Chapter 461: On‑Site Investigation

"Who is this? Not someone from our family‑members building, right? I've never seen them."

"Exactly, never seen them—if they were from our building, it wouldn't be easy to steal. But this youngster is really bold; after doing something like this, they don't run away, they actually step forward…"

Lu Cheng was wearing civilian clothes, and besides having only come once to divide the rooms, he hasn't lived here since, so it's normal that nobody knows him.

Previously, because Lu Cheng was studying, he went to Beijing Station less often, so even the few Train Police families didn't know him well.

From the surrounding people's chatter, plus Laimao's earlier comment about "stealing a man," Lu Cheng realized it seemed related to him.

"Sister Mei Ju, what exactly happened?"

Mei Ju hesitated a moment, mainly because she was mistakenly accused of stealing a man with Lu Cheng, and felt too embarrassed to speak up.

A Train Police family member, standing nearby, said a few simple words.

It turned out that this morning Laimao came to fetch water and casually said, "Yo, isn't this Comrade Mei Ju from the third floor? Why did I see a man go into your room when I came out to pee last night?"

At the time, a circle of neighbors stood by the water tank; although Laimao's remark was off‑hand, his teasing tone instantly made everyone cast strange looks at Mei Ju.

Mei Ju's face flushed red, and she hurriedly explained that it wasn't a man who went to her room, but that she went to a man's room.

That made Laimao laugh; it's the same thing, who goes to whose room—what's the difference?

Then he added that Mei Ju even carried a blanket over, alluding that she was stealing a man.

The two started arguing like that.

After listening, Lu Cheng felt helpless; had he known it would be like this, he wouldn't have come to live here, but he couldn't not come—this is his house.

The trouble caused Mei Ju was entirely due to someone deliberately slandering her.

"Come, come, you over here…"

Lu Cheng waved at Laimao.

Seeing Lu Cheng tall and broad, Laimao gauged his own stature and hesitated to approach.

But thinking he couldn't lose in presence, he also had confidence, derived from his father's glorious sacrifice.

If his father hadn't given his life, the Railway Unit would have lost a great amount of property; everyone in the entire Railway system should thank his father.

Of course, now his father is dead, so they should thank him.

And this whole tube‑shaped building houses families from various Railway systems, making these people his greatest source of confidence.

Laimao then strode forward with a reckless gait and walked over.

"You wild kid, how did you get here, running into our Railway Family Courtyard, flirting with our families, and now you have the nerve to shout here? Do you think we won't gang up and beat you up?"

Before Lu Cheng could react, hearing Laimao's words, Mei Ju became a bit worried.

Mainly because she's been in this tube‑shaped building for a long time, she roughly knows each family's situation.

Especially Laimao's family situation; he's a Children of Martyrs, and leaders must treat him courteously.

To prevent the matter from escalating and affecting Lu Cheng, Mei Ju tried to pull Lu Cheng away, not wanting to argue further.

Anyway, she is clear‑conscience, having done nothing that would betray Jin Zhu.

Seeing Mei Ju no longer entangled, Laimao couldn't help but feel smug.

"Look, look, the thief's conscience is shaky, right? I think, maybe the child in her belly—who's the father, we don't even know!"

Those words were even more hurtful, no different from stabbing a heart with a knife.

"Laimao, you, you are spouting nonsense!"

Laimao smiled, but as Lu Cheng took three or two steps forward, just as Laimao was about to open his mouth, his wrist was suddenly grabbed, and Laimao let out a wail.

The onlookers were stunned; when they looked again, they saw a shiny handcuff on Laimao's wrist.

It was tightened to the tightest notch, making Laimao howl in pain.

Handcuffs? How does this kid have handcuffs?

Everyone was puzzled, wondering if he had stolen them somewhere; after all, someone who flirts with women could easily be involved in sneaky deeds.

Before anyone could ask, more happened.

Lu Cheng ignored Laimao's wail, dragged him to the iron rod used for drying clothes, and shackled the other end of the handcuffs onto it.

And that's not all!

Lu Cheng then fetched a basin of cold water from the poolside—no one knew who had filled it—and poured it over Laimao from head to toe, chilling him to the bone.

The crowd gasped.

It was an overcast day, with daytime temperatures around minus seven or eight degrees, so the cold water made Laimao freeze on the spot, shivering all over.

Seeing Lu Cheng hadn't stopped and was about to fetch more water, everyone rushed forward to block him.

Regardless of whether Mei Ju really stole a man, or who this kid actually is, they shouldn't treat Laimao like this.

Otherwise, this guy would definitely go to the leaders, maybe even send someone to arrest Lu Cheng.

Then the incident would blow up, and Lu Cheng would be the only one to suffer.

Since Mei Ju's alleged theft of a man hadn't been determined, everyone started to intervene.

"Comrade, enough, enough. He's a Children of Martyrs; if you offend him, you won't get any good fruit."

"Yeah, yeah, you better run away quickly."

The crowd's attempts to stop him had no effect; Lu Cheng grabbed another basin of water and splashed it onto Laimao.

Laimao shivered again, trying to struggle, but the handcuffs were so tight that any movement hurt intensely.

Laimao, furious, shouted, "You've caused trouble, big trouble!"

"I am a Children of Martyrs; how dare you bully Children of Martyrs? I advise you to honestly untie me—consider it a chance; otherwise, you can expect the Railway Department to hunt you down!"

Lu Cheng laughed; hearing that, he thought the Railway Department sounded like a mafia.

Mei Ju beside him was terrified; the situation had indeed blown up.

She only wanted an apology, but who could have guessed Lu Cheng would shack the man and pour cold water over his head.

Now Laimao, relying on his father who died in the line of duty, couldn't tolerate it.

Lu Jingzhang, why not let him out? Don't make the matter blow up; it could affect you later…

Mei Ju, this female Comrade, is still pretty good; she married Zhao Jinzhu, and Lu Cheng can finally relax.

At that moment, the onlookers, hearing Mei Ju's words, began to discuss again.

"Lu Jingzhang? Why call him sergeant?"

"Only Train Police who are responsible for riding with the train hold the sergeant rank; could it be that he's from our Railway system?"

"Then why haven't we seen him before?"

"I've heard of him; he should be Lu Cheng. Apparently, because of Merit, he was recommended to university, graduated and was directly promoted to a regular officer, and now serves as sergeant at Beijing Station."

After this person's reminder, everyone recalled it.

Although this barracks is mostly filled with family members, because some have relatives working in the Railway system, the unit's affairs become idle gossip.

Lu Cheng's name had already spread throughout the various Railway systems.

But today was the first time we saw him.

To prevent anyone else from meddling in this matter, on behalf of Laimao, Lu Cheng produced his work badge and revealed his identity.

"I am from the Beijing Station Railway Bureau Police Team; my surname is Lu. I will now conduct an on-site investigation of this person's public insult of a Revolutionary Comrade; others may not interfere!"