Roses in Flames

Inside the large conference room.

Director Zheng and Director Shao chaired the meeting, which served both as a summary of the closed case of the serial murders on campus and as a commendation and rectification campaign for the criminal investigation team.

Personnel from all departments attended the meeting.

Director Zheng spoke first, "The serial killings on campus have attracted high public attention and are very difficult to investigate. The criminal investigation team withstood the pressure, accurately identified the suspect, prevented a third potential harm, and protected campus safety, which is commendable."

Applause erupted in the conference room.

After nodding, Director Shao looked at Xiao Lin, Cheng Lei, Song Che, Ye Yuntang, and the others, his eyes filled with approval. "The team members performed their duties and worked together effectively, demonstrating excellent professional skills, which is particularly commendable."

After saying that, he changed the subject, "But here, I also want to emphasize the issue of discipline."

Director Shao's gaze fell on Cheng Lei. "Cheng Lei, tell me what happened."

Cheng Lei nodded, stood up, and took out his phone to play a recording.

Qin Feng: Cheng Lei, I heard your mother is sick and needs a lot of money. I can give you this money, but you will have to work for me from now on.

Cheng Lei: Vice Captain Qin, what do you mean?

Qin Feng: You work for Xiao Lin, so you should know his case-solving habits, right? If you secretly tell me the core of Xiao Lin's investigation, you'll get plenty of benefits in the future.

Cheng Lei: Deputy Captain Qin, are you asking me to betray our boss?

Qin Feng: What betrayal? It doesn't matter who you work for. As long as I get promoted, I guarantee I'll let you take over Xiao Lin's position!

Upon hearing the recording, Qin Feng's face instantly turned ashen. He abruptly stood up, glaring sharply at Cheng Lei, "You fucking schemed against me!"

Director Zheng's expression was also extremely unpleasant.

Qin Feng's hands, hanging by his sides, were clenched into fists, and he was both ashamed and angry.

He had just been transferred here and hadn't even settled in when Xiao Lin stole the credit for the campus case, and Cheng Lei even played the recording in front of everyone, which made him lose face completely.

Director Shao gestured for Cheng Lei to sit down, then his sharp gaze swept over Qin Feng. "Deputy Captain Qin, you've only just arrived at the Criminal Investigation Team, and you've already tried to bribe team members, probe for core secrets, and sow discord within the team. Do you know what mistake you've made?"

Before Qin Feng could say anything, he heard Director Shao reprimand him sternly, "You have seriously violated the 'Disciplinary Regulations for People's Police of Public Security Organs,' undermining team unity and police work discipline. However, considering this is your first offense and your short tenure, you are given a major demerit, your deputy captain appointment is revoked, and you are ineligible for performance evaluations and promotions for one year!"

The color drained from Qin Feng's face instantly.

Zheng Ju also looked very embarrassed. He glared at Qin Feng, seemingly angry at his lack of ambition.

The team members who were wholeheartedly following Xiao Lingqian couldn't help but feel fortunate that they hadn't followed the wrong person.

Cheng Lei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had held his ground and hadn't done anything to disappoint his boss.

Director Shao added, "The criminal investigation team is a team on the edge of a knife. It relies on unity and discipline, not on underhanded tactics and scheming. Enforcement must begin with self-discipline."

Director Zheng was perfectly aware that Director Shao's words were full of sarcasm and attempts to take advantage of him.

After taking a deep breath, Director Zheng said, "Qin Feng's violation of discipline this time is indeed punishable, but he is not without merit." Director Zheng tapped the table with his fingertips, lowered his voice, and said with an unquestionable authority, "In the special operation involving the Zou family's collusion with the leaders of the neighboring city, we had the help of an old leader from Beijing. Otherwise, we would not have been able to get involved in the case in the neighboring city."

Director Zheng looked at Qin Feng, his tone softening slightly. "When Qin Feng came to work here, he had some dealings with the old leader in Beijing. After Captain Xiao arrested Zou Xu, Qin Feng made a phone call to the old leader. If it weren't for that call, the investigation team wouldn't have come, and we wouldn't have been able to withstand the pressure and detain Zou Xu."

Upon hearing this, Director Shao almost lost his composure.

Luckily, he didn't drink tea, otherwise he would have spat it out.

Was it Qin Feng's doing that the old leader spoke up?

Director Shao looked at Xiao Lin and gestured with his eyes that Xiao Lin's grandfather knew Qin Feng.

Xiao Lin sat upright, his posture still as straight as a pine tree, and he shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Director Shao understood.

Xiao Lin has always kept a low profile and concealed his identity. He never claimed to be the grandson of the old chief. No one in the bureau knew Xiao Lin's true identity except for him. Everyone thought he came from a poor family and had only a deaf and blind old grandmother at home.

Director Shao was even more certain that Qin Feng alone could not persuade the old leader to come.

Well, Xiao Lin doesn't want to take credit, so I'd better not say anything.

"The old leader will be coming to Yecheng to inspect our work in a few days. Qin Feng, please take good care of him and make sure nothing goes wrong," Director Zheng said.

Qin Feng immediately smiled and replied, "Yes."

A hint of mockery flashed in Director Shao's eyes, and he almost couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

The main reason the old leader came to Yecheng was probably to see his grandson.

When Director Zheng saw that Director Shao was about to burst out laughing, his brows furrowed tightly.

What exactly is Shao Wenbin trying to suppress that makes him laugh?

……

The meeting is over.

As Ye Yuntang was about to return to the forensic lab, Xiao Lin walked over and stopped her. "Forensic Doctor Ye, I want to ask you something. Could you please come to my office?"

Everyone assumed that Xiao Lin was asking Ye Yuntang about work, and Ye Yuntang thought so too, so she followed Xiao Lin into the office.

After the office door closed, Xiao Lin looked at Ye Yuntang with his deep, dark eyes. "You've been working hard lately. How about we go out for dinner tonight?"

The two hadn't spent time alone together in a long time.

Before Ye Yuntang could speak, her WeChat notification went off.

Shen Yan sent a message: "Junior, I've arrived at your police station."

Xiao Lin was very close to Ye Yuntang and immediately saw the message Shen Yan sent.

Ye Yuntang felt a chill run down her spine under Xiao Lin's gaze. "The last alumni gathering was postponed because we were handling a case, and the seniors rescheduled it for today."

Her classmates are all forensic pathologists, and there are also several seniors who specialize in trace evidence forensics.

Every time she attends their gatherings, she gains insights into new types of evidence testing—practical and useful information that benefits her profession. Therefore, she tries her best not to miss any.

Xiao Lin's handsome features were taut, and his voice was deep and cold. "Your senior brother takes good care of you. He always makes sure to schedule alumni gatherings to suit your schedule."

Ye Yuntang saw the sting in the man's eyes and knew that the more she explained, the more conflicted he would become. She raised her hand and gently touched his arm. "I'm leaving now. I'll text you when I'm done."

Xiao Lin watched the woman's departing figure, gritted his teeth, cursed under his breath, and sat down in the leather chair to prepare for overtime work.

But a few seconds later, he grabbed his car keys and rushed out of the office.

As they arrived at the police station, they happened to see Ye Yuntang get into Shen Yan's car.