Captain Lu was aloof again today.

Chapter 181 Director Wang
After watching them leave, Wei Qingsong rubbed his throbbing temples and turned to go back to his office, only to be met by Director Wang coming down from upstairs.

"It's so late, why aren't you home yet?" Director Wang, still holding a teacup, walked down the steps and stood in front of Wei Qingsong, his gaze still kind.

Wei Qingsong turned his head and glanced at the criminal police officers who were still busy in the office, and said, "Everyone is still sticking to their posts, how could I possibly indulge in pleasure?"

Thinking about how the criminal police officers in the bureau have been working overtime at high intensity recently, Director Wang felt a mix of emotions and shook his head with a sigh.

"That's how it is in our line of work. When a case comes in, we work overtime, and it's possible to not go home for a month. At this time, most people are already asleep, but we still have to stay here."

He paused, then looked at Wei Qingsong: "If it were Jingming, he would definitely stay here too, but he's used to this kind of lifestyle. You're different. A girl like you can't stay up all night like this for a long time. Look at you, it's only been a short time, but you look so much more haggard. If Jingming saw you like this, he would definitely feel sorry for you."

Mentioning Lu Jingming, Wei Qingsong's expression softened, and she smiled calmly, "I'm fine, Director Wang. Jingming is still in the hospital. The young people in the team have lost their backbone, so they must be having trouble keeping their composure. I have to stay here to encourage and cheer them on."

Director Wang sighed again, unscrewed the lid of his cup, took a sip of tea, and said after a long while, "Actually, when you first came to the bureau, Jingming came to see me and objected to keeping you in the bureau. He seemed to be questioning your professional level, but in fact he knew how hard this industry was and didn't want you to suffer with him."

"He may appear cold and aloof on the surface, but he is actually more tender-hearted than anyone else. He would rather be misunderstood by everyone than give up doing what he wants to do."

Wei Qingsong was momentarily lost in thought due to her turbulent emotions, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled faintly: "I understand everything you've said."

Of course she understood the tenderness hidden beneath his aloof exterior.

Director Wang gently patted Wei Qingsong on the shoulder, his tone filled with emotion: "Cherish the people in front of you. No matter how many difficulties there are, you can always overcome them. Just like when we solve cases, no matter how many obstacles there are in the way, as long as we have determination and perseverance, we will always find the truth."

Wei Qingsong was completely confused and didn't understand what Wang Ju meant. It seemed that Wang Ju's words had a hidden meaning.

As if to confirm her guess, Director Wang continued, "Although we need to keep an eye on the progress of the case, we can't devote all our attention to it. When you have some free time, go to the hospital and keep Jingming company. Although he's a grown man and wouldn't be so dramatic over such a small injury, I think he needs you."

Hearing this, Wei Qingsong realized that Director Wang had misunderstood her, thinking that she was neglecting Lu Jingming because of the case.

She gave a bitter smile and lowered her eyes: "He has family to take care of him. If I go there, I won't be able to help. I'll just get in the way, cause trouble, and be disliked."

Upon hearing this, Director Wang was taken aback at first, then laughed heartily a few times, staring at her teasingly, and said, "Songsong, this isn't like you at all. Where did that reckless energy you had when you first came back go? You're not the kind of person who would back down just because of a few words from others."

Wei Qingsong pursed her lips.

At that time, she was actually scared too.

She was afraid that she and Lu Jingming could never go back to the way things were before.

I'm afraid that my courage will ultimately come to nothing.

She was the only one who was afraid of being left behind.

At that time, her resolute and all-consuming actions were driven by a determination to leave no regrets. She had already prepared for the worst, and even if Lu Jingming disliked her, she still wanted to give it another try.

But things are different now. Having lost something and then regained it, she becomes even more anxious and cautious, afraid that the beauty before her is only temporary, afraid that she will wake up one day to find that it was just a beautiful dream.

Ultimately, it's because she feels guilty and can't get over this hurdle.

She didn't know how to face Lu Jinghuan.

And Lu Changbai, he used to be so kind to her, but now?
Wei Qingsong was lost in thought and hesitated before speaking: "If they were just some unrelated strangers, of course I wouldn't care, but they are, after all, Lu Jingming's family."

"So what?" Director Wang retorted, shaking his head with exasperation. "Putting everything else aside, if Jingming could really be swayed by Lao Lu's ideas, he wouldn't have left Lao Lu's protection alone to start his own business, let alone become a criminal police officer. Everyone says that Jingming is following in his father's footsteps, but they don't know that the person in this world who least wants Jingming to become a criminal police officer is Lu Changbai himself."

"But what happened? Jingming not only became a criminal police officer, but he also surpassed his father, becoming even more outstanding. He never lived in his father's shadow." Speaking of this old friend, Director Wang said without any politeness, "Old Lu is such an old-fashioned person with a rigid mindset. What does he know? His own love life is a mess, yet he wants to interfere in his son's love life. He's probably just drunk too much and messed up his brain over the years. Just ignore him."

Wang Ju was unaware of the inside story and thought she had been hurt by Lu Changbai, so he immediately defended Wei Qingsong verbally.

Wei Qingsong was both amused and exasperated, but didn't say much.

Director Wang's words of comfort did indeed relieve a lot of the frustration in her heart.

She smiled and said, "I understand, thank you, Director Wang."

"Hey, don't blame me for being nosy. I'm getting old, so I like to talk too much. If I say anything wrong, you can't hold a grudge against me," Director Wang said half-jokingly.

"How could that be? I'm so grateful for your concern for me and Jingming." Wei Qingsong paused, looking apologetic. "But you, are you upset that I insisted on thoroughly investigating this case and causing you trouble?"

"Tsk, what are you saying? You're deliberately trying to embarrass this old man."

Director Wang deliberately put on a stern face, which made Wei Qingsong's heart skip a beat.

But he became more serious and said earnestly, "Upholding the truth and pursuing the facts is the right thing to do. I am the one who feels guilty. I have been in this position for too long, always on edge, as if walking on thin ice. With so many things to worry about, I have gradually forgotten the responsibilities I should have borne. It is time for me to retire and hand over this responsibility to you young people."

He laughed again as he spoke, his tone lighter than ever before.

Wei Qingsong was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

"Hey, hold on, don't look so serious. Relax and do what you need to do. My old bones can still hold up for now. As long as I'm here, I'll be your solid support."

After Wang finished speaking, he didn't give Wei Qingsong a chance to react. He patted her shoulder with a smile, turned around, and walked briskly downstairs.

Wei Qingsong watched Director Wang's departing figure, feeling somewhat lost for a moment.

She felt that every word Director Wang said today had a hidden meaning. She seemed to understand his deeper meaning, but she also felt that there was some unspoken meaning hidden in his words that she had not been able to decipher.

(End of this chapter)