I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 159: Chapter 105: Vice Director Gao’s Secluded Breakthrough

This was standard procedure for a field investigation. Wu Yan’s expression was impassive, but Liu Rong was practically buzzing with excitement—it was his first time on a case outside the city.

After the two of them left, Yang Wenqing sat alone in thought for a long while before getting up and heading to Vice Director Gao’s office on the top floor. He reported the entire matter to his superior in full detail.

Vice Director Gao listened, thought for about ten seconds, and then responded, ”You did the right thing, and so did Xiaomin. A case like this isn’t suitable for me to lead, especially since there haven’t been any discoveries yet and it involves the Civil Affairs Bureau. Just pretend you never came to see me.”

Leaving Vice Director Gao’s office, Yang Wenqing couldn’t help but sigh to himself. ’They’re all such shrewd operators. Their primary consideration in everything they do is to ensure they always have a clear path for both advance and retreat.’

Back in his own office, Yang Wenqing told Liu Qin to keep an eye on the progress of Wu Yan and Liu Rong’s case, then returned to the mountain of paperwork piled on his desk.

As closing time approached, the badge on his hip vibrated slightly, delivering a short message from Vice Director Gao: ”Wenqing, don’t be in a hurry to leave after work. Come with me to Liuyun Music Garden for a while tonight.”

”Yes, Director Gao.”

Yang Wenqing’s reply was crisp, even though his younger brother and sister had just arrived in the county town that day.

...

As dusk settled, Yang Wenqing boarded Vice Director Gao’s private Flying Shuttle.

The journey was silent. The Flying Shuttle quietly entered a familiar area, and the two were led to a secluded, waterside private room in the rear courtyard. The faint sound of string and bamboo music could be heard, yet it was insulated from the clamor of the outside world.

Once the attendant had served light tea and snacks and retreated, the gentle smile on Vice Director Gao’s face faded somewhat, revealing a hint of deeply hidden gravity. He picked up his teacup but didn’t drink, his gaze fixed on the rising steam as he spoke:

”Wenqing, there’s something I need to tell you in advance. My cultivation has reached a critical juncture. I’m preparing to enter seclusion in the next couple of days to attempt a breakthrough.”

Yang Wenqing’s spirits lifted, and he quickly said, ”Congratulations, Director Gao! I wish you a swift and successful breakthrough!”

He was genuinely looking forward to it. If Vice Director Gao could successfully break through and advance his cultivation, it would add a significant bargaining chip in the competition for the New Town director position.

Vice Director Gao waved his hand, his tone turning serious. ”During my seclusion, I’ll do my best to arrange Bureau affairs in advance. As for the matter in Lingshan Town, proceed as you see fit, but be sure to handle it with the proper discretion.”

”If Director Zhang or his people try to use some pretext to make personnel changes in Lingshan Town, you and Wang Ren need to find a way to stall them and push back. At the very least, don’t let anything be easily finalized before I come out of seclusion.”

”I understand,” Yang Wenqing said with a solemn nod.

”Good.” Vice Director Gao continued, ”Coincidentally, Director Zhang is also leaving tomorrow to inspect the various subordinate regions for half a month. I doubt he’ll have much opportunity to interfere in the Bureau’s affairs. And I’m certain he’ll most likely sneak off to New Town, but that’s fine. Underhanded moves can’t be brought out into the open.”

At this, he gave a light chuckle. ”A pity he’ll never understand that principle. And to think he comes from a major family.”

Yang Wenqing made no comment.

”Alright, that’s enough business. Let’s listen to the music and relax.”

For the rest of the evening, the two indeed spoke no more of official matters. They simply sipped tea, listened to the music, and occasionally exchanged a bit of idle chatter until the night grew late, at which point they went their separate ways.

It was nearly midnight when he returned to his new residence on Bluestone Lane. The courtyard was silent, with only the night lamp under the covered walkway casting a soft halo of light. Qiuyue, who had been dozing under the courtyard’s gate beam, woke instantly at the sound, approaching with light steps and whispering, ”Master.”

”Where are they?”

”They’ve already gone to sleep.”

Yang Wenqing glanced up at the windows of the two rooms on the second floor but didn’t disturb them, heading straight for the rear courtyard instead.

In the Quiet Chamber in the rear courtyard, Yang Wenqing calmed his mind and began his routine evening cultivation.

The night passed without event.

The next morning, after finishing his scheduled practice of Sword Formulas and Dharma Seals on the training grounds, a refreshed and invigorated Yang Wenqing walked into the front hall’s dining room.

Aunt Zhou had already prepared breakfast, and his younger brother and sister were just coming down from upstairs. They were dressed in the clean clothes Aunt Zhou had laid out for them, their faces showing a mixture of the slight awkwardness and curiosity of newcomers.

”Big Brother!” Upon seeing Yang Wenqing enter, Yang Wenning quickened her pace and ran over to hug him.

