"Those documents have to go back to Yu State, nothing we can do about them here."

"Alright then, I'll go with you. I was actually planning a trip to Yu State today anyway. I've already ordered a bunch of ingredients—I need to show off some skills for the kids at the welfare institute."

"Virtue City doesn't have a welfare institute?"

"It does, but not a children's welfare institute. The local welfare homes are all for elderly folks with no family or disabled people who have trouble getting by. The clans here have an unwritten rule: even if a kid becomes an orphan, their clan raises them. If someone sends an orphan child to a welfare institute, it's a huge disgrace to the whole extended family, like their entire lineage has fallen apart. Even if they're not related by blood or surname, someone will still take them in."

Cai Qidong hadn't spent much time in Nanwu County, so there was a lot he didn't get about the local ways.

He didn't say much more, just took Wen Yan with him back to Yu State.

Back at the Yu State Scorching Sun Department, while Cai Qidong was drafting the proof Wen Yan wanted, Wen Yan stood nearby, frowning.

"Something doesn't feel right. That's not how things are supposed to work."

"What's wrong?"

"Jiang Yanyan worked so damn hard, busting her ass for years to get where she is now. In other places, a Water God can't just waltz in and get this kind of treatment—not even unofficially, not even for one temple."

"What are you getting at?"

"I mean, it ought to be legit—a new temple spot going to some Water God whose identity isn't even clear? That doesn't seem right."

After thinking it over, it really only makes sense to use it to win over that Dragon God.

Whoever it is, nobody's going to believe we're bleeding over just one lousy temple to rope in a Dragon-bodied Water God. That's hardly a huge price to pay.

Minister, you think that sounds about right, yeah?"

Cai Qidong didn't say a word, just stared at Wen Yan.

"Don't write down who it's for, don't write the location. Just stamp it, but leave the name blank—make it an approved-but-unnamed permission slip."

That way, it's easier to wave it around like we mean business.

Then, we spread the word that our department has an open temple spot, but we haven't decided who gets it yet."

Or maybe—you want me to get in touch with the Dragon God, right?

Why not just dump the whole thing on me and say I earned it with my accolades, swapped it for a temple spot."

We never have to say if it's a small temple or what kind. Who would know, anyway? Nothing's set yet."

Even if this paper's stamped, and even if a name gets filled in later, it's all got to go through the process, right?"

If they want to recognize it, then it's a temple approval document. If not, it's just some wasted paper that should've been shredded, nobody even knows who swiped it."

That's how it works, isn't it?"

Cai Qidong studied Wen Yan for a long while and finally sighed.

"Man, your Map of Yan Country really is something else…"

Cai Qidong had figured it out: after all Wen Yan's winding around, at the end of the day, he just wanted something in hand—a big negotiation chip for himself.

Wen Yan blinked, a picture of innocence.

"I'm not educated, I don't get it."

Cai Qidong shook his head, amused, and didn't say anything more. He got the documents done crisp and clean, and handed them to Wen Yan.

He did it exactly as Wen Yan asked: stamped where it needed, signed where needed, even filed and archived copies at the Nanwu County Scorching Sun Department, just to make it look legit.

Honestly, Cai Qidong wasn't really on board with the General Director's plan anyway.

Those old ties the General Director talked about—how long ago was that? Besides, the Wen family's already a big name around here. There's tons of them."

This stuff between people doesn't come down to a couple of clan connections. Even folks with the same surname, if they're more than three generations removed, basically don't know each other."

Let alone talking about ties from God knows how many generations ago—trying to milk that could even backfire."

If the Dragon God hears your surname is Wen and you're working for the Scorching Sun Department, she might just get even more pissed off."

Cai Qidong himself wasn't too convinced by this whole thing, but he trusted the General Director.

He shoved the papers to Wen Yan, hesitated, then added something.

"Just go at your own pace. There's no need to force an outcome—just test the waters, show a little goodwill."

If it all ends peacefully, that's best for everyone, a win-win."

But if something unexpected happens—if it's absolutely necessary—go to the intersection right in the middle of downtown Virtue City."

Look for the stone archway there."

"Huh? And then?"

"That's it. Nothing else."

"Minister, don't leave it half-finished!"

"Man, I swear I don't know either! This is straight from a guy who gave me half an explanation, so I'm just passing half of it along. No way I'm the only one kept in the dark."

"…"

Wen Yan couldn't help but grin and bare his teeth. Cai Heizi really is something else!

At least pretend to be wise, throw in an 'if you know, you know'—that's better than just 'I want to see you flounder'!"

Wen Yan left with his papers. Before heading out, he slyly slipped a new recording to some fellow young folks back in the department—one of them's a meme-mashup pro and official ringtone supplier.

Soon, he arrived at the children's welfare institute—the one whose sign had been weathered to illegibility. Right at the entrance, he spotted the same little girl from last time—the one who'd tried to sneak him a big shrimp, thinking he hadn't had enough. She was sitting and waiting for him. Spotting Wen Yan, the kid's eyes lit up and she quickly ran over, chirping out,

"Good afternoon, Brother Wen."

"Alright, watch and learn today—I'm gonna make some red-braised pork for you all! It's my specialty—guaranteed melt-in-your-mouth fatty, never dry or tough on the lean, I had them save the very best pork belly just for me today. Triple layers—perfect streaks of fat and lean!"

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