Chapter 63: Tao Guowei Receives the Document

In the afternoon, the Criminal Investigation Brigade was wrapping up the final procedures of the case, organizing testimonies, securing evidence, and transferring the file to the Legal Affairs Brigade for review, after which it would be submitted to the Procuratorate for prosecution.

Once reviewed, Li Hui and Yang Qi would be officially arrested and formally prosecuted in court.

As for whether they would receive the death penalty, a suspended death sentence, or life imprisonment, that was no longer the concern of the Criminal Investigation Brigade.

Judging by the criminal process, the work ahead for the Procuratorate and the court would be quite rigorous. Investigation is difficult, but prosecution and trial are equally challenging. Since this involved a conspiracy to murder, distinguishing between the primary and secondary motives was a complex issue that required multi-party verification.

Han Ling was still at the sub-bureau, having been summoned to the deputy director’s office. He was currently in conversation with Zhao Xingbang, accompanied by the bureau’s political commissar.

The discussion primarily revolved around personnel reassignment.

Han Ling had no objections. While working at the police substation was pleasant enough with low daily pressure, it was simply too mundane.

Transferring to the sub-bureau was a fine choice, one that would add a bit of color to a new chapter of his life.

Regarding Han Ling's outstanding contributions during the investigation, Zhao Xingbang stated that he would report it to the municipal bureau, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, it would result in a commendation or a personal third-class merit citation.

A personal third-class merit was the more likely outcome because, had it not been for Han Ling, this case could very well have turned into a miscarriage of justice. His contribution was substantial.

As for the special investigation team as a whole, there would be no collective merit.

The criteria for awarding a collective third-class merit were relatively strict. In this case, the team had merely completed their tasks according to standard operating procedures without any particularly outstanding performance, not to mention... they had failed to apprehend one of the suspects.

They were lucky not to face disciplinary action; expecting honors on top of that was out of the question.

Merits required clear and distinct excellence.

Investigating crimes, however, was simply a detective's bounden duty—it was merely their job.

Han Ling hadn't expected Zhao Xingbang to be so fair. He had half-expected the authorities to streamline the investigative record and quietly omit the detail about the escaped suspect.

Omitting it would have spared everyone trouble; otherwise, it would always remain a minor stain on their record.

He would not have had any objections either way; it was all the same to him.

However, since Zhao Xingbang had already made his decision, Han Ling naturally wouldn't bring it up himself. Doing so would have been overly calculating and slick.

Leaving the deputy director’s office, Tong Feng pulled him aside.

"Hey, are you transferring to the sub-bureau? Is it the Criminal Investigation Brigade?" Tong Feng asked, looking at Han Ling expectantly.

Han Ling nodded. "Yes, the Criminal Investigation Brigade. The official document will be issued shortly."

Tong Feng beamed. "We'll be colleagues again soon! Come on, let's go tell Yang芮 and Sun Yujie. The four of us graduated in the same year and will all be in the Criminal Investigation Brigade—we need to stick close."

Dragging Han Ling to the Criminal Technology Squadron, Tong Feng broke the news of Han Ling's transfer to the other two.

Yang Rui offered a warm welcome, while Sun Yujie gave Han Ling a somewhat aggrieved look.

"I haven't even asked you yet, how did you know Li Hui was involved in the murder?" Tong Feng demanded.

Han Ling replied, "Because I never ruled her out."

"Huh?" Tong Feng looked baffled. "She's Hou Jiaro's mother. How did you manage to never rule her out?"

Han Ling countered, "Is there a causal relationship between the two?"

"Uh..." Tong Feng sized Han Ling up. "Criminal psychology says that people who think the worst of others are usually no angels themselves. I never took you for such a scheming bastard. I'd better keep my distance from you in the future."

After the four chatted for a while, Ji Bowei tracked down Han Ling to inform him that the special investigation team was officially disbanded and that he could return to his substation.

As for the personnel transfer, it would be subject to the sub-bureau's official documentation, which would take at least a week.

Han Ling wasn't on temporary loan; his entire personnel file was being transferred. He would belong entirely to the Gu'an District Public Security Sub-bureau, which meant changes to his salary and benefits, thus involving the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau as well.

A raise—always a good thing. Han Ling allowed himself a rare moment of happiness.

It is easy to go from luxury to poverty, but hard to go the other way; for the past year, he had been desperately adapting to a life of hardship.

Bidding farewell to his sub-bureau colleagues, Han Ling walked out of the building and was just about to get into his car when Tong Feng chased after him.

