Chapter 614

At dinner time, Xiao Lin led Jiang Yuan out of the restaurant, and they strolled along the path.

“Are they holding some kind of martial arts competition to find a spouse at your bureau too?” Jiang Yuan casually asked.

Xiao Lin chuckled, “How could that be? This is a national competition, and we are the organizers, so we can’t send anyone to compete.”

“Then who is competing?”

“They’re all provincial teams, plus the national team,” Xiao Lin said, a look of longing on his face.

“Oh, a national competition.” Jiang Yuan understood, then remarked, “Your agency must be quite wealthy to host a national competition and arrange for accommodation and meals.”

“This is a special fund. The national team members and some out-of-province teams are staying at the best hotels in our city. The provincial teams and local participants are staying in guesthouses,” Xiao Lin explained.

“No wonder you had to run errands; you were going to pick people up,” Jiang Yuan suddenly realized.

“Yes, what else could it be?” Xiao Lin said with a smile.

“Do you feel like those people are looking at me strangely?” Jiang Yuan asked again.

Xiao Lin chuckled, scratching his head, “Not really, maybe they just think you’re handsome and took a few extra glances?”

Jiang Yuan stared at Xiao Lin, who scratched his head even faster.

“Haha, Captain Jiang, I was wrong,” Xiao Lin quickly said, “Actually, I noticed it a while ago. Those competitors look at you with a bit of envy.”

“Envy me for what?”

“Envy your youth, your good looks, and your formidable strength.” Xiao Lin paused, then continued, “And it’s not just the competitors; some coaches and even some of our colleagues at the agency are looking at you strangely. They’re probably wondering how someone so young could achieve so much.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Yuan smiled.

“Of course, it’s true,” Xiao Lin nodded emphatically. “You’re already quite well-known in our bureau, and besides, the cases you’ve solved are all major, important ones. Anyone who hears about them has to say you’re incredible.”

“I’m just a technician.”

“A technician can be like a god,” Xiao Lin chuckled again. “Do you know? Some people in the bureau say you’re the youngest deputy section-level cadre.”

“Not director?”

“Director is director, deputy section is deputy section; they don’t conflict,” Xiao Lin explained.

“Oh,” Jiang Yuan acknowledged.

“However, this time, I estimate the bureau will put more responsibility on your shoulders,” Xiao Lin added.

“What responsibility?”

“Look, our bureau has contributed a lot to this national competition, and as a key figure, you definitely need to make an appearance,” Xiao Lin said.

“Appear where?”

“Just attend the opening ceremony, closing ceremony, and perhaps accompany some leaders during their speeches,” Xiao Lin said.

Jiang Yuan frowned, “I don’t have time.”

“I know,” Xiao Lin nodded. “But this is just for show, just going through the motions. Don’t worry, I’ll help you schedule everything, and you just need to show up when it’s time.”

“Alright then,” Jiang Yuan said nothing more.

The two strolled along and soon arrived downstairs at the dormitory building.

“Captain Jiang, you go on up first. I need to go to the conference room,” Xiao Lin said.

Jiang Yuan nodded and went straight upstairs.

Xiao Lin watched Jiang Yuan’s retreating figure, a worried expression on his face.

This matter might not be so simple.

…

The next day.

Just as dawn broke, Jiang Yuan got up.

He finished washing up, changed into a tracksuit, and then headed out.

He ran along the path and soon arrived at the city center’s stadium.

At the entrance of the stadium, a considerable crowd had already gathered.

Jiang Yuan glanced at them and walked straight in.

Inside the stadium, there was a buzz of activity.

Various sounds mixed together, making it quite noisy.

Jiang Yuan found a corner to sit in and began to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone noticed him.

“Isn’t that Jiang Yuan?”

“Why is he here?”

“Could it be that he’s also here to compete?”

Various discussions rose and fell.

Jiang Yuan ignored them, still resting with his eyes closed.

