Chapter 19: A Gathering of the Elite

On the evening of the banquet, in the master bedroom of Lin Gong Guan.

Lin Yu stood before a full-length mirror, carefully adjusting his handcrafted custom suit. The deep‑blue fabric perfectly traced his upright figure, and the exquisitely cut collar and cuffs made his entire demeanor stand out.

"— Bureau Chief," Zhou Wei said from beside him, adjusting his glasses. "— This suit fits you perfectly. You look both imposing and elegant."

Lin Yu chuckled, "— What? Have you already learned how to flatter?"

"— My words are all truthful," Zhou Wei said earnestly, "— When you wear this suit, one could never tell you were once a patrol officer. You look like a noble young master who grew up in high society."

"— Tonight is the first official appearance of this mysterious Bureau Chief," Lin Yu said as he fastened his tie, "— So I must dress more formally."

"— Yes," Zhou Wei nodded, "— Everyone in Shen City is now speculating about your identity. Tonight's banquet will surely astonish many."

Lin Yu adjusted his collar, turned and asked, "— Is the car ready?"

"— Everything has been arranged," Zhou Wei replied, "— The armed guard squad has already set up security at Da San Yuan, and the military police are also ready."

"— Very good," Lin Yu said, glancing at his pocket watch, "— It's about time; let's go."

"— Understood."

As he stepped out of the room, Lin Yu suddenly halted, gazing at the orderly ranks of guards below, a smile tugging at his mouth:

"— After tonight, everyone in Shen City will know that the Fourth Bureau has returned."

Night fell, and the lights in front of Da San Yuan Restaurant shone brightly.

Luxury cars arrived one by one: an American‑made Buick, a Citroën from the Franco Empire, and a Fiat from Italy. Whenever a car stopped, uniformed guards stepped forward to open the doors.

Fourth Bureau Deputy Director Zhang Zhi Yuan stood at the restaurant entrance, personally greeting each distinguished guest.

"— Deputy Director Zhang, long time no see!" a wealthy businessman in a suit greeted with a smile.

"— Boss Huang, you're here," Zhang Zhi Yuan replied with a smile, "— Please go upstairs; Director Lin will arrive shortly."

"— Chief Engineer Li, this way, please."

"— Director Cheng, your timing is perfect."

"— Boss Ma, please proceed upstairs..."

Passersby stopped to watch, and murmurs rose and fell.

"— What's this grand scene? Why are so many important figures here?"

"— I heard the new Director of the Fourth Bureau is hosting this banquet."

"— The Fourth Bureau? That mysterious Director Lin?"

"— Indeed, look, even the foreigners from the Works Bureau have arrived!"

Indeed, a few gentlemen who looked foreign had just entered the restaurant, their chests bearing the Works Bureau insignia, clearly officials of the Works Bureau.

"— Look, isn't that the boss of the Green Gang?"

"— And the Sanjing of the Health Union Association!"

"— My god, even Commander Qin has come......"

A military Packard sedan pulled up at the entrance, and Security Commander Qin Dong Zhi entered the restaurant accompanied by his adjutant.

Zhang Zhi Yuan hurried forward, "— Commander Qin, you've arrived."

Qin Dong Zhi nodded, "— Has Director Lin arrived?"

"— Not yet; he should be arriving soon."

In the tea house across the street, a few diners stared in amazement.

"— I've never seen such a display before!"

"— Indeed, all the prominent figures of Shen City are here tonight."

"— What's the background of this Director Lin? How can he invite so many important people?"

"— Shh, keep your voice down. Look at those guards at the door, each armed and loaded; they don't look easy to provoke!"

At that moment, a roar of engines rang out.

A brand‑new black Buick slowly approached Da San Yuan; inside, a tall figure in a deep‑blue suit could be faintly seen...

"— Look, look," Third Bureau's Chen Guotai said sourly, "— The spectacle of Director Lin, tsk tsk......"

Several directors stood in the first‑floor lobby of Da San Yuan, watching the outside through the floor‑to‑ceiling windows.

"— American‑made Buick," Fifth Bureau's Sun Zhi Yuan fanned, "— This is the newest model; it won't go for less than ten thousand silver dollars."

"— We've been directors for so many years," Sixth Bureau's Zhao Hongfei sneered, "— The higher‑ups never even provide a department car; we have to cram into rickshaws daily. Yet he arrives with a dedicated car right away."

"— I heard this car was specially approved by the court," Chen Guotai lowered his voice, "— Even Commander Qin doesn't get that privilege."

"— Hey," Sun Zhi Yuan said disdainfully, "— There must be some powerful patron behind him; otherwise why would the court grant him such favorable treatment?"

"— Indeed," Zhao Hongfei agreed, "— Look at that car, polished to a shine with not a speck of dust. What a display, tsk tsk......"

While the few were speaking, the black Buick settled steadily at Da San Yuan's entrance.

"— Everyone," Chen Guotai suddenly spoke seriously, "— When we meet Director Lin later, we should remain courteous. After all......"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the others understood immediately. Whoever can secure a court‑approved sedan must have a far‑from‑simple background.

"— Sigh," Sun Zhi Yuan sighed, "— If only we could have a luxury car someday......"

The other two directors, hearing this, all showed envious expressions. In this era, possessing a dedicated car is not only a status symbol but also a tangible benefit.

Alas, they could only watch and envy......

"— I heard even the Green Gang boss can't afford this new model Buick now," Chen Guotai added, "— This Director Lin certainly has a substantial background......"

The black Buick halted steadily, and a young man in a handcrafted deep‑blue suit stepped out.

"— Bureau Chief," Zhang Zhi Yuan hurried forward.

"— The guests have mostly arrived, right?" Lin Yu adjusted his tie, his voice steady as he asked.

"— Almost all have arrived; just missing......"

The directors standing in the lobby heard the voice, instinctively glanced outward, and inhaled a sharp breath of cold air.

"... This... is this Director Lin?" Sun Zhiyuan widened his eyes.

"... My god," Zhao Hongfei murmured, "... He's way too young, isn't he?"

Indeed, Lin Yu standing at the doorway looked just a little over twenty, but his upright bearing, composed temperament, and the finely tailored suit gave off an air of nobility from head to toe.

"... At that age, to become Fourth Bureau Chief......" Chen Guotai inhaled sharply, "... what kind of family background must be behind that?"

"... No wonder the court provides him a dedicated car," Sun Zhiyuan lowered his voice, "... that's not something an ordinary family can cultivate. Look at the bearing in his every gesture..."

"... Shh," Zhao Hongfei quickly warned, "... he's coming this way."

Lin Yu walked into the hall with steady steps, his gaze sweeping over the several Bureau Chiefs present, and gave a slight nod, "... Gentlemen Bureau Chiefs, a pleasure to meet you."

A simple sentence, yet it sent a shock through the Bureau Chiefs. The voice was neither humble nor arrogant, bearing a dignity that belied his age.

"... Director Lin... Director Lin, hello." The three quickly returned the greeting.

Watching Lin Yu's silhouette vanish at the stairwell, the Bureau Chiefs exchanged puzzled looks.

"... Now this is interesting," Chen Guotai said with a wry smile, "... we old fellows might be outdone by this youngster......"

The other two fell silent. They both realized that this young Director Lin was probably not as simple as they had imagined.

To sit as Fourth Bureau Chief at such an age, what kind of power lies behind it? That question sent a chill down their spines.