Chapter 18: Obtaining the Marriage Certificate

When Xu Erye was young, he escorted goods for the escort bureau; whenever they passed through the bustling market district to restock provisions, the cargo would be stolen, and the sack was cut open with a sharp knife.

This made the people responsible for the escort extremely angry; part of the cargo was lost, how could they explain to the owners?

To catch this band of thieves, Xu Erye's group began sending people to covertly tail them.

One time they actually caught them, chased them for three streets, beat them on the spot, and then turned them over to the authorities.

Hearing Xu Erye's words, Lu Cheng raised a doubt: "Master, which year are you talking about? They can't still be alive now, can they?"

"No, you don't know. This group has made a living by theft since the Qing dynasty, having long mastered a superb stealing technique, taught only within and not outside."

Lu Cheng understood: "You mean their descendants will also engage in theft?"

Xu Erye did not deny: "Throughout history, any way of making money without labor is a path everyone follows like a flock of ducks."

"Yo, Master, you even know idioms! The phrase is actually 'to flock to something like ducks.'"

"I'll knock you, you little rascal, bullying your master for being uncultured, right?"

Lu Cheng hurriedly covered his head: "Master, where do their descendants live now?"

Xu Erye recalled carefully: "It's hard to say now; those people used to be active around Shan Jin. Hearing you mention it, I just remembered—they're all extremely skilled with blades."

Shan Jin? The Jingbao line at Xizhimen Station passes through Shan Jin.

Perhaps, it could indeed be the descendants Xu Erye mentioned, living by family theft.

Lu Cheng now had a rough idea, and recalling the female theft leader, he thought that by paying special attention to people getting on and off at Shan Jin, they could have a high success rate in capturing this gang.

The next morning, the master and disciple split up.

Xu Erye went to find Lin Qingyan to discuss marriage, while Lu Cheng went to the team, found Team Captain Zhou to request leave and also issued an Introduction Letter.

"What? Taking leave again?" Zhou Weihua couldn't help but frown: "Yesterday Station Chief Wu reported to me that you left your post during work."

"Yesterday was a special case, wasn't it just diarrhea? I can't possibly soil my pants, can I?"

"Diarrhea for over two hours? Did you fall asleep in the restroom?"

"Not at all; I was mainly thinking about that gang of thieves and accidentally lost track of time."

Zhou Weihua shook his head helplessly: "I didn't realize, you're actually quite enlightened. In that case, I wrongly blamed you."

"It's fine, you don't need to apologize to me; it's all for the revolutionary work."

"Alright, alright, don't ramble on."

Zhou Weihua knew Lu Cheng was new and not yet familiar with the station's regulations, so he patiently instructed him.

"During work you must not leave your post; you know the whole station is strained because this gang of thieves is such a headache, personnel are already tight, and you say you want leave again today!"

Seeing Zhou Weihua's sour expression, he probably had been scolded by Director Tang again.

"Team Captain Zhou, I'll take this afternoon off; tomorrow I'll ride with the car duty, then capture that gang of thieves, relieve your worries, and eliminate the danger for the revolutionary masses."

Lu Cheng spoke with a resonant voice, feet together, and "Clack!" he saluted, leaving Zhou Weihua stunned.

"You don't need to ride with the car duty; you haven't been trained and lack experience. Just stay on the Platform and fulfill your duty."

"Team Captain Zhou, I…"

Zhou Weihua raised his hand to stop him: "Alright, tell me, what exactly are you taking leave for?"

"Getting married."

"Marriage?" Zhou Weihua thought for a moment, then had to agree: "Marriage is a big deal; I have no reason not to let you marry."

"Thank you, Team Captain Zhou."

The fact that a comrade in the team was getting married made Zhou Weihua quite pleased, and he also issued an Introduction Letter.

The only thing he wouldn't relent on was the desire to ride with the car duty.

This wouldn't do without an opportunity; Lu Cheng had already decided to board the train tomorrow.

The chance must be seized by oneself.

For now, first obtain the Marriage Certificate.

In the afternoon, he knocked open Lin Qingyan's front door.