”Time for breakfast,” Yang Wenqing said with his usual composure, then asked, ”Is everyone back home doing all right?”

”They’re doing great. Mom and Dad are in good health,” Yang Wenjian replied.

Yang Wenqing turned to Aunt Zhou and asked, ”Has Yang Yong arrived?”

”He’s waiting in the side hall.”

”Why the formality? Have him come join us for a bite.”

Hearing the call, Yang Yong quickly walked over from the side hall, a respectful smile on his face. ”Brother Wenqing, Wenning, Wenjian, good morning.”

”Sit down and have something to eat. How are the school arrangements for these two coming along?” Yang Wenqing motioned for him to sit.

”Everything’s been arranged—the preparatory class and the academic tutor at the Police Academy, as well as the rune preparatory class at the technical college. I can take them for their trial lessons this morning,” Yang Yong replied with perfect clarity, picking up the bowl of congee Aunt Zhou had served him.

Yang Wenqing looked at his younger brother and sister, his tone gentle. ”Things are different now that you’re in the county town. Wenjian, your goal is next year’s county exam. The tutoring will be tough, but no matter how hard it gets, you have to grit your teeth and push through.”

Yang Wenjian put down his chopsticks and answered earnestly, ”Big Brother, I won’t slack off.”

Yang Wenqing’s gaze then shifted to his sister, Yang Wenning. The young girl was looking down, sipping her congee in small mouthfuls. Sensing her brother’s eyes on her, she looked up, her expression a little evasive and resistant.

”Wenning...” Yang Wenqing’s voice softened slightly. ”Did you hear me?”

Yang Wenning pursed her lips.

Seeing his sister’s expression, Yang Wenqing, who knew all too well the pains of being a poor student, tried to console her. ”Just think of it as a chance to see new things. Give it a try first, okay? If you really can’t get used to it, we’ll figure something else out.”

Yang Wenning glanced at her big brother, then at her second brother and Yang Yong, who both looked like they wanted to say something but were holding back. Finally, she gave a slight nod and mumbled, ”Okay, I’ll try.”

”That’s the spirit.”

Yang Wenqing didn’t press the matter further. Some lessons could only be learned through personal experience.

After breakfast, Yang Yong took Yang Wenjian and Yang Wenning out to handle their school enrollment. Yang Wenqing stood at the doorway, watching them board the small Flying Shuttle Yang Yong had prepared, his heart filled with a mix of anticipation and the sense of responsibility that came with being an older brother.

After seeing his siblings off, Yang Wenqing composed himself and headed to the City Defense Bureau, right on time for work.

For the next few days, life returned to a state of superficial peace.

With both directors away from the Bureau, many things became much more relaxed. But this relaxation came with a sense of being uncontrolled, forcing Deputy Director Zhou to make frequent appearances.

Yang Wenqing handled the various affairs of the Major Case Team in a methodical fashion, urging his subordinates to follow up on several backlogged cases, all while secretly awaiting news from Wu Yan and Liu Rong.

But for ten straight days, no significant news came back.

It wasn’t until the eleventh day, while Yang Wenqing was reviewing an analytical report on recent armed brawls across the county, that there was a knock on his office door. After he called out, the door opened, but the person who entered was Yang Yong.

He was carrying a seemingly ordinary pastry box, a customary professional smile on his face.

”Brother Wenqing, Aunt Zhou made some new pastries and asked me to bring them for you to try,” Yang Yong said with a smile, placing the pastry box on the coffee table.

A flicker of understanding crossed Yang Wenqing’s eyes. He nodded. ”Just leave it there. That’s very thoughtful.”

Yang Yong set down the box, made a bit of small talk, and then took his leave. After he was gone, Yang Wenqing opened the box. Inside, besides the pastries, was a handwritten work report.

It was the work report from Wu Yan and Liu Rong...

During their public investigation in Lingshan Town, their interviews had gone smoothly, but they had yielded no substantive gains. Just as Yang Wenqing had expected, the frequent disappearances had stopped completely the moment they arrived. Not a single new case had occurred.

This situation was exactly as Yang Wenqing had predicted. There was also a letter in which the two told him they had contacted Zheng Hu, but his attitude was cold, and he had even restricted them from contacting the patrol teams and the core area. As for Section Chief Liu Min, they had only met with her briefly and received no substantive answers.

Yang Wenqing immediately activated the Communication Array on his desk and instructed Liu Qin, ”Contact Wu Yan and Liu Rong. Tell them not to be anxious, but to patiently investigate any possible leads. Have them report any issues directly to me.”

That very afternoon, Yang Wenqing received another message from Vice Director Gao: ”Wenqing, come listen to some music tonight. I’ve invited a few people.”

’My superior is in an excellent mood,’ he realized. ’The breakthrough must have been a success!’