Chapter 274: No Regrets to the Country, No Regrets to You
by xennovelChapter 274: No Regrets to the Country, No Regrets to You
Provincial Department, Serious Cases Department.
Xiao Yu’s arrival lit up the office with excitement.
Zeng Lei, head of the Provincial Department, and team leader Hou Bojian were also present.
Sometimes, you just need a few good friends.
Isn’t there a saying?
Meeting someone worthwhile doesn’t happen often.
Especially when these people are truly worth befriending.
With the case wrapped up, it wouldn’t feel complete if Xiao Yu were absent.
Every beginning deserves a proper end.
Together with the Serious Cases Department, they headed to the Crematorium.
They took a moment to glance at the bodies of the two fallen officers.
Xiao Yu raised his hand in a respectful salute.
Farewell and may you rest in peace!
……
Bincheng, Criminal Investigation Team.
“Back already?”
Team leader Zhao Changshan grinned as he looked at Xiao Yu.
Instructor Zhou Tinghu also beamed at his little brother.
But today, Zhou Tinghu was different.
He was sporting a crisp white shirt and the insignia of a Police Superintendent.
“Boss got promoted?”
Feigning surprise, Xiao Yu replied admiringly, “That white shirt really makes the Boss look sharp, with an air of scholarly elegance.”
Zhou Tinghu’s subtle smile quickly broadened.
Clearly, he was savoring Xiao Yu’s flattery.
Scholars are like that—compliment them with exclamations like, ‘Damn, impressive, buddy, you’re awesome…’
He couldn’t be bothered to respond further.
But that didn’t mean a scholar doesn’t appreciate a good compliment.
Xiao Yu’s flattery was always on point.
He landed a compliment that made Zhou Tinghu glow with satisfaction.
The instructor was indeed a proud academic!
“I really owe you one,” he said.
Zhou Tinghu’s expression grew pensive as he added, “If it weren’t for you talking to the higher-ups, I wouldn’t be here.”
Even as a Police Superintendent, the minimum rank is still at deputy director-level, at least in benefits.
In a place like the Criminal Investigation Team, even a principal staff member is the pinnacle—there’s simply no room for someone at deputy director level.
Yet, it’s also because Zhou Tinghu is nearing retirement.
He doesn’t have many years left, which is why he can linger on.
Even so…
Having high rank but little authority is exceedingly rare in a case-handling unit.
But who really cares?
Take Xiao Yu—a principal staff member and deputy team leader. Who’s ever seen that?
These days, the Criminal Investigation Team is filled with the oddest characters.
Many of them hold surprisingly high ranks.
Just look at Guo Qiang—a deputy principal staff member.
Elsewhere, he would be considered a deputy team leader.
Yet here, he’s happily working as a regular Criminal Police officer.
“Let’s head to my office,” Zhao Changshan said.
He led his little brother into the office.
He produced a small red box and handed it to Xiao Yu.
“This was given to you by Group Leader Wang when you visited the Provincial Department today.”
Zhao Changshan looked at the red box with envy, “Seven times now!”
Indeed, seven first-class merit medals!
Opening the red box and eyeing the first-class merit medal inside, Xiao Yu was deeply moved.
Though he never sought glory, who wouldn’t want such honor?
This was prestige!
“Still holding on?”
With a teasing smile, Zhao Changshan remarked, “Are you sure you don’t need a hospital check-up for that head?”
Such stubbornness in avoiding a promotion is rare.
Sometimes, he even wondered if something was off with Xiao Yu’s brain.
Yet, what intrigued him more was…
Could his little brother’s position really hold on much longer?
My goodness, seven first-class merit medals.
For an ordinary person, that would at least qualify them as a department head, right?
They’d be in roles like Yun Xiangguo at the City Bureau.
With Xiao Yu’s talent, the City Bureau wouldn’t want to keep someone like him.
The minimum requirement would be a posting at the Provincial Department, or even… Capital City!
“I’ve already informed the Big Bosses,” he said.
After tucking away the medal, Xiao Yu grinned, “I have no plans to leave Bincheng anytime soon.”
“It’s up to you,” Zhao Changshan replied.
He made it clear that this was not something he was willing to get involved in.
Everyone knew that even though his little brother was a cop…
he was practically part of National Security.
He wasn’t oblivious—the National Security folks call him Boss Xiao Yu.
He’d heard it more times than he could count.
They probably guessed all along that Xiao Yu would eventually move on.
The police system just couldn’t hold him.
His next stop could only be National Security!
So now, what does any police rank or title really mean?
For our little brother, it meant nothing!
……
Back in his familiar office, Xiao Yu once again took out his medal.
He thought about showing it off proudly to his sister at home that night.
Maybe even to the little one.
Look, daddy is so impressive—a real hero!
No… Xiao Yu shook his head.
Time to buckle down and work.
He booted up his desk computer.
And began sifting through old case files.
Before he knew it, the day was over…
At five in the afternoon, after a quick goodbye with his colleagues, Xiao Yu clocked out.
“No overtime?”
There really hadn’t been any significant cases for the Criminal Investigation Team lately.
With nothing warranting his involvement, staying on made no sense.
Better to go home and keep his sister company.
In the dead of night, when a vibrating phone finally woke him…
Xiao Yu’s urge to smash the phone hadn’t faded one bit.
He’d long since grown numb to those lifeless individuals.
“Hello?”
“Yeah, got it. I’ll pass on the message.”
“It’s nothing. That’s what you do, little brother.”
“Alright, let’s share a meal sometime—I’ll treat everyone then…”
“Goodbye!”
Clinging to his sister, Xiao Yu remained motionless.
“Stop fooling around, we’ve got a case,”
Mu Qingwu’s gentle yet commanding tone whispered in his ear.
“Sis, aren’t they really annoying?”
Looking up from his sister’s embrace, Xiao Yu asked, “What if I quit being a cop?”
“Haha!”
Mu Qingwu replied playfully, “Stop acting.”
“Hehe.”
Unable to keep up the act any longer, Xiao Yu laughed and began getting dressed.
Finally, Mu Qingwu helped him tidy his clothes.
“I’m off,” he said softly.
Glancing at his sister, Xiao Yu murmured,
“Take care.”
Wrapping her arms around him, Mu Qingwu advised as always, “Get home early.”
“Got it.”
Xiao Yu nodded, noticing his sister hesitating.
“Last time when the Big Boss came by…”
Mu Qingwu’s expression turned pensive, “Why didn’t you let go of my hand to salute again?”
“Huh?”
After a brief pause, Xiao Yu laughed, “Left hand holding yours, right hand salute—No regrets to the country, no regrets to you. Is that so bad?”
“Idiot!” Mu Qingwu exclaimed, clearly touched.
Was she really being compared to the country?
How could she, Mu Qingwu, ever measure up?
Yet, her little brother continued on just the same.
It left her deeply moved and unable to resist.
“Let’s go,” Mu Qingwu said, looking at her brother.
“Alright.”
Xiao Yu lowered his head and kissed his sister.
“Let’s move out!”
……