Chapter 225: Daring to Sell Even Smuggled Goods

Lu Cheng thought it was best to go straight to someone who could actually speak up about the cafeteria's funding approval.

So, he didn't go home first; instead, he turned and went to Lei Zhan Ge's office.

Lei Zhan Ge was leaning over his desk reading documents; when he saw Lu Cheng arrive, he said lightly, "You're back."

Lu Cheng immediately felt displeased: "Captain Lei, this trip was truly a hardship; your words are way too flippant."

Lei Zhan Ge only then shifted his gaze from the documents: "So what, what reaction do you expect from me?"

"Obviously a surprised reaction, like, 'Whoa, you finally made it back, why so quick!'"

Lei Zhan Ge laughed: "Fine, I get it, I know this trip wasn't easy; I'll make sure to record your merit."

Lu Cheng plopped onto the stool; a half‑box of special‑issue cigarettes lay on the desk, and just as he reached for it, Lei Zhan Ge beat him to it, slipping the cigarettes into his pocket.

Lu Cheng came up empty‑handed: "Captain Lei, you're acting like a thief; look at my hands—snow removal in sub‑zero twenty‑plus degrees gave me frostbite."

"My back still won't straighten, and my feet are frostbitten too, just look…"

"Hey, hey, it's fine, fine, you're in the office—why are you taking off your shoes? Put them back on quickly."

Lu Cheng lowered his pant legs: "I'm just telling you my grievances; you just don't know the details. Captain Lei, under those circumstances you chose the right person—your foresight picked me. If it had been anyone else, the supplies would never have arrived on time."

In front of Captain Zhang, Lu Cheng never mentioned the difficulties because it wasn't necessary; otherwise people would think he couldn't handle it.

But now that he's back home, in front of Captain Lei, he must recount the effort he made.

If you don't tell your superiors again, and they never know your hard work, you're just a complete fool.

Never speak of silent dedication; when it's time to claim credit, you must claim it.

Earlier, Lei Zhan Ge had already learned over the phone that there had been an avalanche, but the people Lu Cheng brought in resolved it promptly, so he didn't take it seriously.

Now hearing Lu Cheng describe the situation in such detail and seeing the frostbite on his hand, he finally realized how severe the on‑site difficulty had been.

Lei Zhan Ge involuntarily pulled out the half‑box of cigarettes: "Alright, alright, I know you've done a great job; take them and smoke."

Lu Cheng happily took them: "Captain Lei, there's one more thing—this can't be credited to me alone; the Railway Branch along the line also made a lot of effort…"

Lu Cheng mentioned the meal money that Cheng Jianhua needed to reimburse the Steel Factory workers, together with the funds required for the cafeteria renovation.

Lei Zhan Ge frowned: "Three hundred plus yuan for meals and cigarettes, I can reimburse that directly, after all the Steel Factory workers are helping us."

"But the money you say is needed for the cafeteria renovation—what does that have to do with us?"

Lu Cheng explained: "Director Cheng was actively offering help at the time; I just agreed to his request on the spot."

Lei Zhan Ge withdrew: "What you agreed to wasn't my agreement, so coming to me is useless."

"It's not, Captain Lei, you can't just ignore it. I've already spoken up; if I don't approve the funds, he'll scold me for abandoning him."

Lei Zhan Ge shook his head: "That cafeteria renovation money needs to go through multiple layers of approval; what you're doing is a bypass."

"No, I didn't ask you to approve it directly; I just wanted you to make a call, find someone to get this done. Our Railway Ministry is flush with cash and doesn't lack those three thousand yuan."

Lei Zhan Ge was irritated and laughed: "Hmph, you make it sound easy, but even a well‑funded department allocates money for specific purposes; it's not a free‑for‑all."

"Isn't this a special case deserving special treatment?"

"Anyway, since you promised, if it really can't be done, just deduct it from your salary."

Lu Cheng was instantly speechless; his monthly salary is only a few dozen yuan, so deducting that would take forever.

"Captain Lei, if you say that, I have no face left; people will call me unreliable, so I might as well just stay here and not leave."

"Hey, you're leaning on me now, fine, just sit here; my office has heating, so you won't freeze."

……

After a stalemate for a while, Lu Cheng only felt the frostbite on his hands burning hot, and crucially, Lei Zhan Ge could actually sit still without loosening his grip.

Lu Cheng fidgeted with the special‑issue cigarettes in his hand, suddenly remembering something.

He straightened up, leaned on the desk: "Captain Lei, let me ask you one thing—Director Cheng provided meals for the Steel Factory workers so I wouldn't lose my post; who am I representing? The Jingzhan Transit Police, right? That means I didn't let our unit lose face. Do you approve my statement?"

Lei Zhan Ge looked up, not knowing what Lu Cheng was selling.

"What you say makes sense; actually I also want to help Director Cheng, but the bypass approval is indeed a violation."

"Alright, with your words I feel reassured, so here's the plan: don't look for anyone to approve it; let our Transit Police cover the money, approve it that way, and it won't be a violation."

Lei Zhan Ge inhaled: "Ha, you think you're flush with cash, speaking lightly. I do want to give him the money, but the Transit Police don't have an extra three thousand yuan."

Lu Cheng leaned forward: "If there were extra money, would you be willing to give it?"

"What wouldn't I be willing to do? If our unit really had an extra three thousand yuan, I'd approve it instantly."

In any case, the unit doesn't have it.

"Done!" Lu Cheng slapped the table; seeing Lei Zhan Ge's eyes widen, he quickly brushed the surface twice.

"Captain Lei, that means you've agreed; I can tell you, our unit could spare not just three thousand but even thirty thousand if needed."

Captain Lei didn't believe it at all; as the commander, he should know how much money the unit has.

"Fine, stop beating around the bush; I know you're full of tricks, so tell me, where will you get the three thousand yuan?"

Lu Cheng pointed to a direction, whispering: "Our Beijing Station warehouse—if we sell everything inside, not only can we fund Director Cheng's three thousand, the leftover can fund our unit's activities—a win‑win."

The last time Lu Cheng went there, the warehouse was piled with seized goods, literally mountain‑high.

Selling it would yield a huge sum.

Lei Zhan Ge had crawled out of piles of corpses, survived countless fierce battles, so he was no longer shocked by anything.

But Lu Cheng's words truly shocked him.

"You kid are way too reckless—those are Smuggled Goods, you still dare to take them out to sell? You're insane!"