Chapter 1383
The Missing Supervisor Appears!
He raised his hand and tapped three times, neither too hard nor too soft.
"Please come in."
A middle-aged man's voice came from inside; it was the same voice of Director Zhong that had been heard at the door downstairs.
Luo Fei pushed open the door and entered.
This is a spacious office, decorated in a solemn manner. The national flag and the party flag are hung on one wall. Behind the huge desk, Director Zhong is holding a telephone receiver, with his back to the door and facing the floor-to-ceiling window. His tone is very respectful and even a little nervous.
"...Yes, yes, sir, rest assured! Our Dongguan City Public Security Bureau attaches great importance to this and has mobilized almost all available police forces and resources to conduct a city-wide dragnet search! Yes, we have also repeatedly checked the Xishan Detention Center, and so far there is no record of Director Luo Fei's detention... But we will not give up on any clues! Yes... I understand! Director Luo Fei's safety is of paramount importance, and we will do our utmost to find his whereabouts as soon as possible and give you a satisfactory explanation!"
Luo Fei stood quietly at the door, listening to Director Zhong's anxious assurances. Clearly, his "disappearance" had put immense pressure on the Dongguan City Public Security Bureau from higher authorities.
Seeing Director Zhong's back still swearing oaths into the phone, Luo Fei spoke directly, his voice calm as he interrupted the call.
"Director Zhong, no need to look anymore, I'm right here."
Luo Fei's calm voice, though not loud, was like a fine needle, precisely piercing the tense atmosphere in the office created by Director Zhong Baoyu's anxious assurances. Zhong Baoyu, who was urgently making a commitment to his superior on the other end of the phone, suddenly stiffened, and the prepared oath about "at all costs" stuck in his throat.
He slowly turned around, his face still bearing the anxious and determined expression he had just forced out during the phone call, but his eyes were filled with astonishment and confusion as he stared at the unfamiliar young man in ordinary clothes who had entered the room at some unknown time.
Zhong Baoyu was around fifty years old and in good shape. His police shirt was neatly pressed, and the rank of third-level police inspector on his shoulder gleamed under the bright office lights.
He frowned, scanning Luo Fei's face several times to confirm that he did not recognize the man. The other man's words had been too abrupt, leaving him momentarily speechless.
He subconsciously spoke hastily into the still-connected phone receiver.
"Sir, there's been an emergency here. I'll report back to you shortly!"
Without waiting for a response, he pressed the hang-up button and put the receiver back on the landline.
"You are……"
Zhong Baoyu's voice carried the authority of a superior and a hint of displeasure at being interrupted. He looked Luo Fei over again.
"What...did you just say?"
He wondered if he had misheard, or if some incompetent young police officer from one of the departments had barged in recklessly.
With a calm smile on his face, Luo Fei stepped into the office and gently closed the door behind him.
He walked to the large desk, stood opposite Zhong Baoyu across the table, and repeated himself clearly and confidently.
“Director Zhong, I said, there’s no need to go to all this trouble to look for me. I, Luo Fei, am right here.”
"You...you're Luo Fei? Director Luo Fei of the Special Case Bureau of the Ministry of State Security?"
Zhong Baoyu's eyes widened instantly, his pupils contracted slightly, and the muscles on his face stiffened with extreme surprise.
He quickly scanned Luo Fei from head to toe in disbelief—he was too young! Although his superiors had mentioned in a previous report that Director Luo was very young, seeing it in person was still more shocking than he had expected.
The man in front of me looked to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He was tall and upright, with a handsome face and calm eyes. Apart from his more composed and reserved demeanor than his peers, it was hard to associate him with the heavy titles of "Director of the Direct Bureau of the Ministry of State Security" and "Third-Level Police Inspector".
Fragments of lingering impressions flashed through his mind. He remembered that a long time ago, he seemed to have glimpsed a blurry photo of a young and promising figure in the national security system in the corner of some internal information webpage. At the time, he thought it was the son of some leader. Later, the photo and related information seemed to be quickly deleted, and he never investigated it further.
Looking at Luo Fei's face now, it vaguely overlaps with the blurry profile in my memory.
"Genuine or genuine."
Luo Fei nodded, offered no further explanation, and directly took out the dark blue ID from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it over.
