Chapter 177

Li Shang strode into the Patrol Bureau with long, swift steps, and several captains immediately stepped forward to greet him, their faces carrying a hint of urgency.

Li Shang frowned slightly, listening to the captains' concise case briefing while rapidly sorting through the information in his mind.

One really must say, this feeling of listening to a briefing on a major case one committed oneself is rather interesting — absolutely a bizarre experience ordinary people never have.

Midway through the briefing, a captain suddenly interjected: "Captain Li, Secretary Du from the Executive Government arrived just now and is currently waiting for you in the Bureau Chief's office."

Li Shang's gaze was like a knife, coldly sweeping over the several captains, his tone carrying displeasure: "When can't a briefing proceed, that it must waste time right now?"

Before his words fell, he had already turned and walked quickly toward the Bureau Chief's office, his steps pausing slightly as he was about to cross the threshold, turning back to ask: "Was the Special Commissioner notified?"

The captains present exchanged glances, yet no one answered, the atmosphere turning somewhat awkward for a moment.

Chang Erbing stood at the back of the group; he gave Li Shang a covert look, his eyes full of smugness.

During this period, he had not stopped spreading negative news about the Special Commissioner in the bureau, and privately had hinted to every captain the Special Commissioner's vicious intention to force Captain Li to lead the brothers down a dead end.

Seeing everyone silent, Chang Erbing coughed lightly, the corner of his mouth wearing a barely perceptible sneer, and said in a yin-yang strange tone:

"This case has no connection with 【Mask】, and besides it's really too late now; we'd better not disturb the Special Commissioner's sleep — reporting tomorrow morning won't be late either."

Another captain beside him chimed in: "Right, Captain Li should hurry to see Secretary Du and see what important instructions there are."

"You're putting me on the grill again." Li Shang sighed helplessly, turned, pushed the door open, and entered the Bureau Chief's office.

Because Wang Yilin was dead, and the Special Commissioner disdained to sit in this shabby office; he preferred to hear Li Shang's work reports in a spacious, luxurious villa.

So this office had been unattended for a period of time; the furnishings and furniture inside were covered in a thin layer of dust.

Du Ziteng cared nothing for these details, sitting casually on the dust-covered sofa.

A cup of hot tea sat on the desk, yet from start to finish he never touched his lips to it; by now its temperature had already cooled.

He gently closed his eyes, meticulously recalling every minute detail inside the study just now.

He tried to recall every word Wang Yiyuan had spoken, the pronunciation of each word, and the expression and tone with which each word was said, in order to more precisely interpret and grasp Wang Yiyuan's true intent.

"People leave, tea cools — that's officialdom custom; although Hou Wendong may not be gone yet, everyone hopes he has already cooled completely."

Du Ziteng suddenly opened his eyes, a ruthless and dangerous light flashing in his gaze; he muttered to himself: "That includes me as well."

He rose from the sofa, his gaze sharply shooting toward Li Shang who had just pushed the door open and entered.

Although Li Shang did not know Du Ziteng, he was very familiar with that unique "official robe" on him.

In the Executive Government, from councilors to secretaries to executive officials at all levels, everyone has their corresponding uniform and shoulder insignia — symbols of identity and power.

A secretary's official rank is not high, but a secretary's power can be great or small, entirely depending on how much weight the councilor behind him carries in the Executive Government.

Li Shang straightened and saluted: "Secretary Du, good. I am Li Shang, temporarily acting as Patrol Bureau Captain."

Du Ziteng looked deeply at Li Shang — precisely, at the symmetrical palm prints on both sides of Li Shang's face; he narrowed his eyes slightly, and connecting it to the conversation just heard outside the door, he instantly understood.

This Captain Li's situation in the Patrol Bureau isn't good; or rather, that Special Commissioner from the Upper City isn't very popular in the Patrol Bureau.

Du Ziteng cut straight to the chase: "Captain Li Shang, I know you. The original leader of the Green Wolf Gang, Zheng Si, insanely kidnapped many students and was shot dead by you."

Li Shang's heart gave a thump, unsure whether Secretary Du was speaking straight or speaking ironically.

"Don't be nervous, you did well; scum who endanger education and public order deserve to die ten thousand times over." Du Ziteng said meaningfully: "Wang Yiyuan even mentioned this at the meeting and specially commended you; how come the Executive Government's commendation and promotion orders haven't come down?"

