Chapter 288: Brother, Are You Also an Armed Police?

"Did you hear? Something big happened at Qiangsheng City Construction Group!"

"Such a huge company—what could possibly go wrong?"

"I heard it's about involvement in grey operations and unfair competition…"

"Really? Just last month, the Yangzi Evening News called Qiangsheng a leading enterprise, an industry benchmark—how did it change so fast?"

"It's true. I have a relative's aunt‑in‑law who works as security there, and he said a huge force of military police stormed in with guns the night before last, scaring him so much he peed his pants!"

"Damn, such a big deployment, even troops were sent out; calling that 'sweeping the ash' should be called anti‑terrorism, suppressing violence!"

"Brother, listen—rumors are tight lately; you'd better skip the shower!"

"What's up, another hygiene‑civilized city campaign?"

"What? This time it's way worse. Yesterday there was a massive downpour; I drove past the Yongli Water Club entrance—guess what I saw?"

"Police sweeping prostitution?"

"Heh, I saw troops dragging people out of a bathroom, even an armored vehicle rolled up, the kind with a machine gun on top!"

"Holy crap, you need a prostitute now and they're bringing in an armored vehicle?"

"I bet it's because of that Yuanbao incident; maybe they're cracking down again. Stay sharp, don't get caught and shot!"

"I'm not going, not going—never again. If I go back I'm a dog!"

"What's up, buddy, still stammering? Speak up. You've already left the Armed Police detachment—are you scared the Military Police will nab you over a drink and snack?"

"It's not that I'm scared; I'm torn—can we even talk about this?"

"If you can't say it, just don't. The confidentiality rules aren't incomprehensible—who forced you?"

"Actually, strictly speaking, this isn't the Armed Police's business, but on closer look it does involve us."

"What exactly is it? Speak up. You're dragging this out, acting like a wimp, refusing to play with you straight‑laced old soldiers, dragging your feet in words and deeds."

"I'm telling you, don't tell anyone else; a comrade still in the unit said a few days ago a martyr's wife and daughter from our Armed Police ran into trouble and went to kneel at the Eastern Theater Command Headquarters with a First‑Class Merit plaque…"

"Hold on, hold on! Let me get this straight—you the martyr's wife and daughter, with a First‑Class Merit plaque, went to Old Lu's Command Headquarters???"

"Yes!"

"Holy crap, then didn't the head of the Armed Police Headquarters just get blown up?"

"Who says it wasn't? The detachment I served in is now in chaos, the main unit's faces are ruined; apparently a three‑service meeting was happening on site, not only Old Lu but Navy and Air Force folks also saw it. I have no idea who gave the order—so messed up…"

"Damn, this news is insanely explosive, perfect drinking material! Keep talking, keep talking—this meal's on me, I love hearing about you old soldiers getting screwed!"

"Boss, another case of beer, and two of each fried skewer!"

"Got it~!"

Night falls, the night‑market stalls near the park buzz with chatter, lively beyond measure.

A few friends snack on night‑food, sip beer, and chat about recent sights and anecdotes.

Mother Yuan AiQin's wok has been boiling nonstop since it started, and the skewers she brings just aren't enough to sell.

Father Lu YongQiang crouches on the little horse‑drawn cart behind, his bamboo skewers and ingredients sparking like fireworks, never stopping all night.

Lu Yang also helps on site, acting as a runner, greeting guests, clearing the folding tables and the floor.

He runs to a nearby smoke‑shop, pays, carries a case of beer to the previous table: "The fried skewers might need a bit longer; it's crowded tonight, sorry about that."

"These salted peanuts are on the house—have them now, the fried skewers will arrive shortly."

"Hm? You are—Lu Yang?"

The round‑faced man with a connected beard on the table instantly recognized Lu Yang.

Lu Yang also recognized them—they're his cousin's friends: "What a coincidence, Squad Leaders, didn't expect to run into you here."

The two look surprised: "Weren't you enlisted? Why are you back—part‑time gig?"

