Chapter 459: Stealing a Man

"Li Changzhang, I really don't want to think about it—using your iron rails again and being so hospitable to us makes me feel guilty, so hand over the workers' welfare items to me; they're worth more than the oil, salt, sauce and vinegar you hand out."

Hearing Lu Cheng's enthusiastic words, Li Changzhang felt a little scared; he always worries it might be a trap.

"Is what Lu Jingzhang said true? We don't want to be deceived."

Lu Cheng smiled: "Don't worry, Li Changzhang, we won't deceive you. Think about it—what kind of unit is our Railway Department? The welfare we issue can't be inferior."

This time Li Changzhang didn't doubt; the Railway Department is famous for good welfare and employee benefits.

Now everyone has solved the welfare issue, what more can he say? It seems the funds must be released.

After stepping out, the accountant was extremely helpless; didn't expect Li Changzhang to stay sober, yet he was dismissed with just three sentences.

"Li Changzhang…"

Li Changzhang knew what he was going to say: "Fine, fine, it's not about solving welfare issues. As for us paying to repair the iron rails, then let's repair them, consider it support for the frontline soldiers."

Otherwise, if they really attacked, we couldn't even protect this forest farm…

The accountant smiled without replying; Li Changzhang was clearly attracted by the welfare Lu Cheng mentioned, since the Railway Department's benefits are far better than any oil, salt, sauce or vinegar.

…

In the dormitory, Liu Baoquan kept asking.

"I told Lu Jingzhang, these forest farm workers aren't part of our rail system, how could we issue them another share?"

Lu Cheng lay on the bed, smiling: "I understand that. Welfare can be handled flexibly. The Beijing Station warehouse seized so many items; we can just pull some over for welfare."

So that was the plan. Liu Baoquan and Ma Dagang exchanged a glance and a helpless shake of the head.

Lu Cheng really knows how to get things done; the only issue is he doesn't follow procedures, but precisely because he doesn't, he faces fewer constraints in handling matters.

The next morning, early, Lu Cheng and the Jiwu Section people were to return to the Capital City.

Ma Dagang led the Railway Troops to stay behind and repair the iron rails.

After returning to the Capital City, Lu Cheng didn't go home, because he had promised his sister to deliver supplies only once.

If he went home, his sister would surely tell Mom, and once Mom knows he's heading to a war zone, she'll definitely forbid him.

In the Capital City he could rest three days; after three days they'd set out again.

Where to stay those three days? Lu Cheng had a place—the dormitory assigned by the Railway Bureau earlier.

Because, unlike other families that lack housing and cram several members into one room, Lu Cheng actually has a Da Za Yuan and a Siheyuan Separate Courtyard to live in, so he never stayed in a tube dormitory.

Rushing back to the Capital City, it was already ten p. m.; Lu Cheng didn't report to the team, he simply rode his bicycle to the tube dormitory.

Late at night the tube dormitory was fairly quiet; most had fallen into sleep, only a few households kept their lights on.

Lu Cheng fished out his key, climbed the side staircase to the third floor, walked down the corridor, found the room; at the door hung a small blue metal plate, white‑painted with "307".

Room 308 next door was occupied by the tall Zhao Jinzhu and Mei Ju; the young couple had already moved from Lei Zhan Ge's house and were living their own little world.

Zhao Jinzhu was probably on train duty; it was past ten p. m., the door of room 308 was tightly shut, so Mei Ju was likely already asleep.

Lu Cheng didn't disturb further, took out his key and opened the door.

Tube dormitory rooms are laid out simply—a long room; if a family has many members, they partition it into inner and outer sections.

Lu Cheng's own furnishings were even simpler; the last time he was assigned a room, he only set up a bed and a small desk, without even a wardrobe.

Turning on the light, the room, never having been cleaned, had a layer of dust on the desk that his finger brushed.

The dust wasn't a problem; the real issue was there was no bedding at all, and Lu Cheng couldn't go home to fetch it, nor to the Separate Courtyard—the key was at home, and going back would surely wake Mom.

He could only make do for now; fortunately his coat was thick enough to lay on the floor as a blanket.

Lu Cheng stepped into the hallway and took a look around.

This tube dormitory, though a building, isn't much different from a Siheyuan, mainly in its filth and disorder.

Since there is no kitchen, the toilets are communal, and each household builds a small kitchen at the doorway with wooden planks.

The coal stove and coal balls sit beside it; at night when walking, a slight inattention can easily cause a collision.

But there's nothing to do; housing is tight now, and the rooms are allocated by the state.

Units like the Railway Department enjoy good welfare; other units, to get housing, use back doors, break heads, block the factory director's door—it's all normal.

Thus, even after waiting many years, it's still common.

Lu Cheng was in the hallway, not knowing whose coal stove was nearby, he grabbed a broom head, took it into the room and began cleaning the bed.

Perhaps the noise was a bit loud; Mei Ju heard the sound from next door, put on her coat and came over to check.

"Lu Jingzhang?"

Lu Cheng got down from the bed: "Comrade Mei Ju, why aren't you asleep yet? I must have woken you."

He hadn't seen this Mei Ju many times; the first time she mistakenly thought he was a blind‑date partner, so each meeting was rather awkward.

Mei Ju, cradling her six‑month‑pregnant belly, smiled and said: "I thought you hadn't lived here before, I even thought you were a burglar, so I came over to check."

Lu Cheng replied: "This place is close to the unit; I just got back from duty, it was too late to go home, so I thought I'd make do here for the night. By the way, where's the tall one? Is he on duty?"

"Oh, he's on train duty; he should be back in a couple of days."

"Alright, you should take extra care." Lu Cheng glanced at Mei Ju's swollen belly; since Mei Ju got pregnant, the happiest person was Lei Zhan Ge.

If he could let an old comrade leave an heir, Lei Zhan Ge would die content, but unfortunately Chang Jinbu and Niu Da Kui still haven't found a wife.

"Comrade Mei Ju, I'll be staying here a few days; if you need any extra hands, just call me."

After all she's the partner of a teammate; as Zhao Jinzhu's superior, Lu Cheng helping out is normal.

"Alright, Lu Jingzhang, don't call me 'comrade' anymore; we're neighbors, I'm a bit older than you, just call me Sister Mei Ju."

Lu Cheng smiled: "Fine, you don't have to call me Lu Jingzhang either; just call me Lu Cheng."

"Agreed." Mei Ju didn't hold back, glanced into the room and said: "You don't even have any bedding—how will you sleep? I'll go get you a blanket."

"No need to trouble yourself."

"What's the trouble? As you say, you're also the matchmaker for me and Jin Zhu."

Zhao Jinzhu may be very tall, but he's honest and treats her well; Mei Ju, who initially accepted reluctantly, now actually likes this man.

Mei Ju quickly brought extra bedding: "Lu Jingzhang, hehe, look at me, I still can't change my way of speaking for a moment, that Lu Cheng, I've placed the bedding here; tomorrow morning you also don't need to light a fire to cook, just eat directly at my place."

Then thank you, Sister Mei Ju.

Don't be polite, it's just adding a pair of chopsticks; I'm going to sleep first, you tidy up.

Hey, then be careful, call me anytime if anything happens.

Lu Cheng simply spread the bedding, and because he was tired, he lay down and slept.

He slept so deeply that he was woken by noise the next day; listening to the sound, it seemed Mei Ju was arguing with someone.

You say who's stealing a husband? If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll go find your leader!