Chapter 70

Xiao Yuanhang, after giving detailed instructions, handed everything over to Wang Dahai and then went home. He had to start his shift tomorrow, and there were some preparations to be made, especially since Minister Xu would be on the same train. He needed to prepare well. Besides, after finishing his last shift, he had gone to Linquan, and it had been about a week since he last saw Jiang Shan. He calculated her schedule and figured she would be on the night shift tonight, so he could only visit her at the hospital in the evening.

Back home, he packed his bag for the trip, then thought for a moment and took out the box of instant coffee he had bought from the Huanghai Overseas Chinese Store and put it in the bag. In this era, unlike in the future, coffee shops were not everywhere, and the Chinese public had limited exposure to this foreign item. Some people didn't even know what coffee was. To make a good impression, Xiao Yuanhang planned to serve coffee to Minister Xu and his team.

After running around and eating and drinking for a few days, Xiao Yuanhang felt a bit tired. After finishing his preparations, he lay down and took a nap. When he woke up, it was already 4:30 PM. He heard his father cooking in the kitchen. When he went to wash his face, he saw that the evening meal was pork stewed with beans and potatoes. The pot had just started boiling, and the kitchen was filled with the aroma of the food!

Seeing Xiao Yuanhang wash his face and get ready to go out, Xiao Qiliang poked his head out and said, "Xiao Hang, don't go too far. We'll eat as soon as your mother gets back."

Xiao Yuanhang replied, "Dad, I won't go far. I'll just stay around the building, and I'll come back when Mom gets home."

The building where the Xiao family lived was mostly occupied by old neighbors who had moved there together during the relocation in 1979. The entrance of the building was a gathering place for the neighbors. In the evenings, everyone would sit on the stone slabs built on the earthen mound, with adults chatting and young people playing cards, usually a game called "Pao Yao," where two people played against each other, and the prize for winning five rounds was a pack of cigarettes. The type of cigarettes was decided beforehand. The children would play around there...

Xiao Yuanhang came to the entrance to see if Uncle Liu was there. His real name was Liu Fugui, and he was around fifty-three or fifty-four years old. He was the freight duty officer at Guhe Station, a first-class station, and the position of freight duty officer was important. The four freight duty officers were all over fifty, unlike in smaller stations where younger people could take on the role after a few years. Xiao Yuanhang wanted to discuss the cargo pickup with him.

Xiao Yuanhang came to the entrance and looked around. There were many people, but Liu Fugui was not among them. After greeting the aunts and uncles, he went to watch Wang Er and his group play cards. Wang Er lived in the same building, on the third floor, and they had grown up together, though Wang Er was two years older. The other three, Li Qiang from the front building, San Hai from the back building, and Zheng Lao Da, were also familiar. They often played together.

Seeing Xiao Yuanhang come over, Zheng Lao Da said, "Xiao Er, come play a few rounds?"

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "No, I have to eat soon. I'll just watch for a bit. What are you playing for today?"

Zheng Lao Da said, "Big Jin Hua today, hehe, I've already won half a pack!"

Zheng Lao Da and San Hai were a team, and Wang Er and Li Qiang were a team. Seeing Wang Er and Li Qiang's gloomy faces, Xiao Yuanhang knew Zheng Lao Da was telling the truth. A pack of Big Jin Hua cost three or four yuan, and if you won, you wouldn't just run away. There was no way he would let them get away with it!

Xiao Yuanhang watched them play for a few rounds and then decided to go home. As he looked up, he saw Liu Fugui coming out of Aunt Wu's convenience store with a bottle of soy sauce. He immediately greeted him, "Uncle Liu, buying soy sauce?"

Liu Fugui, seeing Xiao Yuanhang, replied, "Yes, I realized we were out of soy sauce just before dinner. Xiao Er, are you off today?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Yes, I start tomorrow. Uncle Liu, are you making dumplings at home?"

Liu Fugui chuckled and said, "Vegetable dumplings, vegetable dumplings!"

Seeing that there were many people around, Xiao Yuanhang leaned in and said, "Uncle Liu, I need your help."

"What is it? Just say it. If I can help, I will!" Liu Fugui, though a newer resident, had lived in the building for over five years and was very familiar with the Xiao family. He didn't hesitate to agree.

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Uncle Liu, here's the thing. My friend sent two boxes of cargo from Linquan, and it's a mixed load. It should arrive in about four or five days. I want you to let me know when the cargo arrives, and I also want you to find a truck to take the two containers out of the freight yard. We'll unload the cargo and return the containers."

"No, no!" Liu Fugui shook his head. The first part was fine; he could just let Xiao Yuanhang know when the cargo arrived. But the second part was tricky. Taking the containers out of the freight yard wasn't a problem, and he could make that decision. However, finding a truck was a bit much. He had worked in the freight yard for many years, and finding a truck was easy, but it would cost him a favor. Moreover, taking the containers out of the freight yard was against the rules, and he wouldn't do it for just anyone.

Xiao Yuanhang wasn't worried. He knew his offer would make Liu Fugui agree. He smiled and said, "Uncle Liu, I'm not asking you to do this for free. My friend said that if you help, he'll give you this much money!" He then held up his hand.

Liu Fugui looked at Xiao Yuanhang's hand and asked, "Five yuan?"

Xiao Yuanhang shook his head and smiled, "No, fifty yuan!"

"Ah!" Liu Fugui was shocked. Fifty yuan for such a small favor? He licked his dry lips. His family of seven, with three sons and two daughters, and his wife without a job, relied on his monthly salary of eighty to ninety yuan. Fifty yuan was almost half his monthly salary, and it was impossible not to be tempted. Xiao Yuanhang knew this and was confident.

Seeing Liu Fugui's surprised and hesitant look, Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Uncle Liu, my friend often sends cargo from the valley to Guhe. We'll need your help in the future, but my friend is a fair person and won't treat you badly!"

Liu Fugui, seeing how generous Xiao Yuanhang's friend was, suspected that the cargo might be a bit problematic. However, fifty yuan was too tempting. He thought that checking the cargo was the responsibility of the sender, and he wouldn't be held responsible for what was sent. Finally, he made up his mind and nodded, "Okay, Xiao Er, I'll do it, but you'll have to speak to me about it when the time comes."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Uncle Liu, I'll take care of it. Don't worry, the goods and the money will be exchanged at the same time, no problem!"

After giving Liu Fugui detailed instructions about the departure station, arrival station, cargo name, and consignee's name, Xiao Yuanhang went home in a good mood. His mother, Bai Shuxian, hadn't returned yet. Seeing that it was almost time, he set the table and helped his father bring the bowls, chopsticks, and dishes to the table.

Sure enough, not long after, Bai Shuxian returned. Seeing the table set, she held up a piece of pig's head meat and said, "Lao Xiao, your son is starting his shift tomorrow. I bought some pig's head meat. Can you cut it and make some garlic sauce?"

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