"Han Ling! Almost forgot!" Tong Feng ran up to him. "I haven't asked you about the hospital incident yet. When did you get such a gorgeous girlfriend? You didn't even tell me—not much of a bro, are you?"

Han Ling took his hand off the car door handle. "Don't talk nonsense. She's not my girlfriend. We barely know each other."

Tong Feng stared. "What the hell? I'm not deaf! Cut the act!"

Han Ling sighed helplessly. "I'm not lying. She's a twenty-five-year-old overseas PhD graduate, drives a BMW X5, and lives in a luxury villa worth over ten thousand per square meter. She definitely has plenty of suitors, so she used me as a shield to get some peace and quiet. I was just a human prop."

This revelation left Tong Feng dumbfounded. "Are you shooting a movie? For real?"

"For real."

Tong Feng believed him. After a brief silence, he muttered, "Usually, the human prop ends up winning the lead role in the end..."

"I'm off!" Without waiting for him to finish, Han Ling opened the car door and started the engine.

"I wasn't finished!"

"Bye-bye."

Han Ling rolled down the window to wave, stepped on the gas, and drove away.

"Sigh." Tong Feng watched the taillights disappear and sighed to himself. "What a shame, what a shame. I knew it—how could a woman like that ever fall for Han Ling? Such a waste."

Han Ling returned to the substation.

Upon learning that his temporary assignment had concluded, Station Chief Tao Guowei hurriedly called him into the office to ask about the situation, accompanied by Zhu Yue.

Naturally, they couldn't ask about the details of the case. They mainly wanted to know if the case had been solved and whether Han Ling had played a tangible role in the investigation.

"It's solved. The case is closed and going through the procedural steps."

"I did all right. Working with the team, we found the murder weapon, which was fairly crucial."

Han Ling kept his report brief.

Hearing this, Tao Guowei and Zhu Yue broke into wide grins. Excellent; he hadn't disappointed them.

The investigation of a homicide required the concerted effort of the entire sub-bureau's Criminal Investigation Brigade. The team leaders formed the core of the operation, guiding the direction of the inquiries, while everyone else contributed in their own way. As long as Han Ling performed decently and didn't drag down the team, that was enough.

"Go get some rest! I'll give you a day off!"

Three days later.

Tao Guowei received a document.

*Notice from the Gu'an District Sub-bureau of the Qingchang Municipal Public Security Bureau Regarding the Personnel Transfer of Certain Police Officers.*

He stared at the document that had suddenly landed on his desk, unable to process it for a long time, before picking up the phone to summon Zhu Yue.

"What is it, Chief Tao?" Zhu Yue asked upon entering the office.

Tao Guowei pointed at the document. "Take a look."

Zhu Yue picked up the paper from the desk, glanced at the title, and looked puzzled. "Han Ling transferring to the sub-bureau was only a matter of time, Chief Tao, but didn't you know about this in advance?"

Tao Guowei scoffed. "Know my ass! Zhao Xingbang was too impatient to wait! He didn't even bother asking for my opinion!"

Noticing Tao Guowei's displeasure, Zhu Yue gave a light cough. "Surely it's not that serious? No need to get worked up."

Tao Guowei took a fierce drag from his cigarette and said, "That kid Han Ling must have pulled off something remarkable during the homicide investigation. Otherwise, Zhao Xingbang wouldn't have issued the order without even consulting me. If he wanted to do it properly, he would have done it earlier. He was terrified I'd object!"

Zhu Yue suggested, "Should I... go ask Han Ling?"

"Don't ask! The case is still under a confidentiality order, what are you going to ask? Just let him go already! Out of sight, out of mind!"

Seeing Tao Guowei looking indignant and visibly reluctant to let go, Zhu Yue smiled. "Chief Tao, you're just heartbroken to see him go."

Tao Guowei didn't deny it, sighing, "Where am I supposed to find another rookie this brilliant? What harm would it have done to let him stay at the substation for another six months or a year? You guys at the sub-bureau have no idea what it's like for the rest of us."

Zhu Yue reasoned, "The sub-bureau has it rough too. The situation is grim and they're short-handed; in recent years, they've had to increase their forensic staff to four alone. How could they possibly pass up a rookie with genuine criminal investigation talent? It's understandable."

Behind closed doors, Tao Guowei wasn't afraid to speak his mind. "I understand his damn foot!"

Zhu Yue could only offer a bitter smile.

*I'm his mentor and I haven't even complained yet, but you're already venting.*

Hopefully, Han Ling would have a smooth journey at the sub-bureau.

The Criminal Investigation Brigade was far more dangerous than a substation. Encountering ruthless criminals who had nothing to lose could genuinely land someone in the hospital.