Until a voice sounded in his ear: “Jiang Yuan, why are you here?”

Jiang Yuan opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure.

“Director Li?” Jiang Yuan was a little surprised.

“You, what’s going on?” Director Li asked gruffly.

Jiang Yuan scratched his head, “I just came to see what’s happening.”

“See what’s happening?” Director Li frowned. “You, don’t cause me any trouble.”

“No, no,” Jiang Yuan quickly waved his hands.

“That’s good,” Director Li nodded, then added, “This matter is no small thing; you’d better perform well.”

“Understood,” Jiang Yuan replied.

Director Li patted Jiang Yuan’s shoulder and then left.

Jiang Yuan looked at Director Li’s retreating back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

It seemed this matter was indeed not simple.

He averted his gaze and continued to close his eyes and rest.

Time passed minute by minute.

Soon, the stadium filled with more and more people.

Jiang Yuan opened his eyes to find the area around him already packed.

He glanced around and saw that they were all young people.

These people, men and women, wore various styles of athletic wear.

Their faces all carried a hint of excitement.

Jiang Yuan took a quick look, then looked away.

He continued to close his eyes and rest.

Until a voice sounded in his ear: “Jiang Yuan, it’s your turn.”

Jiang Yuan opened his eyes and saw a staff member standing in front of him.

“My turn?” Jiang Yuan was a little puzzled.

“Yes,” the staff member nodded. “The leaders want you to go up and speak.”

Jiang Yuan frowned, “Speak about what?”

“Just some opening remarks, words of encouragement for everyone,” the staff member explained.

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment, then stood up.

He followed the staff member all the way to the podium.

On the podium sat several leaders.

Jiang Yuan glanced at them and saw Director Li among them.

He walked to the center of the podium and picked up the microphone.

“Distinguished leaders, esteemed guests, fellow competitors…”

Jiang Yuan’s voice echoed throughout the stadium.

The entire venue fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan delivered an opening speech, then spoke some words of encouragement.

His speech lasted for about five minutes.

After finishing, Jiang Yuan put down the microphone.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Jiang Yuan nodded to everyone, then walked off the podium.

He returned to his seat and continued to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone else walked onto the podium and began to speak.

The rest of the time was filled with leaders’ speeches.

It wasn’t until noon that the opening ceremony finally concluded.

Jiang Yuan followed the crowd to the restaurant.

The restaurant was already full of people.

Jiang Yuan found a seat and began to eat.

He had barely taken a few bites when someone sat down beside him.

“Jiang Yuan, do you still remember me?”

Jiang Yuan looked up and saw a familiar face.

“You are?” Jiang Yuan asked, a little confused.

“I’m Wang Meng. We met before at the provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“Oh, it’s Wang Meng,” Jiang Yuan remembered.

“I never expected to see you here this time,” Wang Meng said with a smile.

“Yes,” Jiang Yuan nodded.

“You’ve really made something of yourself now, kid,” Wang Meng exclaimed.

“Not at all, not at all,” Jiang Yuan waved his hand.

“It’s certainly ‘not at all,’ you’re practically a celebrity at our provincial bureau now,” Wang Meng said.

“A celebrity?” Jiang Yuan was puzzled.

“Yes, all the leaders at our provincial bureau speak highly of you,” Wang Meng stated.

“Is that so?” Jiang Yuan was a little surprised.

“Of course. The cases you’ve solved are all major and critical, and the leaders say you’re the hope of our provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“You flatter me,” Jiang Yuan smiled.

“By the way, are you participating in this national competition?” Wang Meng asked.

“I just came to see what’s happening,” Jiang Yuan replied.

“See what’s happening?” Wang Meng frowned. “You, don’t cause me any trouble.”

“No, no,” Jiang Yuan quickly waved his hands.

“That’s good,” Wang Meng nodded, then added, “This matter is no small thing; you’d better perform well.”

“Understood,” Jiang Yuan responded.

