The Swords Were Drawn, and the Ranks Were Divided

"You're Jiang Yue, aren't you?" Deputy Director Wu didn't pretend not to recognize him. His tone wasn't cold or unapproachable, either; if anything, he sounded rather courteous.

"Not at all. I presume you're Deputy Director Wu?"

"Ha ha, don't worry about the title. It's just a title. Given your reputation, Jiang Yue, you can just call me Old Wu."

Deputy Director Wu seemed cheerful, approachable, and easy to talk to.

But Jiang Yue would have been sorely mistaken to think that was all there was to him.

The way he kept calling him "Jiang Yue" sounded friendly, but Jiang Yue could tell that, first of all, he was emphasizing his identity.

You were just a student, not a high-ranking official in the Action Bureau. Don't forget your place, and don't come causing trouble in the Action Bureau.

Then he said that, given Jiang Yue's reputation, he could call him Old Wu.

It sounded so open-minded, so friendly.

But in reality, it was a sarcastic jab at Jiang Yue for being young and ignorant of the rules, and for acting arrogantly on the strength of his reputation.

Jiang Yue didn't take offense. He grinned as if he hadn't caught the implication and played along. "No wonder you're a leader, so approachable. I won't stand on ceremony, then, Old Wu."

That "Old Wu" almost made everyone else lose their composure.

Xu Wenjie in particular went pale, his face turning dark on the spot.

Behind him, Zuo Wujiang and the others burst into laughter. It wasn't quite a full-on uproar, and they kept their voices down, but their amusement was unmistakable.

Only Deputy Director Wu remained composed, smiling as he nodded.

"Not bad, Jiang Yue."

"What's going on over here? Why all the commotion?"

Xu Wenjie understood perfectly well that his superior was