The Contours of Power
The air in the VIP room seemed to freeze for a few seconds after Lü Yi said, "I'm a mental Patient... where would I get a driver's license?" Only the faint sound of the airflow from the central air conditioning vents reminded that time was still passing.
Lin Feng lowered his hand from his forehead, his face expressionless, but a faint, almost self-deprecating helplessness flashed in his eyes. His habit of touching the steering wheel from his past life was still ingrained in his muscle memory, but he'd forgotten that in this life, "Lin Feng" was still a student who hadn't been out of school for long and hadn't even had time to get a driver's license. And Lü Yi ... expecting someone clearly marked as having "bipolar disorder" and a chaotic resume in the system panel to have a valid driver's license was indeed an oversight on his part.
In the midst of this delicate silence, there was a gentle knock on the VIP room door, followed by its opening. Salesperson Chen, her face beaming with undisguised joy, walked in briskly, carrying a stack of neatly organized file folders.
"Mr. Lin, Mr. Lü, I've checked and organized all the documents. Here's a copy of your purchase contract, invoice, vehicle conformity certificate, and instructions for using the temporary license plate..." She spoke quickly, handing the document bag to Lin Feng on the coffee table with both hands. This unexpectedly smooth transaction was enough to make her top of the monthly performance bonus, and she was naturally in a great mood.
However, when she looked up and saw the state of the two people on the sofa, she couldn't help but stop talking. Lin Feng's expression remained calm, but Lü Yi next to him had his head drooping, his fingers unconsciously picking at the sofa armrest. The atmosphere seemed completely different from the quick and efficient way they had swiped their cards and signed the contract just now.
Salesperson Chen's heart skipped a beat. Her professional instincts made her smile falter slightly. She tentatively asked, "Mr. Lin, is there... anything else you're not satisfied with? Or do you have any questions about the vehicle's functions? I can arrange a more detailed explanation for you immediately, or contact a technician..."
"It's not a car problem," Lin Feng interrupted her, his tone calm, getting straight to the point, "Neither of us has a driver's license."
"Huh?" Salesperson Chen was completely stunned, his eyes widening slightly, and he subconsciously repeated, "No... no driver's license?"
She glanced at Lin Feng, then at the tall, burly Lü Yi beside him, who seemed inexplicably "dejected" at the moment. A multitude of thoughts flashed through her mind. No driver's license? What are you doing buying a car without a license? And such an expensive one at that? Are you kidding me? Or...? She suddenly remembered some rumors: some wealthy young men do indeed drive without a license for thrills or other reasons...
But she quickly suppressed that thought. The Mr. Lin before her didn't seem like the kind of reckless playboy who would court disaster. Besides, judging from their expressions, they seemed to have just realized this problem themselves?
Salesperson Chen's heart sank lower and lower. Was this huge deal, which seemed within her grasp, about to fall through? Was the cooked duck about to fly away? She could almost hear the manager's disappointed look and the whispers of her colleagues during the end-of-month performance review.
Her professional smile became somewhat strained, but her years of sales experience and basic principles remained. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice professional and considerate. "Mr. Lin, this... it was indeed my oversight; I didn't confirm this beforehand. According to procedure, you need a valid driver's license to complete vehicle registration and drive on the road. If it's inconvenient for you right now..."
She hesitated for a moment, then gave the most likely outcome, though her heart was breaking. "The paperwork hasn't been fully completed in the final financial and inventory systems yet. If you need to cancel your order, according to company policy, a refund can be negotiated before the car is picked up and a formal VAT invoice is issued. It just might take a little time to process..."
She phrased it tactfully, but her meaning was clear: if you withdraw now, you can get your money back, it'll just be a bit of a hassle.
Lin Feng didn't answer immediately. He leaned back into the soft sofa, his gaze falling on the bag on the coffee table containing the brand-new car Key and documents. Return it? No need. It's just a car; once you've decided to buy it, you're going to use it. The driver's license issue is just a minor procedural hurdle.
For him now, there is precisely the most direct way to overcome this procedural obstacle.
