Chapter 17: Shock at the Police Bureau

When Lin Ying appeared at the gate of the Gaoshan County Public Security Bureau, Old Liu, the gatekeeper, thought his eyes were playing tricks. The dark-blue uniform bore three blossoms and two bars. Which city bureau leader was this?

“Hello, sir. Who are you looking for?”

“I’m Lin Ying, the newly appointed police chief and acting county chief.” She walked straight inside, with Duan Fei, Xie Zhijun and Fatty Xu close behind.

People around the bureau turned to look. Passing officers saw the insignia and hurriedly saluted. Which city leader was she? They hadn’t seen her before. Three blossoms and two bars—a first-class superintendent. Which Baiyun City director was this?

“Hello, sir!”

Lin glanced at them in acknowledgment. Her face remained expressionless and stern.

Then someone stared in shock. “Isn’t that Chief Gao?”

“Which Chief Gao?”

“Gao Lan, the one who just died!”

“What? How could it be her?”

“Look! Who else could it be?”

Others turned. A familiar face appeared before them. In the crowd, Li Jianmin and Lü Dayong froze. Lü’s eyes widened like bells, his heart racing as he stared at the upright figure. Gao Lan?

Impossible. Wasn’t she dead? He watched Lin approach as though seeing a ghost. Li was equally stunned, too shocked to speak or greet her.

“G-G-Gao…” Lü stammered. Lin walked past him before he could finish.

“S-stop!” he cried, his voice shaking.

Lin turned. The force of her presence made him pale. She said nothing, but the lethal aura of someone who had come through mountains of corpses and seas of blood made sweat pour down his face.

Li hurried forward. “You are…?” Seeing the insignia on her shoulder, his head buzzed. He snapped a salute. “Hello, sir!”

Lin merely glanced at him, then continued toward the office building.

The whole bureau erupted. Had Gao Lan come back to life, wearing a police uniform? What was happening?

Li called Liu Yixiong. “Director Liu, look! Gao Lan is here!”

“Bullshit! How could Gao Lan be here?” Liu cursed.

“No, Director, go to the window. Look outside!” Li’s lips trembled. A sense of dread seized him. Gao Lan wasn’t dead? How could that be?

Several officers who had dealt with Gao were equally shaken.

Liu went to the window and pulled back the curtain. His office overlooked the gate, and he immediately saw Lin and her three companions approaching. When he saw her face, he froze. Gao… Gao Lan?

No. Gao hadn’t possessed that kind of presence. Could it be Lin Ying?

He realized at once that the new chief had finally appeared. His heart pounded. He had ruled the bureau like a local emperor for years; no one dared disobey him. Yet this newcomer frightened him. Before showing herself, she had already put him in his place. She had easily obtained the top job he had coveted for years, and was acting county chief as well. The province must have approved.

The thought that she had been sent down deliberately made him uneasy. He hurried out of his office as Lin entered the building.

People came out to look. Why was Chief Gao Lan here in uniform? But when they saw Lin’s straight posture, imposing presence and fierce bearing, they fell silent. Those who noticed her insignia quickly saluted.

“Hello, sir!” Greetings rose along the corridor.

Lin looked around, her eyes bright and sharp. “There’s no need for formality. I’m Lin Ying, your new police chief and acting county chief.”

The crowd erupted again. Some finally understood. “She’s Director Lin Ying? No wonder!”

“Welcome, Director Lin!” Officers saluted. Lin nodded slightly.

Li Jianmin and Lü Dayong, who had turned back to the building, heard her introduce herself. The new police chief? Lin Ying!

Both men jolted. Why did she look so much like Gao Lan? Unease rose again. Lü broke into a cold sweat. Unlike Liu, they hadn’t seen her photograph in advance and were still stunned.

As Lin walked inside, a pleasant-looking man in his forties approached and saluted. “Xu Xianglin, office director, reporting to Director Lin. Welcome!” He smiled broadly.

“Welcome, Director Lin!” another voice called. A short, stout man strode over and saluted. “Liu Yixiong, deputy director of the Gaoshan County Public Security Bureau, reporting.” Reluctant as he was, he had to put aside his pride and salute properly.

Lin looked him up and down. Liu was fair, plump and somewhat short, but energetic. His eyes were small, with a cunning most people would miss.

“Welcome, Director Lin!” Liu extended both hands.

The corner of Lin’s mouth lifted in a faint, unreadable smile.