Chapter 663: A Step Beyond Merit

Book Chapter 663: More Important Than Merit (Update 1)

Capital City Airport. Lin

That couple who had disgraced themselves on the plane glared coldly at Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu as they prepared to disembark.

Yet they didn’t let that stop them from still giving the attractive young couple a disdainful, ‘unsophisticated’ look.

But the moment they stepped off the plane, their expressions shifted to one of shock and disbelief.

A middle-aged woman and four men, acting like bodyguards, quickly cordoned off the crowd.

They formed a protective ring around Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu.

Even a fool could see that this young couple was far from ordinary.

Especially at the very moment of disembarkation.

A line of men in dark Zhongshan suits lined up to welcome the couple.

They arranged themselves into two rows of an impenetrable human wall, escorting the couple forward.

They even secured an entire convoy of vehicles within the airport.

The sight of a stream of red Capital City plates and business vehicles flaunting rare, special license plates was truly striking.

Many well-informed locals couldn’t help but gasp in amazement.

Only after the convoy had departed did the couple come to their senses, exchanging a meaningful glance.

Each could see the terror on the other’s face, their expressions marred by cold sweat.

Being locals, they knew all too well.

What it truly feels like to walk through the gates of hell!

……

“What’s going on?”

Once again riding in Big Boss’s car, Xiao Yu looked at Wang Dong with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

“It’s not my fault,”

Wang Dong shrugged and chuckled, “Big Boss ordered it—said we should give a proper welcome to our meritorious officer.”

“Keep up that sarcastic tone, or I’ll beat you up.”

Xiao Yu raised his fist and mimed a punch at Wang Dong.

“Damn, do you think I’m scared of you?”

Wang Dong stuck his head out and said, “Come on, let’s move.”

Mu Qingwu silently laughed as she watched the two ‘brothers’ fool around.

After all, these two were none other than the heads of National Security. Can you believe it?

But even group leaders are human—behind closed doors, they’re just ordinary men with their own quirks.

In fact, Mu Qingwu was quite curious.

How could these two men, who were so far apart in age,

still be as close as brothers?

A friendship that defies generations?

Or maybe it was just a natural chemistry.

Sometimes, the bond between men is something women will never understand!

“I heard someone still owes me two boxes of special rations, huh?”

Xiao Yu sneered, “Who knows when that debt will ever be repaid?”

That guy just never plays by the rules… Wang Dong rolled his eyes dramatically before breaking into a forced smile, “Ah, come on, bro, such talk only hurts our friendship. By the way… dear sister-in-law, make sure you have a great time in Capital City tonight. You must come to my place; your cooking is top-notch!”

Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu couldn’t help but laugh.

Wang Dong’s off-topic banter was as trivial as an elementary school trick.

They chatted idly all the way.

The convoy soon arrived at the National Security Building.

Other group leaders were already waiting at the entrance.

They hadn’t gathered to welcome Xiao Yu and Mu Qingwu.

Instead, the group leaders had assembled because Big Boss was calling a meeting.

Shen Mei, who shared a good rapport with Mu Qingwu, had already escorted the domineering boss to the reception room and summoned some subordinates.

Xiao Yu nodded to his sister, signaling that he’d join the group leaders in the meeting room.

Watching his brother’s departing figure, Mu Qingwu’s eyes gradually grew misty.

Women all have a sense of vanity.

Even Mu Qingwu was human.

No matter how strong a woman might be, she craves a powerful man as her safe haven.

Someone who can shield her from hardship,

from pain and danger—offering her shelter when the storm hits.

Seeing her man protect her from life’s troubles,

Mu Qingwu was pleasantly surprised by how far Xiao Yu had grown, surpassing all her expectations.

Her little one, now standing atop a pyramid of success.

A soft, alluring smile played on Mu Qingwu’s lips.

Her fair, jade-like hands gently caressed her belly as she whispered, “Baby, you’re so lucky. Your dad is a real hero!”

……

Meeting Room.

Ten group leaders stood in a neat line, waiting silently for their boss.

It wasn’t long before Big Boss strolled in.

“We’re all busy, so I won’t waste your time.”

The Old Man smiled warmly and pointed at Xiao Yu, “The meeting is because of him.”

Aside from Xiao Yu, the nine group leaders broke into smiles.

But that smile quickly faded.

The group leaders glanced at Xiao Yu with mixed emotions.

In less than two years, someone they had once dismissed—a small-time cop—is now on equal footing with them…

not to mention, he’s on track to become their future boss.

Sometimes, just thinking about it was utterly unbelievable.

Each time they considered Xiao Yu’s decorated record, they realized their own decades of hardship paled in comparison to his achievements in just two years.

The blow was so heavy that the group leaders were rendered speechless.

What stung most was that their younger Little Brother earned his accolades purely on merit, without any embellishment.

If it had been them, they might have already sacrificed countless lives.

Some things simply cannot be envied.

At National Security, true ability is all that counts!

“No merit, no promotion.”

The Old Man fixed his gaze on Xiao Yu, “Any questions?”

Xiao Yu was taken aback.

Was there really nothing?

“Wait a minute…” Xiao Yu’s face turned pale as a possibility dawned on him.

Then, in the very next moment, the Old Man laughed and declared, “Your rank is upgraded by one level!”

Xiao Yu exhaled in relief. For a moment, he thought he was a goner!

Still, the rank upgrade left him thoroughly shocked.

“You’re kidding, right?”

When the Old Man personally handed him a pair of new shoulder badges and fixed them onto his uniform,

Xiao Yu felt as if he were living a dream.

“There’s no formal award ceremony because you’re too young to make a fuss. You wouldn’t want to be the center of national attention, would you?”

The Old Man patted Xiao Yu’s shoulder gravely and said, “Don’t let the nation and its leaders down!”

If the Old Man calls you a leader, then you’d better live up to that title.

Once again, Big Boss’s words echoed with undeniable authority. Shaken back to reality, Xiao Yu nodded firmly.

Even so, his expression remained puzzled as he stared blankly at the Old Man—a question mark seemingly fixed to his face.

“It’s not just because you rescued Song Jiaxi.”

The Old Man explained, “It’s also because of the Satellite Manufacturing Data.”

I see… Xiao Yu nodded.

So, instead of merely racking up accolades,

he had taken a significant step forward in rank—

a step that meant far more than any merit could.

It wasn’t something that could be bought with a First-Class Merit.

Many people might earn a First-Class Merit.

But how many counties could see their managers rise to become a Police Superintendent?

The point is clear!

When Xiao Yu, in full uniform, returned to Mu Qingwu’s side,

Mu Qingwu’s eyes filled with unshed tears as she looked at the new shoulder badges on his uniform.

They gleamed with olive branches and three four-pointed stars.

This meant… he was now a Police Superintendent?

Xiao Yu felt as if he were dreaming.

“There’s no award ceremony because you’re too young—you wouldn’t want the entire nation watching, right?”

The Old Man patted his shoulder gravely again, “Don’t let the nation and its leaders down!”

If someone is called a leader by the Old Man, then they must live up to that title.

Once again, Big Boss’s words rang like gospel. Returning to reality, Xiao Yu nodded firmly, even though his face remained vacant.

And so, it wasn’t just his rescue of Song Jiaxi that counted.

The Old Man explained, “It’s also because of that Satellite Manufacturing Data.”

Wen

Xue