Chapter 604: The Big Leader Arrives

Now that it's this late, whatever Lei Zhan'ge wishes, we naturally have to satisfy it.

According to his wishes, after returning home, in just two days he was already able to start eating slowly—rice porridge and noodles boiled into a paste.

Although they were only liquid foods, it still surprised everyone; we had thought that without the hospital's equipment his condition would worsen.

But now his body has improved, and everyone thinks it's because his mood is good, since a person's emotions affect health.

However, after the doctor came to examine him, Lu Cheng asked secretly, and the doctor was not optimistic about Lei Zhan'ge's ability to eat.

If we must give an explanation, it's roughly a temporary rebound; after a while his body will deteriorate rapidly.

This made Lu Cheng worry again; according to the doctor, the fact that Captain Lei has held out until now already shows excellent physical quality, thanks to his early anti‑war experience that forged a sturdy body.

An ordinary person wouldn't have made it this far.

Anyway, since he can eat, Lu Cheng instructed Lei Nainai to give Captain Lei whatever he wants to eat.

Lu Cheng's original intention was to let Captain Lei have something good, but then he thought that such a frugal man would never ask for luxurious food.

Lu Cheng had to pay out of his own pocket; the first two days he went to the State-run Hotel, stir‑fried two meat dishes and brought them over, only to be scolded harshly by Lei Zhan'ge.

"Captain Lei, your spirit and vigor are getting better and better. Fine, you can vent your anger; being able to shout forcefully shows your body has no problem."

Lu Cheng's expression, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, left Lei Zhan'ge utterly helpless.

Lei Nainai laughed beside them: "Alright, Xiao Lu, your Captain Lei also hates waste; moreover, his current condition calls for a light diet."

Lu Cheng thought that made sense, so from the third day he started bringing home some plain white noodles his mother made; Lei Zhan'ge ate them happily, constantly praising the cooking.

"Captain Lei, that's a bit of a forced compliment; these are plain noodles with not even a grain of salt, I could make them myself—does that mean my cooking skills aren't bad?"

Lei Zhan'ge hummed, "I'm talking about technique; look at these noodles, rolled so evenly—can you roll them?"

"Fine, I can't argue with you; if you like them, I have my mother make them every day and bring them to you."

Lu Cheng said he was about to leave, but Lei Zhan'ge, who had only eaten half, placed his bowl on the nearby table and called him back.

"Lu Cheng, wait a moment…"

Lu Cheng thought Lei Zhan'ge felt lonely and wanted him to stay and chat.

"Captain Lei, there's some work in the team; I'll go handle it and come back once it's done."

There really was work to be done in the team; currently Director Tang was in charge, but as long as Lu Cheng didn't go on duty, Director Tang would always assign him some team tasks.

I thought that mentioning work would let him leave, since Lei Zhan'ge has always prioritized his duties.

But this time Lei Zhan'ge said, "Put the work aside for now; a leader will arrive soon, and you should accompany me to meet him."

Lu Cheng was puzzled—what kind of leader was so important to Lei Zhan'ge?

He even preferred that Lu Cheng not handle the team work.

What could they possibly do with him staying?

Since Lei Zhan'ge was discharged and returned home, many bureau leaders and even department heads have visited, but none ever received the same level of attention as today.

The bedridden Lei Zhan'ge insisted on getting up to change clothes, ignoring all objections and putting on his Railway police uniform.

Because his frame was so gaunt, the uniform hung loosely, completely lacking its former vigor.

But Lu Cheng still smiled and said, "Captain Lei, you really still suit this outfit; look, your charisma is undiminished—you're downright handsome."

"No exaggeration—if you stood on a street, you'd instantly attract a few old ladies around you."

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head in disgust, "You never change that mouth of yours; but when the leader arrives later, you must stop saying that."

Lu Cheng, curious, asked, "Captain Lei, what kind of leader is it? You seem to value him so much."

Lei Zhan'ge replied, "You'll find out later."

That "later" from Lei Zhan'ge kept Lu Cheng waiting for over three hours, as the sky was about to darken.

"Captain Lei, perhaps we shouldn't wait any longer; you've been standing by the window for three hours, your body can't take it—maybe you should lie down and rest a bit."

Lei Zhan'ge seemed not to hear, staring westward as the sunset's light split—half spilling into the room, half illuminating his chest, which he strained to keep upright.

Lu Cheng felt that the normally beautiful sunset now seemed ominously inauspicious.

The sunset hanging in the west resembled an elderly person before him—dull and lifeless.

Until the sun slipped halfway away, a jeep's engine roared from downstairs, and Lei Zhan'ge's eyes finally brightened.

"Lu Cheng, quickly help me down the stairs."

Lu Cheng stayed still: "If it's not Captain Lei, you shouldn't go down; no matter who arrives, you don't need to go down personally to greet them—everyone will understand."

Lei Zhan'ge persisted, repeating his request, so Lu Cheng had to support him down the stairs.

When they reached the ground floor, the driver had already opened the door, and a male Comrade in his fifties stepped out of the passenger seat; though his temples were already white, his hair was meticulously groomed, giving him an air of authority.

Lu Cheng thought, this must be the person Captain Lei has been waiting for.

Immediately after, another person came down; Lu Cheng recognized him as Director Tang Qiusheng.

As soon as he got out of the car, Director Tang Qiusheng said, "Hey, I was looking for you, kid, couldn't find you for ages—so you were hiding here for a quiet time, huh?"

Before Lu Cheng could explain, Lei Zhan'ge spoke first.

"I was the one who kept him here…" Lei Zhan'ge said, walking toward the white‑templed Comrade.

"Hello, Minister Meng."

It turned out to be the Minister of the Railway Department, no wonder Lei Zhan'ge valued him so highly.

I used to only see this minister's speeches in the Newspaper; today Lu Cheng saw him in person for the first time.

The person who stepped down from the passenger seat carried a briefcase, likely the accompanying secretary.

The minister's personal arrival wasn't due to Lei Zhan'ge's Chief Hall Official Rank—there are many Chief Hall Official officials—but rather his fearless spirit at work.

Minister Meng, whose surname is Meng, hurriedly went to greet him, shaking his hand and saying,

"Lao Lei, why are you still down here? I don't have much to do, just came to see you; I've been busy and couldn't find time—please don't blame me…"

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head slightly: "You also come for revolutionary work; visiting this nearly dying old man makes me feel deeply ashamed."

"You mustn't say that. Since you transferred to our Railway Department, you've been fighting on the front lines and have made outstanding contributions to our Railway. I always urge the comrades in the department to learn from Captain Lei's spirit of dedication…"

Seeing the two start to chat there, Lu Cheng couldn't help but interject.

"Minister Meng, Director Tang, shall we go upstairs to talk? I see the evening wind has started; let's not let Captain Lei catch the wind and get a cold…"

Although Lei Zhan'ge's condition looked much better than in the hospital, Lu Cheng noticed that today, in descending the stairs to greet them, Lei Zhan'ge seemed to be draining his life in advance.

Standing there, his body trembling slightly, it showed he was already at the end of his strength.