Arhat Fist

Hongyun City, Public Security Bureau.

Around 11 AM, Officer Li called, and Lin Yuan headed straight to the police station.

Led by a female police officer, he arrived at the director's office.

Inside the office, two people were seated: Officer Li and a middle-aged man who appeared quite spirited.

As expected, this man was Han Weiguo, the Director of the Hongyun City Public Security Bureau.

Upon seeing Lin Yuan, Han Weiguo showed no airs. He warmly stood up from his seat and walked over to him.

He laughed heartily, "Lin Yuan, it's good to finally meet you."

"Come, come, don't just stand there, have a seat."

"Xiao Liu, get Xiao Lin a cup of tea."

Once the tea was served, the group began their formal discussion.

"Xiao Lin, you've done very well and brought honor to our county. We're planning to hold an award ceremony for you to set an example for the entire county. It's a rare honor."

"Director Han, didn't Officer Li tell you yesterday?"

"Oh?" Han Weiguo glanced at Li Hui, then at Lin Yuan, feigning confusion.

Li Hui spoke up, "Director Han, it's like this, Xiao Lin prefers to keep a low profile and doesn't want to be too flamboyant."

"Ah, Comrade Xiao Lin, I'm not one to preach, but as a young person, you should be bold when the time calls for it. Especially when it's a good thing. As a member of R County, you should set a good example for all the people here."

Lin Yuan had already prepared his response before arriving. He said, "Director Han, I understand. I'm eager to set a good example for the entire city. It's just that..."

"Just what? Tell me, and I'll be sure to resolve it for you."

"You know, there are all sorts of people out there. The thug I subdued in Binhai City, what if he had accomplices? If I make such a big scene, what if someone comes looking for revenge? Even if I'm not afraid, I still have my mother at home. The internet is so advanced now, what if someone tracks us down by following the clues? Wouldn't that be..."

"Xiao Lin, don't worry, that's almost impossible."

Lin Yuan's brow furrowed, and he continued, "You said 'almost,' which means it's still possible. In any case, I won't take that risk."

Han Weiguo leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

This reason was indeed difficult for him to refute, as he couldn't guarantee with certainty that no one would seek revenge.

After a moment of thought, Han Weiguo could only offer a compromise.

"Xiao Lin, how about this? We'll hold a small award ceremony right here in our bureau. There might be some written reports, but we won't reveal your real identity, and your photos will be pixelated. What do you think?"

Li Hui immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! This way, Lin Yuan's identity won't be leaked, and it will still serve a promotional purpose. It's the best of both worlds."

Han Weiguo looked at Lin Yuan and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Lin Yuan smiled, "Of course, I agree. As a member of Hongyun City, I should contribute to the city's civilized development."

"Good, good, good," Han Weiguo breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Old Li, I told you, Comrade Xiao Lin has great political awareness."

"Alright, then we'll have the award ceremony in the bureau this afternoon. Oh, and Old Li, while we're at it, let's also report Lin Yuan's act of bravery at the barbecue stall last night and try to get him another award for valor."

"Director Han, you don't need to say it. I was already planning to. I estimate the chances of this application being approved are quite high."

As they chatted, it was nearing 12 PM.

Han Weiguo glanced at his watch and said to Lin Yuan, "Don't leave for lunch, just eat here at the bureau. We happen to have braised pork knuckle in the cafeteria today. Old Li, take Lin Yuan to try Old Qian's cooking in our cafeteria later."

"Sure."

With that, the two left the director's office, and Li Hui led Lin Yuan to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria wasn't large. People in uniform were already arriving, and they greeted Li Hui as they saw him.

"You punk, you're always the last to work and the first to eat."

Li Hui sternly reprimanded a young police officer.

"And you, always thinking about food, don't even look at how fat you're getting. If a criminal walks right in front of you, you won't be able to catch them."

Every few steps, he seemed to scold someone.

Until he encountered a young girl, about twenty years old. He habitually started to scold her, but upon seeing who it was, his stern face immediately broke into a smile.

"Xiao Tian, why are you at the cafeteria alone today?"

Tian Tian held a pink bowl with a rabbit pattern, her head lowered. Hearing someone speak to her, she finally looked up, revealing a face that was slightly immature but exuded purity.

"Y-yes... Captain Li, hello," Tian Tian said nervously.

"Aren't you usually with Zhou Yue? Why are you alone today?"

"She's feeling unwell today and took leave."

"Oh, I see. How about this, why don't you eat with us?"

Tian Tian looked at him, then at Lin Yuan beside him. Not knowing how to refuse, she nodded.

People in other corners of the room, seeing how amiable Li Hui was towards Tian Tian, quietly grumbled amongst themselves.

"What a double standard."

"Isn't it because Xiao Tian is Director Han's relative?"

"You can't really say that."

"If I were Captain Li, seeing Xiao Tian, I'd want to give her my heart, not scold her."

"That makes sense, hahaha."

"Heh, men."

Li Hui found a corner seat for himself, Lin Yuan, and Tian Tian.

