Chapter 418: The Impostor Reporter

After passing Shanhai Pass, we enter the Northeast jurisdiction and need to get off the train in advance.

Lu Cheng, while packing his things, said to Yang Yin, "You didn't bring the introduction letter, so you can't wander around, but you don't need to worry; I've already made arrangements for you…

When we reach the Ha City terminal, first stay at our Railway Bureau Guesthouse, then wait for the next train, find a train captain named Yang Xing, and then return to Capital City…".

After a long while without a reply, Lu Cheng turned his head and saw Yang Yin sitting on the opposite bunk, seeming to be lost in thought.

These past two days on the train, unlike at home, with poor food and sleep, Yang Yin's little face clearly lost its former vigor.

"I see you're not very satisfied with my arrangements, huh?"

Yang Yin snapped back to herself and quickly waved her hand: "No, no, your arrangement is fine; it's just that I want to get off the train with you."

Yang Yin knew that she could make this long trip without worrying about food, drink, or lodging, and the special treatment she received along the way was all because of Lu Cheng.

"You said you wanted to take the train, and we're not even halfway yet."

"But riding alone is so boring, there's no one to talk to; I still want to get off the train with you."

Lu Cheng thought for a moment; indeed leaving Yang Yin alone on the train is a bit unsafe. Although he greeted the train captain, the captain can't watch over her constantly.

If something were to happen, it would be hard to report to Professor Yang.

"Alright then, when we reach the platform, you'll get off the train with me."

"Mm‑mm."

……

About an hour later, not far from the next stop, Lu Cheng squeezed Yang Yin off the train.

The station was bustling with voices, very lively.

"Wow, the air down here smells so good."

On the train, various smells mingled together, and after getting used to them you don't notice anything, but stepping off creates a contrast, and the feeling changes instantly.

Lu Cheng, walking ahead, said, "Hurry up, watch out for pickpockets."

"Ah, are there thieves? I didn't see any," Yang Yin looked around.

Lu Cheng turned back, chuckling, and tapped her: "That thief could even write two characters on his face."

"Ouch, that hurts like death."

Just as Yang Yin was about to cover her head, Lu Cheng grabbed her hand and hurried out of the platform.

Yang Yin forgot the pain.

At that moment, the platform's announcement rang out: "Lu Jingzhang, please wait at the train station entrance; a vehicle is coming to pick you up… Lu Jingzhang, please wait at the train station entrance…"

Lu Cheng looked up and around; this must be Director Tang having given the word, and the local Railway Bureau wouldn't dare delay, sending a car specially to receive us.

Yang Yin hopped beside him and said, "Sure, Lu Jingzhang, it's really comfortable following you; as soon as we get off the train there's a dedicated car waiting."

Taking Yang Yin out of the platform, they reached the main road and immediately saw the waiting jeep.

Needless to say, it had to be that one, because in a small city there aren't many cars.

Lu Cheng went up to greet, and saw a young man rush toward the vehicle, and a middle‑aged man in a police uniform stepping down from the co‑driver's seat.

"You're Lu Jingzhang, right?"

"Hello comrade, I'm Lu Cheng from Capital City."

The other shook his hand: "Then I'm not waiting for the wrong person; I'm the chief of our Railway Division, my surname is Qian, just call me Old Qian."

Seeing Lu Cheng so young, Old Qian felt a little uneasy; how could the General Bureau send such a youngster to solve the problem?

What problem could a green youngster possibly solve?

But Lu Cheng truly represented the General Bureau, and although Old Qian harbored some complaints, his face remained smiling.

"Lu Jingzhang, after a long journey, let's get in the car first and chat while we go… Oh, this is…"

Seeing that Old Qian was referring to Yang Yin, Lu Cheng wondered how best to introduce her; after all, this is an official trip, taking the train isn't a big deal, and he already knows the train captain, so it's just a greeting.

