Chapter 47: Kidnapping Liu Jian'an

No need to say, it must have been the daughter‑in‑law; Lu Ying likes to sleep in, never makes meals, and never gets up.

As for Lu Cheng, he does get up early every day, enjoys practicing his fists in the courtyard, but if he were to make breakfast, even if he were willing, Chen Xianglan wouldn't dare.

One time Lu Cheng was to make breakfast, just to simply reheat last night's mantou, but the kid forgot to add water and almost set the kitchen on fire.

When Lin Qingyan walked over, Chen Xianglan complained, "Qing Yan, from now on you should sleep more; you don't have to cook."

"It's fine, Mom, I'm used to getting up early; even when I wake I can't fall back asleep, so I just make breakfast. My cooking skills are a bit lacking, but I'll keep learning from you."

Chen Xianglan, while serving the rice, cheerfully said, "Whatever you call it, as long as it's cooked it's fine. I've been married here for so many years, San'er still complains my cooking is bad. My foolish son is truly lucky to have such a good daughter‑in‑law."

Listening to Chen Xianglan's rambling, Lin Qingyan didn't know what to say.

"Mom, let me carry it for you."

"Hey, okay, has Ying Ying gotten up yet? This lazy girl, if I don't call her ten times a day, she won't even come to the table."

"She's up, she's up; I already called her just now."

"You don't know, I could die of worry; if she ends up at her in‑laws' house like this, she'll just be waiting to be scolded by the other family."

"It's fine, Mom, Ying Ying is doing well. It's cold now, so sleeping a bit longer in the morning is normal. I'll take the bowl inside first."

Chen Xianglan finished serving the rice, stood there sighing as she watched Lin Qingyan's back, thinking that she truly is a perfect lady—well‑versed in etiquette in every way and, crucially, so understanding.

While the family ate breakfast, Chen Xianglan proactively said, "San'er, how did you come here—by driving a small car?"

"Oh, I drove from work; I have a Confidential Mission these days and need to go to Beijing Station for joint duty." Lu Cheng soaked some pickled vegetable strips into his congee and took a sip.

"Confidential Mission, what mission?"

"Confidential Mission, don't ask Mom, you can't just blurt it out."

Women love gossip, and Chen Xianglan is no exception; the more she hears, the more curious she becomes.

"Look at you, Mom isn't an outsider! Tell Mom what this Confidential Mission is, Mom certainly won't spread it outside."

Lu Cheng hadn't spoken yet when Lu Beitang tapped his chopsticks and said, "You're trying to get your son to make a mistake. You said it's a Confidential Mission, yet you keep asking! No sense of Party consciousness at all."

Chen Xianglan glared, "You have Party consciousness! If you have Party consciousness, go ahead."

When Party consciousness was mentioned, Lu Beitang immediately straightened his back and would not tolerate any doubt.

"Then my Party‑consciousness enlightenment is definitely higher than yours; in this factory's outstanding employee evaluation, my name appears—do you have yours?"

"You can drop it, it's just a piece of paper with no use; at least give out some benefits or something."

"Or you say my enlightenment is low—this isn't just a piece of paper. It's honor, it's a Medal, representing the organization's recognition of me. You, a housewife, understand nothing."

Sigh, they're arguing again; Lu Cheng is used to it, just keeps his head down and eats.

Lin Qingyan, however, kept her head down, pursed her lips and smiled.

This kind of family atmosphere is quite nice; her parents are very serious people—during meals they wouldn't even speak normally, let alone argue like this.

The breakfast passed in a very "warm" atmosphere, then everyone tidied up and went to work.

Standing by the jeep, Lin Qingyan whispered, "Lu Cheng, I'll just go by myself; you don't need to see me off. I also know Huang Chunjiao."

Lu Cheng opened the door, "Come up, I'll take you there. If there's a free ride, why not take it?"

"Alright then."

Driving to Beijing Station, it was as bustling as always; to get tickets, many people arrive early and line up at the ticket window.

In front of the Big Bowl Tea Stall, several staff were gathered around a few stoves, busy with something.

"Comrade Da Huang, bring a bowl of Big Bowl Tea; I've had too many salty vegetables this morning."

Huang Chunjiao rolled her eyes, "When are you going back to Xizhimen? If you don't hurry, even this little amount of Big Bowl Tea won't be enough for you to make."

