Chapter 93

Now it's the early stage of the reform and opening-up, and the government is encouraging people to do business and make money. A nationwide business boom has formed, and everyone wants to do business to earn some money. As long as it can make money, they will do it. Xiao Yuanhang had promised to help Wang Dahai and others, and he was very happy about it. A man should take responsibility and be accountable for what he has said. When he mentioned that they were dealing with pine seeds, Jiang Shan thought it was similar to what small traders and peddlers do, just making a profit from the price difference. However, renting such a large house was quite unusual.

Jiang Shan didn't want to ask about this. Seeing that Xiao Yuanhang had fulfilled his promise to help Wang Dahai, she looked at him and said, "I see why they've been so quiet lately. They've been busy doing business and making money."

Xiao Yuanhang said, "Yes, as long as they can support themselves with their own hands, I think it's worth the extra effort."

"Um!" Jiang Shan agreed with Xiao Yuanhang's approach. She sat in the swivel chair in front of the desk, while Xiao Yuanhang sat on the bed. She had hoped that Xiao Yuanhang would come over and get closer to her, but after chatting for a while, he didn't make any move. This made her both disappointed and hopeful. She couldn't just go over to him herself! She glanced at Xiao Yuanhang and saw him smoking calmly. She tried to start a conversation, "Why do you have a bed in your office?"

Xiao Yuanhang said, "It was originally for them to use when they were on night duty guarding the warehouse. Later, I gave them the large office, and they also put a bed in there. This bed has been idle. However, sometimes when I come back late and don't want to disturb my parents, I can stay here for the night."

"Having your own space is really great!" Jiang Shan said with a sigh. Her family lived in a single-story house with only one large kang (a traditional Chinese bed). When she was young, it wasn't a big deal, but as she grew older, it became inconvenient, especially after living in a dormitory for three years of vocational school. Returning home and sharing the large kang with her parents was even more inconvenient. However, most families were in a similar situation, with some having three generations of seven or eight people living on one large kang. Having a room of one's own like Xiao Yuanhang was a rare situation.

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and said, "Now that the country is reforming and opening up, things will get better and better. In the future, there will be high-rise buildings and private cars!"

"Really?" Owning a Forever or Phoenix bicycle was a luxury now, as bicycles were rationed and hard to get. A Suzuki 100 motorcycle on the street would attract everyone's attention, let alone a car. What Xiao Yuanhang said seemed very distant and unrealistic to Jiang Shan, so she instinctively asked, "Really?"

Thinking about the villas, duplexes, and high-rise luxury apartments that would be everywhere in twenty years, and the various cars clogging the streets, Xiao Yuanhang said confidently, "Of course, I believe it won't take long for all of this to happen, and we will see it in the near future!"

"If that's true, it would be great!" Everyone has a beautiful wish in their heart. Jiang Shan didn't contradict Xiao Yuanhang's view but sighed with hope.

Xiao Yuanhang looked at the time and said, "Jiang Shan, it's not far from here to the market. Let's go buy some food and have lunch here."

"Oh no, I can't. My aunt is visiting, and my mother asked me to have lunch at home. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have forgotten!" Jiang Shan suddenly remembered her mother's instructions and hurriedly stood up to leave.

Xiao Yuanhang stood up and said, "It's just going home for lunch. What's the rush?"

Jiang Shan said, "When I left this morning, my mother asked me to buy some sausages and aspic from the store and bring them back for lunch. My aunt's train leaves at 1:30 PM, and if I don't go back soon, it will be too late!"

Xiao Yuanhang felt a bit depressed. He had finally found a quiet and private environment to spend more time with Jiang Shan, but her family had visitors. Once Wang Dahai and the others returned tonight, it would be hard to find such an opportunity again. He said, "Jiang Shan, go back quickly. I'll see you off."

Jiang Shan quickly said, "No need, it's the middle of the day, and the streets are full of people. I can go by myself."

In the evening, Wang Dahai and Xiao Liang, among four others, returned. The trip went smoothly, and the goods were expected to arrive in five or six days. Wang Dahai told Xiao Yuanhang that they had met Xiao Qiang and others in Linquan the next day, and the goods were almost ready. He told Xiao Qiang to take his time and enjoy a day with his brothers after finishing the business.

Soon it was time for the train to depart. Everything was normal after the train left Guhe Station. Xiao Yuanhang's team, Team B, was the last to work. After Team A finished their meal and took over, Team B went to the dining car for their meal and then returned to the sleeping car to rest. Since it was afternoon, most people couldn't sleep, and the bunks were mostly empty. Xiao Yuanhang and the salesperson, Xu Yanchun, were the only two in the compartment. Xiao Yuanhang lay down for a while but couldn't sleep, so he sat up and smoked.

In fact, Xu Yanchun hadn't slept either. She had been thinking about the sleeper tickets. In the past few shifts, Xiao Yuanhang had given her control of the sleeper tickets, and she had gained a lot of "benefits" from it. She thought Xiao Yuanhang would ask for a share, but he hadn't mentioned it. This made her uneasy. The sleeper tickets belonged to Xiao Yuanhang, and she couldn't keep all the benefits to herself. It was better to resolve this issue sooner rather than later.

Thinking this, Xu Yanchun sat up and sat on Xiao Yuanhang's bunk, whispering, "Chief, the sleeper tickets have been doing well in the past few shifts. I've kept your share for you. It's not convenient now, but I'll bring it to your home after this shift."

Xiao Yuanhang understood what Xu Yanchun meant. As a key member of his team, he couldn't criticize her harshly, so he said gently, "Sister Xu, I won't take the money. I'm young and want to advance. I don't want to stumble on this issue. Taking this money will eventually lead to trouble. I advise you not to think about it either!"

Xu Yanchun had intended to test how much Xiao Yuanhang wanted, but his words left her at a loss for what to say. It was natural for a young man to want to advance and avoid mistakes, and she could understand that. However, this was an open secret in the entire department, and she thought Xiao Yuanhang was being too cautious. She thought to herself, "If you don't want it, all these benefits will be mine!"

"Okay, Chief, I'll be careful!" Xu Yanchun said, feeling there was nothing more to say. She found an excuse, "I need to go to the toilet," and put on her shoes and left the compartment.

Xiao Yuanhang finished his cigarette, and Xu Yanchun didn't return. He lay down and eventually fell asleep. Near the time to get up, a commotion and hurried footsteps in the sleeping car woke him up. He sat up and poked his head out of the compartment, seeing the train attendant Cheng Zhixin run in from behind the curtain. He asked, "Cheng Zhixin, what's going on?"

Seeing Xiao Yuanhang, Cheng Zhixin ran over and said, "Chief Xiao, the Railway Bureau's Office of Conduct suddenly came on board for an inspection. They've taken my sleeper ticket folder!"

Xiao Yuanhang's heart sank when he heard that the Railway Bureau's Office of Conduct was conducting a surprise inspection. Usually, they wouldn't do surprise inspections, so their sudden appearance meant they had heard something or received a report, and they were here to investigate. It looked like trouble was coming!

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ps: This chapter is scheduled to be released, and Lao Qu is almost in Tumen. This is the last public chapter of the book, and then it will be on sale. Publishing a book on sale is necessary, and I hope everyone can continue to support Lao Qu. Thank you!

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