Promotion and Pay Raise

The Public Security Station was no different from before. The same people still came and went, but when Yang Wenqing stepped inside today, he felt something was different. It was the innate pride of human nature at work.

Fortunately, Yang Wenqing retained memories of his previous life, allowing him to easily rein in those unnecessary emotions. As soon as he entered the rear courtyard, he saw the station chief's secretary, dressed in a senior security uniform, walking toward him outside the station chief's office at the center.

"Yang Wenqing!"

The secretary spoke to Yang Wenqing politely. "The chief's attendant specifically came to my house last night to explain that I was to come to the station early and wait for you. He said there was something to discuss with you."

As he spoke, he made an inviting gesture.

Yang Wenqing silently nodded. He had only entered the station chief's office once before, when he had first been assigned to the East City Public Security Station. It was just as he remembered: the reception room was through the entrance, with double wooden doors at the far end. The secretary's office was on the left, the reception room on the right, and beyond the reception room was the station chief's office. When he had first reported to the station, the chief had met him in that reception room.

This time, the secretary likewise led Yang Wenqing to the reception room. The moment he entered, Yang Wenqing felt a wave of warmth. It was cozy without being dry.

"The chief may need a little while before he arrives. Wait here for now."

The secretary casually pointed at a single sofa as he spoke, then backed toward the door. Upon reaching it, he turned around again and pointed at the water dispenser by the entrance. "If you want some water, there are paper cups underneath."

Yang Wenqing silently nodded again.

Perhaps noticing Yang Wenqing's composure, the secretary could not help giving him a couple more looks, though that was all.

Less than five minutes later, a burst of footsteps sounded outside, followed by Wang Ren's scolding voice. Then the reception room door was pushed open.

Wang Ren, dressed in a white uniform, entered with a senior police inspector-ranked security officer at his side.

Yang Wenqing hurriedly rose to his feet and heard Wang Ren say with a laugh, "My fault for not explaining things clearly last night. Let's talk in my office. Some green tea my classmate brought back from a business trip to Xiajiang Province arrived yesterday."

As he spoke, he pushed open the door connecting the reception room to his office and warmly invited Yang Wenqing inside. The secretary at the door watched with twitching eyelids, his gaze involuntarily shifting toward the senior police inspector beside the station chief, as if he had picked up on something.

Yang Wenqing followed them into the office. The first thing that caught his eye was a broad, heavy solid-wood desk. Aside from the usual document rack and pen holder, the desktop held a jade paperweight carved with an auspicious beast that warded off evil, as well as a purple-bronze incense burner emitting wisps of smoke.

Behind the desk stood a massive water-curtain wall. Faintly, spiritual light resembling swimming koi could be seen within it. This made the spiritual energy in the office noticeably denser than outside, yet did not make the room overly humid.

Against the left wall stood a row of bookshelves, neatly packed with case files and volumes, along with several leather-bound books. On the right was a set of sofas and a tea table for receiving guests, upon which an antique-looking set of purple clay tea ware had already been arranged.

Wang Ren walked straight to the tea table. After inviting Yang Wenqing and the senior police inspector to sit, he looked at Yang Wenqing and pointed to the inspector. "Wenqing, this is Qin Feng, deputy chief of the county bureau's Archives Section. He came specifically because of your matter."

Yang Wenqing hurriedly stood and greeted him. "Hello, Deputy Chief Qin."

Qin Feng smilingly corrected him, "Deputy chief." Then he directly addressed the purpose of his visit. "I came this time to verify your file information."

As he spoke, he opened the folder in his arms, glanced over its contents, and asked, "You're from Yang Family Village in Three Rivers Town, correct?"

Yang Wenqing nodded and answered, "Yes."

Qin Feng then began digging into every detail, questioning him all the way back through three generations of the Yang family. Unfortunately, even Yang Wenqing himself was not very clear on the specific circumstances of his ancestors from three generations back, so he could only describe Yang Family Village.

By then, Wang Ren had finished steeping the green tea. After the three of them each took a sip, Qin Feng said with a chuckle, "The archives office will send people to Yang Family Village to verify these details. It should be settled in about half a month."

He said this with a grave expression, then smiled again and changed the subject. "According to the City Defense Bureau's internal regulations, security personnel who advance to the Qi Refining stage may receive the rank of senior police inspector, along with the corresponding allowances and housing benefits."

Yang Wenqing nodded. He knew the base allowance for a senior police inspector was five thousand yuan, though the actual salary depended on accumulated seniority. Unfortunately, he had virtually no seniority at present. The housing benefit was a unit with a living room.

"There's already housing available, in Room 305 of Building Three in Dongning Community. Your allowance will begin next month. As for your rank..." Qin Feng looked toward Wang Ren.

Wang Ren hurried to his desk, picked up a blue box, and opened it. Inside was a pair of senior police inspector insignia. He then called to Yang Wenqing, "Come here!" Seeing how formal Yang Wenqing was being, he smiled again. "No need to be so serious. There are no outsiders here. I'll confer your rank first. Deputy Chief Qin will take your file information back to the county bureau, and it will be updated in the City Defense system within two days."

Yang Wenqing still stood ramrod straight. After changing into his new shoulder insignia, he promptly said politely, "Thank you for the trouble, Chief and Deputy Chief Qin."

"Keep drinking tea!"

Wang Ren laughed as he invited Yang Wenqing to sit back down.

Qin Feng lifted his teacup and took a sip before continuing his instructions to Yang Wenqing. "Once your file information has been verified, you can systematically study all spells of the Qi Refining stage. At the same time, the secret arts of the Qi Refining stage will be taught to you. During this period, you will be transferred to the branch bureau's Operations Section for short-term tactical training."

Yang Wenqing had nodded throughout his speech. After finishing, Qin Feng asked, "No problems, right?"

"No problem. I'll follow all arrangements from the bureau!"

Yang Wenqing's tone was firm.

Qin Feng then took out a key and told Yang Wenqing, "This is the key to your residence. You can move in today. Tomorrow morning, you must report to the Operations Team. You probably will not have much time afterward."

Wang Ren also said with a laugh, "Stay busy for a while. Once you've settled in, we can get together again."

Hearing that, Yang Wenqing quickly swept his gaze over the two men before him. He immediately set down his teacup and took his leave.

Wang Ren rose and saw him to the door, then returned to the tea table and sighed. "He really is young. It's been a long time since the branch bureau had a Qi Refining cultivator this young, hasn't it? After he finishes tactical training, how about assigning him to our station?"

Qin Feng smiled. "My words carry little weight. You'll have to ask the bureau about that." He paused, then continued, "He will most likely be transferred to the Major Crimes Unit."

Wang Ren frowned. "The Major Crimes Unit?"

Qin Feng raised his teacup and smiled. "Only by serving in the Major Crimes Unit at the security level will his file be perfect. The bureau will make comprehensive considerations for a Qi Refining cultivator this young. If he fails to measure up, then we can discuss it again."

Wang Ren laughed as well. "Do you think someone like me still has a chance to get into the Major Crimes Unit?"

"Your best path is to enter the branch bureau's General Affairs Section first, then find an opportunity to become deputy bureau chief!"

"Me, entering General Affairs? Do you think that's possible?"

"Where there's a will, there's a way!"