Chapter 449: The Life‑Sacrificing Mission

Lu Cheng still thought it was some problem, and he inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

"You should have heard Xiao Piqiu and the others say that I'm a divorced person."

"I know, so do you still think about her?"

Regarding that question, Lu Cheng truly didn't know how to answer at first.

Have you thought about it? When work is busy there's no time to think, but in the dead of night lying in bed, that graceful figure inevitably surfaces in his mind.

But he knows that his fate with Lin Qingyan has ended; roughly two years have passed since the divorce, and in those two years neither has disturbed the other.

He thinks Lin Qingyan may have already started a new life.

Just like that, it's also fine.

"It's impossible for me and her now."

Yang Yin curled his lip and said, "Your answer is really perfunctory; you didn't answer directly."

Lu Cheng truly didn't want to answer; talking about one woman with another woman is inherently awkward.

He originally thought it ended there, but unexpectedly Yang Yin suddenly asked another question.

"Then... what do you feel about me?"

Lu Cheng looked over and said, "Didn't you say you'd ask just one question? How many have you asked now?"

"Ah, the last one."

Lu Cheng was helpless, but this question wasn't as heavy as the previous one.

Lu Cheng replied without any hesitation, "The feeling of youth, I guess."

"The feeling of youth?"

Lu Cheng nodded, "Yes, whenever I'm with you kids, I always feel like I've returned to my younger self."

Yang Yin rolled his eyes dramatically, "You sound older than you are."

Lu Cheng smiled, "Alright, it's time to go home. I'll see you back; otherwise it'll be late and your mother will worry again."

While riding a bicycle home, the traffic on Chang'an Street still showed no sign of easing.

And from everyone's faces, one could sense they weren't as heavy as before.

Even on the road, people could be heard chatting.

"This year feels different; my heart feels much brighter."

"These National Days over the years, this year's atmosphere is especially lively."

Some youngsters also remarked, "How's your revision going? You can't afford to delay the college entrance exam any longer."

In short, everyone seemed to suddenly have a prospect, and this became even clearer after the th 3rd Plenary Session.

"Reform and Opening Up" entered people's view for the first time.

First, it can be confirmed that the nation intends to shift the work focus to economic construction, emancipate thought, open outward, reform inward, and other fresh terms keep appearing in newspapers and broadcasts.

But the exact extent of opening and the depth of reform lack a clear concrete implementation, so people remain confused, and lower-level units still adopt a wait-and-see stance.

On January 6, 1979, Lu Cheng graduated.

It has been two months since he returned from the Detention Center of the Railway Branch to Capital City.

After two months of tugging, the Railway Bureau finally sent a notice document about Lu Cheng's case to the Public Security authorities.

The reason it is called a "tug" truly stems from helplessness.

During these two months, Qin Shou has frequently queried the Railway Bureau about the handling of Lu Cheng's case, even resorting to pressuring the Railway Bureau through the Ministry of Public Security.

If there is no satisfactory outcome for Lu Cheng, Qin Shou will not give up.

But the Railway Bureau never intended to deal with Lu Cheng; during these two months, each of Qin Shou's visits was met with pressure and a delaying attitude.

Only after two months, when the Zhiqing Return to City policy was officially issued, could the Railway Bureau finally write this notice document freely.

The document reads as follows:

"Regarding the Educated Youth matter, our bureau has always followed national policy; please refer to the newly released relevant documents for specifics."

"Concerning our bureau's Lu Cheng issue, after multiple discussions, the conduct was deemed biased and has undergone criticism and education."

"As for Lu Cheng's handling result, regarding the Educated Youth issue, this comrade has consistently employed a pacification policy, making outstanding contributions to social stability."

"After departmental study, he has been promoted to a principal section."

……

This notice is very simple; the Railway Bureau endured pressure for two months just to wait for the Zhiqing Return to City policy.

Thus, Lu Cheng, on the Educated Youth issue, effectively followed the nation's steps.

Therefore, when the Railway Bureau issued this notice, it was very confident.

But Qin Shou nearly exploded with anger upon receiving the notice.

He didn't manage to get at Lu Cheng, and to make matters worse, this kid was promoted to a principal section because of it.

Qin Shou, dissatisfied, went to find his father; Qin Zhaochun was in a meeting at the time.

Qin Shou could only wait, and finally got back a single sentence: the Zhiqing Return to City policy has been finalized, and this matter ends here.

At this moment, Lu Cheng sat in the Train Police Unit office, holding the notice, already imagining how furious Qin Shou must be.

"Captain Lei, thank you."

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head, "No need to thank me; this matter already wronged you alone. I'm worried that after this, if you encounter another situation that offends people, will you still dare to act?"

Lu Cheng sat upright and said without hesitation, "I dare! I have hundreds of millions of people as my backing; there's nothing to fear."

Lei Zhan'ge nodded with satisfaction; what he likes most is Lu Cheng's fearless nature.

"If you knew it would cost lives, would you still dare?"

Lu Cheng immediately stood up, "Captain Lei, I haven't worked for two months; now that I've graduated, I can devote myself entirely to the job. Whatever the mission, just issue it directly!"

Seeing Lu Cheng's completely unafraid demeanor, Lei Zhan'ge waved his hand, signaling him to sit down.

"Indeed there is a mission; the Railway system in the bureau has some criticism about recommending you for this senior section chief."

Lu Cheng can understand; since being transferred to Beijing Station, his rapid rise to senior section chief has indeed been a bit fast, so the talk is quite normal.

Lei Zhan Ge continued, "So to allay others' doubts and to prove your ability, I plan to have you escort military supplies."

Lu Cheng still thought it was some mission; what Lei Zhan Ge just said sounded so terrifying, even mentioning sacrificing one's life.

"No problem, Captain Lei, I've done transport before and have experience in this area."

But Lei Zhan Ge shook his head, his face solemn.

"This time is different; this time you are to transport southward."

Hearing this, Lu Cheng also grew solemn.

He knew this meant taking action against the monkeys, and there were only a few days left.

Wu Zhekun, as a soldier, would have to charge at the front line…

Seeing Lu Cheng silent, Lei Zhan Ge thought he was scared.

For Lei Zhan Ge, hearing news of a war, as someone who has come through war, only excitement.

Unfortunately, his body could no longer support him in combat.

And for a young man like Lu Cheng, who has lived his whole life in peaceful times, fearing war is also normal.

Although not on the Frontline, transporting military supplies is still very dangerous.

"If you don't want to go, I can understand…"

Lu Cheng stood up again: "I am willing to go!"