Chapter 992: Honor and Courtesy

“Jiang Yuan, I’ll see you here.” Zhang Xiaoya stood up, shook hands with Jiang Yuan, then saw him off from the gray Coaster.

Before him stood an Airbus A350, boarding just concluding, the long staircase extended, with flight attendants waiting at both ends.

“Thank you for arranging the commendation ceremony,” Jiang Yuan said before leaving, thanking Zhang Xiaoya once more. Yesterday, Jiang Yuan, members of the Cold Case Task Force, and all participating officers had held a grand ceremony organized by the Zhengguang Bureau to award honors for their achievements.

Jiang Yuan was awarded First-Class Merit; the Jiang Yuan Cold Case Task Force was collectively awarded First-Class Merit.

As the highest evaluation within the system, both the First-Class Merit and the collective First-Class Merit were fully deserved by Jiang Yuan and his task force. But the smooth, swift approval was only possible thanks to the help of Zhang Xiaoya and others.

Zhang Xiaoya smiled and said, “You earned it.”

“Though I hate to admit it, nothing is truly earned,” Jiang Yuan paused, then couldn’t help adding, “We must work extremely hard just to ensure some people get the consequences they deserve.”

Zhang Xiaoya blinked in surprise: “You speak like my grandfather. No wonder Dad likes you.”

Tang Youyou giggled beside them: “Then what should Grandpa call Jiang Yuan?”

“Call him ‘I’ll kill you,’” Zhang Xiaoya said, tapping her daughter’s forehead with her index finger—a light punishment.

Members of the Jiang Yuan Cold Case Task Force and the accompanying police officers began lining up orderly to board.

Everyone wore civilian clothes, each dragging a carry-on suitcase, cheerfully boarding the plane. Though not as luxurious as a private jet, the entire journey from the vehicle to the aircraft had been attended by beautiful flight attendants, leaving everyone feeling delighted.

“I’m boarding now,” Jiang Yuan nodded to Zhang Xiaoya, then turned to Tang Youyou: “I’m a forensic pathologist, so I won’t say much else—if you ever come to Qinghe, feel free to visit us.”

Tang Youyou smiled: “You’ll have more chances to come to Jingcheng.”

Jiang Yuan nodded with a smile, saying nothing further. Whether detective or forensic pathologist, saying “goodbye” felt inappropriate.

Jiang Yuan boarded, guided by a beautiful flight attendant to a business-class seat.

According to standard rank rules, not just Jiang Yuan—even Huang Qiangmin, Liu Jinghui, and others beside him had no right to business class. This was still Zhang Xiaoya’s arrangement.

Liu Jinghui, a frequent traveler, stretched comfortably and grinned around: “These anti-bone seats are truly comfortable—perfect for official travel.”

Huang Qiangmin glanced at him: “Don’t get too used to it—we can’t afford this.”

“Not necessary,” Liu Jinghui clucked. “Now that you’re out with Jiang Yuan, you can name any price you want.”

“Still, don’t go too far. There are still poor brothers,” Huang Qiangmin paused, looked at Liu Jinghui, and added, “Jiang Yuan sitting in an anti-bone seat is fine, but let’s not chase that luxury.”

Liu Jinghui sat up straight: “Wait, are you starting to show favoritism?”

Huang Qiangmin: “What I mean is… we’re older, we’ve suffered more, we’re used to hardship—so let’s endure more. Unlike young people like Jiang Yuan, who started working right after graduation and became a national expert without ever having endured much hardship. He’s not used to it.”

Liu Jinghui looked helplessly at Huang Qiangmin: “Should I record this and make you listen to yourself?”

Huang Qiangmin chuckled, letting the topic slide.

Travel allowances cost too much—he wasn’t willing to bear that burden.

The plane entered the runway and slowly taxied for takeoff.

After all safety demonstrations, the elegant chief flight attendant picked up the microphone and activated the cabin announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Chief Flight Attendant Wang Qian. Today, our flight carries several special guests I’d like to introduce: Forensic Pathologist Jiang Yuan, who has been awarded First-Class Merit, and the officers of the Jiang Yuan Cold Case Task Force, who have been collectively awarded First-Class Merit. Jiang Yuan and his team have just solved a murder case from over twenty years ago and apprehended a spy who had been embedded in our country for thirty years. Tonight’s News Broadcast will feature details of this case.”

“On behalf of our entire crew, I extend sincere greetings to Jiang Yuan and the officers of the Jiang Yuan Cold Case Task Force. Thank you—for your sweat and intellect, your effort and struggle, your courage and determination, your relentless pursuit and unyielding spirit. Thank you.”

Chief Flight Attendant Wang Qian set down the microphone, smiled warmly toward Jiang Yuan, walked over, knelt beside him, looked up, and handed him an envelope: “Mr. Jiang Yuan, this is a letter written by our entire crew to our hero. You’ve worked hard.”

“Ah… thank you,” Jiang Yuan accepted the letter, slightly at a loss.

The chief flight attendant smoothed her short skirt, stood up with a smile, nodded to Huang Qiangmin, Liu Jinghui, and others, then returned to her duties.

Jiang Yuan hesitated, then pulled out a sheet of supple letter paper from the envelope.

The letter’s content mirrored the chief attendant’s announcement, with faintly connected strokes characteristic of running script—indicating at least Level 2 proficiency in hard-pen calligraphy.

Examining the brushstrokes, the upward flicks and downward sweeps, the consistent thickness, revealed a stable environment and a calm, unhurried emotional state from the writer.

Jiang Yuan couldn’t help shaking his head, thinking: I’ve really got occupational disease—using Level 3 Document Examination skills to analyze a thank-you letter…

The two flight attendants across from him were watching Jiang Yuan, seeing his head shake, and turned to whisper:

“Is there something wrong with our letter?”

“Did we make a mistake somewhere?”

“No, we checked it thoroughly. Maybe he dislikes such a high-profile gesture?”

“Can someone his age really stay low-key?”

“Still, he’s this accomplished at his age—I looked him up online. His task force keeps solving major cases.”

“He’s also quite tall.”

“His face is decent too.”

“But his height is real. If he wore a police uniform, he’d be even more handsome.”

“Right—he’s a forensic pathologist.”

“Wouldn’t that be even more appealing?”

…

The flight landed at Changyang Airport, where two Toyota Coasters met him again, driving straight back to Ningtai County.

An hour and a half later, Jiang Yuan stepped onto the grounds of the Ningtai County Criminal Investigation Team.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

The officers who had stayed behind gathered in a group, clapping cheerfully.

Then someone unfurled a red silk scarf, like a khata, and draped it around Jiang Yuan’s neck.

“No need, no need… it’s just First-Class Merit,” Jiang Yuan protested.

The surrounding officers, seasoned veterans, merely smiled at him.

In the police force, Third-Class Merit was common, but Second-Class Merit made people envious.

Those who received First-Class Merit yet still showed up for work were objects of admiration.

“The News Broadcast is starting!” someone shouted. Instantly, the projector they’d set up turned on.

Officers who hadn’t watched TV in years sat patiently for over ten minutes before Jiang Yuan’s name and image finally appeared on the screen.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Joyful applause erupted again, the atmosphere thick with shared pride, clinging to the air of the Criminal Investigation Team.