Wang Meng patted Jiang Yuan’s shoulder and then left.

Jiang Yuan looked at Wang Meng’s retreating back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He averted his gaze and continued eating.

In the afternoon.

Jiang Yuan arrived at the training ground.

The training ground was bustling with noise.

Various sounds mixed together, making it quite noisy.

Jiang Yuan found a corner to sit in and began to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone noticed him.

“Isn’t that Jiang Yuan?”

“Why is he here?”

“Could it be that he’s also here to compete?”

Various discussions rose and fell.

Jiang Yuan ignored them, still resting with his eyes closed.

Until a voice sounded in his ear: “Jiang Yuan, it’s your turn.”

Jiang Yuan opened his eyes and saw a staff member standing in front of him.

“My turn?” Jiang Yuan was a little puzzled.

“Yes,” the staff member nodded. “The leaders want you to go up and speak.”

Jiang Yuan frowned, “Speak about what?”

“Just some opening remarks, words of encouragement for everyone,” the staff member explained.

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment, then stood up.

He followed the staff member all the way to the podium.

On the podium sat several leaders.

Jiang Yuan glanced at them and saw Director Li among them.

He walked to the center of the podium and picked up the microphone.

“Distinguished leaders, esteemed guests, fellow competitors…”

Jiang Yuan’s voice echoed throughout the training ground.

The entire venue fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan delivered an opening speech, then spoke some words of encouragement.

His speech lasted for about five minutes.

After finishing, Jiang Yuan put down the microphone.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Jiang Yuan nodded to everyone, then walked off the podium.

He returned to his seat and continued to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone else walked onto the podium and began to speak.

The rest of the time was filled with leaders’ speeches.

It wasn’t until evening that the training finally concluded.

Jiang Yuan followed the crowd to the restaurant.

The restaurant was already full of people.

Jiang Yuan found a seat and began to eat.

He had barely taken a few bites when someone sat down beside him.

“Jiang Yuan, do you still remember me?”

Jiang Yuan looked up and saw a familiar face.

“You are?” Jiang Yuan asked, a little confused.

“I’m Wang Meng. We met before at the provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“Oh, it’s Wang Meng,” Jiang Yuan remembered.

“I never expected to see you here this time,” Wang Meng said with a smile.

“Yes,” Jiang Yuan nodded.

“You’ve really made something of yourself now, kid,” Wang Meng exclaimed.

“Not at all, not at all,” Jiang Yuan waved his hand.

“It’s certainly ‘not at all,’ you’re practically a celebrity at our provincial bureau now,” Wang Meng said.

“A celebrity?” Jiang Yuan was puzzled.

“Yes, all the leaders at our provincial bureau speak highly of you,” Wang Meng stated.

“Is that so?” Jiang Yuan was a little surprised.

“Of course. The cases you’ve solved are all major and critical, and the leaders say you’re the hope of our provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“You flatter me,” Jiang Yuan smiled.

“By the way, are you participating in this national competition?” Wang Meng asked.

“I just came to see what’s happening,” Jiang Yuan replied.

“See what’s happening?” Wang Meng frowned. “You, don’t cause me any trouble.”

“No, no,” Jiang Yuan quickly waved his hands.

“That’s good,” Wang Meng nodded, then added, “This matter is no small thing; you’d better perform well.”

“Understood,” Jiang Yuan responded.

Wang Meng patted Jiang Yuan’s shoulder and then left.

Jiang Yuan looked at Wang Meng’s retreating back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He averted his gaze and continued eating.

That night.

Jiang Yuan returned to his dormitory, took a shower, and then lay down on his bed.

He took out his phone and checked the time.

It was already past nine in the evening.

Jiang Yuan lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

His mind kept dwelling on the day’s events.

This national competition seemed to be far from simple.

He vaguely felt that he had been drawn into a huge vortex.

Jiang Yuan sighed, closed his eyes, and forced himself to sleep.

