Gong Tian's arrival and Qin Yurong's startled cry instantly silenced Kuotian Chamber.
Everyone's gaze first settled on the stern, black-clad Patrol Commander.
But the next moment, nearly every eye was fixed on the young man behind him, dressed in a Patrol Chief's official robes.
The air seemed to freeze for an instant.
Gong Tian cupped his hands slightly and said:
"I am Gong Tian. It's a pleasure to meet you all.
"I just returned from the government offices and came straight here before I had a chance to get ready.
"The man behind me is Yang Ning, newly appointed First Patrol Chief of the East Street Jingan Bureau.
"He distinguished himself in the Blood Ape Gang incident some time ago. I've brought him along so you can all get acquainted."
A flicker of surprise crossed Qin Yuwei's eyes. He immediately rose and stepped forward to greet them.
"Brother Gong, your presence honors our humble home! Please, take the seat of honor!"
His gaze naturally fell on Yang Ning, and he nodded in greeting.
"Patrol... Patrol Chief Yang, please join us."
He corrected himself at once. In those brief words, he had acknowledged and underscored the fundamental change in Yang Ning's status: from "guest" to "Patrol Chief."
Qin Yurong stared at Yang Ning, her eyes filled with surprise and delight, mingled with a hint of loss she couldn't quite name.
She had seen him in a laborer's sweat-soaked shirt and in ordinary clothes, but she had never imagined that the Patrol Bureau's uniform would suit him so well.
He was composed and upright, with the bearing of a mountain standing firm beside a deep, still pool.
She rose instinctively, her lips parting, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.
Qin Yuhui simply widened her eyes, her small mouth hanging open, disbelief written all over her face.
Yuan Qi and Ning Yuan exchanged a glance, each seeing the same deep astonishment and confusion in the other's eyes.
They knew Yang Ning was a Qin Family Guest.
They knew he was skilled enough to make the Top Hundred Ranking.
But in just a few short days, he had transformed into the Patrol Chief of the East Street Patrol Bureau?
And Gong Tian had personally brought him to an occasion like this?
What did this mean?
Gong Tian's relationship with the Qin Family was probably deeper than they had imagined.
And Yang Ning was certainly more than just a "lucky kid from the Outer City."
Their minds raced, but their expressions quickly shifted to polite, curious smiles.
No one reacted more strongly than Shen Lian.
The moment Yang Ning stepped inside, the color drained from Shen Lian's face, and the wine cup in his hand gave an almost imperceptible tremble.
Shock, anger, wariness, and the humiliation of being slapped in the face before everyone gnawed at him like poisonous snakes.
He had just declared with utter confidence that if Gong Tian rose to a higher post, the Outer City would be "left with no one to rely on."
Yet in the blink of an eye, Gong Tian had brought the very Outer City boy Shen Lian had scorned and belittled to a banquet representing the Outer City's most prominent circles.
This was more than an introduction. It was almost a declaration, a transfer of power and a public endorsement.
Gong Tian was telling everyone through his actions:
Even if I leave East Street someday, I already have someone in mind to take charge here.
Shen Lian's face burned as if an invisible hand had slapped him hard.
He forced the corners of his mouth to move, trying to smile, but the result looked worse than a grimace.
Gong Tian took in everyone's reactions, his expression still calm.
He nodded slightly to Qin Yuwei in return, then took his seat and swept his gaze evenly across the table, letting it rest on Shen Lian for a moment.
Shen Lian's heart leaped. He couldn't help looking away.
"Master Qin, you're too kind."
Gong Tian's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone present.
"I came to the banquet today for two reasons. First, to thank Master Qin for inviting me.
"Second, I wanted to bring my subordinate, Yang Ning, to meet you all.
"He's just been appointed First Patrol Chief of East Street. In the days ahead, his work here will inevitably bring him into contact with your families.
"So this is a chance for everyone to get acquainted."
"Newly appointed First Patrol Chief of East Street"—combined with what Yuan Qi had just revealed about his distinguished service in destroying the Blood Ape Gang, the wealthy young men understood everything. This wasn't an ordinary promotion. It was an appointment earned through genuine military service, entirely legitimate and beyond question.
Qin Yuwei was shaken, but his smile grew even more hearty.
"I see!
"Young Hero Yang... no, Patrol Chief Yang, you truly are a young man of promise.