He ignored the look of disappointment mixed with a last glimmer of hope in Salesperson Chen, and paid no attention to Lü Yi, who was still agonizing over why he didn't have a driver's license. He reached into the inner pocket of his down jacket and pulled out the encrypted phone specifically used to contact the core assassins.
I swiped my finger across the screen and found the contact information labeled "Wei Guanglin". Without hesitation, I dialed the number.
The phone was answered after two rings. There were no pleasantries, no questions, only a steady and respectful male voice on the other end. "Mr. Lin."
"Hmm," Lin Feng responded, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "I bought a car at the dealership. I don't have a driver's license yet."
He didn't explain the reason, didn't say which store it was, or even what he needed the other party to do. But the information was clear enough.
On the other end of the phone, Wei Guanglin —the newly appointed vice mayor and director of the municipal public security bureau—said without hesitation, his voice steady and efficient. "Understood. Please wait a moment; the location information has been synchronized. It will be delivered to you within thirty minutes."
"Okay." Lin Feng hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket.
The entire process took less than fifteen seconds, and the conversation was so brief it was almost cold.
However, Salesperson Chen standing next to him, was completely stunned.
She wasn't far away, and Lin Feng hadn't bothered to lower his voice during the call; the brief conversation clearly reached her ears. "Driver's license, I don't have one right now." "Delivered to you within thirty minutes."
What should I give as a gift? A driver's license?
Salesperson Chen felt his brain wasn't quite working. Could a driver's license really be "given away"? Didn't he have to go for a medical exam, have his picture taken, attend classes, and take the test? The whole process would take at least a month, even if it was fast. Even if he had connections to expedite it, he still had to be present, right? Judging from the tone of the phone call, the other party even knew which 4S dealership he was at? And he wanted it delivered within thirty minutes?
Her gaze towards Lin Feng had completely changed. First, it was the delight of seeing a straightforward client; then, the anxiety of the deal falling through; and now, a complex mix of shock, curiosity, and deep awe. Just who was this Mr. Lin, dressed in an ordinary down jacket and looking far too young? One phone call, and a driver's license in thirty minutes? This wasn't just a matter of "having connections"! This was simply...
Countless scenes from TV dramas and novels flashed through her mind—a scion of a noble family traveling incognito? A top-tier heir experiencing life? She even subconsciously softened her breathing and became more respectful in her posture, afraid that her suggestion of a "refund" might have offended anyone.
The VIP room fell silent again, but this time the atmosphere was completely different. Lü Yi seemed to have recovered a bit from the embarrassment of "not having a driver's license" and began to curiously examine the decorative paintings on the wall again. Lin Feng picked up the mineral water bottle on the coffee table, unscrewed it, took a sip, and calmly turned his gaze to the huge glass wall in the VIP room that offered a view of part of the exhibition hall, as if waiting for something.
Time ticked by. Salesperson Chen, unsure whether to stand or sit, decided to brew another pot of hot tea, carefully pouring it for the two of them. He then stood quietly to the side, his curiosity and shock churning like cat scratches.
Sure enough, less than twenty-five minutes later, there was another knock on the VIP room door. This time, the knocking was unhurried, with a steady rhythm.
Salesperson Chen quickly stepped forward to open the door.
Standing outside the door was a man who looked to be in his early thirties, wearing a dark executive jacket, a crisp white shirt, and a meticulously styled hairstyle. He had a dignified face, bright and steady eyes, and a perfectly balanced smile that was neither aloof nor overly friendly. He exuded a capable, proper, and unique aura cultivated by his long-term experience within the system. He held an ordinary brown paper document bag in his hand.
The man's gaze swept across the room, instantly locking onto Lin Feng on the sofa, clearly having already confirmed the information through some channel. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped in, his steps steady.
"Hello, Mr. Lin." The man stopped about a meter away from Lin Feng, nodded slightly, his attitude respectful but not servile, and then extended his right hand.
Lin Feng stood up and shook hands with him. The other man's hand was dry and strong, and they parted after a brief touch.
"Mr. Lin, my surname is Zhang, and I'm Mayor Wei's secretary." The man introduced himself calmly, then handed over the brown paper document bag with both hands. "These are the things you need; please take a look."
