Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!

Chapter 68: Saving Secretary Bai

Chapter 68: Saving Secretary Bai

While thinking this over, Qiu Tu snapped back to reality and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Deputy Director Qin. I’m still getting used to the new duties. As for whether I’ve adapted… well, I am a member of the Investigation Department. I will get used to whatever my superiors assign me to."

Qin Zhengguang patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder with a smile. "It’s good that you have this awareness. However, if you’re finding it hard to adapt, you can always talk to me. If you want, I can talk to the Director and have you transferred to the Security Department."

Surprised by Qin Zhengguang’s genuine offer, Qiu Tu raised his eyebrows slightly and then smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Deputy Director Qin. If I ever need it, I’ll be sure to let you know."

Qin Zhengguang nodded and gestured for Qiu Tu to walk with him towards the Investigation Department building. As they walked, Qiu Tu decided to probe a bit. "Deputy Director Qin, are you familiar with Deputy Chairman Tian?"

Qin Zhengguang paused at the question, then shook his head with a smile. "I’m not very familiar with Deputy Chairman Tian. But my eldest brother, third brother, and… fourth brother have a good relationship with him."

Mentioning his "fourth brother" caused Qin Zhengguang’s expression to sour noticeably. Qiu Tu frowned slightly at this information. ‘Director Qin, the third brother, and the fourth brother are all close to Deputy Chairman Tian?’

It was normal for a city hall director and a businessman to have dealings with Deputy Chairman Tian, but why would the fourth brother, a henchman, have a connection with him?

Seeing Qiu Tu's curiosity, Qin Zhengguang asked in return, "Why do you ask, Deputy Chief Qiu? Has something happened with Deputy Chairman Tian?"

The relaxed demeanor Qiu Tu had a moment ago vanished as he tensed up. It was Secretary Bai’s voice. ‘Why now of all times?’

Qiu Tu glanced around the first-floor lobby of the Investigation Department. It was filled with agents, coming and going, as it was work hours. Seeing this, Qiu Tu realized it might not be the ideal situation, but it was still an opportunity to save Secretary Bai.

Qin Zhengguang also turned to see who had called out. Recognizing Secretary Bai, he smiled and patted Qiu Tu’s arm, ready to leave quickly. But just as he was about to step away, Qiu Tu grabbed his arm.

Startled, Qin Zhengguang stopped and looked at Qiu Tu, confused by his actions. Meanwhile, Qiu Tu turned to face Secretary Bai, saluted him formally, and greeted him in a distant and official tone, "Good day, Sir!"

Secretary Bai, caught off guard by this cold greeting, hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Qin Zhengguang was utterly bewildered. Everyone in the mid to high levels of the Investigation Department knew that Qiu Tu had been promoted thanks to Secretary Bai’s recommendation, which had brought him to Yan Chen's attention and led to his current position. Secretary Bai was instrumental in Qiu Tu’s rise, and Qiu Tu was known to be closely allied with him.

Yet now, Qiu Tu was acting so aloof towards Secretary Bai? Something was definitely wrong!

Feeling like he had stumbled into a tense situation, Qin Zhengguang’s curiosity was piqued. He watched the interaction between Qiu Tu and Secretary Bai closely, but Qiu Tu didn’t give him more time to observe. After greeting Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu’s expression turned cold. He nodded slightly at Secretary Bai, then pulled Qin Zhengguang towards the elevator.

Qin Zhengguang didn’t want to leave, but he had no choice. He smiled awkwardly at Secretary Bai before being dragged into the elevator by Qiu Tu. Inside the elevator, Qiu Tu and Secretary Bai locked eyes across the lobby.

As Qin Zhengguang turned his head away, Qiu Tu subtly shook his head side to side, a signal only Secretary Bai could see. Secretary Bai frowned slightly, seeming to understand. The elevator doors closed slowly.

