The next morning, bright and early.
Xu Wen, the seasoned veteran of the police station, was the first to arrive at the office.
He skillfully brewed himself a cup of hot tea and retrieved the newspaper that had been wedged in the door crack.
He sipped his tea and read the newspaper.
Soon, his colleagues began to trickle in.
The township police station was usually quiet, with everyone taking it easy, as if living from day to day, their laziness reaching an extreme.
Wang Zhengfeng, the chief of the police station, arrived last.
Seeing the chief return, Xu Wen folded the newspaper in his hand, neatly creasing it.
He then walked to the chief’s office and gently knocked on the door.
Wang Zhengfeng said without looking up, “Come in!”
Xu Wen, with a flattering smile, entered the office and respectfully handed the newspaper to Wang Zhengfeng, saying, “Chief Wang, your newspaper.”
Wang Zhengfeng took the newspaper but didn't look at it closely. He tossed it on his desk and asked, “Anything new?”
Xu Wen shook his head and said, “Just some policy documents to be passed down, speeches from the leaders above, and some social and economic news. Nothing new.”
Wang Zhengfeng nodded and picked up the cup of high-grade green tea his subordinate had already brewed for him. He took a sip.
Seeing that Xu Wen didn’t seem to be leaving immediately, Wang Zhengfeng looked up and glanced at him sideways, “Something?”
Xu Wen quickly smiled and said, “Chief, that new guy, Qi Tongwei, doesn’t seem to be here. I didn’t see him ask for leave beforehand either.”
Hearing this, Wang Zhengfeng also noticed that Qi Tongwei was indeed not at his desk.
He thought for a moment and said, “I saw Qi Tongwei at the welcome dinner last night. He seemed to have had a bit too much to drink. He might still be sleeping it off?”
He continued, “Who was it who sent him home last night? Oh, right! He Ting! Ask her how Qi Tongwei is doing.”
Xu Wen replied, “I already asked. She just said that after sending him home last night, she went back herself.”
As he said this, Xu Wen felt a surge of anger.
He Ting had also just been transferred to the township police station. She was single, unmarried, young and beautiful, in full bloom, like a fragrant peach blossom, making people drool.
Xu Wen, this seasoned veteran, had long wanted to take advantage of the situation, but he was like a thorn in the flesh, unable to get a foothold.
He Ting, this woman, wouldn’t even give Xu Wen a second glance.
However, last night, she had, surprisingly, offered to send Qi Tongwei home.
How could Xu Wen not feel resentment?
What did this Qi Tongwei have, other than being younger and more handsome?
Where was my old Xu’s rich experience?
For this reason, Xu Wen, upon finding that Qi Tongwei was absent from work early in the morning, had come to the chief to complain.
“Chief, what’s Qi Tongwei’s background? He’s only been here for less than a week, and he’s already daring to be late and leave early?”
With Xu Wen’s words fueling the fire, Wang Zhengfeng was also a little unhappy.
He sneered, “Little Qi, he’s a genuine graduate of Han Dong University, student council president, and a top graduate too!”
Xu Wen didn’t know much about Qi Tongwei before, and when he heard the chief say this, he was shocked.
“Chief, you’re not serious. How could someone with such a prestigious background from a top university end up in our little police station?”
Even though Xu Wen was out of touch with things, he knew the importance of Han Dong University. Graduates from there were all top-notch talents.
In the era of guaranteed job placements, anyone graduating from Han Dong University would start their career at the provincial or municipal level. They would never willingly come to a small county police station!
Xu Wen suddenly realized.
In Qi Tongwei’s case.
Either he had someone above him who wanted to promote and use him, so he was coming to the grassroots level to gain some experience.
Or he had offended someone and was sent to a remote outpost.
Xu Wen’s guess was spot on.
Wang Zhengfeng said calmly, “Of course, someone must have looked after him. Otherwise, how do you think our little temple can accommodate a Buddha like Qi Tongwei?”
Xu Wen’s heart skipped a beat, thinking, “Did he really offend some rich family’s son?
They are so ruthless to him?”
But at the same time, he felt a little schadenfreude, thinking, “Serves you right for trying to steal my woman!”
Wang Zhengfeng reminded him, “Old Xu, you’re also a veteran of our station. You should know what to say and what not to say. I don’t need to remind you, do I?”
Xu Wen quickly replied, “Chief, don’t worry. I’m not stupid, I won’t go spreading rumors.”
He hesitated for a moment, then said, “But Chief, if Qi Tongwei really is talented, we might not be able to hold him back from rising.”
Wang Zhengfeng laughed, “This little backwater place, even if he has talent, what use is it? Talent without a stage, where will he make his achievements? How can he advance?”
Xu Wen quickly echoed, “Yes, Chief, you’re right. This is just a small pond. No matter how much talent he has, Qi Tongwei won’t be able to make any waves here!”
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