Sixth Master was unaware that his plan had been seen through by Hu Jia. He was currently examining the key from various angles. Tang Yingge sighed when he saw Sixth Master like this, recalling how much effort they had put in over the years, only to find the key was so close.
"Sixth Master, do you think Hu Jia can decipher those two lines of poetry?"
"As long as he is given time, he definitely will."
It seemed Sixth Master had great confidence in Hu Jia.
"But deciphering just those two lines isn't enough. There are still two more lines missing."
"No rush. Once we have the first two, the third one will emerge."
Although Tang Yingge didn't understand why Sixth Master was so confident, he chose to believe. After all, anything Sixth Master set his mind to always succeeded.
Shortly after the new year, the Municipal Police Bureau began its internal restructuring. It was much as the rumors had suggested: the Special Operations Team moved back to the police bureau and was renamed the Second Criminal Investigation Team.
Tong Hua officially assumed the position of Director of the Judicial Section, while Ouyang Wen, as expected, took the role of Captain of the Criminal Investigation Team.
This was the first day of the Special Operations Team's – no, the new Criminal Investigation Team's – establishment, and Lu Qingqing and her colleagues walked into the Municipal Police Bureau as members of the Criminal Investigation Team for the first time.
"Qingqing..." Zhan Ruoxuan greeted her from afar.
Lu Qingqing saw that Zhou Fengjiu and Guan Jinsong were with him.
"You're here quite early," Lu Qingqing said happily. She had learned several days prior that Zhan Ruoxuan and the others had been transferred to the Municipal Criminal Investigation Division.
After all, the Criminal Investigation Division was expanding, and they needed talent.
And Ouyang Wen, when selecting personnel, naturally wouldn't overlook familiar faces who had just graduated from the training institute.
This wasn't using connections; it was seizing an opportunity.
"What do you mean early? Xiao Juan arrived long ago. She might have already finished her meeting," Zhou Fengjiu chuckled.
"Ah? She's here too?" Lu Qingqing looked around the crowd. "She joined the Criminal Investigation Team too? I hadn't heard."
Guan Jinsong rolled his eyes at her. "Who told you that once you come to the police bureau, you can only join the Criminal Investigation Division?"
Lu Qingqing paused, then her face lit up. This meant Cai Xiaojuan had joined the Forensics Section, which would be a great help.
"Then we can all be together again. That's wonderful," Lu Qingqing said excitedly.
"Yes, I wonder if we'll be assigned to the Second Team. That would be truly continuing to fight side-by-side," Zhou Fengjiu remarked.
"That should be no problem. Think about it, we were all brought over by Captain Ouyang. And now, the First Team is essentially the original Criminal Investigation Division, almost full. Only the Second Team needs people," Zhan Ruoxuan said, looking like he had it all figured out. Why else would Ouyang Wen bring them here? It was precisely because they were familiar with Lu Qingqing. When partners work together, it's always easier to get along with those you know.
Hearing Zhan Ruoxuan's analysis, everyone fell into thought.
"But Captain Ouyang has been promoted. Doesn't the First Team need a leader? I heard that person is very likely to be you, Qingqing," Guan Jinsong said.
As everyone mentioned her, Lu Qingqing felt a little uncertain. Although she hadn't specifically inquired about the leader of the First Team, her name had consistently appeared in the rumors.
After all, she was qualified for the position.
However, Lu Qingqing didn't believe she was guaranteed the spot. "Don't listen to their gossip. There are also Li Yang and Wen Wu. Both their seniority and abilities are top-notch."
"No, they've both made it clear that they only follow Hu Jia and no one else," Zhan Ruoxuan mused. "Looking at it this way, the leader of the First Team will either be promoted from within the original Criminal Investigation Division, or it will fall to you."
Lu Qingqing didn't respond.
This matter was indeed uncertain.
If she were to say, some members of the First Team were capable, but when compared to herself, there weren't more than two who could truly compete. However, personnel appointments emphasized unity and acceptance. Everyone hated the idea of an outsider being parachuted in, someone who knew nothing and yet stood at the highest position.
Therefore, the higher-ups might not choose her for this reason.