However, he couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.

He picked up his phone, opened his browser, and began to search for information about the national competition.

Soon, he found an official website.

The homepage of the official website prominently displayed a large title: National Skills Competition.

Jiang Yuan clicked in and saw various competition categories.

Among them was a category called “Forensic Technology.”

Jiang Yuan looked carefully and found that the content of this competition had many similarities with his usual work.

He vaguely felt that something was amiss.

Jiang Yuan looked again and saw that the participants in this category were all forensic elites from across the country.

He vaguely felt that something was not good.

Jiang Yuan turned off his phone, lay on the bed, and continued to think.

The more he thought, the more he felt that this matter was not simple.

He always felt that he was being used as a pawn.

Jiang Yuan sighed, rolled over, and continued trying to sleep.

The next day.

Jiang Yuan got up, finished washing up, and then headed out.

He ran along the path and soon arrived at the city center’s stadium.

At the entrance of the stadium, a considerable crowd had already gathered.

Jiang Yuan glanced at them and walked straight in.

Inside the stadium, there was a buzz of activity.

Various sounds mixed together, making it quite noisy.

Jiang Yuan found a corner to sit in and began to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone noticed him.

“Isn’t that Jiang Yuan?”

“Why is he here?”

“Could it be that he’s also here to compete?”

Various discussions rose and fell.

Jiang Yuan ignored them, still resting with his eyes closed.

Until a voice sounded in his ear: “Jiang Yuan, it’s your turn.”

Jiang Yuan opened his eyes and saw a staff member standing in front of him.

“My turn?” Jiang Yuan was a little puzzled.

“Yes,” the staff member nodded. “The leaders want you to go up and speak.”

Jiang Yuan frowned, “Speak about what?”

“Just some opening remarks, words of encouragement for everyone,” the staff member explained.

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment, then stood up.

He followed the staff member all the way to the podium.

On the podium sat several leaders.

Jiang Yuan glanced at them and saw Director Li among them.

He walked to the center of the podium and picked up the microphone.

“Distinguished leaders, esteemed guests, fellow competitors…”

Jiang Yuan’s voice echoed throughout the stadium.

The entire venue fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan delivered an opening speech, then spoke some words of encouragement.

His speech lasted for about five minutes.

After finishing, Jiang Yuan put down the microphone.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Jiang Yuan nodded to everyone, then walked off the podium.

He returned to his seat and continued to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone else walked onto the podium and began to speak.

The rest of the time was filled with leaders’ speeches.

It wasn’t until noon that the opening ceremony finally concluded.

Jiang Yuan followed the crowd to the restaurant.

The restaurant was already full of people.

Jiang Yuan found a seat and began to eat.

He had barely taken a few bites when someone sat down beside him.

“Jiang Yuan, do you still remember me?”

Jiang Yuan looked up and saw a familiar face.

“You are?” Jiang Yuan asked, a little confused.

“I’m Wang Meng. We met before at the provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“Oh, it’s Wang Meng,” Jiang Yuan remembered.

“I never expected to see you here this time,” Wang Meng said with a smile.

“Yes,” Jiang Yuan nodded.

“You’ve really made something of yourself now, kid,” Wang Meng exclaimed.

“Not at all, not at all,” Jiang Yuan waved his hand.

“It’s certainly ‘not at all,’ you’re practically a celebrity at our provincial bureau now,” Wang Meng said.

“A celebrity?” Jiang Yuan was puzzled.

“Yes, all the leaders at our provincial bureau speak highly of you,” Wang Meng stated.

“Is that so?” Jiang Yuan was a little surprised.

“Of course. The cases you’ve solved are all major and critical, and the leaders say you’re the hope of our provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“You flatter me,” Jiang Yuan smiled.

“By the way, are you participating in this national competition?” Wang Meng asked.

“I just came to see what’s happening,” Jiang Yuan replied.

