Chapter 70: Let Me Catch the Little Thief

Although it was his first time riding the Beijing‑Shanghai Line, Lu Cheng didn't buy a ticket, flashed his work badge, and boarded the train directly.

Because he was carrying a lot and worried that Lu Cheng's foot injury would be inconvenient, Chen Xianglan and Lu Ying took it to the station themselves.

"San'er, you mustn't speak nonsense there, especially when you see the Boss's people; shout whatever you need to shout."

Chen Xianglan warned him, fearing that their San'er would become penniless after arriving, which would be worse than at home and invite ridicule.

"Got it, got it, Mom, you go back; the train is about to depart."

"Be careful on the road; your foot is inconvenient, so don't walk too much," Chen Xianglan said, still uneasy as the train slowly started.

Lu Cheng stuck his head out of the window, waved his hand, and shouted with a sobbing voice.

"Sister, I'm not at home; take good care of Mom and Dad, don't let them work too hard. Now I'm the only one left at home, so be more attentive and diligent; the family's main support rests on you."

Lu Ying gritted her teeth: "Huh, you're really showing off! Come on, come on, since you're so good at talking, you stay home, I'll go."

"No way! Mom, you don't need to pity my sister; her usual frailty is just an act, she could even have my crown lifted off, so let her do more work. Look how lazy she is—what will happen when she joins a husband's family…"

"Mind your own business!" Lu Ying, angry, clenched her fist to chase, but since Lu Cheng was on the train, she could only resort to a big move: spitting.

"Pah, pah, pah…"

Lu Cheng, not to be outdone, replied: "Pah, pah, pah…"

The train accelerated, and Lu Ying, furious, stomped her foot: "Mom, look at him—he even spat onto my hair. When he returns, I'll tear his ears off."

Chen Xianglan sighed and shook her head, wondering when he'll grow up.

……

On the train, Lu Cheng felt the plaster on his foot had served its purpose and was truly inconvenient, so he thought about removing it.

But this thing turned out to be so hard to take off; despite great effort, he still couldn't remove it.

Fortunately, train control was lax, and a few enthusiastic big brothers pulled out hammers, kitchen knives, and scissors from their bags, and after some coordination finally managed to take it off.

In the end, the cotton inside the plaster was snatched away by a Big Aunt.

To thank the big brothers for their help, Lu Cheng took out a bottle of Red Star Erguotou; after all, Mom had brought four bottles, so drinking one was fine.

The other big brothers fetched side dishes, and the group drank while chatting about everything under the sun.

Outside, the cold wind howled; drinking a little wine on the train felt quite pleasant.

After sleeping on the train all night, they passed the Yangtze River Bridge, the sun rose to noon, and after stopping at another station, Lu Cheng got off the train.

The station crowd surged, and Lu Cheng stood on tiptoe to look outward.

Finally, he saw the familiar figure, also on tiptoe, craning his head inward.

Big brother had darkened and thinned.

Lu Cheng's nose tingled, and he almost shed tears.

Among the three Lu children, he was the most disobedient, often fighting with others as a child.

If he or Er Jie were bullied, even if the other side were Grand Courtyard kids, big brother would still lift a brick and stand up for his sister and brother.

Every time they returned home, the father inevitably gave a lecture, and big brother would always voluntarily take all the responsibility, taking the beating for him.

When they were young and often went hungry, big brother saved his own rations and shared them with his younger siblings.

Until forced by policy, big brother went down to the countryside to join a team, and later married and had children in a local mountain village.

Even when later he had a chance to return to the Capital City, the loyal big brother refused to abandon his wife and children, willingly staying to be a farmer.

Fortunately, big brother was capable, rising from village head to town secretary.

Because he was educated and daring, during his tenure as secretary he carried out sweeping Reform, leading the people to prosperity and benefiting the area, earning great affection.

But the high‑intensity work took its toll; before turning forty‑five, he died prematurely, sacrificing himself at a flood‑relief command post.

On the day of his send‑off, tens of thousands of townsfolk spontaneously gave Lu Secretary a final send‑off.

