Looking at Someone with New Eyes (3)

"Hey, Handsome Tong, are you carrying a gun? What would you do if the drug dealers started shooting? It's terrifying just thinking about it!" Ke Qian had, at some point, sat down among them and was staring intently at Tong Haojing, unable to suppress her curiosity.

"Haven't thought about that yet, but drug dealers are desperate, ruthless criminals. That's what Old Jiang said."

"Just tell me if you're scared!" Ke Qian sounded a bit anxious.

"Why don't you go with our Handsome Tong on his next mission to experience it? Then you'll know how it feels!" Officer Lan said, half-jokingly.

"Okay, I haven't been before! Remember, Tong Haojing, take me with you next time!" Ke Qian said confidently, a strange impulse surging within her to charge into battle alongside this relatively new guy. In truth, she already had an inexplicable fondness for him.

"I'd be happy to, it just depends on whether the director approves!" Tong Haojing chuckled, laughing twice. The others couldn't help but join in.

Just then, Tang Changan entered from the cafeteria, a broad smile on his face. Seeing everyone gathered around, he casually asked, "What big national issue are you discussing? And why is Ke Qian joining in?!"

"Nothing, nothing, just chatting!" Everyone exchanged glances and dispersed.

In the morning, Tong Haojing lay in his dorm for a while, but thoughts of Xiao Yanni's adorable little face kept him from sleeping.

Tong Haojing rode his Prince motorcycle alone to the rehabilitation center and met with Cuntoucao. He said what he needed to say, and Cuntoucao was extremely grateful, vowing to never use drugs again. Tong Haojing completed the procedures to change his compulsory measures. Just as Cuntoucao was about to leave, he suddenly brought up the matter of Xiao Yanni's household registration. Tong Haojing didn't know how to answer Cuntoucao. This was the most difficult and troublesome issue he had encountered since arriving at the West City Police Station, but in his heart, he already had some ideas about Xiao Yanni's household registration.

Tong Haojing thought of Ke Qian and made a phone call.

"Ke Qian, can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Xiao Yanni's household registration."

"I guessed it was about this. I'm sorry, this is difficult. Even the director said no, so what can I do?"

"Is there really no way?"

"It's impossible through the normal procedures. Unless it's an actual difficulty faced by a citizen that can attract high-level attention, there might be a chance."

"You mean to attract upper-level attention as an exceptional case?"

"I didn't say that!" Ke Qian immediately denied what she had just said, but her meaning was clear – she was giving him a hint. Tong Haojing understood.

On the third day, Zhao Minhui came to the station to handle a name change.

When Zhao Minhui was in college, her name was Zhao Mindan. After graduating and registering her household, she changed her name to Zhao Minhui. However, her archived name remained Zhao Mindan. This time, for the unit's political review and the continuity of her file, to reduce unnecessary trouble, she intended to change her name back to its original form.

She had heard that Tong Haojing had been assigned to the West City Police Station and had apprehended a drug addict within a few days of arriving. She couldn't help but feel secretly pleased and was eager to meet this hero. She wanted to dig deeper into his deeds. Zhao Minhui could be considered a frequent visitor to the West City Police Station. She went directly to the second floor where Tong Haojing's office was located.

Tong Haojing was in his office, organizing and inputting data.

Zhao Minhui's sudden arrival made Tong Haojing's heart race. His heartbeat visibly quickened, and he flusteredly stood up, saying, "Reporter Zhao, why are you here?"

"Why can't I be here? There's no ban posted!" The public security organs are strictly disciplined and have all sorts of prohibitions, Zhao Minhui said playfully. Tong Haojing chuckled, feeling a little embarrassed.

Zhao Minhui sat down diagonally from Tong Haojing, her expressive eyes looking at him. She sweetly asked, "Quick, tell me about how you caught that drug addict!"

Tong Haojing felt taken aback. His mind raced, and a spark of an idea lit up. He changed the subject, saying, "Never mind about me. I need your help with something!"

"What is it?" Zhao Minhui asked, willing to help a hundred times over. Such enthusiasm could only be felt during a romantic relationship.

Zhao Minhui had taken it upon herself to ask her father to inquire about Tong Haojing's background. Her father had people check the archives and found out that Tong Haojing was from Unit A's special reconnaissance team. He had been awarded a second-class merit for rescuing three students from Hexi College during an incident on Yunding Mountain. One of the girls he rescued was Zhao Minhui, who was then named Zhao Mindan and had now changed her name to Zhao Minhui, though Tong Haojing didn't know this yet.

"Can you help me with a news report?" Tong Haojing asked, deliberately taking a roundabout approach, fearing Zhao Minhui might refuse.

Zhao Minhui raised an eyebrow. "That's my profession!" she said nonchalantly, appearing very relaxed.

"It's about a child's schooling!" Tong Haojing said, his brow furrowed.

"Hey, just say it directly, don't beat around the bush!" Zhao Minhui sounded impatient.

