Chapter 247: Striving for the Police Chief Position

After finally waiting for the meeting to disperse, Jiang Yuanchao had already prepared and was waiting to receive everyone's congratulations.

It has become a tradition: after each end‑of‑month assessment, the group leader who receives a score invites the other group leaders to a meal amid everyone's congratulations.

Moreover, this time Jiang Yuanchao is treating everyone three times, and he does so willingly.

Unexpectedly, this time no one stepped forward to congratulate him—perhaps out of habit or displeasure at his earlier criticism—so everyone gathered around Lu Cheng instead.

"Group Leader Lu, save me a radio, I'm bored on the train every day."

"Group Leader Lu, get me a pack of Marlboro cigarettes; I want to try what that foreign brand tastes like—just one will do."

They're all colleagues from the same Platform, and Lu Cheng couldn't refuse, so he obliged each of them.

At that moment, Deng Hairong said, "Stop just asking Group Leader Lu to set things aside; why don't we pool some money and treat Group Leader Lu to a meal in the Cafeteria?"

"Having a meal isn't a big deal, no problem."

"I'm out of money this month; I'll contribute some food coupons."

Seeing everyone chattering around Lu Cheng, Jiang Yuanchao, standing aside, felt as if he'd been left out.

Since he'd received his assessment score again, everyone should be eager to learn from him and gather around him.

"Hey, hey, it's work hours now—what meal? The Platform is busy today; everyone should hurry to help on the Platform."

Deng Hairong looked up and said, "No, Group Leader Jiang, you're not the Police Chief yet; we're all group leaders—on what authority do you command us?"

Jiang Yuanchao smoothed his clothes and said, "Whether I'm the Police Chief or not, even as an ordinary Railway employee I have a duty to urge you on. If that's not enough, shall I ask Captain Lei to issue an order?"

The several group leaders felt indignant; Jiang Yuanchao, leaning on his three‑point score, seemed to think he was already the Police Chief.

Deng Hairong rolled up his sleeves: "Hey, with my short temper you're even using Captain Lei to pressure me—believe it or not I'll beat you up today… Hey, don't pull me, why are you dragging me? I have to teach him a lesson today."

Behind them, Fan Dashan, seeing Deng Hairong clutch his arm, immediately pulled away and said, "Who's pulling you? If you've got the guts, go ahead."

Deng Hairong forced an awkward laugh: "Maybe next time; this time I'll let him off. So, Group Leader Lu, today's meal probably won't happen—let's postpone it."

Lu Cheng smiled and nodded, and after the group leaders left the meeting room, Jiang Yuanchao looked toward the back row.

"Group Leader Lu, a few trains will arrive at the Platform soon and we're short‑handed; you should go help too—what are you doing idly all day?"

Got it, just like at the earlier "Criticism Meeting", it was indeed about him.

Lu Cheng stood up, walked over, and tapped his chest with a notebook: "Sorry, I have a class today, I probably can't make it."

Jiang Yuanchao was taken aback; he blamed himself for speaking out—after all, he's now a university student, and his work hours differ from theirs.

But Jiang Yuanchao, though envious, quickly readjusted his mindset.

Since Lu Cheng has to carve out time each month for university, that reduces his competition for the Police Chief Position.

In fact, Lu Cheng also knows that, given his current situation, it's indeed hard to run for Police Chief; he'll need to find another way.

He arrived at the captain's office in the corridor and knocked.

"Enter."

Lu Cheng pushed the door open and went in: "Captain Lei, busy?"

Hearing Lu Cheng's voice, Lei Zhan'ge, who was seated there, looked up: "Xiao Lu's here—no class today?"

"No, not today."

Lu Cheng sat down and said, "Captain Lei, I wanted to ask you—over at the Tea Stall the department store has been renovated, and in the next few days the goods in the warehouse need to be moved over. I'll also bring Jin Zhu's wedding three‑turn‑one‑sound to your house."

Lei Zhan'ge thought for a moment and said, "That works; Jin Zhu's wedding is already set, so moving it early is fine."

Zhao Jinzhu and Mei Ju's wedding day is set for the end of the year, on the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month—just before the New Year—a good date chosen by Lei Nainai.

After the wedding they'll live together temporarily; once the tube‑shaped apartment building is finished, they'll move there.

Lei Zhan'ge tossed a cigarette to Lu Cheng: "The tube‑shaped building will be completed next year; now you're officially transferred, so you'll get a unit then."

Lu Cheng actually doesn't lack housing; he has a West Wing Room at home, and after Lin Zhenfeng's Rehabilitation he'll obtain a Siheyuan, but no one complains about having extra rooms.

After all, the Railway workers' family housing is close to work; sometimes after a night shift on the train, you're exhausted, so it's better to crash in the tube‑shaped building for the night.

"Alright, Captain Lei, then arrange me next to Jin Zhu; when there's nothing going on I can still drop by for a meal."

Lei Zhan'ge laughed: "Fine, now that Jin Zhu can get married, I thank you on behalf of his parents."

"You're too kind, Captain Lei; Jin Zhu is also my team member, and as a group leader it's my duty to look after them."

"Mm." Lei Zhan'ge nodded, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop as he thought.

"Xiao Lu, you haven't received a score in the recent end‑of‑month assessments—feeling a bit disappointed?"

He knows that with Lu Cheng's ability, becoming a Police Chief would be no problem.

But now, because he has to attend university, his work lags far behind the other group leaders, so he definitely won't become Police Chief in the future.

"Without Captain Lei, many would envy me for going to university; how could I be ungrateful?"

Lu Cheng spoke honestly, and Lei Zhan'ge was very satisfied to hear it.

"Good. You should focus on your studies now; after you graduate in three years, there'll be a chance for you to shine."

Lu Cheng stepped forward: "Captain Lei, you needn't worry about my studies; as for the Police Chief Position, I also want to vie for it."

Lei Zhan'ge leaned back: "Heh, you're ambitious. But according to the plan, only three people out of your six groups can become Police Chief. Since you're now attending university and your workload is reduced, you're unlikely to make the top three…"

Seeing Lu Cheng remain silent, Lei Zhan'ge said thoughtfully, "You're not thinking I'll pull strings for you, are you? Though I'm grateful you found a spouse for Jin Zhu, that can't be a reason for you to become Police Chief; otherwise it would be unfair to the other groups. I hope you understand."

Lu Cheng realized Lei Zhan'ge had misunderstood.

"Captain Lei, public is public, private is private; my desire to vie for Police Chief has nothing to do with helping Jin Zhu's marriage."

Lei Zhan'ge exhaled a sigh of relief; he truly was afraid the kid would blackmail him over this.

Although he isn't afraid of Lu Cheng's blackmail, once Lu Cheng raises it, the nature of the matter changes.

Fortunately, the kid can see things clearly.

"Then tell me, how do you plan to vie for Police Chief? You can't just drop university for the sake of the position, can you?"

If Lu Cheng were to quit school and devote himself entirely to work, it would be very possible for him to become Police Chief.

"I'll definitely attend university, but I also want to vie for the Police Chief Position. As for how to do it—let's see whether Captain Lei is willing to support me in a certain matter."