"Alright, alright, no need to trouble you; I'll serve myself." Lu Cheng scooped a bowl of tea, took small sips, and watched the few people outside bustling.

"What are they doing?"

Huang Chunjiao replied, "It's just as you said, preparing to roast sunflower seeds, peanuts, and also bake sweet potatoes."

"You have to give credit to Comrade Da Huang; his actions are swift—good, worthy of praise."

"Hey Lu Cheng, you won't believe it—several people just came asking. We said we're preparing to sell some sunflower seeds and sweet potatoes, and they urged us to get it ready quickly; they want to buy some."

Lu Cheng nodded, "See, as long as you follow my advice it's spot‑on. In a few days you'll be short‑handed, so I've brought people over to lessen your burden."

Huang Chunjiao saw Lin Qingyan, hurried forward and hugged her arm, "Qing Yanjie, welcome to join us."

"Thanks, Jiao Jiao, I'll be a trouble for you from now on."

"As you say, the more staff you bring, the happier we'll be—won't even have time to finish celebrating."

Seeing the two get along well, Lu Cheng said reassuringly, "Alright, you keep busy; I have to go back to the Railway Bureau. Da Huang, you're strong from eating, but don't bully my daughter‑in‑law."

Besides her stature, Huang Chunjiao's build and waist could easily match two Lin Qingyans.

Huang Chunjiao snapped, "To hell with you, I'll sit on you and crush you."

Lu Cheng stepped outside, where Zhao Bin was carrying a small burlap sack.

"Binzi, I'm leaving first; Qing Yanjie has already been delivered, let her settle in first."

"Alright, don't worry; she definitely won't be exhausted."

After arranging things here, Lu Cheng returned to Xizhimen, preparing to report yesterday's meeting to Zhou Weihua.

As for Beijing Station, they'll have to wait three days before that enemy spy boards the train.

Passing Xizhimen Station, he saw train No. 127 returning; it was the same train on which he had captured a thief two days earlier.

He had intended to go straight back to the squad, but after glancing at the crowd, Liu Jian'an stepped off the train with a forlorn look, followed by Police Chief Meng, still fuming.

Two days earlier, to catch that gang of thieves, they illegally boarded a train, and without Liu Jian'an's knowledge, they truly left the people in a terrible bind.

But he isn't a man without loyalty; the military Medal is half mine, so it should be half yours too.

Liu Jian'an stayed on the train until the return trip; needless to say, along the way Meng Li certainly didn't hold back criticism of him.

Lu Cheng got off the train and went forward, "Police Chief Meng, the journey was safe, welcome back."

When Meng Li saw Lu Cheng, she looked at him as if he were an enemy, slipped a hand behind her waist and drew out handcuffs.

"Hey hey hey, Police Chief Meng, what are you doing? Listen to my explanation."

Meng Li's face full of anger: "There's nothing to explain—you violated the regulations, sneaking onto a train is bad enough, yet you dare to jump off the train, come on, let's go see Team Captain Zhou; this matter will absolutely not be let go."

The matter is already over, yet this old-fashioned woman keeps nagging.

"Police Chief Meng, you wouldn't know since you just got off the train, but I've already explained the situation to Team Captain Zhou, and I even caught the thief; Director Tang praised me profusely and even said he'd give me a merit."

Lu Cheng deliberately brought up Director Tang, and indeed Meng Li's expression eased.

"Even so, I can't handle your issue, but Liu Jian'an definitely deserves punishment."

Liu Jian'an felt as wronged as a daughter-in-law who had run away—needless to say, he felt very wronged.

He trusted Lu Cheng so much, yet Lu Cheng earned great merit while he himself ended up being punished.

He now only hopes that the meritorious Lu Cheng can speak a few good words for him.

"Who would have thought Lu Cheng would say: 'Exactly, he deserves punishment, Police Chief Meng—I'm here precisely to fetch Comrade Liu Jian'an back to the unit to accept punishment.'"

"'You want me to come pick him up?' Meng Li asked doubtfully."

"'Yes, Team Captain Zhou personally arranged it—look, he even let me drive the jeep over.'"

Meng Li still didn't believe it, walking around the jeep inspecting it, and Lu Cheng's heart rose.