"Such a great achievement deserves congratulations!
"This banquet is just the thing to celebrate Patrol Chief Yang's success!"
Yang Ning stepped forward and cupped his hands to Qin Yuwei and the others at the table. His voice was steady, his manner neither servile nor arrogant.
"I'm still inexperienced. Thanks to Senior Brother Gong and my superiors for their favor, I've been appointed to serve as First Patrol Chief for the time being.
"I'll be counting on all of you for your support in East Street."
"Patrol Chief Yang is too modest!"
"Congratulations, Patrol Chief Yang!"
"Young and accomplished—this is well deserved!"
Yuan Qi, Ning Yuan, and the others immediately chimed in, smiling warmly and speaking with enthusiasm.
Though they still had their doubts and calculations, they had put on a polished show.
Yang Ning was no longer some rootless nobody they could casually judge. He was an influential new figure in East Street, with real authority and Gong Tian at his back.
Shen Lian's face went from pale to red, then red to green.
In the end, with Shen Jie tugging at him discreetly, he managed to raise his wine cup and force out a few words through clenched teeth.
"C-Congratulations, Patrol Chief Yang."
Every word seemed edged with thorns.
Only then did Gong Tian seem satisfied. He took his place beside Yang Ning at the seat of honor Qin Yuwei had arranged.
The atmosphere at the banquet grew rather delicate.
The earlier easy banter had vanished, replaced by a complicated mix of surprise, curiosity, flattery, and a hint of wariness.
The conversation naturally turned to the destruction of the Blood Ape Gang, public order in East Street, and how its spoils would be divided.
Qin Yuwei and Gong Tian chatted and laughed together.
Yuan Qi and Ning Yuan chimed in from time to time, deftly mixing compliments with probing questions.
Shen Lian said much less. He only drank in silence, occasionally shooting Yang Ning a dark look.
Qin Yurong's gaze, however, kept drifting involuntarily toward Yang Ning across the table.
He sat upright, listening and answering now and then in a few concise words. He was so composed that he hardly seemed like a young man who had just been promoted.
The official uniform seemed to place a faint veil between them.
The young man she remembered, calmly drinking tea in the restaurant and standing before her like a tiger in times of danger, now seemed just a little farther away.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table eased somewhat.
At last, Qin Yurong found an opening. Using the excuse of pouring wine, she went to Yang Ning's side.
"Patrol..."
She paused, then said softly:
"Patrol Chief Yang."
Yang Ning looked up at the sound of her voice. Seeing Qin Yurong, he rose.
"Just call me Yang Ning, Miss Qin."
Their eyes met. His gaze was still calm, but there was less distance in it than before, and a little more warmth.
"I haven't had the chance to congratulate you properly, Yang Ning."
Qin Yurong smiled faintly. Her smile was still bright, but there seemed to be something more in it.
"Being a Patrol Chief carries great responsibility, but with your abilities, I'm sure you'll do well."
"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Qin."
Yang Ning nodded.
"I also owe you and Master Qin for looking after me these past days. Thanks to you, my family and I have been able to live in peace."
"That was only right for the Qin Family to do."
Qin Yurong shook her head. She hesitated, then lowered her voice.
There was a trace of wistfulness in it, subtle enough that only the two of them could hear.
"I just didn't expect you to find a new position so quickly, Young Master Yang... no, Patrol Chief Yang.
"The Qin Family Guest position..."
Yang Ning heard the complicated feelings behind her words and smiled slightly.
"Miss Qin, you're too kind. The position of Qin Family Guest was a kindness from you and the Qin Family. I'll always remember it.
"I'm a Patrol Chief in the Patrol Bureau now, but I'm still a Qin Family Guest. The two don't conflict.
"If you ever need anything, and it's within my power, I'll gladly help."
Qin Yurong was quick-witted. She immediately understood what he meant.
The hint of loss in her heart suddenly eased, and her happiness rose again.
He really is still the same Yang Ning, with plans of his own, never quick to rely on others. Even with his new status, he still holds fast to his principles.
"With those words from you, Patrol Chief Yang, I can rest easy."
She smiled radiantly, more relaxed this time.
"I'm sure I'll be relying on your support in East Street from now on."
"It's only my duty."
Yang Ning raised his cup in greeting.
Their cups clinked softly. Everything that needed to be said was understood without words.
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