Official title: Refused to stay at the university, started his career in a rural town.

Jingzhou, Building No. 3 of the Provincial Party Committee Compound in Handong Province.

Liang Qunfeng sat behind his desk, while his secretary Zhang Yi stood in front of him, holding a notebook and speaking at a measured pace.

"Secretary Liang, news came from Yantai City this morning. The Criminal Investigation Brigade held a meeting at 1:30 a.m. and it lasted until 3:00 a.m. This morning, Zhang Hongsheng made full arrangements and mobilized manpower, with the goal of dismantling the drug trafficking group that Qi Tongwei was infiltrating within a week."

Liang Qunfeng paused slightly in the cup he was holding, then nodded.

Liang Qunfeng put his water glass on the table, leaned back in his chair, and his shirt was already soaked with cold sweat.

This story begins a few days ago.

That evening, Liang Lu returned from school. Her expression was off as soon as she entered the door. She sat on the sofa with her bag for a long time without saying a word.

He was watching the news at the time and casually asked what was wrong. Liang Lu was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "Dad, Professor Gao Yuliang came to the school today and asked if I arranged for Qi Tongwei to apply to infiltrate the drug cartel. He also advised me not to be so temperamental."

Liang Qunfeng immediately turned off the TV.

Liang Lu continued, saying that not only did Gao Yuliang come to inquire in person, but even Su Huaishan, entrusted by Principal Wang Jianmin, came to her office specifically.

So she was so frightened that she ran back to the provincial party committee's villa No. 3 that very night and told him the whole story.

Liang Qunfeng's hand trembled slightly after hearing this.

He immediately sent someone to find out the details, and what he found out almost made him furious.

Qi Tongwei, a graduate student from Handong University and the president of the student union, was sent to the Yantaishan Judicial Office by Liang Lu with a single word.

That's fine. After all, it's a matter of school assignment. What's wrong with you being outstanding? Can't you go to the grassroots level?

But now someone is pushing this young man into a fire pit—voluntarily applying to be an undercover agent? A judicial assistant who has barely even touched a gun, voluntarily applying to be an undercover agent in a drug cartel?

He knew immediately that there was something fishy going on here; his political acumen told him that the waters here ran deep!

But what made him even more alarmed was what happened next—the list was submitted to the Municipal Bureau, and Zhang Hongsheng approved it with a stroke of his pen, without even giving them systematic training, and the people were stuffed into the drug dealers' den.

Liang Qunfeng was sitting in his study at the time, cold sweat seeping out of his back layer by layer.

If things really go wrong, if Qi Tongwei really falls into the clutches of drug dealers, what will those old fogies at Handong University think? What will Wang Jianmin think? What will Su Huaishan think?

Will they think that you, Liang Qunfeng, are standing up for your daughter behind her back?

Yes, everyone knows that Liang Lu said she would keep Qi Tongwei in check back in school.

The whole school knows!

It wasn't enough that Qi Tongwei was imprisoned in Yantaishan; he was also stuffed into a drug dealer's den as an undercover agent, without even receiving any training!

If you say this wasn't done at your behest, Liang Qunfeng, who would believe you?

Even with his eyes closed, Liang Qunfeng could picture Wang Jianmin's face.

If that old man were to slam his fist on the table in his office and say, "Someone is not taking Handong University seriously," and then invite a few old men from Beijing to come out and support him, then Liang Qunfeng would be unable to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

No one knows a daughter better than her father. He knew Liang Lu's personality all too well, and he believed that Liang Lu was not a child without principles.

After all, Handong University isn't made of clay. She's still a teacher at Handong University. What if she doesn't want to stay at Handong or in academia anymore?

But what's the point of him believing Liang Lu did it? Can Handong University really trust them?

If this gets out, it will be said that Liang Qunfeng used his power to suppress, or even drive to the death, a recent college graduate in order to favor his daughter.

I remembered sitting in my study for half a day that day, and finally picking up the phone and dialing the number of the director of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission office.

"Add one item to the agenda for next week's meeting."

The things he said behind closed doors, those harsh words about undercover agents, like "there are plenty of handcuffs" and "what will you replace if someone's gone?"—were meant for his subordinates, to urge them to stop and make amends as soon as possible.

This was also meant for Handong University. You see, I, Liang Qunfeng, publicly emphasized the safety of undercover police officers at a provincial meeting. My stance is clear: Qi Tongwei's matter has nothing to do with me.

But he also knew that talking was useless.

If Han Baotian doesn't understand, and if Yantai City doesn't take any action, his few words won't shut up those old scholars at Handong University.

So he had his secretary, Zhang Yi, keep an eye on Yantai City early on.

Fortunately, Han Baotian understood.

Not only did he convene a meeting upon returning, but Zhang Hongsheng also deployed operations overnight, vowing to dismantle the drug trafficking group within a week. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

That half-eaten mouthful was still hanging in the air.

