Police officer Chen Shu

Chapter 824 No Way Out

As the couple left, the onlookers began to discuss the matter.

"The high salaries in those places are earned by stepping on each other. How could anyone possibly get money there? High salaries? You've wasted all those years of studying."

"Heh, who knows, maybe these two young people will end up being paid high salaries by someone else!"

"Whether you're getting a high salary or being paid a high salary, it's a life-or-death situation; you never know when you might die! Who cares about that kind of high salary?"

"Hey bro, that's exactly right! Even if you paid me to go there, even if you begged me on my knees, I still wouldn't go to that lousy place!"

After a pause, the high-pitched voice concluded with a hint of unfinished thought: "Only a brain-dead idiot would actually go!"

The customs hall was bustling with activity, but it did not affect the immigration officer sitting behind the high platform reviewing documents in the slightest. His tightly furrowed brows suggested that what he held in his hands was not simple.

"Going to northern Myanmar for interviews?"

The middle-aged policeman held the newly received exit form in his hand, staring wide-eyed at the "Purpose of Exit" section, muttering to himself with disbelief on his face.

"Are you going to northern Myanmar for an interview?"

He looked up and repeated, his expression one of surprise. His voice grew louder, drawing the attention of the crowd who had been watching the bizarre couple leave, and they all turned back to continue watching the spectacle.

Zhang Yang nodded calmly.

After his initial surprise, the middle-aged policeman pondered for a moment, as there had never been such a precedent before. He then cautiously asked, "Reporter Zhang, do you have a letter of introduction from your work unit?"

Zhang Yang shook his head and handed over the press pass he had prepared.

The middle-aged policeman weighed the small notebook in his hand, and for the first time felt that this kind of social document was just as heavy and serious as his police ID.

Somewhat tricky.

Journalists are worldly professionals who know the law, are adept at handling situations, and have channels for external communication. He can't handle this matter the same way he would treat ordinary people.

"Officer, you know. These days, most people..."

"Wait a moment." After hesitating for a while, the middle-aged policeman stood up abruptly, grabbed his ostentatious ID card and passport, and went to the back office.

As a veteran of the border region, the middle-aged policeman knew the risks of traveling to northern Myanmar and was well aware of the dangers the reporter would face if he allowed him to pass.

Clearly, this time, the other party's trip was completely different from that of the couple who had previously dreamed of getting a "high salary," and it was absolutely impossible that it was for personal gain.

Journalism, once a respected profession, was seen as an exposé of lies and a guardian of truth. It aimed to uncover facts, deliver authentic information, and ultimately promote justice and fairness at the public level.

Many students are inspired by journalists who dare to pursue the truth and are unafraid of power and danger when they apply to journalism programs in college.

A few minutes later, the middle-aged policeman came out, his face serious, and led Zhang Yang and his group into the office. Then he closed the door and left to continue his job as a hostess.

A rather elderly leader sat by the window in the office.

He stood up and gestured for the group to sit down. Looking at the young female reporter, he slowly asked, "Do you know the risks of going to northern Myanmar for interviews?" "Yes, but we have a responsibility to reveal the truth to the people of the whole country," Zhang Yang replied earnestly. "Officer, there are more people than just civil servants serving the people."

Sitting in the corner, Li Xia gave a cold laugh: If everyone could serve the people, his brother wouldn't be stuck in that wretched place in northern Myanmar, unable to return. However, someone like him, who had come all the way through unorthodox means, had never been interested in public affairs.

The leader nodded slightly, his gaze shifting back and forth between Zhang Yang and her companion.

The young man sitting next to Zhang Yang looked very innocent, with a silly grin and a guileless expression. He would often glance at his leader with admiration and excitement and curiosity about the mission in his eyes. He seemed like a very ordinary person.

The man sitting a little further away was more interesting. He chose a chair near the door, his gaze constantly darting around the room, highly alert, as if he were constantly assessing his surroundings and potential threats. He seemed indifferent to his surroundings, but in reality, he gave the impression that he would run away at the slightest sign of trouble.

The faint smile on his face, to use a popular current adjective, was truly too worldly.

As immigration police officers who are responsible for checking people entering and leaving the country year-round, they encounter hundreds, if not thousands, of all kinds of people every day.

Their daily work involves screening and identifying which people are ordinary passengers and which pose potential risks, just like eating and drinking.

The leader's judgment of these strangers was keen and accurate.

The man sitting by the door had a demeanor and aura that were completely different from the others, unlike what a journalist should be like in today's stable and developing society.

Or rather, this person is similar to those early journalists who went undercover to expose the dark side of society. Their extensive experience, spent years on the fringes of society, led to their current transformation.

Upon realizing this, the leader felt a surge of admiration.

"Reporter Zhang, thank you for your honesty and cooperation. However, besides the dangers in northern Myanmar, the current situation is also somewhat sensitive. The higher-ups have even issued us a special document and held a large meeting to address this issue."

The leader paused, then looked at Zhang Yang and her follower. Both of them looked visibly disappointed. Interestingly, the man sitting by the door remained calm.

"Then why did you even call us in? It's just a waste of time," photographer Xiao Zhao muttered bluntly. His voice wasn't loud, but it could still be heard clearly in the office.

Zhang Yang remained silent, deeply disappointed, and therefore had no interest in paying attention to or stopping Xiao Zhao's impolite interruption.

Li Xia, sitting by the door, showed no disappointment or dissatisfaction.

Hey, still calm. The leader turned his gaze away from Li Xia and shrugged regretfully: "The main reason I invited you here is to explain to you in person why it can't be approved."

"Explanation? Explain what? Why can't we go over?" Xiao Zhao asked blankly.

The leader's smile was somewhat awkward.

Zhang Yang roughly understood what the leader meant; the fact that the immigration official had spoken to such an extent was already extremely polite.

She pulled Xiao Zhao, who still wanted to get to the bottom of things, and walked out. Li Xia followed silently. Even after they were quite a distance away, she glanced back slightly.

The leader stood up and saw them to the door. Watching the three people leave, he thought to himself, "If this national-level operation fails, it will really hurt these pillars of society who are dedicated to the country."

(End of this chapter)