Chapter 157: Taking My Daughter‑in‑Law onto the Train

Lu Cheng again slipped the money into his own pocket: "I told you…"

Lu Ying hurriedly stopped, hands clasped: "Thank you, little brother, for saying such nice things for me. My pocket really has no money left. Could you get to the point—did Zhao Shushu finally agree to let me be the director?"

Seeing Lu Cheng not believe, Lu Ying turned the pocket inside out: "Look, there really isn't any."

Lu Cheng could only accept the good news: "Don't worry, sister. He didn't agree at first, but I slammed the table on the spot, and under my authority he finally said, 'Alright, let her try.'"

Lu Ying clenched both fists: "Great! From now on I can manage them openly and freely, and I can let loose. Thank you, little brother, you're wonderful."

"You're welcome."

Lu Cheng returned to the West Wing Room, where Lin Qingyan was sorting clothes, when a red scarf suddenly appeared in front of her.

Lin Qingyan turned her head, and Lu Cheng handed something forward: "When I was on duty last time and passed a Supply and Marketing Cooperative, I thought it looked nice, so I brought you one."

Lin Qingyan slowly took it, cherished it in her hand and stroked it; she had always wanted to buy one, but even after getting her salary today she couldn't bring herself to purchase it.

Seeing her staring blankly, Lu Cheng, lying on the bed, asked: "Don't like it?"

Lin Qingyan shook her head, then quickly nodded: "I also bought something for you."

Lu Cheng sat up straight and saw Lin Qingyan bring over five pairs of nylon socks.

The socks weren't cheap; Lu Cheng took them and was about to try them on when Lin Qingyan asked him to wait, and quickly brought over a basin of foot‑washing water.

Lu Cheng had to wash his feet first: "No wonder you're the lady of a wealthy family; even putting on socks has such a sense of ceremony."

Lin Qingyan knew he was joking, said nothing, and continued sorting clothes.

"Qing Yan sister… ah, uh, Qing Yan." Lu Cheng corrected his address: "Did you buy anything for your parents?"

"Bought them."

Not only did she buy for her parents, she also bought gifts for Lu Cheng's parents, and bought some white sugar, eggs and flour for Xu Erye, all sent in Lu Cheng's name.

Lu Cheng quickly finished washing his feet, tried on the nylon socks, and said casually: "Don't be stingy with money. Since it's rare to visit your parents, buy more things. If it's not enough, tell me; I still have some here."

"It's enough. The remaining money is just enough for round‑trip fare; I've set it aside."

Lu Cheng sat on the bed, turned his head: "What does that mean? Your salary today must be just over thirty yuan, and now only enough for a bit of fare?"

"Mm." Lin Qingyan put the sorted clothes into a cloth bag.

Seeing Lin Qingyan act as if nothing, Lu Cheng looked at the table in the room; it was filled with items Lin Qingyan intended to take to her parents, yet she clearly hadn't bought much.

He involuntarily said: "No, what did you buy this afternoon? You spent thirty‑something yuan so quickly; I didn't notice. You're quite wasteful."

"I…" Lin Qingyan hesitated, then said mildly angry: "Your words are harsh; I don't want to deal with you now."

Seeing Lin Qingyan act petulant again, Lu Cheng instead laughed; this was the Lin Qingyan he knew, not the one who, because of her father, became meek and self‑effacing.

"Right, this attitude of yours is good; rebel when you should. When you go see your dad this time, you'll inevitably meet people who speak harshly—don't ever wrong yourself."

Lin Qingyan stared there, realizing Lu Cheng had deliberately provoked her.

Since her father was no longer around, she could no longer whimsically throw tantrums as before.

But with Lu Cheng, she seemed able to become that girl again.

Two days later, Lu Cheng took Lin Qingyan onto a Jingguang Line train.

It was still Lin Qingyan's first time seeing Lu Cheng at work; once he put on the Train Police uniform and directed order on the Platform, he looked quite serious.

Only after the train left the Platform did Lu Cheng find time to take Lin Qingyan to the Bunk Car.

"Is it okay? I didn't buy a ticket when I got on, so a bunk isn't ideal; I can just stand somewhere."

Lu Cheng pulled her arm and kept walking forward: "You say that, but I can't let you stand. Rest assured, the bunk car is almost empty; we usually rest inside it."

"Then, no one will check my ticket, right?"

"No, I've arranged everything."

Fortunately today we're on duty with Group Four; if it were with Jiang Yuanchao, he would insist anyone's family members must buy a ticket.

After delivering her to the Bunk Car, Lu Cheng couldn't linger: "I'll go check on Da Kui; you just rest here. The car is crowded, don't wander around. When it's time to eat, I'll call you."

Lin Qingyan nodded: "Then you go handle your business first; I don't need to worry about anything here."

After Lu Cheng hurried away, Lin Qingyan opened the pack she carried, saw Lu Cheng's tea cup, and quickly got up again.

But the car was crowded; in a blink Lu Cheng disappeared.

Never mind, I'll fill it with water later and give it to him.

……

The boarding and alighting period is the busiest time.

With the effort of Train Police and Train Staff, after a dozen minutes each carriage finally began to quiet down.

Lu Cheng was about to return to the Bunk Car; passing the Broadcast Room, he happened to meet Jiang Mengmeng.

"Group Leader Lu, you're on duty today."

Seeing Jiang Mengmeng, Lu Cheng felt a tickle on his back, but since he was with his wife today, he couldn't ask her for a shoulder massage.

"Yes, Mengmeng, what's up? Just announce it in the broadcast anytime, and I'll rush over immediately."

When Lu Cheng said only one sentence and was about to leave, Jiang Mengmeng found it odd; previously they would chat for half a day.

"Hey, don't go, Group Leader Lu, I have something to ask you."

Being grabbed by the arm, Lu Cheng had to ask: "What is it?"

Jiang Mengmeng gestured: "Come to my Broadcast Room; I'll also give you a shoulder massage. You're the one who loves my massages the most."

Lu Cheng felt a bit helpless; he could say that before, he would have gone in without Jiang Mengmeng's invitation.

But today… it seems there's no problem; even if Lin Qingyan saw, she wouldn't mind him interacting with other female comrades.

"Let's just talk here then; I still have to go on duty right away."

Jiang Mengmeng instantly pursed her lips: "Alright, I wanted to ask you—I heard the Railway Department is planning a ball before the New Year; is that true?"

Lu Cheng knew that Jiang Mengmeng was just gossiping, not asking about anything serious.

"I really don't know; how could I be that well‑informed?"

Jiang Mengmeng clutched her arms and leaned against the doorframe: "Well, I actually know a bit of the inside story; I heard they hauled back a warship, so the Railway Department wants to hold a celebratory dance party…"

Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow; so that's how it is, and he was of course perfectly clear on the matter.

Jiang Mengmeng continued talking to herself: "When the time comes, not only members of our department can attend, members from other departments will also come. By the way, I heard people from the Song and Dance Troupe will also come to perform."

Song and Dance Troupe? Lu Cheng suddenly remembered that Senior Sister, who is the Deputy Leader of the Song and Dance Troupe, and wondered whether he could meet her then.

Anyway, judging by Jiang Mengmeng's attitude, she's definitely going to participate.

Just as Jiang Mengmeng and Lu Cheng were chatting and laughing, Lin Qingyan, who had come out to fetch water, happened to see the scene.