Excellent Student (1)

The scent of spring brought with it a surge of positive energy.

A week later, Tong Haojing's reporting day arrived, and he walked into the Tangdu City Public Security Bureau. A dozen or so SWAT officers, armed with shields and batons, were drilling on the training ground, their shouts of "Charge!" echoing incessantly. The mystery and might of the police drew the attention of passersby, filling Tong Haojing with awe. He followed a police officer into the Public Security Building and went up to the Political Department on the eighth floor. Three people were already there. They exchanged smiles, and the Director of the Political Department, Wu Dean, welcomed him.

Wu Dean, a graduate of Hexi Police Academy, had been a police officer for fifteen years and held the rank of Second-Class Police Superintendent in the Tangdu City Public Security Bureau. Wu Dean took the assignment notice from Tong Haojing's hand and clasped his hand, saying, "Welcome to the police force!"

Tong Haojing replied, "I'm new to this, please take care of me!"

Director Wu said, "You are a hero of Tangdu City; the news has spread everywhere. We learn from you! Director Gao Weimin has given instructions that you and the others here are elites handpicked by Director Gao. You need to build a solid foundation, love the work you do, and perform well. He specifically mentioned that Tong Haojing should continue to excel, leverage his strengths, and bring honor to the police."

"Oh, right, my name is Tong Haojing. I'm a former special forces soldier from Unit A. Please look after me!" Tong Haojing introduced himself. The other three were not to be outdone and also introduced themselves. One was Su Feiya, a graduate of the China National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts; another was Wang Chongyang, who specialized in anti-drug studies at the People's Public Security University of China; and the last was Long Xing, a top student from the People's Public Security University of China. All three were specialized talents urgently needed by the Public Security Bureau. They all looked at Tong Haojing with unusual gazes. The moment Tong Haojing's eyes met theirs, he keenly observed their envious looks. At that moment, what they were most concerned about was their own assignments.

Tong Haojing couldn't help but ask, "Where will we be working?"

Director Wu said, "Right, before you start your new positions, you'll need to attend three months of police training." It was clear that Director Wu had changed the subject regarding assignments. Just then, the phone rang. It was Director Gao Weimin: "De'an, Officer Lan from the West City precinct was injured while apprehending Scarface who jumped into the river. I have a meeting to attend in the city and can't make it. You represent me to offer condolences and, while you're there, check on Director Tang!"

Wu Dean's heart skipped a beat, and he took a sharp breath. This was the first time Director Gao Weimin had come to Tangdu City, and Wu Dean felt a tacit understanding had been reached between them. He realized that besides genuinely caring for the police officers, the Director had other intentions. This was a secret between him and the Director.

"Scarface, is it the Scarface from West City? Did they catch him?" Tong Haojing couldn't help but ask, having vaguely overheard the conversation on the phone. The vicious face of Scarface by the Tangdu River and the scene of him madly jumping into the river flashed through his mind.

"No, something strange happened, and he got away. The Director told me to tell you to perform well!"

Wu Dean's words made Tong Haojing's mind spin: "What does this mean? Scarface hasn't been caught yet?" Tong Haojing couldn't understand. How could such a villain be allowed to roam free? His hatred for evil almost made him lose control of his expression. In front of the newcomers, he had to maintain a composed demeanor; acting low-key and steady was his starting point in this new environment. Yet, a fog of confusion began to gather in his heart...

Tong Haojing was mentioned by the Director again. Wu Dean also felt Tong Haojing was significant. Perhaps it was simply because he was a hero who acted bravely for a just cause, but the other three felt a sense of injustice. It was evident that the three young men, graduates of prestigious institutions, cast disdainful glances at Tong Haojing, though they didn't show it overtly.

Tong Haojing asked, "When do we leave?"

Director Wu replied, "In three days. The bureau will arrange transportation." Xiao Zhang from the Political Department took Tong Haojing to the police support office to get measured. Each person received two sets of training uniforms, and Tong Haojing eagerly tried his on. It was the first time he had worn a police uniform (training uniform), and Tong Haojing felt genuinely happy. He desperately wanted to show off his heroic bearing in the uniform; it had been his dream for years, and now it had come true overnight. The sense of honor made his face burn hot, but there was no full-length mirror to admire his upright posture. How wonderful it would have been to see himself!

The four of them walked out of the office building, chatting and laughing. Su Feiya flattered Tong Haojing, saying, "There's no problem now. You're Director Gao's favorite. We're like toads trying to eat swan meat—it's just not going to happen!"

Wang Chongyang and Long Xing chimed in, "Right, right, right!" Director Wu's words had already had a negative effect. Their seemingly teasing remarks revealed their inner imbalance.

Tong Haojing said, "It's not like that at all. I'm new here too, not what you imagine!" The three of them didn't believe Tong Haojing's denial, and even Director Wu seemed somewhat skeptical. Tong Haojing didn't want to prove anything.

Tong Haojing then noticed the eight large red characters carved into the granite pillars on either side of the main gate: "Serve the public, enforce the law for the people." They seemed particularly dazzling, nestled among several large trees. Perhaps this was the soul of the police, Tong Haojing thought, still hearing the shouts and battle cries of the SWAT team in his ears.

