Chapter 297: Chapter 297: The Boss Lacks Style

Chapter 297: The Boss Lacks Style

The investigation lead was handed over by Xiao Yu.

As for the execution, that’s a matter for Team 1 and Team 2—no way it concerns just one cop…

No, it has absolutely nothing to do with this Team 10 leader!

Clutching the credential booklet freshly given by Wang Dong, Xiao Yu grinned broadly.

National Security credentials are entirely different from those of a police officer.

Police credentials come in the form of a badge (for both constables and officers).

National Security issues an investigation certification.

A black leather folder with an actual metal emblem.

Upon opening it and reading the introduction, Xiao Yu couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the absurdity.

Photo, name, position, rank, embossed seal, unique identification code…

Especially the rank and position section.

Deputy Director at the bureau level… Leader of the Tenth Special Task Force.

Setting the booklet aside, Xiao Yu glanced at the National Security uniform beside him.

The uniform sported shoulder badges… an olive branch and a four-pointed star design.

Rank: Level 3 Police Superintendent!

Ha… Xiao Yu shook his head with a smile.

He’d been promoted three grades in one go.

Jumping straight from a principal staffer to a Deputy Director bypassing the intermediate rank.

Even his police rank leapt over the threshold of supervisory roles.

At last, he could rock a crisp white shirt!

But Xiao Yu knew all too well that, from now on, neither his rank nor his position

would ever progress any further!

Even Big Boss within our system’s Provincial Department can’t endorse any further promotions.

To put it bluntly, no matter how many merits Xiao Yu racks up today,

he’ll hit a ceiling long before he turns thirty—or even thirty-five—living out the career path of others his age!

“Meet the Big Boss; consider it a favor!”

Muttering to himself, Xiao Yu changed into his uniform.

National Security uniforms closely resemble those of the police.

The only differences are in the lettering on the armbands and chest patches.

They’ve switched from ‘Police’ to ‘National Security’!

Field and special operation personnel for National Security rarely wear these uniforms.

Their everyday attire is more akin to a Zhongshan suit, or simply casual wear.

Only on special occasions, like ceremonies or official events, do they don the uniform.

The moment Xiao Yu stepped into the National Security headquarters building,

his striking uniform drew awe from countless onlookers along the way.

A white shirt and a Level 3 Police Superintendent? So young?!

Who in their right mind would suspect Xiao Yu of impersonation?

Enough fooling around—this is National Security headquarters.

Precisely because everyone knows he’s the real deal,

his appearance is all the more jaw-dropping and intimidating.

It takes immense achievements for someone to earn such credits

at such a young age—to possess that rank… and even the position?

Just thinking about it sends shivers down everyone’s spine.

Because deep down, they all know

if this guy flashed his medals,

they’d need to pin badges all over his chest.

A legendary title

would instantly come to mind:

The Police King!

……

Outside the office.

Xiao Yu bumped into Big Boss’s secretary once again.

She greeted him with a cheerful smile as they exchanged glances.

Entering the office, he spotted the National Security Big Boss as well.

“Salute!”

Xiao Yu never forgot the proper protocol.

“That’s more like it,”

Old Man appraised Xiao Yu’s new uniform and shoulder badges with a warm smile and a wink, “You look great! Your wife would be thrilled if she saw you like this.”

“……”

“Aren’t big shots supposed to have a bit of class?” Xiao Yu muttered, twitching his lips.

He hadn’t expected Big Boss to joke around as well.

After his quip, an awkward silence followed.

He couldn’t help but miss the ability to recall messages on QQ and WeChat.

He remembered how he once vowed to never set foot in National Security again.

Truth be told, Xiao Yu really didn’t want to come here.

Yet here he was, forced into a dual role.

Part cop and now a member of National Security!

“Take a seat,”

Old Man rose and moved to the guest sofa.

Xiao Yu sat upright beside Big Boss, all business.

“Wang Dong already briefed you, right?”

Old Man glanced at his subordinate—now practically his junior—smiling as he added, “Though you only hold the title of Team 10 leader, you’ve been given command authority.”

In other words, do your best whenever you can… Xiao Yu’s expression turned serious as he nodded heavily, inwardly grumbling.

What choice did he have?

In truth, Xiao Yu felt rather hopeless.

These big shots always force you into the deep end

without ever considering how you feel!

It’s like his sister occasionally whining, “Bro, I’m cold,”

even though she knew well it was just typical girly mischief.

As a man, Xiao Yu had to set the record straight.

My brain gets it instantly—it’s all in my head.

It’s not my fault.

I respect my brain’s decision and choices.

But I’m still a pure-hearted guy!

“That case needs to be cracked quickly,”

Old Man teased with a smile, “Got any issues?”

Xiao Yu’s expression grew stern as he nodded, “I’ll do all I can!”

“Ever thought about transferring here directly?”

Old Man seemed to be playfully toying with Xiao Yu.

“Umm…”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Xiao Yu forced a bitter smile, “I’m not planning to leave Bincheng for now—my sister is due in a bit over five months!”

“Ha!”

Old Man burst into laughter, “Get lost!”

Swearing? No wonder he lacks style… Xiao Yu chuckled, stood up with a salute, and cheerfully walked away.

Getting chewed out and still grinning—what’s wrong with him?

It was Old Man’s affectionate ribbing, a sign of closeness.

If you’re not one of us, you don’t even earn the right to be playfully scolded.

Leaving the headquarters, Xiao Yu hummed a tune as he headed toward the second group’s base.

Each of the nine special teams has its own office.

And none of them, not even 317, are based at headquarters.

Some teams are stationed in rather unique locations.

For instance, Wang Dong’s second team actually has its own territory.

An entire office building!

Don’t be fooled by Wang Dong’s constant teasing with Xiao Yu.

When he’s ‘demoted’, at worst he lands as the head of a unit at the Provincial Department.

“Finished meeting Big Boss?”

Inside the office, Wang Dong, sporting that distinctive uniform, grinned widely, “Looking sharp!”

“……”

Speechless, Xiao Yu observed.

No matter the age, when it comes to goofing around, all our members seem forever young.

“How’s the plan coming along?”

Sitting on the office sofa in a rather unseemly slouch, Xiao Yu grabbed Wang Dong’s Special Edition Cigarettes, lit one, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

“……”

After a long silence, Wang Dong finally spoke, “Let’s try it as you suggested.”

Taking a drag, Xiao Yu wasn’t at all surprised.

Until new clues emerge in the case, this is the only option left.

Xiao Yu couldn’t help but be skeptical about the bizarre storyline spun by suspect Fang Shuoxin’s latest novel.

If it were to come true once again,

one would have to chalk it up to pure the supernatural.

And should a real paranormal event occur,

without hesitation, Xiao Yu would bolt.

Faced with a cold, eerie world,

only his sister could ever bring him a sliver of warmth!