Chapter 108: Chapter 107 - Spending a Lot of Money【Second Update】_1
Everyone was so astonished that they were at a loss for words, and Zhou Ning felt even more embarrassed; he could practically dig out a two-bedroom apartment with his toes. If he went to the forensic department of the city bureau, wouldn’t that be like shutting the door to beat the dog?
Mr. Zhao stood up abruptly, his expression uglier than if he were crying.
"One retires, four get promoted, and they just leave me here all alone—I’m like a left-behind child now, aren’t I?"
For a moment, no one could eat.
Liu Yongxin was the most surprised. After all, such an arrangement was truly baffling. Usually, personnel transfers to the city bureau required internal assessments, which were quite challenging. Although the city bureau’s forensic department really needed more people, the positions were limited.
It was literally one turnip for one hole; could it be...
"Could it be that someone from the city bureau’s forensic department was transferred out?"
Xu Dayuan nodded in agreement with Doctor Liu’s analysis.
"Yes, Cui Haibin was transferred out. Where he was transferred to, the person who notified me didn’t say. The replacement for the head of the forensic department hasn’t been decided. They only asked Doctor Pang to temporarily act as the head of the forensic department. It was said that this was decided directly at a high-level meeting of the city bureau."
As he said this, Xu Dayuan glanced at Zhou Ning, well aware that Zhou Ning had no background, just a second uncle within the system who was involved in logistics. Otherwise, he would have definitely thought that Zhou Ning had someone backing him.
However, their transfers left Qidong somewhat passive, just as Liu Yongxin said; it was like playing the Empty Fort Strategy now. Would they have to request support from the city bureau’s forensic department every time there was a case?
Mr. Zhao blinked, and then he got the point.
"Wait a minute, boss. Did you have me get this certification with premeditation?"
"Premeditation my foot. If I had known there would be such a result, I would have found a couple of more capable people to take the test. Don’t you know your own capabilities?"
Mr. Zhao thought for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment instead of getting annoyed.
"That’s true, but what will Qidong do if there are cases in the future?"
"Make do, I guess. I don’t know either, but they should transfer people from neighboring cities and counties here. Qidong is different now—it was a county town before and not many people chose to work here. Now it’s a district, a part of Qindao City."
Liu Yongxin nodded.
"Let’s not dwell on it; these matters are beyond our control. When will the transfer orders come down?"
Xu Dayuan shook his head.
"In a month or so. Mr. Sun only received a notice from the city bureau leaders, asking to start looking for replacement personnel, so they’ve given us some time."
Zhou Ning looked at He Chunyang and the others. Although they were getting promoted, not a single one had a smile on their face. Xu Dayuan treated them like an old hen protects her chicks, always ready to bear the brunt for them. If he really left, their work would not be easy to carry out either.
Liu Yongxin raised his teacup and gestured to everyone.
"Alright, no need to look so gloomy, as if beaten by frost. When the road ends, build a path; when you hit water, bridge it. Surely you don’t expect Xu Da to tell the leaders that he doesn’t want to go and would rather stay at the Qidong Sub-bureau?"
Everyone hastily shook their heads, and Liu Yongxin continued,
"As for Zhou Ning, I’m not surprised he’s going to the city bureau’s forensic department. After all, the cooperation with Qindao University has started to bear fruit, and the software has performed so well in the Red Dress Serial Murder Case. Not just the city bureau, but even the provincial office pays great attention to it. It was just a matter of time.
His transfer to the city bureau will further promote the cooperation with Qindao University. Not to mention anything else, our team has received help from Doctor Lu. Didn’t the case go smoothly because they used us as a testing ground?"
Xu Dayuan nodded, agreeing with the reasoning.
"Alright, no more long faces. It’s rare for me to splurge like this, so eat up quickly. Don’t make me pay a fine—I didn’t bring money for that."
With that, everyone hurriedly cleaned their plates, and afterward, they paid the bill and left the restaurant.
After parting ways with everyone, Zhou Ning dialed Doctor Lu’s number.
"Zhou Xiaozhou, what made you think of calling me? Is there a case?"
This question made Zhou Ning himself wonder. If Doctor Lu was the one requested by the city bureau, he wouldn’t have reacted like this, which clearly showed he was unaware of the recent changes here.
"No case, just wanted to ask—if I just heard right, Xu Da and I might be transferred to the city bureau, I was wondering if Qindao University was behind this request?"
A cry of surprise came through the phone, followed by a string of laughter.
