Let them offer their loyalty!

```

With these thoughts, Jia Shu stood by the window for a while and went over the whole matter in his mind once again.

A moment later, he returned to his desk and amended Qiu Tu's appointment, changing "starting from tomorrow" to "effective immediately."

He then temporarily held back Qin Shuman's arrest warrant, planning to issue it after the Qin Family had dealt with their own matters...

Ultimately, he opted for a more cautious approach...

.....

"My God! Another promotion?"

"Who?"

"Who else but Chief Qiu."

"Ah? Chief Qiu got promoted again?"

In an era with radios and vehicles, the speed of command transmission was very fast.

Qiu Tu hadn't even returned to the Qin Family before his promotion notice had already been sent to the Security Team.

So upon his arrival at the Security Team's base, what he heard were the many detectives' discussions.

"Chief Qiu has been promoted two ranks in one week!"

"He's heading for an office job already? I'm so envious."

"From now on, he's a big shot. Not the same as us anymore."

Because he faintly heard his own name, Qiu Tu beckoned a Special Service Detective over and asked, "What happened? Who got promoted?"

The detective Qiu Tu had singled out scurried over and saluted him respectfully amidst the envious gazes of others.

After that, he whispered to Qiu Tu, "Chief, it's you who've been promoted! Congratulations on becoming a Deputy Staff Director!"

Hearing what the detective said, Qiu Tu couldn't help but pause.

Promoted? Deputy Staff Director?

What are Yan Chen and Jia Shu up to?

Though he was hesitant inside, he managed to show a happy expression on his face.

He smiled and patted the detective on the shoulder encouragingly, "Keep up the good work, and you'll be a Deputy Staff Director in the future too!"

The detective blushed with excitement upon hearing Qiu Tu's encouragement and quickly saluted again, "Thank you, Chief!"

And once he returned to the midst of the other detectives, he instantly became the center of attention, with the others eagerly questioning what Qiu Tu had said to him, whether there was any mention of taking him under his wing.

Obviously, with Qiu Tu's promotion, the attitudes of these Special Service detectives toward him had once again undergone a dramatic change...

As mentioned earlier when introducing Lin Zuo, it seemed like there was only one rank between a First Level Detective and a Deputy Staff Director, but in reality, it was a world of difference.

A Deputy Staff Director could not only transfer detectives they liked to their own department so they wouldn't have to do fieldwork anymore, but they also had the authority to recommend promotions below First Level Detective and had a decisive role in selecting detectives.

Add to this that Xinjie City was newly established and the Investigation Bureau's middle-management positions were not yet full, so a Deputy Staff Director entering a leadership position had ample room for advancement.

So if they could gain the favor of a young Deputy Staff Director like Qiu Tu, it could be a life-changing opportunity for those lower-ranking detectives.

Having been through several days in Xinjie City, Qiu Tu also had a comprehensive understanding of the power structure and thus knew what those detectives were yearning for.

However, he hadn't even seen his own promotion fax yet, hadn't figured out what moves Yan Chen and Jia Shu had made, so he was not in the mood to recruit these detectives.

He called over a detective to ask for Fang Ming's whereabouts and went straight to him.

As expected, the promotion fax was in Fang Ming's hands.

Seeing Qiu Tu come to him, Fang Ming handed over the promotion fax with a complex expression on his face.

Clearly, even someone with a strong background like him found Qiu Tu's rapid ascension somewhat unbelievable.

Qiu Tu took the promotion fax, read it carefully, and then couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

'Deputy Director of the Political Department's Interrogation Section? Effective immediately? Handover work to Cao Dabiao?'

This fax seemed fine at a glance, but upon closer scrutiny, it revealed a lot of hidden implications.

A smile played across Qiu Tu's eyes,

'It seems like Yan Chen and the others have sensed the danger, so they want to act in advance to separate me and the Qin Family...'

'Too bad it's too late. The trap has been set...'

At this point, as Qiu Tu finished reading the report, Fang Ming sighed softly and said, "Your promotion speed is really like being on a rocket."

Qiu Tu tucked the fax away and asked with a laugh, "What's the matter? Jealous?"

Fang Ming unusually maintained his composure at such a time. He first nodded, admitting his envy, "Of course, who wouldn't be?"

He then said to Qiu Tu, "But... I'd advise you to be cautious."

Qiu Tu looked at him.

He said calmly, "If you're not a secret child of some big shot from the Sanctuary, or if you haven't gotten ahold of leverages over some high-ups at the Investigation Bureau. Or perhaps, caught the eye of some bigwig's daughter..."

"Then you'd better make sure if those above aren't setting you up."

He continued, "You're too young, and your promotion speed is too rapid. We ordinary detectives might only be envious, which won't impact you."

"But what about those at the same rank as you, the other Deputy Directors or Directors? Could they affect you? Might they also have an issue with it in their hearts?"

```

"You should know that many of them are heads of various medium to large forces in Xinjie City, and it's by seeking refuge in the Sanctuary that they've managed to secure their current positions after the establishment of Xinjie City."

"And yet you surpassed them in just a week's time...."

