Chapter 402: Chapter 330: Good News from the Delivery Room, Promoted
Lv Youwei and Sun Zhao remained silent.
Shen Xin was silent as well, but his mind was reeling.
’Is this for real? A promotion?’
He didn’t know the first thing about the so-called "Cold Case Task Force Office" Zhao Hongjie mentioned, but the bottom line was simple: was he moving up from the branch to the city bureau?
’Now that’s a step up.’
In just over a year, he had gone from a local precinct to the district branch, and now to the city bureau. That was some pretty rapid progress.
Seeing Lv Youwei and Sun Zhao’s silence, Zhao Hongjie asked with a beaming smile, "Xiaoshen, what are your thoughts?"
Of course, Shen Xin wanted to go to the city bureau.
But he couldn’t just say that. To agree so readily would be a slap in the face to his old superiors.
Nor could he give a simple, "I’ll follow the leadership’s arrangements."
He had to say he *didn’t* want to go.
Shen Xin immediately said, "Director Zhao, I’m still young, and I only just transferred to the team. I’m still learning the ropes. I don’t know if I’m up to the task you’re describing."
Though he said he didn’t want to go, Shen Xin wasn’t the least bit worried that Zhao Hongjie would take him at his word and say something like, ’All right, then you can keep on learning where you are.’
’A leader wouldn’t bring something like this up unless they were serious about making it happen.’
’How can you know if you’re up to the task if you don’t even try?’
Sure enough, Zhao Hongjie chuckled and pointed at Shen Xin. "Old Lv, take a look at this. The kid’s quite modest."
Lv Youwei couldn’t bring himself to laugh. He glanced at Shen Xin.
The moment Shen Xin started cracking major cases one after another, on top of being able to train police dogs, he knew the branch wouldn’t be able to hold on to him.
He glanced over at Sun Zhao.
Sun Zhao was Shen Xin’s direct superior, so his opinion was also crucial.
Sun Zhao’s brow smoothed, as if he’d made peace with it. "Director Zhao, I think this is a great arrangement. Xiaoshen is very capable. You know, the folks over in Pingyu even requested him by name to help them out."
Not only did he agree to let Shen Xin go, but he even sang his praises.
Zhao Hongjie immediately said, "Exactly! I was just about to bring that up. I feel that Xiaoshen has a special gift with animals."
Zhao Hongjie was well aware of the cases Shen Xin had solved; every single one had an animal connection.
Wasn’t that the whole reason Pingyu asked for his help? Because their case involved an animal.
Zhao Hongjie continued, "So I see it as a special kind of expertise. Just like other criminal investigation specialists, he becomes invaluable when faced with a specific type of case."
"So I’ve been thinking about transferring Xiaoshen to the city bureau. First, I want him to continue tackling cold cases. That’s meaningful, necessary work that has to go on."
"Second, I want Xiaoshen to join the detachment and be groomed as a technical specialist, an expert in criminal investigation."
"That way, whenever the city runs into an animal-related case, we can have Xiaoshen participate and help crack it, instead of limiting his talent to just your Tingyang Branch."
This arrangement by Zhao Hongjie was the result of careful consideration.
Shen Xin kept distinguishing himself. To let him keep doing so without any tangible rewards would eventually discourage him.
But Shen Xin was too young and lacked seniority. There were no suitable leadership positions available for him.
Even this Cold Case Office had been created specifically for him.
But becoming a technical specialist, a criminal investigation expert, was different. Within the police system, that was a role that transcended the normal career ladder.
Not only would it allow Shen Xin’s talent to flourish, but it also solved the problem of his lack of upward mobility.
If he performed well, he could become the city’s technical expert, and then the province’s.
Down the line, he might even become a nationally recognized expert.
That kind of status and its accompanying benefits were much, much better than being some division captain.
Hearing all this from Zhao Hongjie, Lv Youwei knew there was no keeping the man.
Seeing that Sun Zhao wasn’t objecting either, Lv Youwei sighed internally and said, "Director Zhao, given your arrangements, it seems like the best way to make use of Xiaoshen’s talents. I have no objections."
