Chapter 401: I Like Wearing a Little White Flower on My Head

Yu Dazhang was stared at by the big boss until he felt uncomfortable all over.

If you called it admiration, the look was just too scary, as if it wanted to strip him bare.

And in the big boss's eyes he also caught a glimpse of longing and… anticipation?!

The thought made Yu Dazhang's hair stand on end.

An illusion, it had to be an illusion… he consoled himself in his heart.

"Less than a year in the force and already an Inspector."

The big boss said, looking at Yu Dazhang:

"Even those specially recruited for special skills haven't been promoted as fast as you."

He's investigated me… Yu Dazhang's heart clenched suddenly, his nerves instantly taut.

He had been in plainclothes ever since arriving in Province N, and had never revealed his file information to anyone.

The big boss knowing so clearly obviously meant he had read his file.

To be honest, he was a little resentful about it.

He had come here to handle a case, not to commit one — was it really necessary to dig into his background?

This was a clear sign of distrust.

But then the big boss suddenly changed tack, his face stern as he said:

"In my view, compared to your record, your promotion is still too slow. If you were under me, you could move up at least two more ranks."

The moment those words left his mouth, even Captain Hua showed a stunned expression.

Two more ranks?

That would make him a Chief Inspector — a 23-year-old Chief Inspector?

Captain Hua had never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it.

Yu Dazhang was no fool; he knew at once that the big boss was making him an offer.

"I'm already content," Yu Dazhang replied earnestly:

"Rising too fast isn't necessarily a good thing. I'm very satisfied with where I am."

The subtext was: thank you for the kind offer, but I'll politely decline.

"Don't answer so quickly."

Clearly unwilling to give up, the big boss smiled, his tone softening:

"The provincial bureau still has a few housing-allocation slots under my personal control, including two rather nice properties right here in Star City."

Fearing Yu Dazhang might not believe him, he added:

"You should know that the housing-allocation policy is a thing of the past, but there are still very rare chances to enjoy it."

"For instance… talent recruitment."

This was no longer a hint — it was a brazen attempt to win him over.

The big boss's intention couldn't have been more obvious: just say the word, and everything from here on out would be handled by him.

Once you arrived here, you'd not only get an immediate promotion but also an allocated apartment.

In 2014, Star City, as the provincial capital, was in the midst of a rapid rise in housing prices.

So such an offer was, to say the least, extremely tempting.

At this point Captain Hua was already feeling a touch of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

He had assumed he'd simply missed the era of housing allocation, only to find he never had the qualifications for it in the first place.

"I've lived in Songhai a long time and have already adapted to life there."

Yu Dazhang put on a troubled look:

"Besides, I've got a weak stomach — change places and I'm prone to climate sickness. After a while, my body just can't take it."

All excuses. No matter how he put it, the central message was one: politely declining.

Seeing he wouldn't budge, the big boss didn't press further, only laughing:

"The future is long. If you ever change your mind, you're welcome here anytime."

Hearing this, Yu Dazhang quickly replied:

"Thank you for your regard and trust, leader."

He was used to this by now. Ever since joining the force, he had encountered countless similar overtures.

Back in Songhai, leaders from various departments had already approached him privately.

If Yu Dazhang had any intention of leaving Hongkou Sub-bureau, Province N wouldn't even get a turn.

He then gave the big boss a detailed report on the case's progress, working in his own analysis and deductions on the finer points.

Along the way he repeatedly left openings for Captain Hua to chime in with additions.

That was how things worked inside the system — you couldn't stand out too much, and you had to leave room for those around you.

"Looking at it this way, the case can go through the formalities now."

The big boss said, deliberating:

"All the main suspects have been caught, the stolen funds recovered. From here on, it'll be hard work for you all to build the chain of evidence."

A complete chain of evidence also had to demonstrate sufficiency.

Every link had to corroborate the others, forming a solid evidentiary foundation.

"Don't worry, leader," Yu Dazhang assured him:

"We'll give it everything we've got."

Though that's what he said, in his heart he still felt a little uneasy.

He kept feeling something was missing.

After leaving the Balingshi bureau, they saw they still had plenty of time, so they decided to drive back to Liancheng.

Captain Hua didn't take the original route, but specifically found a shortcut that ran closer to the highway.

This very road happened to pass through Balingshi's most famous entertainment street.

Yu Dazhang sat in the car, gazing through the window at the rows of luxurious KTVs, bars, and nightclubs lining the street.

He couldn't say why, but he suddenly felt a wave of relaxation.

They say the storefront design of entertainment venues is quite the art.

Visually, it gives off a gilded, decadent atmosphere that makes people long for it without even thinking.

Between the various venues, young girls in sexy outfits came and went from time to time.

Their attire varied — some wore revealing dresses, low-cut tops, and short shorts.

Others wore camisoles and stockings, accentuating their graceful figures.

What really caught Yu Dazhang's interest was that some girls wore specific uniforms.

Some were in suits with gold-rimmed glasses, others dressed as angels in white.

He even spotted a maid outfit.

Captain Hua really knows what's on my mind… Yu Dazhang couldn't help sighing inwardly.

Of all routes to pick — how did he know I like the uniform temptation?

As he sighed, his gaze kept darting back and forth among those young girls.

Any widows in the bunch?

What he most wanted to see was the kind with a little white flower pinned on her head.

There really was one!

Yu Dazhang suddenly saw a girl with an excellent figure and upright bearing walk out of a KTV.

She wore a black dress, with a small white flower pinned to her chest.

Her steps were light and elegant, her long hair pulled up high, revealing a slender, fair neck and beautiful collarbones.

In the afterglow of dusk, she seemed to radiate a faint glow, as beautiful as an ink-wash painting.

Damn it!

How could she be here?!

The moment Yu Dazhang recognized her, he nearly cursed out loud.

"Stop the car, stop the car now!"

He hurriedly reached out and patted Captain Hua's thigh.

Though he was speaking to Captain Hua, his eyes remained locked on that girl, afraid she'd vanish from his sight.

Captain Hua was startled by his sudden move, but still pulled the car over to the side of the road.

Yu Dazhang opened the door and got out, just about to leave, when Captain Hua called out to him:

"Where are you going?"

"I…" Yu Dazhang glanced back at him, opened his mouth, and finally steeled himself, glaring as he said:

"After working cases this long, can't I have a little fun?"

After saying that, he turned back and strode quickly toward a KTV called "Caesar's Palace."

What did I just hear… For the first time in his life, Captain Hua suspected something was wrong with his ears.

"Damn it, why did I pick this route."

(End of chapter)