Li Shang had never seen any commendation or promotion order at root; this "acting captain" post was also because the Special Commissioner harbored vicious intentions — he knew it in his heart; he heard Secretary Du was speaking polite words, but he caught the implication beyond the strings.

Li Shang shook his head slightly: "Not received yet, but rescuing hostages is our Patrol Bureau's duty. To receive Wang Yiyuan's verbal commendation, I already feel incomparably honored."

Du Ziteng smiled faintly: "Hmm, perhaps because of Bureau Chief Wang Yilin's unfortunate martyrdom, the commendation process was delayed. I'll go back and help you check, see which link it's stuck at."

A trace of excitement flashed in Li Shang's eyes; he knew this was Secretary Du's wooing and promise — as long as he handled matters capably afterward, that originally non-existent commendation and promotion might truly become an appointment letter stuck at some procedural link.

Li Shang expressed determination: "Please rest assured, Secretary Du, and please convey to Wang Yiyuan that I, Li Shang, will certainly lead all brothers of the Patrol Bureau, overcome all difficulties, spare no cost, and as soon as possible search out and rescue Hou Mi Wendong."

The corner of Du Ziteng's mouth wore a satisfied smile; he lightly patted Li Shang's shoulder and said with deep meaning:

"The search operation indeed requires our utmost effort, but regarding the success of the rescue, one should not assert too absolutely. Hou Mi unfortunately fell into villains' hands; his hope of survival is already faint; if the situation unfortunately develops to that point, we should also understand — this is an unpredictable accident."

Li Shang froze in place for an instant, shock surging in his heart.

This was completely different from the script he and Ma Bin had planned in advance; they originally intended to self-direct and self-act a kidnapping-and-rescue drama, but now the situation seemed to be rapidly veering in a completely different direction, making him feel a caught-off-guard tension.

Sensing Li Shang's sudden silence, Du Ziteng narrowed his eyes, inwardly suspicious: "Is he not speaking because he didn't understand the hint in my words, or is this person actually a captain with very high moral integrity?!!"

Du Ziteng coldly laughed in his heart, his face betraying nothing; he gently pushed Li Shang's back, warmly yet firmly pushing him toward the Bureau Chief's empty chair.

His hands pressed down forcefully, letting Li Shang sit steadily on that chair.

The chair was covered in dust; sitting down with a thump choked the nose and scorched the butt, yet Li Shang felt that chair was cleaner and more comfortable than any mattress — once seated, he had no strength to stand up again.

Du Ziteng lowered his voice and sighed softly in Li Shang's ear: "The villains are desperately fierce and evil; rescue is fraught with difficulties; saving a person is always ten thousand times harder than killing one — I understand this principle, Wang Yiyuan understands it too, so Captain Li, don't give yourself too much psychological burden."

Li Shang's lips turned white, thoughts racing; he suddenly felt that slightly revising the script — turning the fake into real, actually tearing up the ticket on Hou Mi Wendong — might not be a worse choice.

After all, if killing can also earn commendation and merit, that is indeed far simpler and more straightforward than earning commendation and merit by saving people.

Li Shang made a decision in his heart; he looked up at Secretary Du and replied in a deep voice: "Thank you, Secretary Du and Wang Yiyuan, for your understanding; I indeed have much less psychological pressure now."

Du Ziteng curled his mouth, thinking: "I said it — integrity isn't worth a penny before high office and generous salary."

Du Ziteng patted Li Shang's shoulder in satisfaction, his expression turning serious again, and asked: "Then, regarding the search for Hou Mi Wendong, does Captain Li have ideas and plans?"

Li Shang reluctantly stood up from the chair and declared solemnly: "Please rest assured, Secretary Du; since I joined the Patrol Bureau, I have solved every case — I have never left even a single backlog or cold case in my hands. I am confident I can crack this case within one week, locate Hou Mi, and bring the villains to justice."

This time it was Du Ziteng's turn to be shocked; he had not expected Li Shang to be so confident — however, on the way here he had briefly reviewed Li Shang's case-solving record, which was indeed extremely excellent, to the point that the Patrol Bureau internally enjoyed the reputation of "Divine Detective."

"Could it be — he really is a rare talent?!!"

Du Ziteng half-believed, half-doubted; he would watch Li Shang's subsequent performance in cracking this case — if truly excellent, he might as well genuinely recommend him to the councilor, take him under his wing for heavy use, and himself gain a favor from Li Shang in the process.

(End of Chapter)