After the Divorce, I Went Back to My Hometown, Pregnant and Became the Sheriff - Chapter 6

The next morning, Jiang Xu left for work and happened to run into He Xianxing. Before he knew they lived next door to each other, they had never met; lately, however, their paths seemed to cross with inexplicable frequency.

The two walked together toward the bureau. After New Year’s Day, the temperature had plummeted. He Xianxing looked at Jiang Xu, who was dressed thinly. “Aren’t you cold?”

Jiang Xu shook his head. He wore only an old jacket over his thin, light-blue officer’s uniform shirt and black trousers.

“I heard winters in G-City were always warm, so why has it been freezing these past few days?” He Xianxing complained. He wore a scarf, yet the tip of his nose and the corners of his eyes were still flushed red from the cold.

Jiang Xu glanced down at him and asked casually, “Are you very sensitive to the cold?”

“Yeah, I’m freezing to death.”

He Xianxing’s tone was exaggerated, causing Jiang Xu’s expression to shift slightly. “You’re the second person I’ve known who is this afraid of the cold.”

“Then who was the first?”

“I can’t remember.”

“Hey, liar!” He Xianxing pouted. After a moment, he tilted his head as if troubled. “By the way, how do you think we should say we met?”

“What do you mean, how we met?” Jiang Xu didn’t follow.

“I’m currently ‘Tongtong’s Mom,'” He Xianxing coughed twice, putting on an act. “What if the other parents at the school fair ask how we met? How should I answer? If we don’t coordinate our story beforehand, we’ll be exposed.”

“Who would be that bored?”

“Don’t underestimate the power of gossip!”

Jiang Xu looked up at the gray sky. “The Inspector is also a graduate of S-Police University, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then let’s just say we met at school.”

He Xianxing pondered for a moment and nodded. “Alright then. If anyone asks, we’ll say you were my senior and I was your devoted fan. How about that?”

Jiang Xu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He shook his head and sighed, “Whatever makes you happy.”

He Xianxing enthusiastically fleshed out his backstory as “Tongtong’s Mom.” Jiang Xu listened in silence, offering an occasional comment, and they soon reached the main entrance of the Public Security Bureau.

A black sedan with S-City plates was parked in the bureau’s lot. With G-City about to fall under the jurisdiction of S-City, it wasn’t unusual to see personnel traveling between the two. However, this car looked a bit too high-end for a standard government vehicle.

The two entered the building. The offices for grassroots officers were on the first floor for easy deployment, while higher-ranking officials were mostly on the third floor and above.

As Jiang Xu parted ways with He Xianxing, he caught a glimpse of Chief Inspector Cheng Zhen stopping He Xianxing by the elevator.

Cheng Zhen, forty-five, was the bureau’s top administrative head. What would he want with He Xianxing so early in the morning?

Jiang Xu intended to eavesdrop, but their elevator had already arrived. He only caught fragments like “Special Envoy” and “Lead of the Integrity Inspection Team.” Connecting the black car to He Xianxing’s background in S-City, he assumed He Xianxing was being asked to help receive a fellow townsman.

It seemed a big shot from S-City had arrived.

Looking at the car at the entrance, Jiang Xu suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.

When it was time to clock out in the afternoon, Jiang Xu intentionally waited an extra half hour before leaving. As he pushed open his office door, the elevator opposite him slid open. A crowd of people emerged, all the prominent figures of the bureau. Leading them was a young man in a dark suit, his face as pale as fallen snow.

Before Jiang Xu could even register the man’s features, his body reacted instinctively and he slammed the door shut. He turned back in a hurry, nearly colliding with a colleague behind him.

“What’s wrong with you?” the colleague asked, startled.

“Nothing,” Jiang Xu stepped back. “I still have some files to finish.”

“Since when did you become so ambitious?” the colleague joked, reaching for the door handle.

“Wait!” Jiang Xu tried to stop him, but it was too late. The door was swung open.

The group outside noticed them immediately. He Xianxing even waved enthusiastically. “Jiang Xu, you’re getting off work too?”

Damn it, Jiang Xu cursed inwardly. Of all the times for him to be sharp-eyed. He kept his back to the crowd, clicking his tongue in frustration.

Just as he was calculating how to bluff his way out, Chief Inspector Cheng Zhen spoke up. “Jiang Xu? I remember he’s also from S-City, right?” The lobby wasn’t spacious, and the conversation carried clearly.

“Yes, he graduated from S-Police University just like me.”

Jiang Xu fought the urge to run over and cover He Xianxing’s mouth, only to hear him continue. “By the way, Team Leader Shen Yucheng is also from S-Police University, isn’t he?”

