Chapter 175: The Informant
Chapter 175: The Informant
In the living room of a private pavilion, Gan Dayao, an officer from the Foreign Affairs Bureau, sat holding a teacup, looking around with a hint of anxiety. He was in his thirties, wearing a pair of square-framed glasses, and his hair was slightly disheveled. His feet fidgeted nervously as he waited, appearing slightly tense.
Despite the long wait and the tea being refilled three times, he remained seated, as if bound to that spot.
Anyone with experience in government departments could tell at a glance that he was a typical office clerk who had endured years of suppression, following rules and regulations to the letter.
The door of the pavilion opened from the outside, and Wei Jun entered with a butler and several security guards. Seeing someone inside, Gan Dayao quickly put down his cup, lifted his buttocks slightly, and then stood up with a hint of restraint.
Wei Jun entered without paying much attention to Gan Dayao. He took his seat at the main position and leaned back on the sofa, massaging his temples with his fingers.
Gan Dayao stood there, feeling a bit nervous.
After sitting for a while, Wei Jun finally turned his head and said, "Speak up. You mentioned that you recommended a Wu Yi Academy student to a department. When did this happen, and who did you recommend?"
Gan Dayao replied with a hint of unease, "I heard that if I provide information, you can offer help in certain areas."
Wei Jun glanced at him. The Foreign Affairs Bureau was known for its lack of power, and its officials usually served until retirement. Unless it involved a sensitive matter like department recommendations, even the bureau director wouldn't personally meet with someone like Gan Dayao, a mere officer.
Wei Jun gestured with his hand, and the butler stepped forward at the right moment. He looked at Gan Dayao and spoke in a friendly tone, "Mr. Gan, are you seeking a promotion?"
Gan Dayao nodded earnestly, then quickly shook his head, "I don't want to stay in the Foreign Affairs Bureau. Can you help me transfer to another department?" As he spoke, he looked at the butler with great anticipation, then at Wei Jun, who remained unresponsive.
The butler maintained a polite smile, "Of course. As long as the information is valuable. How about the Water Affairs Bureau? There are many vacant positions there recently, so it shouldn't be difficult."
"The Water Affairs Bureau?" Gan Dayao hesitated.
"If Mr. Gan is not satisfied with this arrangement and wants to go to another department, that can be discussed, but it may take some time. As Mr. Gan knows, there are always many people eyeing positions in government departments. As soon as a vacancy appears, it's immediately filled..."
"I'm satisfied, of course. The Water Affairs Bureau position is fine," Gan Dayao replied hastily, fearing he might miss out if he waited.
The butler smiled and said, "Then, Mr. Gan, can we discuss the matter at hand?"
Gan Dayao hesitated for a moment before speaking, "In February, Director Liu drafted a recommendation evaluation for a Wu Yi Academy student on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Bureau. I delivered the documents and files. Director Liu specifically instructed me not to disclose this matter to anyone."
"It's been almost half a year since February," the butler remarked.
He glanced at Wei Jun and continued, "It seems Mr. Gan has followed Director Liu's instructions and kept this matter confidential. But why are you here now to talk about it? Have you encountered any difficulties?"
Gan Dayao's expression was filled with anxiety and guilt, "Director Liu is about to be transferred, and Director Cao doesn't like me. I might be dismissed... I have a wife and children at home, and I can't lose this position. But I feel terrible about Director Liu..." His voice trailed off as he slowly lowered his head.
The butler, sensing the critical point that Director Liu was about to be transferred, knew that this matter could no longer be kept secret. He was well aware of the nature of the officials in the Yangzhi Government Hall, and he suspected that Director Liu might also use this opportunity to seek personal gain.
Even if Gan Dayao hadn't come forward today, the butler believed Director Liu would have disclosed this information himself.
However, he didn't reject Gan Dayao, as dealing with an officer was much easier than handling a director-level official. The former was easier to manage and required less effort.
The butler looked at Gan Dayao, trying to sound casual, "Mr. Gan, you shouldn't feel guilty. You made the right choice, and we will treat friendly officers well. By the way, what's the name of that student?"
Gan Dayao glanced at the butler and then at Wei Jun, who remained unmoved. He cleared his throat and replied, "The student's name is Chen Chuan."
At the Patrol Bureau residential area, in the Nian Mansion, Chen Chuan walked into the living room and took the phone from Yu Wan's hand. He asked, "Teacher?"
Cheng Zitong's voice came through the receiver, sounding somewhat serious, "Yesterday, when you were still in the car, He Nan called me. Director Liu's transfer is almost finalized, and the official notice might have been issued. Chuan, be prepared... There might be a big storm coming soon."
Chen Chuan looked outside; it was already August, and the sound of cicadas filled the air. The scorching sun shone down, and the tree branches didn't stir. He gazed out the window and said, "Teacher, a storm is good. After the storm, the stuffiness will be gone."
After hanging up with Cheng Zitong, Chen Chuan turned and said, "Auntie, I'll be back soon."
He left the mansion and headed straight to a nearby phone booth on the street. He picked up the receiver, inserted a coin, and dialed a number.
After a brief wait, the call connected, and he said, "Gao Ming, it's me. Director Liu's transfer notice has been confirmed. I'll be waiting for you at the training hall later."
Gao Ming responded, "Okay, cousin. I'll be right there."
In the private pavilion, Gan Dayao brought a recommendation letter regarding Chen Chuan, which was placed before Wei Jun. The letter provided a detailed account of the recommendation process, including Chen Chuan's actions, the reasons for the recommendation, and the entire sequence of events.
In addition, there were detailed records and files obtained from the Mutual Aid Society about Chen Chuan's background, including his performance during his studies, his overall grades and experiences, verifiable achievements, and the level he had reached, all clearly listed if they were within the school's records.
