Chapter 31: Very Large

The office was a hive of activity.

Deputy Director Wang had issued several consecutive orders. His voice was slightly hoarse as he picked up an enamel mug to take a sip of tea.

Catching a glimpse of Li Aiguo out of the corner of his eye, he realized he had actually forgotten about the great hero.

A fellow bureau leader noticed this as well.

Smiling, he said, "Director Wang, Comrade Li Aiguo has achieved such great merit. Shouldn't our bureau show some form of recognition?"

Deputy Director Wang pinched the bridge of his nose. "According to Engineer Dong's calculations, these sandbags could save countless lives of railway workers and prevent the loss of tens of thousands of tons of supplies."

"Furthermore, if the sandbags prove effective, they can be promoted nationwide. Our general section will certainly receive commendation from the ministries."

"We really can't afford to give out a common reward."

The bureau leader's eyes shifted, and he lowered his voice. "An outstanding Party member? An advanced worker? A model laborer?"

Deputy Director Wang pondered for a moment and nodded. "Those three titles are the most appropriate. We'll also have to see what the ministries' attitude is."

"There's no rush for that. We need to wait for the official use of the sandbags. Once there are results, it won't be too late to convene a meeting to discuss it."

"I heard Comrade Li Aiguo's family is facing difficulties. We could start with a material reward for him."

The bureau leader gave a bitter smile. "That is only right, but we cannot reward him with cash; it's too sensitive."

"To think a mere trainee train driver has achieved such merit..."

"What are you worried about? Are you worried that Comrade Li Aiguo is too outstanding and will attract trouble?" Deputy Director Wang looked up.

The bureau leader shook his head. "That's not it. I'm worried that if other sections hear about it, they'll come to snatch him away."

"Han the Baldy from the Harbin Engineering Maintenance Section has been recruiting heavily lately."

"A while ago, he set his sights on Zhang the Big Cart, and I had to give him a piece of my mind over the phone."

Deputy Director Wang slammed the table. "If Han the Baldy dares to reach out again, I'll chop his claws off."

After the two reached an agreement, Deputy Director Wang turned and walked toward Xing Liuzhu at the front locomotive depot.

"Old Xing, your locomotive depot has produced a fine talent."

Xing Liuzhu stood up and smiled. "Li Aiguo's father sacrificed himself to save a train. The son is following in his father's footsteps; a tiger father does not have a weak son."

"For a comrade with such a background—politically reliable and capable—we should boldly increase his responsibilities and provide rewards."

Seeing Deputy Director Wang speak so bluntly, Xing Liuzhu was slightly stunned. He asked hesitantly, "Director, is the thing Li Aiguo developed this time very significant?"

Deputy Director Wang: "Very significant!"

"How significant?"

"If Han the Baldy finds out, he will definitely come to snatch him."

Xing Liuzhu's heart jolted, and he nodded slowly. "I understand!"

His gaze became firm.

The matter he had been considering also reached a conclusion.

None of this had anything to do with Li Aiguo.

***

After verifying the blueprints with Engineer Dong, he returned to the courtyard in the dark.

Exhausted from a long day, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

In the early morning.

Li Aiguo was washing up in the middle courtyard.

Xu Daimao ran over from the back courtyard, leaned in close, and whispered

"Aiguo, how was the exam yesterday? Can you pass to become a driver?"

"It's not a big problem," Li Aiguo said, raising an eyebrow.

Xu Daimao immediately became excited. "The moment you get your driver's license, tell me immediately."

Li Aiguo: "What kind of scheme are you plotting now?"

"Heh, don't you worry about it. When the time comes, I'll let you watch a great show," Xu Daimao chuckled.

Li Aiguo rolled his eyes and ignored him.

After brushing his teeth, he prepared to head back to his room.

Xu Daimao looked left and right, then leaned in and whispered, "I heard from Yi Zhonghai that Shazhu is about to come out."

"Is that so?" Li Aiguo frowned.

Xu Daimao acted slyly. "It seems the Deaf Old Lady stepped in and found some old friends."

"Brother Daimao, could you please find out when Shazhu is coming out?"

Li Aiguo spat out the toothpaste foam, picked up his enamel mug, and turned toward the back courtyard.

Watching his retreating back, Xu Daimao scratched his head. "Hey, this kid actually ordered me around..."

He suddenly burst out laughing. "But, your old Daimao loves doing this kind of thing."

Although Xu Daimao didn't believe Li Aiguo could handle the Deaf Old Lady, there was always a chance.

Letting Shazhu take the blame alone and letting the rest of those beasts off was already a huge concession.

Now, these people actually wanted to drag Shazhu back out.

They were truly insatiable.

***

Li Aiguo was in a bit of a bad mood.

He couldn't be bothered to make a full breakfast, so he only made a bowl of cornmeal porridge and fried two eggs.

Just as he finished eating and was preparing to head out, Zhou Tiehu arrived in a frantic rush.

Pushing the door open, he rushed over and lifted Li Aiguo high in the air.

"Good lad! A perfect score on both! You've really brought honor to your father!"

Do all train drivers have a habit of lifting people up?

Heh.

That's actually a good habit.

There were many young girls in the train crew.

Li Aiguo smiled. "Uncle Zhou, how did you find out about this?"

"Ha! It's already spread all through our locomotive depot. In fact, Section Chief Xing called me over first thing this morning."

As if remembering something, Zhou Tiehu grabbed Li Aiguo's hand and started walking him out. "Come on, come on, Section Chief Xing is waiting for you in his office."

Since Li Aiguo didn't have a bicycle, he had to sit on the back seat of Zhou Tiehu's.

Both men were heavy; combined, they weighed nearly 350 jin. The bicycle's tires were just a bit flattened.

The goods of this era were truly durable.

They were the kind that could truly last three generations; even if you walked, they would still be there.

Unlike the products of later generations.

To maximize profits, manufacturers designed various means to ensure a lifespan for products.

Often, just as the warranty expired, the product would suddenly break, forcing you to buy a new one.

Muttering to himself, the two arrived at the locomotive depot.

It was currently working hours, and workers were constantly coming and going at the depot entrance.

The gatekeeper was checking IDs one by one.

Zhou Tiehu gave a greeting and rode the bicycle into the compound.

The Section Chief's office was on the second floor.

Zhou Tiehu led Li Aiguo to the office door.

He knocked lightly, and only after an authoritative voice came from inside did he push the door open and enter.

"Section Chief Xing, I've brought Comrade Li Aiguo."

"Old Zhou, thank you for the trouble." Xing Liuzhu gave a slight nod to Zhou Tiehu.

Knowing the two had things to discuss, Zhou Tiehu left early, citing work being busy.

Before leaving, he gave Li Aiguo a meaningful look, signaling him to perform well.

After Zhou Tiehu left, Li Aiguo turned, closed the door, and sat down casually across from Xing Liuzhu.

Xing Liuzhu looked Li Aiguo up and down and clicked his tongue. "If your father could see your achievements today, he would surely feel immensely gratified."

"Uncle Xing, speaking of which, I must thank you."

Li Aiguo spoke with sincere emotion. "After my father was injured, it was you who ran around to help my family apply for subsidies, and later organized the workers in the locomotive depot to donate to us."

"It could be said that without your help, it would have been very difficult for our family to survive those hard times."

Hearing this, Xing Liuzhu's expression was moved. "Old Li was an excellent train driver who sacrificed himself for the section. As the Section Chief, it was only right that I took care of his family. Unfortunately, due to limited resources, I did far from enough."

Unknowingly, Xing Liuzhu did not realize that the relationship between the two had grown much closer because of the events of those years.