I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 178: Chapter 111: Return to the County, Congratulations from All

Applause rang out, more complex than before.

Once the applause died down, Zhang Qiming spoke again with a beaming smile. "This is no place for a long discussion, out in the hot sun. We shouldn’t keep our new specialist standing here. Everyone, back to your duties. That’s all for today."

He then made a point of saying to Deputy Director Zhou, "Old Zhou, I’ll leave things here in your hands," before walking straight out of the main building, accompanied by his secretary.

Deputy Director Zhou took a step forward, looked at Vice Director Gao and Yang Wenqing, and remarked, "He’s heading to the Municipal Bureau." Without lingering, he gave them a brief nod, then turned and walked slowly back into the building.

Wang Ren then came forward and patted Yang Wenqing’s arm. "Wenqing, congratulations."

Lei Dan came over as well, nodded and said, "Congratulations," then left without waiting for a response. Li Yi watched Yang Wenqing with a complicated expression. He had thought Yang Wenqing would distinguish himself back when he first tested him, but he never imagined it would happen so quickly.

Zhao Suqin also took a couple of steps closer and said in a level voice, "Congratulations, Yang Group Leader."

Deputy Section Chief Qin Feng followed with a nod of congratulations.

Xiao Liang, bringing up the rear, glanced at Yang Wenqing’s epaulets and smiled happily. "Wenqing... congratulations."

As people gathered around to congratulate him, Yang Wenqing maintained a humble and appropriate smile. Hearing the calls for him to treat everyone, he readily smiled and said, "Of course. It’s perfect timing, actually, since I never got the chance to properly invite you all for my housewarming. So how about this: I’ll book a large private room at Fengtai Pavilion for the day after tomorrow. I insist that you all come."

Everyone naturally agreed, and after a few more pleasantries, they began to disperse, deliberately taking a different stairwell.

Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of relief in the other’s eyes. They started walking toward the stairwell they usually used, speaking in low voices.

Back on the Major Case Team’s floor, the members on duty had clearly already heard the news. They were all gathered near the common area and erupted with sincere congratulations the moment they saw Yang Wenqing return.

Yang Wenqing responded graciously.

Zhao Qin stared at Yang Wenqing, who stood there in a crisp white uniform with shining epaulets. The smile on Zhao Qin’s face was distant, lost in a daze he couldn’t quite conceal.

Yang Wenqing had been in his class. They had entered the Police Academy together and been assigned their posts together after graduation. But now, Yang Wenqing was a Police Specialist of the Fifth Refinement, while he was still just a regular officer in the third squad—not even a senior officer.

Zhao Qin watched Yang Wenqing’s retreating back as he headed for the deputy group leader’s office. His lips pressed into a thin line as he muttered, "I... have to work harder, too."

Qian You, who was standing beside him, overheard and chuckled. "Xiaozhao, for some things, hard work alone isn’t enough."

Zhao Qin’s expression changed several times.

...

Inside the deputy group leader’s office, Yang Wenqing had just sat down when Liu Qin came in after him, a heartfelt smile on her face. "Yang Group Leader, congratulations!"

While speaking, Liu Qin placed a pair of plain, palm-sized brocade boxes on the desk. "This is a gift from Old Wu and Ah Rong. They’ve already left for Lingshan Town."

Yang Wenqing nodded, took them, and opened one. Inside was a black paperweight with a smooth, warm texture—a gift that was clearly from Old Wu. The other box contained a small, sealed packet of simple green tea, nothing particularly valuable.

A smile touched his lips. He put the boxes away safely and asked, "Have you pulled up the preliminary report and field notes on the collapse?"

"They’ve been compiled. You can access them anytime on the Major Case Team’s internal system."

Liu Qin replied immediately.

Yang Wenqing activated the array on his desk and began to review the case file.

The report was cursory. Photos from the scene showed that a large swathe of the mountainside on the east bank of Black Water Stream had collapsed, burying several work sheds and a section of the work face. Rescue efforts were still underway. The death toll was currently fixed at one hundred thirty-seven. The section for "Cause" read: "Suspected unstable rock formation. Awaiting further investigation."

At the end of the report, the name signed for the lead investigator was Wu Qianjun.

"Tell Wu Yan and Liu Rong their primary mission is to watch He Ji. They are to look out for any abnormalities, especially clues that might be related to the previous missing persons case. However, they are not to actively engage or conflict with Wu Qianjun. All communications and reports must follow secure protocols," Yang Wenqing instructed, his voice calm but firm.

"Understood," Liu Qin noted.

After Liu Qin exited the office, Yang Wenqing let out a long breath, his expression one of pure relief. He had been forcing a smile ever since his promotion to Police Specialist, and now, he could finally relax.

Once he’d composed himself, he rose and walked over to the full-length mirror. Looking at his reflection in the well-fitting white uniform, many of his worries seemed to vanish. He gently patted the service bars on his chest, an involuntary smile spreading across his face.

"This step came faster than I expected, but it’s only the first. Keep it up!"

He whispered the words to his reflection in a voice so quiet it was almost inaudible. Then, he took a deep breath, composed himself, and returned to his desk.

As time passed, Yang Wenqing’s thoughts gradually settled. It was almost two-thirty in the afternoon, and he was just about to take a short break when a soft knock sounded at his office door.

Liu Qin pushed the door open and entered. She drew closer and said in a low voice, "Yang Group Leader, we just got word from General Affairs. Director Zhang is back. As soon as he returned, he summoned Director Zhou and Director Gao. The three directors should be in a closed-door meeting in the small conference room right now."

The hand with which Yang Wenqing was signing documents paused for a moment. Then, without a change in his expression, he finished with a final stroke and closed the file.

"Noted."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting toward the blazing sun outside as thoughts swirled in his mind.

For the three directors to gather at a time like this, it most likely meant that official word on the personnel changes had come down from the Municipal Bureau. With the new incident in Lingshan Town, they needed to come up with a plan first.