Chapter 110: Public Promotion and Secret Demotion
Ding Shihan looked at Fu Junyao in surprise. She hadn't expected to meet such a striking woman here—older, but with looks and a figure that rivaled her own. Her gaze flickered to Wu Yifan, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Brother Wu, is this beautiful lady your girlfriend? You two make such a perfect pair—*a man of talent and a woman of beauty*, as they say."
Wu Yifan chuckled. "Not yet. Who knows what the future holds?"
Fu Junyao shot him a withering look, kicking his shin lightly before turning to Ding Shihan with a polite smile. "Miss Ding, don't listen to this fool. I'm a police officer—I heard you'd been kidnapped and came to help."
"Police officer?" Ding Shihan's eyes widened, clearly shocked. She glanced at Wu Yifan, who nodded, and finally accepted the truth.
Though Fu Junyao hadn't gotten a direct confirmation, Ding Shihan's reaction confirmed she was the famous singer. She stepped forward, taking Ding Shihan's hand. "I heard you're holding a concert in Beitian soon. Bit early to arrive, isn't it? Scouting the city's enthusiasm?" Her words were diplomatic, framing the unexpected visit as a pre-concert survey.
Ding Shihan forced a smile. "That was the plan… but things took a detour."
Fu Junyao noticed her exhaustion—two days of captivity had clearly taken a toll. "You look worn out. Let's get you somewhere to rest. We can talk more later."
Ding Shihan brushed a hand over her forehead. "I'm exhausted. They never let me sleep—I was terrified they'd come back…" She trailed off, the unspoken horror hanging in the air.
Fu Junyao hailed a car, driving Ding Shihan back to her hotel before heading to Infinity with Wu Yifan. The ride was silent, her brow furrowed as she gripped the wheel.
"Qian Baoqing really messed up this time," she muttered, breaking the silence.
"He's no ordinary thug," Wu Yifan replied, thinking of Aixin and A Long. A man with such skilled, sharp subordinates couldn't be just a nightclub owner. There was more to him—something darker.
Fu Junyao nodded. Qian Baoqing's connections ran deep, tangled with Beitian's officials. Zhou Penglin's groveling was proof enough. But without evidence, she couldn't touch him. Recklessness wouldn't work here—she needed a plan.
Parking at Infinity, she leaned on the steering wheel, troubled. Then her eyes lit up, focusing on Wu Yifan. "That's it! With you around, I don't have to worry about Qian Baoqing alone."
Wu Yifan shuddered under her intense gaze—it was like a scientist eyeing a lab rat. "Chief Fu, let's not do anything crazy. I'm still… pure. If you need a scapegoat, I can find someone else…"
"Go to hell!" Fu Junyao laughed, flicking his forehead. "Your mind's full of nonsense. Where do you even get these ideas?"
"How do you know they're nonsense? Maybe you've checked?" He leaned in, grinning. "Oh, right—you *would* know, because…"
Fu Junyao's face flushed. Their two kisses—heated, lingering—were burned into her memory, thrilling and embarrassing. "If you mention *that* again, I'll break your jaw!"
"I didn't say anything!" Wu Yifan feigned innocence.
She huffed, knowing he was still thinking about it. How had she let herself be outwitted by a security guard? Time and again? She sighed, resigning herself to his antics.
Wu Yifan softened. "Relax. Qian Baoqing's野心 (yěxīn, ambition) outstrips his skill. If he were truly powerful, he wouldn't waste time with small fry like Zhou Penglin—a district deputy director? Hardly a kingmaker."
"A 'small fry'?" Fu Junyao scowled. "Deputy directors oversee entire districts. It's not a trivial job." She didn't notice he'd called her "Rao Rao"—a nickname slipping out.
"Metaphor, Rao Rao. If Qian Baoqing had real clout, he'd be buying off chiefs like you… or even your dad. Then he could order around all of Beitian's cops, make the mayor bow. Zhou Penglin's nothing."
Fu Junyao nodded slowly. "You might be right."
"So here's the plan: lie low. Use your authority to pick off his allies one by one—quietly. Today one, tomorrow another. We won't take him down overnight, but we'll gut his support. Make him weak." His tone turned sharp, calculating.
"Kill them?!" Fu Junyao yelped, horrified.
Wu Yifan choked. "What is wrong with you? I'm not asking you to murder people! I'm a model citizen—harmony, justice, all that. Who do you think I am?"
"Then what's 'one by one' supposed to mean?"
He tapped her forehead, exasperated. "You're a chief—think! Politicians do this all the time. *Public promotion, secret demotion.*"
Her eyes widened. "You mean… transfer them to useless posts? Use my dad's influence to sideline them?"
"Bingo. Qian Baoqing can't complain—who's he to argue with promotions? But strip his allies of power, and he's nothing."
Fu Junyao beamed. "That's brilliant! Why didn't I think of it?"
"Too young, Yao Yao." Wu Yifan shook his head, opening the car door.
"Bastard! Who let you call me 'Yao Yao'? Get back here!" Fu Junyao shouted, but there was a smile in her voice.
As Wu Yifan vanished into Infinity, she leaned back, grinning. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all. With his tricks and her authority… Qian Baoqing didn't stand a chance.
The sun set, painting the sky orange. Tonight, Qingliu Street awaited Wu Yifan. Tomorrow? The real game would begin.
And she, Fu Junyao, was ready to play.