Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 409 The Train Station of That Era (Welcoming Chapter 45)

Chen Hui stood up to pour water, smiling as he said, "That's both right and wrong. Who are the common people? We're all common people. People live on different levels. Like you, if we hadn't come together to do business, you might never have seen these things in your life; they wouldn't exist in your world. What could ordinary people possibly have that would make these people above them care about? If someone can be easily targeted, they can't be considered an ordinary person, young comrade."

Xiao Wei thought about it and realized that was indeed the case; no one cared about how many steamed buns someone else had made.

Xia Maosheng handed his teacup to Chen Hui and said to Xiao Wei, "You don't need to think about these things. Just remember, as long as we do business honestly, we have nothing to fear. We just need to find a way to make money and get the business going."

Chen Hui refilled Xia Maosheng's water bottle, then refilled Xiao Wei's, and said, "Old Xia, aren't we now requiring civil servants to withdraw their shares from companies? Can you hold on?"

Xia Maosheng nodded and said, "There's a document stating that all public officials, whether they or their family members or immediate relatives, are engaged in business or hold shares in a company, must report it and shut down or withdraw their shares within a specified period." He said to Xiaowei, "You understand what 'holding shares' means, right? But how to put it? Nobody will actually report or withdraw their shares. There's always a way around the rules. Why would you spit out the fat that's already in your mouth? Who has their name printed on their forehead saying which company I'm working for, or what business I'm involved in? Nobody will really investigate unless you're unlucky enough to get into trouble, then they'll settle all the old and new scores together."

Chen Hui said, "I've applied for a leave of absence without pay. I need to maintain my husband's purity, and what I'm doing has nothing to do with the power industry. You should think about it. It's better to be safe than sorry." In the late 80s and early 90s, in order to encourage business and reduce the growing number of public servants, the government implemented a leave of absence without pay policy to allow people with ideas to go into business with peace of mind.

Xia Maosheng said, "It's alright. When we were doing this, there wasn't such a policy yet. This whole thing is just bizarre. The definition isn't even accurate. I guess it'll just fizzle out in the end. How can it be implemented? Can't family members do something? Don't relatives live? Is the state supporting them? If you take a leave of absence without pay, does that mean you're no longer your father or son? This is just to show the people an attitude."

Xiao Wei said, "You're at a higher level. I don't understand these things. Just handle it yourselves."

Chen Hui waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, it's nothing. What time is it?"

Xiao Wei glanced at his watch and said, "It's past eleven. What time should we go?"

Xia Maosheng stood up, shook his pants, straightened his clothes, and said, "I've noticed that time flies when we're talking and chatting. Before I know it, several hours have passed. Does that count as wasting time?"

Xiao Wei said, "It definitely doesn't count. This is ordinary people at the grassroots level learning about the current social situation and national policies."

Xiao Hong pushed open the door and poked her head in, saying, "I knew you'd be in this room. Are you coming or not? Li Na and Sister Jin are going to bed, it's so late." Xiao Wei stood up and put on his coat, saying, "Let's go, we have nothing to do here, let's go to the station and wait."

After packing their things, the group left the restaurant, retrieved their suitcases from the car, and walked to the main road to hail a taxi to the train station.

In Northeast China, the temperature difference between day and night is huge. Except for the three months around August, the temperature difference between night, especially midnight, and noon is at least ten degrees Celsius. Even if you go shirtless at noon, you need to wear a jacket at midnight.

A cool breeze was blowing, and the five of them waited for quite a while before a taxi finally arrived. Luckily, it was the middle of the night, and the five of them squeezed in. Chen Hui sat in the passenger seat, while Xiao Wei held Xiao Hong and Xia Maosheng and Geng Hui squeezed into the back.

Upon arriving at the station, the five people paid their fares and dragged their suitcases toward the waiting room.

"Railway guesthouse, railway guesthouse, state-run hotel, 24-hour hot water."

"State-run railway video halls, showing Hong Kong action blockbusters on a loop, with no time or number of screenings."

"The state-run railway canteen is open 20 hours a day, serving a variety of dishes from both the north and south, including stews, stir-fries, and deep-fries."

"Hey buddy, need a place to stay? Big room with a double bed, shower, 24-hour hot water, someone will wake you up to get on the bus."

"It's time to eat! Eat and drink your fill before getting on the bus. The food on the bus is really expensive. Eat and drink your fill before you get on the bus and then go to sleep."

"Car, car! From Anshan, Fushun, Xiangping, Beixi, get in and we're off!"

"Want to rest? What time is your train? It would be so comfortable to lie on the big bed with hot water for a while, and there are pretty girls around."

The area in front of the train station was bustling with activity. The sounds of loudspeakers, shouts, and cars filled the air. The high-rise lights illuminated the entire square as if it were daytime. Although the weather hadn't gotten quite warm yet, people waiting for their trains were already sleeping on makeshift beds on the ground, densely packed around the Tank Monument.

Groups of men and women soliciting customers for various private businesses roam the square, but they're not allowed to use loudspeakers here. Restaurants all claim their food is good, charging whatever they feel like. Hotels all say they're nearby, but if they take you to the edge of town, don't complain. And if a young woman does come along and tries to talk to you about something else, don't take it to heart.

Train stations in this era were the most chaotic places in all cities, mainly because they weren't under local jurisdiction, and the stations themselves couldn't manage them, or rather, didn't have the time or inclination. Thieves, swindlers, and honey traps—all sorts of shady characters gathered here to unleash their magic.

Xiao Wei and his five companions, pulling suitcases, surrounded Geng Hui as they walked towards the waiting room. Various touts kept approaching them, trying to strike up a conversation. However, these men and women were not usually targets for their schemes; they were afraid of trouble and couldn't pull off something like a honey trap.

The waiting room is in the very center of the station, next to the ticket office, and beyond the ticket office is the exit, which is packed with people.

Xiao Hong rarely rides trains; this is only her third time in her life. With wide eyes, she looks around at the bustling crowd, tightly holding Xiao Wei's hand, and exclaims from time to time, "Wow, there are so many people! Why aren't they sleeping? Is the food good here? Opening a hotel here would definitely be profitable!"

Chen Hui said with a smile, "I didn't realize Xiao Hong was such a chatterbox."

Xiao Hong said, "You're the chatterbox! I know that."

Several people entered the waiting room. In those days, the waiting room doors were wide open, with no security guards, no security checks, and no winding iron railings.

The waiting room was even more crowded. In those days, many people smoked in the waiting room, some slept there, others begged for money or food, people waiting for their trains or seeing others off, and there were also thieves and ticket scalpers. It was a chaotic and smoky place, littered with trash, fruit peels, and packaging everywhere. During the day, staff would clean it up every few hours, grumbling and cursing, but at night no one cared.

(End of this chapter)