Fang Ming didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was crystal clear.

Upon hearing his words, Qiu Tu fell silent for a moment, then reached out to pat Fang Ming's shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, I've got it under control."

Seeing this, Fang Ming didn't try to persuade him further, only reminding him, "Stay safe."

Qiu Tu hummed in response and then said, "Since the order has been given from above, I'm going to go and hand over the Security Team."

After finishing his statement, he lifted his leg, ready to leave.

However... just as he took one step, he stopped again.

He hesitated for a second, then with suggestive intent, he said, "I remember you don't get along with Cao Dabiao, do you?"

"It seems like you've always looked down on his carefree demeanor."

"Now that you two have to work together, watch your temper and don't start any conflicts as soon as he takes over. If you get kicked out of the Security Team, it won't look good for anyone."

Fang Ming: ??

Hearing Qiu Tu's words left Fang Ming completely baffled.

Since when did he have bad relations with Cao Dabiao? And when was his temper ever bad?

Although he looked down on Cao Dabiao... there were plenty of others he disapproved of. Cao Dabiao was just one among many.

Besides, his temper had always been good. Hadn't he been provoked by Qiu Tu so many times and yet remained so composed?

As he thought about it, a bolt of lightning flashed through Fang Ming's mind. He abruptly looked up at Qiu Tu.

But Qiu Tu merely gave him a meaningful look before he walked away....

Watching Qiu Tu's retreating figure, Fang Ming swallowed nervously, understanding....

At noon, Qiu Tu and Cao Dabiao carried out the work handover in the presence of the Security Team. Then, skipping lunch, Qiu Tu went straight to the Political Department's Interrogation Section to report.

That afternoon, a fierce argument erupted between Fang Ming and Cao Dabiao over Fang Ming's dissatisfaction with Cao Dabiao's command.

Because the matter escalated to a point of no return, Fang Ming and his team of detectives were reassigned back to the Bureau by the Special Service Department, replaced by a new team of Special Service Detectives for assistance.

However, what no one knew was that during the chaotic handover period, Shen Lingshuang had also been secretly moved out of the Qin Family's residence.

Shen Lingshuang had originally been sent to the Qin Family in secret. Without Qiu Tu or Fang Ming saying anything, and with no investigation from above, Cao Dabiao and the new First Level Detective from the Special Service Department had no knowledge of her....

.....

At 5 p.m., Qiu Tu left the Investigation Bureau and returned to his home.

But the moment he unlocked and opened the door, he was stunned.

His home was completely transformed:

The previously somewhat messy living room now looked brand new, the sofa neatly arranged, the miscellaneous items on the table tidily organized, and the floor, tabletop, and even the windows were cleaned to a shine, glistening with cleanliness.

If not for the familiar items still in the room, he might have doubted he had entered the wrong house.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"You're back~?" A crisp and pleasant voice came from the direction of the bedroom.

Possibly having heard the door open, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl emerged from the bedroom. It seemed she had just taken a shower; her hair was still damp, adorned with sparkling droplets, her skin as creamy and smooth as porcelan with a healthy rosy hue.

She wore one of Qiu Tu's white shirts, which hung loose on her small frame, barely concealing her fair jade-like legs beneath.

Yet she seemed unconcerned, merely tilting her head slightly and looking at Qiu Tu with bright and large eyes.

In that instant, Qiu Tu's heartbeat momentarily quickened.

Nonetheless, he swiftly adjusted his emotions and, glancing over the tidy room, he asked, "Did you clean all this?"

Shen Lingshuang nodded with a smile. She was naturally at an age of innocence, and her untainted smile, sunny as a spring day, was infectiously bright.

Qiu Tu hummed in acknowledgment, then proceeded to close the door and remove his belongings as he asked, "Is everything ready?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu address serious matters, the smile on Shen Lingshuang's face faded, and she nodded, "It's ready."

After speaking, she gestured with her hand and led Qiu Tu into the bedroom.

The previously cramped bedroom had been cleared out, even the bed tipped on its side, leaving all the space for a Magic Potion brewing setup and various ingredients.

This was something Qiu Tu had arranged for Eagle and Ah-Kun to purchase from the black market over the past two days.

Having inspected the brewing equipment, Qiu Tu glanced at the countdown timer in the upper-left corner.

The countdown that remained for several hours this morning to "make Cataclysmic Potion" had now hit zero, changing into a small, trembling Treasure Chest.

After confirming everything was ready, Qiu Tu turned to Shen Lingshuang and said, "Well, since it's all set, let's begin."

Hearing Qiu Tu say this, Shen Lingshuang nodded vigorously, then moved to the equipment to start brewing the "Cataclysmic Potion."

Qiu Tu stood silently behind her for a few minutes, making sure no new Crisis Warning popped up, before he finally let his guard down.

He left the bedroom and entered the small living room. Standing by the neat window, he looked outside at the prairie fire-like sunset and the blazing clouds, slightly lost in thought....

'The Qin Family must be starting now as well....'

----

The new month should see an increase in update speed (around 7000 words a day), and I hope everyone will keep up with the reading.