When I step out of the grand Ministry of Public Security building, I find Haojin waiting for me in the parking lot with Yuanhang and Xuezhi, their faces lighting up at my approach.

  "Boss! Congratulations!" Haojin's face splits into a wide grin, his laugh booming across the lot as he claps my shoulder. "I guess I should call you chief now, huh?"

  He already knows about my promotion. Linjun must have told him when he called them over to wait for me.

  I was promoted on the spot to Third Class Supervisor, putting me at the same level as Chief Chen—and one level above the newly promoted Chief Liu. The thought brings a subtle satisfaction I don't let show on my face.

  "Chief." Yuanhang tests the new title, eyes darting to my uniform. "Why are you still wearing your old uniform? Shouldn't you have two gold stars now?"

  "Work first." I check my watch with a sharp glance. 3:30pm. "We need more people. Let's get back to District Bureau before they all head home."

  "Let's get the whole team," Haojin says, practically bouncing on his heels. "I miss Mingxuan and Tianyi already."

  Beijing's traffic is already thickening at 3:30pm, but with the siren wailing, we manage to cut through the congestion and arrive at the Chaoyang District Bureau before four.

  The officer at the front desk spots me coming in and his expression shifts immediately—surprise morphing into uncertainty.

  "Superintendent Xu," he calls out, hand slightly raised. "Please wait."

  I don't break stride, walking straight in with purpose in every step.

  The officer darts in front of me, eyes wide. "I need to notify the chief first."

  Before I can respond, Haojin steps forward, muscles tensing as he moves to push the officer aside.

  I catch Haojin's arm mid-motion, feeling the coiled tension there. "Why?" I ask, my voice cutting through the air like ice. "I've been seconded for less than a week. Since when do I need permission to return to my own office?"

  The young officer's face flushes crimson. He gives way, retreating to front desk where he immediately grabs his phone, fingers fumbling as he dials.

  When we reach the Homicide squad room, I understand why I was stopped at the door.

  My old team sits with slumped shoulders and downcast eyes while unfamiliar faces occupy the prime positions. At Haojin's desk, a man with a mustache berates Mingxuan, jabbing a finger at him as Mingxuan stares at the floor.

  Inside my office, a short, bald man lounges in my chair, my phone pressed to his ear. His legs are propped on my desk, shoes dangerously close to my cup. My personal belongings have been carelessly thrown into a box shoved into the corner.

  Haojin's control snaps. He strides to his desk with a low growl and shoves the mustached man hard enough to send him sprawling. Voices rise as a fight erupts.

  I walk calmly into my office, each step measured and deliberate.

  The man in my chair doesn't even look up. He holds up one finger impatiently, gesturing for me to wait while continuing his conversation.

  Click.

  I disconnect the call, finger resting on the cradle.

  "Hey, fuck, are you mad?" He jerks his head up, rage flashing across his face before recognition dawns. His chair scrapes back as he jumps to his feet, lip curling in contempt. "Get out. This is not your office anymore."

  I study him carefully, noting the silver star and single bar on his shoulder. Head of Homicide is clearly a step up for him.

  "Do you have an appointment letter?" My voice is soft but pointed. "Because I haven't received any transfer order."

  Chief Liu has the authority to reassign personnel, but he still needs to follow protocol.

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  "Enough!" A sharp voice cuts through from the doorway. I don't need to turn to know it's Chief Liu, his presence filling the large space.

  "I didn't expect you to be sent back so quickly," he says, the subtle emphasis on 'sent back' telling. "But Homicide is an important team for us. It must continue to function."

  A task force typically takes months to complete its mission. A temporary appointment would be reasonable, but leaving my office unoccupied would have been basic courtesy.

  Noticing my composed demeanor, Chief Liu shifts his weight uneasily, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. "Is your task at the Ministry finished?"

  "No. I am reassigned." My answer is clipped, final.

  "So, you couldn't even last a week under Director Sun?" His mouth twists into a sneer.

  It's natural for him to think this way. Linjun is notorious for being impossible to please.

  His shoulders straighten as confidence returns to his voice. "Shouzhong is doing a good job with Homicide. Go home, maybe we'll figure out what you can do on Monday."

  I shake my head, the movement slight but firm. "No need. I'm here to take more people with me."

  Chief Liu's eyebrows shoot up. "To do what?" The dismissal in his tone is palpable.

