Chapter Thirty-Six: The Inspection Team

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Inspection Team

Watching the somewhat bewildered Liu Peiru, Fatty Qian grinned, rubbed his shiny bald head, and said with a smile, “You know the Chief put me in charge of the inspection team, told me to root out the traitor. But my guys in the Logistics Section—none of them are up to the task. So I came to borrow someone from you, Old Liu. You wouldn’t turn me down, would you?”

“Fatty Qian, now that’s not something I like to hear,” Liu Peiru replied, equally smiling but evasive. “This is a serious matter—tracking down a mole. Of course I’ll support you. But first, you have to tell me: whose help do you want from the Intelligence Section? And who is so talented as to catch your eye?”

Liu Peiru was a master at playing Tai Chi with words. His answer sounded supportive, but he never actually agreed to anything outright. The words were pleasant, but ultimately useless.

“Heh, Old Liu, I won’t beat around the bush then. The one I want is right here—your nephew, Liu Xiaobing.” Fatty Qian nodded in Liu Xiaobing’s direction.

“Who? Did you say who I think you said?” Liu Peiru wondered if he’d misheard.

“Your nephew, Liu Xiaobing.” Fatty Qian repeated, rubbing his bald head.

This time, Liu Peiru was certain Fatty Qian had his sights set on Liu Xiaobing. His mind raced with thoughts about Fatty Qian’s motives—he certainly didn’t believe the excuse of simply borrowing someone.

Everyone in the Logistics Section was as sharp as a monkey—if Fatty Qian needed someone, he’d have no shortage of capable hands in his own department, people he could use with ease. Why would he insist on borrowing someone from the Intelligence Section?

Meanwhile, Liu Xiaobing himself was equally taken aback by Fatty Qian’s words. He’d been lost in thought by the side and now had no idea what to say.

“Well, what do you say? Do you agree? Don’t worry, I’m not only recruiting from your Intelligence Section. I’m drawing people from the Action Squad, the Communications Section, and Internal Affairs too,” Fatty Qian said, as if reading Liu Peiru’s mind.

“Fatty Qian, don’t tell me all the people you’re recruiting this time are newcomers.” Liu Peiru glanced at Liu Xiaobing and, hearing Qian Yihai’s words, a thought flashed through his mind. He asked with certainty.

“That’s right. You know as well as I do—the mole is hiding deep within our ranks. It’s nearly impossible to root him out. Still, we have to try. So the team will be made up of these fresh faces. At least they’re above suspicion—maybe even completely clear.” Qian Yihai sighed, resigned.

“So, Fatty Qian, you’re planning to make quite a move,” Liu Peiru mused, glancing at Qian Yihai on the sofa. He couldn’t help recalling some rumors he’d heard from higher up not long ago.

Rumor had it that as the Secret Service’s responsibilities expanded, there were plans to appoint a Deputy Chief, and the candidate would be chosen from among the department heads—or possibly brought in from outside.

Given the special nature of the Secret Service, Liu Peiru himself thought it unlikely they’d bring in an outsider. Still, it was only a rumor, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Who could say it wasn’t true?

Seeing Qian Yihai’s actions, Liu Peiru immediately thought of this. He too had ambitions for the Deputy Chief position, and the surest path to promotion was to catch the traitor.

If that happened, their Chief would be pleased, and the promotion would follow.

“Haha, oh, it’s no grand plan. I’m just managing the accounts. But since the Chief gave the order, of course we have to work hard. Well, enough with all this talk—let the man go.”

Liu Peiru glanced at Liu Xiaobing and nodded.

...

When Bai Zeshao arrived at the Secret Service, he was preoccupied with whether Mr. Li had regained consciousness. Still, it was broad daylight, so he couldn’t just go over. He had to swallow his worry and anxiety, put on a smile, and step into the office.

“Xiao Bai, come to my office for a moment.” No sooner had he walked in than the phone rang—it was Wu Zhengke.

“Understood.” Bai Zeshao hung up and went straight to Wu Zhengke’s office. When he entered, Wu Zhengke was on the phone, so Bai Zeshao waited.

“Xiao Bai, how’s it going in the Action Squad?” Wu Zhengke asked with a smile, setting the phone down.

“Thanks for your concern, Captain. It’s going well.”

“That’s good. You know, you saved my life. Here’s the thing: the department set up an inspection team to investigate the mole, and Fatty Qian is in charge. They need more people, so I recommended you. Do your best.”

“Captain, does that mean I’m leaving the Action Squad?” Bai Zeshao hadn’t expected this and asked with some concern.

“No, you’re only temporarily assigned. Normally, your team won’t have many tasks—you’ll still be with the Action Squad. But you should keep an eye on things over there. The mole’s case has seriously affected our internal stability.” Wu Zhengke’s tone was earnest.

“Understood.” Bai Zeshao now understood his position. Clearly, Wu Zhengke had sent him over to serve as his eyes and ears.

“That’s good. Work hard, Xiao Bai. I have high hopes for you. Go on—report to the Logistics Section right away.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bai Zeshao left Wu Zhengke’s office and headed to the Logistics Section. On the way, he ran into Liu Xiaobing and asked curiously, “Xiaobing, where are you headed?”

“Logistics,” Liu Xiaobing replied casually. “You?”

“Same.”

They exchanged glances and laughed. Bai Zeshao said, “Could we have the same purpose? I’ve been temporarily assigned to the inspection team and am on my way to report.”

“Me too. Looks like we’ll be fighting side by side again,” Liu Xiaobing said, giving Bai Zeshao’s shoulder a friendly punch.

Though both had joined the Secret Service, one was in the Action Squad and the other in Intelligence, so they rarely saw each other. Still, Liu Xiaobing knew plenty about Bai Zeshao.

“By the way, Xiao Bai, I still haven’t congratulated you on becoming the squad leader. If you’re free tonight, let’s have dinner together,” Liu Xiaobing suggested.

“Congratulate me? I nearly died for that promotion. You have no idea how close those Red Party bullets came to killing me,” Bai Zeshao remembered, still shaken. If he’d been killed by friendly fire while saving another agent, he’d have jumped out of his grave.

“No matter what, you’re the boss now. Not like me—still just a grunt,” Liu Xiaobing said with self-mockery.