“See what’s happening?” Wang Meng frowned. “You, don’t cause me any trouble.”

“No, no,” Jiang Yuan quickly waved his hands.

“That’s good,” Wang Meng nodded, then added, “This matter is no small thing; you’d better perform well.”

“Understood,” Jiang Yuan responded.

Wang Meng patted Jiang Yuan’s shoulder and then left.

Jiang Yuan looked at Wang Meng’s retreating back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He averted his gaze and continued eating.

In the afternoon.

Jiang Yuan arrived at the training ground.

The training ground was bustling with noise.

Various sounds mixed together, making it quite noisy.

Jiang Yuan found a corner to sit in and began to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone noticed him.

“Isn’t that Jiang Yuan?”

“Why is he here?”

“Could it be that he’s also here to compete?”

Various discussions rose and fell.

Jiang Yuan ignored them, still resting with his eyes closed.

Until a voice sounded in his ear: “Jiang Yuan, it’s your turn.”

Jiang Yuan opened his eyes and saw a staff member standing in front of him.

“My turn?” Jiang Yuan was a little puzzled.

“Yes,” the staff member nodded. “The leaders want you to go up and speak.”

Jiang Yuan frowned, “Speak about what?”

“Just some opening remarks, words of encouragement for everyone,” the staff member explained.

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment, then stood up.

He followed the staff member all the way to the podium.

On the podium sat several leaders.

Jiang Yuan glanced at them and saw Director Li among them.

He walked to the center of the podium and picked up the microphone.

“Distinguished leaders, esteemed guests, fellow competitors…”

Jiang Yuan’s voice echoed throughout the training ground.

The entire venue fell silent.

All eyes were fixed on Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan delivered an opening speech, then spoke some words of encouragement.

His speech lasted for about five minutes.

After finishing, Jiang Yuan put down the microphone.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Jiang Yuan nodded to everyone, then walked off the podium.

He returned to his seat and continued to close his eyes and rest.

Soon, someone else walked onto the podium and began to speak.

The rest of the time was filled with leaders’ speeches.

It wasn’t until evening that the training finally concluded.

Jiang Yuan followed the crowd to the restaurant.

The restaurant was already full of people.

Jiang Yuan found a seat and began to eat.

He had barely taken a few bites when someone sat down beside him.

“Jiang Yuan, do you still remember me?”

Jiang Yuan looked up and saw a familiar face.

“You are?” Jiang Yuan asked, a little confused.

“I’m Wang Meng. We met before at the provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“Oh, it’s Wang Meng,” Jiang Yuan remembered.

“I never expected to see you here this time,” Wang Meng said with a smile.

“Yes,” Jiang Yuan nodded.

“You’ve really made something of yourself now, kid,” Wang Meng exclaimed.

“Not at all, not at all,” Jiang Yuan waved his hand.

“It’s certainly ‘not at all,’ you’re practically a celebrity at our provincial bureau now,” Wang Meng said.

“A celebrity?” Jiang Yuan was puzzled.

“Yes, all the leaders at our provincial bureau speak highly of you,” Wang Meng stated.

“Is that so?” Jiang Yuan was a little surprised.

“Of course. The cases you’ve solved are all major and critical, and the leaders say you’re the hope of our provincial bureau,” Wang Meng said.

“You flatter me,” Jiang Yuan smiled.

“By the way, are you participating in this national competition?” Wang Meng asked.

“I just came to see what’s happening,” Jiang Yuan replied.

“See what’s happening?” Wang Meng frowned. “You, don’t cause me any trouble.”

“No, no,” Jiang Yuan quickly waved his hands.

“That’s good,” Wang Meng nodded, then added, “This matter is no small thing; you’d better perform well.”

“Understood,” Jiang Yuan responded.

Wang Meng patted Jiang Yuan’s shoulder and then left.

Jiang Yuan looked at Wang Meng’s retreating back, a thoughtful expression on his face.

He averted his gaze and continued eating.