In the following days, besides doing some free training sessions every night, Li Xiang was just waiting for Yan Xiong to tell him when his personnel file would be transferred back to Jinghai.
He had already bragged to Sun Zhidong, so now it was just a matter of time to fulfill it.
Yan Xiong kept his promise and worked efficiently. Early one morning, Li Xiang received a notification from Director Song, asking him to come to the municipal bureau the next day.
This made him so excited that he couldn’t sleep at night and trained with Moqi until late.
(Moqi: You sly old fox, you won’t sleep, and you insist on dragging me to train. I’m still growing and need plenty of sleep, woof!)
The next day, Li Xiang looked at himself wearing the auxiliary police uniform in the mirror. He had worn this outfit for three years, and now each day wearing it meant one less day. Thinking about it made him feel quite sentimental.
The path to becoming a full police officer from an auxiliary one was extremely difficult. Without suddenly downloading a cheat, he might have still been stuck in this line of work.
After leaving home, Li Xiang took a taxi and headed towards the municipal bureau.
At the entrance of the director’s office, Li Xiang knocked on the door and called out:
"Reporting in."
"Come in."
"Director Song, you wanted to see me."
"Yes, your personnel file has arrived; I didn’t expect Director Yan from the Drug Enforcement Bureau to value you so much. He has directly promoted you to a Level 3 Investigator."
Since learning about Li Xiang’s detention in Jinling for a brawl, Director Song had sought out Xu Yuanjie. Due to confidentiality about the mission, the latter did not explain anything to Song Jun but just reassured him that the Drug Enforcement Bureau was involved, and Li Xiang would be fine.
Recalling the last time Yan Xiong personally came to find Li Xiang in Jinghai City, Song Jun thought he was joining the actions of the Drug Enforcement Bureau and thus said nothing more.
Now that Li Xiang’s personnel file came through, it confirmed Song Jun’s suspicions.
The Drug Enforcement Bureau’s approach indeed was grand, immediately promoting him to Level 3 Investigator, unlike themselves, with cumbersome procedures just to promote an auxiliary police officer.
"It’s all thanks to the nurturing of the leaders, I’ll definitely work hard in the future."
Li Xiang grinned widely, showing a happy smile.
"The captain of the Criminal Investigation Team, Feng Yonglin, has come to me several times, hoping to transfer you over. I wanted to hear your opinion."
"I’m flexible, and will follow the leaders’ arrangements."
Becoming a detective has always been Li Xiang’s dream. Whenever they encountered a criminal case, as auxiliary officers, they were always on the perimeter, maintaining order. During such times, he yearned to become a detective one day.
Now with Director Song transferring him to the Criminal Investigation Team, and Captain Feng Yonglin having previously looked after him in the task force, joining the team was the best outcome.
"Okay then, after you go back, finish the handover work, and report to the Criminal Investigation Team next month."
"Yes, thank you, Director Song."
Returning to the station, Li Xiang took his transfer order to Director Zhao.
Zhao Jianguo, who had been kept in the dark, looked a bit dazed at the transfer order in his hand: "You clever devil, hiding so well. I thought you were mistreated and had been defending you to get a salary raise for you."
"Thank you, Director Zhao, for your concern and care all along. Due to the nature of my tasks, I didn’t intentionally mean to hide things from you."
Zhao Jianguo nodded, understanding that in the police force, during missions, confidentiality is the lifeline, so he didn’t dwell further but instead patted Li Xiang on the shoulder: "Work well, when you join the Criminal Investigation Team, don’t embarrass our station."
"I won’t; joining them will only bring honor to our station."
"There isn’t much in terms of handover work for you anyway, before you leave, let’s have a dinner together to send you off."
The news of Li Xiang going to the Criminal Investigation Team quickly spread throughout the station, with varying reactions from everyone.
A while ago, it was said he lost his chance to become official due to involvement in a brawl, and the spot went to Sun Zhidong.
Now, before Sun Zhidong even started turning official, Li Xiang had instantly soared to become a Level 3 Investigator.
What’s going on?
Over the past month, Li Xiang had been elusive. Could this be the secret to his promotion as a Level 3 Investigator?
Several versions of the story circulated around the station, and everyone looked at Li Xiang with strange expressions.
During this time, Li Xiang could sense that auxiliary officers were somewhat alienating him.
If you lead by half a step, you’re a genius; if you lead by a full step, you’re a lunatic.
Li Xiang was leading them by far too much.
Not drawing jealousy means you’re mediocre. Li Xiang didn’t mind much because he would be leaving here next month, and there wouldn’t be many opportunities to interact with them by then.
Time flew by, and soon it was April.
Wearing his Level 3 Investigator uniform, Li Xiang arrived at the municipal bureau. From now on, his workstation had changed.
The office for the Criminal Investigation Team was in the headquarters of the municipal bureau, on the 5th floor.
He had been here before, having come to seek Mao Ji’s help before going to Jinling to find Wang Liping, thus he was familiar with the way, taking the elevator to the 5th floor.
Feng Yonglin knew he was coming today, so he didn’t go anywhere all morning, waiting in his office.
After eagerly waiting, he finally anticipated Li Xiang’s arrival. Earlier, hearing from Director Song that Li Xiang might be poached by the Drug Enforcement Bureau, he realized it must have been from his remarkable presence during the Jinling mission that caught the eye of the bureau’s leadership. He was genuinely worried that Li Xiang would be swayed to join the Drug Enforcement Bureau.
Is that place really that good to go to?
The casualty rate for veterans there every year is already not low, let alone for newcomers.
If a promising young man goes there, and something happens quickly, that would be too much of a pity.