This was perhaps the most comfortable week Lu Qingqing had experienced, with nothing to do and all day to be happy. In preparation for the police training institute study next week, Lu Qingqing insisted on going for a run every day. Hu Jia accompanied her for most of the time. After a while, Lu Qingqing got used to having someone around.
However, Hu Jia always teased her about cramming at the last minute.
She didn’t mind, instead bantering that he was being insincere.
…
Saturday.
“Captain Wen, we’re having a gathering tonight, would you like to come?” Tong Meng enthusiastically invited Ouyang Wen.
“You guys have fun, I have plans tonight,” Ouyang Wen said, efficiently organizing the documents on his desk.
Tong Meng was disappointed, “What’s so important? It’ll be a drag if you don’t come.”
Tong Meng naturally began to help Ouyang Wen organize the documents, no longer treating herself as an outsider.
“Meeting someone, it was arranged a while ago,” Ouyang Wen smiled.
Hmm? Lu Qingqing?
Tong Meng noticed that at the very top of the stack of documents was Lu Qingqing’s application form for the institute.
It was her?
“I’m off, you guys have fun,” Ouyang Wen took the documents from Tong Meng and turned to leave the office.
Watching Ouyang Wen’s receding back, Tong Meng felt very dejected. Her spirits were low for the entire meal, which led some colleagues to express concern, but she brushed them all off.
“Hey? Isn’t that Captain Wen?” a girl sitting near Tong Meng asked in surprise.
As soon as she heard Ouyang Wen’s name, Tong Meng’s downcast face lit up. Following the girl’s gaze, she indeed saw him.
He was actually dining here too.
“Who’s the person next to him? It’s a woman.” Everyone craned their necks. Gossip about leaders was always the most interesting.
Tong Meng’s face was now as dark as a pot bottom. Others might not be familiar with Lu Qingqing, but she would never forget her.
He said he had plans?
He said he had already arranged to meet someone?
So, the person he had arranged to meet was Lu Qingqing.
Tong Meng’s hands unconsciously tightened, and the chopsticks gradually bent, as if they would break at any moment.
Lu Qingqing, always Lu Qingqing.
Some say there is no love without reason, and no hate without reason.
Lu Qingqing probably never imagined that she would be blacklisted by Tong Meng just like this.
“Thank you for bringing this application form over,” Lu Qingqing carefully put the form away. This was her proof of enrollment for next week.
“I should be thanking you,” Ouyang Wen said earnestly.
Lu Qingqing smiled, “It’s not entirely for Hu Jia, I have my own ideas too.” Lu Qingqing told Ouyang about her plans for the future. “Many young people join the police force full of passion, but as they are influenced by those around them and the environment, their edges are gradually smoothed away.”
Indeed, cases that could be resolved immediately were always delayed due to the lack of power and influence of the involved parties. As a result, suspects escaped and evidence disappeared.
Then there were some officers who flattered the powerful and spurned the weak. Their patrols on the streets were like strolls through a market, and they couldn’t be bothered by small vendors, lest they be accused of something fabricated by them.
However, these were chronic illnesses.
They couldn’t be cured with strong medicine; it would face more difficulties and obstacles.
Therefore, Ouyang Wen was surprised that Lu Qingqing had the intention to reform the police force, knowing that this would encroach upon some people’s vested interests.
“It’s all about human effort. If I really can’t hold on, you brothers and sisters have to help me bear some of the load,” Lu Qingqing said, feigning lightness, but she knew the risks involved.
As they were chatting pleasantly, Ouyang Wen’s subordinates approached with wine glasses.
“Captain Wen!”
Ouyang Wen turned his head and saw a large group of people standing behind him, calling his name, but their eyes kept drifting towards Lu Qingqing.
Ouyang Wen maintained a certain authority, so his subordinates dared not joke around casually.
“What are you guys doing here?” Ouyang Wen asked, looking surprised.
“We should be asking you, Captain Wen, why are you here? And who is this?” The male officer didn’t dare to ask directly, but the female officer was less inhibited.
Ouyang Wen saw through their little tricks at a glance and quickly introduced Lu Qingqing to everyone.
When everyone heard that Lu Qingqing was also a police officer, they became interested and clamored to combine two tables into one.
Lu Qingqing, with her straightforward personality, quickly mingled with everyone.
“Sister Qingqing, I heard you’re going to the training institute?” Tong Meng, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
Lu Qingqing glanced at Ouyang Wen, who looked equally confused.
Tong Meng smiled, “I saw the captain organizing his desk today, and your application form was on top.”
This was an answer to Lu Qingqing’s confusion.
“Yes, I feel I haven’t received systematic police training and want to gain some experience,” Lu Qingqing replied.
“Indeed, in the countryside, they just recruit randomly, anyone can become a police officer,” Tong Meng’s words made Lu Qingqing’s heart sink. This girl seemed to have come with bad intentions.
Perhaps realizing she had said the wrong thing, Tong Meng playfully tapped her own mouth, “Oh dear, look at my mouth. Sister Qingqing, I didn’t mean you were just anyone, please don’t mind.”
Although Lu Qingqing maintained a smile, her eyes lacked warmth.
“Why would I mind? It’s a fact that there are incompetent people in the districts and counties, just like in this city, where short-sighted police officers are everywhere.”
With a skillful deflection, Lu Qingqing shot back.
Everyone could sense the tension between the two women. Although they didn’t understand why Tong Meng wanted to provoke Lu Qingqing, a male officer named Xiao Liang proactively tried to smooth things over, “Come, come, everyone raise your glasses and have a drink. We met Sister Qingqing today, so we must have a good meal.”
“Hmph, indeed. If we don’t entertain her well today, perhaps after she returns from the training institute with a golden plaque, and gets close to a few directors, she might become our superior.”
Tong Meng’s words caused the expressions of those around to change slightly. Wasn’t this an open insinuation that Lu Qingqing would resort to underhanded tactics?
Ouyang Wen was about to speak when, with a “snap,” a wine glass hit Tong Meng squarely between the eyebrows.
“Look at you, your tongue is so nimble, yet your skills are so weak. No wonder you only think about getting close to directors, unlike me. I directly crush those insignificant people with my strength.” Lu Qingqing picked up another wine glass with a smile. “Don’t believe me, want to try again?”
With a wet brow and a red mark right in the middle of her forehead, Tong Meng looked utterly disheveled. “Lu Qingqing!”
As Tong Meng was about to retort, Ouyang Wen slammed the table. “Enough.”
He had no idea what had gotten into Tong Meng. “Take her back to sober up.”
Seeing Ouyang Wen’s anger, everyone scrambled to help Tong Meng up. Tong Meng still looked unwilling, glaring fiercely at Lu Qingqing.
Lu Qingqing smiled charmingly, her hand suddenly flicked the wine glass, and a feint made Tong Meng shrink her neck in fear.
“I’m truly sorry, I haven’t managed my people well.” Ouyang Wen apologized sincerely as he watched Tong Meng being dragged away by others.
“It’s none of your business, some people just have a foul mouth,” Lu Qingqing said irritably.
“I suspect she’s resentful towards you because she couldn’t get into the training institute,” Ouyang Wen speculated.
Seeing Lu Qingqing’s puzzled gaze, he continued to explain, “There was only one spot for the criminal investigation team, and I gave it to you.”
“Aren’t I part of the special operations team?”
“The special operations team only has four or five people, so there wouldn’t be a spot.”
Hearing Ouyang’s words, Lu Qingqing seemed to understand. So, this was the crux of the problem.