Chapter 27: An Unexpected Turn

"Did you record this?" Sun Bo looked in astonishment at the video playing on the computer and the stack of materials collected by Guo Ting.

"I did! I was only able to gather this evidence with their help," Lin Ran nodded.

"Remarkable!" Sun Bo's eyes shone, almost wolfish in their gleam.

"Are all these kids working under you?" Sun Bo abruptly shifted his tone, adopting the demeanor of a benevolent elder as he looked at Wang Changhai.

"Yes," Wang Changhai nodded.

"Haha! Old Wang, look, we’ve known each other for years! Why not let these kids transfer to the provincial bureau? Don’t worry, I promise to train them into top-tier talent!" Sun Bo beamed, warmly clasping Wang Changhai’s hand as if they were old friends chatting at home.

"No way!" As soon as Wang Changhai realized Sun Bo had set his sights on Lin Ran and the others, his face turned stern and he shook his head fervently.

Lin Ran, Fan Beixiao, and Guo Ting stared blankly at the two men, who seemed to have transformed into different people, wondering what on earth they were doing. Even Zhang Sheng was bewildered—weren’t they supposed to be interrogating Wang Changhai? How had the deputy director of the provincial bureau ended up practically pleading for manpower like a child?

Wang Tianlin, who had remained silent, immediately saw through the act. The two were obviously playing a double act! Having served in his position for many years, Wang Tianlin was shrewd and his narrowed eyes gleamed cunningly.

"Director Sun, about Captain Wang’s case..." Zhang Sheng grew increasingly anxious as he watched Sun Bo and Wang Changhai grow chummier by the minute.

"Yes. I’ll need to look into this matter carefully. From the evidence these kids have provided, something is indeed off. As for how those trainees died, we’ll have to wait for the forensic results. Until those results are out, Captain Wang will continue working as usual," Sun Bo declared.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sheng’s face fell. If he couldn’t see what Sun Bo was doing, he’d be a fool—this was clearly an attempt to shield Wang Changhai.

"To be honest, it’s thanks to Captain Wang that there are so few cases in Shanhe City these days! Whether from a personal perspective or for the citizens, with Captain Wang here, Shanhe has a guardian!" Director Wang Tianlin gave a well-placed compliment. He hadn’t expected that what seemed a fatal trap would be so easily unraveled by three youngsters.

"Haha! Let’s leave it at that for now—I must be going." Sun Bo was a straightforward man, paying no mind to Wang Tianlin’s flattery. Having come from the military, he was always decisive.

And so, the matter faded away. Wang Changhai was unscathed, while Zhang Sheng, having failed to frame him, ended up in a mess himself.

"Hello, it’s me. Proceed as planned. I agree to your terms," Zhang Sheng said darkly into his phone, eyes fixed venomously on the departing figures.

"Good," a chilling voice answered from the other end.

After hanging up, a cold smile crept across Zhang Sheng’s face. Did they think it was over, just like that? The real show had only just begun.

"You three are no longer auxiliary police as of today! Consider it an early promotion. Work hard with Captain Wang and become full-fledged officers in the future!" After Sun Bo left, Wang Tianlin looked at Lin Ran and the others with a smile.

Fan Beixiao and Guo Ting were overjoyed by Wang Tianlin’s decision. The three of them were greatly surprised—not only had they saved Wang Changhai, but they themselves had been made official.

Wang Tianlin exchanged a few more pleasantries with Wang Changhai before returning to his office.

"Now that you’re official, it’s time to prove yourselves! Don’t let me down," Wang Changhai’s mood seemed much improved, and even his reprimands were less severe.

"Yes, sir!" Lin Ran, in contrast to the excited Fan Beixiao and Guo Ting, remained calm and steady.

"One more thing: don’t mention this case to anyone. Go collect your badges and service weapons. You start work the day after tomorrow, and you’ll have a day off tomorrow," Wang Changhai instructed.

"Captain, will the three of us be working directly under you?" Lin Ran asked, unclouded by excitement, sensing that Wang Changhai had more to say.

"Work under me? From now on, cases like this will be yours to handle! If you need anything, come straight to me—manpower, equipment, whatever. But remember this: always go out in plainclothes, and never reveal your identities unless absolutely necessary," Wang Changhai said, glaring at Lin Ran. He felt somewhat frustrated—these three promising talents had solved such a difficult case, yet couldn’t officially take his place.

"Understood, sir!" the three saluted.

"Alright, get out of here! Stop bothering me!" Wang Changhai grumbled, but Lin Ran could see that he was actually quite pleased.