Chapter 431: Don

Although the youth in the military cap said so, Pingzi remained on guard, as did the other Educated Youth who held stones in their hands, ready to hurl them at any moment.

Railway police suddenly arrived, and Pingzi even suspected that the youth in the military cap had defected.

In order to seek lenient treatment, they brought the Railway police over, hoping to catch them for Merit and atone.

But that thought flashed by; one should not doubt one's Revolutionary Comrade.

"You say he saved you? He's a Railway police officer; why would he rescue you?"

The youth in the military cap replied, "The story is long, but in short Lu Jingzhang is different from the others. By the way, do you still remember the Minister Lu I mentioned before? He is Minister Lu's son."

"Minister Lu?"

Pingzi recalled, "That's the old man who deceived us for half a year! We trusted him so much, and in the end we wasted half a year, and still no Return-to-City Policy has emerged…"

When Pingzi spoke, the other Educated Youth immediately echoed him, forming a stance that seemed to surround Lu Cheng.

It was clear they couldn't find Minister Lu, so they simply went after his son for an explanation; the reasoning was the same.

Seeing so many opponents, stones in hand, with a fierce air, Yang Yin instantly grew nervous and instinctively slipped behind Lu Cheng.

"They won't attack us, will they?"

Lu Cheng was not worried at all; they certainly couldn't start a fight.

One must admit, Yang Yin saying that her father, Minister Lu, had died was a brilliant move.

When the youth in the military cap explained how Minister Lu died and how he had secured benefits for everyone, he said that after a while the corresponding Return-to-City Policy would be issued, and he told everyone…

The faces of Pingzi's group of Educated Youth instantly shifted from anger to disbelief, and then, looking at Lu Cheng, turned to respect.

Someone suddenly shouted, "Minister Lu, forever!"

Immediately, the passionate youths' emotions rose together.

"Minister Lu, forever!"

"Long live Lu Jingzhang!"

Lu Cheng thought his thick skin made him invincible, but faced with so many admiring gazes and the fervent slogans, his face suddenly flushed.

Seeing the situation look favorable, Yang Yin stopped being nervous and tentatively stuck out her head.

Lu Cheng pushed her back again.

Yang Yin giggled, "It's my first time seeing you with a red face."

Damn, after lying to everyone again and again, it ended up with "Long live"; even the thickest skin can't withstand it.

Lu Cheng and a few others received enthusiastic hospitality from the Educated Youth; of course, it was in the wilderness, and everyone had brought their own Dry Rations, which they heated over the campfire to eat.

The Dry Rations, grilled until scalding and hard, were hard for Lu Cheng to swallow, but Yang Yin ate them heartily, even thinking they were the best she'd ever tasted.

Perhaps feeling that they were about to return, everyone was jubilant, partying until midnight; under the star‑filled sky, they gathered around the campfire to dance, sing, and recite poetry…

Caught by the youths' enthusiasm, Yang Yin, who was already playful, couldn't resist; she joined hands with everyone to sing and dance, having an indescribable joy.

Finally exhausted, Yang Yin walked over to Lu Cheng, who was just sitting dazed by the campfire, and plopped down on the ground beside him.

"Why aren't you playing with everyone? Can't you stop being such a killjoy? Look how happy they are!"

Lu Cheng retorted irritably, "My father is dead; how am I supposed to have fun!"

If he joined the singing and dancing like everyone else, wouldn't it be easy for others to notice something's off?

Yang Yin's eyes curved into crescents, "Sorry, I forgot about that. Then you keep sulking here, and I'll go play a bit longer…"

"Don't go, we should head back; there's a train back to the Capital City late at night…"

Yang Yin stood up, "No, I barely got out once, and I haven't had enough fun yet."

Seeing Yang Yin go wild again, Lu Cheng couldn't stand it any longer and stood up, shouting.

"Can you keep dancing and singing like this and be worthy of the deceased Minister Lu? His seventh day hasn't even passed!"

Those words made everyone stop, exchanging glances, their faces quickly turning remorseful.

Indeed, Minister Lu worked himself to death for their return, and yet they were still holding a campfire party, jumping and dancing right in front of his son—wasn't that rubbing salt in the wound?

"Lu Jingzhang, we…" a Educated Youth began, then couldn't continue and slapped himself.

"I'm goddamn not human!"

Lu Cheng walked over and patted his shoulder, "It's not your fault; let's all head back, it's getting late."

"No, I still want to play!" Yang Yin suddenly said.

But it quickly drew complaints from the other Educated Youth: "You little girl, how can you be like that!"

"Exactly, we just sang and danced, which is already disrespectful to Minister Lu; we must stop playing."

"Right, during this period we should cease all entertainment activities to commemorate our great Minister Lu…"

"Minister Lu, forever!"

"Long live Lu Jingzhang!"

Everyone shouted the slogans while hurrying back.

"Woo~" Yang Yin, on the verge of tears, "Don't all leave… Minister Lu hasn't died…"

Lu Cheng, sitting in the vehicle, honked twice, "Alright, Minister Lu is dead, why are you crying so sorrowfully? Get in quickly; we still have to catch the train."

"I'm not getting in; I still want to play…"

Lu Cheng set his face hard, "Are you getting on or not? Let me tell you, there are Wolves here; if you stay, you'll be eaten later."

Yang Yin refused to believe Lu Cheng would abandon her: "I'm not leaving. Following you hasn't earned me merit but has given me hardship, right? I finally have time to play a bit, and you drive them away, so just let the Wolves eat me…"

Lu Cheng, both laughing and crying, "Fine, fine, I'll treat you to something tasty later. Get in quickly; I still have to return to the Capital City to report back…"

The Educated Youth had already dispersed, leaving only a dying campfire; Yang Yin, knowing staying was pointless, reluctantly got into the vehicle.

Lu Cheng, driving, lectured, "How old are you, still so playful?"

Yang Yin rolled her eyes, "It's none of your business; you're not my dad!"

"You could at least call me dad…"

Get out, you nuisance!

I didn't let Yang Yin have fun, and even when boarding the train I still wore a little sulky expression.

Late at night, this train had fewer passengers; Lu Cheng greeted the Train Captain and was able to stay in a Bunk Car.

That day was truly exhausting, hardly a moment of rest—coordinating this, coordinating that… hmm, I guess I was deceiving this, deceiving that!

That counts as a well‑intentioned lie!

Fortunately, the final outcome didn't disappoint anyone.

Not only did I successfully persuade the Educated Youth to return, I also secured three months' time.

This is the last time to deal with the Educated Youth; within three months the relevant policy will be issued.

Lu Cheng entered the Bunk Car and immediately lay down on the bed.

At the same time, in the Beijing Station Police office of the Traffic Police Unit, Lao Lei, who had been working late into the night, was just about to finish his day's work when a phone call came in.

Seeing the red internal phone ring, and it being the middle of the night, Lao Lei had a bad feeling.

"Hello, this is the Traffic Police Unit…"

"Lao Lei, contact Lu Cheng immediately; don't let him return to Beijing!"