Tianjin, starting with unorthodox methods to achieve immortality

"Meeting adjourned!"

Wang Zhonghe probably noticed that the people below were getting impatient, so he stopped talking, interrupting Chen Mo's thoughts.

The crowd dispersed like the receding tide, with a few stubborn individuals muttering curses under their breath.

Chen Mo mingled with the crowd and walked down the corridor toward the third team's office.

"Is the new Director Wang a member of the Wang family?"

As soon as he entered the office, he went straight to the chair opposite Liu Ruyan and sat down, getting straight to the point.

Liu Ruyan was tidying up the documents on the table when she heard this and glared at him.

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? There are so many people in the Wang family, how could I possibly know them all?"

"Alright."

Chen Mo didn't linger. He stood up, dusted himself off, and said, "I'm still on suspension, so I'm leaving now. Don't look for me unless it's absolutely necessary."

He waved to the group, and without waiting for a response, turned and walked out.

"You're leaving already?"

Qian Mantang called out from behind, but he pretended not to hear, waved his hand, and didn't turn his head.

As I approached the stairwell, I saw someone walking towards the director's office.

Shen Dajiang.

He was holding a small wooden box in his arms, his face expressionless, but his back was very straight.

Wang Zhonghe followed beside him, his face bearing that signature amiable smile, and he was saying something.

Chen Mo stood at the top of the stairs and greeted the two as they approached.

"Director Shen, Director Wang."

Wang Zhonghe glanced at him, his gaze lingering on his face for less than a second before looking away.

Shen Dajiang stopped in his tracks, looked at Chen Mo, and a complex expression flashed in his eyes.

"Chen Mo".

"Director Shen," Chen Mo smiled, "let me see you off."

Shen Dajiang wanted to say no, but seeing the look in his eyes, he swallowed his words.

Wang Zhonghe was very generous and waved his hand, saying, "It's only right, it's only right. Brother Shen has been in the bureau for so many years, it's only right that I see you off. I won't go, I still have some things to take care of."

After saying that, he turned and went back to the director's office, the door closing gently behind him.

.....

A black Ford slowly drove out of the police station gate.

The street isn't wide, but there aren't many cars in the morning, so driving is relatively smooth.

You have to avoid the rickshaws and handcarts that walk in the middle of the road from time to time.

The sky was still overcast, but the rain had stopped.

The two remained silent for a while before Shen Dajiang finally spoke first.

"You shouldn't have come to see me off."

Chen Mo turned her head and glanced at him: "Why?"

"A new emperor brings a new court," Shen Dajiang said calmly. "The man surnamed Wang just took office, and you came to see me off. He saw it and will remember it. He'll definitely make things difficult for you in the future."

Chen Mo chuckled but didn't reply.

Are you giving me a hard time?

He's already suspended, so what else can he wear?

Should we fire him?

He didn't really care about the resources once it was opened.

Besides, if all else fails, we can just replace the bureau chief; we can't have another one surnamed Wang.

Of course, he didn't say it aloud.

"Director Shen, is there any arrangement from the bureau for what to do next?" Chen Mo asked casually, gripping the steering wheel.

Shen Dajiang leaned back in the passenger seat, gazing at the street scenes rushing past the window, and remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"The Bureau of Suppressing Strange Things is a sinecure."

"Let's retire here."

Chen Mo glanced at him sideways.

Shen Dajiang's profile looked much older than usual in the dim light, and there seemed to be more white hair at his temples than yesterday.

"That's not bad either," he said, withdrawing his gaze and speaking in a relaxed tone. "The Zhenyi Division is much more relaxed; you don't have to worry as much as you do at the bureau. You can drink tea, read the newspaper, and leave work on time. It's a job that many people would kill for."

Shen Dajiang didn't speak, but simply gave a soft "hmm".

Chen Mo knew what he was thinking.

From director of the Eastern District Inspection Bureau to a sinecure in the Town Bureau.

It's called a lateral transfer, but in reality it's a demotion in disguise.

But he didn't point it out.

Some things are better left unsaid; saying too much only makes it seem like you're pitying him.

