After My Divorce, I Was Picked Up and Taken Home by Bai Mengyan - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: The Leaders Have Specifically Requested to See You

After his divorce, Lin Chen returned to his unit. At that moment, Director Yao from the Provincial Department’s Political Division arrived at the Binhai Sub-Bureau and specifically requested to see him. Accompanying him was Qin Gang, Director of the Municipal Bureau.

Inside the bureau chief’s office, Zhao Zhong, Qin Gang, and Yao Yuzhou sat across from Lin Chen. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. In all his years on the force, this was the first time Lin Chen had faced so many high-ranking leaders at once. Although he had interacted with them before, it had mostly been during case briefings or award ceremonies.

Yao Yuzhou looked at the young man in front of him and couldn’t help recalling the Lin Chen from two years ago, when he received a commendation from the provincial department… confident, spirited, and bright. Compared to now, he seemed like a completely different person.

Clearing his throat, Yao Yuzhou glanced at Zhao Zhong and Qin Gang with a smile and said, “Then I’ll say it.”

The two nodded in agreement. Lin Chen’s heart tightened. He could tell something significant was about to be announced. Could it be that he had done something wrong and was about to be criticized? Unease crept into his chest.

“After deliberation by the Provincial Department, it has been decided that Comrade Lin Chen will be transferred from the Binhai Sub-Bureau of the Nanfeng City Public Security Bureau, effective immediately, to serve as the Captain of the Second Unit of the Provincial Criminal Investigation Corps.”

As soon as Yao Yuzhou finished speaking, Lin Chen was the only one visibly shocked. Zhao Zhong and Qin Gang looked as if they had already expected this. In fact, the three had discussed it beforehand.

“For this appointment, Comrade Lin Chen, do you have anything to say?” Yao Yuzhou asked, his tone gentle as all three looked at him with anticipation.

Lin Chen’s heart pounded. Excitement and nervousness tangled together, and beneath it all lay a faint fear that he might not be capable of handling such responsibility. He forced himself to steady his emotions and stammered, “Thank… thank you to the Provincial Department and the Municipal Bureau leaders… for your trust. I will work hard… to fulfill my duties… and absolutely obey all arrangements from my superiors…”

His halting words made Qin Gang burst into laughter. The hearty sound broke the awkward tension in the room. As Director of the Nanfeng City Public Security Bureau, Qin Gang was undoubtedly a major figure. His rank was even higher than that of Director Yao. Normally, he wouldn’t personally attend such personnel appointments. Even when provincial leaders visited, his status was not inferior to theirs. For him to appear this time for the promotion of a relatively junior officer showed just how exceptional Lin Chen’s performance had been over the past seven years. The reports Lin Chen had given during major cases had left a deep impression on him.

Qin Gang laughed because he hadn’t expected this once outstanding young man to now speak like a timid, aggrieved bride, stammering under pressure.

Turning to Yao Yuzhou, Qin Gang said, “Comrade Xiao Lin has strong professional ability, but his communication skills are rather average. I think it’s closely related to the environment he’s been in.”

Hearing Qin Gang’s praise, Zhao Zhong quickly added, “That’s right. He’s not like this during meetings at our bureau. It’s just that recently, work and family matters have piled up. After all, he’s still young.”

Zhao Zhong knew about Lin Chen’s divorce. Lin Chen had reported it to the organization a few days earlier. In modern times, divorce was no longer a major issue, but within the civil service, an unstable family situation would still invite discussion.

Seeing both leaders speak up for Lin Chen, Yao Yuzhou immediately understood their fondness for him. He smiled and said, “I hope you can bring your work attitude from the sub-bureau to the Second Unit. However, before, as a deputy captain, focusing on solving cases was enough. Now, as a leader of a unit, communication skills are essential. Otherwise, how will you lead your team?”

His words were undeniably true. No matter how skilled Lin Chen was at solving cases, if he couldn’t connect with his subordinates, his work would face serious obstacles. Hearing this, Lin Chen lowered his head in silence.

“I have an idea,” Zhao Zhong said. “We could transfer a colleague from the sub-bureau to go with him to the Second Unit and assist him.” Although he said this, his eyes shifted toward Qin Gang. As the municipal leader, Qin Gang’s approval was necessary.

