One day...
Two days...
Three days...
In the blink of an eye, six days had passed.
That morning, dark clouds blanketed the horizon, turning more than half the sky black. A torrential downpour had begun falling over northwestern Yantai County in the middle of the night, the heaviest rainfall in nearly a decade. Dong Xuebin's injuries had mostly healed. Though he had not fully recovered and the weather was terrible, he still drove through the rain to the County Public Security Bureau. The worse the weather, the greater the test for the public security authorities. Dong Xuebin had grown sick of staying home these past few days and was eager to get back to work.
Pitter-patter, raindrops drummed against the umbrella.
In the Public Security Bureau courtyard, Dong Xuebin, who was about to enter the Office Building, ran into Gong Zongwen, who had just gotten out of his car.
"Director Dong? You're back at work already? How are you feeling?"
"So-so. Heh, I'm basically fine."
"How can you be fine? Your hand's still wrapped in gauze. How is that okay?"
"I can move it now. It's just a superficial injury under the gauze. Getting it wet won't be a problem anymore."
The two chatted as they entered the building, folded their umbrellas, and headed upstairs. Along the way, they ran into several Public Security Bureau leaders, all of whom greeted Dong Xuebin and asked after his health. After returning their greetings, Dong Xuebin turned a corner and went straight upstairs to Director Liang Chengpeng's office. First, he needed to report in to his leader. Second, he wanted to get the Third-Class Merit he had risked his life for finalized.
In the office, Liang Chengpeng was reviewing a document.
Dong Xuebin closed the door and smiled. "Director Liang, I'm here to