Chapter 182: He Started Talking Again!

With so many grown girls and young wives watching, at such an honorable moment, I can't go up all messy and untidy.

Lu Cheng spat twice onto his palm, pulling his hair, and complained, "Captain Lei, you must have known about this beforehand, right? Then you should have told me in advance; this is so sudden."

If I'd known I'd have to go on stage, I would have dressed up stylishly; now, because I came holding Qing'er, my hair got all tangled.

Lei Zhan'ge did indeed know about this in advance; actually, Lu Cheng getting into university was purely by chance.

Some time ago, the Department Committee leaders discussed promoting him to Chief Hall Official with him, and also asked whether he was willing to transfer from his post, since, considering his health, being a frontline team leader was too strenuous.

But without a second thought, he rejected the Department Committee's proposal; even if he doesn't become Chief Hall Official, he wants to remain this team leader and exhaust his remaining vigor on the frontline.

Seeing his persistence, the department was somewhat helpless, but in view of Lei Zhan'ge's contributions over the years, they decided to grant him Chief Hall Administrative Benefits.

Being able to continue as team leader with increased benefits, Lei Zhan'ge was, of course, pleased.

But he knew that this promotion to Chief Hall was inseparable from the reason of buying back a warship.

And the ability to buy back the warship hinged on the idea proposed by Lu Cheng.

Thinking further, Lu Cheng was at most a behind‑the‑scenes figure in this matter, yet he couldn't claim any credit.

Lei Zhan'ge was inclined to help fight for it, seeing whether the department could raise Lu Cheng's Administrative Treatment by one level at the conference.

Earlier, Wang Fengshi had raised it, but he didn't agree, fearing what other group leaders might think; however, if the department publicly stated it at the conference, no one would object.

But the department shared his concern: a young Comrade who just arrived, even requesting Fourth Level before, already exceeds the regulations.

Lei Zhan'ge couldn't help sighing; he could see that Lu Cheng was a moldable talent.

But according to the normal promotion system, each level up requires not only outstanding performance at work but also serving a certain number of years; thus, it would be overly unfair to the talent.

Tang Qiusheng suddenly thought of a better idea: the reason Lu Cheng couldn't be promoted quickly boiled down to insufficient seniority and academic qualifications.

If Lu Cheng could be sent to university, his future path would be broader.

Lei Zhan'ge instantly found the method feasible; after a brief discussion, they settled on it.

Facing Lu Cheng's words, Lei Zhan'ge looked disdainfully and said, "Isn't this supposed to be a surprise for you? You should hurry up."

"Right away, right away." Lu Cheng had his hair tidied, but looking at his Military Coat, it still wasn't formal enough; then his gaze fell on Deng Hairong in the back row.

That guy was wearing a work uniform.

A moment later, Deng Hairong shouted, "Hey, hey, why are you pulling off my clothes? I know you're excited about going to university, but you can't strip a man's clothes, right?"

"Let me borrow it to wear; later I'll treat you to a meal."

Lu Cheng forcibly took it off him; it was a bit small on him, so when he lifted his arm the belt showed, but there was nothing else to criticize.

When he got on stage, Lu Cheng first shook hands with the Deputy Minister, then shook hands side by side with several other leaders.

Seeing this, Lei Zhan'ge on the audience shook his head: "Why is this kid so theatrical? Quickly finish the enrollment documents and get down; everyone is waiting for the dance performance."

"Thanks for your effort, thanks…" Lu Cheng said after shaking hands, then collected the relevant documents.

The Deputy Minister was about to conclude the commendation ceremony when, unexpectedly, Lu Cheng, still holding the documents, remained standing.

"Um… Minister, shouldn't we take a group photo?"

The leaders on stage were all big shots in the department; if I took them home to hang, my dad would be overjoyed.

The Deputy Minister was visibly stunned, glanced at Tang Qiusheng beside him, and everyone smiled.

"Alright, then let's keep a group photo."

There were photographers in the audience originally preparing for the upcoming dance performance, but after the Deputy Minister spoke, they took a group photo of the people on stage.

When the flash went off, the commendation ceremony finally ended, and the long‑awaited dance performance began.

Lu Cheng took two steps and felt something was missing.

He turned around and said to the Deputy Minister, who was about to return to his seat to watch the performance,

"Um, Minister, should I say a couple of words?"

The Deputy Minister looked puzzled, and Lu Cheng explained, "When receiving an award there's always a thank‑you speech; I thought…"

"This young Comrade is quite enlightened! But you haven't prepared a speech, how will you speak?"

For such important events, his speech is always written by a specialist.

Lu Cheng replied, "These heartfelt thank‑you words don't need a script."

Speaking at a conference is his forte; it's just a bunch of set phrases, often using parallelism.

A single point can be expressed, then argued from multiple angles; basically, speaking for an hour poses no big problem.

The Deputy Minister laughed again, and Tang Qiusheng took over, saying, "It's understandable that the young Comrade wants to show off; just say a few simple words, and after that we'll start the dance performance."

The few leaders about to leave the stage sat down again; Lu Cheng took the microphone from the table, faced the audience, and cleared his throat slightly.

"Um, everyone, quiet down, this… the Minister just asked me to express some words of thanks; after repeatedly declining, I couldn't refuse the hospitality, so on behalf of the department I'll say a few simple words."

A few group leaders in the audience simultaneously spat.

How shameless.

"First, thank all the guests, all the leaders, all the Comrades, for attending our department's conference, welcome everyone…"

Lu Cheng paused after saying that.

Until sparse applause sounded, he continued, "Thank you all for your encouragement; I'm a rather shy person, and your applause gives me more confidence on stage."

Today I stand here, very willing to discuss with everyone the future development of the Railway.

First, we must start with our system…

Second, we must start with ourselves…

Group Two leader Fan Dashan, unable to hold back, clenched his fist: "Damn, he's shy? Among us group leaders, he's the thickest‑skinned."

In Da Litang, without Heating, the stripped Deng Hairong shivered, trembling, "Weren't we supposed to keep it simple with a couple of sentences? Why is it still first, second, never ending?"

"Exactly, but I feel he's better than the Deputy Minister; the key is he's off‑script."

Actually, the Deputy Minister on stage was also listening in a daze; wasn't this kid supposed to say a couple of thank‑you words? Why is he making a report on the spot!

One hand rested on the steel pen in his chest pocket, constantly feeling the urge to take it out and jot down a couple of lines in his notebook.

Su Feixue, who lifted the side curtain backstage to watch the situation on the stage, slightly furrowed her eyebrows.

Who is this little Comrade?

Why is it still being talked about at such length? Even the Deputy Minister didn't say that much!

According to this line of reasoning, it seems it won't stop for a while; will the dance performance even start?