Chapter 44 (2/2)

“Yes, sir,” Lu Xiaoqiang crisply answered.  “The Lu Clan is a major clan in my hometown.”

“I see!” Jiang Zhengkai nodded in response.  “From your file, I can see that you obtained high marks at the academy.  Why didn’t you choose an a.s.signment in Beijing?  Why did you choose to be a.s.signed here?”

“Sir, I–”

Before Lu Xiaoqiang could finish, Jiang Zhengkai impatiently waved his hand and threw his  personnel file down onto his desk, “Enough with the sirs already!  Stand at ease!  This isn’t the academy, so stop wasting your energy on maintaining perfect military bearing.”

“Hehe, yes, Inspector Jiang,” Lu Xiaoqiang eagerly nodded.

“Please, take a seat for crying out loud.  Stop standing there like a stiff,” admonished Jiang Zhengkai as he took out a cigarette.  He tossed it over to Lu Xiaoqiang.  “Do you smoke?  Now, dispense with the pleasantries and tell me something real about yourself.”

“Yes, Inspector.”  Lu Xiaoqiang scratched his head and sat down across from Jiang Zhengkai.  “I have a younger sister who works in this city.  I came here mainly so I can take care of her.  When I was in school, all of my family’s expenses, including my tuition, were paid for by my sister.  I know she’s sacrificed a lot for my family, for me.”  As he spoke, Lu Xiaoqiang couldn’t help but get teary-eyed.

“Really?” Jiang Zhengkai glanced at Lu Xiaoqiang.  “You have a good sister!”  He sighed, then asked, “What does she do?”

“I heard she works at the front desk of a hotel here…” Lu Xiaoqiang answered with some hesitation.

“You heard?”  Jiang Zhengkai was noticeably displeased by Lu Xiaoqiang’s answer.  “What kind of a big brother are you?  How do you not even know where your little sister works?  When did you get here?”

“Last night,” Lu Xiaoqiang replied.

“I’m going to give you three days leave.  Go find your sister and spend some time with her.” Jiang Zhengkai looked at Lu Xiaoqiang and said with no trace of hesitation, “Three days later, I want you here in my office at 0830 in the morning sharp, and I want you to be prepared to give your 100%, understood?”

“Yes, sir!” Lu Xiaoqiang boomed; he stood at attention out of habit.

“What did I just tell you?  For the last time, this isn’t the academy!”  Jiang Zhengkai couldn’t help but chuckle as he looked at Lu Xiaoqiang.  Every veteran cop started out as a rookie.  Thinking back, he probably knew less than this kid when he first graduated from the academy.  “Hey, how are you going to find your sister in this huge city of ours if you don’t have your sister’s address?”

“Oh, I have a point of contact,” said Lu Xiaoqiang as he pulled out an envelope from his pocket and respectfully handed it over.

Jiang Zhengkai took the envelope and glanced at the address.  He was stunned by what he saw.  The From line on the envelope clearly said, “Lu Xiaomei C/O Zhu Yuping.”  Jiang Zhengkai rubbed his nose with his finger and expressionlessly returned the envelope back to Lu Xiaoqiang.  “Xiaoqiang, I just remembered something!  I’ll need to delay your leave for a bit.  There’s a meeting at Bureau HQ today, but my schedule is already jam-packed.  Could you go in my stead?”

“Yes, sir!  I will complete the mission as instructed!” Lu Xiaoqiang seriously replied.

“There you go again!”  Jiang Zhengkai smiled as he pointed at Lu Xiaoqiang, except this time his smile was very much forced.  “Go now!  Make sure to give a detailed report of the meeting when you return in the afternoon,” he ordered before waving Lu Xiaoqiang out.

“Yes, sir!” Lu Xiaoqiang replied with the same zealousness as before.  It appeared that he still wasn’t able to fully adjust to post-academy life.  Afterwards, he scurried away towards munic.i.p.al bureau headquarters.