Once, I wanted to be a good person

Listening to those isolated claps, the scene was incredibly awkward for a moment.

Fang Ze came to his senses, glancing around the entire conference room.

Under the Void Eye's God-like perspective, the expressions and movements of everyone in the room were incredibly clear.

What met his eyes were many unfamiliar faces, all staring at him expressionlessly.

Their gazes, though not exactly filled with disgust or anger, were full of resistance.

Although he did not know the reason why his colleagues were so opposed to him, Fang Ze looked at Bai Ling, who was still trying to clap enthusiastically, smiled, and gracefully bowed slightly to everyone, then said, "Thank you for your warm welcome! Thank you!"

That nonchalant and indifferent demeanor instantly surprised many people in the conference room.

Clearly, after reviewing yesterday's materials, Fang Ze was regarded by everyone as a country bumpkin from a poor district of a lower-level city, lacking in manners and education.

Even accused of joining a mysterious organization and committing a heinous crime—his background was unclean.

Such a person was definitely coarse and unrefined.

Only God knows what aphrodisiac Bai Zhi had been given that she ended up breaking the rules to admit him into the Bureau.

Everyone felt ashamed to be associated with him.

So, when Bai Zhi asked everyone to welcome him, everyone tacitly protested in silence.

It was nothing really. Just a way to express dissatisfaction.

If that "criminal" got angry or enraged, it would have confirmed their negative opinions about him.

Then they would have even more reason to despise or reject him.

Unexpectedly, that "criminal" didn't seem to care at all and even graciously expressed his gratitude, smoothly deflecting the issue.

By comparison, it made the people of the Security Bureau seem incredibly petty and narrow-minded.

Consequently, for a moment, the employees of the Security Bureau didn't know whether to continue protesting or to give some respect to their new colleague.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

It was then that Gu Qing watched the scene with a smile and then started to lead the applause.

His clapping was not enthusiastic but still carried a laid-back air.

But who was he?

He was the backbone of the entire Emerald City Security Bureau.

The superior who had won everyone over in just two short years.

So when he took the lead, others in the conference room also began to clap, one after another.

And with these people's lead, even those who felt forced to applaud reluctantly joined in.

From dead silence to thunderous applause took just over twenty seconds.

The atmosphere in the conference room changed swiftly.

This made the young attendees from the Governing Hall turn back, scanning the entire conference room.

Seeing a host of people clapping reluctantly but nonetheless having to do it, their smiles broadened even further.

Then, turning back, their gaze towards Fang Ze grew even more interested.

After this minor interlude, the meeting continued without any further disruptions.

Having made his presence known, Fang Ze directly went to sit next to Bai Ling.

His position was equivalent to Bai Ling's, so sitting next to her wasn't a problem.

At this moment, Bai Ling's little face was filled with excitement, her hands red from clapping.

When she saw Fang Ze, although she dared not speak, she still secretly gave Fang Ze a thumbs up.

Fang Ze responded with a smile but was not overly proud, for he knew... what he had just done was, at best, to save face.

And the reason the entire room's dynamics reversed was actually because of the intervention from the man sitting in the front row...

A casual applause offered both sides a way out.

Thinking this, Fang Ze's eyes involuntarily drifted towards the man with messy hair and wrinkled clothes...

Gu Qing?

Zhang San?

Works in the library. Spends nights in the Red Light District.

Tsk.

A swindler.

But, an interesting swindler...

Initially, Fang Ze just wanted to poke fun at Gu Qing. However, thinking about the Red Light District, he suddenly paused.

Something felt off...

Although it was his first time meeting Gu Qing, Fang Ze had heard many rumors and nicknames about him back in Qingshan City.

Whether from Bai Ling, Bai Zhi, Golden Fox, or Director Pang, the evaluation of Gu Qing was surprisingly consistent: monster.

There are wrong names but no wrong nicknames.

Since everyone said so, it meant Gu Qing must really be capable.

Although someone truly capable could have bizarre behaviors,

but... going to the Red Light District every day seemed a bit much?

Especially during the Flower Morning Festival investigation period, still going there...

Did he just love interacting with the ladies there so much?

Or was it... he had actually found some clues about the Flower Morning Festival in the Red Light District?

Thinking this, Fang Ze blinked, feeling as if he might have uncovered some truth.

And whether Gu Qing sensed Fang Ze's gaze, he turned his head, and their eyes met.

Gu Qing smiled as if seeing a new colleague for the first time and then turned his head back.

Fang Ze: ...

Pff. Sly fox. Really good at acting.

And Bai Ling, sitting next to Fang Ze, definitely noticed their exchange of looks. Cutely, she looked at the back of Gu Qing's head, tilted her head towards Fang Ze, and asked, "Do you know each other?"

Fang Ze shook his head, "No. First time seeing him."

Bai Ling pouted, a question mark popping up above her head, "Okay… right..."