Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire Chapter 667 - 650: Lu Tao Transferred Back to Beijing

At the beginning of December, Lu Tao was transferred back to the Forty-nine City. Due to his eloquence and background, he was promoted at the beginning of the year. However, upon transferring to the Forty-nine City, he had to start as an ordinary train attendant again. Lu Jiaguang had already talked to him about this in advance, and Lu Tao had no objections. If he stayed in his previous workplace, the most he could be after retirent was a station manager, but transferring to the Forty-nine City offered more room for advancent.

Lu Tao reported for duty on Friday. Due to the railway bureau’s unique work situation, he was given a day to settle in and then start work on Monday.

Second Sister-in-law Lu was thrilled to see him: "It’s thanks to your Big Uncle that you could transfer to the Forty-nine City this ti. I’ve already inford your Big Uncle and Big Aunt that we’ll invite them over for dinner this weekend."

Lu Tao of course had no objections: "Mom, I’ll go to Big Uncle’s house later."

Today is Friday and Lu Jiaguang and Wang Xiaojie are working; he’ll go to thank them after they finish work. Although his parents were inviting his Big Uncle’s family for dinner on Sunday to express their gratitude, he couldn’t be so rough around the edges and needed to thank them personally.

After nodding, Second Sister-in-law Lu brought up his marital status: "I’ve already asked your Big Aunt to help look around. If there’s soone suitable, you should go et them. You’re no longer young, if you find soone you like, you should settle down quickly."

Lu Tao was also 23 years old this year. Most of his peers at work were fathers already. Certainly, it was mainly because he had a falling out with his previous partner; otherwise, he would have been preparing for marriage this year.

"Mom, for marriage, we should let things take their course!"

But Second Sister-in-law Lu was unwilling to let things take their course: "This place is far from your workplace; I plan to buy a house near your workplace. Decide whether you want a single-story or a multi-story house, though multi-story houses are hard to buy; you’ll have to wait."

Only a small portion of the housing reforms, and public housing can’t be sold, so buying a house on a limited budget is difficult.

Lu Tao was quite surprised and asked, "Mom, when you bought this courtyard, didn’t you say you were in quite a bit of debt?"

Second Sister-in-law Lu laughed and said: "Your second sister-in-law’s osmanthus and red date cakes are delicious, and the store has gained an additional source of inco. But Taozi, after buying you a house and finding you a wife, the store will have to be managed by your second brother and sister-in-law. Your dad and I won’t be able to help financially anymore."

The match Big Aunt set up for Taozi would surely be soone with a job. With a house arranged and both working, they will earn salaries every month. When they have children in the future, life should be quite comfortable. Of course, the store will be busier for the second brother and his wife; profits are theirs largely, as they will take care of it. They’ll only get a small portion each month to save for retirent.

Lu Tao said: "Mom, you’ve been tired for so many years; you and dad should rest well now."

He originally thought his parents were only preparing money for his marriage; he didn’t expect they’d also prepare money for a house. Compared to his peers, he’s far ahead.

Second Sister-in-law Lu was very pleased. Among her three sons, only the second liked to be lazy, while the eldest and youngest were both hard-working, filial children. However, the second son married well this ti and was now under control, joining in the busy work every day.

A little after three, Lu Tao carried two baskets of fruit and two bottles of wine to Shichahai. One basket of fruit was for Lu Hongjun and Lu Jiaguang’s family, and the wine was for Lu Jiaguang.

Lu Hongjun knew he was being transferred to the Forty-nine City but wasn’t sure which day. He was delighted when he saw him: "Taozi, are all the procedures done?"

Lu Tao smiled and nodded: "Everything is done; I can start work on Monday. Third Uncle, my parents want to invite Big Uncle’s family over for dinner on Sunday; you should co too!"

As people aged, they often feared missing out on lively gatherings; having been personally invited by Lu Tao, he would certainly attend. Lu Hongjun wouldn’t refuse: "Sure, I’ll call Xing Ziyang tomorrow and have him take over when the ti cos."

Upon hearing this, Lu Tao couldn’t help but ask about Lu Jiaxin: "Grandpa, is Aunt doing well over in Hong Kong?"

Lu Hongjun smiled and said: "Your aunt is living in a big house, driving a nice car, and has Ah Zhan to look after her, so we don’t need to worry. It’s you instead, who is already 23 years old and should consider marriage."

Lu Tao was sowhat helpless, wondering why all the elders were urging him to get married, and only hoped Big Aunt could swiftly find him a suitable match. If every holiday was spent like this, he’d be hesitant to return ho or visit relatives.

"Mom said she has already asked Big Aunt to help look around; if there’s soone suitable, then I’ll et them."

Seeing he wasn’t resistant, Lu Hongjun ntioned another matter: "Your Big Uncle spoke to about two young people at his workplace a few days ago, one with a college diploma and one with a vocational school diploma. The vocational school kid is more capable, but after a eting, they decided to promote the college student instead."

Lu Tao quickly grasped the situation: "If the vocational student’s capability significantly surpassed the college student’s, the vocational student should be the one promoted."

Without arguing this point, Lu Hongjun said: "Taozi, this is a signal that the country and workplaces now value education, and in the future, promotions will also consider educational qualifications. Your high school qualification is too low; you need to find a way to improve it."

Lu Tao was sowhat perplexed, realizing this ant he needed to study more.

Lu Hongjun advised him: "Taozi, you’re still young; you can certainly attend night school or attempt to apply to college. If you get into college and finish your studies, you’ll have more room for advancent upon returning to work."

Lu Tao dismissed the idea of college, knowing his limits, but biting the bullet to attend night school to obtain a diploma was doable. He said: "As a train attendant, I’m always on the move except during leave, so attending night school isn’t possible."

Lu Hongjun thought this wasn’t an issue: "First, continue your work on the railway, and when the opportunity arises to switch to a job based in the Forty-nine City, you can attend night school in the evenings. In the anti, keep studying."

After pausing, he added: "Lu Ping graduated with a diploma, and while working, he was also studying and preparing for graduate exams. After two years, he got into grad school and now is applying to study abroad. Once he returns from overseas, top hospitals in the Forty-nine City will be vying for him. If he hadn’t wanted to work hard, he’d be limited to being a district hospital director in his lifeti."

It was Jiaxin’s encouragent for sure, but it was also Lu Ping’s diligent study. According to the Big Aunt’s story, Lu Ping studied with the sa vigor as during college exams. Hard work leads to rewards, and now Lu Ping is in his season of harvest.

Since graduating, Lu Tao never wanted to study again, but Lu Hongjun’s points were compelling. After so consideration, he decided: "Grandpa, once night school starts, I’ll go."

He didn’t want his promotion to be impeded due to insufficient educational qualifications. If there’s no room for advancent, earning one or two hundred yuan per month seems pointless.

"Alright, I’ll look into it for you."

Lu Tao then asked about Du Ai: "Grandpa, when is Brother Ping going to Arica?"

Lu Hongjun replied: "His sester starts next month, and he plans to go at the beginning of the month. Your aunt said when Pingping goes to Hong Kong, she’ll arrange for soone to escort him to school."

Mostly, Lu Tao wasn’t going overseas on public funds; public scholars generally go together. Lu Ping is self-funded and has never been abroad, so Lu Jiaxin wants to have her secretary accompany him.

Lu Tao was quite envious, as he hadn’t even been to Hong Kong, while Brother Ping was going to Arica.