Watching the mocking smile on Lu Zhenping’s face, he felt as if a once towering figure in his mind had suddenly collapsed. For someone who had ventured into danger alone and caught five armed and extremely vicious criminals, as well as capturing their leader, the hero’s aura shattered completely.
"If Captain Fan has any issues, just speak up. I’ve always been very easy-going."
Fan Hui: "....."
Go fuck your granny’s leg, like I’d say that!!!
Lu Zhenping remained utterly indifferent to Fan’s sour expression, and instead, continued conversing with the head of the criminal investigation team, subtly flattering him. Almost everyone in the office knew that Lu Zhenping’s unit was about to be reorganized. He would either be reassigned locally or wait for new orders. However, judging by his current demeanor, it seemed he had already received word about his demobilization.
Office folks are sly as can be, all but Fan Hui, who’s single-minded and fuming, occasionally shooting Lu Zhenping a disdainful glare.
The meeting prevailed until eight o’clock, and then it was break time. Without a word, Fan Hui left the office. As he was coming down the stairs, suddenly a hand from the storage room reached out and yanked him inside.
"Who the hell dares to..."
"Shh, shut up. If you’re not afraid of being discovered, then keep it down!"
After Fan Hui was released, he looked, through the broken window, at Lu Zhenping, who had just been sycophantically ingratiation himself to others, but now he was staring back at Fan seriously, leaving Fan feeling slightly awkward.
"Vice Commander Lu, why are you here? Are you looking for me? Is there something you need?"
"Fan Hui, time is critical. I’ll cut to the chase. When you go back to the office, start a quarrel with that damn Captain of yours, under the pretext of having to join a mission. Then head straight to the hospital to see your wife. My people will be there to meet you. We have operations tonight that require your assistance. That’s it. This is an order, and you must comply."
Listening to Lu Zhenping, Mody’s eyes widened. His idol hadn’t come crashing down; he was still the mighty and righteous hero.
"Captain Lu, you’re still yourself. I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. I knew it, hehehe, I’m on my way, right away."
Lu Zhenping: "... Tone down your excited laughter, don’t let others see it."
"Sure!"
After the meeting resumed, Wei Dong returned with several boxes of food. In front of the leaders, he slid the lunch boxes towards Lu Zhenping and was poking around in his mouth with a toothpick.
"Captain Wei, this is a meeting room. You disappeared without reason for so long, and now you’ve come back with lunch boxes, and—tssk—you’ve been drinking, haven’t you? Is this the kind of discipline your troops maintain? Vice Commander Lu, are you just going to stand by and watch?"
"Hehehe, isn’t there a meeting? We’re not taking any action tonight; the task assignment isn’t finished. Besides, Wei Dong and I are on leave right now, so we’re not that strict. Whether we’re soldiers or in public security, we still have to eat, right? I’ve got to say, the food tonight is... hehehe, Wei Dong brought quite a lot, would you all like some?"
"Hmph!"
"This is too outrageous, I’ll report this exactly as it happened."
Ever since Lu Zhenping’s sycophantic image made its appearance, very few people in the meeting room took him seriously anymore. Now watching him ready to eat right in the middle of the meeting, it was clear as day—total despair.
They all had their guesses; most likely, he knew that even with a local reassignment he wouldn’t get a right placement, hence his attitude. But he still had his rank, and probably a stable job awaiting him. Come to think of it, they’ve heard that Vice Commander Lu’s wife currently works at the bus company in the county, and even that job was only secured through connections, hehehe, truly laughable.
"Is there any chili sauce?"
Wei Dong’s mouth twitched for a moment as he said, "I brought it, I brought everything you wanted. This is Captain, this is your favorite dumpling filling. I watched them make it myself. The flavor is definitely strong; rest assured and enjoy eating."
"Hmm, I trust your work, tsk tsk, the taste is indeed good."
Captain Fan’s heart chilled as his gaze shifted towards Wei Dong, who subtly flicked at him, and he immediately understood the signal. Grabbing the tea mug from the table, he smashed it down, causing tea to splash everywhere, some even onto Lu Zhenping’s hands.
"Heh, are you expressing dissatisfaction?"
"It’s towards you that I’m dissatisfied. What do you think this place is, and who do you think you are? Do you have any respect for the public security in the Provincial City? Don’t think you’re something special just because your superiors designated you to come here. I’ll tell you, others may be afraid of you, but I am not. Just now, you were sarcastic towards me, didn’t you not want me to join the operation? Hehehe, let me tell you, with the likes of you, I wouldn’t deign to work alongside you. You are a disgrace to the military."
Wei Dong also slammed his tea cup onto the ground.
"Say that again, we’re here to cooperate with the operation. You all have been chirping all day, and we haven’t complained about your nagging yet, but now you’re trying to act tough?"
"Who are you calling ’old man’? We in the Provincial Public Security look down on...."
"Shut up!"
The Captain of the Criminal Police slammed the table and looked at Captain Fan, saying, "Captain Lu and his team have come to assist us with our mission. What are you going crazy for? Take your temper home to vent. Captain Fan, you are not needed for tomorrow’s mission, just go back!"
"Captain!"
"Go back!"
Captain Fan, seething with anger, picked up his tea mug before he left, his heart aching for his favorite mug, a gift from his wife, now somewhat deformed.
After Captain Fan left, Wei Dong looked at the people in the meeting room and let out a cold laugh before leaving as well. After a while, someone came in and whispered in the ear of the Captain of the Criminal Police. He nodded his head and began to soothe Lu Zhenping once again.
After a whole night, only at daybreak did they announce the end of the meeting. At the same time, a faint whistle sounded from within the courtyard of the Public Security Bureau.
Lu Zhenping slightly curled his lips and stretched a big stretch, then walked out together with everyone from the meeting room. They didn’t speak as they walked from the hall to the entrance, and just as they were about to go their separate ways in the courtyard under the morning glow, Lu Zhenping extended his hand.
"Hold on, from yesterday to today, it has been the leaders speaking, and I haven’t interrupted much. Just before we part ways, I want to share some good news with everyone."
"What?"
Everyone yawned mightily and looked at Lu Zhenping with puzzlement, but before he could say anything, two military vehicles suddenly drove in. Wei Dong, dressed in combat gear with a gun slung over his shoulder, followed by Captain Fan in training attire, both jumped down from the vehicles and marched straight to Lu Zhenping.
"Report Captain, the target hideout has been destroyed, and the escaping criminals have also been captured."
"All the women and children have been seen by doctors and are now under supervision, awaiting further instructions for the next steps."
The Captain of the Criminal Police and several leaders were somewhat dumbstruck for a moment, within their wary eyes, Lu Zhenping revealed a profoundly mysterious smile.
"The good news is, in a while, you all will have to undergo an investigation, and I’m afraid we won’t be able to work together. That’s truly very regrettable!"
Everyone: "....."