Villain? No, I'll catch up with the protagonist after passing the civil service exam.

Leng Qingqiu kept her word.

From the second day onwards, the phone at the Jinghai City Public Security Bureau kept ringing.

Director Chen's office became a hotbed of favoritism and favoritism.

"Old Chen, it's me, Chairman Wang of the Municipal Chamber of Commerce. I heard that there's a young man in your bureau named Lu Jingyan who offended the president of the Leng Group? Young people are hot-tempered, give him some face, let him apologize, and let's just let it go."

"Director Chen, this is Lao Liu from the Investment Promotion Office. The Leng Group is a key multinational enterprise that our city has attracted, paying billions in taxes every year and creating tens of thousands of jobs. It's not worth ruining our relationship over a low-level police officer."

"Hey? Is this Director Chen? I'm from the provincial government..."

The phone calls kept coming in, and the people pleading for leniency were getting higher and higher in rank, their tones becoming increasingly harsh. It went from initial discussions to subtle hints, and finally to direct pressure.

Director Chen received more than a dozen phone calls that morning, his temples were throbbing, and he drank half a pot of blood pressure-lowering tea.

He knew Leng Qingqiu had a lot of influence, but he didn't expect it to be this great, with people even speaking up for her in the province.

However, just as he was under immense pressure and preparing to have a talk with Lu Jing to discuss a "compromise" solution.

Lu Jingyan came to him on his own initiative.

"Chief, I've heard about it."

Lu Jingyan pushed open the door and entered, his expression calm, showing no sign that he was at the center of a storm.

"There's a lot of talk outside saying that President Leng has already spoken to you, asking you to 'fire' me and then transfer me to be her personal security consultant. Is that true?"

Director Chen looked into his clear, bright eyes, his face flushed, and he coughed awkwardly twice.

"Xiao Lu, don't overthink it. Those people are just going through the motions. How could I hand you over because of this little bit of pressure?"

"I know."

Lu Jingyan nodded. "But I need you to give me a clear answer. I also need to take this opportunity to give the entire police force a clear answer."

That afternoon, the Municipal Bureau held an emergency meeting for all staff.

The meeting had only one theme: to clarify the recent public opinion and personnel transfer rumors surrounding Lu Jingyan, the head of the special investigation team.

The conference room was packed, and everyone's eyes were focused on the young figure on the stage.

Lu Jingyan was dressed in a crisp police uniform, the silver stars on his epaulets gleaming under the lights. He didn't take a script; he simply walked to the microphone and calmly surveyed the entire room.

"Comrades, I'm sure you've all heard a lot of rumors these past few days."

His voice, clear and powerful, resonated throughout the entire venue via the speakers.

"Some people say that I, Lu Jingyan, have offended someone I shouldn't have."

"Some people say that I, a grassroots branch captain, am trying to stop a chariot with my bare hands, and that I am overestimating my abilities."

"Some people even said that in order to quell the anger of capital, the city bureau was prepared to 'sacrifice' me."

He paused here, a faint sneer playing on his lips.

"Today, I stand here in front of everyone to give my formal response."

"First of all, from the first day I put on this police uniform, I have never been afraid of offending anyone. The only people I have offended are criminals who try to challenge the dignity of the law. If that is wrong, then I will continue to be wrong to the end."

"Secondly, I acknowledge that capital is very powerful. It can build skyscrapers and create enormous wealth. But—"

Lu Jingyan's voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

"It cannot buy justice, much less the loyalty of a people's police officer!"

"My police badge number was given to me by the state! My power was granted by the people!"

"My duty is to protect this city and serve its people!"

He pointed to the police badge on his chest, his eyes burning with an inextinguishable flame.

"Therefore, unless I abuse my power for personal gain, commit corruption, or break the law, and am investigated by the disciplinary committee and dismissed from the police force, as long as I wear this police uniform, no one and no force can make me take it off!"

"I, Lu Jingyan, belong only to the country and the people!"

The words fell.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Immediately afterwards, someone stood up and started clapping.

"Snapped!"

"Slap! Slap!"

"Clap clap clap clap—!"

Thunderous applause instantly engulfed the entire venue.

Countless young police officers stood up, their faces flushed with excitement. They looked at the tall, upright figure on the stage, their eyes filled with admiration and fervor.

These words expressed the sentiments of all of them!

Director Chen, sitting in the audience, watched this scene with tears welling up in his eyes. He stood up, walked to Lu Jingyan, took the microphone from him, faced the entire audience, and said only one sentence.

"What Comrade Lu Jingyan just said is my decision, and it is also the final decision of the Party Committee of the Jinghai Municipal Public Security Bureau!"

"Our Jinghai Police Force doesn't cause trouble, but we're not afraid of trouble either! Anyone who tries to infiltrate our ranks, anyone who tries to use their capital to influence our law enforcement, should first ask if all our officers agree! Ask if I, the chief, agree!"

The applause rang out again and lasted for a long time.

The contents of this meeting were quickly disseminated in an unofficial manner.

Those "middlemen" who were originally wavering and trying to put pressure on Director Chen all fell silent after hearing Lu Jingyan's hard-core declaration that "I belong only to the country and the people".

Are you kidding me?

This guy has already firmly tied himself to the country and the people. Anyone who dares to touch him is going against the entire system!

The CEO's office on the top floor of the Leng Group Building.

As Leng Qingqiu listened to the tactful rejections from the various department heads on the phone, she was so angry that she smashed the crystal glass in her hand on the ground.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

Her beautiful face was now filled with madness and resentment. "A small local police station, a poor, ungrateful cop, how dare he slap me like this!"

She had never experienced such a complete failure.

For the first time, her invincible financial power lost all its magic in front of a man.

"I can't have it... is that it?"

Leng Qingqiu looked out the window at the towering municipal bureau building, a morbid obsession and possessiveness flashing in her eyes.

"I've never failed to get what I set my sights on."

"Since the soft approach isn't working..."

She picked up the black satellite phone on the table and dialed an encrypted number overseas.

"Then let's go for the hard way."

"Feed? Is it a 'ghost'?"

The moment the call connected, her voice turned icy and cruel.

"I don't care what method you use, kidnapping or anything else."

"I want that man named Lu Jingyan, alive."

"I'm going to take him to my private yacht and make him kneel down and beg me."