But after getting off the train and taking the dedicated car, they'll inevitably have to eat at the Railway Bureau later, which feels a bit inappropriate.

He still couldn't abandon Yang Yin; Lu Cheng was momentarily troubled, thinking of calling her his cousin—after all she's family, and he believed Old Qian, even if he had reservations, wouldn't say anything.

Just as he was about to speak, Yang Yin seemed to sense his worry and stepped forward to shake hands.

"Hello Bureau Chief Qian, I'm a reporter for Capital Daily, my surname is Yang; this time I'm representing Capital Daily, coming specially to learn about the situation."

Lu Cheng stared wide‑eyed beside her, thinking what kind of nonsense—she's calling herself a reporter out of thin air.

But because she came with Lu Cheng, Bureau Chief Qian immediately believed her; after all, the Educated Youth incident had a considerable impact, and it's normal for Capital City to send a reporter to investigate and publicize it in the newspaper.

"Ah, Reporter Yang, hello hello." Old Qian, seeing the reporter, was quite excited: "Then will I also…"

Hearing that, Yang Yin thought she was doomed; she had only tried to give Lu Cheng a convenient identity, and didn't expect him to ask whether she could get on the newspaper.

Who doesn't want to be in the newspaper? Getting on a paper, especially Capital Daily, feels like bringing glory to one's family.

The crux is that Yang Yin, this fake reporter, could never actually get someone on the newspaper.

But he brought it up again; if Yang Yin refused outright, she'd certainly fall out of favor.

She could only force herself to say, "Of course I can get you in; later I'll write you into the article, and I even prepared to take a photo of you—see, I brought the camera…"

Yang Yin pretended to rummage for the camera on her person: "Hey Lu Jingzhang, where's my camera?"

Lu Cheng was bewildered, thinking when she had ever brought a camera.

"Maybe… it fell onto the train."

Yang Yin's reporter guise actually saved her from any suspicion of freeloading, so Lu Cheng had to go along.

Yang Yin was instantly a bit annoyed: "Look, Bureau Chief Qian, we got off the train in such a hurry that I forgot—maybe you can't get on the newspaper now, but that's fine; we'll add you next time."

Seeing Yang Yin discreetly wipe her forehead, Lu Cheng was delighted; that solved the problem.

On the surface he first agreed to Bureau Chief Qian's request to be in the paper, then used the lack of a camera as a reason to politely decline for the moment.

His little brain was actually quite quick.

However, the two still underestimated Bureau Chief Qian's determination to get on the newspaper.

No problem, our bureau's photo studio just got a handheld camera; I'll get it over to you right away.

Yang Yin blinked, then looked at Lu Cheng, who gave a helpless "I can't help it" expression: "You dug the hole yourself, so you have to pick it up yourself."

Yang Yin, seeing no hope for help, could only hold up her hands and say, "No need, Bureau Chief Qian, the camera is quite valuable; I'm afraid if I use it again it might get broken…"

Bureau Chief Qian didn't care at all: "No problem, go ahead and use it; if it breaks, I won't blame you."

Having said as much, Yang Yin couldn't keep refusing, lest she be exposed, so she smiled and nodded.

While waiting for the jeep, Lu Cheng laughed softly and teased, "Later, let me get on the Newspaper too."

Yang Yin gave him a little twist, "You still joke about me; I'm not afraid it'll affect you."

"Then I never let you impersonate a reporter either."

"Then I'm just learning from you; you even dare to impersonate the minister!"

Lu Cheng, helpless, said, "If you don't learn the good, you just learn the bad."

At that moment, Bureau Chief Qian slid into the passenger seat, opened the window and said, "Hey, Lu Jingzhang, Reporter Yang, get in quickly, don't chat out here."

Lu Cheng hurriedly stopped the conversation and led Yang Yin to the back seat.

With a dedicated driver, after the jeep started, Lu Cheng said, "Bureau Chief Qian, time is tight; let's go rescue the people directly."