Li Xiangdong thought it over and realized that Hou San seeking him out was actually a good thing. He no longer had to worry about how to maintain his connection with Hou Jianshe.
This little droopy triangle-eyed guy…
No, scratch that—Hou San was now his brother, blood-related or not!
The Li family had been coal miners for three generations, a title that sounded unlucky. Starting with himself, Li Xiangdong was determined to make the Li family a three-generation railway family, just like the Hou family!
He glanced at Azhe. "You think you know all my relatives?"
Without waiting for a response from his clueless friend, Li Xiangdong walked over to Big Sister Sun's desk.
"Big Sister Sun, here's my medical report."
"Here's mine, Big Sister Sun."
Azhe hurriedly placed his medical report on the desk as well.
"Mm, the medical reports look fine."
After checking them, Big Sister Sun handed them their work permits.
"Don't lose your work permit. You can replace it if you do, but there's a fee for that."
"Got it, Big Sister Sun."
"Don't worry, we'll be careful."
Li Xiangdong and Azhe took their work permits, glanced at them, and tucked them into their pockets.
Big Sister Sun stood up. "Good, just make sure you keep them safe. With these permits, you're officially part of our station. Let me tell you about your salary and benefits."
"We pay salaries and benefits at the beginning of the month. Since you both just reported today, make sure to stop by the finance department later to pick up this month's salary."
"It's the 11th today, so you'll get a full month's salary. If you'd come after the 15th, you'd only get half."
Hearing they could collect a full month's salary right after reporting, Li Xiangdong and Azhe couldn't hide their grins.
They'd hit the jackpot! Li Xiangdong, especially, was strapped for cash—this was like a timely rain!
Big Sister Sun interrupted their excitement. "Don't get too happy yet. You're still in your probation period, so the pay isn't much."
"During the first year of probation, the salary is 18 yuan a month. The second year, it's 23 yuan, and the third year, it's 27 yuan. After probation, there's an evaluation for permanent status. Once you're permanent, you start at Grade 1 with a salary of 33 yuan a month. If you want raises after that, you'll need to work hard to climb the ranks."
"But you'll get all the standard benefits: position allowances, efficiency bonuses, production bonuses, and trip bonuses. The station also provides work uniforms and labor protection supplies. Hou San will take you to the logistics warehouse to pick those up later, so I won't go into that."
Big Sister Sun took a sip from her water cup, cleared her throat, and continued, "Hou San grew up around our station. If you have any questions, you can ask him. Oh, why am I even telling you this?"
"Dongzi, you and Hou San are relatives. He'll definitely let you know what to watch out for. Off you go, and Dongzi, come chat with your Big Sister when you've got some free time."
Li Xiangdong grinned. "Got it, Big Sister Sun. You take care."
"Take care, Brother Li."
"See you, Comrade Xiao Wang."
As Li Xiangdong and Azhe left the office, they spotted Hou San squatting at the staircase in the hallway, holding a cigarette and flicking ash into an empty cigarette pack.
Seeing them come out, Hou San tossed the cigarette butt into the pack, crushed it with his hand, crumpled it into a ball, and stuffed it into his pocket.
"What're you two staring at? You can't just toss cigarette butts in the hallway. And you, comrade, wait here for a bit. I need to talk to Li Xiangdong alone for a moment."
At the staircase corner, Hou San spoke first. "I'm Hou Quan, third in the family, but everyone calls me Hou San. You've probably guessed who my dad is, right?"
Li Xiangdong nodded and asked, "You pulled me aside for something specific?"
"Nah, I just wanted to know how you managed to fool everyone into thinking you're our relative. They all bought it! That's hilarious—tell me how you did it."
Hou San's face was full of curiosity, paired with those droopy triangle eyes.
Good grief, Li Xiangdong nearly burst out laughing!
He shook his head, quickly distancing himself. "Hou San, don't slander me! I never said I was your relative. I don't know why they think that, but it's got nothing to do with me."
"You're no fun. Fine, I'll stop teasing you."
Hou San glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then leaned closer to Li Xiangdong. "Lower your head—I need to tell you something."
Li Xiangdong frowned. "What's that? Can't you just say it?"
"I don't want anyone overhearing. Come on, lower your head, and I'll whisper it."
Li Xiangdong cautiously leaned down, wary that Hou San might try something.
But Hou San was straightforward, whispering, "I know all about you. Deputy Director Zhang from the street office is my dad's old classmate. You got into the train station through that connection, right?"
Seeing Li Xiangdong's noncommittal expression, Hou San continued, "Don't deny it. My dad told me everything. You think I'm here for what? He called me earlier, said you were reporting today, and told me to show you around the station."
Hearing this, Li Xiangdong finally pieced together the full story and understood why Hou San hadn't called him out earlier.
Hou Jianshe and his son both considered him one of their own. If the train station had factions, he was in the Hou family's camp.
No wonder Hou Jianshe's attitude had shifted the moment he saw Li Xiangdong's introduction letter that morning!
Since Hou San had laid it all out, Li Xiangdong didn't hold back either. "You're right—I did get in through Deputy Director Zhang. By your logic, we're on the same side."
Hou San shrugged. "If we weren't on the same side, would I let you pass as our relative? And would I be here showing you around? You think I've got nothing better to do?"
Li Xiangdong, seeing Hou San still hung up on the topic, snapped in frustration, "I never told anyone I was your relative!"
Posing as a leader's relative wasn't something to brag about, and Li Xiangdong would never admit to it.
It was purely a misunderstanding!
"Alright, alright, I believe you, okay?"
Hou San rubbed his nose, a bit embarrassed, and asked, "Got a cigarette?"
Another one asking for a smoke…
Li Xiangdong fumed, "I don't freaking smoke!"
Did they think he was a cigarette dispenser? Every Hou seemed to come to him for a smoke!