Shen Yucheng.

Those three words made Jiang Xu’s breathing suddenly heavy. His body tensed and his heart raced. He heard Cheng Zhen laugh. “So, the three of you are schoolmates! What a coincidence; truly a coincidence.”

“In that case, Chief Inspector, why don’t we invite Jiang Xu to join us?”

Jiang Xu’s temples throbbed. He had never found He Xianxing so talkative until this moment.

“Oh? That might not be appropriate.”

Hearing Cheng Zhen hesitate, Jiang Xu felt a slight wave of relief. He was just a low-level officer; there was no reason, professional or personal, for him to attend a high-level welcome dinner. But then he heard Cheng Zhen add, “What does Team Leader Shen think?”

The man being questioned remained silent for a moment. Then, in a voice so steady it was almost cold, he replied, “Let him join us.”

Jiang Xu knit his brows and was forced to turn around slowly. He met Shen Yucheng’s calm, unruffled gray-blue eyes.

The private room in the restaurant was small, and about a dozen people took their seats.

Being the lowest-ranking official, Jiang Xu sat near the door. He Xianxing sat down beside him with a smile, leaning close to whisper in his ear. “Hey, Jiang Xu. Tongtong looks exactly like this Team Leader Shen. What’s the connection between you two?”

Jiang Xu glanced at him but said nothing. He Xianxing didn’t press further, only grumbling, “Ugh, this place is too cramped. They usually eat like kings, but the moment the Integrity Team shows up, they suddenly know how to play the frugal official part.”

Jiang Xu kept his head down. “Watch your surroundings, Inspector He.”

He Xianxing stuck out his tongue. Just as he was about to speak again, Cheng Zhen stood up enthusiastically, raising his glass. “Come, come! Let us give a warm welcome to the Prosecutor of the General Administration of Integrity and the Leader of the Integrity Supervision Team currently stationed at G-City Bureau: Team Leader Shen Yucheng!”

The room erupted in applause. Jiang Xu followed suit mechanically, clapping his hands perfunctorily.

Leader of the Integrity Team, stationed in the G-City police district. Was he here to investigate a case? Or was it something else?

Jiang Xu’s fingertips brushed against his empty glass. His gaze drifted across the simple dishes on the glass turntable and landed on the man sitting in the seat of honor.

Even in such a shabby restaurant room, Shen Yucheng sat perfectly upright. His dark suit was impeccably tailored, outlining a tall and elegant frame. His black hair was swept back neatly, revealing a handsome forehead and refined features. Those eyes were just as he remembered: a misty blue, like the sea in winter.

A face that had long since blurred in his mind had suddenly become vivid and clear again. To say he felt nothing would be a lie. Jiang Xu withdrew his gaze, looking down to pour himself some water. The tea rippled in dark brown circles before settling, reflecting the cold white light of the fluorescent lamps.

Cheng Zhen was still rambling, introducing Shen Yucheng’s illustrious career with pride. “Team Leader Shen was once a legendary figure in our public security system! A graduate of S-Police University; his future was boundless. Why did you suddenly transfer to the Integrity Bureau?”

“The Chief Inspector flatters me. Among those present, aren’t there two other S-Police University graduates?” Shen Yucheng’s expression remained cold as his gaze swept over Jiang Xu and He Xianxing in the corner. “It is merely a difference in our chosen paths.”

Though met with a cold shoulder, Cheng Zhen remained radiant. “Oh, jumping from public security to the integrity system isn’t just a different path. The passing rate for that internal bar exam is terrifyingly low. Moreover, as soon as Team Leader Shen entered the Integrity Bureau, he became a key talent for the General Administration and was even sent to Germany for advanced studies. That’s truly remarkable. I heard you only just returned to the country in the last two years, is that right?”

“I returned at the end of last year.” Shen Yucheng spared a fleeting glance toward Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu acted as though he hadn’t noticed, keeping his head down to sip his tea.

The Deputy Chief Inspector, Ye Yilang, gave a dry chuckle. “Team Leader Shen, you are the role model for the younger generation in our legal system. Since you’re here to guide our work, please let us know if you need anything. We will fully cooperate and accept your guidance!”

“Thank you. This supervision work is an important task assigned by the General Administration. I hope to engage in honest communication and close collaboration with all of you.”

As Shen Yucheng finished his formalities, the room filled with voices of agreement. Someone led a toast, and others followed. Only He Xianxing and Jiang Xu remained in their seats.

Support After the Divorce, I Went Back to My Hometown, Pregnant and Became the Sheriff