Excellent Student (2)

Tong Haojing's actions most closely aligned with Professor Guan's intentions, and he clearly received Professor Guan's praise. Tong Haojing revered Professor Guan and deeply felt that studying law was his most urgent task. Professor Guan said, "Legal provisions are a sharp sword, the weapon in the hands of police officers. We must arm ourselves to be qualified to handle cases and respond to emergencies. This is the key for soldiers transitioning to police officers."

The campus was shaded by green trees and vibrant with flowers and plants.

Tong Haojing woke up early every day. Before the morning mist had cleared, he would put on his training uniform and run to the circular track in front of the teaching building, a standard 400-meter synthetic track. Tong Haojing counted his laps, aiming for ten. Coach Ke Suren of the Police Academy was a sports enthusiast and, for teaching purposes, had maintained his physical training regimen for ten years without fail.

Coach Ke Suren had noticed Tong Haojing long ago. "This person has an imposing presence and excellent drill discipline; he must have been a soldier." Seeing that he could run long distances without gasping for breath or a racing heart, moving as lightly as a swallow, and that his grappling and combat techniques were agile, swift, and precise, Ke Suren couldn't help but admire the young man before him. Ke Suren, a police physical training instructor, was a former special forces soldier with ten years of teaching experience. During a police physical training class, Ke Suren asked Tong Haojing, "Young man, where are you from?"

Tong Haojing replied, "Tangdu City."

Ke Suren asked, "Were you in the army?"

Tong Haojing said, "Yes! I won the all-around military championship in the army." He didn't hide it, seeming to still bask in the glory of his military days.

Ke Suren was surprised and examined the unexpected guest closely. "I was also in the army, a special reconnaissance soldier. We both have a military spirit!" Ke Suren deliberately repeated the words "special reconnaissance soldier."

After Coach Ke got to know Tong Haojing, their shared military experience became a bond that brought them closer. Whenever the school had police physical training classes, Coach Ke would ask Tong Haojing to be his sparring partner, and Tong Haojing was always happy to oblige.

During the third week's live-action scenario class, Coach Ke set up a police situation: "A villain is holding a young woman hostage with a sharp knife. The situation is extremely urgent, with many onlookers." Professor Ke divided all the trainees into six response teams.

Su Feiya led the first team, Wang Chongyang the second, Long Xing the third, and Tong Haojing the fourth...

The earlier teams followed the textbook procedures step by step. However, Tong Haojing used a unique skill he had honed in the military during the critical final moments.

After receiving the simulated report, Tong Haojing and his teammates quickly responded. Upon seeing it was a woman, Tong Haojing's emotions instantly flared. Disregarding his teammates' coordination, he advanced alone, drawing his weapon to warn the perpetrator. The villain refused to surrender. To everyone's surprise, Tong Haojing didn't act according to the pre-designed plan. Instead, he took a risky move that stunned his teammates: he feigned a fall, dropping his weapon about a meter in front of the attacker.

This move was a unique skill Tong Haojing had developed in the Special Operations Unit. It had earned him the respect of his comrades and praise from his superiors in the army. Once, while participating in a local operation to resolve a major hostage crisis, Tong Haojing volunteered and used this special move to successfully rescue an elderly hostage and secure the criminal.

The scene was almost identical, and Tong Haojing was very familiar with it. His practiced movements gave him absolute confidence. At this moment, the hostage began to scream, increasing the danger.

"Send a car! Send a car! If you don't agree, I'll kill her!" the villain became frantic.

"Don't rush, we need time, we're contacting them..." Tong Haojing's teammate, a negotiation expert, deliberately stalled.

"Are you fooling me? Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Tong Haojing dreaded the villain seeing through their intentions. As soon as the villain spoke, it meant he was about to take concrete action. Tong Haojing was furious. He seized the moment and decisively used his ultimate move. The villain indeed fell for it. Seeing an opportunity, he loosened his grip on the woman and moved to grab the gun. The instant the villain bent down, Tong Haojing leaped up and kicked him, sending him sprawling and the knife clattering to the ground. He swiftly moved in, applying a chokehold and grappling technique, pinning the villain down with his head and face hitting the ground. The villain's bones were audibly cracking. Tong Haojing applied a standard handcuffing position, his legs firmly pinning the attacker, rendering him immobile. Coach Ke shouted, "Stop! Stop!" He pulled Tong Haojing away. The opponent's nose was bleeding.

Tong Haojing froze and said, "I'm sorry, I lost control!" In fact, as soon as Tong Haojing entered the scenario, he suddenly felt that the hostage resembled someone. He vaguely felt that this girl was Mei Tingyu, whom he hadn't seen in a long time. It had been over six years since they parted at Anda Station. He wondered how Mei Tingyu, who was out on her own, was doing. He admired her courage as a woman who ventured out alone to change her circumstances, improve her life, and pursue a better future. Now, with no contact, Tong Haojing's mind drifted to Mei Tingyu's lovely smile and voice, feeling a pang of sadness and longing. The woman before him bore an extreme resemblance to Mei Tingyu. Tong Haojing was too engrossed; he had mistaken her for Mei Tingyu. Seeing Mei Tingyu, alone and vulnerable, being bullied, Tong Haojing's hatred for evil surged. How could he tolerate the villain's wicked act? His skills, honed in the special forces, were perfectly suited for the situation.