Zhong Baoyu almost eagerly took the document, opened it, and quickly and carefully scanned every piece of information on it.
The photo, name, and unit—"18th Bureau of Special Security, Ministry of State Security"—position—"Director"—police rank—"Third-level Police Supervisor"—were all clearly and accurately written. With his experience and keen eye, he could tell at a glance that the bright red seal and unique anti-counterfeiting marks were not forgeries.
What truly shocked him was the same "Third-Level Police Supervisor" rank as himself. Within the public security system, reaching this position typically requires decades of experience and accumulation. In the more specialized national security system, with its distinct promotion channels and standards, such a young bureau chief possessing an equivalent rank likely represented a far greater level of influence, experience, and importance than the rank itself could fully convey. In other words, the young bureau chief's actual status and influence might even surpass that of the city bureau chief himself.
"It really is you... Director Luo!"
Zhong Baoyu took a deep breath, quickly concealing all the astonishment and doubt on his face, replacing it with a mixture of shock, relief, and deliberately displayed enthusiasm and politeness.
He handed the documents back to Luo Fei with both hands, a smile spreading across his face. He quickly came out from behind the desk and gestured for him to leave.
"Look at the mess this has made... Please, have a seat!"
"This sofa is more comfortable."
He led Luo Fei to the leather sofa in the adjacent waiting area.
The two sat down on the sofa, and Zhong Baoyu personally brewed tea for Luo Fei, skillfully operating the tea set while sighing with admiration.
"Oh my, Director Luo, you are truly... truly a promising young man! When I was your age, I was still a beat cop at the local police station, dealing with trivial neighborhood disputes all day long. Your achievements are truly admirable!"
Luo Fei accepted the teacup from Zhong Baoyu, thanked him, and spoke in a calm and humble tone.
"Director Zhong, you flatter me. It's all thanks to the organization's cultivation and trust, plus a bit of luck. You have been deeply involved in local security for many years, ensuring peace in this area. You have shouldered heavy responsibilities and made great contributions. These are your real achievements."
These polite words made Zhong Baoyu's smile even more sincere. He sat down on the single sofa next to him, rubbed his hands together, and immediately turned the topic to the most important issue at hand.
"Director Luo, you really have put us on the run! Ever since we received the urgent notice from the Ministry and the Provincial Party Committee, saying that you suddenly went missing after arriving in Dongguan and might be facing security risks, our entire municipal bureau has been on edge these past few days! We've been working almost non-stop, using every resource we can. We've searched train stations, docks, hotels, rental houses, and even some entertainment venues and secluded corners multiple times, but we haven't found a single clue! Where...where have you been these past few days? How come you just vanished into thin air as soon as you arrived in Dongguan?"
His tone was filled with eager curiosity and lingering fear.
Luo Fei gently blew on the tea leaves floating in the teacup, took a small sip, put down the cup, waved his hand, and showed a hint of apology on his face.
"This matter is a long story, and it's my fault for not considering things thoroughly enough before taking action. I apologize for causing Director Zhong and my colleagues in Dongguan to have so much trouble."
"Oh, I don't deserve your apology! Your safety is the best news!"
Zhong Baoyu quickly replied, but the probing look in his eyes remained undiminished.
"But... what exactly happened? Did you encounter some unexpected situation as soon as you landed? Were you... were you taken hostage by some criminals?"
He lowered his voice and asked tentatively, his mind already beginning to conjure up some dark speculations involving local forces. "Control is out of the question."
Luo Fei smiled, his tone still calm, yet it conveyed a profound meaning that was hard to fathom.
"However, my personal freedom was indeed 'restricted' in some ways. I stayed in a place where it was not convenient to contact the outside world for a few days."
"Restricting freedom?"
Zhong Baoyu's eyes widened immediately, and he leaned forward slightly.
"Who? Who dares to do this? To restrict the freedom of a National Security Bureau chief within the territory of Dongguan? This is utterly lawless!"
His tone was filled with shock and anger, not only because of Luo Fei's identity, but also because this happened in Dongguan City, and as the director of the municipal bureau, he bore an unshirkable responsibility.
"I will explain the specific details to Director Zhong later."
Luo Fei didn't answer directly, but changed the subject.
However, every cloud has a silver lining.
Although I haven't had much freedom these past few days, it hasn't been entirely fruitless.
