115: Chapter 115 Merit Without Reward

"It is a good thing for young people to have drive."

Li Dakang picked up his teacup and took a sip: "But remember, health is the capital of revolution."

This ordinary expression of concern made Qi Tongwei's eyes heat up slightly.

Time flowed slowly in silence, and the air in the private room seemed to have frozen.

Qi Tongwei exchanged anxious glances with Director He Guodong from time to time.

Every second the wall clock ticked felt like a strike on their hearts.

Li Dakang, however, remained calm throughout, sipping his tea slowly and deliberately, occasionally lifting his eyes to look at the flickering neon lights outside the window, as if admiring the night view.

This composure, conversely, made Director He Guodong even more restless.

Just as this subtle atmosphere was about to reach its breaking point, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang of the County Public Security Bureau burst in in a rush, with tiny beads of sweat hanging on his forehead.

"Oh, Secretary Li!"

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang walked up to Li Dakang in two or three steps, cupping his hands in a salute: "I am truly sorry, but a sudden emergency case came up at the bureau, which delayed me for so long."

His tone carried clear apologies, but his eyes swept over everyone present without leaving a trace.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang was the bureau leader in charge of the Guantian Township Police Station for the County Public Security Bureau and had worked with Li Dakang before.

The last time Party Secretary Bi Youshan inspected Guantian Township, he served as the deputy head of the security detail, and the two had met.

"Don't stand on ceremony, Deputy Bureau Chief Tang."

Li Dakang stood up to welcome him, gripping the other man's hand with a slight force.

"Grassroots work is multifaceted and full of sudden situations; we all understand."

His tone was calm but carried an undeniable weight.

After the pleasantries, everyone returned to their seats.

The waiters filed in, and exquisite dishes soon filled the turntable.

Director He Guodong picked up his wine glass and skillfully opened the conversation: "Speaking of the public security in our Guantian Township, there has been a qualitative leap in these past two years..."

As he spoke, he used his eyes to signal to Qi Tongwei.

Li Dakang picked up a mouthful of food in a leisurely manner, his gaze resting on Qi Tongwei for a moment.

When Director He Guodong mentioned the serial livestock theft case that Qi Tongwei had solved, he nodded slightly, a hint of an approving smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

After three rounds of drinks, Director He Guodong saw that the time was right, set down his chopsticks, and said seriously: "Deputy Bureau Chief Tang, there is a matter I must ask for your help with."

He paused, his gaze sincere: "The merit application for Comrade Qi Tongwei in our station, the materials were submitted over a month ago, but they have been stuck at the bureau with no movement..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Tongwei immediately straightened his back, his hands unconsciously gripping his knees.

His gaze shifted between Deputy Bureau Chief Tang and Li Dakang, filled with both anticipation and anxiety.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang's expression suddenly became subtle, and he slowly put down his wine glass.

In fact, he originally did not want to come to this dinner, not because he had any issues with Director He Guodong or Qi Tongwei; on the contrary, as an old police officer who had climbed up from the grassroots level, he knew better than anyone how rare a young person like Qi Tongwei was.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang secretly sized up Qi Tongwei: This top student who graduated from the police academy handled cases with both methodology and flexibility, and what was even rarer, he could settle down and stay at the grassroots level.

Logically speaking, he should have been transferred to the bureau for key cultivation long ago; why had he stayed at the Police Station for three years?

Unless... someone was suppressing it on purpose.

"Old He."

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang finally spoke, his tone meaningful: "This matter... I am afraid it is not that simple."

As the bureau leader in charge of the Guantian Township Police Station, he was very clear about Qi Tongwei's situation.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang saw and kept in mind this young man's work performance.

In fact, he had repeatedly requested merit for Qi Tongwei at the Bureau Party Committee meetings, but had been repeatedly rejected by Police Chief Xiao Shiguang.

At first, Deputy Bureau Chief Tang was completely baffled, until one private conversation where Police Chief Xiao Shiguang pointedly remarked: "Old Tang, a leader from the Provincial Public Security Department specifically gave a heads-up..."

The words were not finished, but the meaning could not have been clearer.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang looked at Qi Tongwei with a complex gaze.

He admired this young man's talent, but he knew the rules of the officialdom even better.

Between the implications of the leaders from the Provincial Public Security Department and the future of an ordinary police officer, the answer was self-evident.

It was precisely because of this that he had politely declined Director He Guodong's previous invitations.

The reason he made an exception to come today was entirely because he heard that Li Dakang would be coming; the influence of this Township Party Committee Secretary in the county might be able to break this deadlock.

In the current political landscape of Anjiang County, Li Dakang was already a dazzling new star.

Party Secretary Bi Youshan's remark, "Excellent young cadres like Comrade Dakang should be cultivated as a priority," was like an invisible promotion order, making Li Dakang's weight in the Anjiang County officialdom increasingly heavy.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang knew this weight well.

The composure and boldness in this young secretary's gestures were truly extraordinary.

Being able to get closer to Li Dakang at this time was a rare opportunity for any cadre with political ambitions.

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if weighing his words.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became heavy.

"Old He."

Deputy Bureau Chief Tang finally spoke, his voice lowered: "Comrade Qi Tongwei's abilities and achievements, I, as the leader in charge, know them best."

"To tell you the truth, I have raised it at the Bureau Party Committee meetings more than once..."