Chapter 93: Tonight's Lively

Lu Cheng, knowing the reason, came to Lei Zhan'ge's office and, adopting a proper attitude, said:

"Captain Lei, beating a passenger was my fault; I'll bear any responsibility, but I don't regret doing it."

Wang Fengshi, standing nearby, hurriedly tugged at him; Lei Zhan'ge saw this, picked up a cigarette and said, "No need to pull him. Beating a passenger—he thinks he's justified, right?"

Lu Cheng sat up straight: "I dare not state the reason. First, hand those few over to me; I can't watch them being bullied for no reason. That's my responsibility as a group leader."

"Moreover, those two are swindlers; beating them isn't unjust."

Lei Zhan'ge slapped the table: "What good is this? Without catching anyone there's no evidence. They're right under your nose, yet you still let them escape. What the hell are you doing?"

Lu Cheng inhaled and said, "Captain Lei, rest assured, I will catch them."

Lei Zhan'ge lit his cigarette, took a drag, and said, "We'll talk about catching them later; for now I deduct one point from your Sixth Group."

Assessments are monthly, so it's still early; each team starts at zero points. He, however, immediately puts them at minus one point.

After a few more criticisms, once Lu Cheng left, Lei Zhan'ge casually reached for the cigarette pack on the table, only to find nothing.

"Hey, where's my cigarette…"

No doubt Lu Cheng must have taken it.

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head helplessly: "That kid!"

Wang Fengshi stepped forward and said, "Captain Lei, isn't the punishment on Sixth Group a bit harsh? After all, he was protecting Da Kui. As a group leader, if he can't even protect his own teammates…"

Lei Zhan'ge sighed, "How could I not know? But this matter has reached the General Bureau; ignoring it entirely wouldn't be acceptable. One rule is one rule."

Wang Fengshi understood; it's just a one‑point deduction, which looks severe but in reality carries no real punishment.

As for the deducted point, it can be regained later by earning Merit.

This also gives the General Bureau an explanation; beating a passenger isn't a minor issue. If it truly reaches the General Bureau, it won't be as simple as a one‑point deduction.

Although Lei Zhan'ge's words were harsh, he was secretly grateful that Lu Cheng protected Da Kui.

"Was what I just said… a bit too harsh?"

Hearing Lei Zhan'ge's question, Wang Fengshi laughed, "You still… care for him! But I think it's fine; Group Leader Lu is like a spring—the more you press him, the stronger he gets."

"And Group Leader Lu isn't the petty type."

Lei Zhan'ge nodded, "Then give him a chance for Redeeming Merit?"

Wang Fengshi immediately replied, "He should get one. Later I'll inform Ding Jingzhang, and next time on the Jingguang Line let Sixth Group be on duty, aiming to catch those two swindlers."

…

Lu Cheng returned to Da Za Yuan; passing the Alley Entrance, he saw a crowd queuing at the public restroom.

It's evening now; such queues usually appear only in the morning, which is rather odd.

Lu Cheng didn't think much of it and went straight home.

With his parents absent from the Main Hall, he went to Xi Er Fang; just as he pushed the door open, Lu Ying hurriedly hid the letter paper.

"You didn't even knock!"

Lu Cheng stepped back, closed the door, knocked twice—"Deng Deng"—and Lu Ying asked, "Who is it?"

"It's me, your best little brother."

"Come in."

Lu Cheng pushed the door open again, walked in and plopped onto the desk: "Where are Mom and Dad? The Main Hall door is open, but I don't see anyone."

"The queue at the Alley Entrance is for the restroom—someone has diarrhea; this is the second time, and they said they had three episodes at the factory."

Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow: "Diarrhea? They were fine; how did that happen? What did they eat?"

"Don't bring it up; it's that Wu teacher from Dong'er Fang. At noon he somehow got cured ham and handed it out to our courtyard. I took a bite at lunch and felt something was off."

"But Mom and Dad, you know when things go bad you can't bear to throw them away! You wouldn't let them eat it, yet they didn't listen, and now look—they have diarrhea."

Listening to Lu Ying, Lu Cheng found it odd; this Wu teacher, named Wu Guiwen, teaches at Dengshikou Xiaoxue, is in his fifties, and wears bifocals.