Wei Jun flipped through the file, his expression shifting from casual indifference to increasing seriousness, and eventually, surprise.
Chen Chuan's performances at the academy were extraordinary, and even the most trivial of his feats were beyond the capabilities of ordinary people, let alone the upperclassmen.
Wei Jun had never imagined that, right under the Mutual Aid Society's nose, there existed such a student who had quietly risen to this level.
Logically, such a person should have been a shining star, but reality was the opposite; this individual was so low-key that they were almost non-existent.
Thinking about it now, it was because of this student's involvement that Tan Wang had to leave the academy, causing Wei Jun to hide outside. But why hadn't he paid any attention to it before? Thankfully, it wasn't too late.
Holding the file, Wei Jun stood up, left the reception room, and went straight to the swimming pool area outside. Jiang Wei and the other two were still waiting there. Wei Jun sat down on a lounge chair and addressed them, "What have you decided?"
Qiao Rong huffed, crossed her arms, and leaned back in her chair, "I've discussed it, and I can give up my spot. But it's not up to me, and I have no obligation to pass on your message. You'll have to talk to my family yourself."
Wei Jun looked at her and said, "As long as you agree, you won't have to worry about the rest. I'll be grateful either way."
"Alright, is there anything else? If not, I'll be on my way."
"Wait."
Noticing her intention to leave, Wei Jun gestured for her to sit down, "There's something I need to tell you first." He tossed the file onto the nearby coffee table and tapped it twice with his finger, "I think if this matter isn't handled properly, even the spot that was freed up might be in jeopardy."
Hearing this, all three of them were taken aback. Shao Xiaobie couldn't help but ask, "Brother Wei, what's going on?"
"What's the matter?" Wei Jun gave a short laugh and looked at the three of them, "There's a student at Wu Yi who has already obtained a department recommendation from the Foreign Affairs Bureau, and they've been deliberately concealing it. This has been going on for half a year, and I think you know what this implies."
Upon hearing this, Shao Xiaobie was stunned for a moment, then quickly straightened up, "Who? Who is it?"
Wei Jun picked up the file and threw it into his lap, "The file is here. Take it and go see for yourself, then think about how to handle it."
"Chen Chuan? A first-year student?" Shao Xiaobie opened the file and glanced at it, his eyes widening in disbelief, "You've got to be kidding me, right?"
Wei Jun's expression turned cold, "Yes, a first-year student. You can see what he's done, and imagine what he'll be capable of in his second or third year."
Shao Xiaobie quickly flipped through the file, his heart pounding with each page.
Qiao Rong also took a look and scoffed, "Hmph, you guys at the Mutual Aid Society sure are doing a great job. You can't even keep a first-year student under control."
Shao Xiaobie retorted, annoyed, "Stop with the cold remarks. Who knew this kid was up to so much without making a sound? This kid's got some guts, causing so much trouble in his first year without me noticing."
Jiang Wei smiled and said, "Indeed, this student is quite extraordinary."
Wei Jun spoke coldly, "I don't care how extraordinary he is or what he's done. I'm just telling you that I don't want to see another Shen Zheng."
At the mention of Shen Zheng, everyone's faces paled slightly.
They all remembered that person; during that time, no one among the academy's recommended students could match him. Even when faced with various disadvantages, Shen Zheng overcame them one by one and kept moving forward, making the Mutual Aid Society look quite embarrassed.
Shen Zheng later obtained the Infinite Defense Certificate and was just one step away from Central City. But this was something they could not tolerate, especially since, given his capabilities, if he established himself in Central City, he would undoubtedly come to uproot them, which would affect Yangzhi City. Fortunately, their backing families had noticed the signs and intervened, allowing them to deal with him in time.
Jiang Wei took the file and examined it calmly, then analyzed, "He already has the Foreign Affairs Bureau's recommendation, and if he also gets the Handling Bureau's recommendation, he might apply for the Defense Certificate after the semester starts, and with his abilities, he's likely to pass."
"Once he obtains the Defense Certificate, he'll probably apply for the Central City spot immediately. This news has leaked out early; otherwise, it might have been possible for him to succeed. Blocking him then would have been very troublesome."
Wei Jun's expression darkened, "We can't afford any more issues with the spot. No matter how small the possibility, we can't let it slide. We must handle this matter by any means necessary."
Shao Xiaobie cursed, "This kid, where is he now? I'll send someone to take care of him."
Wei Jun's butler spoke up, "Mr. Shao, the academy is currently on vacation, and this student spends most of his time at a private training hall on Xiuyi Street in the south of the city, which is owned by Manager Cheng Zitong."
"Cheng Zitong?" Shao Xiaobie was taken aback.
Qiao Rong glanced at him disdainfully and said irritably, "Are you blind? Didn't you see it written in the file that Cheng Zitong is his instructor?"
"Cheng Zitong? This might be tricky." Shao Xiaobie hesitated, aware of Cheng Zitong's background, and he did have some reservations.
Jiang Wei laughed, "He's just an instructor. What can he do without the student?"
Shao Xiaobie thought about it; it made sense. When Shen Zheng died, they had been on edge for a while, fearing that He Xiaoxing wouldn't let it go. It seemed that the company and the family had even prepared something, but nothing happened in the end.
Shao Xiaobie stood up from the lounge chair, his voice hardening, "Leave it to me. I'll arrange for someone to handle it." As he spoke, he began walking away.
"Xiao Bie," Wei Jun's voice called out from behind.
Shao Xiaobie turned around.
Wei Jun looked up at him and said slowly, "If you're going to take care of it, make sure it's clean. Don't leave any loose ends."
Shao Xiaobie assured him, "Don't worry, Brother Wei. I'll have people from the outside handle it, and there won't be any connection to the society."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
