Chapter 396: Farewell

When Lu Cheng received news of the Educated Youth causing trouble again, it was still Wang Fengshi who informed him.

Compared to the Educated Youth incident, a sentence Wang Fengshi said on the phone worried Lu Cheng even more.

Wang Fengshi said that it was his last day overseeing work at Beijing Station.

The meaning was obvious: Wang Fengshi was to be transferred from his current post, and given his abilities, it would certainly be a promotion.

Leaving at this critical moment puzzled Lu Cheng, because Captain Lei had been coughing continuously; it hadn't worsened, but it hadn't eased either.

As Lei Zhan'ge's close secretary, having cared for them for years, Lu Cheng knew Lei Zhan'ge's temperament and health best, so departing now felt rather sudden.

Moreover, none of the people at Beijing Station knew beforehand.

Lu Cheng rode a bicycle to the Traffic Police Unit, then hurried to the room bearing the Director's Office sign.

Upon entering, Wang Fengshi was packing his belongings—teacup, washbasin, fountain pen… From the scene, it was clear they were really leaving.

"Director Wang, I received your call…"

Wang Fengshi waved a hand, indicating him to sit down: "Lu Jingzhang, I know you have many questions. To be honest, I don't want to leave either, but this is Captain Lei's order."

Lu Cheng nodded; this surely meant Lei Zhan'ge thought Wang Fengshi had been sufficiently honed and should be given a heavy responsibility.

The old man was like that: whenever he deemed someone outstanding, he would forcefully take them, train them, then release them to serve the country.

"Director Wang, your departure is far too sudden; even if you told me a day in advance, I could have treated you to a meal."

As for Wang Fengshi, Lu Cheng still felt grateful; in daily work, they had received plenty of help and had been given many backdoor favors and conveniences.

Wang Fengshi paused halfway through packing, sat down, and laughed: "It is indeed sudden, but 'sudden' is relative—Captain Lei had arranged this months ago; they just feared it would affect your work, so they never announced it."

Lu Cheng nodded: "Then, Director Wang, where are you going to take up a higher post?"

Wang Fengshi waved: "It's not really a promotion; of course I'm still in Railway work, transferred to the He Province Railway Branch as director, and we'll still meet later."

Becoming a director, although both are at chief division rank, differs from being a secretary in the Traffic Police Unit; there, one is the top leader with real authority.

After years of honing, it's still relatively easy to rise another level.

It seems Lei Zhan'ge has taken great care of this secretary.

Lu Cheng congratulated: "Director Wang, this is a promotion—congratulations. You mustn't forget us in the future."

Wang Fengshi laughed heartily: "Lu Jingzhang, your words flatter me; I only hope you won't forget me."

This wasn't a compliment at all.

He took ten years to reach director level; although that was rapid, it was still the result of following Lei Zhan'ge.

And this time moving to the Railway Branch, he has already prepared to be a director for life; aspiring to rise further is almost impossible.

But he knows that Lu Cheng's future is absolutely incalculable.

"I've worked here for ten years; leaving suddenly, I feel reluctant, also reluctant to part with you all. Though we've only spent a brief two years together, I've already regarded you as my revolutionary comrades."

As the separation approached, Wang Fengshi's tone was inevitably a bit sorrowful, but there is no banquet that never ends; Lu Cheng has never been one to linger.

"Director Wang, after you leave, will this secretary need to be replaced? Have you found someone? I see Captain Lei's health…"

When it comes to Captain Lei's health, no one knows it better than Wang Fengshi.

However, seeing Lu Cheng care so much about Captain Lei's condition, Wang Fengshi felt a little relieved.

He shook his head: "There is no new secretary; Captain Lei does not want to waste resources by having the state find someone else to look after them."

Lu Cheng understood this was definitely Lei Zhan'ge's intention.

"Then Director Wang, please rest assured; you can go over there and work peacefully. Anyway, I'm about to graduate here, and when the time comes I'll stay here full‑time, and will definitely pay more attention to Captain Lei's health."

When Lu Cheng said that, Wang Fengshi was completely reassured; they knew Captain Lei had not misjudged anyone.

Although this kid sometimes acts outside the rules, his sense of gratitude is undeniable.

"Then I owe you one, okay? Or shall we discuss the Educated Youth incident?"

Wang Fengshi prepared to stand his final shift.

Lu Cheng sat up straight: "Did they start a collective track‑blocking again?"

"This time, no; perhaps your previous communication had an effect, but it's only temporary."

Over there, Director Song tried to negotiate, but this time the Educated Youth specifically requested to see Minister Lu.

Listening to Wang Fengshi, Lu Cheng gave a wry smile; last time, he had impersonated a leader, promising the Educated Youth to convey their issues upward.

But such macro‑level adjustments take time; these Educated Youth are too impatient.

Noticing Lu Cheng's worried expression, Wang Fengshi chuckled: "Last time you were just blabbering there, now you realize the trouble you caused, let's see how you wrap it up this time."

Three months have passed; the Educated Youth didn't achieve the results they wanted, so this communication will surely be tougher than last time.

Continuing to blabber—does it still work? Yet after pondering, they could only keep blabbering.

"Director Wang, you don't need to worry about this; leave it to me. I'll catch a train and rush over today."

"Alright, with Lu Jingzhang stepping in, I believe even the toughest problems can be solved well."

Wang Fengshi stood up and proactively shook Lu Cheng's hand.

After today's parting, the two would no longer be comrades in the same unit; when they meet again, who knows which day it will be.

As Lu Cheng reached the doorway, Wang Fengshi suddenly called out, "Lu Jingzhang…"

Lu Cheng halted, and Wang Fengshi hesitated, ultimately rephrasing what they wanted to say.

"Captain Lei, I'm counting on you."

Lu Cheng felt Wang Fengshi's tone was overly heavy, and thought perhaps at this parting Wang Fengshi might still be uneasy about the former senior leader.

"Rest assured, Director Wang, I will definitely take good care of Captain Lei; otherwise, if something happens to him, no one will clean up after me later."

The reason Lu Cheng usually isn't afraid to violate regulations, even impersonating national leaders, is because they have Lei Zhan'ge, a Chief Hall Official Rank patron, behind them.

Out of respect for Lei Zhan'ge, even if anyone has complaints about Lu Cheng, they can only swallow them.

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Wang Fengshi was momentarily reflective; they too share this mindset.

Since everyone knows they are Lei Zhan'ge's secretary, everyone gives them a bit of courtesy.

But after leaving the Traffic Police Unit today, the road ahead will have to be walked by himself.

Lu Cheng boarded the train here, and when he rushed to reach Jia Gou, he first did his elderly makeup on the train, and then was carried on a stretcher there.