Suspension (1)

Director Tang, having received a call from Officer Lan, hadn't slept well and his eyelids were slightly swollen. He arrived at his office early and sat in his swivel chair, looking at the investigation records about Cuntoucao's assault that Officer Lan and Lu Tong had submitted. Director Tang found the records didn't help much with the progress of the work, but the information provided by Tong Haojing filled him with indignation. Cuntoucao's injury might make the Public Security Bureau liable for significant compensation. Having made such a huge mistake, he wondered how Director Gao Weimin would blame him.

He seemed to think this was a good opportunity, a chance to severely deflate Tong Haojing's arrogance. He recalled the scene of Manager Xiao calling him in the middle of the night not too long ago, Tong Haojing's reckless impulsiveness evident everywhere. This time, Tong Haojing had used the shady character Cuntoucao without his approval, a serious violation of work discipline, and Cuntoucao had suffered a major incident. This was no small matter. Director Tang gave a helpless wry smile and called the instructor, "Instructor Ding Cong, we need to discuss something in the conference room this morning!"

Instructor Ding Cong said, "Okay!" without hesitation.

Instructor Ding Cong's real name was Ding Ping'an. More than half of his sparse hair was white, making him look like a Maitreya Buddha. He was a perpetually gloomy but good-natured old man who generally didn't get involved in other matters at the station, earning him the nickname "Mellow Yellow Ox."

Tong Haojing also woke up early, his face ashen, his mood at its lowest. Fortunately, Officer Lan had brought him good news first thing: the video surveillance had captured clues about three masked individuals. This made Tong Haojing feel a little better about his self-blame, but he didn't know how to face the director's angry gaze.

Tong Haojing arrived at the conference room to find Instructor Ding Cong already there. Seeing Tong Haojing enter with his head down, Instructor Ding Cong quietly leaned in and asked, "Xiao Tong, what happened?"

Tong Haojing glanced at Instructor Ding Cong with a heavy heart and whispered, "Instructor Ding Cong, I made a mistake!"

Instructor Ding Cong looked a little surprised. "What mistake? Can I help?"

Instructor Ding Cong's words sent a warm current through Tong Haojing. The instructor was truly different. He was good at ideological work; perhaps if he laid out the situation, the instructor could really help. Tong Haojing placed his hope in Instructor Ding Cong, saying, "I used Cuntoucao as an informant without the director's approval, and Cuntoucao got seriously hurt."

Instructor Ding Cong said, "Just this matter..." He carefully weighed it in his mind, his brow furrowing.

Tong Haojing noticed the slight change in Instructor Ding Cong's expression, realizing the matter wasn't that simple. He said with regret, "I thought it was simple at the time, I never expected something like this to happen."

Instructor Ding Cong asked, "Is he badly injured?"

Tong Haojing replied, "The doctor said he might need an amputation and could become a vegetable."

Instructor Ding Cong exclaimed, "This is going to be troublesome!"

As they were speaking, Director Tang and Old Jiang entered. Director Tang's stern expression gave Tong Haojing an even worse premonition.

Director Tang said seriously, "Everyone's here. Xiao Tong, why don't you start by explaining what happened!"

Tong Haojing hesitated, then stammered through the entire sequence of events.

Old Jiang, seeing Tong Haojing's helpless state, felt inclined to help. "This is my fault. It's my fault as his teacher for not explaining things clearly. Director Tang, can you please forgive him!?"

Director Tang retorted, "Forgive him? How can I forgive him? If this isn't handled properly, it's a major incident!" Director Tang was furious. He berated Tong Haojing for his faults: first, disrespecting his superiors; second, excessive individualism; and third, violating work discipline and causing serious consequences. Director Tang was truly angry this time.

Instructor Ding Cong said, "I remember Cuntoucao has a young daughter. If he really needs an amputation or something else happens, what will happen to his daughter? We need to plan carefully. My suggestion is that the top priority is to intensify the investigation to solve the case and handle Cuntoucao's aftermath properly, so he has no worries. This will help us resolve the issue. Otherwise, if it blows up, it will be difficult to clean up!"

Old Jiang nodded repeatedly.

Hearing Director Tang describe his situation so gravely, without a hint of sympathy, Tong Haojing was filled with disappointment at Director Tang's heartlessness.

"At worst, they can deal with me!" Tong Haojing's temper flared.

Seeing this, Instructor Ding Cong quickly patted Tong Haojing's head and whispered in his ear, "Why are you so stubborn? Calm down!"

Tong Haojing's outburst only made Director Tang angrier. He slammed the table in rage and declared, "Write a self-criticism!" Then he stormed out.

Instructor Ding Cong quickly pulled him back. Director Tang, still seething, sat askew in his office chair, facing the window, not even looking at Tong Haojing, who was standing in the office.

As if provoked by something, Tong Haojing became like an enraged lion, unleashing the pent-up dissatisfaction in his heart without reservation.

