Chapter 21: Sneaking onto the Train

Xizhimen Train Station.

Seeing Lu Cheng finally go to work, Liu Jian'an wore an expression like a daughter‑in‑law who had been snatched away, utterly plaintive.

"Lu Cheng, you finally went to work today. If you hadn't come, I couldn't have handled everything alone; yesterday the Station Chief even scolded me a lot."

Lu Cheng was indeed a bit embarrassed; before reporting in, there was a Train Police officer on duty with Liu Jian'an on the platform, and when the trainee arrived, that officer followed onto the train for duty.

"Jian'an, thanks for your hard work; later I'll treat you to a meal."

Liu Jian'an, still sounding like a resentful wife, said, "You promised to treat me to a meal last time, but haven't kept it."

That guy still remembers.

Lu Cheng patted his shoulder and said, "I'm afraid this time I have to treat you to a meal."

Liu Jian'an clearly didn't understand; Lu Cheng looked around, made sure no one was nearby, and then said.

"I've got good news for you: I've been authorized to do on‑train duty."

Liu Jian'an didn't believe it: "What? You've only been here three days and you're already on‑train duty? That's impossible; I've been here a month and they still won't let me board."

"So it's good news. With my strong recommendation, I said Comrade Liu Jian'an is very ambitious and we shouldn't dampen his enthusiasm; after my vigorous persuasion, Team Captain Zhou also agreed that you could do on‑train duty today."

Zhou Weihua never gave permission for him to board the train, but Lu Cheng had already decided to sneak onto the train today.

Such behavior violates regulations; since it's a mistake, the two of us will commit it together, so when Team Captain Zhou scolds someone, there will be another person to share the blame.

Seeing Lu Cheng speak in a furtive manner, Liu Jian'an's face was full of doubt.

"Really? You better not lie to me."

"Look at what you say; I never lie—if I ever did, my face would turn red."

"Hmm, then your face indeed didn't turn red."

Liu Jian'an glanced over and finally became excited.

He had long wanted to do on‑train duty, then personally catch that group of thieves and recover the losses for the revolutionary masses.

Liu Jian'an clasped his hands and said, "Comrade Lu Cheng, thank you; now I will treat you to a meal, I must thank you."

"Ah, no need, we're all Revolutionary Comrades."

"Then I'll go report to Police Chief Meng first." Liu Jian'an bolted away; the next train was about to depart, and there was still time to get on now.

But as soon as he took a step, Lu Cheng stopped him.

Having been on duty for two days, he thought he understood Meng Li's temperament; this person was practically in menopause.

Probably because they transferred from the army, at over forty years old, their temper was extremely fiery.

Since several days had passed without even a hint of a thief, they vented their anger onto other Train Police, speaking very harshly.

Moreover, regarding his plan to board the train, Zhou Weihua never gave consent, and this matter must not be known to Meng Li.

"Jian'an, no need to consult Police Chief Meng."

Liu Jian'an didn't understand: "Then how can that be? If the two of us board the train, who will be on duty on the platform?"

This guy is single‑minded; you worry about who should be on duty at the platform, what does it matter? Whoever wants to stand watch can do so.

Lu Cheng patiently explained, "You don't know, Jian'an, this time it's a secret operation."

"Secret operation?"

"Exactly, only you, I, and Team Captain Zhou know about this; otherwise, you'd think how could the two of us trainees possibly get on‑train duty? This is Team Captain Zhou testing us."

Liu Jian'an nodded: "Hmm, that makes sense. I can endure the test; as long as the organization needs it, I'll set my mind, unafraid of sacrifice."

Lu Cheng solemnly nodded: "Hmm, very well, let's board."

"Comrade passengers, please pay attention, Comrade passengers, please pay attention: the train from Beijing Station to Baotou is about to depart; please hurry and board…"

"A ship sails by its helmsman, all things grow by the sun; let us move forward toward the sun's light."

The Broadcaster's voice rang out on the train.

The train station was still quite crowded; looking around, throngs of people swarmed everywhere.

Because the train doors couldn't be opened in time, many people used the windows opened on one side of the iron rail, first tossing their luggage inside, then climbing in.

"Quick, the train is about to leave; take off your clothes," Lu Cheng said while shedding his blue uniform.

Liu Jian'an was startled: "Ah, why take off our clothes?"

"Secret operation—we must dress like ordinary people, blend into the crowd; that way we can more easily monitor that group of thieves."

Lu Cheng was afraid the Police Chief would see them and drive the two of them off, so switching to normal clothes would make them less conspicuous amid the crowd.

Liu Jian'an, beside him, nodded vigorously, began quickly shedding his clothes, and spoke.

"Got it, I understand; this is called infiltrating the enemy's interior."

"Smart!" Lu Cheng gave him a thumbs‑up.

Then with a swift step, he clambered through the carriage window, and immediately pulled Liu Jian'an up.

Halfway up, Liu Jian'an felt something was off.

"Lu Cheng, why aren't we using the main entrance?"

This guy has so many questions.

"That way we look even more like ordinary people, right?"

"Got it, I understand, Comrade Lu Cheng, I will learn from you."

At the moment the train started moving, the two finally entered the carriage.

The carriage was bustling, with plain‑clad ordinary citizens sporting patched clothes, as well as neatly dressed officials.

Various sounds mingled with assorted scents, turning the carriage into a brief little society.

Although they didn't know each other, after a long journey they quickly became familiar and relaxed their vigilance.

It is precisely this favorable environment that makes thieves hard to eradicate, constantly proliferating.

"Lu Cheng, what should we do now?"

Liu Jian'an came up, and after getting on the Carriage his eyes were dazed.

Lu Cheng shook his head, no wonder after a month Team Captain Zhou still hasn't let him board; it wouldn't work without an old Train Police leading.

Lu Cheng is different; in his previous life he spent a whole lifetime as a junior chief, and is more than familiar with petty theft.

Of course, a thief won't have the word "thief" written on his face; that calls for observation.

When necessary, one can employ sting enforcement.

"Jian'an, relax, why are we acting like thieves?"

Lu Cheng offered a comforting remark, then said: "Let's go, first find a Carriage to sit and rest; the passengers just boarded, thieves won't strike now."

Liu Jian'an is basically a headless fly; with Lu Cheng's precise instructions, he can only trail behind.

Since the two have no tickets and there are no empty seats in the Carriage, they can only find a connecting spot between Carriages and sit on the floor.

At that moment, suddenly a Train Police walked over from the adjacent Carriage.

Fearing discovery, Lu Cheng quickly whispered: "Jian'an, a Train Police is coming, lower your head a bit."

Thinking this is a secret operation, Liu Jian'an obediently lowered his head.

Heh heh, didn't expect Team Captain Zhou to assign such an important mission; this time, I can finally earn Merit.

"Comrade, hand over your ticket, I'll check it."

Lu Cheng tilted his head and gave it a look, a total fool.

It's only Liu Jian'an's fault for lowering his head so hard that it almost slipped into his crotch, yet he kept giggling foolishly.

Such abnormal behavior, no wonder the Train Police noticed.