Zhang Xiaoyun turned her head and saw the Bureau Director and the visiting officials approaching. Instantly breaking into a cold sweat, she hurriedly explained, "Director, it's almost time to clock out. I kindly suggested they come back in the afternoon, but they insisted on arguing instead. They don’t even respect us civil servants who serve the people—look at them still making a scene!"
Lin's father and mother, recognizing the authority of the newcomers, grew nervous. "We didn’t do anything wrong. We just wanted to go inside and take a look," they said.
"How dare you deny it? I clearly reminded you earlier, but you pretended not to hear me!" Zhang Xiaoyun accused them preemptively.
"There were still ten minutes left before closing, and you were the one blocking us. How is that us pretending not to hear? Since when do ten minutes not count as time?" Si Nian stepped forward, shielding her parents.
Zhang Xiaoyun was nothing but a bully who preyed on the weak. In her memories, the woman had once been obsequiously friendly to the original host. But now that she knew Si Nian wasn’t the biological child of the Si family, her attitude had flipped instantly.
Wasn’t it obvious she was deliberately suppressing her?
"Ten minutes? What can you even do in ten minutes? Other people are still inside handling their business—you’d just be wasting your time!" Zhang Xiaoyun rolled her eyes, as if Si Nian were being unreasonable.
Si Nian scoffed. "That’s our concern. Whether we wait inside or outside, we don’t need your permission, do we? Since when do ordinary citizens need your approval to enter a public security bureau? Is there some new rule we don’t know about? Or is this a regulation you personally invented?"
The moment these words left her mouth, Zhang Xiaoyun’s expression darkened. "Shut your mouth, you insolent brat!" she snapped.
"Enough!" The Bureau Director’s stern voice cut through the tension.
Zhang Xiaoyun immediately put on a pitiful act. "Director, look at their attitude! They come here for assistance and treat us like this—no respect at all! We’re human too. Why should we endure such disrespect?"
She assumed the Director was just as fed up with these people as she was, hence his intervention. A smug sense of satisfaction swelled in her chest.
But the next second, the Director’s face turned cold. "What attitude do they need to have? Our duty is to serve the people unconditionally. No matter the time, we must address their concerns seriously! What’s your justification for barring them from entering? Do you own this bureau?"
He remembered Zhang Xiaoyun—someone with connections to the military compound who had gotten her position through nepotism.
The bureau had its fair share of arrogant employees, and the Director was well aware. But these days, too many incompetent people coasted by on connections, while those with real ability struggled to get in. The place was practically overrun with self-important freeloaders.
Zhang Xiaoyun froze, wondering if she had misheard.
The Director was scolding her?
Her mouth fell open in disbelief. Then, noticing the officials beside him, she realized the truth—of course, he was only putting on a show for the higher-ups.
Normally, plenty of staff members acted high and mighty. Citizens often came in without knowing proper procedures, lining up cluelessly while the workers grew impatient—many were far harsher than her. When elderly folks struggled to explain their needs, the staff couldn’t even be bothered to spare them a glance, grumbling behind their backs. Had the Director ever reprimanded them?
She was just unlucky today, caught in front of the leadership, and now she was being made an example of!
Though she understood the reason, Zhang Xiaoyun still seethed with humiliation.
Then, a thought struck her, and she sneered. "Director, it’s not that I don’t want to help. I’m not in charge of their case, and everyone’s already left for the day. Surely we can’t call them all back just for these people, can we?"
She shot a triumphant glare at Si Nian and her parents.
Lin's father and mother, worried about escalating the situation, quickly interjected, "It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ll just come back in the afternoon."
The Director reassured them gently, "Don’t worry, citizens. Our bureau isn’t so rigid. I’ve already been briefed by Little Zhou on this matter. Since they couldn’t handle it, I’ll take care of it myself."
His tone was warm, a stark contrast to the severity he had shown Zhang Xiaoyun.
Lin's father and mother were stunned. They had never encountered someone of such high status speaking to them so kindly.
Zhang Xiaoyun, who had been gloating moments ago, felt her smile stiffen.
"N-no, Director, there’s no need for you to handle this personally..."
Wait—he said Little Zhou had already informed him? Who was Little Zhou?
Had someone already pulled strings in advance?
Ah, of course! Her cousin must have arranged it beforehand.
That had to be it. Otherwise, why would the Director step in himself?
The realization made Zhang Xiaoyun burn with resentment.
They must be so pleased with themselves, having the Director personally assist them!
What was there to be proud of? She shot Si Nian a venomous look. Once the household registration was transferred, she’d have no ties left to the Si family anyway!
The Director gave her a cold glance. "If not me, then you?"
Zhang Xiaoyun stammered, her face flushing. "I-I don’t handle that either."
The Director scoffed. "If that’s the case, why are you meddling and obstructing them? Since when does this bureau have a rule against processing requests in the last ten minutes? Did you invent that, Zhang Xiaoyun?"
Her face paled. "Th-that’s not what I meant..."
"Enough! Your own work is a mess, yet you put on the most sanctimonious front. It’s because of people like you that the public has lost faith in us! I’ll let it slide this time, but you’re to submit a 1,000-word self-criticism, and your attendance bonus for this month is revoked!"
With that, he led the group away.
Zhang Xiaoyun nearly fainted from rage.
Their jobs might seem respectable, but the pay was meager—most of their income relied on bonuses and attendance incentives.
Now, with those deductions, she’d lose a significant amount.
This was all her cousin’s fault! If she had already arranged help, why drag her into it?
Fuming, Zhang Xiaoyun stormed off to call Zhang Cuimei and give her a piece of her mind.
When Zhang Cuimei answered, she sounded surprised. "Xiaoyun, it’s done already? That was fast."
Zhang Xiaoyun’s face twisted in fury. "Done? They showed up so late—how could I possibly finish it? Sis, if you already had someone else helping, why didn’t you tell me? Because of you, I got chewed out by the Director!"
Then, her voice turned bitter with envy. "You’ve really climbed high, haven’t you? Even the Director jumps at your request. Why not use that influence to get your little sister a promotion? This job is torture!"
She couldn’t help but resent her cousin’s luck—marrying into the prestigious Si family, three generations deep in military service, and now engaged to the son of a high-ranking officer. The woman lived in absolute glory.
Even the Director bent over backward for her!
How could Zhang Xiaoyun not be jealous?
But she couldn’t afford to burn bridges—after all, she still depended on her cousin’s favor.