Just as the doors were about to close completely, Secretary Bai’s face changed. He shot a resentful glance at Qiu Tu and spat on the ground, muttering, "Ungrateful! Don’t know what’s good for you!"

With that, the elevator doors sealed shut, cutting off the outside world.

Hearing Secretary Bai's parting words, Qiu Tu sighed in relief. ‘Looks like Secretary Bai and I still have some understanding between us.’

As the elevator ascended, Qin Zhengguang couldn’t stop glancing at Qiu Tu. Eventually, he couldn’t hold back. "Deputy Chief Qiu, what’s going on with you and Secretary Bai?"

Feigning realization, Qiu Tu snapped back, "Oh, nothing at all, Deputy Director Qin. It’s perfectly normal. You misunderstood."

The elevator stopped on the fifth floor, the level for the Security Department offices. Qin Zhengguang smiled knowingly and patted Qiu Tu on the back. "I haven’t even said anything, and you already think I misunderstood?"

Qiu Tu chuckled and led the way out of the elevator, leaving Qin Zhengguang curious and somewhat bemused as they headed to their respective offices.

After saying this, Qin Zhengguang laughed heartily and exited the elevator with a victorious smile. Behind him, Qiu Tu's face showed a hint of embarrassment, as if Qin Zhengguang had seen right through him. Once Qin Zhengguang was out of sight, Qiu Tu's expression gradually returned to normal, and his eyes took on a playful glint.

Every good show needs an audience, and Qin Zhengguang was certainly a fitting one. With his preconceived notions, the rumor about Qiu Tu's conflict with Secretary Bai would quickly spread throughout the Investigation Department. Given the number of agents in the lobby who had witnessed the interaction, the story would likely be embellished as it circulated.

Qiu Tu was confident that it wouldn't take long for this news to reach Jia Shu and Yan Chen. They would find it suspicious that Qiu Tu, who had been on good terms with Secretary Bai just yesterday, had suddenly fallen out with him this morning. In such a scenario, they might suspect that the fallout was related to last night’s phone call.

If Secretary Bai had been tipping Qiu Tu off, they would reason that there wouldn't have been a fallout. Thus, they might conclude that the phone call was about something else entirely. With this impression in their minds, Secretary Bai would have an easier time crafting a plausible story when questioned by Yan Chen. Even if no suitable opportunity for an explanation arose, the mere presence of this rumor would affect Yan Chen and Jia Shu's assessment of Secretary Bai's loyalty.

In the worst-case scenario, if Qiu Tu had misread the entire situation and last night's events weren’t a conspiracy, distancing himself from Secretary Bai might still prove beneficial. In the midst of this maelstrom, maintaining a safe distance could protect Secretary Bai as well.

Feeling that he had done everything he could to protect both himself and Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu let out a breath. ‘Secretary Bai, I’ve done all I can. The rest is up to you.’

With this thought, the elevator continued its ascent. Soon, it reached the ninth floor. Qiu Tu stepped out and made his way to the Interrogation Division’s offices.

As he walked, he discreetly observed the Political Division agents. As he had suspected, the department wasn't bustling with activity due to the spy’s death. Everything appeared as orderly as it had been in previous days. This confirmed that the information had been tightly controlled, leaked only through a few covert channels.

This fit well with the theory of it being a trap.

Upon reaching the Interrogation Division, Qiu Tu was immediately approached by his subordinate, Song Qing, who saluted him respectfully. “Deputy Chief, the Minister wants to see you.”

Qiu Tu glanced at Song Qing’s "Loyalty Level". Thanks to yesterday’s "strike declaration," her loyalty had finally surpassed 30, reaching 31. This meant she now regarded him as a legitimate superior and was less likely to feign compliance or badmouth him behind his back.

Testing the waters, Qiu Tu asked, “Do you know why the Minister wants to see me?”

Sure enough, with her "Loyalty Level" up, Song Qing hesitated only briefly before whispering, “It seems he wants to discuss the matter of Cao Dabiao and his team.”

Author's Note

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM