Chapter 329: Don't Blame Me for Turning My Back and Not Recognizing Anyone

Two people were hauled off the train from the back, and Lu Cheng knew them all.

They were Ding Yuanmin and Ding Shitou, who supplied sister's department store.

Since expanding from the Big Bowl Tea Stall into a department store, its sales capability has become stronger.

Now it's winter, cotton‑padded jackets sell very well, and many local and nearby small factories in Capital City have been coming forward seeking cooperation.

If it were another Cooperative, they would surely work with local factories, but Lu Ying still chose to go farther, using the cotton‑padded jackets produced by Ding Yuanmin's Commune.

Back when it was still the Big Bowl Tea Stall, Lu Ying begged grandpa and grandma, saying these small factories were unwilling to cooperate; it was Ding Yuanmin's tireless deliveries—reasonable prices and guaranteed quality—that gradually turned the Big Bowl Tea Stall into today's department store.

So if Lu Ying didn't use Ding Yuanmin's Commune's goods, it would be like discarding the millstone and killing the donkey; Lu Ying could never do such a thing.

Sister's principle of speaking about integrity earned Lu Cheng's strong approval.

He also heard sister say that in summer, having Ding Yuanmin's Commune produce sandals sold quite well.

The ongoing cooperation has been fine; that Commune, relying on this department store, has also let its members earn a good amount of extra cash.

Why today was Ding Yuanmin again caught as a Speculation Profiteering Element?

In theory, with an Approval Document and a Receiving Unit, this shouldn't happen.

Lu Cheng hadn't yet asked about the situation, and at the same time, Fan Dashan was secretly watching his reaction.

"Group Leader Lu, are you surprised? You must know these two, right?"

Lu Cheng didn't deny it; he remembered that the first time Ding Yuanmin delivered to the department store, he was the one caught by Fan Dashan.

At that time, although Ding Yuanmin had a proper Approval Document, because it was his first delivery and he hadn't promptly contacted the Receiving Unit—the Big Bowl Tea Stall—Fan Dashan deliberately detained him to earn Merit.

Fortunately, Lu Cheng promptly found Wang Fengshi, mediated, and got Ding Yuanmin released.

But Fan Dashan was very dissatisfied; the hard‑won opportunity to earn Merit was ruined by Lu Cheng.

"Chief Fan, I indeed know these two, but you should also know they deliver to the department store, frequently using this route; did you arrest the wrong people?"

Lu Cheng said this while glancing at Ding Yuanmin and Ding Shitou, seeing Ding Yuanmin lower his head, which left Lu Cheng baffled.

Fan Dashan chuckled, "I knew you'd say that; I also know they have Approval Documents for delivering cotton‑padded jackets."

Lu Cheng grew more puzzled: "Since you already know, why did you detain them as a Speculation Profiteering Element? If you're still bitter about the last incident, you could come at me, but there's no need to arrest them."

Several people in the group knew that Fan Dashan held grudges.

Now, during the crucial period of evaluating the police chief, Lu Cheng thought Fan Dashan was again eager to earn Merit, arbitrarily abusing his authority to detain people.

But this time, Fan Dashan's detention truly had a reason.

"Group Leader Lu, I'm not targeting you."

"If that's the case, why are you still detaining them! Did you forget the reprimand you received last time?" Lu Cheng deliberately reminded him.

Last time Fan Dashan abused his power and forcibly detained people, Wang Fengshi gave him a thorough scolding.

He thought that reminder would make Fan Dashan realize his mistake and release them immediately.

But this time Fan Dashan was extremely confident.

"Group Leader Lu, I did make mistakes before, I corrected them, but this time I have a reason for detaining them."

With proper Approval Documents making it legal and compliant, Lu Cheng truly couldn't think of any reason Fan Dashan could have to detain anyone.

However, when Fan Dashan reached into his pocket and pulled out two boxes of medicine, Lu Cheng felt an instant chill.

"Group Leader Lu, my reason for detaining them isn't these cotton‑padded jackets, but these two boxes of medicine... the labels are in foreign script, clearly obtained illegally; this is far more serious than Speculative Profiteering, daring to traffic medicine—this is a smuggling felony."

"What do you think, Group Leader Lu, did I arrest the wrong people?"

Lu Cheng gave no answer, his eyes fixed on the two boxes of medicine, which were not ordinary; they were the Insulin he had previously asked Ding Yuanmin to obtain from Gang Cheng.

Because the source was dubious, Ding Yuanmin had always been cautious; Lu Cheng handled the liaison himself, and when time was short, he let his most trusted sister handle it.

Every one or two months, Ding Yuanmin would deliver a batch, and under careful oversight, nothing had ever gone wrong.

Why was he caught by Fan Dashan this time?

Lu Cheng had many questions for Ding Yuanmin, but Ding Yuanmin seemed unwilling to involve him; when Lu Cheng looked at him, Ding Yuanmin lowered his head even further.

But Lu Cheng couldn't stay silent; plainly, Ding Yuanmin was arrested because of the medicine, all due to his involvement.

Although Ding Yuanmin took the risk to repay a favor.

If he ends up imprisoned because of this, Lu Cheng couldn't help feeling uneasy.

"Chief Fan, did you make a mistake, did you ask properly? They might have a relative needing medicine, which is why they brought it from there."

Lu Cheng's remark, on the surface asking Fan Dashan, was actually a cue for Ding Yuanmin to say it that way.

Only by saying it like that would it not count as smuggling, and Ding Yuanmin indeed wasn't smuggling, because there was no profit involved, just pure assistance.

Sometimes, when not delivering goods, they make a special trip just to bring the medicine, incurring travel costs.

But Lu Cheng still underestimated Fan Dashan's determination to earn Merit.

Fan Dashan gave Ding Yuanmin no chance to speak: "Group Leader Lu, these are the people I detained; any issues, I will naturally interrogate."

At this moment Lu Cheng wanted Ding Yuanmin to make a brief defense, so he could speak alongside.

But Ding Yuanmin on the train, whether frightened by Fan Dashan's smuggling felony accusation or whatever, remained silent.

"How about this, Chief Fan, you look tired on duty, just hand it over to me, you go rest."

Fan Dashan immediately stretched out his arm: "That won't do, Group Leader Lu, I finally earned this Merit, what does it mean to hand it over to you?"

"Chief Fan, rest assured, the credit will still be yours; I'm just helping you."

Fan Dashan brushed off his goodwill: "Hehe, I appreciate Group Leader Lu's kindness, but for such a serious smuggling felon, I must escort him personally to the Railway Bureau for questioning; I can't trust anyone else with him."

Whether he could become police chief hinged on this Merit, and Fan Dashan placed great importance on it.

"Chief Fan…"

When Lu Cheng called him again, Fan Dashan turned his head, his face puzzled.

"I say, Group Leader Lu, why do you repeatedly try to speak for these two? Could it be that this guy's smuggling of medicine involves you as well?"

This time Ding Yuanmin suddenly jumped forward to speak.

Of course it's fine; I take responsibility for my own actions, so don't go around falsely accusing anyone!

"Did I let you speak?" Fan Dashan gave Ding Yuanmin a smack on the head: "Wait until we get to the bureau; watch how I deal with you, then take you away."

Ding Yuanmin and the other person were dragged away like that, while Fan Dashan turned his gaze to Lu Cheng and gave a meaning‑laden smile.

Group Leader Lu, although we are comrades in the same unit, if I uncover that this incident involves you, don't blame me when I turn my back and cut ties.