I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 227: Chapter 131: Sounds of Congratulations and the Price

In a daze, Yang Wenqing felt as if he’d been yanked from a deep darkness by a sharp fluctuation of Spiritual Power.

He snapped his eyes open, disoriented for a moment. Sunlight slanted across his desk, and dust motes floated slowly in the beam of light. The scene was so peaceful that the bloody battle from before seemed like nothing more than an all-too-real nightmare.

But then, he felt the officer’s badge on his chest begin to emit a steady, unique pulse of Spiritual Qi. It was a signal from the Municipal Bureau’s most secure, encrypted channel.

He sat up straight, quickly dispelling his lingering sleepiness. He rubbed the stiff point between his eyebrows and activated the Communication Array.

"Wenqing," Director Qin’s voice came through the badge. "Were you resting?"

"Teacher Qin." Yang Wenqing’s voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, but it quickly cleared. "I’m fine. I just dozed off for a bit."

"Mm." Director Qin didn’t waste time on pleasantries and got straight to the point. "The Municipal Bureau has finalized the arrangements for Lingshan Town. Given your outstanding performance in this case and your familiarity with the local situation, the committee has decided to formally appoint you as the Vice Director of the Lingshan New District City Defense Bureau, assisting Xiaogao."

’Vice Director of the Lingshan New District.’

Surprise filled Yang Wenqing for a moment, but he quickly composed himself and replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Qin, and thank you to the Municipal Bureau for its trust. I will do my utmost to support Vice Director Gao and ensure our work is done well."

His tone carried just the right amount of joy for the occasion.

Director Qin instructed, "The New District is newly established. Your position may seem like a deputy’s, but it carries an immense burden. Coordination with the Civil Affairs Bureau, balancing local factions, and dealing with any lingering fallout from the case—it will be up to you and Xiaogao to gradually smooth things over. Remember, stability is paramount. Act according to the law, but also know when to be flexible."

"I’ll take your words to heart," Yang Wenqing replied solemnly.

"Also, the official documents for this appointment won’t be issued for a few days. The Municipal Bureau will call you both in for a meeting then. In the meantime, you need to cooperate fully with Zhou Mu’s work."

"Zhou Mu?"

"The Lingshan Town case is complex and requires coordination from multiple parties..." Director Qin briefly explained, focusing on Zhou Mu’s identity.

After listening, Yang Wenqing recalled Vice Director Gao’s earlier judgment and couldn’t help but be filled with admiration for him.

He then gave his assurance, "Yes. Rest assured, Teacher Qin."

After ending the call with Director Qin, the light on the badge dimmed.

The office fell silent again, but Yang Wenqing’s mind was anything but calm. He walked to the window, watching the few colleagues passing through the courtyard below.

Just then, there was a soft knock on his office door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and in walked a beaming Wang Ren.

"Wenqing! Congratulations!" He strode in, enthusiastically extending a hand. "I just came from Vice Director Gao’s office. The news is already spreading! Vice Director of the Lingshan New District—that’s incredible! To be in charge of a key department at such a young age... you have a boundless future ahead of you!"

Yang Wenqing shook his hand, a polite smile on his face. "Director Wang, you flatter me. It’s all thanks to the support of my superiors. I’ll be counting on your guidance in the future."

"We’ll learn from each other!" Wang Ren pulled a chair over, sat down, and lowered his voice. "I came for two reasons. First, to congratulate you. Second, to give you an update on your family’s situation with Four Seas Trade. I’ve had my people keeping an eye on it."

Yang Wenqing said, "Thank you for your trouble, Director Wang."

Wang Ren waved a hand, his smile fading. "I just received word—your third grand-uncle isn’t doing well. The investigation team has left, but he’s old, and the ordeal took its toll. The stress was too much for him. He’s been in and out of consciousness ever since he was taken to the clinic. The doctor sent a message this morning... said his pulse is very weak, his vital energy is severely depleted. I’m afraid he might not..."

"Which clinic?" Yang Wenqing’s voice was flat, but his hand, resting on his knee, unconsciously clenched into a fist.

"Rejuvenation Hall in East City. I’ve arranged for your cousin to be there with him." Watching Yang Wenqing’s expression, Wang Ren added consolingly, "Try not to worry too much. I’ve already put in a good word, made sure they use the best medicine. You don’t have to worry about the cost."

"Director Wang, I owe you for this," Yang Wenqing said, looking at Wang Ren with a sincere gaze.

"Don’t say that. It makes us sound like strangers." Wang Ren clapped his arm, his tone growing more sincere. "Wenqing, we’re on the same side."

He paused, a smile returning to his face. "Once things settle down, let’s get Xiao Liang and Jianchao together for a proper drink. We can celebrate and talk about the road ahead."

"Okay, definitely."

Yang Wenqing nodded in agreement. ’Wang Ren’s gesture of goodwill and his intent to form an alliance were obvious. In the current circumstances, it was a necessary partnership.’

The two chatted for a while longer about upcoming personnel changes in the bureau and the potential challenges Lingshan Town might face, before Wang Ren finally got up to take his leave.

After seeing Wang Ren off, the news of his third grand-uncle’s critical condition washed away the brief sense of relief that had come with solving the case, replacing it with a heavy burden.

He walked to his desk, activated his badge, and connected to the Lingshan Town investigation team’s temporary channel.

Liu Xin answered.

"This is Yang Wenqing..."

He gave a few simple instructions, then turned and pushed open his office door...

...

Rejuvenation Hall was located on an old street in East City and had a quaint, traditional storefront. The moment Yang Wenqing arrived, two men in plainclothes with sharp, observant eyes approached him. They were clearly the men Wang Ren had sent.

"Group Leader Yang." The two of them recognized him.

"Is he inside?" Yang Wenqing asked without breaking stride.

"In the Quiet Chamber in the back courtyard."

"Lead the way!"

The two guards immediately led the way, striding through the front hall, down two long and narrow corridors, and into the rear courtyard. One of them quickened his pace to push open a door.

The sickroom wasn’t large, and its window was half-open. On a wooden bed against the wall, his third grand-uncle, Yang Dehou, lay perfectly still. His face was sallow, his eyes were shut tight, and his sparse, gray-white hair was plastered to his forehead. His breathing was so faint, the rise and fall of his chest was nearly invisible.