Li Shang strode into the Patrol Office with brisk steps, and a few chief constables immediately approached to greet him, their faces carrying a hint of urgency.

Li Shang frowned slightly, listening to the concise case reports from the chief constables while quickly sorting through the information in his mind.

To be honest, hearing reports about the major crime you committed yourself is quite an interesting feeling, definitely a novel experience for the average person.

Halfway through the briefing, a chief constable suddenly interjected, "Captain Li, Secretary Du from the Executive Government just arrived and is currently waiting for you in the Director's office."

Li Shang's gaze was as sharp as a knife, coldly sweeping across the chief constables, his tone dissatisfied: "When can't the briefing go on? Does it have to waste time now?"

Before he finished speaking, he had already turned around, walking quickly towards the Director's office, his steps pausing slightly as he was about to step over the threshold, and he turned back to ask, "Have you notified the special envoy?"

The chief constables present exchanged glances, but no one responded, making the atmosphere momentarily awkward.

Chang Erbing stood at the back of the group, giving Li Shang a discreet look full of a smug expression.

During this period, he had not been stingy about spreading negative news about the special envoy within the office, privately hinting to each chief constable that the special envoy intended for Captain Li and the brothers to walk a path of doom.

Seeing everyone remain silent, Chang Erbing cleared his throat lightly, with a barely noticeable sneer at the corner of his mouth, and said sarcastically:

"This case has nothing to do with [Mask], and it's really too late now. We'd better not disturb the special envoy's sleep; reporting first thing tomorrow morning isn't too late either."

Another chief constable echoed from the side: "Yeah, Captain Li better go see Secretary Du quickly to see if there are any important instructions."

"You're putting me on the spot again." Li Shang sighed helplessly, turned around, and pushed open the door to enter the Director's office.

Because Wang Yilin was dead, the special envoy disdained to sit in this shabby office, preferring to listen to Li Shang's work reports in a spacious and luxurious villa.

So, this office had been neglected for some time, with a thin layer of dust settling on the furnishings and furniture.

Du Ziteng was indifferent to these details, casually sitting on the dust-covered sofa.

A cup of hot tea was placed on the table, but it had remained untouched, and by now the temperature had cooled.

He gently closed his eyes, meticulously recalling every subtle detail in the study just now.

He attempted to remember each word Mr. Wang said, every pronunciation, and the expression and tone when speaking each word, to more accurately interpret and understand Mr. Wang's true intentions.

"When the person leaves, the tea cools is a custom in officialdom, although Hou Wendong may not have left yet, everyone hopes he's already completely finished."

Du Ziteng suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of ruthlessness and danger flashing through them, and he murmured to himself: "Including me."

He stood up from the sofa, sharply gazing at Li Shang, who had just pushed the door open and entered.

Though Li Shang didn't know Du Ziteng, he was very familiar with the unique "official's clothes" on him.

In the Executive Government, from Member of Parliament to Secretary, and then to governors at all levels, everyone had their corresponding uniforms and shoulder badges, symbols of identity and power.

The secretary's rank might not be high, but the secretary's power can vary greatly, depending entirely on how much weight his Member of Parliament carries in the Executive Government.

Li Shang stood straight and saluted: "Hello, Secretary Du, I am Li Shang, temporarily acting as the captain of the Patrol Office."

Du Ziteng took a deep look at Li Shang, more accurately, he focused on the symmetrical slap marks on Li Shang's face, his pupils narrowed slightly, and remembered the dialogue that came from outside the door earlier, realizing immediately.

The situation for this Captain Li in the Patrol Office isn't good, or rather, the special envoy from the Upper City isn't well-liked in the Patrol Office.

Du Ziteng went straight to the point: "Captain Li Shang, I know you. The former leader of the Cyan Wolf Gang, Zheng Si, crazily kidnapped numerous students, was shot dead by you."

Li Shang's heart dropped, uncertain whether Secretary Du was speaking earnestly or sarcastically.

"Don't worry, you did a great job. This kind of scum that harms education and public safety deserves to die ten thousand times over." Du Ziteng said meaningfully: "Mr. Wang mentioned this in the meeting, especially commending you. How come, the Executive Government's commendation and promotion orders haven't come down yet?"

