Courtyard House: I, the eldest son of the Jia family, have returned from the battlefield.

Jia Dongming was taken aback and quickly said, "Mom, this won't do! Huairu was Dongxu's child after all, and besides, this kind of thing isn't fashionable these days. You absolutely can't let this get out."

Having come from the old era, Jia Zhangshi has her own set of views on many things.

She snorted dismissively, "Do you think your mother's gone senile? Why would I go around telling everyone about something that's behind closed doors?"

Her tone hardened, "Qin Huairu is an outsider. Dongxu has been gone for so long, and you've been spending money to support Bang Geng and the others. They have the blood of the Jia family flowing through their veins."

We added her name to the property deed and let her keep her own salary. Our Jia family has been good enough to her.

"How could I mistreat her by letting her follow you?"

Jia Dongming was speechless for a moment.

He originally thought that the so-called "golden kidney"

It's just a way to replenish vital energy, but after trying it last night, I realized how potent it is.

Recalling the entanglement and unfulfilled frustration of that long night, my mother's suggestion was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples that were hard to describe.

That night, Qin Huairu was lost in the clouds several times, and then pulled back into the surging waves several times.

When I opened my eyes the next day, the sun was already shining brightly through the window.

She panicked and instinctively tried to get up, but her limbs felt as weak as wet cotton wool, and she couldn't move.

She could only lie there, the memories of last night's passion and madness flashing through her mind. Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes held a mixture of satisfaction and a lingering fear.

As dawn broke, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle, first taking Bang Geng to school, then turning to the logistics department of the steel rolling mill to ask for a day off for Qin Huairu.

After taking care of all that, he returned to the security department, parked his car, took the briefcase hanging on the handlebars, and walked slowly toward the familiar office building.

Seeing Jia Dongming approaching from afar, Zhang Guoping immediately hurried forward, bowed, and greeted him, "Section Chief, good morning!"

He paused briefly, then lowered his voice and added, "Director Lin just came to the department and is packing his personal belongings in his office."

I heard... he might be retiring early.

Jia Dongming paused slightly, his mind flashing back to what Li Huaide had said to him yesterday.

The sudden news of Director Lin's retirement, along with the recent cracking of a spy case at the steel rolling mill, subtly connected the two, stirred something within him.

"Walk,"

Jia Dongming gestured with his chin to Zhang Guoping, "Let's go see Director Lin."

The two quickly arrived at the door of that familiar office.

The door was ajar, and through the crack, one could see Lin Zhendong's slightly hunched back as he bent over to organize the books and documents piled on the table.

Jia Dongming raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Director Lin,"

He spoke calmly, "What brings you here today?"

Lin Zhendong turned his head upon hearing the sound.

He originally thought that it would take some time for the newly arrived head of the security department to establish himself, but he did not expect that as soon as Jia Dongming took office, he would use swift and decisive measures to uncover the enemy spy network lurking in the factory, and even thwart a sinister plot against the entire city of Beijing.

Hearing these things during his conversation with the General Administration yesterday, he was filled with emotion.

"Comrade Dongming,"

Lin Zhendong straightened up, a complex smile on his face. "I was just about to come find you after I finished packing, but you've come first."

Jia Dongming stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over the bundled books: "What are you doing here...?"

"My body is failing me."

Lin Zhendong sighed softly and shook his head. "My superiors have decided to let me retire early because my old injuries haven't healed."

From now on, the responsibility of security at the steel rolling mill will fall entirely on you.

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming recalled the previously relaxed and dull atmosphere in the department and felt that this change might not necessarily be a bad thing.

He earnestly advised, "Your health is the most important thing."

The organization made this arrangement with your benefit in mind.

Retiring and resting peacefully might be a good thing.

Lin Zhendong remained silent for a moment.

Yesterday at the General Administration, the leaders explained the situation to him in detail.

He was assigned to this relatively easy position due to his injury, with the intention of allowing him to recuperate.

Now that such a big mistake has occurred in the factory, the higher-ups have only allowed him to retire early without imposing any further punishment. In contrast, Secretary Zhang of the factory was implicated in the Yang Weimin case, and was punished and demoted just before his retirement. The difference is like night and day.

He looked at the composed and capable Jia Dongming in front of him and said slowly, "This time... it's all thanks to you."

