Because they needed to coordinate water and electricity connections, Jiang Si and Director Yang didn't go to the office early this morning, heading straight to the Foreign Affairs Building instead.
The two of them checked each floor one by one, noting down all the areas that required rectification.
When Minister Zhao arrived, they were in the top-floor conference room verifying these notes.
"So here you are! I was wondering why I couldn't find you anywhere after searching for ages!"
Hearing the excitement in Minister Zhao's voice, Jiang Si and Director Yang exchanged a glance, still somewhat puzzled. "Minister Zhao, what's happened?"
"Good news, fantastic news!"
"Sit, sit, everyone, have a seat and let's talk."
Though perplexed, Jiang Si and Director Yang obligingly sat down.
"Minister Zhao, what on earth is going on?" Director Yang, being impatient by nature, spoke up as soon as he was seated. "I have a pile of things to do; the people from the power bureau and the water company are supposed to come soon."
Minister Zhao didn't keep them in suspense. "Old Yang, you've been awarded the National Model Worker honor by the organization! Once you finish up your current tasks, hurry up and prepare yourself. Don't stutter when you give your speech on stage later..."
"Wait a minute," Director Yang interrupted, looking utterly astonished. "The person you just mentioned... is me?"
"Yes, it's you," Minister Zhao repeated. "If it weren't you, would I be running over here in this freezing weather?"
Now, Director Yang understood.
But this shouldn't be happening!
How did he, out of the blue, get selected as a National Model Worker?
Compared to Director Yang's shock, Jiang Si felt more surprise.
In her memory, the selection of National Model Workers had been interrupted for many years due to the political movements, only gradually resuming after 1977.
And now, it was still five years before 1977.
But upon second thought, she suddenly felt relieved.
While many familiar events and characters from the book existed here, there were significant differences in the details.
Take the site selection for this foreign-related hotel, for instance—such an incident never occurred in the future she knew.
Coming to her senses, Jiang Si was the first to congratulate Director Yang.
"Congratulations, Director Yang! This honor is truly well-deserved!"
Over the past year or more, Director Yang had been working on the front lines every single day.
Just coordinating meetings with various units, he had organized no fewer than a hundred sessions.
During the period when there was a mole, Director Yang ate and slept at the construction site.
Even now, with the project in the final inspection stage, he still stayed at the construction site every day until dark before leaving.
Jiang Si had witnessed all of this.
Yet Director Yang still couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "It shouldn't be me, Minister Zhao. Could the higher-ups have made a mistake? How could it possibly be me?"
"Why couldn't it be you? Old Yang, everyone knows how much you've put into this project."
Minister Zhao's tone was firm and decisive. "The call has already come through. The list is still being compiled, but the invitation and the official notification of commendation should be delivered to the unit within the next couple of days."
He paused, then added, "This honor is what you deserve."
Director Yang shook his head, his expression not as joyful as one might expect.
"If we're talking about dedication, Xiao Jiang has also given a great deal to this project."
"From the design phase to the start of construction, how many problems cropped up? Xiao Jiang solved them all. If anyone should receive an award, it should be her!"
"No, no, no!" As soon as Jiang Si opened her mouth to speak,
Minister Zhao smiled and looked over at her. "How do you know she hasn't?"
At these words, Jiang Si's eyes widened slightly, her reaction almost identical to Director Yang's moments before.
"How is that possible?"
Two National Model Workers from the same unit—was that possible?
In principle, of course, it wasn't!
Minister Zhao explained, "Xiao Jiang wasn't awarded National Model Worker. She has been honored by the organization with the title of National Advanced Worker!"
Both are the highest national-level labor honors, with recipients enjoying the same treatment, though the focus of the selection criteria differs.
National Model Workers are mostly selected from frontline production workers.
Whereas Advanced Workers emphasize technological innovation and serving the country through knowledge.
Regardless, their Construction Engineering Ministry had produced two national-level role models at once—just this point alone put them far ahead of other units, who couldn't catch up even if they tried.
Since receiving the call that morning, Minister Zhao hadn't stopped smiling.
With such a joyous event happening in the unit, naturally, it called for a celebration.
Before leaving the office, he had already notified the logistics department to hold a celebration banquet for them on Saturday afternoon. However, as he said this, a trace of reluctance appeared on Minister Zhao's face.
This celebration banquet wasn't just to honor their achievements; it also served as a farewell for Jiang Si.
Once the Foreign Affairs Building passed final inspection, her work here would officially conclude.
Driven by his appreciation for talent, Minister Zhao once again urged Jiang Si to stay.
"Xiao Jiang, I truly hope you can remain with the Construction Engineering Ministry. Please, think it over carefully."
"Thank you, Minister Zhao."
Jiang Si was deeply grateful for the help and guidance everyone had given her over the past year and a half.
But she had other important matters to attend to and could only politely decline his kind offer.
"Minister Zhao, I really do have other commitments and simply can't spare the time. I'm sorry."
Seeing her mind was made up, Minister Zhao didn't press further.
Before leaving, he specifically instructed, "Later, both of you should go to the finance office to collect your rewards."
As the highest national honors, besides the medal and certificate awarded on the day of the ceremony, the material rewards were also substantial.
When Jiang Si went to the unit to collect her items in the afternoon, she was taken aback.
"All of these are for me?"
Section Chief Peng from the Finance Department smiled and nodded. "The watch, bicycle, and sewing machine are rewards given for commendations at the central government level. The enamel mug, towels, fountain pen... these are from the unit."
Furthermore, being recognized as a Model Worker or Advanced Worker meant a permanent 15% increase in monthly salary.
They would also receive priority in housing allocation, with the allocated apartment being 20 square meters larger than before.
However, since Jiang Si wasn't a formal employee of the Construction Engineering Ministry, she couldn't benefit from the latter two perks. These were instead converted into a monetary bonus.
Section Chief Peng handed Jiang Si a thick envelope. "The total for these two items combined is 1,500 yuan."
It was somewhat less, but this was the highest reward they could offer within policy guidelines.
Jiang Si didn't dwell on it; receiving this honor had already far exceeded her expectations.
Originally, she had planned to wait until the official notification arrived before telling her family about the award.
But with so many items received at once, keeping it a secret was now impossible.
So, that evening, when Huo Tingzhou drove to pick her up from work, Jiang Si explained exactly how she had come by all these things.
Unexpectedly, Huo Tingzhou said, "I know."
Jiang Si's hands, which were fastening her seatbelt, paused. She looked up in surprise. "You actually knew?"
