Chapter 15: Proud and Triumphant

Sun Yan Hong hurriedly patted the other person's clothes while apologizing: "Sorry, comrade of Public Security, I didn't see you, I didn't mean to bump into you."

"Sister Yan Hong, it's me."

Hearing the familiar voice, Sun Yan Hong finally looked up, stared at Lu Cheng several times, and immediately slapped her thigh.

"Oh dear God, it's Lu Cheng, look, look, look, how impressive! I didn't even dare to acknowledge it, this outfit looks really good."

As the saying goes, people are judged by their clothes and horses by their saddles; Lu Cheng's uniform sits squarely, leaving no trace of a street ruffian at all.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sister Yan Hong; you still retain your charm, time never defeats a beauty, no matter how the winds of time blow, they can't take away your allure."

"Go, go, go, I'm not a little girl; the Pick-up Artist hit me on the head, let's hurry home."

"See you later, Sister Yan Hong."

Sun Yan Hong waved her hand, watching Lu Cheng's tall silhouette, feeling a ticklish stir in her heart.

In the inner courtyard, Chen Xianglan was busy in the kitchen when her vision suddenly went black.

"Stop covering it, I know it's you, you stinky brat."

Chen Xianglan pulled Lu Cheng's hands apart, and he froze on the spot.

"Is this my San'er?"

"No, you're mistaken; actually I'm Lu Beitang's illegitimate son."

"You brat!"

Chen Xianglan gave him a smack, then clutched Lu Cheng's body: "Let Mom see, how nice, how nice."

"You just imitate me; with your dad's pinched face, you can have other children, but you can't produce such a handsome son."

"By the way, how much is the salary?"

This was the question Chen Xianglan cared about most.

Lu Cheng shrugged: "Not much, about thirty-three yuan."

"Good heavens, that's not much, it's too high."

Chen Xianglan exclaimed in surprise: "Mom has worked at the cotton mill for years, only thirty-six yuan a month, and you just started? Or say it's still the Railway system, you should really thank your Master."

Lu Cheng patted his empty pocket.

Chen Xianglan immediately understood, pulling out money as she said: "Here's two yuan, no, make it five yuan, for your Master to buy some good cigarettes and wine."

Lu Cheng took the money and, satisfied, stuffed it into his pocket.

"Mom, what's for dinner tonight?"

"Tell Mom what you want, Mom will go buy you meat right now; the Meat Ticket hasn't been used up yet." Chen Xianglan untied her apron, she was happy today.

Lu Cheng, however, wrapped his arm around her shoulder: "No need, Mom, I love whatever you make, even Mom's steamed buns are tasty to me."

Those words made Chen Xianglan shed tears.

Her wayward son finally became sensible.

Seeing his mother moved, Lu Cheng seized the moment and said: "Mom, could you give me two more yuan? I want to treat a friend to a meal."

Chen Xianglan glared, instantly no longer moved.

"Now that you start working, you must work properly; you are not allowed to mess around with those friends any more."

Lu Cheng sighed; the fun was over.

He was about to go to Xi Er Fang to see if his sister had returned, when Chen Xianglan told him to take off his clothes again.

"Why take off my clothes? It's chilly."

"Mom, being so picky still doesn't work."

Chen Xianglan took the coat, went to the doorway, and greeted anyone she saw.

"Hey, Aunt Li, are you going to buy groceries?"

"Yes, Xianglan, are you cooking at home?"

"What? You're asking whose clothes these are?"

Chen Xianglan patted the clothes and said: "Oh, it's my San'er's, he went to work at the Railway Bureau, just started today."

Aunt Li pursed her lips and hurried away.

Seeing someone else arrive, Chen Xianglan waved: "Ma Da Jie, where are you heading?"

"Oh, I went to Dong'an Shichang for a spin; why are you standing there with that piece of clothing?"

"Ah, it's my San'er's clothes; he's now a Railway Passenger Police, his monthly salary—do you know how much? Thirty-three yuan."

Ma Da Jie inhaled, "Damn, I shouldn't have asked."

"Xianglan, you keep busy; I have to go home and cook."

"Hey hey, thirty-three yuan a month, that's during the apprenticeship; after becoming permanent they'll also allocate a room, the kind with centralized heating..."

Watching Ma Da Jie pretend not to hear and flee in panic, Chen Xianglan deliberately shouted loudly.

These are the usual women who like to gossip behind her San'er's back.

Today, she finally felt proud and triumphant.

Inside Xi Er Fang, when Lu Cheng pushed open the door, Lu Ying was combing her hair.

"Yo, which family's Railway Passenger Police brother is back?"

"It could only be from Lu Ying's family; besides her good brother, which sister would have that right?"

"Go away, bragging after two compliments makes you cocky."

Lu Cheng put away his goofy grin; he still had serious matters to ask.

"How's it, sister? Did Sister Qing Yan agree?"

"No."

"No?" Lu Cheng asked in disbelief: "How could that be? Does she still hold some prejudice against me?"

"That would definitely be prejudiced; a big young lady hasn't even married yet, and you're taking advantage of her first."

Lu Cheng chuckled, "I was forced to do it; you, as the older sister, should praise me more and not keep putting me down."

Lu Ying set down the comb, "Heh, oh dear, I was about to praise you, but the point is, do you even have any merits?"

Lu Cheng immediately became displeased, "How could I have none? Take, for example, this jade‑like tree in the wind—tall, handsome, dashing, so many virtues."

Lu Ying rolled her eyes, "I don't like lying."

"Fine! Comrade Lu Ying, I'm telling you, if I can't marry a wife in the future, you'll have to support me for life."

Lu Cheng turned and left.

"Come back!"

Lu Ying picked up the comb again, holding a strand of hair, and said, "Your sister Qing Yan basically agreed."

Lu Cheng's face instantly turned back into a smile.

"I told you, with the older sister stepping in, there's definitely no problem. Rest assured, older sister; once I get my salary, I'll buy you a bicycle and a watch."

"Go, go, go, you'll just be painting big promises for your sister; by the time you bring it, my hair will have turned white."

"That can't… your brother's spit is a nail."

Lu Cheng, moving on his own, dragged a stool and sat beside them, "Sister, what does 'your sister Qing Yan basically agreed' mean?"

Lu Ying glanced, "You don't even get that? Even if it's a sham marriage, you still have to get a Marriage Certificate; there's not much difference from a real marriage."

"Now Uncle Lin isn't here; there has to be a matchmaker in between, otherwise they'd just marry directly, which would look… something."

Lu Cheng understood, "Then it's easy; just have my Master act as the matchmaker."

Lu Ying nodded, "Hmm, Xu Erye can. He and Qing Yan's grandfather already know each other, so they're considered elders."

"Then I'll go find Master tonight."

"Don't be in a hurry; our parents haven't said anything yet. I'll bring it up at dinner."

That night, Chen Xianglan prepared a whole table of dishes to celebrate her son's new job.

Lu Beitang, after returning, hung clothes while saying, "What is this for? Is it over?"