Chapter 239: A Good Kid

Police Department.

As Xiao Yu looked up at the building in front of him, the words majestic and magnificent came to mind. Maybe it was a bit exaggerated. But the sense of solemnity and awe? That was undeniable.

Xiao Yu followed the middle-aged man inside, taking the elevator straight to the top floor. Eventually, they stopped in front of an office door.

“Please wait a moment.”

The middle-aged man smiled at Xiao Yu before knocking and slipping inside.

During the ride over, Xiao Yu had learned that this man was the big boss’s personal secretary—someone who, in terms of rank, even outranked Yun Xiangguo, the director of the Bencheng City Bureau.

The saying “a third-rank official in front of the prime minister” was no joke.

“Come on in.”

The middle-aged man reappeared, still smiling. 

“The boss isn’t busy right now.”

“Alright!”

Xiao Yu straightened his police uniform, squared his shoulders, and marched in with proper form, taking in the sight of the office.

Wait, what?

The furnishings were quite simple. Apart from the office being slightly larger than usual, it resembled a typical civil servant’s workspace.

Then, his gaze landed on a particular chair.

It was an old, worn mahogany chair.

If you looked closely, the armrests were polished smooth from years of use, likely from countless hands. And yet, despite its age, the chair bore no signs of decay—a testament to how well it had weathered the years.

That feeling was just like the old man in the chair.

Xiao Yu stopped, taking a closer look at the elderly man seated in front of him.

The old man wasn’t particularly tall and wore a loose, comfortable shirt. His eyes would occasionally flash with a glint of light—like someone who had seen through the world and its complexities with wisdom.

“Salute!” Xiao Yu raised his hand in a formal gesture.

“Heh!”

The old man curled his lips in a half-smile, looking at Xiao Yu. 

“Comrade Xiao Yu, the great hero of our police force?”

Was that sarcasm?

‘Wait, what happened to your dignified demeanor?’ Xiao Yu felt awkward, unsure whether to keep his hand raised or lower it.

“At ease.” The old man chuckled, got up, and moved over to the sofa in the reception area. He pointed to the seat beside him, “Come, sit.”

Would Xiao Yu dare to refuse?

Of course not.

He obediently walked over and sat down next to the big boss. The old man didn’t say much but began fiddling with the teapot on the coffee table. The middle-aged secretary brought over a kettle of hot water.

The old man opened a nearby tea box and sprinkled a little black tea into the teapot. The aroma was incredible. Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up.

Good tea wasn’t new to him, thanks to his wealthy wife, but this tea? It was something different.

The feedback from Monarch Butterfly’s heightened senses told him this tea was special.

As the black tea brewed, the water didn’t appear as hot as expected, yet the fragrance floated gently from the pot.

After a brief moment, the old man poured two cups of tea. The liquid was a deep, rose-like red—clear, clean, and pure.

“Do you know tea?”

The old man placed a cup in front of Xiao Yu.

“Well…” Xiao Yu shook his head honestly, “No, I don’t.”

“Try it, The old man gestured toward the tea.

“Thank you.”

Xiao Yu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and his eyes brightened. The tea wasn’t hot, and its flavor was clean yet rich. Fragrant, with a hint of sweetness on the tip of his tongue.

“Good tea, really nice,” Xiao Yu sincerely complimented.

He made a mental note to ask his wife to get some when he got home. 

He had never been a fan of tea before, thinking it was a bit pretentious. But now, he realized this tea had depth. Good tea truly was something else.

“Haha!”

The old man grinned proudly, like a child showing off. There was no trace of sternness in him, just the image of a kind and gentle elder.

Suddenly, the old man’s smile faded, his gaze sharp as he spoke slowly. 

“Tell me, what makes you think Old Wu called you a good kid?”

Meeting the old man’s gaze, Xiao Yu felt as if he was staring into two razor-sharp blades. A chill rose within him, making his eyes sting slightly.

Yes, that was the feeling.

Only eyes like those could command the raw power of the police force.

Faced with such a gaze, Xiao Yu felt an odd sensation, as if he couldn’t lie. So, he stayed silent, locking eyes with the old man, not flinching in the slightest.

The old man was surprised, his eyes lit up slightly as he looked at Xiao Yu again and nodded, “Tell me, what did Old Wu ask you, and how did you answer?”

“He asked me…” Xiao Yu didn’t hide anything, “What are your thoughts on the current era and our country?”

“Ha, that old rascal.” The old man chuckled, “So, how did you respond?”

“I said…” Xiao Yu began, “We’re not living in a peaceful time, we’re just lucky to be in a peaceful country.”

The old man froze, staring at Xiao Yu for a good ten seconds.

When he snapped out of it, his expression grew more complex yet gentle, like a grandfather looking at his grandson. “Why didn’t you stay with National Security?”

“I didn’t want to go anywhere. I just wanted to stay in Bencheng.”

For the first time since meeting the old man, Xiao Yu smiled, bright like the sun. 

“There are still things I haven’t let go of.”

The old man was stunned again, but then smiled and shook his head, “Caught up in love, losing your edge as a hero?”

“No,” Xiao Yu shook his head as well. “I’m just lazy, with no big ambitions. All I want is to spend time with my parents, be with my wife, and take care of my small piece of the world. Being a good cop, doing my best. That’s enough for me.”

“I see.”

The old man nodded in understanding, his gaze softening even more. 

“No big dreams, then?”

“I do.” Xiao Yu nodded firmly, then smiled sheepishly. “I just want to make the world a little cleaner.”

The old man had lost count of how many times he had been caught off guard. He just stared at Xiao Yu, dumbfounded.

Xiao Yu, in turn, kept his gaze steady, without looking away.

After a long silence.

“Drink your tea.”

The old man picked up the teapot and refilled Xiao Yu’s cup.

“Thank you.”

Xiao Yu expressed his thanks again, taking slow sips of the tea. The two sat quietly, not saying a word. Not until Xiao Yu finished his second cup.

“Off you go.”

The old man waved him off, “If you want to hold onto your dream and that little piece of your world, then make sure you guard it well.”

“Understood.”

Xiao Yu stood up, saluted the old man, and turned to leave. The old man watched Xiao Yu’s back until he disappeared from sight, then smiled.

“Old Wu wasn’t wrong, he really is a good kid.”