senses, pushed Xiao Yuanhang away, and ran off. She ran all the way to her front door, her heart pounding wildly as she fumbled for the key. When she opened the door, she turned to look back and saw Xiao Yuanhang's tall figure still standing at the entrance of the alley. She quickly pushed the door open, closed it, and leaned against it, breathing heavily.

Only after her heart calmed down did Jiang Shan recall the kiss. It was her first kiss, which she had preserved for 19 years. At the time, her mind had gone blank, and she had only felt her heart racing, without really experiencing the taste of the kiss.

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PS: I just wanted to stabilize my position on the list, but I didn't expect my brothers to push me up to seventh place. You guys are too awesome! Thank you so much!!!

{Piaotian Literature}