In truth, as early as when Qiu Tu had led his team into the Qin residence, Qin Zhengguang had secretly investigated him.
After all, a Rank 1 agent from the Political Department leading a squad into one's family compound was far too sensitive a political signal.
Coupled with the rumors circulating around the bureau that "Qiu Tu held an old grudge against the Qin family," Qin Zhengguang had been exceedingly cautious.
He had dug into Qiu Tu's background with great care.
Yet the results revealed that Qiu Tu had practically never crossed paths with the Qin family, let alone harbored any enmity.
This had left Qin Zhengguang utterly perplexed.
He had then reversed course, investigating the source of the rumors claiming Qiu Tu had a vendetta against the family.
Tracing the trail back step by step, he eventually found it leading straight to Yan Chen and Secretary Bai.
Yet the problem was that during his inquiry into Qiu Tu, Qin Zhengguang had discovered that Qiu Tu was Secretary Bai's protégé. It was precisely through Secretary Bai's trust that Qiu Tu had managed to cling to Yan Chen's coattails.
Yet now that Qiu Tu was investigating the Qin family, Secretary Bai and Yan Chen were dragging their feet and undermining him?
And yet... wasn't Qiu Tu's recent promotion and transfer Yan Chen's doing in the first place? Wasn't Yan Chen the mastermind behind this investigation?
These contradictory, tangled relationships had prevented Qin Zhengguang from discerning the truth for days, casting a veil of mystery over Qiu Tu in his eyes.
Thus, even though Qin Zhengguang knew Qiu Tu might intend to move against him, he had not dared to act rashly.
After keeping a lid on his suspicions for two days, Qin Zhengguang had happened to cross paths with Qiu Tu on the road this morning. Seizing the opportunity, he had intended to pressure Qiu Tu and get him to back off.
Who could have guessed that not only would Qiu Tu refuse to back down, he would push his luck and brazenly hitch a ride in Qin Zhengguang's car?
Qin Zhengguang truly could not comprehend the inner workings of Qiu Tu's mind.
And what bewildered him even more was what happened next...
When the car pulled up to the Investigation Bureau, Qiu Tu actually stretched, let out a yawn, and got out without offering even a single word of thanks!
Even worse, after getting out of the car, Qiu Tu had turned back to rap on Qin Zhengguang's window as if only just remembering, leaving behind a "threat": "Section Chief Qin, a word of advice: don't go wandering around this morning. Just drink some tea and review documents in your office."
Watching Qiu Tu's swaggering back as he strode into the Investigation Bureau, Qin Zhengguang knit his brows tightly, feeling increasingly at a loss to make sense of this young man.
Entering the Investigation Bureau's administrative building, Qiu Tu took the elevator straight to the top floor—the private executive offices reserved for the bureau's leadership.
As one of the three major authorities in Xinjie City, the Xinjie City Investigation Bureau had one Director and three Deputy Directors. Together with officials wielding real authority over key departments—such as Jia Shu, Secretary Bai, the Chief of the Special Service Department, and the Chief of the Public Security Division—they formed the apex of the Investigation Bureau's pyramid of power.
These were the nine individuals standing at the very top, ruling over more than ten thousand agents throughout the bureau.
Consequently, upon stepping out on the twelfth floor, Qiu Tu kept an exceptionally low profile. Moving with practiced ease, he arrived at Secretary Bai's office and knocked on the door.
Moments later, a low voice called out from within, "Come in."
Pushing the door open, Qiu Tu saw Secretary Bai on the telephone.
Catching sight of Qiu Tu, Secretary Bai paused for an instant, then gestured for him to sit down while continuing his call: "Committee Member Wang, I understand, I understand. But this has to be approved by the Municipal Council before it can take effect. Until it's approved, our Investigation Bureau really has no way to make advance arrangements."
"I know, I know, but..."
After stalling for another minute, Secretary Bai finally hung up the phone with a look of palpable relief.
Setting down the receiver, Secretary Bai looked up at Qiu Tu and asked with a smile, "What brings you back to the bureau today?"
Facing this superior who had consistently supported and promoted him, Qiu Tu maintained an exceptionally polite demeanor. "I'm here to report my work to the Director."
Hearing those words, Secretary Bai froze for a split second. Then he smiled and said, "Wait a moment. Let me check the Director's schedule."
With that, Secretary Bai pulled a folder from his desk. Opening it and flipping through the pages, he remarked in an offhand tone, "Qiu Tu, the Director is a very busy man."
"Aside from handling all the various affairs in Xinjie City, he also has to oversee joint operations involving several neighboring cities from time to time."
"It's only Director Liu over in Dongcheng City who... well, isn't on good terms with our Director, so the two sides don't really cooperate."
"So don't go hovering around the Director unless you have real business. Just focus on what you're supposed to do."
"If you interfere with the Director's major plans, even I won't be able to protect you then."
Hearing Secretary Bai's remarks, Qiu Tu was momentarily taken aback, then cast a complicated look at him.
Secretary Bai's words sounded like a reprimand, but in truth, he was revealing the reach of Yan Chen's sphere of influence:
There were six or seven cities surrounding Xinjie City, all of which Yan Chen could influence. Even if Qiu Tu fled to any of those cities, he could not escape Yan Chen's grasp, and he would most likely be hunted down and arrested as a wanted fugitive.
Only the director of Dongcheng City held a grudge against Yan Chen. Therefore, if he needed to run, he could escape to that city, and from there slip into the Cataclysm Zone...
This was invaluable intelligence—and an escape route for Qiu Tu should matters turn desperate.
Thinking of this, Qiu Tu looked at Secretary Bai with mixed emotions, sighing inwardly,
'Even in an apocalyptic world, there really are good people who repay a kindness...'
Many in the Investigation Bureau knew that Qiu Tu was Secretary Bai's protégé, and that it was through Secretary Bai's patronage that Qiu Tu had latched onto Yan Chen's coattails.
What they did not know was that Qiu Tu was actually Secretary Bai's savior.
Two years ago, during the preparatory establishment of Xinjie City, Secretary Bai, as Yan Chen's confidant, had accompanied the Military Department to Xinjie City to serve as an advance guard and purge underground factions.
During that period, Secretary Bai had been ambushed, cut off from the main force, imprisoned, and had nearly lost his life.
It was Qiu Tu who had picked him up, brought him home, and saved his life—just like when he had taken in A Tai and Lao Ying as a child...
Thus, when Xinjie City was formally established, Qiu Tu was able to establish ties with Secretary Bai and join the Investigation Bureau. Later, Secretary Bai had found an opportunity to recommend him to Yan Chen, securing his promotion to Rank 2 agent...
Otherwise, how could a nobody from the very bottom ever have come across such an opportunity?
Originally, Qiu Tu had assumed Secretary Bai considered the debt repaid by that point, which was why he had not dared to trouble him since.
Yet unexpectedly, now that Qiu Tu was mired in a perilous crisis, Secretary Bai had still not forgotten to point out a way of retreat for him...
Just as Qiu Tu finished reminiscing about their past, Secretary Bai completed his review of Yan Chen's schedule for the day.
Closing the folder, he looked up at Qiu Tu and asked, "I checked. The Director is indeed quite busy today, but he can spare a few minutes right now. Do you want to go back and think it over, or should I go ahead and announce you?"
Snapping back to reality, Qiu Tu looked at Secretary Bai and smiled faintly. "Please announce me, sir."
Chapter 41