"It's about a child's household registration that has been unresolved for a long time!" Tong Haojing recounted Xiao Yanni's plight in detail.

Zhao Minhui pondered for a moment. "Can't the police station resolve household registration issues?" she wondered, a question mark forming in her mind. Could it be that this Tong Haojing had truly encountered a difficult situation?

"It's all Director Tang's fault for being so rigid. This should have been handled with special consideration!" Tong Haojing spoke somewhat out of line in his anger, looking embarrassed. It was clear he was extremely dissatisfied with Director Tang!

Zhao Minhui hesitated for a moment, then agreed without another word. She said she had a colleague at Hexi Television Station who hosted a program called "Matters of the People," which perfectly reflected the people's voices.

"You can go interview Aunt Qin next to the Agricultural Machinery Company, but absolutely do not say I asked you to go."

"You don't trust the abilities of this great reporter?" Zhao Minhui gave Tong Haojing a half-joking look and said she would handle it flawlessly, ensuring Tong Haojing's involvement remained secret.

Tong Haojing hadn't expected Zhao Minhui to be so thoughtful. The word "confidential" that was about to escape his throat was immediately swallowed back, replaced by a cascade of "Thank you!"

A few days later, at two-thirty in the afternoon, at the Provincial Border Highway Toll Station. Secretary Li Dongfeng of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee called Director Gao Weimin to join him in his car for a surprise inspection of the outbound traffic.

A domestic Hongqi sedan screeched to a halt on a patch of open ground next to the highway toll station. Gao Weimin quickly got out of the passenger seat and immediately opened the rear left door. Almost simultaneously, the Director of Li Dongfeng's Office also exited the car, following behind Li Dongfeng. Li Dongfeng and Gao Weimin had agreed to conduct this inspection without prior notice, hoping to uncover some issues at this checkpoint.

A sign reading "Armed Inspection" was prominently displayed. A uniformed police officer stood about two meters away from the sign, signaling to the passing vehicles. Four police officers in uniform and three auxiliary police were eating instant noodles inside a makeshift tent at the checkpoint. Seeing people arrive, they all stood up in a neat line, heads held high, chests puffed out, observing Secretary Li Dongfeng and Director Gao Weimin.

Li Dongfeng, with a broad smile, stepped forward and shook hands with each of them. "You've all worked hard. Who is in charge here?" Li Dongfeng asked casually.

"I'm leading the team on duty today!" The leader was Qian Fu from the Criminal Investigation Brigade. Gao Weimin recognized him and explained to Li Dongfeng the checkpoint's operational model: it was staffed by personnel drawn from the anti-drug, criminal investigation, public security, and economic investigation departments, along with auxiliary police, primarily responsible for intercepting smuggling and the inflow of drugs.

Li Dongfeng nodded in acknowledgment, then inspected the equipment and the inspection process. Finally, he emphasized, "The entry and exit points at the Tangdu provincial border are crucial transportation gateways for our city. You must guard these gates diligently, resolutely prevent the inflow of drugs, and cut off and block this so-called channel for drug trafficking!"

Gao Weimin suddenly thought of capturing an image of Secretary Li Dongfeng's inspection. Since Director Wu was not present, he took out his own phone and quickly snapped several photos that best captured the scene.

After finishing his speech, Li Dongfeng did not comment on everyone being on duty. He turned and got back into the car. Gao Weimin followed and opened the door. About a kilometer down the road, Li Dongfeng suddenly asked, "Were there many cars passing through the intersection just now?"

The Director of Li Dongfeng's Office, being straightforward, replied casually, "Yes, quite a lot, probably dozens of vehicles coming and going!"

Gao Weimin didn't understand Li Dongfeng's intention. He didn't rush to answer but rather his eyes darted around. He thought that Li Dongfeng must have been asking with a specific purpose in mind.

Back at the bureau, he quickly summoned Director of the Political Department Wu Dean to get the photos for publicity. Director Wu took one look and realized the person behind Li Dongfeng in the photo was not right.

Standing behind Li Dongfeng at the intersection checkpoint wasn't a police officer at all, but an auxiliary police officer wearing a police uniform.

Gao Weimin instantly understood the meaning behind Li Dongfeng's casual question earlier. His temper flared, and he sternly ordered, "Investigate thoroughly, deal with it severely, and show no leniency!"

The next morning, as soon as Li Dongfeng entered his office, the director of his office sent him a message on his phone: "Xiao Yanni's decade-long lack of household registration and high school selection fees trouble small families" was broadcast on Hexi Television Station's "Matters of the People" program. The news caused an uproar in Tangdu City's public opinion. Li Dongfeng immediately called Director Gao Weimin to inquire.

Director Gao Weimin had already received the message from Director Wu of the Political Department the previous night. First thing the next morning, he convened an emergency meeting with personnel from relevant household registration departments. While the meeting was in progress, Li Dongfeng called. Gao Weimin's heart tightened, and he quickly made a gesture for everyone to be quiet. The conference room immediately fell silent.