"If it weren't for your keen insight in uncovering their plot against the special workshop and your cooperation with the police to apprehend them all, I, Lin Zhendong, would likely have become a sinner in history if something had gone wrong."

"You flatter me."

Jia Dongming immediately waved his hand, "Although the security department has the responsibility of supervision, we do not directly interfere with the specific personnel arrangements within the factory."

Besides, the original intention of transferring you here was to allow you to recuperate.

This case involving enemy spies is absolutely not your fault.

Lin Zhendong smiled, a hint of relief in his smile: "That's true, but my retirement this time is ultimately related to this matter."

But compared to Secretary Zhang's situation, I'm already very lucky.

Just as Jia Dongming was about to say something more, a security officer rushed into the doorway, his voice urgent: "Section Chief! It's an urgent call from Headquarters; you need to attend a meeting immediately!"

Jia Dongming was taken aback, then turned to Zhang Guoping: "Guoping, I originally planned to hold a simple farewell ceremony for Director Lin this morning."

There's an urgent matter at the General Administration right now. Could you please make arrangements for me to gather all the comrades above the middle management level in the department to see Director Lin off?

"Have the cafeteria prepare a table for lunch; we'll have a simple meal with Director Lin as a way of saying goodbye."

Zhang Guoping solemnly replied, "Don't worry, Section Chief. I will make sure that Director Lin's send-off arrangements are made perfectly and without the slightest mistake."

Jia Dongming turned to Lin Zhendong with an apologetic smile and said, "Director Lin, I originally wanted to personally arrange a farewell party for you, but unfortunately the General Administration suddenly notified me of a meeting."

Please have a seat. I'll be right back as soon as the meeting ends. We'll definitely have a good get-together at noon.

Lin Zhendong reached out and shook his hand, his tone gentle: "Dongming, work is important. What's the point of keeping an old man like me company? You go ahead with your work."

About twenty minutes later, Jia Dongming rode his bicycle to the Public Security Bureau.

Pushing open the conference room door, I found it already packed with people.

He looked up and saw the person sitting in the center of the stage. He instinctively shrank back and quietly slipped to a corner in the back row to sit down.

This emergency meeting reported on a major case: with the cooperation of the troops and based on the enemy's map that was seized, the General Bureau successfully raided a secret warehouse, seized a large number of weapons and special ammunition, and completely thwarted the enemy's sabotage plan.

After the meeting, Jia Dongming was on his way back when he heard someone call his name as soon as he stepped out the door.

Deputy Director-General Ma Weidong was standing at the other end of the corridor with a sprightly old man, waving to him.

Jia Dongming paused, then turned around and respectfully greeted him, "Vice President Ma, you wanted to see me?"

Ma Weidong smiled and introduced the elderly man beside him: "Old Chen, this is Comrade Jia Dongming."

He played a crucial role in cracking the Japanese spy case a while ago.

After saying that, he introduced Jia Dongming: "Comrade Dongming, this is General Manager Chen from the General Administration."

Jia Dongming looked at the old man who was scrutinizing him with a half-smile, and stood up straight: "Hello, General Chen."

The old man chuckled and pointed at him lightly, saying, "Little monkey, you didn't even call me 'Uncle' when you saw me, and you even scurried away to the corner? What's wrong, you've become distant after all these years?"

Jia Dongming lowered his eyes and answered politely, "Uncle Chen taught me that one must use one's official title in public."

I am doing this according to your instructions.

Upon hearing this, Ma Weidong looked surprised and turned to the old man: "Old Chen, you and Comrade Dongming have known each other for a long time?"

General Chen stood with his hands behind his back, a smile of reminiscence in his eyes: "It's more than just knowing each other."

"This kid was causing trouble right under my nose more than a decade ago, leading a bunch of kids from the alley up onto roofs and tearing off tiles; he never had a moment's peace."

He paused, his tone tinged with emotion, "When he was seventeen, he was incredibly audacious. He single-handedly infiltrated the Japanese stronghold, drugged everyone inside, and then, carrying a short knife, cleaned them up one by one."

Last year on the southwestern border, if he hadn't acted impulsively in disposing of prisoners, he would have been promoted to regimental-level rank long ago based on his combat merits.