"Good."
Zhao Hongjie nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Xiaoshen, my expectations for you are very high. Now that you’re moving to a new position, you can’t get complacent. You have to keep up the good work."
A sense of finality settled over Shen Xin. He suppressed his excitement and said with a determined gaze, "Director Zhao, I will continue to work my hardest."
They walked out of the office.
The moment the door closed, Lv Youwei let out a sigh.
’This commendation meeting cost me dearly.’
Sun Zhao clapped Shen Xin on the shoulder and chuckled. "Alright, don’t hold it in. If you want to smile, just smile."
A smile finally broke across Shen Xin’s face. He quickly said, "Captain Sun, don’t worry. No matter where I end up, I’ll always remember that I’m from the Tingyang Branch’s Criminal Investigation Division."
Sun Zhao nodded.
He had always expected this day to come, but he never imagined it would be so soon.
He had even been thinking that when he eventually got promoted, he’d have Shen Xin take over his position.
But no, Shen Xin had skipped a grade entirely.
Lv Youwei also composed himself and pulled Shen Xin aside to give him a series of parting admonitions.
At the city bureau, he’d be closer to the top leadership, so he had to be cautious.
"But you should be fine, kid. You’re capable, and you know how to be flexible," Lv Youwei finally said with a smile.
He had always approved of Shen Xin’s emotional intelligence.
Back outside, they met up with Chen Chao and the others.
Chen Chao immediately pulled Sun Zhao aside to ask what was going on; a summons from the director was rarely a good thing.
’You’re not wrong,’ Sun Zhao thought, then quietly explained the plan to transfer Shen Xin to the city bureau.
Chen Chao was stunned. "You agreed?" he asked instinctively.
Sun Zhao shot him a look. ’As if I had a choice. Director Zhao made the decision himself, how could I refuse?’
He said, "Come on, it’s a good thing. What, you want to be transferred instead?"
Chen Chao rolled his eyes dramatically. Like Sun Zhao, he knew this day would come sooner or later, he just hadn’t expected it to be so sudden.
After a moment’s thought, Chen Chao said, "You should have been more flexible. Couldn’t you just create a deputy captain position? Or I could be the political instructor. That spot’s been empty forever, and they still haven’t found anyone suitable."
Sun Zhao waved his hand dismissively, saying that wasn’t the issue.
’If it were just a matter of a promotion, would finding a position really be the problem?’
Sun Zhao saw the situation clearly. Zhao Hongjie simply wanted to bring Shen Xin to the city bureau and develop him into a technical specialist in criminal investigation.
Meanwhile, upon learning that Shen Xin was headed to the city bureau, Zhao Tianxing and the others, though initially shocked, didn’t find it all that surprising.
Zhao Tianxing even said with an air of great seriousness, "Seriously, Shen Xin, the first time we met, I knew you were no ordinary kid. I figured sooner or a later you’d get ahead of me. That’s fine by me. From now on, I’ll have my own man in the city bureau."
With that, he grabbed Shen Xin, insisting they had to celebrate properly.
A celebration was definitely in order.
Lv Youwei came straight over, saying that no matter what, the credit for this achievement belonged to the branch.
They had to celebrate properly tonight. The cafeteria would serve extra dishes, and the entire bureau would have a good meal.
As for whomever Shen Xin wanted to invite for his own celebration, that would be a separate affair.
"Especially Tian Kui. We have to prepare something good for him to eat."
Lv Youwei grinned and went to pat Tian Kui’s head again.
As everyone chattered excitedly, Ding Yuwei fell behind the group, her gaze complicated as she watched Shen Xin walk ahead.
She hadn’t expected Shen Xin to be transferred to the city bureau so soon.
’Does that mean... from now on, we won’t be working in the same place anymore?’
For a moment, Ding Yuwei felt a pang of emptiness.
Shen Xin, caught up in the excitement, didn’t notice the change in Ding Yuwei.
It was only then he remembered that Yiwan was still tied up at the branch.
The group returned to the branch.
Shen Xin immediately spotted a crowd gathered by the landscaping outside the office building.
