Li Xiangdong said, "Big Sister Sun, you know I'll fully support your work."
Big Sister Sun smiled happily. "As long as you understand my work, that's enough. The two one-inch photos you brought—one's for your work permit, and the other will be attached to the employee registration form."
"Once you're officially employed, your file will be transferred to our train station. This registration form will go with your file to the archives department for storage. But you don't need to worry about that—handling this is my job."
Big Sister Sun briefly explained a few things, then took an employee registration form from her desk drawer and handed him a pen.
"If you don't know how to fill it out, just ask me. This goes into your file, so you can't mess it up."
"Got it, Big Sister Sun. I'll ask you if I don't understand something."
Li Xiangdong glanced at the employee registration form in front of him. It was similar to the ones used in later years, mostly basic information.
"Brother Li, have some water."
A young man named Xiao Wang placed a tea mug next to him.
Li Xiangdong stood up and said, "Thanks, Comrade Xiao Wang."
"No need to be polite, Brother Li. Just keep filling out the form. I won't disturb you. If you need more water, just let me know."
Li Xiangdong smiled and nodded.
He couldn't help but think that, despite looking even younger and more delicate than Xiao Wang, the guy kept addressing him formally as "you" or calling him "Brother Li." This Comrade Xiao Wang has a bright future!
Sitting back down, Li Xiangdong sipped the hot water Xiao Wang poured and began filling out the form.
He paid extra attention to the section about marital status—it required careful thought!
He touched his face and sighed. Being handsome could sometimes be a burden...
Big Sister Sun took the completed form, checked it for errors, stamped it, and handed him a medical examination form. "The medical office is behind this building. I need to process your work permit, so I won't go with you. Can you find it on your own? If not, Xiao Wang can take you."
"I can find it. No need to trouble you or Comrade Xiao Wang."
"Brother Li, I don't have much to do right now. Why don't I take you there?" Xiao Wang said eagerly.
Ever since Li Xiangdong entered the office, Xiao Wang had been exceptionally enthusiastic. As an ordinary clerk, he rarely had the chance to interact with Section Chief Hou. Now that he had the opportunity to assist a relative of the chief, he was determined to make a good impression and catch the leader's attention.
"No, really, I'm fine. Thanks, Comrade Xiao Wang. I'll go by myself. I can't trouble you with everything."
Li Xiangdong noticed Xiao Wang's slight disappointment but politely declined their kindness. Dealing with these workplace veterans made him feel uneasy and exhausted.
As he stepped out of the building with the medical form, someone hurriedly rushed toward him, nearly colliding head-on.
"Damn! It's you?!"
Li Xiangdong dodged to the side and recognized his childhood friend, Azhe, who was sweating profusely and looked anxious. He quickly asked, "What's got you so flustered?"
Azhe wiped the sweat from his face, panting. "Dong… Dongzi… I…"
"Calm down, catch your breath first."
Li Xiangdong pulled Azhe to the side. Standing at the entrance wasn't ideal.
They walked to a flower bed near the building's entrance.
Azhe sat on the flower bed's steps, catching his breath. Slapping his thigh in frustration, he said, "Don't even ask. I came here to report for work, but I went to the wrong place earlier. I just ran over from the main train station building!"
Hearing this, Li Xiangdong's first thought was that Uncle Hou hadn't lied—there really are fools!
"You're a bit late, so what? Why the rush?"
"I was afraid if I showed up late, the clerks would give me a hard time. I gotta go—I need to handle my onboarding!"
Azhe stood up to leave, and Li Xiangdong quickly followed.
Smiling, he reassured him, "Don't worry. I'll go with you to report. No one's going to give you a hard time."
"Come on, Dongzi, don't brag. We've known each other since we were kids. Who do you think you're fooling? You've got that kind of pull?"
Azhe didn't believe him at all.
No matter the workplace, the staff in the personnel department were always full of themselves. They looked down on everyone unless you were a relative or the child of a leader. Otherwise, you wouldn't even get a smile.
"Don't believe me? Just follow me, and I'll show you something today!"
Li Xiangdong led the way confidently, with Azhe trailing behind, full of doubts. He wasn't sure if Li Xiangdong was joking.
But today was the last day to report for work, so whether Li Xiangdong was serious or not, Azhe had to face it head-on!
Li Xiangdong led Azhe straight to the personnel department's main office, familiar with the route.
No need to bother Section Chief Hou—regular onboarding procedures could be handled directly with the clerks.
"Dongzi, you finished the medical exam that fast?"
"Dongzi, you're quick!"
"Brother Li's back! Are you still thirsty? Want me to pour you another cup? I've got some jasmine tea—want to try it?"
"I haven't gone to the medical office yet. I ran into my friend downstairs. He's here to report too, so I brought him along."
"Thanks, Comrade Xiao Wang. I'd love to try your fine tea."
Azhe stared at Li Xiangdong in disbelief, watching his childhood friend casually chat with everyone in the office. His mind was spinning.
Why were the clerks in the train station's personnel department so different from what he expected?
So enthusiastic?
They even offered jasmine tea to new hires?
Li Xiangdong walked over and patted the dazed Azhe, pulling him to Big Sister Sun's desk.
"What're you spacing out for? Hurry up and give Big Sister Sun your introduction letter."
"Oh, Big Sister Sun, hello. Here's my introduction letter."
Azhe forced a smile and quickly placed the letter on the desk.
…
After leaving the office, Li Xiangdong and Azhe headed to the medical office together.
Azhe was now utterly convinced of Li Xiangdong's abilities!
He'd never seen or heard of new hires being treated to tea by the personnel department staff!
With a flattering expression, he asked, "Dongzi—no, I mean Brother Dong—be honest with me. Do you have a relative working at the train station? A leader, maybe? I'm counting on you from now on!"
"We're brothers—don't talk like that. You think I won't have your back?"
Li Xiangdong patted his chest confidently, acting like a big brother ready to solve any problem.
If he could handle the personnel department staff, dealing with a goofball like Azhe was no issue at all!
He patted Azhe's shoulder. "Didn't you say yesterday you weren't planning to report to the train station? What made you change your mind?"
"Ugh, don't remind me. After I sobered up last night, my dad talked to me. We both thought what you said made sense."
"But my mom only left an address back then, no phone number. My dad plans to write her a letter to ask about things, but who knows how long that'll take?"
"I figured I can't just sit at home doing nothing in the meantime, so I came to report. Plus, you said yesterday you were coming to work at the train station too. At least we can keep each other company."
As Azhe spoke, his expression grew somber.
"To be honest, Dongzi, if my mom could leave without a word back then, I wouldn't be surprised if she remarried. It's just that my dad's still holding onto some hope."
Li Xiangdong didn't know how to comfort Azhe after hearing this.
He couldn't exactly say, "You're right—your mom did remarry, and you've got a bunch of half-siblings out there!"