Chapter 397: Feigning Illness

Seeing Lu Cheng lying on a stretcher, looking weak, Song Juzhang of the Railway Branch was terrified.

"What? Huh, what's this?"

Lu Cheng waved his hand, indicating he shouldn't be nervous: "It's nothing, Song Juzhang, I just have a serious illness."

It hasn't been long since we last met; last time he was lively, how could he suddenly have a serious illness in the blink of an eye?

Song Juzhang, somewhat worried, asked with concern: "It's not Lu Jingzhang, you're still young, how did you get a serious illness? What disease is it, is it severe? If you really can't, you should go back; I'll figure out a way to handle things here."

Even though the Educated Youth are causing trouble, which is quite a headache, especially since the three‑month deadline has arrived, they insist that 'Minister Lu' must come to give an explanation.

But Lu Cheng is like this, and Song Juzhang can't bear to let him go into the field while sick.

Seeing Song Juzhang's nervousness, Lu Cheng was pleased with his own performance, thinking he need not fear the Educated Youth seeing through his act.

"Song Juzhang, I'm no longer young; catching a serious illness isn't surprising."

Song Juzhang was stunned for a moment, then quickly grasped Lu Cheng's meaning—that he was feigning illness—and felt both amused and helpless.

"Oh dear, Lu Jingzhang, you really have many ideas; I admire you."

Song Juzhang meant to say, "Your lousy ideas are countless."

Lu Cheng said helplessly: "I have no other choice; those kids have to be coaxed like this."

Song Juzhang laughed: "All right then, I was about to assign a few officers to go with you, fearing they'd beat you up, but in your current state, I guess they'd be too embarrassed to act again."

The Educated Youth now harbored resentment; Lu Cheng had promised a result after three months, but now there was none.

One by one they shouted that Minister Lu had deceived them, was fooling them.

If Minister Lu doesn't come to give an explanation, they'll go on a collective track‑blocking.

Facing Educated Youth whose emotions were even more intense than last time, Song Juzhang regretted that Lu Cheng had impersonated a leader previously; otherwise it wouldn't have ended so badly.

"Lu Jingzhang, it's already mealtime; why not eat first?"

Song Juzhang still thought this was too chaotic; if they kept fooling around like this, when would it ever end?

He thought of using the mealtime to see if they could discuss another solution.

But Lu Cheng insisted: "No, Song Juzhang, I must stay hungry now so I appear even weaker; you don't know, I've gone two days without food on the train, afraid the act won't look right, I'll keep the ruse."

Song Juzhang was both exasperated and amused; the Educated Youth had been causing a ruckus for days, and indeed they couldn't eat now, so he took Lu Cheng and rushed to the scene.

To Song Juzhang's surprise, the effect turned out unexpectedly good.

The Educated Youth at the scene shouted and clamored to see Minister Lu; if he didn't give an explanation, they'd tear a banner and march to the capital to cause trouble.

The Youth were practically lawless, but when Lu Cheng was carried on a stretcher by Chang Jinbu and Niu Da Kui, slowly moving forward, the angry crowd suddenly fell silent.

"Minister Lu has arrived..."

"Minister Lu is here? Minister Lu really is here."

"Is that Minister Lu? Why is he being carried over?"

"He can't be putting on a show!"

"It doesn't look like it; it looks more like a hospital stretcher, as if he's sick."

"How could he get sick when he was fine before? Last time his body seemed robust..."

Amid the murmurs, Lu Cheng, supported by Chang Jinbu, sat up weakly and cast a weary gaze outward.

Seeing the puzzled eyes converge, Lu Cheng trembled and extended one hand.

"Comrades, my children... I'm late, I've kept you waiting... my poor children..."

Lu Cheng's arm, trembling like Parkinson's, and his slightly hoarse voice delivering "my poor children" made everyone's hearts ache.

"Minister Lu, what's wrong with you?"

One of the Youth asked.

Lu Cheng sighed first: "Alas, I fell seriously ill and have been convalescing in the hospital these days, but I've been thinking of you all; no matter what, I had to come to see you."

Fell seriously ill? Another Youth asked in confusion: "It's so severe, but why did you suddenly become ill?"

That question was exactly what all the Youth present wanted to ask.

Before Lu Cheng arrived, they felt cheated and were angry.

Especially the youth in the military cap, who led them and had promised the senior leader three months, yet gave no news, leaving him unsure how to explain to everyone.

However, upon seeing Lu Cheng's pitiful condition, they had to temporarily suppress their anger.

Lu Cheng knew the Youth's opinions were strong; if any part of today's performance faltered, they wouldn't settle peacefully.

So he pretended to be feeble: "Alas, better not mention it, better not mention it..."

Just as everyone was puzzled, Chang Jinbu timely shouted: "Isn't it because of your return-to-city matter? How can you still ask? If it weren't for..."

The Youth stared eagerly at Chang Jinbu, waiting for an explanation, when Lu Cheng suddenly scolded.

"Little Chang!"

The Youth turned their gaze toward Lu Cheng.

"Don't tell everyone that my health has no major issues."

"No way."

The Youth again looked toward Chang Jinbu.

Chang Jinbu continued: "Minister Lu, you want to be like Lei Feng, doing good deeds without credit; I understand, but for these Youth you've nearly ruined your health. The doctors said you need to rest peacefully now, you can't keep worrying, otherwise…"

Lu Cheng reached out: "Stop talking. The Youth returning to the city is a huge matter; if it gets those children home, even breaking my old bones is worth it."

"Minister, I beg you," Chang Jinbu half‑kneeling on the ground, pleaded.

"Your body is nearly exhausted, you've been worrying for them so much these days; you can't keep pushing yourself. I beg you, for the country, for more people, you must take care of yourself."

"Nonsense, shut up."

Lu Cheng, with a stern face, scolded: "These are my children, these are my people; if not for them, for whom else?"

A group of Youth alternated between looking at the crying Chang Jinbu and the sighing Lu Cheng.

From the two's dialogue, they seemed to have understood something.

The senior leader fell ill like this because of their Hui Cheng matter.

That also shows that the senior leader did not deceive them.

Even though he was already so ill, the senior leader still kept it hidden, not letting anyone know.

What a great spirit of sacrifice!

In these times, simple folk are most easily moved by such a spirit.

Immediately, several emotional female Educated Youth, crying, hurried forward, half‑kneeling on the ground, tenderly grasped the kind old man's hands.

"Minister, you fell ill like this for our Hui Cheng, sob… we have wronged you…"

"Don't cry, child, don't cry…"

Lu Cheng forced his body, pulling several female Educated Youth into his arms, gently patting their backs to comfort them.

He embraced three at once!

This scene made Chang Jinbu beside him enviously thrilled.