"Thugs and Scarface are still at large, whose fault is that? Who is protecting the rampant drug dealing and trafficking at Hongdu Entertainment City? Who is tipping off the gambling at the food factory?" Tong Haojing fired off the questions that had been brewing in his heart for a long time, his target clearly aimed at the infuriated Director Tang Changan.

Tang Changan could no longer contain his anger. He stood up with a "swish," staring intently at Tong Haojing. After a long pause, he managed to say, "Bring me evidence!"

"I will. It's only a matter of time!"

Old Jiang, standing nearby, couldn't stand Tong Haojing's attitude any longer and ordered him to stop. "He is your director!"

The situation seemed to be heading towards an irreconcilable conflict. Instructor Ding Cong walked out of the office and quietly called Director Wu of the Political Department in the hallway.

Director Wu had just finished reporting Tong Haojing and three others' work performance over the past six months to Director Gao Weimin. As he was leaving his office, his phone rang. He saw it was Instructor Ding Cong from the West City Police Station.

Director Wu asked, "What is it?"

Instructor Ding Cong replied, "Tong Haojing has run into a bit of trouble. Could you come over?" Director Wu had always been very concerned about matters at the West City Police Station, especially since Tong Haojing had arrived. Director Wu had already heard about Tong Haojing's achievements, such as helping Xiao Yanni resolve her household registration and providing information to the Anti-drug Brigade that led to the successful capture of a drug fugitive. He secretly admired Director Gao Weimin's judgment. Director Gao Weimin had also praised Tong Haojing highly after hearing about it. However, the call he just received felt like a splash of cold water, chilling him to the bone. He didn't know what Tong Haojing had done. At this critical juncture, before things were clear, he couldn't tell Director Gao yet.

Director Wu canceled his planned visit to the Dongshuimen Police Station and immediately agreed to Instructor Ding Cong's request, "Okay, I'll be there in half an hour!"

On the way, Director Wu wore a worried expression. He thought about Director Gao Weimin's hints, Director Tang's behavior, and Director Gao Weimin's words to Tong Haojing, "Suffer first, then enjoy."

What could it be? As Director Wu pondered, the driver reminded him, "Director Wu, we've arrived."

The West City Police Station was bustling with people, and there were especially many people coming to handle household registration today. Director Wu, dressed in plain clothes, wasn't noticed upon his arrival. He went to the conference room alone and immediately saw Tong Haojing sitting in a corner, his vacant expression suggesting he had something on his mind. Instructor Ding Cong sat beside him, earnestly trying to persuade him of something. Ke Qian was also there, looking anxiously at the defiant Tong Haojing, wanting to laugh and cry at the same time.

Seeing Director Wu arrive, Instructor Ding Cong quickly stood up and greeted him with a smile, "Director Wu, you're here!"

Tong Haojing, as if deeply wronged, turned halfway around but didn't stand up.

Director Wu said, "Xiao Tong, you have quite a temper. You're not saluting your superior, what's the meaning of that?"

Tong Haojing could tell this was half in jest. He stammered, "I, I'm not disrespecting you!"

Director Wu patted Tong Haojing's shoulder. "Don't look so dejected. Let's talk properly."

Instructor Ding Cong led Director Wu to Director Tang's office.

Tang Changan stood up from his chair, his expression startled and surprised. "Why is Director Wu here?" In Tang Changan's mind, he had intended to keep this matter within the station and just let Tong Haojing learn a lesson.

He never expected Instructor Ding Cong to escalate the matter to the bureau. A hint of displeasure, even other thoughts, crossed Tang Changan's face, but since Director Wu was already there, he had no choice but to report the situation in detail to Director Wu.

Director Wu understood the general situation. He asked for Director Tang's opinion. Director Tang said that the Political Department had the most say in such matters. Director Wu immediately realized that Director Tang was clearly trying to put him on the spot and force him to make a decision. This was because they had an unspoken agreement, and he was, after all, a member of the party committee and Director Tang's superior. Given the potential casualties and the seriousness of the case, which affected the vital interests of the police officers, Director Wu decided to report back to the leadership at the bureau before making a decision.

Upon returning to the bureau, Director Wu immediately reported to the responsible leader, Deputy Director Hu Yuancheng. Deputy Director Hu's mind raced, and he said, "Let's go. The Director is in his office, we'll go together!"

When Director Gao Weimin saw Deputy Director Hu and Director Wu arrive together, the atmosphere in the office immediately became tense. He wondered if some major event had occurred. Indeed, Director Wu reported Tong Haojing's situation to him comprehensively and objectively. Director Gao Weimin looked at Deputy Director Hu and Director Wu and asked, "What are your opinions?"

Director Wu stated, "The key to this matter depends on whether the Cuntoucao assault case is solved. If it is, it's manageable and not a big deal. If it isn't, and Cuntoucao becomes a vegetable, the issues of Xiao Yanni and subsequent compensation will become serious. Therefore, the immediate priority is to solve the case, find the culprits, and handle the aftermath properly."

Director Wu noticed Director Gao Weimin's approving gaze, but Deputy Director Hu's eyes carried a look of dissatisfaction.