Jiang Wengang and Li Teng were there.
Seeing Shen Xin, Li Teng laughed and asked him how he ended up bringing a donkey back from a business trip.
Zhao Tianxing, who was with them, quipped, "Li Teng, you don’t know the half of it. This is Shen Xin’s life-saving benefactor donkey. Of course he had to bring it back to live out its retirement in comfort."
Li Teng immediately asked what had happened.
Inevitably, Shen Xin had to recount the story of his "great escape."
Upon hearing that the mudslide was right on their heels, Li Teng gave him a thumbs-up. "Fucking badass," he said.
Cai Zhe was also there, feeding Yiwan some hay.
It was his first time seeing a donkey up close, and he was completely fascinated. He curiously asked Shen Xin if he planned on keeping the donkey at the branch.
He also asked if he could ride it.
Seeing him reminded Shen Xin of his water-damaged phone. He immediately dragged Cai Zhe to the tech department, asking him to help save the data.
For them, it was a piece of cake.
And when they got to the tech department, Cai Zhe pulled out something new for Shen Xin.
A brand-new collar.
The camera was smaller and even had a built-in motor, allowing for remote adjustment of its direction.
It also had an integrated miniature microphone for giving remote commands.
The battery life was improved, and most importantly, it was so compact that it was even more discreet when worn.
"Especially for Jingzhang. Seriously, with that black coat of his, you can’t even see it when he’s wearing it."
The collar was black, Jingzhang was all black—they were a perfect match.
Shen Xin took it and looked it over. It was indeed very compact and discreet.
Leaving his phone with the tech department for repairs, Shen Xin returned to his office to fill out a reimbursement form.
As for Yiwan, Shen Xin had already thought it through. The only option was to send him home and ask his dad to look after him.
’It’s your son’s life-saving benefactor donkey, you have to take care of it, right?’
’There’s a green space at the factory. We can build a shed and keep him there. It’ll be perfect.’
As he passed his own cold case team’s office, Shen Xin paused to look at the sign on the door.
’It was a shame. They hadn’t even officially handled a single case since the sign went up.’
"Stop staring. I wipe it down often, just like you told me to." Ding Yuwei appeared beside him, holding a folder.
After speaking, she held out her hand with a smile. "Congratulations on making it to the city bureau."
"Congratulations?"
Shen Xin blinked, then pulled her into the office. "You’re going too. What are you congratulating me for?"
The city bureau was establishing a new office with Shen Xin in charge; they couldn’t just make him a general with no army.
That was why Zhao Hongjie had said he would arrange for personnel to be assigned to Shen Xin.
He hadn’t specified how many, but the principle was that they would be drawn from various branch bureaus and even the city bureau’s own criminal investigation detachment.
’And the first person Shen Xin had to bring along was Ding Yuwei.’
’She was his first subordinate, after all.’
Ding Yuwei was stunned. She had just accepted the fact that Shen Xin was leaving, and now she was being told she was leaving too? "I’m going too?" she asked, surprised.
"Of course. You’re on my team, aren’t you?"
Shen Xin said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
’It wasn’t about forming a clique, but in a new work environment, he had to have some familiar faces around.’
After a beat, Shen Xin added, "By the way, you think we should try to get Brother Xing transferred over too? I think we might have a shot."
’Now that he was leaving, shouldn’t Captain Sun, as the ’bride’s family,’ provide a little ’dowry’?’
Just as he was saying this, someone walked into the office.
"Xiaoshen, you’re back just in time. Let’s find a place to talk."
The newcomer waved at Shen Xin with a wide smile.
It was Zhang Songhao, captain of the branch’s Economic Crimes Investigation Division.
’He wouldn’t show up without a reason.’
Shen Xin walked over, and a thought occurred to him. "Captain Zhang," he guessed, "you’re not here about that case of yours, are you?"
There was only one reason he could think of for the Economic Crimes Division to be looking for him.
Those two "petty bourgeois" and the USB drive Jiang Qi had left behind.
To this day, Shen Xin still didn’t know the specifics of that case.
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