Shen Dajiang is the last person who needs anyone's pity.

The car turned into a slightly narrower street, and Chen Mo slowed down to avoid a slow-moving handcart in front of him.

The old man pushing the cart glanced back at him, then turned away and continued pushing forward at a leisurely pace.

Chen Mo didn't honk his horn, he just followed.

"How many of us died last night?"

Shen Dajiang frowned slightly.

"two."

Which two?

"Sun Rongfa from Team Five and Xu Kainian from Team Eight?" Shen Dajiang's tone was heavy. "Two hotheads who only knew how to charge forward. I didn't even have time to save them."

"Where are the others?" Chen Mo asked.

"Many were injured," Shen Dajiang said. "There are a few more who were seriously injured and are lying in the hospital, but their lives are not in danger."

Chen Mo nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

The car drove through several streets and gradually entered the Dongmen area.

The buildings here are much older than those near the inspection bureau, but the alleys are wider and the residents are more diverse.

Several women in cheongsams stood at the doorway, cracking sunflower seeds and watching passersby.

"Turn right at the next intersection," Shen Dajiang pointed ahead, "Yangliuqing Alley. You can't drive in, just park at the entrance of the alley."

Following his instructions, Chen Mo parked his car at the entrance of the alley where it wouldn't get in the way.

Following his instructions, Chen Mo parked his car at the entrance of the alley where it wouldn't get in the way.

Shen Dajiang picked up the old wooden crate at his feet and opened the car door. "Want to come up for a cup of tea?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "No, I have something to do later. You should rest well. I'll come see you another day."

Shen Dajiang didn't insist, and turned to walk into the alley with the box in his arms.

Chen Mo sat in the car, watching his back disappear into the depths of the alley. That back was still very straight, but for some reason, looking at it always made people feel a little choked up.

He sat in the car for a while before turning around and driving in another direction.

Li Pangzi's house isn't far; it's only a fifteen-minute drive...

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.

In the former office of Shen Dajiang at the East District Inspection Bureau, all the furnishings have been replaced.

The old elmwood desk that had been used for five or six years was gone, replaced by a brand new mahogany desk with a smooth, mirror-like surface that could reflect one's image.

The plaque that originally hung on the wall was taken down and replaced with a Western oil painting depicting a pastoral scene with lush green grass and scattered sheep.

The bookshelf was still the same bookshelf, but everything inside had been changed. In its place were rows of neat, hardcover books with gold lettering on their spines, giving them a very classy look.

Wang Zhonghe sat behind the brand-new mahogany desk, holding a cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea.

Zhou Peiwen stood opposite the desk, bowing slightly in a respectful manner.

When Shen Dajiang was in power, he was Shen Dajiang's deputy, in charge of daily administrative affairs.

Now that Shen Dajiang is gone and Wang Zhonghe has arrived, he remains the deputy.

"Deputy Director Zhou," Wang Zhonghe put down his teacup, his tone gentle, as if chatting with an old friend, "Sit down and talk. What are you standing for?"

Zhou Peiwen smiled, sat down on the chair next to him, only sitting on one side of his buttocks, his back ramrod straight.

"The young man who just took Director Shen home," he finally spoke, his tone as casual as if he were asking about the weather, "is his name Chen Mo, right?"

Zhou Peiwen's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Yes, his name is Chen Mo."

"What is his position?" Wang Zhonghe put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

"I've been suspended from my duties," Zhou Peiwen answered truthfully. "I was suspended for a month after killing someone from the Chang Le Gang."

Wang Zhonghe responded with an "Oh," his expression remaining unchanged.

"Suspended from duty?" He repeated the three words, as if savoring their meaning.

"Yes," Zhou Peiwen nodded, "so he doesn't need to come to work now. We'll see how things go after his suspension period is over."

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Wang Zhonghe picked up the teacup but put it down again, without drinking it.

Looking at his profile, Zhou Peiwen felt a vague unease.

This new bureau chief is probably going to use people to establish his authority.

A new broom sweeps clean; it's an old tradition.