"What? Director He is going to be the district chief?"
Cui Zhonghua's mind immediately pictured that rigid, unbending oddball who would not yield to pressure or favors, and he instantly felt like he had just heard some unbelievable nonsense.
This He Kui always acted upright and proper, speaking only of fairness and never of personal feelings. Unfortunately, few ordinary people knew about his iron backbone in speaking up for the people. Instead, that behavior earned him a reputation inside the United Government of being someone everyone disliked.
That day at the college entrance exam site, He Kui had almost pointed at Chen Zhongming's nose and cursed him, even though Chen Zhongming was the one who had promoted him.
On the other end of the phone, Chen Zhongming confirmed, ["That's right. I proposed it. City Hall unanimously approved it, and the state has already issued the appointment notice. Director He will take office as district chief next week."]
Cui Zhonghua, already past sixty and mentally prepared to enjoy his retirement, felt his brain start spinning rapidly again, trying to figure out what deeper meaning Chen Zhongming had in promoting He Kui to district chief.
But he could not make sense of it.
"Mayor Chen, I probably shouldn't say much about district chief appointments. But I truly don't understand and would like to ask you frankly, why did you nominate Director He?"
["Chief Cui, appointments must be fair. You can ask whatever you want. No need to worry. As for why He Kui, you said it yourself. Area 14121 has been a bit chaotic lately. As for the reason, you and I both know what kind of person District Chief Pan was. Now that he's stepped down, it's a good chance to cut through the mess quickly and stabilize the whole area."]
["Don't you think Director He is like a finely forged sword, just right for clearing obstacles at a time like this?"]
Cui Zhonghua thought for a moment and knew Chen Zhongming was speaking plainly, without hidden meaning.
["You're worried one person can't carry the whole bucket of this district. Now with Director He and you working together, two people carrying the bucket, doesn't that feel much steadier?"]
["And everyone can see how hard Director He's backbone is. As long as he's there, you don't need to worry about messy matters. Just manage the police bureau well."]
Cui Zhonghua had originally planned to stay out of trouble and not get involved in this district's mess anymore.
Dealing with people up and down, flattering some and guarding against others, doing the work while protecting himself, it was exhausting.
At his age, there was no need to make life harder.
But Chen Zhongming had just handed him a ladder.
If He Kui took the lead as district chief, facing all the storms, then Cui Zhonghua would only need to carry out his duties normally and everything would be fine. He could not help but feel tempted.
After all, who would willingly go from being a sitting bureau chief to a retired one?
Still, he had one concern.
"Mayor Chen, I don't doubt Director He's ability, nor do I doubt his character. But I've heard that you'll soon be transferred to Area 7. And you know Director He's personality. He's too rigid and can break easily. Without you handling matters fairly, I'm worried he might not even last in the district chief position until I reach my retirement."
Chen Zhongming did not answer directly, but said meaningfully, ["He Kui's appointment notice was signed by Governor Jonathan. And despite his busy schedule, the governor personally called He Kui to inform him. That shows how much importance is attached."]
"What? Governor Jonathan…"
Cui Zhonghua's eyes widened. He had no idea how someone like He Kui, a piece of gold covered in dust, had caught the attention of such a big figure far away.
But without a doubt, that sentence was like a shot in the arm for him.
With Jonathan backing him, He Kui would not just last until Cui retired. He might last until Cui was in the grave.
If the sky fell, He Kui would be the one holding it up. What was there for him to be afraid of?
Chen Zhongming said, ["Chief Cui, over the years, your ability and attitude have been praised by everyone. To be honest, aside from talents sent down like Olov, no one understands solving cases better than you. Besides, you were born and raised in Area 14121. No one knows this place better. On behalf of City Hall, I sincerely hope you can postpone retirement and continue contributing to the public security of Area 14121."]
Cui Zhonghua immediately expressed his stance, "Alright. I won't let you or City Hall down."
["Good. That's all for now. I won't say much about how to arrange the police bureau's work. You're experienced. Just remember, some things should be let go. Don't put too much pressure on yourself or your colleagues."]
"Thank you, Mayor! Don't worry! I'll handle it with balance!"
After hanging up, Cui Zhonghua turned and glanced at the police bureau behind him, muttering to himself, "How to arrange the work? The mayor might as well have said it outright."
"Du Wei, Du Wei, who did you offend? The mayor and the governor, two men from different backgrounds and positions, both want you dead."
As he turned and walked back toward the bureau, he sighed with a hint of regret, "Since they both want you dead, then die in peace. Once you're gone, this area will settle down."
"The sky is finally going to brighten a little."
———
[Area 7, South Glory University]
Inside Zhao Longfei's office, Qin Siyang nodded and bowed slightly, "Principal Zhao, it really had to be you! You handle things so cleanly!"
"A lousy deputy director from some broken place, and you needed me to find someone for that? You couldn't handle it yourself?"
"I'm tied up everywhere. How could I do it as neatly as you?"
"Tied up everywhere? I see you playing all sides lately like you're floating above the world!"
"Principal Zhao, come on, why get mad at a kid like me? Don't worry. Once I settle things on my end, I'll fully support our currency issuance plan."
"That's more like it. If there's nothing else, get lost."
"Yes, sir! I'm gone!"
———
After leaving Zhao Longfei's office, Qin Siyang took the drill cabin to a Tengfei Group construction site outside South Glory University.
After passing through a cloaking light shield and hiding his figure, he walked to a house.
The moment he pushed the door open, the cloaking shield disappeared and he returned to his original appearance.
"Everyone's here."
"Boss Qin! You're here!"
"Boss Qin!"
"Boss Qin!"
Seeing Qin Siyang appear, Wang Defa, Wang Deyou, and Wang Dezhong, the three brothers inside, immediately stood up to greet him.
"You came all this way. You must be tired. Sit down and let's talk."
"Not tired at all. Mr. Edward took great care of us along the way. We're not tired one bit!"
Qin Siyang gestured for them to sit.
"Thank you, Boss Qin!"
"Is your family settled in?"
Wang Defa nodded, "Yes. That courtyard is really huge. It's a hundred, a thousand times better than where we lived before. In Area 7, where every inch of land is expensive, for you to give us a place like that, Boss Qin, you really spent a lot."
"As long as you're satisfied," Qin Siyang smiled, "That courtyard is near a rarely used exit of the safe zone. It was going to be demolished. I bought it from Tengfei Group. Since it's remote and there are no schools or malls nearby, the land price was much cheaper. It looks big, but it cost less than two hundred silver coins. Pretty good value."
The three brothers' eyes went wide, "That courtyard was ONLY two hundred silver coins?"
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