Chapter 27: Boarding the Carriage

Liu Chunhua and Liu Erfeng’s faces dimmed upon hearing the score.

"Erfeng, don't worry too much. You'll definitely outshine her in the written exam."

"It's your turn. Give it your best!"

Hearing his number called, Liu Erfeng tightened his collar and strode out of the line. As he passed Li Aiguo, he couldn't help but cast a provocative glance at him.

This left Li Aiguo baffled. He had assumed Liu Erfeng targeted him only because he felt threatened by Li's superior academic performance. But the resentment in Liu Erfeng’s eyes was so intense it looked as if Li had stolen his wife or killed his father. There must be more to the story, but the original owner’s memories seemed to have gaps from the time he was unconscious. Li Aiguo couldn't recall anything at the moment.

Forget it. Not worth the trouble. It’s just a matter of two steamed buns; I can afford that. Li Aiguo gestured toward Zhang Dahua.

"Thwack!"

A slap landed on the back of Liu Erfeng’s head. He looked up, aggrieved, and glared at Zhang Dahua: "Zhang Dahua, what are you doing?"

"Nothing, just don't like your face," Zhang Dahua said slowly, withdrawing her hand and signaling a 'two' to Li Aiguo. Their blatant interaction left Liu Erfeng wanting to cry. If it were anyone else, he would have thrown a punch, but he truly couldn't beat Zhang Dahua. Gritting his teeth, he climbed onto the locomotive.

Liu Erfeng’s performance was far inferior to Zhang Dahua’s, scoring only eighty points on the practical exam. Even so, it was already among the best of all the candidates.

"Li Aiguo, it's your turn."

Li Aiguo was tenth in line. After handing his ID tag to the examiner, he didn't climb into the cab immediately. Instead, he crouched under the front of the locomotive to inspect the axle brasses. This was known as "feeling the axle," a technique used to prevent overheating accidents.

Seeing Li Aiguo crawl under the locomotive, the two examiners' eyes lit up. "Feeling the axle" wasn't a standard part of the practical requirements; it was the kind of experience only veteran drivers possessed. This single step was enough to show that the candidate had put in significant effort. It was a pity there was no extra credit for it, but the two decided to make it up in other areas.

They followed Li Aiguo into the cab. Just as they were about to announce the start of the exam, Li Aiguo had vanished. Looking over, they saw him scurrying into the boiler room, checking the water gauge. If the water level in the boiler shell was insufficient and the lead plug dried out, it would melt, causing a "leaking lead plug" accident. This was considered a "bonus" item; if the kid didn't operate perfectly later, they could deduct fewer points.

No sooner had they noted the bonus than they saw Li Aiguo climb onto the top of the engine to inspect the air pump. The two exchanged glances and silently added more bonus points. Then came the oil pump, the fuel tank, the water pump, the motor... Li Aiguo inspected everything. The examiners concluded that while they weren't sure if he could drive the train, they were certain that if he did, it would be very safe.

After checking over a dozen items, he still wasn't finished. When Li Aiguo crawled under the train again to inspect the air pump, the two examiners looked at the long line waiting behind him and could no longer hold back.

"Comrade, rest assured. Because we were worried about the candidates' skill levels and their ability to brake, our section has replaced the air pump, brake pipes, brake cylinders, and brake shoes with new ones. We guarantee there won't be any issues."

Li Aiguo crawled out, scratching his head in embarrassment: "I’m just the type who puts safety first. Don't mind me."

"It's good to be safety-conscious. As train drivers, that's exactly what we should prioritize." The examiners were speechless.

Liu Chunhua, who had been watching from the sidelines, intentionally spoke up loudly: "Some candidates lack the skills, so they prefer to put on a show in other areas. People like this should have their qualifications revoked to avoid wasting everyone's time."

When these words were spoken, even the team leaders from other sections found it distasteful. It was rare to see a team leader who, instead of supporting their own candidates, would actively drag them down.

Li Aiguo stood up and signaled to Zhang Dahua: two steamed buns to deal with that woman. Zhang Dahua turned her head away in silence.

*So, this tomboy isn't as simple as she acts,* Li Aiguo thought. *Alright, Liu Chunhua, is it? We’ll settle this score later.*

After mentally marking a cross next to Liu Chunhua's name in his head, Li Aiguo officially boarded the train. Unlike the bright, clean, and harmonious high-tech cabs of the future, the cab of the 81-locomotive was defined by the color gray. The coal shoveled into the furnace, the soot mixed with the vast amounts of steam, and the dust drifting in from the window cracks had, over time, rendered everything in the cab gray.

The space was cramped—a mere four or five square meters filled with various gauges and control levers. In the center sat a massive furnace, and the drivers' seats on either side were welded from steel pipes, unpainted and exuding a rugged industrial style. The striking red-painted valves, paired with the roaring flames in the furnace, filled one with a spirit of dedication. It was in this humble environment that countless train drivers contributed their youth and sweat to the nation's construction.

As Li Aiguo entered the cab, he was filled with respect for his predecessors, until he was startled by a weary voice.

"Kid, hurry up. You've already used up two people's worth of exam time. I have a shift tonight, and I was hoping to get off early to rest..." The middle-aged driver sitting in the co-pilot seat, wearing an oil-stained cap, looked helpless.

"Ha, sorry to waste your time, Uncle. Have one."

The driver looked at the cigarette, then up at Li Aiguo, and smiled: "Not bad. I've seen many trainees, but you're the first one brave enough to offer me a cigarette to my face."

The old rule of passing out cigarettes was to leave no one out. Li Aiguo pulled another pack from his pocket and offered them to the two examiners and the two firemen. The young examiners looked at the cigarettes, stunned.

"If he gives them to you, just take them. It’s the kid’s gesture. Besides, what kind of driver doesn't smoke!" The middle-aged driver waved at them, and the two young examiners took them with awkward smiles.

"Uncle, you're right. That's how my dad taught me back in the day."

"Oh, so you're a railway brat."

The middle-aged man struck a match, lit his cigarette, took a satisfying drag, and squinted. "I was dying for that. You wouldn't believe it—those other kids get on the train, quiet as little lambs, not a single one dares to offer a cigarette."

*Hiss... puff...* He exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. "Kid, I like you."

Li Aiguo pulled out a cigarette, struck a match, and began checking the dashboard with the cigarette dangling from his lips. "Uncle, those youngsters are just ignorant. They didn't know to offer you a smoke. What about your own?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

The driver fell silent for a moment, his mouth twitching: "My wife won't let me smoke. Says it's a waste of money."

"..."

The driver looked at Li Aiguo calmly: "I think I should take back what I just said. Kid, during the exam, I’ll be keeping a very close eye on you!"