Chapter 4 The Dragon City All-Unification Bureau

Four days later, the Dragon City All-Unification Bureau.

Su Tianyu sat in his office, looking at a pile of documents and dealing with matters related to the visiting delegation.

The day of departure was getting closer and closer, and there was more and more work to prepare, making him extremely busy.

"Knock knock knock!"

There was a gentle knock on the door. Su Tianyu, without even raising his head, called out, "Enter!"

Gu Baishun pushed open the door, holding a document in his hand, and quickly walked to the desk. "Director Su, this is the opinion from the court. Take a look."

"Okay." Su Tianyu took the document and flipped through it.

This was not a formal document, but a sentencing recommendation for the personnel involved in the San Guang Hui's (Three Lights Association) psychotropic drug case.

As the most popular Dongchang (Eastern Depot) eunuch commander in the Old Li faction, and with this case being related to military and political affairs, Su Tianyu's opinion was privately sought on related judicial work.

Su Tianyu took a quick look. In the opinion, the suggested sentence for Shang Yao, the director of the police department, was life imprisonment. As for the main culprits, such as Jiang Zheng and Lu Guangwei, the suggestion was capital punishment, to be carried out immediately.

After reading it, Su Tianyu put down the document, turned his head, and said to Gu Baishun, "Overall, there's no problem, but there's one more thing..."

Gu Baishun interjected, "I know, it's that Zheng Guang, right?"

Su Tianyu nodded. "Yes, he has performed meritorious service... However, legal principles are inescapable, so he must be sentenced. Like this, after the verdict is officially announced and the limelight has passed, find a way to have someone switch him out of prison. He's a small character, with little attention."

Gu Baishun gave him a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

As he spoke, he got up to leave.

"Wait a minute." Su Tianyu called out to him.

"What's wrong?" Gu Baishun stopped and sat down again.

"I'll have to go to the Hua District (China District) in the next few days," Su Tianyu instructed. "I'll leave the All-Unification Bureau in your care. Especially recently, with so many things happening, and Ming Chao and Wa Wa getting engaged, I feel a little uneasy. Pay attention and keep a close watch on District One for me."

Gu Baishun replied seriously, "Okay, I understand!"

This kind of thing had happened more than once or twice. Gu Baishun was already used to it.

After waiting for a while, Gu Baishun said, "Anything else?"

"There's one more thing."

Su Tianyu bent down and took out two exquisite watch boxes from the small cabinet below.

The two watch boxes were identical. He picked up one of them and handed it to Gu Baishun.

Gu Baishun looked at the box, slightly stunned. "Director Su, this is..."

"I had Qi Qi find someone to customize some watches for me, two in total." Su Tianyu smiled. "One for each of us."

Gu Baishun held the box in his hand, feeling a bit dazed. Having known Su Tianyu for so long, Su Tianyu had never given him any gifts. This was a first!

Surprise, joy, and a bit of unease and confusion—a mix of complex emotions surged into Gu Baishun's heart.

Thinking of this, Gu Baishun raised his head and couldn't help but ask, "Haha, Director Su... What's the occasion? You're making me a little nervous."

Su Tianyu reached out and patted him on the shoulder. "Baishun, after I come back, if I successfully enter the military and take office, I may not have the energy to manage the All-Unification Bureau. At that time, I'll leave it to you. Consider this watch an early congratulatory gift for your promotion."

Gu Baishun smiled and said, "You're putting a lot of pressure on me. Alright, then I'll thank the leader!"

He felt a sense of joy in his heart—the satisfaction and excitement of finally being recognized after so much effort.

Su Tianyu's actions indicated that their relationship was no longer simply a working relationship; it was more like friendship.

Over such a long period, the two had worked together, fought side by side, and developed a certain level of affection and understanding.

If it weren't for what happened in the past, the two might have become close friends long ago. And now, their feelings for each other were a bit complex.

After chatting for a few more words, Gu Baishun took the watch and left the office excitedly.

...

That afternoon, around five o'clock, at the An family's villa.

An Qiqi, dressed in comfortable home clothes, sat cross-legged on the large sofa in the living room, holding a laptop, seemingly busy with work.

Just then, the door to the entryway opened, and An Zecheng and his wife returned home together.

"Dad, Mom, you're back?" An Qiqi greeted them.

"Yeah."

The two responded in unison, taking off their shoes and glancing at their daughter in the living room, exchanging a look.

An Zecheng took off his coat, hung it on the nearby coat rack, and asked An Qiqi, "You're leaving in two days, and you're still busy with work?"

An Qiqi looked at the computer without raising her head and said, "Going is going, but I can't delay my work."

Hearing this, An's mother was a little speechless and couldn't help but ask, "Do you really not know Su Tianyu's intention in taking you?"

As she spoke, she pulled An Zecheng and sat beside her daughter, saying earnestly, "Qiqi, this isn't just ordinary socializing. It has a very important political purpose. On a small scale, it's about the relationship between you and him. On a larger scale, it's about the relationship between our An faction and the Old Li team, as well as our attitude towards the Hua District..."

"Hehe."

Hearing this, An Qiqi smiled and turned the computer screen around to show the two elders.

The two leaned closer to look. The screen was filled with information on the main political figures of the Hua District, as well as the officials of the Jiangzhou lineage, including their resumes, files, photos, and not-so-secret preferences.

Seeing this, An Zecheng smiled knowingly, feeling pleased. "Not bad, the preparatory work is already underway. You're developing some political acumen...!"

An's mother also smiled. She could now keep many of the things she wanted to remind her daughter in her stomach.

An Zecheng instructed further, "Like this, before you leave, I'll arrange some things for you. I've prepared some gifts. Take them with you. You'll be able to use them when you get to the Hua District."

An Qiqi nodded. "Your considerations are always more comprehensive. It saves me the trouble of preparing them myself."

An Zecheng paused and asked, "When is Wa Wa's engagement banquet?"

An Qiqi replied, "In two weeks. Preparations have already begun."

An Zecheng pondered for a moment. "You'll be gone for at least a month or two, so you'll definitely miss the engagement banquet."

An Qiqi put down the computer and poured a cup of tea for the two elders, saying, "It's okay. We'll just have to make it for the wedding."

An's mother immediately gave Old An a look. An Zecheng chuckled and said to his daughter, "You're not getting any younger. When you come back, find some time to get things settled."

An Qiqi said with a grin, "It's not up to me, is it? It has to be the parents' decision and the matchmaker's words!"

An's mother rolled her eyes. "Do you ever listen to what we say? When has the parents' decision ever worked?"

An Qiqi handed her the teacup. "It works, it works. It'll definitely work in the future!"

The three laughed. The old An couple instructed their daughter a few more times before getting up to return to their room, letting An Qiqi continue to look at the information.

...

That evening, around seven o'clock, at the All-Unification Bureau compound.

Gu Baishun sat in his office, wearing a brand-new watch on his wrist, working overtime to process the documents in his hand.

The watch's face was polished brightly, without even a fingerprint on it.

Next to the desk was a half-eaten dinner, which was already a bit cold.

"Knock knock knock."

The knock interrupted Gu Baishun's work.

"Enter!"

Hou Guoyu pushed the door open, holding a document, and gently placed it on Gu Baishun's desk. "Director Gu, take a look at this."