Chapter 16

Chapter 16 The Daily Life of a Simp

While Qin Yu was busy with the case, Qi Lin had his mind elsewhere entirely. At this moment, this extreme pragmatist was busy figuring out how to get promoted to second-rank officer.

　　……

　　Outside the Public Security Division Team One office, Qi Lin was holding two bags of gifts, looking a bit nervous as he knocked on the door.

　　”Come in!”

　　Someone called out from inside.

　　Qi Lin pushed open the door, flashing his big front teeth, and walked in with a slight bow, calling out, “Captain Lane, you busy?”

　　Behind the desk, a middle-aged man with European features looked up at Qi Lin and said, “Oh, Qi? Come on in!”

　　”Ha, nothing much, just came by to check in.”

　　Lane was very hairy and quite heavyset, sweating all over at the slightest movement. He sat behind his desk and adjusted his black-framed glasses, “Qi, I’ve got a meeting soon. Just say what you came to say.”

　　Qi Lin discreetly wiped the sweat on his chubby thigh and placed the two bags of gifts beside the desk, “Captain Lane, a friend of mine brought some beef jerky and steaks from Fengbei. Really fresh stuff. Take them home and give them a try.”

　　Lane frowned and glanced at Qi Lin, “Don’t play these games. Just say it.”

　　”Here’s the thing. I know you and Captain Yuan are close… I was hoping you could put in a word, see if I can get bumped up to second-rank officer. You know… whether it’s seniority or work performance, I’ve got what it takes to make second-rank. Everything’s in order, I just need someone to speak up for me.” Qi Lin stood beside the desk and said stiffly, “Please help me out.”

　　Lane kept his head down writing his report, not even bothering to look at Qi Lin properly, “There are only ten spots. You were originally on the list, but Sang Yong from Team Four put his brother-in-law’s name in… Yuan Ke and I couldn’t do anything about it. Just wait a bit longer. Next promotion round I’ll definitely put you in.”

　　Qi Lin was stunned for a moment, “Captain Lane, Sang Yong’s brother-in-law has been here less than five months!”

　　”Less than five months, sure, but his brother-in-law is Sang Yong.” Lane gave a helpless smile and said bluntly, “Wait a bit longer. Let this one go, think of it as making a friend.”

　　Qi Lin clenched his fist and pressed on, “Captain Lane, I really need this second-rank title. My mom is sick, every month…”

　　”Who wants to move up without a reason?” Lane replied expressionlessly.

　　”But this second-rank should be mine. I’ve been waiting almost a year.”

　　Lane reached over and rummaged through the gift bag, murmuring softly, “Beef jerky, steaks… good stuff… Qi, how about this. I’ll give you two cases of red wine and ten thousand cash. You put in a word with Director Li for me, get him to move me to the office.”

　　Qi Lin froze.

　　”Qi, opportunity has gotten very real these days. Those without money wait for those with money, those with money wait for those with power… so you tell me, what can beef jerky get you? One word from me and I can fill my fridge with this stuff.” Lane casually pushed the steak back over, “Take it back. Just wait a bit longer.”

　　Qi Lin pressed his lips together, and after a long silence finally said, “Then I’ll just wait a bit longer.”

　　”Take your things.”

　　”Keep them, the steak’s pretty good.” Qi Lin turned and left.

　　Lane said nothing more and went back to work.

　　Qi Lin reached the door and noticed a few dirty clothes hanging on the rack, reeking of body odor. He immediately turned back and said, “Your clothes are dirty. Let me wash them for you.”

　　Lane didn’t look up, “Mm.”

　　”Your shoes are dirty too. Let me give them a scrub.”

　　”Mm.”

　　”Alright, I’ll be off then.”

　　”Mm!”

　　”……!”

　　Qi Lin grabbed the whole pile of things and yanked the door shut as he left.

　　A few minutes later, Lane casually tossed the gifts Qi Lin had brought to a female colleague in the office, “Steak. Take it home.”

　　”You don’t want it?”

　　”Been frozen who knows how long. Even my dog won’t eat it.” Lane straightened his clothes and walked out.

　　In the laundry room.

　　Qi Lin had his sleeves rolled up, scrubbing shoes, phone pressed to his ear, “This month’s medicine, I still need to… mm, mm, I’ll figure it out, I’ll transfer the money back to you.”

　　……

　　In the Team Three office area.

　　Qin Yu clapped his hands and called out, “Lao Hei, go get the firearms approved and pick up the gear. Nobody leaves the building before eight tonight. There might be an operation.”

　　Zhu Wei’s leg still hadn’t healed from where Qin Yu had stabbed him, so he asked sheepishly, “Captain, do I still have to go?”

　　”We’re short on people. You drive.” Qin Yu said in a tone that left no room for argument.

　　”Alright.” Zhu Wei didn’t dare say anything else and just nodded.

　　At four in the afternoon, everyone ate dinner in the canteen, then took their gear and police firearms back to the dormitory.

　　The moment Qi Lin walked in, he spotted the unusually rare automatic rifles and asked, “What’s going on, who are we after? This is a big operation. Even the M464s are out.”

　　”A small-time runner talked. A big player who supplies the Ma family may have already arrived in Songjiang.” Qin Yu glanced down at his watch and said, “I had someone tail a core member of the Ma family. Might get results.”

　　”Oh!” Qi Lin nodded, thought it over carefully for a moment, then grabbed Qin Yu and pulled him aside, “Can I head home for a bit first?”

　　Qin Yu was taken aback and asked quietly with a helpless expression, “Trying to dodge the frontline arrest work again? Come on, we’re short on people. Otherwise I’d just let you off the hook. How about this — if you’re worried about something going wrong, you drive too. Deal?”

　　”It’s not that I’m trying to dodge it. I really have to go back today.” Qi Lin frowned and replied, “My mom is seriously ill. My little sister is blind and still young… if I don’t go back, they won’t even have food to eat. On top of that, I need to take her to the hospital today for a follow-up.”

　　Qin Yu figured that no matter how timid Qi Lin was, he wouldn’t lie about his own mother, so after thinking it over he said, “Can you make it back before the operation?”

　　”The moment the operation’s about to start, call me. I’ll definitely come back.”

　　”Alright, go ahead then.”

　　”… Captain, sorry for the trouble.” Qi Lin nodded politely at Qin Yu.

　　”It’s nothing. Nobody has it easy. We look out for each other.” Qin Yu patted Qi Lin on the shoulder, “I’ll call you before the operation.”

　　”Got it.” Qi Lin nodded.

　　……

　　Just past seven in the evening.

　　In a slum somewhere in the Black District, the old man from the Ma family stepped out of the car, glanced around, then wrapped his military coat tighter and walked with his head down into a foul-smelling alley.

　　”Who are you looking for?” a man called out from the darkness.

　　”I’m looking for A-Long.” The old man heard the voice and stopped where he was.

　　”Brother Ma?” The other person laughed and walked over.

　　”Is he inside?”

　　”Mm.” The young man lowered his head and said politely, “Brother Ma, raise your arms please. Just going through the motions.”

　　The old man heard this and raised his arms, letting the young man search him thoroughly.

　　Inside the room, A-Long sat on the bed, unshaven and disheveled, toying with a hand grenade.

　　……

　　On the other side.

　　Yuan Ke was in his office holding his phone, walking to the window, “Big brother, why the rush to call me back? Mm, I’m in the middle of something. Alright, let’s leave it there for now. I’ll head back in a bit.”