Chapter 282: The Leader's Face Must Always Be Given

"Close enough." Yu Dazhang nodded in agreement.

Seeing Ye Zhiyu's face fall, he added with a smile:

"Now I have to say something to you. Work only differs in division of labor, there's no high or low, no noble or mean. I'm a cop, you do sorting — both of us are serving the people."

"Alright, alright." Ye Zhiyu waved his hand irritably:

"Easy for you to say. You're used to singing the high notes, aren't you? Why don't you resign and come sort packages with me?"

He was in no mood right now to play along with Yu Dazhang's teasing.

If Yu Dazhang really stayed here, in the end the one who'd suffer would be him.

Because he had already decided that Qu Tuotuo would definitely choose to break up, and by then the fate of a guy who got in through connections like him would be obvious.

"You have a point there." Yu Dazhang was still messing around:

"If I can't make it over there later, I'll come find you. The two of us can sort packages together and look out for each other."

Ye Zhiyu could tell he was deliberately trying to get a rise out of people, and couldn't be bothered to respond.

"We'll wait and go back with you." Ma Jian spoke up.

Liu Miao chimed in:

"Yeah, our cold-case squad can't be split up."

These two were also the type to live by that thuggish sense of brotherhood… Yu Dazhang sighed and nodded in agreement:

"Fine, then we'll wait a bit longer. The leaders on both sides have probably already started negotiating."

The next morning.

Yu Dazhang received a call from an unknown number.

A landline?

Although the number was unfamiliar, the first three digits of the landline number gave him an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Zero-two-one.

After answering, Yu Dazhang asked directly:

"Who is it?"

"Can you tell from my voice?" the other party asked back.

If I couldn't recognize that voice, I wouldn't deserve to survive in the system… Yu Dazhang quickly replied:

"Hello, Director Liu!"

The caller was none other than the top leader of the Songhai City Bureau.

When Yu Dazhang was in Songhai, he had met Director Liu a few times and had even gone to his office for a face-to-face talk.

He was more than familiar with Director Liu's voice, because in the Songhai police force, that voice represented power.

"Wrap up the handover over there today, then come back to Songhai immediately."

Director Liu's tone was very serious, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

Could it be that the talks had fallen through?

The thought popped into Yu Dazhang's head unbidden.

Although Director Liu had already done a good job hiding it, Yu Dazhang could still hear the urgency and agitation in his voice.

"What if the leader here wants to see me?" Yu Dazhang asked tentatively.

"If you can avoid it, then avoid it." Director Liu unusually did not give a definitive answer, instead saying something baffling:

"If you can't dodge it, then weigh it yourself. How things are for you here, you know very well in your heart."

Although Director Liu hadn't said it outright, Yu Dazhang was no fool.

What else was there to weigh?

Obviously, it was about making a choice.

Director Liu personally calling was itself a kind of attitude…

If you choose to go back to Songhai, no one can stop you. As long as you come back, someone will have your back.

Why not just come out and say it plainly?

Come on, the top leader of the city bureau doesn't need to save face?

Personally calling an ordinary criminal investigator like Yu Dazhang from a landline was already lowering himself.

And between the lines, there was also a faint hint of urging.

The leader had already hinted so obviously — anyone could feel that I am heavily valued, let alone Yu Dazhang.

"Don't worry, Director Liu. Once I hand over the work here, I'll rush back to Songhai right away!"

Yu Dazhang vowed resolutely, a gleam of excitement flashing in his eyes.

If all goes well, he could eat his mom's cooking tonight.

The moment the call ended, the phone rang again.

Another landline, but this time the area code in front was local.

"Come to my office."

The big leader called me directly… Yu Dazhang was startled. The previous two times someone else had notified him; he hadn't expected the leader to call him personally this time.

"Yes." Yu Dazhang immediately responded.

His feelings were complicated — now he had no choice but to go.

Inside the office.

The big leader looked at Yu Dazhang, who stood tensely before him, and pointed at the chair opposite:

"Sit."

Yu Dazhang sat down carefully, hands on his knees, face tense, waiting for the leader to speak.

"Songhai already contacted you, right?" The big boss got straight to the point.

Yu Dazhang nodded:

"Before your call."

!

He could now confirm that the leaders on both sides had been negotiating and communicating early in the morning.

If they had discussed it last night, no matter how late, Director Liu would have notified him in advance.

"They hold you in high regard over there, and it's no wonder — just your ability, and at your age, is enough to make people look at you differently."

The big boss's tone was affable, yet carried something indescribable:

"I had wanted to keep stalling, then find a chance to keep you here. But now it seems that's not going to work."

"Still, I'd like to ask you face to face. If you're willing to stay, I'll handle the rest."

Of course, the choice was to go home… Yu Dazhang didn't dare be too blunt, but he had already made up his mind.

"I…"

He was just about to open his mouth and refuse, when the big boss suddenly raised his hand to stop him.

"Before that, listen to the terms they're offering you here. First…"

The terms went on for a full minute.

They covered every aspect — from work to life, even his family members could be arranged for better.

This couldn't even be called sincerity; it was a brazen attempt to win him over.

In the past, when a leader spoke with a subordinate, there was always some officialese thrown in.

But this time was different — not a single pleasantry, all substance.

By the end, Yu Dazhang was already a little reluctant to leave.

He suddenly recalled a line that had been all the rage on the internet in his previous life: sincerity is the ultimate killing move.

Someone might ask.

Does the big boss of the provincial department really have that much power, to promise subordinates terms like that?

If that's what you're thinking, you can only say you're too young.

"If you have any difficulties, you can raise them. Of course, you can also go back and think it over."

The big boss continued with a smile:

"It's not too late to give me an answer after you've thought it through."

If only Songhai had offered me these terms… Yu Dazhang stood up helplessly, looked at the big boss behind the desk, and hesitated to speak.

No answer was needed — his gesture was the answer itself.

"You absolutely have to go?" The big boss's face showed neither pleasure nor displeasure.

Yu Dazhang replied with a pained expression:

"My family is over there. Thank you for your trust and Hold in high regard, leader, I really am… sigh…"

He sighed, sucked at his teeth, but just wouldn't come out and say the word of refusal directly.

This trick had been taught to him by Li Jun.

No matter when, a leader's face must always be respected. Only he can refuse you; there's no logic in you refusing him.

Don't spell it out in words, but use gestures and expressions to convey it tactfully.

"Alright, I understand."

The big boss seemed to have known this would be the result all along, so he didn't show much disappointment either. Instead, he said calmly:

"Then do as My own idea."

(End of chapter)