Chapter 328: Someone Got Caught

"What's the commotion? Is San'er back?"

Chen Xianglan, startled awake, propped herself up and looked outside.

Half‑asleep Lu Beitang mumbled, "It shouldn't be that. Lu Cheng said he had to work a night shift, I told him to stay in that Siheyuan over there."

"What's that noise, thump! Could it be a thief?"

Lu Feng, already up, said, "Mom, it seems to be Ying Ying's room; I'll go check."

It was cold outside; just as he grabbed a coat to put on, the door knocked, and Lu Feng hurriedly opened it.

"Ying Ying? I was just saying I'd go to your room, what's up?"

Lu Ying rubbed her waist, gritting her teeth, "Big brother, I fell off the bed."

Before Lu Feng could ask, Chen Xianglan spoke first, "Oh dear, you're an adult and you fell off the bed, scared me half to death; I thought a thief had gotten in."

Lu Ying, looking aggrieved, said, "It wasn't me that wanted to fall; it was Sister Bao Feng who shoved me under the bed in one swift move, my waist almost broke."

Chen Xianglan laughed, "Oh my, your bed is a bit small; that Bao Feng could probably take it all up."

"Exactly, I always sleep on my side, just curled up at the edge of the bed."

Chen Xianglan shook her head helplessly, "Then just make do and go back to sleep."

"How can I sleep? Sister Bao Feng is snoring and grinding her teeth, as if she wants to eat people; I can't sleep at all."

Hearing his daughter's complaint, Chen Xianglan laughed even more, "That's because you can't fall asleep; if it were me, I'd also be unable to sleep."

At that moment Lu Beitang propped himself up and said, "Ying Ying, you can't look down on her; she's your sister‑in‑law's big sister…"

"Dad, I'm not looking down on her, but let me sleep, okay? I have work tomorrow."

Hearing his daughter's words, Chen Xianglan glanced at Lu Beitang.

"It's all your fault; San'er said it would be great for them to stay in that Siheyuan, and you refused, making it so cramped now."

"I… I just thought it wasn't appropriate."

Dad, Mom, how about this: let Baoyue's second sister go sleep in Ying Ying's room; I'll share a bed with Baoyue, and then Ying Ying can sleep over here.

Chen Xianglan was a bit uneasy, "Can that work? I think Bao Yun is good at taking care of children; can you handle it? That little guy is quite noisy at night; maybe Yue Yue and I should share a bed."

"No need, Mom. Yue Yue and I can manage, plus we have a Heating Stove, so it's not cold at night; you just rest well."

So that's the only arrangement; Lu Beitang got up and said, "Then I'll take the small bed. Ying Ying, you and your mother, and Qing'er, sleep on the big bed."

That night, the old Lu household went through a little episode; after rearranging the beds, the courtyard gradually quieted down.

Meanwhile, the train platform was bustling with voices, a lively crowd coming and going.

Lu Cheng, leading his team to keep order, thought to himself that once he becomes head of police next year, he'll be able to quit platform duty.

The prerequisite is that the Snow Removal Machine Project can be built, but Lu Cheng is confident about that.

At the Research Institute, he coordinated many forces, and with Chief Engineer Tan Zonggong stationed behind, researching a Snow Removal Machine Project is completely fine.

While daydreaming, the blaring whistle snapped Lu Cheng back; another train was pulling into the station.

Soon, the steam locomotive, pulling a long string of carriages, came to a slow stop, white steam blanketing the Iron Rail.

After a brief pause, Lu Cheng, with Da Kui and others, began guiding people out of the station—those asking for directions, for the Guesthouse, for the restroom, and those wanting hot water.

For a moment, the station was as chirpy as a flock of swallows.

Amid the bustle, someone suddenly shouted.

"Group Leader Lu, today's your shift, thanks for the hard work!"

Lu Cheng turned his head and saw Fan Dashan stepping off the train; this train from the south was being handled by Group Two on board duty.

Since entering university and taking classes, Lu Cheng's chances of riding on duty have dwindled.

That also means he can't rely on regular duty to earn the chance to become head of police.

Fortunately, he forged another path and secured the Snow Removal Machine Project.

"It's Chief Fan, huh? No trouble, it's serving the people."

Fan Dashan laughed, clearly delighted today, because he had caught a big fish.

As long as he hands this big fish over, surpassing the third‑place Deng Hairong will be no problem at all.

In high spirits, he felt like teasing Lu Cheng.

"Let's say, among us group leaders, only Group Leader Lu is enlightened, always thinking of the people."

It was rare to hear praise from Fan Dashan, and Lu Cheng was rather surprised, so he joined in the banter, after all the shift is pretty boring.

"Then how about this: give Chief Fan a chance to shine, and you take my shift."

The platform, with no shelter or barrier, was still too cold; Lu Cheng wore several layers, yet still felt unprotected.

"Hehe, if it were a regular day, I'd definitely cover your shift, but today I have no time."

Fan Dashan said, shouting into the carriage, "Bring those two Speculation Profiteering Elements down."

No wonder Fan Dashan is so happy; Lu Cheng laughed, "Chief Fan, you've caught a big haul again; looks like your assessment score this month will surpass Group Leader Deng."

It's only a few months until the final police chief selection is announced; even a one‑point difference will affect the outcome.

"Don't worry, Group Leader Lu, once you're under my care, I'll definitely look after you."

"Hey, what's going on, dragging your feet? Bring them down quickly so Group Leader Lu can have a look."

That made Lu Cheng curious too, wondering just how big a Speculation Profiteering Element could make Fan Dashan this excited.

Regarding Speculation Profiteering Elements, they hadn't been scarce; they were often Magnetic Tapes, watches, radios, and the biggest were imported TVs.

When catching such elements, if the quantity was small, they usually gave a verbal warning and confiscated the items; for more serious cases, they would imprison them for a few months as a punitive warning.

Lu Cheng's stance on these elements was clear: they should be arrested, that's the policy, and he can't oppose it.

But the assistance offered is limited to providing travel expenses.

There were even released individuals who thought Lu Cheng's travel stipend meant he wanted to cooperate with them; they were happy to work with the Train Police.

But when they tried to rope Lu Cheng into collusion, what they didn't understand was that Lu Cheng would resolutely refuse.

Lu Cheng's behavior left them very puzzled and unable to understand.

In fact, Lu Cheng will seek to cooperate with them, but not now; they must wait until the policies change, when the status of such people will become compliant.

Therefore, even if these people are arrested and try to have Lu Cheng intercede, Lu Cheng will only handle it in an official manner.

But when the two Speculation Profiteering Elements that Fan Dashan captured were dragged down from the train, Lu Cheng's eyes widened for a moment.