Lu Yang explains: "I took a few days of leave to visit family; the stall owner is my mom, so I came help out. I'll be back to the troops tomorrow."

Hearing Lu Yang is also a soldier, the formerly dejected ex‑Armed Police instantly gets excited: "Brother, you're also Armed Police?"

Lu Yang shakes his head: "I'm in the Army."

Old Wu: "......"

That's not right?

There should be more Armed Police than anyone!

Why does everyone he meets end up being Army or Air Force ground crew?

"Man, you're back—why didn't your brother tell us?"

"At least before you enlisted, we gave you some pre‑service training, remember?"

"How's it going? Now you're in the unit—got a staff position? Do you think you'll make sergeant next year?"

Lu Yang casually clears the trash on the table, wipes it down and says: "Should be fine, no problem."

The round‑faced bearded man laughs, pats him: "You're a lot sturdier than before. Keep at it, aim for a Four‑Excellence next year, become a sergeant. By the way, what's your brother up to lately? He didn't even send any news back."

Lu Yang shakes his head: "Not really sure, maybe he's busy with work."

"What could he be so busy with? That unit is dead‑easy."

"Maybe he's in a bad mood."

"Could be. I saw his status: 'My whole life feels like walking on thin ice,' and this guy just loves to whine for no reason!"

"Hahaha......"

"Handsome, add ten more yuan for fried chicken strips."

"Got it~"

Lu Yang calls out to the neighboring table's patrons, greets them, then returns to his work.

Watching Lu Yang hustle back and forth—running, threading skewers, making change, cleaning up.

The few at the table can't help but

The ex‑military police man sipped his beer and asked curiously, "Who is he......?"

"Lu Lin's younger cousin, you know him."

"So it's Da Linzi's younger brother, oh dear, we should call him over for a drink!"

"Wait until he's less busy, don't hold up his business."

"That's right, come on, keep drinking, keep drinking."

"Mom, later give that table a discount; they're Brother Linlin's friends, also served in the army, but all have been discharged."

"Why bother discounting? Just make it free."

"That won't do, I can't let my old mother work for nothing; the cost still has to be recouped."

Lu Yang's words made Yuan AiQin grin broadly, and the father squatting at the back, threading skewers, also wore a smile.

Since his son joined the army, he's become far more sensible; not only considerate, but can also shoulder responsibilities.

In the past, getting him to do any work was harder than scaling heaven, but now he works quickly and deftly, exuding a thunderous, decisive vigor.

Perhaps because too many events unfolded in the past week, the common folk desperately needed a fervent outlet for discussion, so tonight's night‑market business was unusually booming.

Normally, the foot traffic drops considerably after ten p. m., but now it's already eleven and there are still many people.

It wasn't until eleven thirty that Yuan AiQin's oil wok finally cooled enough for a brief rest.

The ever‑busy old father could finally catch his breath, taking the insulated cup from his mother and taking a sip.

He said with a nostalgic expression, "Back then, I actually had a chance to join the troops, but your dad wouldn't let me."

Lu Yang asked curiously, "Why wouldn't he?"

Lu YongQiang replied, "Back then the military conditions were far worse than now; your dad thought that good iron shouldn't be hammered into nails, a good man shouldn't serve, and it'd be better to find a stable job at a unit."

"Damn it, you say if I had gone to the army back then, would I now be some Battalion Commander or Regiment Commander?"

Yuan AiQin laughed, "If you had joined the troops, at best you'd be a dumb foot soldier; no way with words or socializing, you'd never make a name anywhere. You're far behind our son."

Lu YongQiang glared, "Nah, nah, nah, I don't want to hear that. I'm the type who works quietly and gets things done."

"Right, right, whatever you say is what it is."

Just as the three of them were chatting and laughing,

a taxi pulled over by the roadside not far away.

Ding Tengfei hoisted a bag, walking toward them with his parents.

Lu Yang spotted them from afar and waved, "This way!"

Lu YongQiang also saw the gaunt, seemingly ten years older, old classmate and said, "Old Ding?"