  "I've told you," I say, my voice steady, "I was reassigned."

  "You got a new job. In the Ministry?" His skepticism is evident in every syllable.

  "New task force. And I need more people. I'm taking everyone who was in my team."

  "You can't do that!" The bald guy interjects, stepping closer with hands clenched. "We need them here."

  I glance past them to the squad room. Everyone has stopped working, all eyes fixed on our confrontation. Some officers from other teams hover near the doorway, necks craned to catch every word.

  My old team members exchange hopeful glances, a spark returning to their eyes. Meanwhile, the new additions look increasingly uneasy, realizing they depend on the very people they've been ordering around.

  "Unfortunately for you," I turn to the bald man, letting a hint of satisfaction enter my tone, "the task force takes priority."

  Chief Liu's face hardens. "Even the Ministry can't just take people from District Bureau at will," he says, puffing out his chest. "Let alone you."

  I catch Haojin's eye with a subtle nod. He reaches into his bag and pulls out a file, handing it to Chief Liu with thinly veiled triumph.

  As Chief Liu reads, the blood visibly drains from his face. The document clearly states that I've been assigned a top priority, top secret task, reporting directly to Deputy Minister Xiaohang Wang. Every unit in the Public Security system is directed to assist my efforts—providing manpower, data, equipment, supplies, and any other necessary support.

  The document bears the signatures of both Minister Guo and Deputy Minister Xiaohang Wang themselves.

  Chief Liu has his backers in the Public Security system—he wouldn't have taken Chief Chen's position otherwise. But compared to Xiaohang Wang, to whom I now report, his connections are inconsequential.

  Like a mask being swapped, his expression transforms from defiance to deference. Chief Liu's tight-lipped frown melts into a placating smile, eyes widening as the full weight of my new authority settles on him.

  "Ruolin, my sincere congratulations on your appointment," he says, voice suddenly honeyed with respect, hands now open in a conciliatory gesture. "Had I known earlier, we would have prepared a proper welcome."

  Shouzhong looks between us, confusion written across his features as his superior's tone shifts so dramatically.

  "Please, take whatever personnel you need for your task force," Chief Liu continues, arm sweeping expansively toward the squad room. "The Chaoyang District Bureau is proud to support the Ministry's priorities."

  I nod calmly, finding no pleasure in either the victory or his discomfort. "Thank you. I'll have my team packed and ready within the hour."

  Haojin doesn't bother hiding his smirk as Shouzhong reluctantly vacates my office, shoulders slumped in defeat. My former team members exchange glances of barely contained excitement, a current of energy already building among them.

  I step out of the office and raise my voice just enough for everyone to hear.

  "This is voluntary," I state clearly. "I want you to decide for yourselves whether to join my task force. This isn't a long-term assignment—after the mission is completed, you'll all return to work at the district bureau." I pause, making eye contact with everyone of my old team. "This is an extremely urgent task. Overtime will be required. At minimum, don't expect any rest this weekend. If you're willing to join, pack your things now and let your families know you'll be working late tonight. We leave in fifteen minutes."

  No one speaks, but the silence is filled with meaning. One by one, every member of my old team begins gathering their belongings, movements quick and purposeful. As I turn to go back to my office, a familiar voice calls out.

  "Can I join you?"

  I look up to see Hanlin, the head of public safety, standing at the edge of the group, determination written on his face.

  I glance at Chief Liu, eyebrow raised in silent question.

  "Sure, sure," he says with a helpless shrug, defeat evident in the slump of his shoulders. "Whatever you need."

  Outside my office window, Beijing's late afternoon light glows bright in the clear spring air. I brush my fingers across the new insignia that would soon adorn my uniform—two gold stars that mark not just my promotion, but the weight of expectation that comes with it.

  Around me, my team prepares with renewed energy, but my mind races with the gravity of what lies ahead. This task is urgent enough to warrant ministerial attention—which means it's complex, sensitive, and likely dangerous. If I fail, these same ministers who elevated me today will discard me tomorrow without hesitation.

  The pressure settles like a physical weight on my shoulders. Just as quickly as I climbed, I could fall. But as I watch my team gather their belongings, a steely determination rises within me. Anxiety churns in my stomach, but I push it down. Doubts can wait—right now, we have a job to do, and I will not let my team or myself be found wanting.