Chapter 43

In the following days, Lu Zheng began to promote the construction of the Guangning police responsibility zone and the joint prevention and security responsibility system. Although he appeared to be busy, his heart was not really in it.

Lu Zheng hoped more that he could ride the waves of economic and political reform. After all, the country was in the early stages of transitioning from a planned economy, and from the central to local levels, there was still intense debate over whether the reforms were capitalist or socialist. Many issues were far from being beyond redemption.

Lu Zheng had many ideas about the direction of economic reform. If he could successfully promote it in Guangning, it might become a benchmark, influencing many people and many things in the future.

However, his current position meant he could not touch the core of economic reform and could only make minor adjustments within the public security system.

Lu Zheng also knew that many problems in the public security front in the future were caused by the larger environment, not something the system itself could change.

Now, Lu Zheng could only try to excel in his duties, hoping to find an opportunity to leave the public security system.

One noon, Lu Zheng received a letter and a phone call.

The letter was from Liu Xiaohui. She had gone to the house in Zhaozhuang where Lu Zheng used to live two days ago but found that he had moved. The neighbors had little contact with Lu Zheng and Du Xiaohu and did not know where Lu Zheng had moved to. Helpless, Liu Xiaohui left a letter with Lu Zheng's neighbor.

Du Xiaohu had only received the letter last night when he went to hand over the house to the landlord.

When they first met, Lu Zheng had concealed his police identity to facilitate the investigation. Later, although he had taken her out for dinner twice at No.1 High School, he did not mention his job, only telling her that he had been transferred to the county police after being discharged from the military.

Liu Xiaohui had cautiously asked about the serial murder and dismemberment case involving Principal Zhang, but Lu Zheng had been vague, feeling it was not right to use a friend he hadn't seen for years.

Liu Xiaohui had originally hoped to organize a big gathering in the summer, but this wish had not come true. The playmates from back then were now pursuing their own futures and were all busy. Even Bi Xiaoguang, a student at Peking University, had not returned for the summer, reportedly working on a news evaluation project in Beijing.

In her letter, Liu Xiaohui mentioned that Meng Wenqiang had returned and that she had contacted a few playmates who worked in Guangning County, hoping to gather at Dongmi Garden the next day.

The "next day" she referred to was actually the day before. Although Lu Zheng had long forgotten who Meng Wenqiang was, he felt a bit regretful for not being able to attend the gathering.

Childhood friends, classmates, and comrades-in-arms were truly the most innocent and pure relationships. After entering society, the people one met were often entangled in various interests.

Just as he finished reading Liu Xiaohui's letter, Lu Zheng received a call from his mother.

In her usual style, she was brief and left no room for argument, "Your Uncle is having surgery in a few days. You'll go back to Beijing with me tomorrow, and then we'll go to Los Angeles."

Lu Zheng knew that the relationship between the Lu and Han families had not been good in recent years. This trip to the United States might make him the sole representative of the Lu family.

His grandfather had always been strict with his children and never showed favoritism. His mother had built her life step by step, while his Uncle Han Guoping was a worker, a workshop director at an ordinary glass factory in Northeastern Chunjiang City.

Uncle's eye condition was severe, and if surgery was performed under the current medical conditions in China, there was an 80% chance of complications. His grandfather had used his royalties to pay for Uncle's surgery in the United States.

Lu Zheng knew he had to go this time.

Although Sino-U.S. relations were in a honeymoon phase and civilian exchanges were increasing, his grandfather's family had a special status. During Uncle's surgery, apart from his wife, there would be no other family members to accompany him.

His mother's position was even more special, but she was always strong and decisive. With Uncle about to undergo surgery, she naturally had to go to support him, but she would likely only stay in the U.S. for a few days.

Lu Zheng thought for a moment. There were no urgent matters in the next few days, so he just needed to inform Secretary Qiu. Of course, he didn't need to mention going to the U.S. His mother would certainly handle the passport and other formalities for him.

Just as he was thinking, there was a knock on the door. Wang Yuguo poked his head in and asked, "Director Lu, a girl named Lu Xiaoping is looking for you. Do you know her?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "She's my sister."

Wang Yuguo closed the door and presumably went to call the guard at the gate to let her in.

About ten minutes later, there was another knock on the door. Lu Xiaoping peeked in, stuck out her tongue, and then slipped through the door.

Her new, well-fitted blue uniform accentuated her fair, oval face. The slightly wide trouser legs revealed her white socks and shiny black shoes, making her look very fashionable and bright. She now worked at the department store, and the uniform was the standard attire for the sales staff.

"Brother Zheng." Standing in front of Lu Zheng's desk, Lu Xiaoping suddenly felt constrained, fidgeting with the hem of her blouse, feeling a bit lost.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Xiaoping, you must have something important. Sit down, sit down." He stood up and moved to the sofa, gesturing for her to sit next to him. Lu Zheng had no ill feelings toward Lu Xiaoping. Essentially, she wasn't a bad person, but she had many flaws, such as being materialistic and vain, which were common among many ordinary girls.

