Chen Che just made a casual joke, but it instantly turned Lei Bao's face pale.
You're here to serve the public, even a damn dog wouldn't believe that.
Lei Bao suspected that the Investigation Department had done something to displease An Nishang, which led to dispatching such a troublemaker to rectify the Investigation Department.
Damn, could there be a problem with the upper-level power struggle?
The Investigation Department here is small, few soldiers, fewer leaders, and has very little power. Typically, the top leaders' power struggles wouldn't even bother fighting over such a small place.
This small place can't accommodate Chen Che, this formidable figure.
His scalp was tingling.
He had heard early on that the Director was planning to retire, and Vice Director An and another Vice Director Bode were fiercely competing for the Director position.
Usually, their Investigation Department is nowhere near the center of political power.
Why was this guy suddenly dispatched here?
Wait a minute.
He remembered that Vice Director Bode also sent a Chief Investigator here.
Why are both sides starting to lay out plans in their Investigation Department?
Gasp... Could the rumors about the Finance Bureau be true?
So both sides have started laying out their plans.
Oh no, he was happy in his little piece of land and didn't want to get caught up in a political fight among these big wigs.
In an instant, Lei Bao's mind raced with countless scenarios.
Seeing Lei Bao's expression, which looked harder than crying, Chen Che was puzzled.
What's going on?
Is the Investigation Department really so unwelcome to him?
Xia Na obviously understood what was going on but didn't provide any hints.
The unseen pink lips under the mask curled into a slight arc.
She was curious to see how this scene would turn into a comedy.
Chen Che half-joked: "Is the Chief Investigator unsatisfied with my ability? Rest assured, I will learn well, and if there's something lacking, I hope the Chief Investigator will guide me."
Lei Bao's heart trembled.
Is he threatening me? It's An Nishang who's backing him. If I show disdain, wouldn't it imply disdain for An Nishang?
Despising that devil would cost me my life!
Wait, his words seemed to imply drawing me into the devil's camp. Could he want me to align with her faction?
Damn, politics is deadly!
But what if An Nishang loses?
Yet, with him already approaching, not taking a stand now means losing my life.
Take a risk!
Lei Bao's originally difficult smile suddenly became radiant, earnestly shaking Chen Che's hand: "How could it be? If Master Chen could work here, it would be equivalent to having three Earth Temples."
Chen Che was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
"Temple temple temple (wonderful, wonderful)!" Lei Bao laughed heartily.
Why the sudden warmth?... Chen Che paused for a second, then calmly accepted Lei Bao's enthusiasm.
Lei Bao affectionately put his arm around Chen Che's shoulder, introducing a few of his investigators: "Haven't called Master Chen yet?"
"Master Chen!"
The investigators almost shattered the Investigation Department with their voices.
Xia Na next to them was stunned with her sparkling purple eyes.
What? What's happening?
She had been waiting for Chen Che's embarrassment after seeing Lei Bao's earlier demeanor.
Why did it suddenly turn into...an enthusiasm greater than that among close brothers?
Lei Bao cleared the table, served tea, and with his arm around Chen Che's shoulder, chit-chatted occasionally.
In his words, he expressed admiration and attraction for An Nishang.
The tone, the expression, left Chen Che with a strange look.
You damn geezer, could it be you also want to get into An Nishang's bed? Do you want me to introduce you?
Lei Bao thought... I've said so much, it should convey my intention, right? I'm willing to follow Director An's subordinates, to join her faction.
"Cough, cough, I wonder if Master Chen, has any directives from Director An?"
"Directive?" Chen Che had a strange expression; wasn't An Nishang in charge of the Special Operations Department? How could she dictate the Investigation Department?
From what he knew, the Investigation Department wasn't very powerful, mostly just doing the grunt work, so An Nishang shouldn't be interested.
Chen Che coughed a couple of times, playing along with Lei Bao's words: "I said, the leadership sent me just to serve the public."
No one would believe you, isn't it just drawing factions... Lei Bao still wore the auntly smile, waiting for Chen Che's next words.
"Recently, in Upper City District, there's a forbidden substance called Pandora's Kiss circulating; does Chief Lei know anything about it?"
"Pandora's Kiss?" Lei Bao was taken aback... What's the meaning? Do I know about it? Is there a deeper implication?
But for the moment, Lei Bao couldn't understand, hesitantly following Chen Che's lead: "I've heard of it, this thing has recently gained popularity in the Upper City District. It directly stimulates the cerebral cortex, allowing one to fantasize about desired scenes while using it, leading to immersion in Pandora's Realm.
Experiencing incredibly realistic illusions, where one is the sole god in this realm, everything one does can even directly feed back to the nerves.
Many of the wealthy in Upper City District buy it to indulge.
However... its side effects are significant, highly addictive, and can damage nerves, making one easily indulge in the realm and unable to extricate themselves, with some becoming indiscriminate thugs after partying in taverns.
It's caused quite a few cases..."
Chen Che drew a smile on his face, patting Lei Bao's shoulder: "Director An sent me to investigate this matter, this is the case assigned to me, please get me the dossier on Pandora's Kiss, Chief Lei."
A minor forbidden substance catching An Nishang's attention? Which Special Operations case isn't bigger than the Pandora's Kiss affair?
No, we must contemplate the leadership's intent, surely it's not as simple as Pandora's Kiss; there's definitely something he's hinting at.
But what exactly is Pandora's Kiss signifying?
At the moment, Lei Bao couldn't figure it out, but his face quickly filled with a warm smile: "Rest assured, Master Chen, how dare we neglect what the Director commands? There's actually a spare office, I'll have someone tidy it up... Little Sun, hurry and gather all dossiers on Pandora's Kiss and send them to Master Chen!"
"Eh! Chief Lei, calling me Master Chen all the time makes me embarrassed, just call me Chief Chen! You guys enjoy yourselves..."
As Chen Che spoke, he got up and walked to the office Lei Bao had mentioned.
Completely missing the hint of fear that flashed in Lei Bao's eyes.
Damn it, telling me not to call you the more intimate Master Chen, but instead the distant Chief Chen, could it be because I failed to understand the leader's intention, displeasing them?
Damn!
Lei Bao's face showed remorse.
Little did he know, Chen Che hadn't thought about it that way.
He simply felt that being called Master Chen was a bit arrogant at the moment since he hadn't achieved anything, making him a mere frontboy liable to provoke unnecessary trouble.
Being called Chief Chen is much more comfortable?
Xia Na who witnessed the whole scene had her eye twitch.
Following Chen Che into the office, and only after the door closed did she coldly utter: "Waste of empire resources, you wine sack and food bag."
Chen Che sat not far away, smiling: "Nana, you've misunderstood Chief Lei and the others, what other options do they have?"