He had thought it was about yesterday's inspection of the checkpoint. Who knew it was about public opinion and the news?

"Old Gao, what's going on with Xiao Yanni's household registration?" Li Dongfeng asked with a tone of questioning.

"Secretary Li, we are holding an emergency meeting to deal with this matter! Also, regarding yesterday's incident, I have already discovered the problem, please rest assured, Secretary!" Director Gao Weimin said righteously.

"That's good, that's good!" Secretary Li had intended to get angry but couldn't muster the rage because he knew Director Gao Weimin's pragmatic work style. He had even suggested Gao Weimin come to Tangdu City for this job, primarily to address the long-standing drug situation that plagued Tangdu City and to cut off the notorious Hexi drug flow.

"Secretary Li, we didn't do our work well and deserve criticism!" Director Gao said with some self-reproach.

"Old Gao, you must pay close attention to this news report and give the people a satisfactory answer. You know, we can't afford to offend these pen-pushers. If they start sensationalizing it, it will be troublesome!"

"Yes, yes!" Director Gao Weimin did not argue.

In fact, as soon as Gao Weimin received the news about Xiao Yanni from Wu Dean, he immediately convened a meeting at the city bureau with the responsible leader, Deputy Director Hu Yuancheng, Director Tang, and Ke Qian. This was Director Gao Weimin's usual decisive style. This was also the first time he had heard about Xiao Yanni.

At the meeting, Director Tang gave a brief report...

Director Gao Weimin was furious upon hearing it. "No matter is too small for the people, ten years of data is terrifying..." He was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged. He even connected this with Director Wu's previous reports on the situation in the west of the city, and in his anger, he slammed the table.

Director Tang wanted to argue, but Hu Yuancheng held him back. Deputy Director Hu knew that even though Director Gao Weimin hadn't been severely criticized by Secretary Li, being questioned by superiors was still a very embarrassing matter. Perhaps this was an opportunity to save face. Deputy Director Hu was always good at gauging the intentions of his superiors, which was one of his skills.

"Director Gao, it's all my fault for not doing my job well and for understanding the policies too rigidly! We will research a plan immediately and definitely give the person involved a satisfactory answer." Hu Yuancheng was accustomed to using stock phrases, but he didn't expect to stumble when facing Director Gao.

"Research, research what? The house is on fire!" Director Gao Weimin, being impatient, clearly lost his composure.

"Then, then let's do it immediately!" Deputy Director Hu stood up, picked up his ever-present notebook, glanced at Tang Changan, who was still sitting there, and said, "What are you still sitting around for? Let's go!"

The meeting ended in a very disharmonious atmosphere. Although Deputy Director Hu verbally agreed, he was full of resentment inside.

Director Tang's mood was at an all-time low. He was somewhat grateful that Hu Yuancheng had spoken up for him in front of him, but he felt no goodwill towards him. Perhaps this was the shadow cast by his long-standing dark side, which refused to dissipate.

Tang Changan kept wondering who had leaked the information about Xiao Yanni. Recalling the situation a few days prior when Tong Haojing had approached him for a favor, he was almost certain it was the newcomer Tong Haojing. He was a fearless rookie who would do anything. Tang Changan, both angry and anxious, couldn't help but dial Tong Haojing's number and asked him to come to his office. Tong Haojing immediately understood. The truth was out, and he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, having come up with an idea.

A moment later, Tong Haojing entered, panting.

Tang Changan looked at Tong Haojing, who appeared calm and unfazed. He thought he was putting on a good act, and his composure made him both angry and amused. He was angry that such a young person could resort to underhanded tactics, but amused by his cleverness. Strangely, his previous hatred had vanished completely.

Tang Changan asked, "Did you leak the information about Xiao Yanni?"

Tong Haojing was prepared and answered without batting an eye, "It wasn't me!"

"Strange, who else could it be?" Tang Changan's words were a bit sharp, clearly implying something, but Tong Haojing didn't admit it.

Tang Changan didn't ask further. He turned away, a gentle smile appearing on his face. A long-standing problem that had troubled him for years had finally been solved by Tong Haojing's clever idea. Although it was a bit extreme, Tang Changan was inwardly pleased. He scoffed at himself, thinking that sticking to the rules would get him nowhere, while this kid had real ability!

A few days later, Xiao Yanni's household registration issue was finally resolved satisfactorily. Cuntoucao was deeply grateful, and Xiao Yanni smiled happily.

Cuntoucao started anew, determined not to relapse into drug use. He found someone to write a letter of thanks and made a banner, which were presented to the Municipal Public Security Bureau and the West City Police Station, respectively. Director Wu of the Political Department handed the letter of thanks to Director Gao Weimin. The mention of Tong Haojing's deeds in the letter made him laugh and cry, but he still showed a smile of relief.

When the banner was delivered to the police station, Director Tang was dejected. He wanted to get angry but could only force a smile and accept it, harboring resentment towards Cuntoucao.