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[Blue Star Calendar, July 31, 2010]
[Gregorian Calendar, Saturday]
[Lunar Calendar, Year of Geng Yin, June 20. Good for offering sacrifices, good for burial rites, good for interment.]
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In Area 14121, Police Bureau Chief Cui Zhonghua's vacation was forced to end early as he returned to the bureau to begin work.
In the meeting room, Cui Zhonghua sat at the head of the table, his expression grave.
"Who will give me a clear summary of the Director Du disappearance case?"
An official seated below replied, "Chief Cui. Last week, Director Du left work late at night and went home by himself. No one has seen him since. His family came to the bureau to file a report."
"Absurd!", Cui Zhonghua slammed his fist hard onto the table, "What are you people doing? Director Du went missing last week. Why are you only telling me this week?"
"Chief Cui, when Director Du went missing, you were on vacation."
"So just because I was on vacation, you didn't need to report it?"
"No. Since you were on leave and the matter was urgent, we reported it directly to the district government."
"Reported it to the district government?", Cui Zhonghua frowned, "District Chief Pan just stepped down, and the new district chief hasn't taken office yet. What's the use of reporting it to the district government?"
"We were aware of that, so in the documents we submitted, we requested the district government to forward it to the city government, so the municipal leadership could be informed and deploy the next steps."
"The case of Director Du's disappearance has already been submitted to City Hall?"
"Yes."
"When did that happen?"
"When Director Du didn't show up for work the next day, we knew something was wrong. After you went on vacation, Director Du took on all responsibilities himself. He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. It was impossible for him to skip work without reason."
"At that time, we immediately pulled the relevant surveillance footage. We found that after Director Du left the police bureau, there was no trace of him. That's why we concluded he was missing and immediately reported it to the district government, which urgently reported it to City Hall."
"At the same time, we also deployed officers to search for clues regarding Director Du's disappearance."
Cui Zhonghua nodded. The handling process did not seem to have any obvious issues, "Any leads?"
"No. Director Du is like he vanished into thin air. We haven't found any trace at all. If Detective Olov were still here, maybe there would be a way."
The moment Cui Zhonghua heard that, he flared up, "Detective Olov? Olov is now the Director of the Police Department in Sigma District! Do you think he's going to care about this tiny patch of land of yours? What, without Olov, is our 14121 Area Police Bureau paralyzed?"
The subordinate replied stiffly, "Then Chief Cui, please arrange how we should investigate."
Cui Zhonghua glanced at Zhang Guo, the Criminal Investigation Division Chief sitting below who had spoken back to him, his gaze sharp.
Just a useless man who climbed up by relying on Du Wei.
Now that Du Wei was missing, who knew where he got the confidence to act arrogant in front of him, the bureau chief.
As long as he had not stepped down, he was still the chief.
Cui Zhonghua was about to make this division chief understand the importance of discipline when another official spoke up.
"Chief Cui, regarding Deputy Director Du's disappearance, our lack of progress is partly due to our limited ability, and partly due to the response from City Hall."
The way he addressed them as "Chief Cui" and "Deputy Director Du" made the current hierarchy inside the bureau crystal clear.
Cui Zhonghua looked at the deputy division chief Gong Rang, who was showing goodwill toward him, and his expression softened, "Chief Gong, what was City Hall's response?"
"City Hall cited the fact that Deputy Director Du had been missing for less than 48 hours and instructed our police bureau to conduct a search on our own first."
"Isn't he already missing for a week now?"
"Yes. After Deputy Director Du had been missing for 48 hours, Director Zhang reported the matter again. But City Hall was holding an emergency closed-door meeting, and no one handled the case. It was sent back to the district government."
"Sent back?"
"Yes. After the three-day closed-door meeting at City Hall ended, we reported the case again. Yesterday, we received an official reply instructing you to immediately end your vacation and return to the bureau to organize the investigation."
Zhang Guo snorted, "I really don't know what the people at City Hall are thinking! Our bureau's only 'Fragrance Seeker,' Roylena, died suddenly not long ago. City Hall doesn't send personnel or provide support, yet tells us to investigate on our own. How are we supposed to investigate?"
After hearing Gong Rang's words and Zhang Guo's complaint, Cui Zhonghua's anger cooled by seven parts.
The water here runs deep.
His tense body relaxed. He slowly leaned back against the chair and looked at everyone present with a heavy gaze.
Seeing that Cui Zhonghua did not speak, the others also fell silent.
After a few seconds, Cui Zhonghua asked calmly, "Director Zhang, you were close to Director Du. I remember he had some informants called something like Tiger and Snake. Have you contacted them?"
"Those informants can't be reached either. They've all disappeared."
Cui Zhonghua nodded lightly.
He more or less understood.
"During my last hospital checkup, the doctor said there's something wrong with my heart. I shouldn't overexert myself mentally. So even though I've come back, I won't be able to help much. The case of Director Du's disappearance will be led by Director Zhang."
"Chief Cui…"
"I need to go back to the hospital for a follow-up examination. I wish you all swift success."
After saying that, Cui Zhonghua ignored everyone's reactions and walked straight out of the police bureau.
Stepping outside, he looked up at the vast night sky, his graying brows slightly furrowed.
He murmured, "How many years has it been. This sky still hasn't seen the light."
Ding! Ding! Ding!
At that moment, his phone rang.
He glanced at it. Cui Zhonghua frowned deeply. Thinking about the reason for this call, his hand still quickly pressed the answer button.
"Mayor Chen, what brings you to call me? Is it about Director Du's disappearance? I've already arranged the investigation."
["Ah, cases, there will always be cases. Investigations never end. Focus on the case, but don't put too much pressure on yourself."]
"Yes."
["I called Chief Cui mainly to ask how your health is."]
"Thank you for your concern, Mayor. My health condition is not very ideal."
["I see… Then can you still hold on and continue serving as bureau chief for a few more years?"]
"I… Mayor Chen, I've already reached retirement age."
["Retirement? That was before the apocalypse. Right now, every position is short of experienced veterans like Chief Cui. With you holding down the fort at the 14121 Area Police Bureau, City Hall would feel at ease."]
"This…", Cui Zhonghua suppressed the temptation and gritted his teeth as he refused, "Mayor Chen, to be honest with you, 14121 Area has been far too turbulent recently. Even the district chief position has been vacant for a long time. I am insignificant and lack influence. I truly cannot bear such a heavy responsibility. Please find someone more capable."
["Chief Cui makes a good point. That's why I'm calling you today, also to inform you of City Hall's decision regarding the new district chief."]
"Who?"
["You've worked with him before. The Director of the Education Bureau, He Kui."]
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