That day, the tears left by the crowd were more torrential than the flood itself.

Big brother left, abandoning his sister‑in‑law and children; a woman with a child now struggles to survive.

They thought of bringing the sister‑in‑law back to the Capital City, but she refused to leave the warm land where big brother was buried.

Even though later Lu Cheng and Er Jie often sent money to the sister‑in‑law, the resilient sister‑in‑law always returned the money each time.

Fearing that Mom and Dad would be too heart‑broken, the news of big brother's death was hidden from the elderly couple for many years.

Now, seeing the still‑young big brother again, Lu Cheng quietly wiped away his tears, hopped and shouted: "Big brother, I'm here!"

Following the voice, Lu Feng finally saw his brother, whom he hadn't seen for years; his chest rose and fell with emotion.

The two pushed through the crowd together; as they drew nearer, they sized each other up, then shared a big hug.

Brotherly love lasts a lifetime, sharing the same blood, bones broken yet tendons still linked.

Lu Feng released his arms and gave his brother's chest a hard punch: "Good kid, I see you've grown taller and become sturdier."

Lu Cheng flashed a wide grin of white teeth, feeling a flood of emotions: "Big brother, you've really darkened."

"Ha, digging in the fields day after day, face to the yellow earth, back to the sky—if you're not tanned it's a miracle. That's how farmers are, nothing we can do."

Finally seeing the loved one he missed day and night, Lu Feng restrained his excitement: "Let's go home! A few days ago you sent a telegram saying you'd arrive today; I came early this morning to wait for you."

The two walked toward the station exit.

"Then you arrived a bit early; the train can only be delayed, never early."

"Haha, it's fine; it's not that big brother missed you. By the way, why did you bring so much stuff, planning to stay long?"

"I'm definitely staying only a few days. What, just arrived and you want me to leave?"

"As you say, this is your home; stay as long as you wish. Your sister‑in‑law knew you were coming and even slaughtered the only chicken in the house just to treat you."

Lu Cheng stopped: "Why kill the chicken too? Raising a chicken now is not easy… I came here and caused you trouble."

Lu Feng glared: "Hey kid, why are you still whining now? That's not like you—it's just a chicken, aren't we brothers!"

It's not just a chicken; it's clearly his sister‑in‑law's love for him.

Nowadays, being able to raise a chicken is so precious; they're afraid of cutting off the capitalist tail, so they hardly dare to keep more.

Moreover, people can't even get enough to eat, yet they still raise a chicken to maturity; you can imagine how painful it must be for the sister‑in‑law when she has to kill it.

Even when the senior leader of the Commune arrives, they still can't bear to kill a chicken for food.

After stepping out of the exit, Lu Feng went to untie a yellow ox that was tied to a wooden post.

Lu Cheng couldn't help but ask, "Big brother, you're the one who drove the Ox Cart over here?"

Lu Feng, with his back turned, said, "Yes. The way to Yushu Gou is all narrow paths, no road for cars. We have to hurry back; it takes five hours to get home. Otherwise we'll miss dinner, and your sister‑in‑law will get angry with me, making you feel wronged."

Lu Cheng didn't feel aggrieved at all; he only felt sorry.

Big brother said he had rushed to the station early in the morning and was waiting, which shows he hadn't slept through the night and set off right away.

When big brother finished untying the ox rope and straightened his back, he clutched his lower back—likely a chronic back injury from years of farm work.

Given big brother's ability, he should have become a production squad leader easily, but after competing several times, he was always snatched away.

"Big brother, in the previous letter we heard you say you wanted to be a squad leader—did you get the position?"

Lu Feng, while tidying the handcart, replied, "Don't bring it up. We're Educated Youth, outsiders; it'll never be our turn."

In the end, they still think big brother is easy to bully. Lu Cheng regretted not wearing his police uniform, otherwise he could at least give big brother a Platform.

But his identity as a steel police officer is genuine; thinking of that, Lu Cheng glanced at the exit and instantly had an idea.

"Big brother, wait a moment, I'm going to catch a little thief."

"Hey, where are you going? We're about to leave; what little thief are you trying to catch?"