Cheers erupted from the onlookers, interspersed with laughter. "Hero saves the damsel, well done!" It was clear from their applause that the trainees' praise held a hint of irony. Coach Ke arranged for someone to take the injured person to the school infirmary. Tong Haojing stood aside, stunned. He hadn't expected things to turn out so badly and felt deep regret, thinking he was in for a scolding.

As the police physical training class neared its end, Coach Ke gave his feedback: "...Everyone studied diligently and was very engaged, achieving practical results. I must particularly commend trainee Tong Haojing for his strong combat awareness and effective handling of the situation..."

The trainees were surprised that Tong Haojing's actions were affirmed by the coach, and Tong Haojing was equally surprised. This sudden praise caught him off guard, and he unconsciously walked towards the infirmary... However, the situation took a turn. The injured person's condition worsened, and he was immediately transferred to Hexi Hospital. The diagnosis was a concussion and a nosebleed, requiring hospitalization. The situation remained unclear.

The academy took the matter very seriously and immediately formed an investigation team led by Discipline Inspection Secretary Lu Wei. Coach Ke and Tong Haojing were both questioned by the Discipline Inspection Office. Coach Ke was very self-reproachful, emphasizing the realism of the training task and the requirements for police safety as equally important. It was difficult for trainees to strike a balance when completing training tasks. However, during the investigation, it was evident that Coach Ke was taking responsibility for Tong Haojing. Tong Haojing also stated that he had made a mistake due to being too engrossed in the training.

Waiting, even for a moment, felt like an eternity. This sudden accident cast a lingering shadow over Tong Haojing's mind. Far from his hometown, Tong Haojing thought of his mother, who could give him immense strength, and of the long-lost Mei Tingyu, who could encourage him. It was Mei Tingyu's words at middle school graduation, "A true man's ambition lies in all directions; joining the army is a viable path!" that had led him to enlist and later to have the opportunity to transfer to civilian work. In fact, during his most helpless moments, these thoughts often fueled his fighting spirit. He believed in staying calm when facing difficulties and that there was always a solution. Then, the situation took a dramatic turn.

Ultimately, after an investigation, the academy's Discipline Inspection Commission determined that Coach Ke's teaching methods were appropriate and that safety precautions were adequately emphasized. Trainee Tong Haojing was diligent and engaged in training, and the "balance" was difficult to achieve. Neither of them would be held accountable, and the medical expenses would be covered by the school, but they were to learn from this experience.

Tong Haojing sincerely thanked Coach Ke for his selfless assumption of responsibility. Coach Ke's image stood tall and mighty. Tong Haojing's passion for learning likely began at this moment. He approached the case studies and simulated combat scenarios explained by the instructors like an actor, performing each one vividly and movingly, even breathtakingly. He gradually realized the arduous path ahead as a police officer but was undeterred.

The three-month pre-job training was quickly drawing to a close.

Director Gao Weimin sat in his office, looking at the desk calendar. A red line was drawn on the date marking the end of the training. He decided to have Director Wu represent him in visiting Tong Haojing and three other individuals. Friday arrived, and Tong Haojing was in a police physical training class when his phone rang. It was Director Wu. "Tong Haojing? Please come to the third-floor conference room with the others immediately. A leader from the Public Security Bureau is coming to see you."

"Okay, I'll go get them!" Tong Haojing was both surprised and excited, feeling a surge of warmth. He thought how thoughtful the Public Security Bureau was! Tong Haojing shared the thrilling news with Su Feiya, Wang Chongyang, and Long Xing.

The four were unusually excited, waiting expectantly.

In the conference room, the Office Director of the Police Academy sat upright, with Xiao Huang from the Political Department and the Office Director seated beside him. The Office Director spoke first: "Welcome to the leaders from Tangdu City. These four trainees are excellent, with good character and outstanding performance, especially trainee Tong Haojing, whose military and physical skills are superb..." The Office Director made no mention of Tong Haojing injuring his opponent and hospitalizing him during training, which greatly surprised Su Feiya, Wang Chongyang, and Long Xing!

The academy leaders' high praise for the Tangdu City trainees brought a smile to Director Wu's face. He occasionally nodded to Tong Haojing. Su Feiya, Wang Chongyang, and Long Xing noticed Director Wu's actions and, without realizing it, showed expressions of disdain.

Director Wu said, "On behalf of Director Gao Weimin, I first want to thank the academy leaders and teachers for their efforts, and also thank the trainees for bringing honor to Tangdu City. I hope you will carry forward the spirit of continuous combat and tenacious struggle, and learn your skills well..."

The consolatory visit concluded in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Director Wu left the Police Academy without having lunch, dusty from his journey. As soon as Director Wu left, Tong Haojing was still basking in the glory of victory. However, Su Feiya, Wang Chongyang, and Long Xing cast resentful glances at him, thinking, "Why is he always the one in the spotlight!"

The three months of rigorous training quickly ended, and the school held a graduation ceremony. Tong Haojing achieved first place in the entire district team and was awarded outstanding student.