"What's going on?" Lin Zhifang walked down from the second floor, and the onlookers hurriedly made way for him.

"What time is it now, and you still have the mood to watch the scene here."

Seeing their director lose his temper, everyone returned to their positions, venting their frustration at work, and the atmosphere at the City Police Department sank into the prospect of an impending storm.

"I'll see you out." Lin Zhifang nodded politely to the man: "Xiao Wu, the forensic doctor is looking for you."

"Director, I..." Wu Shuang guardedly stared at the unfamiliar man, but seeing Lin Zhifang's courteous attitude towards him, she had no more to say.

"Do you suspect all my guests?" Lin Zhifang ignored Wu Shuang and escorted the man out, all the way to the entrance.

"Sister Wu, who is this person, so respectable?" Xiao Sun hid behind Wu Shuang, comparing this visitor to the previous one who came to see the director; this one seemed less impressive, though still striking.

"Who knows?" Wu Shuang walked up to the second floor with great grievance, and she slammed her office door hard enough that it wobbled.

"Forensic doctor?"

The person who had been nowhere to be found was now sitting comfortably in her chair, the window closed, and the room's bloody scent sprayed over with a faint lemon fragrance, probably Xiao Sun's doing. Women have their merits, but in crucial moments, a male assistant is needed.

"I've been waiting for you quite a while." The forensic doctor wore his unchanging white coat, wandering the police department like a doctor.

Wu Shuang sometimes wondered if someone got injured, whether this forensic doctor would treat human tissue with the same detachment that Xiao Lin had when dissecting bodies.

"Are the results out?" Wu Shuang poured herself a cup of coffee. Coming up from the basement, she still felt the chill from below, wishing she could steam herself in a sauna.

"The image obtained by placing the human skin into the computer simulation system!" He pulled a printed photo from a file and handed it to Wu Shuang, adding, "I think you should be familiar with this person."

"Really?"

The forensic doctor's heavy tone made her heart sink; a bad premonition made her reluctant to take the paper.

"Lin Jiaqi's mother?" The photo showed a face, aged between forty and fifty, slightly wrinkled, leaving a strong impression on Wu Shuang.

"How could it be?" She leaned on the table in agitation, hoping the forensic doctor was mistaken, frowning deeply. Wu Shuang asked, "Could there be a system error or another possibility?"

"What do you think?" The forensic doctor's calmness caused Wu Shuang to panic: "I think I'd better give you the report in person."

"Thank you!" It was a warning, a threatening warning. Was it Zhang Teng?

"I suggest you go see the director." The forensic doctor turned to remind Wu Shuang as he walked out, emphasizing that individualism was futile in such times.

Wu Shuang didn't need to look for Lin Zhifang herself. Shortly after the forensic doctor left, Lin Zhifang came to her office, and she, caught in her mental struggle, did not stop him from entering, still immersed in the recent shock.

"Xiao Wu!" Lin Zhifang called several times to get Wu Shuang's attention back from her thoughts.

"Director!" Wu Shuang stood up from her chair, giving Lin Zhifang her seat.

"Xiao Wu, what case are you pondering so deeply that you didn't notice someone entering? Such lack of alertness can be dangerous!" Lin Zhifang picked up the photo on the desk, glancing at it: "Isn't this person the family member of Zhang Teng's previous rape victim?"

"Yes, this is the report derived from the forensic simulation system." Wu Shuang exhaled heavily.

"This morning, I received an anonymous package comprising human skin and hair. The simulation confirmed it's Lin Jiaqi's mother, and the forensic doctor has confirmed the skin is real, indicating Lin Jiaqi's mother has been murdered."

"Do you think the courier is still in the department?" Lin Zhifang understood Wu Shuang's earlier tension; he would have reacted the same in her place.

"Yes! I checked, and no strangers entered today, so I was discourteous to your guest. Please excuse me, Director."

"He's not really my guest." Lin Zhifang leaned back on the chair in frustration: "You'll likely deal with this person a lot in the future; working well with him won't harm you."

"A newcomer?"

"Someone from Xiao Lin's side, there'll be significant movements soon. Be ready around the clock!"

"What? Him again?" Wu Shuang's voice almost lifted the rooftop. She had thought she wouldn't interact with that jerk anymore, but she didn't expect him to interfere with the police department.

"Endure it, he's a rank higher." Lin Zhifang didn't want any entanglement with this person either; dealing with the Wang Family was headache enough, and now with someone from Dragon Soul involved, it left him feeling helpless.

"He's just a school doctor, Director. Why tolerate him so much?"

"School doctor? Haha." Lin Zhifang chuckled bitterly. If he were just a doctor, that'd be better. But he's a military doctor from Dragon Soul; I'm merely a deputy director, and he's a Major General. How can I compare?

"Think of him as a school doctor; the more you know, the shorter your life."

"Should we notify Xiao Lin about this matter?"

"You decide for yourself. If cases can be solved in-house, let's not involve outsiders. Can you handle this case alone?"

Lin Zhifang eyed Wu Shuang; the suspect had already boldly come into the department, showing their arrogance and disregard.

"I'll notify him, given it was he who reported the case."

Lin Zhifang nodded: "The person you just met will seek you out in three days. You can inquire specific details then."

"Director, you're..." Hearing Lin Zhifang's resignation, Wu Shuang couldn't help but be concerned for their not-so-capable director.

"Getting old, time to retire."

Lin Zhifang rose from his chair, the man's words lingering in his mind. Indeed, with changing times, everyone is destined to be replaced. While he still has some power, he might as well find a peaceful retirement. That's within his grasp.

Wu Shuang couldn't find words of comfort for him. Suddenly, she felt their director aged, with time etched on his silhouette.

She wondered if she too would one day find herself entangled in officialdom, gradually wearing down her edges. Perhaps the director wasn't incapable; rather, his capabilities were unutilized.

Officialdom has its own struggles. One misstep and you'd unwittingly meet your end, making her realize how pitiful their director really was. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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