Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Sergeant Xu, when are you free to talk? The Director General wants to have a word with you," Meng Chengjun spoke on the other end of the line.

"Did anything happen? I'll be back in the late afternoon," Xu Lan replied as he organized his files.

"Uh, I'm not sure. The Director General didn't tell me much. He just told me to drop you a call," said Meng Chengjun.

"Alright."

After dealing with his tasks for the day, Xu Lan went to the police station. Upon noticing Xu Lan, Lao Chen immediately ran toward him with his big belly bouncing left and right. What was left of his hair fluttered in the wind. It was a nauseating sight.

"Xu Lan! I have a piece of good news. Come on, let's talk inside." Lao Chen reached for Xu Lan's hand affectionately with a huge grin on his oily face.

"What's this piece of good news that you're talking about? Why haven't I heard about it?" A lot happened to Xu Lan lately and he was skeptical about Lao Chen's words.

"Heh, here's the deal. I just received a phone call from our higher-ups and they decided to commend you for your stellar services to Whitehorse all these years. You are invited to attend the commendation ceremony taking place in the province. This doesn't happen often, don't you think it's great?"

Lao Chen smiled as he said.

"Uh huh, great news indeed," Xu Lan smiled bitterly. The timing could not have been better.

"Heh, since you're going for the commendation ceremony in the province, I've decided to have you transferred back here. It'll be a good chance for you to readjust your state of mind. After all, you have to give a speech on stage, we can't have you freaking out now, can we?" Lao Chen continued.

The bitter smile on Xu Lan's face faded immediately. He frowned and squinted at Lao Chen. The case was close to being resolved. Lao Chen wanted to transfer Xu Lan over so that he would not outshine Meng Chengjun.

"Cough, cough," Lao Chen covered up his embarrassment with a few coughs. "Also, there is a set of rules that you need to follow when giving a speech on stage. Do you know how to draft a script for your speech? I have a template for you to base it on."

Lao Chen fished out the script that he prepared earlier and handed it over to Xu Lan.

Xu Lan took a quick glance and concluded that the content was nothing more than bureaucratese. The entire script was mainly about expressing his gratitude to his higher-ups at the province, his leader, and a long list of other personnel.

Previously, he had to stay at the police station because he had no other options. Lao Chen took advantage of that and saw him as an easy target to bully.

Besides requesting for Xu Lan's transfer for fear that he would steal Meng Chengjun's thunder, Lao Chen also wanted Xu Lan to make him look good during the speech. How shameless can Lao Chen be?

"Heh, Director General, I think I'll pass on the commendation ceremony. I don't have enough money and it's best for me to stick to earning an honest living by leading the team. By the way, when will I be reimbursed? I need money desperately," said Xu Lan.

Xu Lan's insistence to remain on his team put Lao Chen in a sour mood.

"Do you think that you can change a decision made on the provincial level at your whims and fancies? Do you still plan on staying around? What about your promoti—" Lao Chen shut his mouth immediately. After all, job promotion and salary increment were not something that he could decide on his own. Proper procedures must be followed and the final decision would be made by way of voting. Even though he was empowered to make major decisions, he was careful not to draw unnecessary attention to himself.