"Now, why have I become so concerned with personal gain and loss?"
"It's just an idle move in the game. Don't be so calculative."
"Besides, it's not exactly like I'm forcing it on him."
"Just like you said. Him becoming the director is reasonable, just not entirely so..."
"Moreover, it won't be easy for him once he takes up the position. He'll practically face enemies everywhere."
At this point, the elder couldn't help but laugh, "So, in a way, I'm setting him up for both success and failure."
"It's just that, to set up for success and failure, there must be support before the takedown."
"If he can handle the support, it shows he's material worth shaping. If not, then all that's left is the takedown."
"The opportunity has been given to him; the rest is up to his fate."
In the afternoon, around three or four o'clock.
In the Sky Mother Ship, Fang Ze's room.
Fang Ze, Bai Zhi, and Bai Ling were happily chatting away.
Bai Ling stood there cutely, imitating a man's walking posture in a mischievous manner, pacing back and forth beside the two.
Bai Zhi, with a gentle laugh on the side, said to Fang Ze, "You didn't see it."
"Jiang Cheng in the hall, just like Bai Ling's imitation. So irritated and angry."
She continued, "He kept thinking that you must want to see him, and that you left him hanging all day as part of playing hard to get."
"He wanted to leave but didn't dare to, worried that you would blame him for unsuccessful cooperation talks if he left too early: that he left just as you came out."
"So, he could only continue to fume while waiting."
Hearing Bai Zhi's words, Fang Ze couldn't help but laugh out loud. He said, "He's overthinking it. Am I that sort of person?"
Bai Zhi laughed along.
Only Bai Ling blinked on the side, then said cutely, "Yes, you are that sort of person."
Fang Ze, Bai Zhi: .....
Fang Ze, finding Bai Ling's cute yet annoying demeanor, coughed, took a sip of water to cover up the embarrassment, and then changed the subject: switching to congratulations for Bai Zhi's soon-to-be appointment as bureau chief.
As they talked about this, Bai Zhi was visibly excited, and even her usual noble demeanor dropped.
Affectionately wrapping her arms around Fang Ze's neck, she reminisced, "Fang Ze, I feel like the best decision I've made in my lifetime was to recruit you into the Security Bureau."
After saying this, she pondered for a bit, then quickly shook her head, correcting herself, "No, not that."
She smiled at Fang Ze, winked playfully, and teased, "The smartest thing I've done in my life was probably catching you."
Upon hearing her words, Fang Ze asked with a puzzled expression, "What?"
Bai Zhi laughed tremulously, "If I hadn't caught you, I wouldn't have met you. Neither would I have been impressed by your talent and recruited you into the Security Bureau."
"So, that's where it all began~"
Listening to Bai Zhi's words, Fang Ze smiled as he poured a cup of tea, then said, "So I should thank you for catching me in the first place?"
Bai Zhi's mouth curved into a proud smile, "Of course."
"You're the most worthwhile criminal I've ever caught."
"After all, how many can break the Flower Morning Festival case?"
At that, she patted Fang Ze's shoulder and declared confidently, "So rest assured, once I become the bureau chief, I'll definitely promote you to deputy chief! I'll let you skip two grades!"
"If the state doesn't allow it, I'll make a fuss."
"I'll make them agree."
"Then we'll be partners again."
"After that, you'll handle all the work in the bureau, and I'll just train every day, and cultivate."
As Fang Ze lifted his tea cup, his eyes disappeared into his smile. He said, "This isn't a promotion you're offering me."
"You just want to exploit my labor."
Bai Zhi pinched Fang Ze's cheek and then gazed into his eyes like water and said, "Yes, I do want to exploit you."
Perhaps sensing the ambiguity of her actions, she coughed and withdrew her hand, adding, "I've realized my brain is only a bit better than Bai Ling's. Hoping to solve cases is just wishful thinking in this lifetime. So, I have to depend on you."
"That's why I have to keep you tied down. Wherever you go, I'll follow. To be your boss for life..."
Though the words sounded slightly like a confession, Fang Ze couldn't help but laugh upon hearing them, "That won't happen."
"I'm too good at solving cases. I reckon it won't be long before I surpass you and head above you."
Bai Zhi was taken aback for a moment, then playfully hit him with annoyance, "No, no. I have to be on top! I want to be on top of you for life!"
As the two teased and playfully quarreled, Bai Ling popped her head out from the side and asked cutely, "What about me? What about me? I want a promotion too."
She counted on her fingers, tilting her head to count, "Hmm... I think I've already... one times one, two times two... ugh, it's been years since I got a promotion."
Seeing Bai Ling's cuteness and Bai Zhi's clearly good mood, Bai Zhi quickly hugged her with a laugh and joked, "Don't worry, Bai Ling. After I promote Fang Ze. Then I'll..."
Her voice trailed off, "make you Fang Ze's secretary!"
Bai Ling froze for a moment, then looked up, pouting with confusion, "Why not let me be your secretary?"
Bai Zhi gently tapped Bai Ling's forehead with a smile, "You're so slow. I wouldn't want that!~ It's only Fang Ze who would take you!"
Hearing this, Bai Ling immediately protested playfully hitting Bai Zhi, "No, no~ Sister Bai. Take me as your secretary!"