After finishing his exercises, Chen Ping’an washed up and prepared to head to the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.

Before leaving, Chen Ping’an said with a smile, "Nannan, I’m heading out. I won’t be back for dinner tonight, so don’t wait up."

"Okay." Chen Erya nodded emphatically, her eyes shining as she looked at Chen Ping’an.

Her brother had surpassed their father and become a Constable of the Garrison Commandant’s Office!

A Constable!

’This is a Constable we’re talking about!’

It all felt like a dream, yet it was happening right here in reality.

This was her brother, and she was proud!

Chen Ping’an gave Chen Erya an indulgent smile, then turned and left.

By the time he arrived at the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, almost all the constables were already there.

The moment Chen Ping’an stepped through the door, he was met with a wave of enthusiasm. Regardless of their past relationship with him, every constable in the Garrison Commandant’s Office beamed at the sight of him.

"Greetings, Constable Chen!"

"Constable Chen."

"Good morning, Constable Chen."

"..."

"Mm."

Amid the countless eager gazes, Chen Ping’an gave a slight nod and walked up to the high platform.

Several large chairs had already been placed on the platform.

"Constable Chen, over here." Constable Li, already seated in one of the large chairs, called out to Chen Ping’an with a smile.

"Constable Li." Chen Ping’an smiled faintly.

After the battle a few days ago, while they hadn’t exactly formed a friendship, they had become partners with a common interest.

The power vacuum left by the Tiger Head Gang’s destruction was being filled by new, emerging factions. This process involved a strategic game between various powers, including the Garrison Commandant’s Office.

And in this process, the Garrison Commandant’s Office stood to gain significant benefits.

Chen Ping’an hadn’t been on the platform for long when Constable Zheng arrived. Compared to before, Constable Zheng’s expression was much more relaxed.

Previously, the look on his face whenever he saw Chen Ping’an was nothing short of ugly. But now, upon seeing him, Constable Zheng actually managed to squeeze out a smile.

This made Chen Ping’an inwardly vigilant.

Based on what he knew, Constable Zheng was not a broad-minded man.

"Lord Chief!"

"Lord Tian!"

Soon, Chief Shen Shikang and Vice Inspector Tian Fuliang arrived one after another.

This morning’s assembly was presided over by Chief Shen Shikang. During the meeting, he first praised the annihilation of the Tiger Head Gang in glowing terms, touting the efficiency of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office. Then, he solemnly announced that, with the approval of the South Town Garrison Command, Chen Ping’an was promoted to Constable of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.

"Constable Chen, congratulations."

Shen Shikang clasped his fist in a salute to Chen Ping’an.

For someone of the Chief’s status, this gesture was a sign of great respect and admiration for Chen Ping’an.

"My thanks to the Lord Chief for this promotion, and my thanks to Lord Tian and all my colleagues."

Chen Ping’an glanced around, clasping his fist in salute.

He scanned the faces of the constables below the platform. At this moment, regardless of what they truly felt, their faces could only show, and did only show, happiness.

Below the platform, hearing the news of Chen Ping’an’s promotion to Constable, Zheng Shiyong felt a thousand, no, ten thousand times unwilling, but in a setting like this, his face could only show joy and celebration.

Ever since learning of Tan Huacong’s death that day, Zheng Shiyong hadn’t slept well for several nights.

Afterward, the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s investigative report stated that Tan Huacong died in the chaos of battle, but he had a nagging suspicion that Chen Ping’an was the one who did it. Although he didn’t have a shred of evidence, his sixth sense told him it was so.

These past few days, he had been living in constant fear, terrified that Chen Ping’an would find some leverage against him.

Before, he had his uncle, Constable Zheng, to protect him. But in the blink of an eye, this country bumpkin Chen Ping’an was already on equal footing with his uncle. Not only that, but he had also become a favorite in the eyes of the Lord Chief.

In such a short time, a mere unlisted temporary constable had reached such a position. The change in his circumstances was almost unimaginable.

But no matter what Zheng Shiyong thought, it couldn’t change the fact that Chen Ping’an had been promoted to Constable.

After the morning assembly, Shen Shikang first summoned Chen Ping’an for a good long chat. Not long after he came out, Tian Fuliang also found him for a talk.

Although Chen Ping’an was no longer a probationary officer, his duties hadn’t changed much for the time being. After all, the Garrison Commandant’s Office had a limited number of constables. With the number of Constables remaining the same, he could only be in charge of three shifts of constables.

Unless one of the Constables was willing to give up some of the constables under his command.

In the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, each Constable had constables directly under their command. For instance, Constable Huang and Constable Liu were the weakest, with four shifts of constables each.

Constable Li and Constable Yan each commanded five shifts of constables.

Constable Zheng was the strongest, leading six shifts of constables.

An ordinary constable didn’t even need to know the specific strengths of the various Constables; a single glance at the number of constables under their command made it clear who was strong and who was weak.

Now, with his promotion, Chen Ping’an had become the least powerful of the six Constables. He only had three shifts of constables under his command.

After his shift ended that day, Chen Ping’an didn’t go home for dinner. To celebrate his promotion to Constable, Chief Shen Shikang had arranged a banquet at the largest restaurant in Nanquan Lane.

Vice Inspector Tian Fuliang and the other five Constables from the Garrison Commandant’s Office attended as well.

As the Chief of the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, Shen Shikang was hosting the banquet personally, so the restaurant was naturally attentive to every detail, providing impeccable service.

It was a meal where every guest enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Originally, Tian Fuliang suggested they spend the night at the Spring Rain Tower for another round of drinks with female companions, but Chen Ping’an politely declined with a smile.

"Lord Tian, my little sister is still young and waiting for me at home. I’ll have to pass on the entertainment. Thank you for your kind offer!"

Tian Fuliang didn’t press the issue, just laughed and patted Chen Ping’an on the shoulder.

"Hahaha, today is to celebrate your promotion. We’ll do as you wish!"

Chen Ping’an smiled. "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Tian."

Sometimes, the truth was a strange thing. If you had no background and refused someone, even with a perfectly good reason, they would be relentless, escalating it to a matter of whether you were showing them proper respect.

But if your background was powerful enough to make them wary, then even if your refusal came with no reason at all, they would find a reason for you.

The banquet ended and the guests dispersed. Just as Chen Ping’an was preparing to head home, Constable Zheng called out to him.

"Constable Chen, a moment please."

"What is it?" Chen Ping’an stopped and turned to look at Constable Zheng.

A smile was on Constable Zheng’s face. "Constable Chen, all our past troubles were my fault. Tomorrow night at the Spring Rain Tower, I will host a banquet to apologize to you. I hope you won’t hold any of it against me!"

"Oh?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Chen Ping’an watched Constable Zheng with a smile.

Constable Zheng’s face was all smiles, his attitude sincere. For a moment, there seemed to be nothing amiss.

’Is Constable Zheng showing goodwill? Does he want to mend our relationship?’

Chen Ping’an thought for a moment, then agreed.

"In that case, I shall await the honor of your presence tomorrow, Constable Chen."

Constable Zheng’s posture was extremely humble.

"Mm." Chen Ping’an nodded slightly and turned to leave.

The instant Chen Ping’an left, the smile vanished from Constable Zheng’s face, and a vicious glint flashed in his eyes.