Chapter 398: Are You Sure You Want to Send Me Away?

A few female educated youths were sobbing uncontrollably, and Lu Cheng wasn't surprised at all; after all, people of this era are so innocent that even a short poem can move them to tears.

Lu Cheng had given enough embraces and then tried to touch a girl's hand, but that touch was unwelcome, and one of the female educated youths felt something was off.

"Minister, your hand…"

Why does it look without a single wrinkle, looking instead like a young person's?

Lu Cheng thought quickly and calmly said, "No problem, it's just swelling."

The female educated youths heard it, their noses instantly ached, and tears fell again.

"Minister, you are suffering such a great hardship for us."

Lu Cheng smiled kindly: "It's nothing; as long as I can get you home to reunite with your families, even dying would be worth it. Oh, don't cry, don't cry—hug…"

Niu Da Kui sniffed and said, "I also want a hug."

Lu Cheng glared, "You keep meddling blindly; with a child's intelligence, can you even understand how to hug properly?"

"Help me up!"

"Minister, your health is poor now; don't get up."

"No problem; let the people stand while I lie down, otherwise I feel uneasy."

Lu Cheng struggled as the female educated youths helped him up; with the emotional groundwork laid, the discussion could proceed smoothly.

Staggering on his trembling legs, Lu Cheng slowly walked toward the group of educated youths, and at once pretended to lose his balance, luckily being steadied by the cap-wearing youth.

"Minister…"

Lu Cheng waved his hand lightly: "No problem, young comrade, you must be resenting me in your heart, right?"

The cap-wearing youth hesitated a moment, still not daring to speak: "I—I didn't, how could I dare to complain about the Minister?"

Lu Cheng showed a kindly smile: "Hehe, I know you're not speaking the truth; in your heart you must be resenting me. I promised you a result in three months, yet there is still no result. I have failed you, and I can understand your emotions."

Hearing Lu Cheng speak that way, especially since his body had become gravely ill from overwork, everyone felt they had no right to be emotional.

"Minister, I know you have overexerted yourself for us; why don't you stop worrying, we'll still report upward in our own way…"

Lu Cheng refused outright: "No. Since I promised you, I must see it through to the end. Even if I die, I will die on this land. If you cannot return, I will stay with you."

Lu Cheng thought, who would gladly take care of your matters, but you insist on lying on the tracks, which interferes with Railway work.

"Minister…" The cap-wearing youth's feelings at that moment were beyond contradictory.

On one hand, he was moved by Lu Cheng's selfless spirit; on the other, the interests of all the educated youths urgently needed a response.

They had already waited three months and didn't want to wait any longer.

"Minister, you worry so much for us; we thank you, but…"

Lu Cheng interrupted again: "Give me another three months, and I guarantee a satisfactory result for everyone."

The cap-wearing youth hesitated, another three months to wait!

If after three months there is still no result, wouldn't they have wasted another three months waiting?

The male educated youths were generally rational; you handle things for us, we thank you, but each matter is dealt with on its own.

Everyone didn't want to wait that long again; they still wanted to voice their concerns in their own way.

Fortunately, the female educated youths were emotional.

"Stop pressuring him; the Minister has become so ill because of us…"

"Yes, giving another three months is fine; we've been here for several years, losing another three months isn't a big deal."

No need for Lu Cheng to say anything more; the female educated youths took the lead in turning against him.

Once the insiders are not united, it's hard for everyone to reach a consensus.

At this moment, the cap-wearing youth felt a pressure building in his chest.

Earlier he had sworn to demand an explanation for everyone, but seeing the senior leader so gravely ill, he was left with anger that had nowhere to vent.

Seeing the cap-wearing youth wavering, Lu Cheng's posture became unstable, about to collapse to the ground…

Instinctively trying to help, they were brushed aside by Lu Cheng, who then took the hands offered by the two female educated youths.

"Quickly agree to the Minister."

"Yes, look how we've forced him into this."

Under the successive pressure from the female educated youths, the cap-wearing youth had to relent, agreeing to grant another three months.

Lu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, having managed to bluff his way through again.

But it was only temporary; from now, at least six months remain before any policy can be issued.

Now all possible tactics have been used; once this three-month deadline passes, Lu Cheng won't know how to respond next time.

At least they've bought another three months.

Facing the female educated youths' reluctant hand‑holding and their wishes for him to take care of his health, Lu Cheng also felt reluctant.

Finally, he gave them one more embrace, then Lu Cheng had to leave.

Because thunder started, and it looked like rain was about to fall.

If they got soaked, the makeup on their faces would smear, and they'd be in trouble.

"Minister, Minister, you must take good care of your health and come back to see us…"

The female educated youths chased after the jeep, and Lu Cheng really wanted to get off and hug them again.

But the heavens were unkind; the raindrops had already begun to fall, and Lu Cheng didn't even dare to stick his head out, only gesturing for them to return.

After entering July, although it wasn't especially hot yet, the beauty‑loving girls couldn't help but switch to long dresses.

After Lu Cheng returned to the Capital City, he went straight to the school; in July, the Qingbei campus was shaded by green trees, and girls in long dresses walked in small groups along the tree‑lined paths.

When a gentle breeze passed, the skirts swayed gracefully, revealing slender, fair, delicate calves.

Lu Cheng knew his days at the school were few; such scenery would soon be a farewell.

In a few more days summer vacation would begin, and at the end of July the second exam after the reinstated college entrance exam would be held.

After that, the college entrance exam was basically fixed in July, and only after the new millennium did it change to June.

Seeing that the summer vacation was only a few days away, Lu Cheng let Zheng Guoping and the others use this period to hold daily discussion meetings in the Student Union office.

The content of the exchange was about internal combustion engines.

In the past six months, Zheng Guoping and the others have used their spare time to gradually get into knowledge about internal combustion engines.

Because it was a completely new field, they inevitably encountered problems they didn't understand, so Lu Cheng encouraged more exchange, and the school happened to have a venue.

Today Lu Cheng returned, so naturally he wanted to take a look.

When he wandered to the Student Union office downstairs, he could already hear the arguing inside.

Lu Cheng was very satisfied; truth becomes clearer the more it is debated, and academic issues are the same—they require arguing.

Progress through argument has always been the spirit Lu Cheng advocated.

And while Lu Cheng has been on car duty these past few days, Zheng Guoping and the others still hold the discussion meetings punctually every day, without slacking.

Just as Lu Cheng was about to open the door and walk in, he suddenly saw a girl perched in front of the window, peeking her head into the room.

Usually when Zheng Guoping discusses in this office, many students come to watch.

Lu Cheng hadn't paid attention, assuming it was another curious student, until the girl turned her head and he saw it was Lin Yin.

"Hey Lu San'er, you're back."

Lu Cheng frowned; at school, everyone respectfully calls him Lu President, but only Yang Yin casually shouts Lu San'er to him.

"No, what are you doing perched here, not going to class properly?"

Yang Yin walked over with hands behind his back: "I have no class this afternoon, so I came to hang out."

Lu Cheng waved his hand: "This isn't a place for you to play; we're holding a discussion meeting, so don't disturb us—go play elsewhere."

Yang Yin pursed his lips: "Are you sure you want to kick me out? Then don't regret it!"