Still, Lu Qingqing held a small hope. Nothing was certain, and besides, she wasn't exactly an outsider. Everyone knew her and understood her. Even if she became the leader of the First Team, she wouldn't disrupt the existing atmosphere. After all, except for Tong Meng, everyone else in that team had a good relationship with her.
With this thought, Lu Qingqing turned to look at Tong Meng. She sat quietly at her seat, not speaking to anyone, engrossed in her documents.
Perhaps sensing Lu Qingqing's gaze, Tong Meng looked up and met her eyes, then a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
Lu Qingqing could feel a sense of unfriendliness from that look.
While Lu Qingqing was chatting with Zhan Ruoxuan and the others, many from the original Criminal Investigation Division came forward to greet her, especially Gao Liang, who seemed particularly enthusiastic and happy.
Perhaps everyone had their own speculations about that position.
After the commotion subsided, footsteps approached, and everyone turned to look at the entrance. Leading the way was Qiao Huali, followed by Tong Hua, Ouyang Wen, and Hu Jia.
Everyone knew that appointments were about to be announced.
Lu Qingqing glanced at the group. Qiao Huali looked normal, Tong Hua's expression was also as expected, but Ouyang Wen and Hu Jia had sullen faces.
Ouyang Wen, sensing Lu Qingqing's gaze, looked at her. Hu Jia, however, pursed his lips slightly towards Qingqing, his smile not very pronounced.
This made Lu Qingqing wonder, what was wrong with these two brothers again?
Could they have quarreled in the office?
Qiao Huali surveyed the room with satisfaction. After a brief opening, he introduced Tong Hua.
As for Tong Hua, even if people weren't familiar with him, they recognized him. While his appointment as Director of the Judicial Section was a bit surprising, it wasn't shocking. After all, the Judicial Section, though a level above the Criminal Investigation Team, was administrative and different from the frontline work they did.
"I have never been on the frontline, but like all of you, I wear a uniform and a police cap. This is a sacred duty, a glory. It is this glorious profession that has taught us to endure hardships others cannot, to bear pressures others cannot withstand, to face dangers others cannot confront, and to shoulder responsibilities others cannot take on."
"I cherish this experience from the bottom of my heart and deeply admire all of you present. Therefore, I am willing to use our youth to write justice and our lives to forge peace! Even though I am not on the frontline, my heart is still with you! I will do my utmost to provide you with the best logistical support."
Tong Hua's eloquent speech impressed Lu Qingqing. If she hadn't known the kind of person he was, she might have believed him.
Applause erupted, and Tong Hua smilingly accepted everyone's congratulations. "As you all know, our Criminal Investigation Team was originally a whole. It was only later, due to certain reasons, that a portion was separated to form the Special Operations Team."
Tong Hua paused after speaking.
Lu Qingqing was speechless. The reason for the Criminal Investigation Team's split was Hu Jia's disagreement with Ouyang Wen at the time. The actual reason was that the Criminal Investigation Team needed to handle major cases separately, which everyone knew.
Tong Hua's emphasis on the division of the Criminal Investigation Team now made it seem, to those unaware of the facts, as if Hu Jia was being overbearing.
"And this division officially ends today. We are once again a unified body. From today onwards, we will not only have the Criminal Investigation Brigade but also two teams within the division." Tong Hua looked at Hu Jia. "Captain Hu Jia is known to everyone, so I won't introduce him further. He will lead all the members of the Special Operations Team back and concurrently serve as the leader of the First Criminal Investigation Team."
Everyone already knew what Tong Hua was saying. Hu Jia becoming the team leader was also within everyone's expectations. Next, Tong Hua read out the names of the team members, "Li Yang, Luo Wenwu, Yu Yue, Guan Jinsong, Zhan Ruoxuan, Zhou Fengjiu..."
By the end, Lu Qingqing's name was not mentioned.
Everyone involuntarily turned to look at her, but their eyes held not surprise, but delight. Zhan Ruoxuan even quietly gave Lu Qingqing a thumbs-up.
At this point, everyone understood.
Lu Qingqing would undoubtedly become the leader of the other team.