68: Job choice, a lying down office director?

“This feeling of being in the spotlight, of being the center of attention, it really gets to your head!”

“But at the same time, there’s pressure. My every word and action are being watched.”

Being praised and discussed, especially when receiving immense honor and glory, does indeed evoke many emotions. However, Gao Ze understood that at the same time, many people would be waiting for him to fall from his pedestal.

Such is human nature; it’s neither good nor bad.

“It’s good that you understand!”

Zhou Weiguo smiled, sensing that Gao Ze remained calm despite the commendation conference today, not getting carried away or becoming self-inflated.

If he had, his future might have stalled.

There are too many such examples in officialdom: people receiving honors and then getting caught up in various flattery-filled social engagements.

They couldn’t distinguish priorities!

“Brother Gao, what are your plans regarding your position?”

Shen Gang looked at Gao Ze, his gaze intense.

According to police and official customs, after commendations for meritorious service and promotions, personnel who have rendered service are usually transferred to new positions.

Gao Ze’s police rank was Second Class Inspector, a section-level position. He would typically be given a position as a Squadron Leader, or perhaps even a Deputy Brigade Leader.

But the question was:

Did Gao Ze want to keep his position in the Traffic Police Brigade in Shanghai, or in the Criminal Police Brigade in Shanghai?

Shen Gang naturally wanted Gao Ze to stay in the Criminal Police Brigade.

“As for my position, I still want to stay in the Traffic Police Brigade. A Squadron Leader position would be fine.”

With the commendations received and his rank elevated, Gao Ze didn't have many demands regarding his position. Staying in the Traffic Police Brigade was the best option.

Because Team Leader Zhou Weiguo was the most lenient and accommodating with him, with fewer restrictions.

Just handling the system intelligence information was enough to keep him busy.

If he were to go to the Criminal Police Brigade, he might be overworked.

“Brother Gao, your talent in the Criminal Police Brigade would simply be wasted!”

Shen Gang widened his eyes and said unwillingly, “Why don’t you come to the Criminal Police Brigade? I’ll ask the director for special approval and reserve a Deputy Brigade Leader position for you?”

“Old Shen, what are you talking about? How is Xiao Gao wasted in our Traffic Police Center?”

Zhou Weiguo retorted, “Xiao Gao’s talent is evident to all. He can still shine and contribute in our Traffic Police Center.”

Seeing the two about to quarrel, Liu Wenzhong, the Team Leader of the Huangpu District Criminal Investigation Brigade, chuckled and said to Gao Ze:

“Brother Gao, if you’re uncomfortable staying in Shanghai, why don’t you come to our Huangpu District? Our economy here is even better than yours in Shanghai, and the salary is higher.”

“And I can also give you the position of Deputy Brigade Leader!”

“Get lost, get lost, Liu, this is our Pudong Public Security Bureau’s business. What are you, from another sub-bureau, interfering for?”

Shen Gang fired at Liu Wenzhong: “Go somewhere cool and stay there!”

At the conference, seeing this scene, some SWAT officers, public security officers, criminal investigators, and Traffic Police who hadn’t completely left were stunned, their eyes filled with deep envy.

They had lived long enough to see this.

It was one thing for departments within the same Public Security Bureau to fight over Gao Ze.

But even other sub-bureaus in Donghai City were coveting Gao Ze. Which police officer could receive such highly valued treatment?

“Team Shen, Team Liu, I appreciate your kindness.”

“At this stage, I still want to stay in the Traffic Police Brigade, as a Squadron Leader or Director. For criminal police work, if you have any difficult major cases or encounter problems, you can always find me.”

Gao Ze chose to politely decline.

A position like Deputy Brigade Leader seemed good, but it actually required deep involvement in all aspects of the Criminal Investigation Brigade’s work, and he simply didn’t have that much time.

Moreover, as an outsider, being transferred to another functional department would subject him to a lot of targeting.

He had already discussed it with Team Leader Zhou Weiguo: his position would be a Squadron Leader or Office Director in the Traffic Police Center.

For Gao Ze, this was the best choice. He would have enough freedom to handle cases from the system intelligence, quickly gain merits, and achieve promotions, without getting bogged down in various relationship disputes and miscellaneous tasks.

What if he were a Deputy Brigade Leader?

In terms of police rank and level, it wouldn't be higher than his, and he had more commendations and awards.

Give him some more time, and after solving a few more major cases, he could bypass deputy positions and directly become a Brigade Leader.

“Brother Gao, you young people must not be corrupted by the idea of ‘lying flat.’ You must bravely take on responsibilities. What kind of office director? That’s a leisurely, social position!”

