"Although Iām not an examiner and donāt know the specific arrangements for the exam, Iāve heard from the teacher that Ling Shaofeng has been very attentive to the intelligence from West Mountain lately. It seems heās secretly initiating some operation, investing a lot of manpower and resources."
"So, itās definitely not a coincidence that the exam is moved to West Mountain..."
Wei Zheng was speaking when he suddenly paused.
He sharply sensed something and his gaze instantly bypassed Fang Chengās shoulder, landing on the crowd behind.
Fang Chengās eyes shifted slightly, following the momentum to glance back.
A few meters away, a thin man in a large gray suit was directing his gaze towards them.
This man had a pair of conspicuous protruding ears, high cheekbones, and eyes with a hint of sneakiness.
Realizing heād been caught eavesdropping, the thin man shrank his neck and gave an awkward, embarrassed smile.
Then, he pretended like nothing happened, turned around, and quickly slipped into the crowd, disappearing without a trace.
Wei Zheng did not pursue the matter, thus interrupting the discussion on the upper ranks of the Special Search Team.
He aligned his collar as he moved closer to Fang Cheng, advising in a low voice:
"Junior Brother Fang, you try to stick with Donghe when the time comes."
"Although it is a personal assessment, the variables in the wild are many, and itās always good to have someone to watch out for each other. The Medical Teamās assessment standard is to be able to run the entire course with a load to pass, no need to compete for ranking with those combat personnel."
"Alright, Iāll take note of that."
Fang Cheng nodded, his expression still calm and collected.
His gaze returned from the direction where the thin man disappeared and then swept around the surroundings.
A few young candidates in camouflage clothing with stern dispositions caught his attention.
Though they werenāt wearing the police academy uniform, their stances were firm as pines, and thick calluses covered their palms.
They were obviously long-time firearm handlers, trained in hard-core Kung Fu.
One young man with a buzz cut seemed to have sensed Fang Chengās evaluating gaze.
He turned his head, and their eyes met in the air.
The buzz-cut manās gaze came like a knife, unmistakably fierce.
Fang Cheng calmly shifted his gaze, a subtle curve forming at the corner of his lips.
Outdoor survival?
To him, it was even more interesting than lifting weights in the gym.
In such complex and hidden environments, filled with uncontrollable factors in the wild.
Certain techniques that are inconvenient to display under surveillance cameras might actually have their use...
"Alright, all formalities are completed."
Wei Zheng raised his wrist, glancing at the watch:
"You two go home today, rest well, and recharge for tomorrowās written exam."
Then, he glared at Ma Donghe:
"Especially you, Donghe, stop eating and drinking all over the place."
"If you have diarrhea on exam day, your old man might skin you alive."
"Got it, got it! Trust me with this."
Ma Donghe chuckled, patting his chest with assurance.
The three of them passed through the sensor glass doors, exiting the noisy service hall, and stood on the broad granite steps.
A slightly warm breeze blew across their faces.
The square was still bustling, a variety of expressions among the faces as far as the eye could see.
Fang Cheng took a deep breath and proceeded down the steps.
Midway down, he stopped and turned around.
His gaze crossed the dense crowd and looked back at the building behind him, symbolizing the nationās supreme extraordinary law enforcement power.
The enormous metal national emblem reflected a chilling glow in the sunlight.
There was deep tranquility in Fang Chengās eyes.
No matter how intertwined the forces and calculations within the Special Search Team are.
Once decided to enter the fray, this massive national machinery is destined to become his new arena to draw resources and reach the pinnacle.
..................
Evening, around eight oāclock.
The evenings in Wanghu Town always come earlier and are more peaceful compared to the city.
The piercing headlights of a black Land Rover SUV broke the darkness as it gently drove into the old street, parked at the corner of the wall.
The engine was turned off.
Fang Cheng pushed open the door and stepped out, shutting the door behind him.
Almost simultaneously, the lights in the courtyard came on, and the heavy wooden door was pushed open from inside.
His mother Li Biyun, wearing an apron, greeted him with a tone filled with blame and concern:
"Why so late? And you didnāt answer the phone."
She scrutinized Fang Cheng under the lights, her eyes full of care:
"Have you eaten? Thereās still a pot of rib soup in the kitchen I kept for you, just heat it and itās ready to drink."
"I ate in the city, Mom."
Fang Cheng locked the car, his face showing a gentle smile:
"The phone was on silent, so I didnāt hear it. I had dinner outside with Ma Donghe, ate plenty, no need to bother."
He followed his mother into the courtyard and saw his grandfather Li Zhenhua wearing a coat, standing at the living room door.
The old man had evidently been waiting for news. Seeing Fang Cheng, his wrinkles relaxed quite a bit, asking eagerly:
"Ah Cheng, how did things go with the Special Search Team? All procedures done? Did you figure out the exam process?"
"All done."
Fang Cheng walked to the coffee table, poured himself a cup of warm water, moistening his slightly dry throat:
"Got the admission ticket, and checked the exam site. The first written exam starts tomorrow morning, interview the day after, physical test on the third day."
"As for the exam projects, all is expected. I am absolutely confident, you can rest easy."
"Thatās good, thatās good!"
Watching his grandson so confidently, Li Zhenhua nodded repeatedly, his face glowing:
"I knew it, our Ah Cheng has been smart since he was little, never made anyone worry about study and exams, no matter how high the threshold of the Special Search Team is, it certainly canāt stump you!"