56: Question: How can a non-permanent staff member get a promotion and a raise?

All this time.

The impression Black Tiger gave Chen Yang.

Was always steady, capable, and calm.

Occasionally, he would even reveal... a hint of fierceness.

He would never be as anxious and restless as he was today.

Chen Yang smiled.

As usual, he asked Liu Sisi for leave, telling her he was going to see a friend.

He told them to go home first, and he would be back shortly.

Turning around.

Chen Yang sped away in his car, his heart pounding with anxiety.

What exactly happened to Black Tiger?

Did he run into danger and need rescue?

Did he receive a special mission and need my assistance?

... Tingfeng Teahouse.

It was the pair's usual spot.

He walked to the door of private room 8888.

Chen Yang paused, fully alert, and pushed the door open.

Swish!

A large hand suddenly appeared from behind him and slapped fiercely towards his shoulder.

"Huh?"

Chen Yang was prepared and twisted his body to dodge.

Unexpectedly.

That hand, clinging to him like a shadow.

It closely pursued his shoulder, following him wherever he moved.

Snap!

The large hand struck, but there was little force behind the blow.

Chen Yang felt slightly surprised!

He turned his head and saw that the person behind him was none other than Black Tiger.

"Hahaha!"

Black Tiger clapped his hands and roared with laughter.

"You brat, you're amazing!"

"Such huge progress in such a short time!"

"Be honest, did you realize your strength was too weak, so you trained hard every day at home and finally reached Intermediate Soldier King?"

Chen Yang broke out in a cold sweat!

"Brother Hu, can you please stop doing things like this in the future?"

"A ghost scare is just a false alarm at most; a human scare can actually get someone killed!"

Black Tiger was utterly confused.

Chen Yang shot him a glare.

"What if one day my strength surpasses yours, and I accidentally kill you, mistaking you for a spy?"

"Wouldn't that be a miscarriage of justice for you?"

Black Tiger was left speechless, unable to laugh or cry.

"You fellow, you've got quite the nerve!"

"You want to kill me? Train for another twenty years!"

Chen Yang curled his lip.

"You don't believe me?"

"Brother Hu, let's wait and see!"

"In less than two years, I guarantee I'll beat you so hard... you'll be picking up your teeth off the floor!"

Black Tiger didn't believe him in the slightest.

"I didn't realize you brat had such a malicious mind!"

"You've been secretly holding evil intentions!"

"However, I'm laying my words down here today."

"If you can defeat me within two years, I'll call you Brother! Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it!"

"If you can't do it within two years, then officially join our Special Operations Department, serve as a pawn in my Group Three, and submit to my command."

"Great master, dare to bet?"

Seeing his eagerness, Chen Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He really was an old fox.

He would use any trick to fool him into officially joining.

"Alright! A gentleman's word is his bond, and no horse can catch it!"

Black Tiger was overjoyed.

The way he looked at Chen Yang was like looking at Little Red Riding Hood.

"Brother, congratulations! Treat me to a meal!"

Chen Yang was confused.

"Congratulations on what?"

"Why should I treat you to a meal?"

Black Tiger smiled and explained.

"Shouldn't you treat everyone to a meal when you get a promotion and a raise?"

"Besides, I argued strongly on your behalf to get all this."

"Aren't you going to thank me, your benefactor?"

Chen Yang looked utterly suspicious!

He didn't believe his nonsense at all.

Does this old fox want to trick me into buying him a big meal?

"Holy crap!"

"If you're going to tell lies, at least make them believable."

"May I ask, esteemed Team Leader: How can I, an unofficial member, get a promotion and a raise?"

Chen Yang stared intently at Black Tiger.

Unceremoniously exposing his lie.

"Could it be... that the promotion and raise you mentioned is being promoted to Senior Unofficial Member, with a bonus increase of 20%?"

Black Tiger was fuming with anger.

He pulled out a red booklet and slammed it onto the table.

Bang!

He said angrily:

"Stinky brat, open your blind eyes and look, what is this?"

Chen Yang was surprised and uncertain.

Is this old guy serious?

It's just a joke, does he need to be so serious?

Did he even prepare props beforehand?

He stepped closer, picked up the red booklet, and looked at the cover.

"Letter of Appointment?"

What the heck is this?

He slowly opened the inner page and quickly scanned it.

