freenovelworld Chapter 461 Detective!
Chapter 461 Detective!
Upon entering the district's resettlement office for demobilized soldiers, the atmosphere was noisy and somber. Most of the demobilized officers and soldiers who had come to complete their procedures were still wearing their uniforms, representing various branches of the armed forces. They crowded around a few desks, talking one-on-one with the staff.
The air was thick with anxiety, disappointment, and resentment; people spoke in generally high-pitched, angry tones.
A tank company commander was slamming his fist on the table and shouting:
"Me, a tank company commander who has won awards in the division-wide competition, you want me to work as a mechanic in a bakery? This... is this even a good fit for my major? This is a waste of my talents and an insult to me. I'm not going!"
The bespectacled staff member across from me looked exhausted, equally angry, and spoke in a harsh tone:
"Comrade, let me reiterate to you, you drive tanks in the army and you also know mechanical maintenance. The equipment in the bread factory is also a machine, the principles are the same, and your major is mechanical maintenance, so how is it not a good fit?"
If you're not satisfied with this position, you can wait, but I must warn you, there are far more applicants than openings right now. If you don't take this opportunity today, it might be gone tomorrow. There are plenty of people waiting in line, so don't make a fuss!
The tank company commander's face turned bright red, his chest heaving violently, but finally, like a deflated balloon, he slumped down, gave in, and picked up his pen.
"...Fine, fine, a bread factory it is!"
It's better than staying at home unemployed. At this age, everyone has a family to support, so how can we afford to wait?
When it was Zhong Yuemin and Zhang Haiyang's turn, the staff member flipped through the thick registration book without even lifting their eyelids and said in a businesslike manner:
"Based on your files and skills assessment... the most suitable positions are currently security work in several state-owned factories, specifically gatekeeper, night patrol, or factory area security..."
Zhang Haiyang's face darkened upon hearing this.
This is even worse than the security chief position his father arranged for him; he's just become a regular gatekeeper or security guard.
Zhong Yuemin was fine. He was from Haiyang and hadn't really planned to find a job through the resettlement office. He was just a little surprised. Originally, they were supposed to be recruited by the Public Security Bureau to work in criminal investigation. How did they end up as gatekeepers?
Could it be that I lost my job because I arrived late?
The two didn't linger and left the desk, leaving behind the faint murmurs and sarcastic remarks of several staff members:
"These soldiers, do they still think they're company commanders or battalion commanders? They're too ambitious for some jobs and too humble for others..."
"Exactly! They should be grateful to have any job at all, why are they being so picky..."
"I think he's just never been hungry. He'll behave himself after a few meals of hunger, and he'll only cause us trouble..."
Zhang Haiyang, with his sharp ears, heard everything clearly. A surge of anger rushed to his head, and he turned around to go back and argue:
"Those bastards..."
Zhong Yuemin grabbed him and hissed:
"Alright! Why bother getting angry with someone like that? It's not worth it!"
The two walked out of the office into the courtyard. Zhang Haiyang was still furious and kept cursing.
"Damn it! I wasted the whole morning and all I got was this lousy job. Look at those people in there, all of them with their noses in the air, like we're here to beg for food. Did I eat or drink their food? What a bunch of bastards!"
"calm down."
Zhong Yuemin, however, seemed quite relaxed about it, offering him a cigarette.
"Put yourself in their shoes. These people serve hundreds of people every day, and they all come with complaints and nitpicks. Anyone would be in a bad mood. If a woman did this job, her period would probably start earlier every month, and she might even go through menopause early."
He lit a cigarette; being middle-aged, he was smoking again. He asked Zhang Haiyang:
"It's pointless and a waste of time to argue with these people. What do you actually want? Be serious."
Zhang Haiyang took a deep drag of his cigarette and thought about it seriously:
“I come from a reconnaissance background, and in the Old A unit I was involved in special operations. Over the years I’ve worked with local police on many cases. I think… going to the police station to work in criminal investigation is the best fit for my profession and will allow me to make the most of my strengths.”
"You really want to join the police force?"
Zhong Yuemin looked at him,
“Working in criminal investigation is not easy. Every day you are dealing with heinous cases such as murder, robbery, and rape. You may be facing the most twisted human nature and the bloodiest crime scenes. Over time, the psychological pressure is enormous, and you may even become depressed.”
"what is this!"
Zhang Haiyang disagreed.
"We've fought the Vietnamese with real weapons on the southern border, and we've seen all sorts of terrifying, bloody, and bizarre scenes in Death Valley. Our mental fortitude is already well-developed, no problem!"
"Are you really sure you want to go into the criminal investigation department of the Public Security Bureau?" Zhong Yuemin asked to confirm.
"I've made up my mind, and I want to go to this one!" Zhang Haiyang nodded.
"Okay." Zhong Yuemin stubbed out his cigarette.
"Then there's no need to waste time here, I'll make arrangements for you."
"You'll arrange it?"
Zhang Haiyang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.
"Yuemin, do you think the police station is your private property? You can't just go there whenever you want! This isn't as simple as hiring a manager for your company!"
"As long as I say yes."
Zhong Yuemin didn't explain much, but pulled him to a public phone booth at the street corner next to the resettlement office compound. These kinds of private public phones are becoming more and more common in Beijing these days. He took out his small phone book, turned to a page, found the number, and dialed it.
The call was answered quickly, and Zhong Yuemin only said a few words briefly.
"Director Liu, it's me, Yuemin... yes, I've been transferred to civilian work... I'm at the resettlement office now..."
After giving the location, I hung up the phone.
"Wait, then."
He said to Zhang Haiyang,
"Director Liu said he would come over in person."
"Director Liu?" Zhang Haiyang was even more confused.
"Don't tell me the person who came is... the police chief?"
"Liu Daqiang, Director of the Xicheng Branch."
Zhong Yuemin answered calmly.
"You... how do you know the branch bureau chief?" Zhang Haiyang asked in surprise.
“I helped them solve a few tricky cases before, so we have some connections,” Zhong Yuemin said casually.
The two returned to the resettlement office compound and waited outside for about twenty minutes. Then, a military-green jeep with a police license plate and a canvas canopy drove into the compound and screeched to a halt.
The car door opened, and a middle-aged man in a crisp Type 83 police uniform with a conspicuous rank insignia jumped out. He scanned the area sharply, and when he saw Zhong Yuemin, a warm smile immediately appeared on his face as he strode over.
"Brother Zhong, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!"
The man who arrived was Liu Daqiang, the director of the Xicheng branch of the Public Security Bureau. His voice was loud and clear, and he exuded a decisive and efficient air.
This scene drew the attention of the demobilized soldiers queuing or waiting in the courtyard, who began to whisper among themselves.
Some people recognized Liu Daqiang, and were even more surprised by his police rank and imposing presence:
"Wow! The branch bureau chief himself has come? What kind of powerful family member must he be?"
Countless curious and inquisitive gazes focused on Zhong Yuemin and Zhang Haiyang.