Shen Gang listened to Gao Ze’s words, his square face showing a hint of anxiety.

In his eyes, Gao Ze was just lying flat and wasting his talent!

“Captain Shen, rest assured, I won’t lie flat. I will handle the cases in the Pudong Bureau!”

“Ah, since Brother Gao has already decided, I’ll take my leave.”

Seeing this, Shen Gang sighed softly and did not try to persuade him further.

Now, Gao Ze’s rank was no longer considered grassroots. A Second Class Inspector, his police rank was only one level lower than Shen Gang’s, and his section-level position was also one level lower. If Gao Ze truly decided, it would be difficult for Shen Gang to influence him.

Gao Ze nodded slightly and personally saw him to the door.

He knew that this straightforward Team Shen was a bit annoyed by his choice.

But he really wasn’t trying to lie flat!

In Gao Ze’s plan, spending time on numerous tasks as a deputy would be less effective than focusing on cases, accumulating merits, and directly reaching a primary position in one go.

Shen Gang thought he wouldn’t encounter cases in a leisurely position.

But he had system intelligence! In the eyes of outsiders, he seemed to have maxed out his luck and talent for cases. How could he not encounter cases?

“Brother Gao, Shen Gang is a straightforward person, don’t blame him!”

After Shen Gang left, Liu Wenzhong also prepared to leave.

“Of course not!”

“That’s good. I know Brother Gao has his own ideas and plans, perhaps thinking further ahead than us.”

Liu Wenzhong said, “Shen Gang, that rough fellow, doesn’t understand, but I do. If I encounter a difficult major case that I can’t solve, I will come to Brother Gao, and I hope you won’t mind.”

“You’re too kind, Team Liu. It’s good that you think highly of me.”

Gao Ze almost laughed.

Shen Gang and Liu Wenzhong truly had completely opposite personalities.

Although both didn't quite understand him, the latter's attitude was gentler, which explained why he was younger despite holding the same position.

“By the way, there’s one more thing to tell Brother Gao.”

“Thanks to Brother Gao catching Feng Changlin red-handed and bringing the suspect Wu Mingjun to the police station, he confessed and admitted to the entire crime.”

Gao Ze nodded, not at all surprised by this news.

Firstly, the suspect Wu Mingjun had no way to deny it. Secondly, at the commendation conference, “Wu Mingjun’s confession news” popped up on his retina, and the intelligence system rewarded him with 2500 experience points.

In fact, when he arrested Zheng Yiren, the suspect in Mu Yurous Case, yesterday, the system intelligence also showed a ‘reward of 500 experience points.’

But at that time, he was busy arresting Zheng Jiasheng and didn't pay attention.

Only today did he realize that his accumulated experience points these past few days had reached 5500, which was enough for significant improvement if distributed to body attributes or skills.

However, Gao Ze hadn’t yet decided which skills or body attributes to allocate them to.

He could handle existing cases or crises, so he decided to wait until he needed them before adding points.

… …

“Brother, congratulations on receiving two First Class Merits!”

“Brother, what do the First Class Merit medals look like? Take a picture and send it to me. I’ve never seen a First Class Merit before!”

In their family chat group, his younger brother Gao Sheng and younger sister Gao Xiaohui were clamoring to see Gao Ze’s First Class Merits, with a continuous stream of messages and emojis popping up.

Gao Ze had no choice but to take a picture and send it.

He had never hidden his police work from Gao Sheng and Gao Xiaohui, having already told them about the commendation conference at the bureau.

“Brother, you’re truly amazing.

Others might never get one First Class Merit in their lifetime, but you got two at once.”

“I’m going to post it on my Moments and show off to my brothers. Let them open their eyes and see that I have an older brother who has earned two First Class Merits for the country. I’m definitely going to brag about this.”

“I’m going to post it too! Wow, so many likes, so many comments!”

“Finally, I understand why those people like to show off their wealth, their fathers, their connections. This feeling is just too good!”

With Gao Ze’s permission, both Gao Sheng and Gao Xiaohui posted on their Moments.

Seeing dozens, even hundreds of likes, their mouths couldn’t stop smiling.

Watching his younger siblings happy, Gao Ze felt even happier than when he received the awards and promotions.

These were his closest people, who could enjoy the protection behind his honor, avoiding many hostile gazes.

Because First Class Merit recipients are extremely rare, often marked in provinces and cities, receiving special protection and attention. If anyone dared to target his younger siblings in the future, they would have to consider the implications.

However, after his younger siblings posted on their Moments,

The consequences for Gao Ze followed.

Distant relatives, uncles, and his wife Li Qingyan and Li Qingshu kept calling.

… … … … … … … … … …