I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 179: Chapter 111: Return to the County, Congratulations from All

He recalled Vice Director Gao’s words from that morning: "We’ll start the process as soon as you get back." He also thought of the hints from Deputy Director Qi and Director Qin, and the image of Zhang Qiming rushing off to the municipal bureau.

’This meeting would, in all likelihood, be about my appointment as the new leader of the Major Case Team. It might even cover Wang Ren’s promotion to deputy director, as well as the final internal discussion before the nominations for Lingshan Town’s security chief.’

’At the county bureau level, the leader of the Major Case Team was a critical position. Especially now, with the branch bureau’s potential upgrade and the turbulent times in the newly established Lingshan Town, whoever wielded this sword would have greater initiative in internal affairs and certain special cases.’

Yang Wenqing, however, found himself growing calm. He could do very little to influence the clashes in the meeting; excessive speculation and anxiety were meaningless.

Then, he withdrew his gaze and said to Liu Qin, "You can get back to your work now."

"Yes!"

Liu Qin nodded and quietly slipped out.

The office fell silent once more. Yang Wenqing gazed out the window. In the branch bureau’s courtyard, the trees looked a little droopy under the scorching sun. But beneath this veneer of tranquility, the gears of power were slowly locking into place in an unseen conference room, about to determine the future paths of several individuals.

Half an hour later, there was another knock on the office door.

"Come in."

It was Yang Yong who pushed the door open. The first thing he saw was Yang Wenqing sitting behind the desk, and his eyes were immediately drawn to the brand-new white uniform. A heartfelt smile bloomed on his face. "Brother Wenqing! Congratulations!"

"Sit." Yang Wenqing gestured for him to take a seat. "What brings you here?"

Yang Yong didn’t sit, speaking quickly. "Brother Wenqing, news of your promotion to Police Specialist is spreading like wildfire. I’ve been fielding banquet invitations since this afternoon. They all want to schedule some time with you."

Yang Wenqing showed no surprise at this.

’It was human nature to lavish attention on the successful—an inevitable reaction within the county’s political ecosystem.’

He mulled it over for a moment, then took a notepad and pen from a drawer and jotted down a few names. He handed the list to Yang Yong. "Send invitations to these people. Invite them to Fengtai Pavilion the night after next, on behalf of my housewarming and promotion."

He added, "Politely decline everyone who reached out today. And as for the banquet, go to Fengtai Pavilion and personally oversee the arrangements. It doesn’t need to be overly extravagant."

"Understood!"

Yang Yong took the list and carefully put it away.

After sending Yang Yong on his way, Yang Wenqing glanced at the time. His schedule showed he had to attend a meeting that afternoon with the Internal Affairs Inspection Division about a case.

The meeting proceeded without any ripples. Yang Wenqing sat in the back, listening for the most part. The meeting ended just as the workday was drawing to a close. He returned to the Major Case Team’s floor, processed some necessary documents, and then headed home, taking a Flying Shuttle back to his new residence on Bluestone Lane.

He had just reached his front door when he received a communication from Vice Director Gao.

"Wenqing, your appointment as the leader of the Major Case Team is confirmed. It can be publicly announced after the municipal bureau gives its approval in a couple of days."

"Thank you, Director."

"Haha, get some good rest. You can’t afford even the slightest mistake from here on out."

"Right!"

As he was speaking, Yang Wenqing pushed open the gate and entered the courtyard. When Aunt Zhou saw him end the communication, she immediately came forward.

"Master, a gentleman named Ye Yong came to visit this afternoon. He said he’s an old colleague of yours. Since you weren’t here, I had him wait in the side hall. Do you want to see him?"

"Please show him to the main hall. And where are Wenning and Wenjian?"

"They’re upstairs doing their homework."

Aunt Zhou complied and left, but after taking two steps, she glanced back at the new uniform Yang Wenqing was wearing.

Yang Wenqing moved quickly. He first went to the Quiet Chamber to change into comfortable, casual clothes, only then stepping into the main hall.

A figure in the main hall saw him arrive and scrambled up from a chair. When he got a clear look at the man, Yang Wenqing was taken aback. It was indeed Ye Yong, but he was almost unrecognizable.

The man before him bore almost no resemblance to the boisterous Ye Yong he remembered—the one who was always grinning thoughtlessly. This Ye Yong was considerably thinner, with sunken cheeks and dark, bruised-looking circles under his eyes. The most jarring part was his demeanor. His gaze was shifty and evasive, and he didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands and feet. His former carefree spirit had been replaced by a bone-deep weariness and fear.

Seeing Yang Wenqing, Ye Yong’s throat bobbed. He forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace, his voice dry and hoarse. "Yang... Yang Group Leader."

Yang Wenqing walked to the host’s seat and sat down, motioning for the other man to sit as well. "Ah Yong, what’s this about?"

He didn’t ask why Ye Yong had ended up like this.

Ye Yong didn’t dare to sit all the way down, nervously wringing his hands. "I... I have a favor to ask of you... No, I mean... someone asked me to bring you something," he said in a low voice.

He spoke nonsensically as he fumbled inside his clothes and pulled out a plain, unmarked envelope. His fingers trembled as he held it out. "Master Ma Wu from West City... he said that as long as I personally hand this to you, my debt will be cleared. I really..."

Yang Wenqing didn’t reply. His gaze flickered back and forth between Ye Yong’s ghastly face and the envelope.

’Ma Wu?’

’He’d heard of the name. A gambling den operator. He wondered whose puppet he was.’

’A gambling debt?’

He pointed to the square table beside him and tapped it. "I’ll take the letter. You can go."

As if granted amnesty, Ye Yong bowed several times in succession, mumbling his thanks. Then, practically fleeing, he hurried out the door and vanished.

Yang Wenqing’s left hand quickly formed a Spell, placing a tracker on Ye Yong. His gaze then fell to the envelope on the table. ’For them to use Ye Yong to deliver a letter like this, at this particular time... their intentions are so obvious they’re almost brazen.’

It reminded him of that puppet in the alley four years ago.

Then, he activated the Communication Array on his chest. "This is Yang Wenqing. Dispatch a team to my home immediately."

After ending the communication, he contacted Xiao Liang and relayed what had just happened. Xiao Liang’s reply was immediate: "I’m on my way."