"Come on, come on... brothers, let's take a photo in front of 'Serve the public, enforce the law for the people.' Let this be the starting point of our careers as police officers!"

On Monday, Tong Haojing and the other three trainees boarded a bus to the Police Academy. An hour later, the bus stopped at the academy's entrance. Two fully armed police officers stood at attention, holding submachine guns, their eyes fixed in the direction of the approaching vehicle. They looked formidable and majestic, and a gleaming national emblem adorned the beam above the gate. Everyone gasped in unison, "Wow, this is Hexi Police Academy!"

Tong Haojing felt as if he had returned to his military days. The neat formations, the loud slogans, the standardized commands—perhaps it was time for him to shine again.

That day, all the trainees gathered on the parade ground. Tong Haojing saw a vast sea of people; there were many trainees from all over. Everyone was eager to begin. The principal spoke: "Trainees, today is the first day of school. You must set aside everything else, calm your minds, study diligently, and complete your learning tasks with quality and quantity. Remember the idea of 'sweating more in peacetime to bleed less in wartime'... At the end of the training, there will be a grand competition, and you will bring honor to your cities and counties!"

The trainees shouted a resounding slogan: "Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in wartime! Victory! Victory!" The opening ceremony ended amidst impassioned speeches. The trainees returned to their dormitories. Tong Haojing lay on his bed, the principal's words echoing in his ears. He thought of the danger by the Tangdu River, the unreasonable behavior of the police officer when encountering Middle-parted Hair, and the upcoming graduation competition. All of this prompted Tong Haojing to reflect. He wanted to make the most of these three months of study to enrich himself and learn valuable skills.

The Police Academy was located at the foot of Jiapi Mountain, a bit secluded but a good place for study. Tong Haojing and the other three trainees from Tangdu City were assigned to the same brigade.

Professor Guan left a deep impression on Tong Haojing from his first class.

Professor Guan, male, 45 years old, was a graduate of Hexi University of Political Science and Law and a renowned professor at the Police Academy. As soon as he entered the classroom, his smile was uncontainable. For every police officer, studying legal knowledge was essential. The rule-based content was bound to be dry, but Tong Haojing's enthusiasm for learning was high. He was always the first to arrive at class, sitting at the very front, listening attentively to Professor Guan's clear and profound explanations. His neat and legible notes drew Professor Guan's attention. Professor Guan appreciated Tong Haojing's attitude toward learning; Tong Haojing's thirst for knowledge moved him, and his active participation was also commendable.

Tong Haojing noticed that Professor Guan would unexpectedly approach a student, say something, present a prop, or make a specific gesture, immersing the students in a realistic environment to learn how to handle situations.

This was Professor Guan's teaching intention, and Tong Haojing deeply understood it.

On the third day, it was Professor Guan's legal practice class. The topic was how a police officer should properly handle situations involving unreasonable insults or threats of violence.

Professor Guan personally acted out two scenarios. One was in the classroom. While Su Feiya was diligently taking notes, a voice yelled, "You're a useless cop in your uniform, putting on a show, a wolf in sheep's clothing! I'm going to report you and send you to hell!" Professor Guan pointed at Su Feiya in the third row with a provocative tone. Su Feiya turned around, looked at Professor Guan, wanting to speak but hesitating, not daring to get angry or to stop him brazenly. He thought that the person standing before him was his teacher and that he shouldn't offend him. He was merely surprised, fearful, and stared angrily, but made no move.

Professor Guan didn't speak and his face showed no smile. He then moved on to the next student. Professor Guan walked back and forth in the classroom. Suddenly, with his back to Tong Haojing, he turned around and shouted, "I have a knife! Hand over your things!" Tong Haojing was startled, thinking a robber had actually appeared. He instinctively stood up, took a step back, planted his feet firmly, and adopted a stable fighting stance. He then raised the chair behind him in a defensive maneuver, blocking Professor Guan. The chair slipped to the floor. Professor Guan dodged and said, "Stop!"

The students were amazed: "Bro, you're really going for it! Attacking the professor!" A burst of laughter ensued.

Tong Haojing felt embarrassed and his face turned red. Professor Guan walked down from the podium and personally picked up Tong Haojing's chair, returning it to his seat. Tong Haojing felt deeply touched by this courtesy!

Professor Guan returned to the podium and wrote three large characters on the blackboard: "Realism."

Professor Guan asked, "Whose reaction was closest to reality?"

Everyone said in unison: "Tong Haojing! Tong Haojing!"

Professor Guan said, "Tong Haojing's reaction is the most realistic for an ordinary person, and Su Feiya's is the most considerate of human feelings! But as police officers, we must be different from ordinary people. We must remain calm, not be swayed by emotions, and uphold the dignity of the law with all our might. When faced with danger or insults, we should have instinctive reactions and response measures. This is what we call realism. Police officers must have their own methods of handling situations: remain calm, deal with matters according to the law, use police equipment and restraints, etc.! This requires police officers to possess rich practical skills and legal knowledge to respond with ease. Theory is the foundation, but without practice, it's impossible!"