Chapter 609: A Miracle Occurred

The venue was even more decked with fluttering flags, giving it a more festive atmosphere than the New Year.

There was a proper order to the line: the leaders stood at the front, followed by the Comrades from the Research Institute, then the Comrades and families from the Railway's various departments, and behind them the ordinary people watching the spectacle.

The welcoming squad was entirely composed of female Comrades, holding flags, dressed in Railway work uniforms, their faces radiating youthful smiles.

As the Internal Combustion Engine Train slowly entered the station, the atmosphere rose accordingly.

The ordinary people at the back dangled their feet and craned their necks to watch; to their disappointment, the Internal Combustion Engine Train was too short, its locomotive pulling only two Carriages.

Only the leaders on site understood how significant the Internal Combustion Engine Train truly was.

The Capital Daily reporters set up their cameras early and captured a historically significant photo as the train entered the station.

The flags at the venue waved, the leaders' faces brimmed with enthusiasm, and they moved close to the train to observe it carefully.

At this moment, a person stepped down from the locomotive's cab, none other than the Vehicle Factory's Deputy Director Pan Jihai.

Since Pan Jihai had just been appointed, some leaders of the Capital City Railway departments were not familiar with him.

But because he had come a long way with the train, it would be rude to ignore him; Lu Cheng hurried forward to introduce himself, inevitably exchanging a handshake and some small talk.

Pan Jihai was also unfamiliar with those leaders; he invited them onto the train, was introduced by the train driver, and then started chatting with the familiar Lu Cheng.

"I tell you, Lu Jingzhang, you all have made this far too grand; I could see it from the front cab from quite a distance, it's just overly enthusiastic."

Lu Cheng laughed and said, "Deputy Director Pan is here in person, so it naturally deserves a grand reception."

Pan Jihai immediately raised his hand to interject, "Please don't say that; I'm just a modest Deputy Factory Director, not worthy of such great face from everyone."

Pan Jihai understood that Lu Cheng was merely being courteous; everyone was there for the Internal Combustion Engine Train.

After the tour, each leader could not stop praising it; with the first passenger Internal Combustion Engine Train, there would be no shortage of a second, a third, and so on…

The ordinary people on site were also very pleased, as this would greatly improve travel efficiency in the future.

After touring the train, the next step was the group photo; since the Internal Combustion Engine Train itself was historically significant, this photo would be equally historic.

According to the list provided by Director Tang, Lu Cheng arranged everyone's seats one by one: the leaders sat in the middle, the Research Institute Comrades on both sides, and a row standing behind them comprised the Section Chiefs or directors representing each Railway system.

The front seats were all taken; Lu Cheng originally intended to stand at the back, but Director Tang called him to the front row.

No one was more qualified than Lu Cheng to sit in the front row; the Internal Combustion Engine Train was produced so quickly thanks to Lu Cheng's great effort.

Since the front seats were insufficient, everyone squeezed in, and Lu Cheng ended up sitting next to Director Tang at the very front.

The Capital Daily reporter in front had already set up the camera, and the photographer in charge began operating, following a precise procedure at every step.

The photographer, beside the camera, bent over and slipped his whole body into that black cloth.

From outside, only his waist, back, and buttocks were visible, and a muffled sound came from within the cloth.

"Comrade behind you, move a bit more to the left shoulder… okay, lift your head, right, tuck the chin a little…"

After everyone had corrected their posture, the photographer emerged from the black cloth, holding something like an airbag in his hand.

"Everyone, look this way… right, don't blink, hold your breath, here we go, one, two, three…"

With a click as the shutter was pressed, Lu Cheng suddenly stood up, and the photographer froze for a moment, clearly a bit angry.

The worst part about a group photo is having to correct each person's pose and expression, especially since this picture had been specially arranged by the leaders above; it had to be perfect, as it would later appear in the newspaper.

It wasn't just a group photo; the background was the new generation Internal Combustion Engine Train, which held profound significance, and foreign friends would all see it later, so it could not be done sloppily.

But just as the photographer thought the task was about to be completed, Lu Cheng's sudden standing ruined the photo entirely.

"Hey, Comrade, what's going on! Didn't I tell you not to move? Who told you to stand up! This is nonsense!"

Photographers of this era are still quite impressive; they are skilled technicians, have a rank, have face, and are especially respected and flattered.

Because they hold the camera, they can decide how you appear—attractive or stiff—and can add selective lighting in the darkroom, retouch the negatives, erase pimples, and soften wrinkles.

This beautifying ability makes many people treat the photographer politely, even offering cigarettes, speaking kindly, hoping he'll press the shutter a few more times.

Thus, even with the leaders present, the photographer did not hold back in scolding Lu Cheng.

Tang Qiusheng also furrowed his brow; he knew Lu Cheng was usually lax, but in formal settings he was fairly steady—so why today, in front of all the leaders, was he so careless…

Following Lu Cheng's gaze, Tang Qiusheng couldn't help but stand up as well.

Then the other leaders also stood up.

"Lao Lei?"

"Captain Lei…"

"Look, it's Captain Lei, Captain Lei has arrived…"

In the crowd watching ahead, Niu Da Kui was drenched in sweat, and on his back he carried Lei Zhan Ge.

Everyone was thrilled, because the three characters Lei Zhan Ge had already become a symbol of the Railway.

Lu Cheng hurried over and gently helped Lei Zhan Ge down.

"Captain Lei, you're awake."

Lei Zhan Ge seemed too weak to speak, only giving a slight nod, then his gaze turned toward the Internal Combustion Engine Train behind Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng quickly understood and ordered, "Quick, help Captain Lei onto the train for a look."

Lu Cheng forced his excitement down, succeeded, and finally let Captain Lei see the train with his own eyes.

Lei Zhan Ge was surrounded by the leaders and taken up to the locomotive cab.

At that moment, many doctors ran in from the station entrance.

Niu Da Kui instantly became nervous: "Chief, you have to save me."

Lu Cheng was momentarily confused: "What's wrong?"

"It was just after you left; Lei Yeye suddenly woke up and wanted to see the Internal Combustion Engine Train, but the doctors wouldn't let Lei Yeye leave the hospital, so I… I stole Lei Yeye away."

"Stole?" Lu Cheng was speechless; no wonder the doctors were chasing after him.

But the doctors' arrival was of no use; Lei Zhan Ge's greatest wish was to see the Internal Combustion Engine Train, and that had to be fulfilled.

Lu Cheng stepped forward and negotiated properly; only then did the doctor agree to let Captain Lei and everyone take a group photo, and then he would return to the hospital immediately.

However, Lei Zhan Ge did not want to waste time on a meaningless photo; you could see he mustered all his strength and, trembling, uttered two words.

"Depart…"

Everyone was at a loss for what to do, and Lei Zhan Ge was already drained and on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

Boarding the train at this moment, if anything went wrong, no one would dare bear the responsibility.

Lei Zhan Ge's decision was swiftly met with firm opposition from the superiors and the doctors.

At that moment, Lei Zhan Ge turned his gaze toward Lu Cheng.