Chapter 51: Being a Good Person Is Hard

After dinner that night, Lu Cheng returned to the West Wing Room, saw the coal stove was icy cold, and couldn't help saying, "Qing Yanjie, I've already told you not to push yourself so hard."

Lin Qingyan straightened the bedding while saying, "It's fine, you have duty tomorrow, so I won't light the stove. I know you're cold‑sensitive; I've already warmed your side of the quilt, so hurry in."

Lu Cheng paused, then got into the warmed quilt, which was indeed toasty and carried a faint fresh fragrance.

Before dawn the next day, Lu Cheng rose early, got into his jeep and headed to Beijing Station.

Lin Qingyan borrowed a handcart from the Backyard, used the little money she had left, bought some bargain coal, and then hauled it to the shantytown in Chengnan.

Xu Erye was practicing boxing in the courtyard; when he saw Lin Qingyan arrive, he took a towel, wiped his sweat, and said cheerfully.

"Qing Yan is here; why did you bring over so much honeycomb coal?"

"Yes, Erye, it's cold now; Lu Cheng specifically instructed me to bring you some honeycomb coal for heating. If it's not enough, I'll bring more later."

The next delivery to Xu Erye will have to wait until payday.

Xu Erye felt puzzled; he knows Lu Cheng's disciple better than anyone—he's truly filial and even supports him in old age.

But to think that such everyday concern would come from Lu Cheng's carefree nature is unexpected.

"I already said there's no need for him to bring it; he's not used to coal stoves, so why bring it again?"

Lin Qingyan's expression froze for a moment, then she quickly explained, "Even if not for heating, you need it for cooking; it's Lu Cheng's sincere gesture."

Xu Erye laughed heartily, "That rascal, at least he remembers this old man about to be buried. As for Lu Cheng's kid, why did he have you bring it over?"

"Lu Cheng's been busy these days, heading out for duty early each morning; I brought the same amount, not much."

Xu Erye nodded, "I've made you two kids worry; you sit and rest, I'll unload the honeycomb coal."

"No problem, Erye, I'm not tired; I'll unload with you."

The shantytown's houses clanged and rang, and the shouts in the Hu Tong alleys blended slowly into the brightening dawn.

At Beijing Station Railway Bureau, more than twenty Train Police stood in the Grand Courtyard, all looking tense.

According to reliable intelligence, today is the time the enemy spy will board the train.

Whether they can successfully capture the spy, everyone wears confidence on their faces but feels uncertain inside.

Because they have no other information on the spy—gender? age? physical features?

Without any clues, the sheer number of passengers makes the search difficulty obvious.

Lei Zhan Ge paced a few steps before the assembled troops, then stood with an Eagle Eye gaze.

"Comrades!"

The twenty‑plus members snapped to attention, bodies stiff as logs.

Seeing the spirit the members displayed, Lei Zhan Ge was pleased and continued loudly,

"The nation's test has arrived; I don't care which Train Police unit you're from, hero or coward, today you'll be taken out for a run."

"As I said before, anyone who dares to neglect duty, who doesn't take this seriously and fails to catch the spy— even if I can't send you to eat a bullet, I'll send you to a prison for life. I, Lei Zhan Ge, lay down my words today; I'll keep them."

The members shouted in unison, "Yes, Captain Lei, we will not disgrace the mission."

"Excellent! As long as you capture the spy, the honor belongs to everyone; when you return victorious, I, Lei Zhan Ge, will have plenty of fine wine and liquor ready."

"Let's go!"

The members rushed out of the Grand Courtyard in a flurry, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

Indeed, working under Captain Lei makes one nervous; just the brief pre‑mission briefing made many break out in cold sweat.

Fearing to stir up trouble, besides this Jingguang Line trip, the number of Train Police has increased, and they go about their duties as if nothing had happened.

For now, get the spy on board; once the train departs, it's the Train Police's time to act.

The station is crowded; those with seats aren't worried, but those with standing tickets, to snag a good spot, many climb up through the train windows.

Lu Cheng's helpful spirit resurfaced.

Whenever someone gets stuck at a window or is carrying a child, he steps forward to help.

"Madam, let me give you a pull."

"Thank you, young fellow, no need, no need…"

"It's fine, madam, it's my duty; just go up, go ahead…"

"Ouch, why are you touching my butt! Hey, don't push it into my crotch, just push my butt instead."

Lu Cheng, with his martial skill and strength like an ox, lifted the madam with a single elbow and sent her up.

He thrust the madam forward in a sudden jerk.

The madam, after a lifetime, had never felt such a thrill.

For those with luggage, Lu Cheng scooped it up and tossed it into the carriage.

In no time, every package near the iron rail was thrown in like a stone.

"Everyone hurry onto the train, it's about to depart."

Lu Cheng shouted, picked up another package, and tossed it up.

"Where's my luggage? My luggage? It was just here! Hey, did you throw it in?"

An uncle, seeing his luggage gone, spun around anxiously and grabbed Lu Cheng to question him.

Lu Cheng kept a smiling service.

"Uncle, you mean the burlap sack with the blue patch? I helped put it into the carriage. No need to thank me; I do good deeds anonymously, call me living Lei Feng!"

"I thank you what? I barely squeezed off the train, and you threw me back in?"

The uncle was furious; Lu Cheng realized he'd thrown it wrong, rushed into the carriage shouting, "Hey, someone inside give me a hand, toss the sack down…"

The uncle took the sack, huffing, "Nonsense, just wasting time."

Lu Cheng shook his head, sighing, "Being a good person is really hard!"

At that moment, the station's announcement sounded.

"Comrades, passengers, please note! Train 246 bound for Guangcheng is about to depart. Those not yet aboard, embody the revolutionary spirit of fearing neither hardship nor death, and run forward."

"The revolutionary train forever moves forward, its wheels rolling without cease; let us sing 'The East Is Red' loudly, embarking on a new journey to build our motherland…"

A female singing voice appeared in the broadcast.

In the past, songs on the train were played via a recorder; what surprised Lu Cheng was that this time it was actually a cappella.

Although it was a cappella, it had a distinct flavor.

Could it be that this singing broadcaster is the Jiang Mengmeng Zhao Bin mentioned?

The train departed on schedule; Liu Jian'an stood at the carriage door and shouted, "Lu Cheng, hurry up, the train is leaving!"

"Here I come." Lu Cheng took a few steps, leapt, and jumped onto the slowly starting train.

Standing at the carriage door, Lu Cheng gazed blankly at the receding scenery outside the window until the train passed the Yu-Wan Plain, when his view suddenly opened up.

After a while, the sheriff on the train called everyone to meet in the dining car.

We're about to take action against enemy spies!