Jia Dongming lowered his head and said calmly, "Uncle Chen, the past is not worth mentioning."

General Chen suddenly raised his foot and kicked him lightly in the side of the leg, his laughter tinged with reproach: "Not worth mentioning? You really think I'm praising you? If it weren't for the strong protection of a few veteran comrades, the summons from the military court would have been delivered to you long ago!"

That kick came casually; Jia Dongming could have easily dodged it, but he still took it squarely.

He raised his head, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Uncle Chen, if I encounter that situation again, I will still take action."

"They are prisoners of war once they lay down their weapons!"

General Chen frowned. "You're a soldier. The first rule of military discipline is obedience!"

"You haven't truly surrendered until the gun is out of your hand."

Jia Dongming's voice was deep, and each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. "My biggest regret is not killing those people, but that I acted too late—if I had cleared the area a moment earlier, Guosheng wouldn't have been taken away by the explosives, and Feng Bing and Lao Pao wouldn't be lying in the hospital."

The corridor suddenly fell silent.

General Chen stared at him for a long time, and finally just sighed softly.

Some principles are clear to everyone, and some anger is understandable to everyone, but rules are rules, and mistakes must be admitted.

He patted Jia Dongming on the shoulder and didn't say anything more.

General Chen gently pressed his palm on Jia Dongming's shoulder, then turned and walked out of the meeting room, leaving behind a room full of inquiring gazes.

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, turned half his face to the side, and said in a low but clear voice: "Your Aunt Shen was still nagging yesterday, saying that you, you little rascal, didn't even come to visit after returning to Beijing, and she was threatening to go to the steel mill to pull your ears."

You should think about it carefully.

Jia Dongming was taken aback, and then remembered Aunt Shen, who treated him like her own son. He quickly said, "I've been very busy with cases at the factory these past few days, and I really can't get away."

I'll definitely go in a couple of days.

Ma Weidong listened quietly, and the doubts in his mind about Jia Dongming's transfer to civilian work quietly dissipated.

He recalled Li Xidong's earlier words and suddenly understood why this person always acted with such a sharp and ruthless edge.

However, at this moment, Ma Weidong's mind was not on this.

The names of the two gentlemen mentioned by General Chen made his gaze towards Jia Dongming soften with a different warmth.

After General Chen had walked away, Ma Weidong smiled gently and beckoned to Jia Dongming: "Comrade Dongming, come to my office. I have some work-related matters to discuss with you."

Under the silent gaze of everyone, Jia Dongming followed Ma Weidong through the corridor and into the simply furnished office.

As soon as the door closed, Ma Weidong got straight to the point: "According to regulations, the head of the security department of the steel rolling mill must also serve as the deputy head of the public security department of the Dongcheng branch."

Your outstanding performance in counter-espionage work has led the General Administration to consider transferring you to the Third Detachment of the Counter-Espionage Division as its detachment leader.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Jia Dongming was silent for a moment before speaking: "Vice President Ma, counter-espionage work can be done anywhere."

But I'd rather stay at the branch office—it's closer to the steel rolling mill, so I can manage both.

For Ma Weidong, Jia Dongming's position in the public security system was only a secondary role.

Seeing his firm attitude, he readily nodded: "Okay, then you will also serve as the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the branch bureau."

The personnel department will notify you once the formalities are completed.

Jia Dongming didn't take the deputy title too seriously.

His roots were ultimately in the security department of the steel rolling mill.

He immediately replied, "As soon as I am appointed to the Security Section, I will report to the branch office immediately."

Ma Weidong smiled and took out a decision from the drawer: "For this counter-espionage operation, the General Administration Party Committee will award you a second-class merit, and the Security Section a third-class merit."

The comrades from Mingtian's publicity department will go to the factory to hold an awards ceremony, bringing the medals and bonuses with them.

Jia Dongming straightened his back: "On behalf of all the comrades in the Security Section, I thank the General Administration for its recognition."

We will remain at our posts and safeguard the production and construction of the steel rolling mill.

Ma Weidong nodded, his tone becoming serious: "Although your focus is on the factory, you can't slack off on your work at the branch office."

Don't let this trust down.

"We guarantee the mission will be completed."

Jia Dongming gave a crisp salute.