Chapter 43: Can't Live at Home

Having heard of Lei Zhan'ge's temperament to some extent, Lu Cheng put away his flippant grin.

"Captain Lei, I…"

"You're called Lu Cheng?"

"Yes, Captain Lei, the Lu of Lu Cheng, the Cheng of Lu Cheng."

A few members of the Xizhimen Traffic Police Unit straightened their backs, already prepared to be criticized.

To their surprise, Lei Zhan'ge simply stood up, said "Dismissed," and left the conference room with powerful strides.

This situation made the few of them look at each other.

No scolding?

Even Comrades from other Train Police units found it unbelievable.

Daring to snore loudly at Lei Zhan'ge's meeting, yet not uttering a single word of criticism.

It was indeed a bit abnormal.

……

In front of the Big Bowl Tea Stall, Comrade Huang Chunjiao was very obedient and decided, as Lu Cheng suggested, to first go to a side food shop to buy sunflower seeds.

If the effect is good, she'll roast them herself in the future.

At the counter, Lu Cheng was cracking sunflower seeds while waiting for Zhao Bin, who hadn't returned yet.

Seeing Lu Cheng's feet covered with shells, Comrade Huang Chunjiao rolled her eyes: "I only bought the two‑mao ones to test the waters, you rascal, you've already cracked away half of them."

"Look at you, when did you become so stingy? I'm just taking the flavor for you; it's a bit bland, probably because there's no star anise. Next time buy from another shop, better to roast it yourself to cut costs."

If he roasts it himself, he can also bring some home.

Lu Cheng patted his clothes, and the shells fell to the ground like rain.

Then, as if at home, he nonchalantly picked up a coarse porcelain bowl, filled it with tea, and took small sips.

Comrade Huang Chunjiao rolled her eyes again: "Now I have reason to suspect that you make us both sell sunflower seeds and peanuts, and roast sweet potatoes, probably just because you want to eat them yourself, and without paying."

Having his motive seen through, Lu Cheng gave an awkward smile.

"Comrade Da Huang, if you think of me as an old classmate that way, I'm really heart‑broken."

"Hah, do you even have a heart?"

Lu Cheng was speechless, but drinking Big Bowl Tea was still important; I must say, sipping tea for no reason is comfortable, only a pity this tea stall is at Beijing Station.

"Da Huang, your Big Bowl Tea is so delicious; it would be a shame not to let the common folk try it quickly, so I think you should open a branch, maybe right at Xizhimen."

Comrade Huang Chunjiao was too lazy to reply.

If it opened at Xizhimen, the losses would be even worse.

Zhao Bin returned after a little over twenty minutes, by which time Lu Cheng had drunk nearly five bowls of Big Bowl Tea.

"Binzi, if it's bad news, I'm staying here today and not leaving."

Zhao Bin laughed: "Then I really wouldn't dare keep you. Look, you're about to finish it yourself. Don't worry, my uncle was very pleased with your suggestion and agreed to assign another person to come in."

"Thanks, later…"

Lu Cheng patted his butt, about to leave, when Zhao Bin hurriedly called: "Hey hey, it's been ages, when shall we treat you later?"

"Huh? Just in a few days."

"A few days, how many?"

"Just, in two days."

"Oh, tomorrow or the day after, two days later is the day after tomorrow; is it noon or evening?"

Lu Cheng turned around, smiling helplessly, and Zhao Bin smiled back; the two of them knew each other's temperament, and by sticking out their buttocks they could tell whether the other's urine was watery or thick.

"Alright, alright, wait until I get my salary."

"Oh right, could you get me the women's leather shoes with double‑head."

"What, leather shoes? Where should I get them for you?"

"Figure something out."

"Who are you buying them for, Lin Qingyan?"

"No, someone else."

"Oh, I get it now," Zhao Bin said, looking enlightened.

"Got a new wife again! Wait, aren't you married? Hey, you need to change that nasty habit; you have such a beautiful wife and you're still flirting outside."

"I know, I know, I changed long ago; it was a heat‑of‑the‑moment thing…"

"But this time the woman paid, even gave a bit extra, so I'm not drinking your tea for free; the extra will count as tea money."

"No need, no need, I'm just messing with you; who would actually ask you for tea money. Fine, seeing you admit your mistake, I'll think of a way for you."

"Thanks, later… once I get my salary, I'll treat you."

After chatting with Zhao Bin a while longer, Lu Cheng drove his Jeep to find Lin Qingyan, intending to share the good news that she could work.

As for the other three team members, he sent them off to take the bus back.

He waited until after work, but the Jeep never returned, and Zhou Weihua, furious, kept slapping the table.

At the Yu'er Hutong Entrance, Lu Cheng shook his head and got back into the car.

"Strange, the door's locked; where did everyone go?"

Not finding anyone, Lu Cheng drove his Jeep to a tailor shop under his local Street Office.

"Beep... Beep-beep..."

The female workers in the tailor shop, hearing the horn, curiously poked their heads out.

"Who's honking at the door nonstop?"

"It's the Jeep driver, must be some official."

Lu Cheng opened the car door, jumped out, arms spread, flashing a grin of big white teeth: "Li Mei sister, Wang Hong sister, Ying sister, Jing Jing sister, Da Fang sister, Grandma Liu, long time no see!"

Lu Cheng spread his arms, about to hug them one by one, but Lu Ying, who came out, knocked his arm away.

"What a nasty habit, hugging anyone you see; why haven't I ever seen you hug a man?"

Coming out at the wrong time, almost hugged a sister.

"Sister, you don't get it, this is Western etiquette; people have to kiss on meeting, I've even simplified it."

Those words made several sisters cover their mouths and giggle.

"Oh Lu Cheng, I heard from your Second Sister that you're now a Train Police, look at you, you're really impressive."

"What's that!" Lu Cheng patted the Jeep: "See? The leader gave me a dedicated car, I can drive it whenever I want."

"Is that so? You're already driving a small car, wow, you're really awesome."

"Right? How about the sisters get in, I'll take you for a spin."

Lu Ying gave him a shove: "Go, go, go, you're never proper, we're working, what are you doing here? If nothing, leave quickly, don't disturb us while we work."

"Yes, yes, I just went to Qing Yan sister's house, she wasn't home, so I came to ask you."

Lu Ying replied: "Qing Yan? Then you don't need to look, she's at our place."

"At our place, what is she doing?"

"What else could she be doing? You're married, so naturally she'll live at our place from now on."

"What? Living at our place?" Lu Cheng shouted in surprise: "How can that be? She can't live at our place."

"From what you say, you're both married, it's normal for her to live at our place; besides, our parents also want her to live with us."

"That's not allowed, then how will I continue living in the Separate Courtyard?"

Lu Cheng hurriedly got into the Jeep, floored the accelerator and sped out.

Lu Ying waved and called: "Hey, drive slower."

Fearing something might happen to her younger brother, Lu Ying unbuttoned her work uniform: "Grandma Liu, I finished my shift early today, I have to rush home."