Liang Qunfeng leaned back in his chair, his fingers slowly tapping on the table.

Qi Tongwei, oh Qi Tongwei, please don't let anything happen to you.

If something happens to you, countless people will suffer because of you. The key point is that most of these people don't even understand why they are suffering.

Liang Qunfeng was even more wronged—he was sitting at home when trouble came out of nowhere, and he was the one who made the mistake. He was truly suffering in silence.

Liang Qunfeng pondered for a moment, then his voice returned to its usual calm and steady tone. "We're continuing to monitor the situation in Yantai City."

"Understood." Zhang Yi nodded and left.

Liang Qunfeng took off his reading glasses and placed them on the table, then rubbed his temples with his fingers.

I, Liang Qunfeng, have walked this path with utmost caution and trepidation my entire life. How difficult has it been for me?

Iwata City acted so quickly; they should be able to close the net before anything happens.

As long as Qi Tongwei comes out alive, the case will be solved, the credit will be awarded, and then Handong University will naturally calm down.

Even if Wang Jianmin had anything else to say, he could confidently retort – “I, Liang Qunfeng, spoke publicly in the province, and Yantai City immediately took action. The drug trafficking group was wiped out, and Comrade Qi Tongwei returned safely. What else are you dissatisfied with?”

They could even go a step further and use this opportunity to make Qi Tongwei a role model, having Liang Lu apologize to him.

Let's just consider this matter closed.

But what if it's exposed before the operation is even completed?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

September 30th, 1:00 AM, conference room of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of Yantai City.

The lights were as bright as day, and the whiteboard was covered with photos, arrows, names, and timelines. The dense clues wove a net, and at the center of the net was a photo of a middle-aged man—Sixth Master.

Several new boards were added next to the whiteboard, with topographical maps, building plans, personnel deployment diagrams, and a few notes passed back from informants, the handwriting messy and the edges crumpled.

The group of people who had a meeting in the early hours of the morning a few days ago are all here today.

Zhang Hongsheng stood in front of the whiteboard, his eyes bloodshot, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his fingers poking at the three characters "Lone Eagle Ridge".

"Lone Eagle Ridge, South Stone Village!"

He turned around, glanced at the people below the stage, his voice hoarse but full of confidence.

"The hideout is in the abandoned quarry at the very back of Nanshi Village. This guy, who's called Sixth Master, goes there every few days. The news has been confirmed. A batch of goods is going to be shipped out at 5 a.m. today, and the transaction will take place there. He'll be there too."

"According to intelligence, he has two long guns, nine short guns, and detonators, the number of which is unknown."

A few seconds of silence filled the meeting room. Someone put down their pen.

Deputy Captain Zhou Yuanzheng chimed in, his voice low: "Director Zhang, this firepower has exceeded our expectations. I suggest we deploy the SWAT team immediately."

Zhang Hongsheng nodded slightly.

"After the meeting, your task is to immediately go down and check the bulletproof equipment of all the combat personnel, bring out all the bulletproof vests in stock, and report to me if there are not enough, and I will coordinate."

"Firearms to standard specifications, ammunition sufficient. Operation time set for 5:5 AM! Everyone check your pagers and keep them operational." He paused, emphasizing each word.

"I've already contacted Director Qian regarding the SWAT team. Two squads are on standby. We'll surround the key traffic routes, and the assault will be handled by them."

Zhou Yuanzheng's cheek twitched, and his gaze lingered on Zhang Hongsheng's face for a moment.

Zhang Hongsheng stood in front of the whiteboard, glanced at his watch, and stared at the boards for a long while, a slight smile playing on his lips. He looked around at the leaders and cadres below, his voice brimming with undisguised ambition.

"It's just a drug trafficking ring. We never had the chance to mobilize all our resources to deal with it properly before. If we could have mobilized all our resources from all sides, we would have taken it down long ago!"

That's true. The anti-drug squad is always understaffed, and there are so many cases that they never have the energy to concentrate all their resources on dealing with a small gang.

Now things are much better. Han Baotian personally selected the officers, and Zhang Hongsheng personally took command. All the criminal police and special police in the city have been mobilized. What are Sixth Masters and what are long guns and short guns? In the face of overwhelming firepower, what can they do?

"Go and get ready—" Zhang Hongsheng was about to wave goodbye and end the meeting.

"Director Zhang," Zhou Yuanzheng suddenly spoke.

Zhang Hongsheng's hand froze in mid-air as he looked at him.

He glanced at the leaders and cadres around him; all eyes were on him.

A subtle glint flashed in the eyes of several people, and they all took a half step back in unison.

Zhou Yuanzheng took a deep breath and said hesitantly, "Director Zhang, there's something else. Should we discuss it further?"