Chapter 115: Need a Translation

It wasn't until now that Lin Qingyan finally saw reality clearly.

Not everyone has the courage to approach her, and certainly not everyone would, like Lu Cheng, dare to marry her without a second thought.

At least after her father's incident, Qin Shou immediately cut ties with her.

"Lu Cheng, thank you."

Lu Cheng tossed the envelope straight into the furnace; that letter must not get out, otherwise it would only cause Lin Qingyan trouble.

"What are you thanking me for? I can't help with your parents' affairs either."

Lin Qingyan shook her head slightly: "It's not because of that. The fact that you married me, found me a job, and let me stay peacefully in the Capital City—that's already a tremendous favor."

Lu Cheng stepped forward, reached out and brushed the strands of hair from Lin Qingyan's forehead to her ear: "The New Year is coming; you must be missing your parents, right?"

Lin Qingyan pressed her lips tightly, her eyes reddening: "Hmm, I've been thinking constantly, just wanting to know whether they're dead or alive, whether they're doing well!"

Lu Cheng patted her head, unsure what comforting words to say.

This beautiful girl is stubborn and proud, yet also sensitive and fragile.

He could only change the subject, squatting and rummaging under the bed.

"By the way, Qing Yanjie, in a little while the Shichahai Ice Rink will be ready. When that time comes, let's go skating, bring my sister along… Hey, where are my skates? I found them, right here."

Lu Cheng pulled out the skates wrapped in a torn newspaper and ran his hand over the blade a couple of times.

"They're not sharp enough; I need to find someone at the Shichahai entrance to sharpen them. Qing Yanjie, where are your skates?"

"They're in that courtyard over there."

"Alright, we'll go together then; it'll be a way to relax."

Lin Qingyan hesitated: "Actually, maybe we shouldn't go."

"Don't mind, it's less fun without you. This is the only time of the year we can skate. Your skill is a highlight on the rink; watching you skate is a pleasure. You have to go, otherwise I lose my enthusiasm."

Lu Cheng remembered clearly that every winter he would go skating at Shichahai with a few good buddies, and sometimes they'd run into his sister and Lin Qingyan together.

Whenever Lin Qingyan stepped onto the rink, her graceful posture was like a celestial maiden descending, undeniably the most striking.

But Lin Qingyan didn't really want to go, and there was a reason.

"I... I'm afraid you'll get into a fight again."

In winter, the Shichahai Ice Rink becomes the liveliest spot in Si Jiu Cheng, catering mainly to young people.

That place almost gathers all the rascals and petty thugs of Si Jiu Cheng.

They're a bunch of idle youths—pick-up artists, fighting, competing for women, showing off—nothing out of the ordinary.

In the past, most of the fights Lu Cheng got into each year happened at the Shichahai Ice Rink.

Lin Qingyan didn't want to see Lu Cheng fighting again.

"Don't worry, I also want to be a good person; give me a chance to prove it, I definitely won't fight."

Lu Cheng leaned slightly forward, bringing his face close: "Will it work?"

Lin Qingyan leaned back: "Hmm, alright, we'll talk about it later."

"Then I'll take that as your agreement."

It wasn't until 11 p. m. that the Da Za Yuan finally quieted, a curtain separating the two of them.

……

Early the next morning, Lu Cheng washed his face, walked to the dining table, sat down, picked up a mantou, split it and stuffed it with shredded pickled vegetables.

Chen Xianglan brought over a bowl of vegetables, and Lu Cheng, chopsticks in hand, peeked at it.

"Mom, isn't this last night's leftovers? You mixed everything together! Also, when were these bean sprouts and tofu? I didn't eat any last night."

Chen Xianglan glared: "They're from the day before yesterday; the weather was cold but the vegetables didn't spoil, the folded basket greens are fragrant. Don't criticize me!"

"Alright, Mom's cooking comes with its own preservation; it won't spoil at all."

Chen Xianglan tapped with her chopsticks: "Don't be picky, just eat up."

Lu Cheng scooped a handful; the folded basket greens were indeed fragrant.

"Dad, can I borrow the bicycle later?"