Li Shang never saw any commendation or promotion orders. His "acting captain" role was because of the special envoy's malicious intentions, and he knew clearly well that Secretary Du was speaking courteously, but he heard the implied meaning.

Li Shang gently shook his head: "I've yet to receive anything, but rescuing hostages is our Patrol Office's duty. Getting Mr. Wang's verbal praise is already immensely honorable."

Du Ziteng smiled slightly: "Perhaps due to Director Wang Yilin's unfortunate demise, the commendation process was delayed. I'll go back and help you check where it's held up."

Li Shang's eyes flashed with a bit of excitement, realizing this was Secretary Du's olive branch and promise. As long as he performs efficiently in the future, that originally non-existent commendation and promotion might indeed become an appointment stuck in some procedural step.

Li Shang declared resolutely: "Please rest assured, Secretary Du, and please convey to Mr. Wang that I, Li Shang, will lead the entire Patrol Office, overcoming all difficulties, and spare no cost to quickly track down and rescue Secretary Hou Wendong."

Du Ziteng's lips curled into a satisfied smile, he lightly patted Li Shang's shoulder, speaking with a deeper meaning:

"The search operation indeed requires our utmost effort, but as for the success of the rescue, it ought not to be prematurely asserted. Secretary Hou falling into the hands of the wicked, his chances of survival are already slim, and if the situation unfortunately develops thus far, we should understand it as an unforeseen change."

Li Shang was stunned instantly, a wave of shock rising in his heart.

This deviates greatly from the script he and Ma Bin had pre-planned. They intended to stage a kidnapping and rescue scenario, but now, the situation seems to be rapidly veering towards a completely different direction, making him feel a rush of unprepared tension.

Noticing Li Shang's sudden silence, Du Ziteng narrowed his eyes and thought skeptically: "Is the silence because he didn't understand my hint, or is this person someone with a high moral compass?"

Du Ziteng sneered internally, but maintained a calm facade, gently pushing him towards the empty director's chair.

With his strong hands, he pressed Li Shang down steadily onto that chair.

The chair was dusty, sitting down made the nose itch and felt hot on the bottom, but Li Shang found the chair cleaner and more comfortable than any mattress, making it hard to stand up again after sitting.

Du Ziteng lowered his voice, sighing softly in Li Shang's ear: "The thugs are vicious and desperate, rescue is fraught with difficulties, saving lives is a thousand times harder than taking them. I understand this, Mr. Wang understands this, too, so Captain Li, don't burden yourself with too much psychological pressure."

Li Shang's lips turned pale, his mind racing, suddenly thinking that slightly altering the script, making the fake act real, and actually getting rid of Secretary Hou Wendong, might also be a better option.

After all, if killing could also earn commendation and merit, it indeed comes much easier and sweeter than saving people, which is really much more straightforward!

Li Shang had a resolution in his heart, he looked up at Secretary Du and replied in a deep voice: "Thank you, Secretary Du and Mr. Wang, for understanding my situation; indeed I feel relieved of much of the psychological burden."

Du Ziteng smiled, thinking: "I told you, moral integrity is worthless in front of high office and lavish wealth."

Du Ziteng was satisfied, patting Li Shang on the shoulder, his expression turning serious as he asked: "So, regarding the capture of Secretary Hou Wendong, does Captain Li have any ideas and plans?"

Li Shang reluctantly stood up from the chair, confidently pledging: "Please rest assured, Secretary Du! Since I joined the Patrol Office, I've solved every single case; I've never left a case unsolved, I am confident that I can crack this case within a week, track down Secretary Hou's whereabouts, and bring the criminals to justice."

Now it was Du Ziteng's turn to be surprised, he hadn't expected Li Shang to be so confident. However, he briefly reviewed Li Shang's impressive track record in solving cases on the way here, renowned as a "detective" within the Patrol Office.

"Perhaps he really is a rare talent."

Du Ziteng was half-skeptical, deciding to watch Li Shang's performance in this case, if indeed outstanding, he could genuinely recommend him to Mr. Wang, take him under his wing for significant use, and he himself could thus earn a favor from Li Shang.

.....

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.