Chapter 239: A Good Child

Chapter 239: A Good Child

Police Department.

Gazing at the towering building before him, Xiao Yu’s mind filled with thoughts of its ‘majestic magnificence.’

A bit exaggerated.

But its solemnity and impact were undeniable.

Xiao Yu and the middle-aged man entered the Police Department and took the elevator to the top floor.

Soon after, they arrived at the door of an office.

“Please wait a moment.”

The middle-aged man smiled at Xiao Yu, knocked on the door, and pushed it open.

During the car ride, Xiao Yu had learned that the middle-aged man was the secretary to Big Boss.

At the regional level, his status even surpassed that of Yun Xiangguo from Bin City.

A top official in front of the Prime Minister’s gate? No joke!

“Come in.”

The middle-aged man stepped out and said with a smile, “It seems Big Boss is not busy at the moment.”

“Great!”

Dressed in his police uniform, Xiao Yu adjusted his attire, marched in with precise steps, and glanced around the office.

Huh?

The furnishings were rather plain.

It was nothing more than a typical civil servant’s office, albeit somewhat larger.

Then, his eyes fell on a chair…

It was an old redwood chair.

A closer look revealed that the armrests, worn smooth by countless years of use, shone with an unusual polish.

Remarkably, despite enduring the passage of 903 years, the chair showed no sign of decay.

It felt as if the aged man seated there shared the same quality.

Xiao Yu paused, studying the old man seated in the chair more intently.

The old man wasn’t particularly tall, dressed in a loose robe.

Occasionally, a glimmer of light would flash in his eyes.

A wisdom that hinted at his deep understanding of life.

“Salute!” Xiao Yu raised his hand in salute.

“Hah!”

The old man smirked and, with twinkling eyes, looked at Xiao Yu. “Our esteemed asset in the police system—Comrade Xiao Yu?”

Was that a sarcastic tone?

Not at all. ‘Your reputation speaks for itself…’ Xiao Yu felt awkward; his hand remained awkwardly suspended—neither fully down nor raised.

“Enough,”

the old man said with a smile as he rose and walked over to a reception sofa. He gestured, “Come, have a seat.”

Did Xiao Yu dare to be disobedient?

Not a chance!

He obediently moved to sit beside Big Boss.

Without a word, the old man began to fiddle with the teapot on the coffee table.

The middle-aged secretary brought in some boiling water.

The old man then opened a nearby tea box and poured a bit of black tea into the teapot.

The aroma was delightful… Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up.

One usually finds such fine tea at home, especially if you have a rich sister—but these details were hardly rare.

However,

information relayed via Wangdie’s Nose hinted that there was more to this tea than met the eye.

Although the black tea was steeped, the water didn’t seem as hot as one might expect.

Even so, a faint tea fragrance drifted from the teapot.

After a short pause, the old man poured tea into two cups.

The liquor was a clear, brilliant red—reminiscent of roses and impeccably pure.

“Do you appreciate tea?”

The old man handed a cup over to Xiao Yu.

“Um…”

Xiao Yu honestly shook his head. “I don’t really know much about it.”

“Taste it!” the old man urged, pointing at the tea.

“Thank you!”

Xiao Yu lifted the cup, took a sip, and his eyes brightened.

The tea wasn’t scalding; its flavor was a refreshing balance of clarity and richness.

It carried a fragrant note and a subtle sweetness on the tongue.

“Exquisite tea, simply delightful,” Xiao Yu sincerely admired.

Inwardly, he thought of persuading his sister to get some more when he got home.

After all, he hadn’t been much of a tea drinker in the past—finding the act rather pretentious.

Yet he now realized there was genuine depth in the art of tea; good tea truly was a treasure.

“Haha!”

The old man beamed with pride, looking like a playful child.

There was no sign of stern authority in him, only the image of a gentle, kind-hearted elder.

Suddenly,

the old man’s smile faded. Looking directly at Xiao Yu, he slowly spoke, “Tell me, why did Lao Wu call you a good child?”

Facing the piercing gaze of the old man, Xiao Yu felt as if he were staring into a pair of sharp blades.

A chill surged from within, making his eyes sting slightly.

Yes, that was it.

Only eyes like these could command respect in our violent police system!

And in their presence, Xiao Yu felt an uncanny inability to lie.

So he remained silent, staring straight into the old man’s eyes without the slightest hint of evasion.

“Huh?”

The old man appeared surprised; his eyes sparkled as he re-examined Xiao Yu, nodding slowly. “Tell me, what did Lao Wu ask you, and what was your answer?”

“He asked me…”

Xiao Yu didn’t withhold anything. “He asked what my views were on our current era and the country.”

“Ha, that old fellow,” chuckled the old man. “And how did you respond?”

“I said…”

Xiao Yu began, “We don’t live in a peaceful era, but we’re fortunate to be in a peaceful nation!”

The old man stared at Xiao Yu in stunned silence.

That silence lasted for nearly a dozen seconds.

Regaining his composure, the old man’s expression softened into something warm and grandfatherly as he said, “Why didn’t you stay with National Security?”

“I never really wanted to go anywhere else; I just wished to remain in Bin City.”

For the first time since meeting the old man, Xiao Yu allowed a smile to break through—a smile as radiant as the sun. “There are things I still can’t let go of!”

The old man was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head with a smile, “Affectionate ties can sap a hero’s spirit, huh?”

“No,”

Xiao Yu replied, shaking his head. “I’m just too lazy and lack ambition. All I want in this life is to be there for my parents, my wife, and to guard my little patch of land while doing my best as a police officer. That’s enough for me!”

“I see.”

The old man’s eyes softened further as he looked at Xiao Yu. “No dreams?”

“I do have a dream,”

Xiao Yu nodded firmly before adding sheepishly, “I want to make this world a cleaner place!”

The old man, lost in thought once more, simply gazed at Xiao Yu in silence.

Xiao Yu maintained unwavering eye contact.

After a long pause,

“Drink your tea,”

the old man said as he picked up the teapot to pour Xiao Yu another cup.

“Thank you,”

Xiao Yu expressed his gratitude once again as he slowly savored his tea.

The elder and the younger sat in companionable silence.

It wasn’t until Xiao Yu finished his second cup that the old man finally said,

“Let’s go.”

Waving his hand at Xiao Yu, the old man added, “If you wish to guard your dream and protect your little world, you must do it well.”

“Alright,”

Xiao Yu stood up, saluted the old man, and turned to leave.

Watching Xiao Yu’s retreating back until it disappeared, the old man smiled.

“Lao Wu isn’t blind. He sees you for the good child you are!”

…