"Where are you going again? Take a few days off, stay home honestly, and don't go out to fool around."

"As you say, I'm just taking your daughter-in-law to work."

"Oh, that works. Then you can ride it."

Lin Qingyan was about to say it wasn't necessary, but Lu Cheng's glance shut her down.

After the meal, outside the courtyard, Lu Ying straightened her clothes, about to get in the car, when Lu Cheng pedaled away on his bike.

"Hey Lu Cheng, we haven't gotten in the car yet; weren't you supposed to take us to work?"

Lin Qingyan tugged at her arm: "Forget it, we can't both sit; let's just take the bus."

Lu Ying fumed: "He used us as a pretext again, hopped on his bike and went off to play. Seriously."

……

Lu Cheng went straight to the Traffic Police Unit.

Wang Fengshi saw him and called out, "Group Leader Lu, why are you here instead of resting at home?"

Lu Cheng secured his bike, stepped forward and said, "I'm here looking for Director Wang."

"Looking for me? What for?"

Lu Cheng first glanced around, making sure no one else was present, then said, "A few days ago while on patrol, I heard our bureau captured two people involved in Speculative Profiteering. I just wanted to ask when they'll be released."

Wang Fengshi also looked around: "Why are you inquiring about that?"

"Oh, I'm just asking casually; this is for the next step of cracking down on smuggling, so I wanted to know more about the situation."

Wang Fengshi nodded: "They'll be released this afternoon."

"That fast?"

"Hmm, it's just reselling a few cotton hats, not a serious smuggling offense; a few days' detention and some education will do."

"Alright, Director Wang, I understand. Thank you. There's nothing else, I'll head back now."

"Alright."

At that moment, the door to the corridor captain's office opened.

"Captain Lei," Lu Cheng greeted.

Lei Zhan'ge waved his hand: "I heard your voice; you're just in time. Come into my office for a talk."

Lu Cheng was about to follow in, when Lei Zhan'ge remembered something: "Never mind, let's talk in the courtyard. I'm not comfortable letting you into my office."

Lu Cheng was speechless, so he followed into the courtyard: "Captain Lei, any result on the warship purchase we discussed last time?"

Lei Zhan'ge stood in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, and nodded slightly: "There is a result, but it's not ideal."

"Not ideal?" Lu Cheng didn't understand; success is success, failure is failure—why such a vague outcome?

Lei Zhan'ge saw his confusion: "It means that through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' efforts, we've made preliminary contact with West Germany. We expressed our intention to purchase that decommissioned destroyer. The West German side hasn't given a direct approval, but hasn't refused either…"

Lu Cheng asked: "What does the other side mean?"

Lei Zhan'ge paced a few steps in place: "It's hard to say what they mean; after all, it involves multiple countries—it's not as simple as buying a cabbage."

Lu Cheng thought briefly and offered his suggestion.

"Relying solely on phone calls won't convey it clearly. I think we should send someone to West Germany for face‑to‑face contact; any matter discussed in person is better than remote talks."

Lei Zhan'ge looked at Lu Cheng appreciatively: "Not bad, you don't seem reckless and thoughtless. The two Department Committees discussed it, and everyone agrees with what you said; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will specifically send someone."

To prevent other countries from suspecting the warship purchase is for military use—otherwise the difficulty would increase—we're only using it to improve people's livelihood, so to allay concerns, our department will also send someone.

Since I'm familiar with all matters at Beijing Station, the department intends to send me over.

For now we can only go for face‑to‑face contact; to secure funds for building a train, Lei Zhan'ge is basically putting himself on the line.

"Captain Lei, West Germany isn't close; can your body endure such a long journey?"

Lei Zhan'ge waved his hand: "No problem; as long as I can do something for Beijing Station and the people, even if my old bones break halfway, it's worth it."

"Captain Lei's selflessness is worth us juniors learning from. So, Captain Lei, when do you plan to set off?"

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head: "It's not decided yet; I need to arrange Beijing Station's follow‑up matters, then wait for a translator to be ready, and then I'll go."

A translator? A person immediately came to mind for Lu Cheng.