His eyes nearly popped out in shock!

"Comrade Chen Yang is hereby appointed as Advisor to our Bureau's Special Operations Department, temporarily under the unified coordination of Group Three. Date: [Date]."

"Issuing Unit: Military Intelligence Bureau Organization Department."

A large, clear steel stamp was particularly eye-catching.

It was the official seal of the Military Intelligence Bureau!

Chen Yang was stunned silly!

Holding the red booklet, he weighed it in his hand, nearly dropping it.

It felt incredibly hot to handle.

"This... this is... real?"

Black Tiger fixed his face into a stern expression and glared at him.

"What do you think?"

Chen Yang rubbed his temples.

He said sincerely:

"Brother Hu, that was very thoughtful of you!"

Black Tiger instantly turned his anger into joy, becoming smug.

"You brat, you really don't know what's good for you!"

He explained the entire beginning and end of the matter to Chen Yang, step by step.

When Chang Xiaotian was arrested, especially after catching his superior, the subsequent interrogation yielded huge results.

The two of them confessed a lot of things.

This was a rare major achievement for the Special Operations Department in the past year.

The superior leader was very satisfied and specifically called Black Tiger to encourage him.

Black Tiger expressed his loyalty and resolve.

While also detailing Chen Yang's contributions.

The big boss was extremely happy.

The Military Intelligence Bureau had found a new seed, with massive potential—this was great news!

Black Tiger took the opportunity to request a special reward for Chen Yang.

The big boss was very troubled!

There had never been such a precedent.

But Black Tiger didn't give up, instead fighting for it repeatedly.

Throughout the whole process, Black Tiger truly put in hard work for Chen Yang, arguing vigorously.

However—

His goal wasn't just to recognize Chen Yang's merit.

But rather to tie Chen Yang down, binding him firmly to the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Special Operations Department.

He believed that talent like Chen Yang should be used by the country.

Instead of being left free and idle.

Becoming an unemployed vagrant, or some private detective, or personal bodyguard.

Are these proper jobs?

Finally—

After Black Tiger's persistent efforts, and since the big boss also highly valued Chen Yang.

He made an exception and agreed.

To give Chen Yang an unprecedented commendation.

At the same time.

The big boss also instructed Black Tiger that if there was a chance, he must bring Chen Yang to meet him.

The big boss wanted to personally see this interesting young man.

Hearing this.

Chen Yang couldn't help but feel grateful to this big boss he had never met!

To a certain extent—

This was the grace of recognition!

Unfortunately.

Chen Yang had not yet made the decision to be completely bound to the Military Intelligence Bureau.

After all, it was a national institution and a special department.

There would certainly be many restrictions and rules.

Who would want to—

Casually put a restricting spell on their head?

Just to wear it like a decorative hat?

Black Tiger noticed Chen Yang's hesitation.

Want to get out of it? How can that be allowed?

He quickly pulled out a pile of things and pushed them all in front of Chen Yang.

Besides the red Letter of Appointment booklet, there was a green ID booklet, a military uniform, and a set of military ranks.

"Chen Yang, your old brother won't harm you."

"This is your officer's certificate, Special Operations Department Advisor, with the rank of Major."

"Do you know how rare this military rank is?"

"An ordinary soldier might serve his whole life and never earn an officer's certificate."

"A military academy graduate might struggle for ten years and not necessarily reach the rank of Major."

"Some people are full of love for the military, yet they never get promoted to Major their entire lives."

"If they hit the age limit and can't be promoted, they have to take off their uniform and leave."

Black Tiger spoke with deep emotion, trying hard to appeal to his feelings.

"You brat, you're only 22, yet you already wear the rank of Major, Battalion Commander."

"How great is this fortune? It will absolutely bring glory to your ancestors!"

"Do you believe it?"

"If your parents knew, they would definitely burn incense and pray, sacrifice to their ancestors, and thank them for their blessings!"

Chen Yang, annoyed, glared at him.

"According to you... smoke is rising from my ancestral grave?"

"Should I go back and take a look?"

"And while I'm at it... should I burn a stick of incense for you too?"

Black Tiger's face darkened, and he nearly spat up ten pounds of blood.

What kind of person is this?

I worked so hard, pleaded so sincerely, only to end up with—

Just one stick of incense?