Chapter 232: An Old Steed Still Aspires to Gallop a Thousand Miles
After the crowd dispersed, Su He packed more than a dozen packets of instant noodles into a mesh bag, including both flavors.
Director Tian was puzzled. “Little Su, what are you planning to do?”
“We used quite a bit of hot water from the train. I’m going to show some appreciation.”
Before Director Tian could say anything, Su He had already walked off with the bag.
Director Tian’s eyes rolled for quite a while, but he still couldn’t figure out her real intention.
This girl never acts without benefit—there’s no way she’s just expressing thanks. What exactly is she up to?
At this moment, Su He had already wandered over to the office of the train conductor, Huo Mingzhi.
She first brought up Yue Zhongcheng, and very quickly, “Conductor Huo” turned into “Uncle Huo.”
After some small talk, she finally said:
“Uncle Huo, these are instant noodles produced by our An County Food Factory—mushroom chicken stew and scallion bone broth flavors.
I just asked the attendants for quite a lot of hot water, and I felt a bit embarrassed. So I’d like you to help distribute these to the staff to try.”
Huo Mingzhi smiled. “The attendants already told me about it—it’s normal for passengers to use hot water. There’s no need for this, just take them back.”
Su He insisted a few more times, but Huo Mingzhi still refused.
She blinked, rubbed her hands, and said:
“Uncle Huo, actually… I have something I want to ask of you, but I felt embarrassed to bring it up.”
Huo Mingzhi smiled. “Go ahead. Though I may not have the ability to help much.”
He thought to himself—this girl really has no sense of distance!
We barely know each other, and you’re already asking for help?
“Then I’ll speak frankly.
The instant noodles from our An County Food Factory are excellent in both quality and taste, so logically, we wouldn’t worry about sales.
But our country is still facing difficulties and urgently needs foreign exchange to purchase equipment and materials. So we want our ‘He’ brand instant noodles to go abroad and earn foreign currency for the nation.
Foreign guests often ride in the soft sleeper cars of this train. So I hope you can help promote our noodles.
You don’t need to do anything special—just occasionally prepare a few packs as work meals. When they smell the aroma, they’ll naturally ask about it.
At that time, you can simply introduce it to them.
Of course, what I brought today isn’t enough. Going forward, our factory will provide your train crew with two boxes of instant noodles every month, free of charge.
I know this request is a bit abrupt, but we truly want to earn foreign exchange for the country and contribute to the Four Modernizations. That’s why I’ve come to you—could you help us with this?”
Huo Mingzhi was stunned.
He had thought Su He wanted help with something personal, like changing berths. Never did he expect such words from her.
This young girl, not even twenty, yet she has such vision and ambition?
Truly admirable!
People of this era were filled with patriotic passion. Being able to contribute to earning foreign exchange was naturally something they wouldn’t refuse.
Moreover, the two free boxes of noodles were also a benefit for the train crew.
So after only a brief pause, he smiled.
“Little Su, it’s rare to see someone your age with such awareness. I agree to this.”
Su He looked excited. “Thank you, Uncle Huo! If we succeed in earning foreign exchange, I’ll definitely send you a banner of appreciation and a commendation letter!”
Huo Mingzhi laughed. “No need for thanks—we’re all working for the same goal. If you need anything else, feel free to ask.”
“Since you say that, I won’t stand on ceremony.
Besides instant noodles, An County also has hair accessories, straw crafts, and small agricultural machinery. I’ll send you some samples later.
The machinery is too big, but I can bring small models…”
Huo Mingzhi: “……”
He had only meant to be polite—who knew she would actually take advantage of it!
Still, he couldn’t refuse and had to agree.
He thought to himself—this Su He is truly sparing no effort to promote An County’s products!
Even the county leaders might not be this dedicated!
An County is really fortunate to have such a comrade!
After a few more polite words, Su He strolled back to the sleeper carriage.
Since many people had tasted her instant noodles earlier, by the time she walked back, her mesh bag was full again.
Boiled eggs, peanuts, buns, peaches, cucumbers…
Director Tian looked at her carrying the bag and felt speechless.
If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you just came back from begging!
Since Shen Ruyi and the others hadn’t returned yet, Su He spoke freely and told them everything about meeting Huo Mingzhi.
After finishing, she asked, “Director, I agreed to provide the train crew with two boxes of instant noodles every month without discussing it with you first. You don’t have any objections, right?”
Director Tian didn’t respond for a long time, his eyes wide.
He felt a bit shaken.
When Su He gave noodles to passengers earlier, he could at least convince himself that if he thought hard enough, he might come up with it too.
But this foreign guest strategy—he wouldn’t have thought of it even in his dreams.
The Yangtze River’s waves push the previous ones forward—people can’t refuse to grow old.
For a moment, he felt like a hero in his twilight years.
After a while, he said:
“Little Su, you’re underestimating me. If you want to catch big fish, you have to be willing to throw out bait. Forget two boxes a month—even ten would be fine.”
Su He gave a thumbs-up. “I knew you’d agree! Being able to work under such a visionary and decisive leader like you is truly my fortune over three lifetimes…”
Director Tian had been feeling a bit deflated, but after hearing her flattery, he immediately perked up again!
An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles;
A hero in his later years still harbors great ambition.
Even if he, Tian Jide, was getting older, he could still escort the “crown prince” forward!
After a while, Shen Ruyi and the others returned.
On the left side, the upper, middle, and lower berths were Shen Ruyi, Luo Xiaoling, and Principal Chen.
On the right side, they were Su He, Qi Yuansheng, and Director Tian.
As soon as Shen Ruyi and the others climbed onto their berths, Su He took out a pair of scissors and a sharpening stone from her travel bag and began sharpening them.
As she sharpened, she muttered:
“This scissors is too dull—probably need to stab a few times before it goes in. Better sharpen it properly. Might need it later!”
“Oh my, why did it slip?!
If it accidentally stabs someone, that wouldn’t be good!
If it hits the eyes, they’ll go blind. If it hits the face, they’ll be disfigured. If it hits the body, it’ll leave a big bloody hole…”
