I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 97: Chapter 83: Municipal Leader

Yang Wenqing immediately guessed this must be the banquet for the leaders from the City Bureau.

"Yes, Vice Director Gao. I’ll be right there."

Yang Wenqing responded calmly.

He dared not delay. After a quick word with Liu Qin, he strode out of the squad office. In the hallway, he ran into Liu Xin. The capable woman had been out of sight for days; she was now managing cases for two different squads and was constantly run off her feet.

They exchanged a few brief words before hurrying their separate ways, as both had urgent matters to attend to.

Fengtai Pavilion was located in the most prosperous area of the city center, its decor grand yet elegant. After Yang Wenqing stated his identity, a waiter respectfully led him to the third floor.

Private Room 302 was spacious, its furnishings luxurious yet understated. Yang Wenqing carefully checked that the concentration of sandalwood incense was just right and that the windows were opened to an appropriate degree—enough for air circulation without letting in the noise from the street below. He also inspected the cleanliness of the tableware.

Finally, he took a moment to extend his senses to the surroundings and the adjacent private rooms, confirming there were no abnormal fluctuations of Spiritual Power or surveillance Arrays.

The waiter attending to Yang Wenqing immediately arranged to have any issue addressed as soon as it was raised. Only when every detail met the standard for a high-level reception did Yang Wenqing finally breathe a small sigh of relief.

Then, he leaned against the door and waited patiently.

Just as the appointed time arrived, the sound of steady footsteps and Vice Director Gao’s voice, tinged with laughter as he exchanged pleasantries, came from outside. A moment later, a waiter gently pushed the door open.

Vice Director Gao entered first, followed closely by Zhou Mingyuan, the specialist from the City Bureau’s Special Case Office whom Yang Wenqing had met the day before. Both men turned to the side and bowed slightly as they waited. Then, an ordinary-looking man of about fifty walked in.

He wore well-fitting, dark gray casual attire and had a gentle smile on his face. His aura was so restrained that he seemed like an ordinary person with no Cultivation whatsoever.

Deputy Director Zhou was the last to enter, his expression as stern and unsmiling as ever.

"Wenqing, come here."

Vice Director Gao beckoned.

Yang Wenqing immediately stepped forward and stood at attention.

Vice Director Gao smiled at the middle-aged man in casual attire. "Director Qin, this is the Yang Wenqing I’ve often mentioned to you. He’s the most promising young talent in our Qianjiao County. We also have him to thank for the early stages of the investigation into the Wang family’s case."

Then, he turned to Yang Wenqing. "Wenqing, this is Director Qin from the City Bureau’s Office of Resource Allocation and Merit Evaluation. He’s also one of the bureau leaders who gave special approval for your compensation package. Director Qin is here specifically for the case, but he also wanted to see you in person."

’The Office of Resource Allocation and Merit Evaluation... this was a department with true authority, controlling the allocation of resources to the City Bureau’s subordinate branches, reviewing personnel for promotion, verifying merits, and distributing rewards.’

Yang Wenqing immediately stood at attention and saluted. "Director Qin!"

Director Qin’s smile remained unchanged as his gentle gaze fell upon Yang Wenqing. He looked him up and down before nodding, his voice serene. "Mm, not bad. You have a sharp and energetic air about you, and your foundation is solid. Vice Director Gao has praised you to me many times. It seems his words weren’t empty."

His words were without any pretense, yet they carried a natural air of authority.

"You’re too kind, Director Qin. I will continue to work hard to live up to the leadership’s expectations!" Yang Wenqing remained at attention, not daring to show the slightest hint of complacency.

"Alright, everyone sit down. No need to stand." Director Qin waved his hand casually and took the seat of honor.

Vice Director Gao, Specialist Zhou Mingyuan, and Deputy Director Zhou took their seats in turn. Yang Wenqing, knowing his place, stood discreetly to the side. ’I’m not here to eat,’ he thought.

A lavish spread of dishes was served in a continuous stream, each one a rare delicacy, accompanied by fine Spirit Wine.

During the meal, Vice Director Gao and Zhou Mingyuan briefly reported to Director Qin on the progress of last night’s operation, mentioning the capture of several key suspects and the results of their preliminary interrogations. The atmosphere was serious and efficient.

For the most part, Director Qin simply listened in silence, occasionally asking a pointed question or two that revealed his deep understanding of the case and field operations.

Deputy Director Zhou remained silent for the most part, only occasionally exchanging a few quiet words with Director Qin about matters concerning Internal Affairs Inspection.

Yang Wenqing played the part of a perfect attendant. Acutely aware of everything happening at the table, he didn’t need any signal from Vice Director Gao to know the right moment to refill the leaders’ glasses or serve them food, his movements light and silent.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation began to wind down.

Vice Director Gao raised his glass and smiled at Director Qin. "Director Qin, Wenqing’s success today is all thanks to your and the City Bureau’s support. He has always been deeply grateful and would like to toast you personally, if that’s not too forward?"

Upon hearing this, Director Qin turned his gaze back to Yang Wenqing, who was standing in attendance. The same gentle smile remained on his face as he nodded. "What’s so forward about that? We’re all our own people here."

Yang Wenqing knew this was his moment. As soon as Director Qin looked his way, he stepped forward and took the already-warmed Spirit Wine from an attendant. Holding a delicate jade cup steadily with both hands, he walked to Director Qin’s side and respectfully filled it.

Then, he said in a low voice:

"Thanks to the great favor of Director Qin and the leaders of the City Bureau, I was able to receive an unconventional promotion. I am eternally grateful. The only way I can repay your support is by diligently carrying out my duties and advancing my Cultivation. With this humble cup, I would like to toast you, Director Qin. I wish you good health and a smooth and successful path forward!"

Such a speech might have sounded overly formal in a normal setting, but it was perfectly appropriate for an occasion like this. With that, Yang Wenqing tilted his head back and drained his cup in one go.

Director Qin watched him, then picked up the cup Yang Wenqing had just filled for him. He took a small sip and smiled. "Good. I appreciate the sentiment. The City Bureau is watching everything you do. Perform well in the upcoming tournament, handle your cases properly, and your future will naturally be a bright one."