Mayor Wei? Which Mayor Wei? The deputy mayor of this city seems to be surnamed Wei, and it's said he just took on the additional role of director of the Public Security Bureau... Salesperson Chen stood to the side, his ears perked up, his mind in turmoil! The mayor's secretary personally delivering things? My God!
Lin Feng took the file bag; it felt very light. He opened the seal and pulled out a small, dark blue notebook.
People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driver's License.
He opened it, and there was a photo of himself inside. Although his expression was slightly stiff, it was unmistakable. Name: Lin Feng. Driving license type: C1. The issuing authority's seal was clear, and the date was today. All the information was complete, the workmanship was excellent, and there was absolutely nothing unusual about it.
Lin Feng glanced at it, closed the driver's license, and casually stuffed it into his down jacket pocket. Throughout the entire process, his expression remained unchanged, as if he had only received an ordinary receipt.
"I'd like to trouble Secretary Zhang to make this trip," Lin Feng said.
"You're too kind, Mr. Lin. It's my pleasure." Secretary Zhang's smile remained unchanged, her gaze then falling on the pile of car purchase documents and Key on the coffee table. She continued naturally, "Mr. Lin is picking up the car today; the license plate paperwork shouldn't be completed yet, right?"
He asked the question so naturally, as if it were just a casual inquiry about follow-up matters.
Lin Feng nodded. "The temporary license was just issued."
"Here's the thing," Secretary Zhang leaned forward slightly, her tone still calm but carrying a confident "I'll take care of this for you" air. "I just happened to be here today. If it's convenient for you, you can give me your car purchase documents and related paperwork, and I'll help you get the official license plate sorted out as well. Don't worry, it'll be quick, in an hour or two, saving you another trip to the vehicle management office and waiting in line."
He spoke of it casually, as if going to the vehicle registration office to get a license plate was as simple as buying a bottle of water at the convenience store downstairs.
Salesperson Chen next to him, had become numb to it all, with only one thought in his mind: Sure enough... he didn't even have to worry about the license plate.
Lin Feng was not surprised by this. He glanced at Secretary Zhang and did not refuse this thoughtful "incidental" gesture. He bent down and handed Secretary Zhang the file bag that Salesperson Chen had just tidied up on the coffee table, along with the car Key.
"This is troublesome," he said.
"You're too kind." Secretary Zhang took the document bag and Key with both hands, carefully placing them into his understated yet high-quality black leather briefcase. After putting them away, his smile remained unchanged, and he casually asked, "Mr. Lin, regarding the license plate number, do you have a preferred number or combination? If so, please let me know, and I'll look into it for you. It won't be troublesome, and we can get everything done at once."
He asked the question so casually, as if asking if he wanted sugar in his coffee. But the implication was all too clear—as long as Lin Feng spoke, even a so-called "premium number" was nothing more than a matter of "keeping an eye out and making arrangements."
Lin Feng shook his head, his tone indifferent. "No need, whatever you like is fine."
He has no obsession with license plate numbers and doesn't need a few digits to make himself stand out. The more ordinary and unobtrusive, the better.
Secretary Zhang was not surprised at all, nor did she offer any advice or insistence. She immediately nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. Please sit down and rest for a moment. I'll go and take care of it and be right back."
After speaking, he bowed slightly to Lin Feng again, then turned around and left the VIP room with steady steps, gently closing the door behind him.
The entire process was seamless, taking less than five minutes from entering to leaving. There were no unnecessary formalities, no exaggerated performances, only extremely efficient work skills and a composure born from immersion in the power system and a thorough understanding of how the rules work.
In the VIP room, only Lin Feng, Lü Yi, and the dumbfounded Salesperson Chen remained.
Lü Yi seemed unaffected by what had just happened and had already begun examining the drinks in the VIP room's mini-fridge. Lin Feng sat back down on the sofa and picked up the half-finished bottle of mineral water.
Only Salesperson Chen remained standing there, staring at the closed door, his mind replaying the brief yet information-packed few minutes that had just passed. The mayor's secretary had personally delivered his driver's license, even taking care of the license plate and allowing him to choose the number at will...
She slowly turned her head and looked at the young man on the sofa who was quietly drinking water, as if everything that had just happened was just a routine matter.
Which deity has descended to experience life here?