Chapter 3, Finalizing the Direction

With a slap on his thigh, he winced in pain and said, "Exactly, how could I forget? We must not let it go to the newspapers under their control, or that would be a loss."

The young teacher in charge of student affairs beside him was also filled with emotion, saying: "Director Liu, you have truly found a treasure. Our Chinese Department's Su Cheng is a well-known prodigy in the entire school. The department even encouraged him to stay on faculty."

The entire room was filled with the old man's singing voice.

Currently, he enjoys the treatment of a patient, with his roommates bringing meals for him at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Surrounding him are thick stacks of pure literary magazines and foreign novels. By the standards of the 1980s, just the nearly one hundred copies of "Harvest," "Flower City," and "Contemporary" would be considered luxurious.

Su Cheng, feeling a bit restless, jumped out of bed and was just about to go out when the door opened first

Su Cheng smiled with sincerity

Su Kai listened to their discussion with a beaming smile, remaining silent. Reflecting on a few days ago, when the same roommates were job hunting, how could they have such blissful troubles

University students in this era are quite strategic and plan-oriented. Wang Ting insists on running at 5:30 in the morning and visits the library three times a day, maintaining this routine for several years.

The official in the white shirt from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs chuckled and said, "Old Liu, among us several ministries, who isn't like this? This student, establishing connections for work is a lifelong endeavor, so don't rush. Take some time to think it over..."

In this era, there are many young individuals who dedicate themselves to idealism, resembling the scholars of ancient times who sought fame and recognition. While receiving the utmost protection and care from the state, they also devote themselves wholeheartedly to the nation

The next morning, when Su Cheng woke up, the dormitory was already empty.

At noon, Liuzi insisted on writing his first journalistic article after returning home, while Su Cheng accompanied Zhu Kai to revisit the campus with an artistic heart. After dinner, they began to feel bored and fell into a deep sleep

What idealistic youth! The old man immediately believed it

"I have made my decision; I will go to the Ministry of Petroleum," Su Cheng replied firmly. He was not truly the talented scholar of Su University; his only skill was what he had learned at the petroleum school, which was straightforward and clear, adhering to the principle of preferring to be a leader among chickens rather than a follower among phoenixes.

At this moment, he no longer considered the issue of publicity and eagerly said to Su Cheng: "Don't mind him, let me first talk about the benefits in our Ministry of Petroleum. As a university student, you will have housing upon reporting, with a guarantee of a two-bedroom apartment within the year. Once you get married, you can apply for a three-bedroom apartment, which is among the best in all ministries in Beijing. The cafeteria provides ample meals, with meat at every meal, and you can have as much rice and noodles as you want without needing food stamps. My spouse and I eat at the ministry cafeteria during the day and at the family cafeteria in the evening, saving us the trouble of cooking while enjoying good food and saving money. Last year during the Spring Festival, we received a large mackerel and a big pig leg, which made everyone on the bus drool. In our Ministry of Petroleum, you can contribute to the construction of the motherland while also taking care of your family, how wonderful is that? Furthermore, if you have any issues in the future, just come to me, Old Liu, and we can also speak on your behalf to the minister."

"Are you willing to come to the Ministry of Petroleum?" The old man was taken aback, and it took him a moment to regain his composure. He repeatedly said, "Comrade Su Cheng, welcome, welcome! We warmly welcome you to contribute to the construction of our motherland..."

Two rows of over twenty tables, yet only three pairs of people are currently using them. The exchanges are quite intense, and it must be said fairly that the skill level is also quite impressive

The old man patted Su Cheng heavily on the shoulder and said, "Being an oil worker is the proudest thing in my life, Liu Bing. When an oil worker roars, the Earth trembles. We strive for national glory and pride, willing to sacrifice 20 years of our lives if necessary, to secure the major oil fields with all our might"

The old man expressed his profound gratitude, urging that the preliminary procedures be completed. Before leaving, he held Su Cheng's hand tightly, shaking it repeatedly, and said: "Come to the Ministry of Petroleum, becoming a person in the oil industry will not be a mistake"

Upon hearing the words "State Council," Liu Bing also displayed a look of surprise. Compared to the Prime Minister's office, their soon-to-be-dismantled Ministry of Economy can indeed be considered grassroots.

"May I ask, are you from Su City?" A man resembling a cadre, holding a black leather bag, stood at the porch. He seemed not to require confirmation, and after a brief pause, continued: "I am Secretary Xiao Xu, the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. Secretary Su has a message for you that I am to convey."

Liu Zi looked at Su Cheng with surprise and admiration, saying: "Youngest, I didn't expect you to give up your job at the State Council just to go to the grassroots level. This won't do; I must write an article to report on you."

Who can say such things? It is better to be cautious than to take risks. If the Ministry of Petroleum were to become a state-owned enterprise, then its affiliated newspapers would essentially become corporate newspapers

Su City is in a state of surprise, as the diplomat in a white shirt asks with profound meaning: "How is your foreign language proficiency, student?"

It shouldn't be the case, should it

Not to mention the headquarters of China National Petroleum Corporation, even finding a way to work as a blue-collar worker in the grassroots oil fields is a challenge, leaving one to sigh in despair at the door.

The actions that disregard reality and are naive and childish were as commonplace as a pulse on the land of China in 1987

Liu Bingxiao revealed a set of large yellow teeth, nodding repeatedly as he said: "The spirit of being diligent and hardworking is exactly what our Ministry of Petroleum needs the most. I encourage you to report this; when you return to the ministry, we will also need to report it."

Su Cheng smiled shyly and said, "I greatly admire the spirit of our Wang Jinxie and the Iron Man of the library. I hope to become a petroleum worker. I aspire to work in the Ministry of Petroleum"

However, Su Cheng truly lacked interest in literature. He casually flipped through a few pages, then sat on the bed, staring blankly at the ping pong table downstairs.

We should clarify the positions.

"Old Tang, you cannot do this!" Liu Bing jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, positioning himself in front of Su Cheng, and said, "This person, we have already claimed. Teacher Wang, could you please register this?"

The man, with a wooden expression, stated plainly: "Secretary Su said to wait patiently for the allocation, no need to rush."

The poor old man, perhaps having endured neglect for too long, was unexpectedly excited and gestured animatedly upon encountering an enthusiastic student

Su Cheng was once a diligent and carefree good student, until he suffered from heatstroke above his knee

Su Cheng hesitated and let out a soft "mm"

On the way back, Zhu Kai from Northeast China said enviously, "Su Cheng, you gave up the State Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and were able to make the decision to go to the Ministry of Petroleum. That is truly impressive; I just don't have that kind of courage."