Seeing Lu Zheng's smile, Lu Xiaoping's nervousness from knocking on the door gradually faded. Brother Zheng really didn't mind her past bad attitude toward him. As her mother said, Brother Zheng was a man of great achievements and wouldn't fuss over a little girl like her.

There was a light knock on the door, and a young secretary, about twenty years old, entered, poured hot water into the cups for Lu Zheng and Lu Xiaoping, and then left.

Lu Xiaoping was momentarily stunned when the young secretary entered. When he left, she suddenly said softly, "Is it him?" and quickly asked Lu Zheng, "Brother Zheng, is he called Zhang Weimin?" She didn't need to ask; she had already recognized the young man. He was the brother of one of her close friends, Xiao Hong, who always boasted about her brother's abilities and his success in the county police office.

But she never imagined that he would be the one serving Brother Zheng, pouring tea and water. When she saw his expression just now, he definitely recognized her but didn't dare to speak to her.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Do you know Xiao Zhang? I think his name is Zhang Weimin..." Lu Zheng couldn't actually remember his name. The young man had only been at the police station for about a month and seemed to be a protégé of He Liansheng.

Hearing this, Lu Xiaoping couldn't help but laugh, "You don't even know his name? Then isn't the water he poured for you in vain? Isn't his service in vain?"

Thinking about how Xiao Hong had introduced her brother to her in a condescending manner, clearly teasing her and making her feel unworthy, Lu Xiaoping felt a bit frustrated. Although she often joked with Xiao Hong, she couldn't help but feel annoyed at such moments.

Today, she felt a sense of relief. Tomorrow, when she saw Xiao Hong, if she tried to use her brother to tease her, she could retort, "What's so great about your brother? He still has to pour tea and water for me."

Thinking of this, Lu Xiaoping almost burst out laughing, feeling extremely satisfied.

Seeing her eyes full of joy, Lu Zheng was a bit surprised but didn't ask, just saying, "Xiaoping, how are your aunt and uncle?"

Lu Xiaoping snapped back to reality and quickly said, "Yes, they're all fine..."

Before she could finish, there was another knock on the door. An officer entered, whispered a few words in Lu Zheng's ear, and then left after Lu Zheng nodded.

Lu Xiaoping was about to speak when the phone on the desk rang, and Lu Zheng got up to answer it.

Listening to Lu Zheng giving orders over the phone, he instructed the command center to take immediate action to arrest the "Hao Sanjun gang." It seemed that over 200 armed police, officers, and militiamen had already surrounded and controlled the 20 suspects, and the command center was requesting permission to act.

Lu Xiaoping imagined the armed police officers waiting in the distance, ready to act at Brother Zheng's command, capturing and subduing the criminals. The power to wield the state's machinery, invincible and unstoppable, was truly exhilarating and overwhelming.

At this moment, Lu Xiaoping realized how difficult it was for Lu Zheng to spare time to see her.

Lu Xiaoping was good at reading people's expressions and gauging the situation. As soon as Lu Zheng hung up the phone, she stood up and said hurriedly, "Brother Zheng, you're busy. I'll leave. I just wanted to tell you that it's my birthday today, and we're having dinner at home. My mother asked me to invite you. If you have time, please come."

Lu Zheng exclaimed, "Your birthday? You'll be 18 after today?"

"Yes," Lu Xiaoping nodded happily, surprised that Lu Zheng remembered her age. She had only learned a few days ago from Ma Cuihong that Lu Zheng was 22 this year.

Lu Zheng said, "I should get you a gift, but I have some things to do these days. I'll make it up to you when I get back."

Lu Xiaoping hadn't really expected much when she came. She just wanted to use this opportunity to solidify the new title "Brother Zheng." As for her birthday, she didn't really expect him to have time to entertain her.

"Okay, thank you, Brother Zheng. I'll leave now." Lu Xiaoping got up to say goodbye.

Lu Zheng nodded, "I'll have someone see you out."

To Lu Xiaoping's surprise, the person who saw her out was Zhang Weimin.

In the county police station courtyard, cars came and went, and the police officers in uniform all had serious expressions. Another police car sped out with its siren wailing. The old willow tree in front of the office building was perhaps the only warm scene in the courtyard; otherwise, the entire courtyard was filled with a solemn and oppressive atmosphere.

When they reached the gate, Zhang Weimin finally couldn't help but ask, "Xiaoping, do you know our Director Lu?" He had noticed this pretty and delicate friend of his sister for a long time and naturally remembered her name. However, men sometimes act reserved and proud in front of women they are attracted to.

Lu Xiaoping felt disdain in her heart, thinking, "Aren't you so great?" She nodded and walked away quickly.

Zhang Weimin cursed in his heart, "How arrogant." But he quickly had to go back upstairs. He couldn't help with writing articles or handling materials in the office, so his main job was to serve the leaders and the meeting room. He had to be ready to serve the director at any time.