“That sounds reasonable,” Yao Yuzhou agreed immediately, which made Zhao Zhong feel a flicker of regret. What if Qin Gang disagreed? That would put him in an awkward position.

Qin Gang looked steadily at Yao Yuzhou. He wasn’t upset. Instead, he seemed to be considering the feasibility of the suggestion.

“It’s fine in principle, but do you have a suitable candidate?” Qin Gang then turned to Lin Chen and asked, “Xiao Lin, do you have any colleagues you get along well with?”

The question left Lin Chen momentarily speechless. There were indeed colleagues he got along with, but they were all rough, straightforward men. Solving cases was one thing, but managing a unit required different skills. Shaking his head, he said, “Most of our team are straightforward guys. They’re good at solving cases, but when it comes to political or administrative work, they’re not strong.”

His answer was tactful. It affirmed his colleagues’ strengths while subtly shifting the issue back.

“I think that young woman from earlier would do,” Yao Yuzhou suddenly said.

He was referring to Xia Meng. Zhao Zhong immediately reacted, his tone calm but firm as he said, “Director Yao means Xiao Xia. She won’t do. She’s too young and hasn’t been working long.”

Zhao Zhong understood Yao Yuzhou’s intentions clearly. Xia Meng was practically the face of the sub-bureau. Not only was she lively and cheerful, but she also took the lead in organizing various bureau events every year. She was an excellent representative of the bureau, someone even the municipal level envied. For Yao Yuzhou to request her in front of Qin Gang made Zhao Zhong feel conflicted.

“Young people need vitality,” Yao Yuzhou said with a smile. “Xiao Lin is only in his early 30s. Let her follow him and learn. Who knows, she might become a great female detective in the future.”

Yao Yuzhou had a keen eye for talent. He had only met Xia Meng twice that day, yet her energy and confident demeanor had already impressed him. Combined with her striking appearance, he couldn’t help but feel a desire to cultivate her. In his view, leaving her in the sub-bureau was a waste of potential.

Qin Gang seemed to see through both their intentions. One didn’t want to let her go, while the other valued her talent highly. For a moment, the situation reached a stalemate.

“Comrade Xiao Xia is indeed quite good,” Qin Gang said after a pause. “How about this… the Provincial Department can temporarily second Xia Meng to the Second Unit for one year. After that, we’ll make arrangements based on their performance.”

The word “secondment” made Zhao Zhong immediately agree. As long as she would return eventually, he was willing to accept the arrangement.

“Then it’s settled,” Yao Yuzhou said. Although slightly disappointed, he didn’t dwell on the matter. After all, the main focus this time was Lin Chen.

After the leaders left, Lin Chen returned to the Criminal Investigation Division to handle the handover of his duties. As for Xia Meng’s temporary transfer, he didn’t mention it at all. On one hand, the details were not yet finalized. On the other, he wasn’t someone who cared for gossip.

When his colleagues learned the news, they congratulated him warmly. That evening, they even organized a farewell banquet. The bureau made a rare exception and allowed them to drink. With the pain of his divorce still fresh and the joy of his promotion arriving so suddenly, Lin Chen found himself unable to decide whether he should feel happy or sad.

Under the stimulation of alcohol, thoughts of Chen Ya resurfaced. Her departure left him heartbroken. In that hazy state, he couldn’t even tell whether what he couldn’t let go of was her… or the ten years they had spent together.

Grief surged within him. Throughout the night, he drank heavily. The burning liquor flowed into his stomach, bringing a searing pain that spread through his body. Only in this way could he numb himself. Memories replayed vividly in his mind… their wedding, their travels, cooking together at home… every moment flashing before his eyes.

By the roadside near his residential compound, Lin Chen bent over a flowerbed, retching again and again. Suddenly, a mouthful of dark blood spilled from his lips. His vision blurred, and just then, a clear, crisp voice sounded beside him. A slender hand reached out and helped him up.

In his daze, he lifted his head. Before him stood a stunning woman with fair, flawless skin like snow. Though his vision was hazy, her graceful figure stirred a strange sense of familiarity within him. In the next instant, the alcohol overwhelmed him, and he lost consciousness.