A Sharp Edge Emerges From The Mist Chapter 40

new beginning

The third month after the judgment came into effect, early winter.

In the Shuangcheng Public Security Bureau building, preparations are underway for a new department to be launched – the Financial Crime and Cybersecurity Joint Investigation Section.The establishment of this department directly stems from the insufficiency of traditional criminal investigation methods exposed in the “Dark River” case in the face of high-tech, high-intelligence, and cross-domain financial cyber crimes.It integrates the elite forces of criminal investigation, economic investigation, and network security, and is equipped with the most advanced technical equipment, aiming to build a sharp-edged team capable of dealing with new crimes in the future.

Lin Jianfeng was officially appointed as the deputy section chief of the department, presiding over daily work.On the day when the appointment documents came out, Director Chen specially called her to the office.

“Come on, this is a big burden.” Director Chen looked at the beloved general he had brought out with his eyes, with relief and hope in his eyes. “Although the ‘Underwater’ case has been solved, its emergence has sounded the alarm for us. The criminal methods are upgrading, and our capabilities must keep up. This new department is a testing field and a frontier. I leave it to you, I am relieved, but the pressure will be great.”

Lin Jianfeng stood upright with firm eyes: “Please rest assured, Director Chen, I will do my best to live up to your trust.”

“Yes.” Director Chen nodded, tapped his fingers on the table, and changed the topic, “About the candidate for the department’s special consultant…what do you think?”

Lin Jianfeng’s heartbeat accelerated slightly.She knew what Director Chen was asking.Shen Qingwu still has a long probation period. Her professional abilities and understanding of gray areas are extremely valuable and even irreplaceable assets for detecting financial cyber crimes.But her status is special, and using her requires great courage and careful consideration.

“I think,” Lin Jianfeng considered his words and stated clearly and objectively, “Ms. Shen Qingwu has very unique and profound insights into financial operating models, information network vulnerabilities, and criminal psychological profiling. Her performance in the ‘Underground River’ case has fully proved her value. If a strict supervision and use mechanism can be established within the framework permitted by law, and she is hired as the department’s special technical consultant, it will be of great help to our work.”

She didn’t mention any personal feelings, it was all based on work needs.

Director Chen was silent for a moment, seeming to weigh the pros and cons.Finally, he spoke slowly: “Shen Qingwu’s situation is quite special. To activate her, she needs to be reported, needs higher-level approval, and needs to establish a set of more stringent supervision procedures than conventional ones. All her work must be carried out in designated places, the information she comes into contact with must be strictly screened, and all operations must be fully recorded and supervised by two people. Moreover, her consultant status is temporary and conditional. Once any violation or risk is discovered, it will be terminated immediately.”

He looked at Lin Jianfeng with a serious look: “Even so, it may still attract criticism and pressure. Can you bear it?”

Lin Jianfeng did not hesitate at all: “Yes. As long as it is beneficial to the work and as long as it is legal and compliant, I am willing to take all responsibilities and ensure that the supervision procedures are strictly implemented.”

Director Chen looked at her for a long time, with a smile of approval on his face: “Okay. Then prepare a detailed application report and supervision plan. I will try my best to promote it.”

“Yes!”

After coming out of Director Chen’s office, Lin Jianfeng did not go back to his new office immediately, but walked to the rooftop of the building.The early winter wind was chilly, but it calmed her fevered mind.

She knew that fighting for this “consultant” opportunity for Shen Qingwu was not only for work, but also to give Shen Qingwu a platform to reintegrate into society and display his value, and to fulfill her original promise of “walking together.”But the road is destined to not be smooth.Doubts, suspicions, and even hostility may ensue.

But she has no regrets.

In the evening, Lin Jianfeng returned to the apartment – which is now more often her residence. During Shen Qingwu’s probation, she spent most of her time living in the old house left by her parents, but the two met from time to time.

She told Shen Qingwu in detail about the preparations for the new department and the consultant’s ideas.

After Shen Qingwu listened, he was silent for a long time.She was sitting on the sofa, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand, her expression blurred by the dense heat.

“Consultant…” She repeated the word in a low voice, with a bitter curve at the corner of her mouth, “Is my status appropriate? Will it not bring you… trouble for the new department?”