In fact, the moment Lin Yuan stepped inside, his insides began to churn.

"Officer Li, I'm a little hungry. Can I get more if I finish later?"

Li Hui patted his shoulder and chuckled, "What are you talking about, kid? You're on my turf now, I wouldn't let you go hungry. You'll eat your fill."

"Then I won't be polite."

Lin Yuan picked up a tray and headed straight for the food line.

While Tian Tian was still calculating how much she should eat, Lin Yuan's tray was already piled high.

Tian Tian was so stunned she forgot to grab any food.

Returning to his seat, Li Hui saw the contents of Lin Yuan's tray and immediately swallowed.

"Kid, don't waste food."

"Officer Li, don't worry, I hate wasting food more than anything."

With that, he began to eat like a whirlwind, and the towering pile of food on his plate visibly diminished.

Tian Tian, sitting opposite him, ate slowly and deliberately, occasionally lifting her head to steal glances at him.

In just a few moments, the food on his tray was completely gone.

Li Hui stared, dumbfounded, "Kid, you sure can eat."

Lin Yuan chuckled, "Just a little bit more than usual."

Are you sure that's a little bit, and not a whole lot?

Lin Yuan picked up an empty plate and returned with another heaping portion of food.

"I have to say, your cafeteria food is really good. No wonder so many people want to become civil servants. This food alone beats countless so-called listed companies," Lin Yuan remarked.

"You have to consider where this is. If the food isn't good, how can we have the energy to catch criminals?" Li Hui said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"By the way, I'm curious, how many cases does your criminal investigation team handle in a year? Is there any danger involved?"

Li Hui narrowed his eyes, looking at him, and smiled, "What, are you thinking of joining our police force?"

"Haha, I'm just curious."

"You know, if you could get in, with the honors you've received, you'd be shining. How about it, interested?" Li Hui said, with a hint of temptation.

"The civil servant exams are so competitive these days, even if I wanted to, I might not get in."

"Oh, you could start as a police auxiliary first. We happen to have a few openings in our criminal investigation team this year, you could work your way up and take the exam slowly. As long as you pass the civil servant exam..."

Li Hui trailed off at this point, giving Lin Yuan a knowing look.

Tian Tian, sitting beside them like a little hamster, had originally planned to finish eating quickly and leave. But as she listened, she slowed down her eating pace and instead perked up her ears, listening intently to their hushed conversation.

"Thank you for your kind offer, brother. Let's eat," Lin Yuan said with a laugh.

"Xiao Lin, don't think I'm joking. Our criminal investigation team is short of talent like you, otherwise I wouldn't be telling you this."

"Officer Li thinks too highly of me. I'm hardly talented. I'm just an unemployed youth, waiting to die."

"If nothing else, you can fight."

"Just taking down a few thugs last night is something not just anyone can do."

"Luck, just luck."

Li Hui scoffed, "Do you know what kind of background that Wang Hu has?"

Lin Yuan shook his head.

"He used to be the toughest guy on Dongsheng Street."

"If they were just ordinary thugs, I'd believe your tall tales. If you couldn't fight, I'd eat my dinner standing on my head today. Besides, what ordinary person could beat them up like that."

"And I saw the video of you in Binhai City."

Hearing Li Hui go on, Lin Yuan decided to stop pretending.

He ate heartily while giving Li Hui a thumbs-up and smiling, "Officer Li, sharp eyes."

At this moment, Li Hui couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity.

"So, kid, what style do you practice?"

"Tai Chi."

"When did you start practicing?"

"Six years ago."

"No wonder. But your practical combat ability is a bit terrifying. I used to hear my master say that it takes at least ten years of practice to have decent practical combat ability in Tai Chi."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan, who had been casual until now, suddenly had a flash in his eyes as he looked at Li Hui.

"Officer Li, you've practiced too?"

Li Hui straightened up, saying with some pride, "I learned Shaolin Arhat Fist from a master since I was young."

"Then Officer Li must be quite skilled."

Li Hui waved his hand and said, "After I started working, I gradually put Arhat Fist aside, only practicing it occasionally."

"How about we spar after dinner?" Lin Yuan suddenly said with great interest.

Shaolin Arhat Fist, he had heard of this martial art countless times. If Shaolin was the gathering place of external martial arts, then Arhat Fist was a highly representative style among Shaolin techniques.

Now that he had encountered it, he naturally felt the urge to test his skills.

Li Hui looked at Lin Yuan's eager eyes. At his age, he had long passed the stage of seeking victory.

But he could understand Lin Yuan, because he was the same when he was young.

Training through the coldest winter days and hottest summer days, all for the chance to one day display his martial arts.

"Alright, but let's agree beforehand, we'll stop when it's enough. As they say, the young are fearsome in combat, so don't retire prematurely on me."

"Officer Li is too modest. I might not be able to withstand decades of your Arhat Fist training."

At this moment, besides Lin Yuan's eyes shining, Tian Tian, who had been quietly eating, also had a sparkle in her eyes, though hers was the sparkle of gossip.