At least, I have gained a more direct and in-depth understanding of the situation in Dongguan, especially the 'insider information' in certain areas.
When he spoke of the "internal situation," his tone became slightly more forceful, and he looked calmly at Zhong Baoyu.
Zhong Baoyu was an extremely shrewd person, and he immediately caught the unusual meaning in Luo Fei's tone and eyes.
The phrase "internal situation," combined with Luo Fei's identity as the director of the National Security Bureau and his bizarre "disappearance" followed by a sudden and ambiguous reappearance, likely points to something far more serious than a simple public security issue.
His heart sank, and the warm smile on his face faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"Director Luo means..."
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the office door, which was then pushed open. A sharp-looking man in his early thirties, wearing a police uniform and glasses, walked in, carrying a folder in his hand.
He is Zhong Baoyu's secretary.
"Chief, the daily search progress summary meeting is now in session. All the responsible personnel from the various branches and major police stations are present in the meeting room. What do you think..."
The secretary was halfway through her sentence when she noticed Luo Fei sitting on the sofa. She immediately stopped talking and nodded to Luo Fei.
Zhong Baoyu then remembered that, in order to find Luo Fei, he had set a rule for the past few days to hold a meeting at a fixed time every day, attended by the heads of all operational units in the city, to summarize the situation and assign tasks. Now that the person in question was sitting right in front of him, the core topic of this meeting naturally no longer existed.
"Xiao Liu, you've come at the perfect time."
Zhong Baoyu gave instructions to his secretary.
"Immediately notify everyone in the conference room that the meeting is postponed and you should rest and wait. Also, immediately issue an internal notice in the name of the Municipal Bureau Command Center."
It has been confirmed that Director Luo Fei has been found safe and in good health.
Effective immediately, all police officers involved in the search are resuming their normal duties and work schedules, ending the emergency status. Thank you for your hard work!
Secretary Liu's face showed obvious surprise and relief. He clearly knew how much pressure the Municipal Bureau had been under these past few days in order to find the person.
He immediately replied.
"Yes, Chief! I'll take care of it right away!"
He glanced at Luo Fei again, his eyes filled with curiosity, but he didn't dare to ask any more questions. He quickly left and gently closed the door behind him.
"Director Luo, you see, our comrades have probably barely slept these past few days trying to find you."
Zhong Baoyu turned to Luo Fei, his tone filled with emotion.
"But now it's all good, I've found you, and the biggest weight on my heart has finally been lifted. You don't know, the higher-ups... cough, the mayor, the party secretary, and the provincial leaders, they've been calling almost every few hours to ask about the progress. The pressure on me..."
He shook his head, looking overwhelmed.
"I'm so sorry to have troubled Director Zhong and his colleagues."
Luo Fei expressed his apologies again, his attitude sincere.
"Don't mention it, it's my duty, it's my duty."
Zhong Baoyu waved his hand, then, as if remembering something, made a suggestion.
"Director Luo, since the heads of all the units are here, why don't you come with me to the conference room and meet with everyone? That way, everyone can feel at ease, and if it's convenient for you, you can also briefly explain the situation?"
His words were a test, as he wanted to see Luo Fei's attitude and how this suddenly appearing young bureau chief planned to deal with the mid-level backbone of the Dongguan police.
Luo Fei hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright.
Since we've troubled everyone for so long, we should thank you in person and put your minds at ease.
"That's wonderful, please go ahead!"
Zhong Baoyu quickly got up.
As he stood up, Luo Fei's gaze swept over Zhong Baoyu again, seemingly unintentionally.
A slight thought flickered in his mind, and a faint, almost imperceptible light seemed to flash across the depths of his deep eyes. In his special vision, Zhong Baoyu's aura appeared as a relatively clear, pale gold, though shrouded in a slight grayish-white mist from days of anxiety, its underlying color was clean, without much of the mixed or heavy blackish-red filth. Given the current state of affairs in Dongguan's officialdom, which Luo Fei understood to be utterly corrupt, it was quite remarkable for a bureau chief who had led the city's public security system for many years to achieve this. Luo Fei formed a preliminary judgment about this man.
The two walked out of the director's office one after the other, through a quiet, carpeted corridor, and headed towards the city bureau's medium-sized conference room on the same floor. (End of Chapter)