I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Appearance

After speaking to Yang Wenqing, Vice Director Gao turned with a smile to County Magistrate Wang and Director Zhang at the head of the table, as well as to everyone else present, and announced in a clear voice:

”County Magistrate, Director Zhang, and colleagues, Wenqing is our county’s youngest Qi Cultivator in fifty years. He is currently the captain of the Major Case Team’s third squad. During this assessment period, he served as the deputy commander for internal city security, participating in and directing the response to the attack from start to finish. He is the most familiar with the details.”

In an instant, all eyes in the room focused on Yang Wenqing, so intense they felt almost tangible. An invisible pressure suddenly descended, as if the very air around him had grown still.

In that moment, Yang Wenqing could feel his heart thumping powerfully in his chest, and a fine sweat broke out on his palms.

But he took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his anxiety. He then raised his head, cleared his throat, and began to recount the incident in the steadiest and clearest voice he could manage...

Just as Yang Wenqing began his report, Vice Director Gao took a stack of documents from his Storage Bag. The cover clearly displayed the title: ”Qianjiao County City Defense Bureau: Detailed Report on the Urban Attack and Response During the Assessment Period.”

He then personally rose and distributed the file to everyone at the meeting. This report undoubtedly provided the strongest possible endorsement for Yang Wenqing’s verbal account, allowing the leaders present to listen while cross-referencing the details.

As Yang Wenqing’s steady narration continued, aided by the detailed report in their hands, the looks of scrutiny and doubt in the conference room gradually softened, some even showing a hint of appreciation.

Seated, Vice Director Gao watched Yang Wenqing’s performance, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Yang Wenqing concluded his report with the same steady, clear narration. He gave another slight bow to the leaders, then sat down, feeling the back of his uniform soaked with sweat.

County Magistrate Wang was the first to speak, his tone full of praise. ”Calm in the face of danger and handled appropriately. Well done.”

Director Zhang also nodded. His expression remained stern, but his tone had softened considerably. ”You all who remained on duty certainly worked hard during this incident.”

The meeting then moved into a standard discussion phase, focusing on summarizing the lessons learned from the incident, strengthening future preventative measures, and determining the official line for public communications. While these discussions were important, they no longer directly involved Yang Wenqing, so he simply had to listen quietly.

About half an hour later, County Magistrate Wang glanced at the time and announced, ”Alright, that concludes the meeting. The main work of this year’s assessment committee has been successfully completed. I now declare the assessment committee officially disbanded!”

This meant that the tense, days-long assessment and the turmoil that followed had finally come to an end.

”Tomorrow at 9:00 AM in the bureau’s auditorium, we will hold the promotion ceremony for this year’s new Police Commissioners. All relevant personnel are to attend on time,” Director Zhang added.

The meeting officially ended. The leaders were the first to leave, and the others gradually dispersed.

Yang Wenqing followed the crowd out of the conference room and let out a long sigh of relief. When he returned to the third squad’s office, he found Liu Qin still organizing files. Zhao Qin and Qian You were already out handling a case. Yang Wenqing went to the locker room and changed into civilian clothes. When it was time to get off work, he said goodbye to Liu Qin and left the bureau.

The streets had already returned to their usual hustle and bustle, as if the chaos of the past few days had been just a nightmare.

As he reached the entrance of Dongning Community, he saw a familiar figure. It was Xiao Liang, also changed into clean civilian clothes, leaning against the community gate as if waiting for someone.

Seeing Yang Wenqing, a smile spread across Xiao Liang’s face, and he hurried over. ”Wenqing, I finally caught you!”

”Brother Xiao?”

Yang Wenqing was a little surprised.

Xiao Liang clapped him on the shoulder, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of excitement, ”Come on, let’s go get something to eat. My treat. Jianchao’s there too!”

”Alright!”

Yang Wenqing didn’t hesitate and readily agreed.

The two chatted and laughed as they made their way to a rather elegant restaurant in the city. They went into a private room that had been booked in advance and waited while drinking tea and making small talk.

It wasn’t until the sky was completely dark that the door to the private room was pushed open again. Wang Jianchao walked in, followed by Liu Xin.

”Sorry, we’re late.”

Wang Jianchao said with a smile, cupping his hands in a casual greeting. His tone was relaxed.

The four of them exchanged greetings and sat down. The food and wine were served quickly, and after a few drinks, the atmosphere grew even more lively.

When the conversation was in full swing, Wang Jianchao put down his cup and looked at Xiao Liang and Yang Wenqing. ”I’ve already received the official notice. The documents for my promotion to Police Commissioner have been issued. It will be officially announced after the ceremony tomorrow.”

”Congratulations, Chief Wang!” Xiao Liang and Yang Wenqing immediately raised their cups to congratulate him. Liu Xin also raised her cup with a smile.

”Congratulations to you as well!” Wang Jianchao clinked his cup with theirs. He then turned his gaze to Xiao Liang, his voice sincere. ”Old Xiao, your transfer orders have come down too. The East City Public Security Office will be yours from now on, but we have to wait for Chief Wang Ren’s transfer orders to be finalized.”

Xiao Liang breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he was up for a promotion to Police Commissioner this time but hadn’t been confident about remaining at the county bureau. Getting the East City Public Security Office, no less. On the surface, it sounded better than Wang Jianchao’s position, but Wang Jianchao would have better opportunities for future promotions. Of course, a town’s public security office also had its perks, like greater autonomy. A town-level City Defense System command outranked a garrison commander, making its chief a veritable local emperor.

Wang Jianchao took a bite of food, then looked at Yang Wenqing and said pointedly, ”Old Xiao was able to take over the East City District because Vice Director Gao made a concession on a personnel matter. He agreed to let Director Zhang’s candidate compete for the position of deputy leader of the Major Case Team.”

Yang Wenqing’s heart skipped a beat. He put down his chopsticks and listened intently.

Wang Jianchao continued, ”It’s not that useless oaf Li Gui. Director Zhang knows Li Gui doesn’t have what it takes. This time, he’s pushing someone transferred from outside. They say he was rotated back from the northern front, has a Fifth Refinement cultivation, and has fought in real, life-or-death battles on the front lines. His combat experience is extremely rich, and he’s very strong.”

He deliberately emphasized the two words ”very strong,” his gaze carrying a hint of a warning as he looked at Yang Wenqing.

Liu Xin added from the side, ”Vice Director Gao used this concession to get Chief Xiao promoted, and at the same time, he secured you the right to compete for the deputy leader position. Wenqing, you need to be careful.”

Her tone was calm, a clear sign she had already accepted the fact that Yang Wenqing was stronger than her.

Xiao Liang gave Yang Wenqing a surprised look. He couldn’t understand how Yang Wenqing, who had reached the Qi Cultivation Stage less than a year ago, could already be competing for the position of deputy leader of the Major Case Team. But seeing that both Wang Jianchao and Liu Xin seemed to accept it, he decided not to ask.

The atmosphere in the private room grew a little heavy at this news.

Yang Wenqing quickly understood Vice Director Gao’s strategy. ’If I win this competition, it’s a huge victory. If I lose, it’s no great loss, since Vice Director Gao was already willing to concede the deputy leader position anyway.’

He took a deep breath. Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere of the day’s meeting, a sense of excitement and fighting spirit welled up from deep within him. He raised his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over the other three, and said in a calm but firm voice, ”Pressure is also a motivator. I will not fail to live up to Vice Director Gao’s trust.”