"Really? You’re transferring to the city bureau? That would mean going to the forensic office, right? That’s really fantastic. But we haven’t discussed this with the city bureau, who told you we coordinated it?"
"No one said anything. I was just wondering why such a sudden transfer. I am not surprised about Xu Da moving to the city bureau; his abilities and experience qualify him, but I am still a newcomer."
Doctor Lu interrupted Zhou Ning.
"Don’t give me that newcomer talk; I haven’t seen any newcomer come up with software like this. Besides, it will be convenient for our cooperation if you transfer here, and I hope you can pursue your doctorate while working.
We’ve been in touch with Professor Li Chengbin, who will become a visiting professor at Qindao University. He’ll give a few public lectures and choose some students. After hearing about your situation, he became very interested and hopes you can learn from him."
Zhou Ning was gobsmacked. He knew all too well who Li Chengbin was – acclaimed in Mi Country as a detective genius of Hua Country, a true all-rounder in forensics, trace evidence, criminal investigation, and criminal psychology.
However, this man only mentored doctoral students at Southwest University. Those lucky enough to attend his public lectures bragged about it as a form of capital. And such a person was actively seeking him out to be his doctoral student?
"But I am completely unprepared, and my qualifications are lacking; I don’t have any academic publications..."
"Have you lost your mind, Zhou Xiaozhou? Didn’t you just publish a paper in the Journal of Forensic Science International? Do you think there’s a more authoritative place than that?
Plus, speaking of research achievements, you were the initiator of this software. You designed all the development directions, the database collection approach, and the step-by-step progress. What could be more worthy of recognition as a research achievement than that?"
Zhou Ning blinked, as if what was said made a lot of sense, but this leap to the heavens left him not boastful but rather overwhelmed.
"I don’t know what to say. But the opportunity to study with Professor Li Chengbin is beyond my wildest dreams. Please let me know when he comes to Qindao."
Doctor Lu finally laughed in satisfaction.
"Good. Actually, Mr. Liu’s intention was to directly grant you a doctoral degree, but Professor Li said he wants to meet you once he returns to the country. He admires you greatly and wants to see the completion of the second phase of our software himself.
If it’s user-friendly and highly accurate, and we can build a database that can automatically expand through data collection, then we can sell the software to other countries. Making money is one aspect, and on top of that, we might exchange some technologies; of course, it’s up to you."
Zhou Ning’s mind was reeling. He had just wanted to inquire about his transfer with Doctor Lu, but now he faced the prospect of being offered a doctoral degree, which seemed unnecessary. Merely holding a degree wasn’t of much significance.
But the chance to learn from Li Chengbin was an outstanding opportunity, especially the idea mentioned at the end, which coincided perfectly with his initial thoughts.
"I have no objections. As long as we leave an interface for the database, it’s fine. There’s AI technology involved, so as long as the base parameters for data collection are chosen, the database can update its content automatically. It’s just a matter of time."
"Alright then, I’ll relay that. When are you coming to the city bureau to report in?"
"I... I don’t know. Shouldn’t someone take over my work in Qidong first?"
"Yeah, that’s right. Just relax and wait. I’ll respond to Professor Li and let him know to contact me before he arrives."
After ending the call, Doctor Lu wiped the sweat from his forehead, and Mr. Liu also heaved a sigh of relief.
"You didn’t give anything away, did you?"
Doctor Lu took a sip of water and waved his hand dismissively:
"Zhou Xiaozhou is smart, but he doesn’t understand these tactics. However, this arrangement is quite interesting. My friend Xu Dayuan is also being transferred to the city bureau’s criminal police squad. I don’t know his specific position yet, but Zhou Ning’s transfer won’t seem so abrupt with this development."
"Hurry up and get back to Professor Li. I think his agreement to be a visiting professor at Qindao University is closely related to Doctor Zhou, considering the previous paper and software’s production. Such rapid and high-quality scientific achievements are not something ordinary people have."
Doctor Lu smiled.
"That’s settled then, Mr. Liu. You must be relieved now. Once he’s at the city bureau, our collaboration becomes more solid, and the provincial office won’t have any grounds to interfere."
Mr. Liu nodded.
"You go ahead with your business. Once he arrives, he can’t be commuting back and forth to Qidong. I’ll sort out the living arrangements."
"Ha, if it’s just dormitory accommodations, don’t bother; it’d be too underwhelming."
Mr. Liu gritted his teeth.
"Rest assured, I’ve gone all out this time. But Doctor Liu is supposed to report in tomorrow, right? We better get that sorted first!"