“The appropriate standard is the contribution and value to the work.” Lin Jianfeng sat down next to her with a candid look, “We all need your abilities. There will definitely be trouble, but we can face it together and respond with strict procedures and actual work results.”

Shen Qingwu raised his head and looked at Lin Jianfeng.She saw the firmness and unreserved trust in Lin Jianfeng’s eyes, and also saw the pressure and responsibility that might follow behind it.A complex warm current surged in my heart, mixed with gratitude, uneasiness, and a long-lost thrill of being needed and recognized.

In the past three months, she has been teaching the elderly to prevent fraud at a community service center and doing environmental volunteer work in parks. Her life is simple and even boring, but her heart is extremely peaceful.She began to learn to live like an ordinary person and learn to let go of her past obsessions and armor.However, the keenness and competitiveness of top financial minds deep in his heart have not been completely silenced.She longs for something more challenging and more rewarding.

Lin Jianfeng’s proposal was like a ray of light, illuminating her imagination of another possibility for the future.

“The supervision will be very strict.” Lin Jianfeng added, “The working location is restricted, the information accessed is restricted, the entire operation is recorded, and two people supervise. Basically… there is no room for personal privacy and free play.”

Shen Qingwu smiled, with a hint of her unique, almost sharp confidence: “Compared to being locked up in prison, or folding paper flowers and sweeping fallen leaves in the community, this is already much better. And,” she paused, her eyes became serious, “if my experience and… those less glorious ‘skills’ can help you fight crime more effectively and protect more people, then it can be regarded as… a manifestation of atonement and value.”

She is willing to accept the strictest supervision and use her past “dark wisdom” to serve the cause of light.

Lin Jianfeng held her hand, feeling the coolness and firm strength on her fingertips.”Then it’s settled. I will make a plan as soon as possible.”

The application and approval process was smoother than expected, but it was not all smooth sailing.Voices of doubt did exist, but Bureau Chen’s support, Lin Jianfeng’s careful supervision plan, and the objective facts of Shen Qingwu’s irreplaceable role in the “Underwater” case finally convinced the decision-makers.

A month later, the approval came down.It was agreed that Shen Qingwu would serve as a special technical consultant for the “Financial Crime and Cybersecurity Joint Investigation Section”, with a probation period of six months and subject to the strictest supervision and evaluation.

The day before the listing ceremony, Lin Jianfeng took Shen Qingwu to the new department’s office location – a whole new floor of the Municipal Bureau Building, which was spacious, bright and equipped with brand-new equipment.

Lin Jianfeng pointed to an independent office with glass partitions and said to Shen Qingwu: “This is your consultant’s office. All equipment is independent and not connected to the internal core network. There are surveillance cameras at the door and inside. When you work, there will be a designated police officer to accompany you and supervise. All data reviewed, analysis conducted, and conclusions drawn must be recorded and reviewed.”

Shen Qingwu walked in and looked around.The office is not big, but neat and orderly.A high-performance independent analysis terminal, several display screens, a bookcase, and a desk.You can see the city scenery outside the window.

It’s very much like a high-end prison, but it’s also a battlefield… where she can regain her value.

“I accept the conditions.” Shen Qingwu turned around and looked at Lin Jianfeng with clear eyes, “I will abide by all the rules.”

Lin Jianfeng nodded, took out a brand new work badge from his pocket, and handed it to Shen Qingwu.There is a photo of Shen Qingwu on the work badge, and printed below his name: Special Technical Advisor.

Shen Qingwu took the work badge and gently rubbed the cold plastic shell with his fingertips, feeling the raised words on it.This simple sign means a lot to her.It’s not just a permit to work, it’s recognition and a fresh start.

“Chief Lin,” Shen Qingwu suddenly spoke, using a new title with a faint smile on his lips, “please give me more advice in the future.”

Lin Jianfeng also smiled and extended his hand: “Consultant Shen, welcome to join us. Happy cooperation.”

Holding hands together, the warm touch conveys trust and commitment.

Outside the window, the winter sunshine penetrated the clouds and sprinkled on the smooth floor of the new department. It also illuminated the expectations for the future in their eyes.

New department, new identity, new beginning.

Challenges and opportunities coexist, and pressure and hope coexist.

But they are all ready to face their unknown but bright future side by side with a new attitude.