While Qin Yu was busy with the case, Qi Lin’s mind was completely elsewhere. At this moment, the extreme pragmatist was figuring out how to get promoted to Second-Level Police Officer.
…
Outside the Police Department’s Public Security Team One office, Qi Lin stood holding two bags of gifts. Looking somewhat tense, he knocked on the door.
“Come in!”
A voice shouted from inside.
Qi Lin pushed the door open, flashing his prominent front teeth. He bowed and scraped as he walked into the room, calling out, “Team Leader Ryan, are you busy?”
From behind the desk, a middle-aged man with European features looked up at Qi Lin and asked, “Oh, Qi? Come in!”
“Hehe, it’s nothing much. I just thought I’d stop by.”
Ryan was a heavily built, hairy man who broke a sweat with the slightest movement. Sitting behind his desk, he adjusted his black-framed glasses. “Qi, I have a meeting soon. If you have something to say, just say it.”
Qi Lin subtly wiped his sweaty hands on his plump thigh and placed the two bags of gifts beside the desk. “Team Leader Ryan, a friend of mine brought me some beef jerky, steaks, and other things from Fengbei. It’s all very fresh. Take it home and try some.”
Ryan frowned as he glanced at Qi Lin. “Don’t play these games. Get to the point.”
“It’s like this. I know you and Team Leader Yuan have a good relationship… I was hoping you could put in a good word for me, to see if I could be promoted to Second-Level Police Officer. You know my situation… whether in terms of seniority or job performance, I’m fully qualified for the promotion. I don’t lack anything right now except someone to speak up for me.” Qi Lin stood stiffly beside the desk, his tone highly deferential. “Please help me out.”
Ryan kept his head down, continuing to write his report without even looking Qi Lin in the eye. “There are only ten spots. Originally, you had one, but Sang Yong from Team Four submitted his brother-in-law’s name… Yuan Ke and I can’t do anything about it. Just wait a bit longer. I’ll definitely submit your name for the next promotion cycle.”
Qi Lin stood stunned for a long time. “Team Leader Ryan, Sang Yong’s brother-in-law has been here for less than five months?!”
“Less than five months, yes, but his brother-in-law is Sang Yong.” Ryan offered a helpless smile, speaking with blunt honesty. “Just wait. Yielding this opportunity means you’re making a friend.”
Qi Lin clenched his fists and braced himself to push back. “Team Leader Ryan, I really need this Second-Level Police Officer title. My mother is sick, and every month…”
“Who doesn’t have a reason for wanting to move up?” Ryan responded expressionlessly.
“But this second-level spot should be mine. I’ve been waiting for almost a year.”
Hearing this, Ryan poked at the food bags, murmuring softly, “Beef jerky, steak… good stuff… Qi, how about this? I’ll give you two cases of red wine and ten thousand in cash. You help me talk to Director Li and get him to promote me to the main office.”
Qi Lin froze.
“Qi, this is how opportunities work these days. Those without money defer to those with money. Those with money defer to those with power… So tell me, what does beef jerky get you? If I just put the word out, I could fill my fridge with this stuff.” Ryan casually pushed the steaks back toward him. “Take it back. Just wait a bit longer.”
Qi Lin pursed his lips. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Then I’ll wait a bit longer.”
“Take your things.”
“You keep them. The steaks are quite good.” Qi Lin turned to leave.
Ryan didn’t say another word, keeping his head down as he continued working.
Qi Lin walked to the door and noticed several dirty, rank-smelling clothes hanging on the coat rack. He immediately turned back and said, “Your clothes are dirty. Let me wash them for you.”
Ryan didn’t look up. “Hmm.”
“Your shoes are dirty too. Let me scrub them for you.”
“Hmm.”
“I’ll be going now.”
“Hmm!”
“…”
Carrying an armful of dirty items, Qi Lin pulled the door open and left.
A few minutes later, Ryan casually tossed the gifts Qi Lin had brought to a female colleague in the office. “Steaks. Take them home.”
“You don’t want them?”
“They’ve been frozen for God knows how long. Even my dog wouldn’t eat them.” Ryan straightened his uniform and strode out.
Inside the laundry room.
Qi Lin rolled up his sleeves and scrubbed the shoes. Holding his phone, he kept talking. “I still need this month’s medicine… yeah, yeah. I’ll figure out a way. I’ll wire the money back to you.”
…
Inside the Third Group office area.
Qin Yu clapped his hands and shouted, “Lao Hei, go sign out the guns and gear. Nobody leaves the building before eight tonight. We might have an operation.”
The stab wound Qin Yu had given Zhu Wei on his leg hadn’t fully healed yet, so he asked sullenly, “Team Leader, do I still need to go?”
“We’re short on manpower. You drive,” Qin Yu ordered, leaving no room for argument.
“Okay.” Zhu Wei didn’t dare say anything else and merely nodded.
At four in the afternoon, the team finished an early dinner in the cafeteria, then took their gear and police firearms back to the dormitories.
As soon as Qi Lin entered the room, he stared at the rarely seen automatic rifles. “What’s going on? Who are we catching? Such a massive setup that even the M464s are out.”
“A low-level thug talked. A big shot supplying the Ma family might have already arrived in Songjiang.” Qin Yu glanced down at his watch. “I’ve got people tailing a core member of the Ma family. It might pay off.”
“Oh!” Qi Lin nodded. He thought it over carefully for a moment before suddenly pulling Qin Yu aside. “Can I head home for a bit?”
Qin Yu paused, looking exasperated as he lowered his voice. “Trying to dodge frontline arrest duty again? Bro, we’re short-handed, otherwise I’d let it slide and leave you out of it. Look, if you’re afraid of getting hurt, you can drive too. Deal?”
“It’s not that I want to dodge, it’s just that I absolutely have to go back today,” Qi Lin replied with a frown. “My mom is seriously ill, and my younger sister is completely blind and still just a kid… If I don’t go back, they won’t even be able to eat. More importantly, I have to take her to the hospital for a follow-up check today.”
Qin Yu figured that no matter how cowardly Qi Lin was, he wouldn’t lie about his own mother. After a moment’s consideration, he asked, “Can you make it back before the operation starts?”
“Call me right before we move out. I’ll definitely be back.”
“Alright, go ahead then.”
“…Team Leader, sorry for the trouble.” Qi Lin gave Qin Yu a very polite nod.
“It’s fine. Nobody has it easy, so we help each other out.” Qin Yu patted Qi Lin on the shoulder. “I’ll call you before we roll out.”
“Got it.” Qi Lin nodded.
…
Shortly past seven that evening.
Inside a slum in the Black Street District, Old Man Ma stepped out of his car. He glanced over his shoulder to scan his surroundings before pulling his military coat tightly around himself. Keeping his head down, he walked into an alley reeking of sour rot.
“Who are you looking for?” a man asked from the darkness.
“I’m looking for A Long.” Upon hearing the voice, the old man stopped and stood still.
“Brother Ma?” The man chuckled and stepped forward.
“Is he inside?”
“Yeah.” The youth dipped his head respectfully. “Brother Ma, please raise your arms. Just following procedure.”
Old Man Ma raised his arms, allowing the youth to carefully pat him down.
Inside the room, an unshaven, disheveled A Long sat on the bed, toying with a grenade.
…
Meanwhile.
In his office, Yuan Ke walked to the window with his phone to his ear. “Big brother, why call me back so urgently? Yeah, I’m handling it. Alright, let’s leave it at that. I’ll be back soon.”