Chapter 26: Catching the Thief – Part One

Hearing many people shouting that their money had been stolen, the Train Police also scrambled, soothing passengers' emotions on one hand while dispatching people to inquire about the missing cash on the other.

They were already very practiced at this.

Unsurprisingly, after questioning around, most said the money was lost without them noticing.

They had no idea who the thief was.

Instead, anxious because of the lost money and unable to find the thief, the Train Police hesitated, and passengers began pointing wildly.

Anyone with a crooked eyebrow or a rat‑like eye was taken for a thief.

Having learned from past mistakes, the Train Police, without evidence, dared not grab people arbitrarily, lest they be sued.

Meng Li looked at the chaotic Carriage, frowned, and said, "Xiao Qin, how long until we reach Coal Capital Station?"

Coal Capital produces coal; it is a major stop where the train must stay fifteen minutes, and Jiwu Section staff will inspect the train and replenish the Boiler with coal.

Xiao Qin replied, "Police Chief Meng, in less than ten minutes we should be pulling into the station."

Meng Li's brow deepened further, "Those same people again, they really think they can eat dry rice off our iron police! Once we're at the station, no one may exit; use the time to investigate, and this time we must catch the thief and give the common folk an answer."

"Yes, Police Chief Meng."

Xiao Qin was about to make arrangements when Meng Li remembered something and added, "By the way, isn't Lu Cheng supposed to be fishing? Ask him if he caught anything; if not, see how I'll deal with him when we get back."

……

At the junction of Carriage No. 7, Liu Jian'an suddenly pointed at the one wearing a Lei Feng Hat and said, "Lu Cheng, I saw him nod to another person; they're definitely accomplices. Should we go catch them now?"

Lu Cheng shook his head slightly, "Don't rush; we're still ten minutes from pulling into the station. Wait a bit longer."

The one with the Lei Feng Hat would surely still be contacting others; Lu Cheng wasn't interested in such a petty thug, he wanted to catch the female theft leader.

But so far, no trace had been seen.

How strange!

The ten minutes passed quickly; as the train slowly pulled into the station, passengers preparing to disembark began gathering their belongings.

Those who had lost money turned to the Train Police and started shouting accusations.

"You're living on dry rice! We common folk lost money, and you can't even catch a thief."

"Exactly, we're about to arrive, I'm still waiting to get off, and you owe us our money."

The Train Police, scolded, could barely lift their heads; feeling they had let the common folk down, they tried to soothe them, but the scene grew even more chaotic.

"Lu Cheng, we're at the station, they're preparing to get off. Do we arrest them or not?"

Lu Cheng said nothing, his eyes scanning the people about to disembark.

"Lu Cheng, who exactly are you looking for? We've already identified four suspects; catching those four would be enough for Merit."

Through continuous monitoring, the Lei Feng Hat wearer exchanged glances with two others, and according to Lu Cheng's description, each of the four had two unusually long fingers.

A precise capture would be spot‑on.

These are four people, yet Police Chief Meng expended great effort, deploying so many Train Police, and didn't catch even one.

He and Lu Cheng this time will definitely earn great Merit.

"Lu Cheng, seize them; if we wait any longer they'll jump off the train and run." Finally getting a chance for Merit, Liu Jian'an stamped his foot impatiently.

At that moment, Xiao Qin searched several Carriages and finally found Lu Cheng.

Without waiting for questions, Liu Jian'an blurted out the whole situation at once.

"Then what are we waiting for? Grab them, the train doors are open."

Lu Cheng also knew there was no more time; this was a perfect opportunity.

"Brother Xiao Qin, you and Jian'an go catch those two, the other two are mine."

Xiao Qin hesitated, "You alone against two—can you manage? I'll go call other Comrades."

"It's too late, act now." Lu Cheng gave the order, pushing through the crowd.

Many passengers were alighting; the scene was packed, and boarding passengers also crowded the Carriage, making it very hard for Lu Cheng and his two companions to move.

To avoid losing them, Lu Cheng kept moving forward while closely watching the four.

"Hey, stop pushing everyone."

"Dammit, you stepped on my foot, my brand‑new leather shoes."

"Why is a beggar coming up? Stay away from me, filthy."

Indeed, a grimy beggar appeared at the train doors; Lu Cheng gave him an extra glance, because the four scattered thieves each brushed against the beggar as they passed the doors.

Lu Cheng also noticed the four thieves seemed to reach their hands toward the beggar.

These thieves weren't even human, trying to steal the beggar's money.

After much effort the three managed to reach the doors, the beggar held a cracked bowl, swaying among the crowd, begging for a few coins.

When Lu Cheng passed, he patted the beggar's chest, "Sir, your money was stolen, but don't worry, I'll definitely retrieve it for you."

The beggar made no sound, just bowed his head and kept begging from others.

He wondered if the old man was hard of hearing, but Lu Cheng didn't mind; catching those four thieves was the priority.

The thieves had already alighted; as Lu Cheng leapt off the train to follow, he glanced at his palm and then at the beggar in the Carriage.

The beggar sported gray‑white hair, his dirty locks covering his face.

Huh? This old man even has chest muscles? The feel is rather soft!

"Lu Cheng, why are you still dazed? Grab them."

Lu Cheng snapped back, and once off the train, it wasn't as cramped as the Carriage, so he sprinted toward the other two thieves.

Because Police Chief Meng had ordered a 'no‑exit' policy, the station was sealed and no one could leave, though only temporarily.

Meanwhile, people at the scene began shouting in discontent.

"On what grounds are you sealing the station? We want to get out."

"Exactly, I'm trying to catch my train; if I miss the coach, I won't be able to get home."

Even if the Train Police on site explained that they needed to catch a thief, most people still refused to cooperate.

The ones in front were shoved forward by those behind, and several Train Police could not fend them off; soon a gap was forced open at the scene.

Meng Li saw it and, helplessly, let out a sigh.

It seems they still can't catch anyone this time.

Just as she, in her disappointment, prepared to return to the Carriage, at that moment she suddenly saw Xiao Qin and Liu Jian'an each lunge at a person, and the handcuffs were instantly placed on them.

How could she not understand? It must be that while Liu Jian'an was guarding the bag, he discovered who the thief was.

Did the fishing enforcement work?

Meng Li quickly made a decision and immediately arranged other Train Police to step forward and help.

Liu Jian'an, restraining a thief, shouted loudly: "You all go help Lu Cheng; there are two more thieves over there."

Liu Jian'an and Xiao Qin each were responsible for catching a thief, and with the few Train Police who rushed over, they easily subdued the two thieves.

Hearing Liu Jian'an's words, Meng Li, worried that Lu Cheng could not manage alone, started searching through the crowd.

When she found him, she, angry, shouted: "Lu Cheng, stop."