The family has five members, but the daughter became an Educated Youth years ago, and the son went to support the Third Line Construction.

Now only the couple and an old mother remain at home; living in Dong'er Fang isn't too cramped.

The oddity is that everyone in the courtyard knows this Wu teacher is a stingy miser, not giving a single cent.

Anyone who tries to borrow or ask for anything from his house basically gets nowhere.

Why is he so generous today, willing to give his treasured cured ham to the big guy to eat?

Probably it hasn't gone bad, and he can't bear to take it out to share; no wonder Da Za Yuan is so quiet today—everyone must be queuing for the restroom.

At that moment, Lu Ying stretched her nose, sniffed Lu Cheng a few times, then stepped back: "Yuck, whatever smell is on you, it's all sour!"

"We were on duty on the train, the Carriage was crowded and sweaty, not to mention there were chickens, ducks, geese—a whole Carriage full of odor."

Lu Ying pursed her lips: "Then you should hurry to the Bathhouse at Dong'an Shichang and wash up; you stink to death."

"No ticket!"

Lu Ying rolled her eyes, took a Bath Ticket from the clip in the drawer, and said, "Here, I really owe you; take this Bath Ticket, and I'll have to skip a bath."

Lu Cheng cheerfully accepted: "You could say my older sister still treats me well; in the future I won't love anyone else, only you, sis. I'll buy you a building, a small car, a plane…"

"Go, go, go, stop feeding me fantasies! Get out quickly; you've made my room reek." Lu Ying pushed him.

Lu Cheng grabbed the door: "By the way, sis, what were you writing just now?"

"None of your business; adult matters, kids shouldn't pry."

"Heh heh, even if you don't tell me I know—you're writing a letter to that so‑called famous poet! Honestly, sis, his poems are truly not as good as mine."

Lu Cheng read aloud with feeling: "Ah, my constipation, like a falling meteor, when you try to catch it with your hand, it also…"

"Are you being annoying? That poop‑urine‑fart poem makes me embarrassed to read. Go take a shower." Lu Ying slammed the door.

Lu Cheng shook his head; his sister had already started to admire that poet, and would later develop romantic feelings.

He must snuff out his sister's nascent affection while it's still in the cradle.

A few lousy poems and he tries to seduce my sister—what a beast‑hearted guy!

"San'er, you're back!"

Seeing Chen Xianglan still holding her belly, Lu Cheng hurried forward and supported her: "How are you, Mom? Should I take you to the hospital?"

Chen Xianglan waved her hand: "No, no. What hospital? That's wasted money. Just drink some water later and detox a bit; it's nothing serious."

Lu Cheng helped his mother into the house and poured a cup of hot water: "Mom, remember to drink it later; I'm stepping out for a moment."

"Hey, where did you go right after coming back?"

"I'm going to take a shower; I'm all filthy."

"Oh, then go ahead. Did you bring a Bath Ticket?"

"Got it; my sister gave it to me."

Chen Xianglan called out again: "Come back early, don't stay in the water too long. Mom will make you fried sauce noodles for dinner."

"Got it, Mom." Lu Cheng walked into the courtyard and waved his hand.

In this freezing weather, not soaking in the big pool—can that even be called a shower?

Lu Cheng only after soaking until his whole body went limp, then scrubbing his back and massaging his feet, finally left the Guoying Zaotang feeling completely relaxed.

Returning to the alley, it was already dark; the front yard was empty. When he entered the Inner Courtyard, he saw that everyone from the Da Za Yuan had gathered there, including those from the Backyard.

The adults carried small stools and sat in several rows, while the children ran around in circles, making a ruckus; at the head, the senior Zhao Daye sat in a high seat.

Usually, any matters in the Da Za Yuan are handled by Zhao Daye on behalf of the Street Office; he's the elder of the courtyard, and everyone gives him respect.

But today, Wu Guiwen sat beside Zhao Daye, which surprised Lu Cheng.

No wonder Wu Guiwen was so kind today, handing out cured pork; he's probably trying to wrest the authority from Zhao Daye to win everyone's support.

A new official's first three moves—still unclear who or what they're targeting.

Looks like tonight will be lively!