Chapter 474: Regular Army (2/2)

Xiaotao sighed, ”A great display of your skills, but you’re not allowed to climb through windows in broad daylight. This is the city bureau. What if you’re seen by the public?” Then, she turned to Wang Yuanchao who was smoking in the corner. ”And you, no smoking in the conference room!”

”Yes! It’s like a fire in here every time we hold a meeting. Let’s state the rules now–no smoking!” added Bingxin.

Xiaotao watched in exasperation as Wang Yuanchao silently extinguished his cigarette butt and pulled out a silver hip flask.

This was Song Xingchen’s first formal meeting. He sat wordlessly in his chair, Tang Sword in hand. When I asked if his injury had improved, he nodded, ”Yes. By the way, Aunt Song heard about what happened and chided me for not contacting her in time. She’s coming to visit you.”

Upon hearing the words ‘Aunt Song,’ goosebumps prickled my skin. The events that happened in the Song village remained vivid in my head. ”No, tell her not to come!”

”I have no say on this,” Song Xingchen shook his head.

I sighed helplessly, hoping that her visit was really just that.

While Lao Yao made his way to the station, the five of us discussed some infrastructure issues, that is, office space. Despite being an independent group outside of the city bureau’s jurisdiction, we couldn’t establish an office outside the city bureau as it would be inconvenient for us to utilize the bureau’s resources. Additionally, we might seem unprofessional, much like an ordinary detective firm. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any space available at the station.

”Is it necessary to establish an office? Can't we just borrow the conference room when we hold our meetings?” suggested Bingxin.

”It is necessary! First of all, someone as lazy as Lao Yao should punch in every day. If we do have a case, then he’ll be available immediately. Secondly, as the cases add up, we’ll have more files and require storage space. On top of that, we need our own armory, or at least a safe for our weapons!”

”Wow, can I carry a gun as well?” asked Bingxin.

”In theory, you can. But your father won’t allow it,” chuckled Xiaotao.

Bingxin appeared crestfallen.

Song Xingchen interrupted, ”If you expect me to be here nine to five, I'm afraid I can't!”

”Fine, your circumstances are special. Anyway, as soon as Song Yang shows up, you’ll be there.” Although Xiaotao was being sarcastic, her description was rather accurate.

The location of our office was a headache. The most practical solution was to get the other officers to vacate a room for us.

”How about this? My dad says they’ll be expanding the Jiang precinct in the near future. Shall we move there?” asked Bingxin.

”No, it’s inconvenient for me. I’ll have to take the ferry to and from work.”

”Isn’t the ferry fun?” laughed Bingxin. “I’d love to take the ferry!”

Xiaotao suddenly bent over in laughter. ”I just imagined Song Xingchen with a pipe in his mouth, secretly protecting you from the water. It’s hilarious!”

”You shouldn’t tease him just because he doesn’t speak much!” I retorted.

While our attention was placed elsewhere, Wang Yuanchao had once again broken the rules. With a cigarette between his lips, he said, ”We can go to the Armed Police Base. There’s an empty room over there.”