Lin Qingyan stood in the doorway, still too shy to look at him.

"Y‑you… how did you come?"

Lu Cheng placed one hand on the door panel, slightly bent, gazing at her delicate, radiant face, and gestured toward the bicycle outside.

"Of course I'm here for the Marriage Certificate. Let's go, I took the afternoon off specifically for this, even rode my dad's bicycle here."

Hearing that they were really getting married, Lin Qingyan's heart pounded.

"Oh, but will the Street Office issue us a Marriage Certificate?"

The last time, Lu Cheng had beaten up the Street Office staff.

Lu Cheng produced the Introduction Letter: "No need to go through your Street Office; I've already prepared the Introduction Letter, we can get the certificate directly at our Street Office."

Lu Cheng patted the rear seat, letting Lin Qingyan sit on it askew.

"Hold onto me tight, I ride hard."

Lin Qingyan, embarrassed to hug, only clutched the rear seat with one hand.

Lu Cheng rode a distance, then suddenly thought of a mischievous prank.

He deliberately pedaled forward hard a few times, then slammed on the brakes.

Mm, so soft.

The Lin Qingyan behind blushed angrily: "Lu Cheng, you did it on purpose!"

"No, no, I was just testing the brakes."

He gave a hard pedal, the bicycle sped through Si Jiu Cheng's main street, the bell ringing through the alleys.

Lin Qingyan was bewildered the whole way, letting Lu Cheng lead her through streets and alleys, and only after finally obtaining the Marriage Certificate did she regain a hint of sense.

Really, that's how she ends up getting married?

In the end, she married her best friend's younger brother.

"Qing Yanjie, stop standing there, tonight our parents have prepared a whole table of dishes, let's go home to eat."

Hearing Lu Cheng say "our parents", Lin Qingyan still couldn't adjust for a moment.

In Da Za Yuan everyone was discussing; the old Lu family is totally out of line, having such sumptuous meals for two days straight, and by the end of the month they'll be reduced to eating wind.

Yesterday, because of the meal issue, Lu Beitang almost quarreled with Chen Xianglan, and today Lu Beitang not only actively prepared the dishes but also cooked himself.

"Aunt Lan, let me pick vegetables for you," Lin Qingyan proactively looked for something to do in the kitchen.

As long as she isn't left alone with Lu Cheng, she'll immediately revert to that poised young lady.

"No need, no need, Qing Yan, go rest in the house; you don't have to pick vegetables."

Lin Qingyan glanced at the main room; Lu Cheng was there, legs crossed, staring at her intently.

Lin Qingyan quickly turned her head: "It's fine, Aunt Lan, I'm not tired."

"Oh dear, then what are you calling me, Aunt Lan?"

They were still talking about the wedding yesterday, but who could have guessed that today Lu Cheng would retrieve the marriage certificate, catching Chen Xianglan off guard.

Regarding the wedding, Lu Cheng used the excuse of frequent leave requests and decided to postpone it until they have time later.

Mainly, he thought Lin Qingyan would surely worry about a grand wedding, which could reflect poorly on the Lu family, so he decided to keep the matter limited to a small circle for now.

Chen Xianglan didn't think much; since the certificate was retrieved, Lin Qingyan was now her daughter-in-law.

Lin Qingyan knew this, so she could only call out, "Mom."

"Hey, hey!" Chen Xianglan was overjoyed, immediately slipped the prepared twenty yuan dowry money into Lin Qingyan's hand.

Lin Qingyan felt embarrassed to take it, and while she and Chen Xianglan were pushing each other, Lu Cheng took the money from her hand.

"Mom, I'll hold it for her first."

Chen Xianglan glared, "It's not your dowry money, stop making a fuss, go, go, go, clean up your room."

"Why should I clean my room?"

Chen Xianglan glared again, "You silly boy, even though there's no wedding now, the certificate has been retrieved, so Qing Yan is your wife, and she has to sleep here tonight."

Chen Xianglan's meaning was clear: on the first day of marriage, they must enter the bridal chamber, and she's already waiting to hold a grandson.

Hearing this, Lu Cheng and Lin Qingyan exchanged a glance.