Community Police Officer (1)

Tong Haojing arrived at the West City Police Station. He paid special attention to the small room where he had been detained before. It seemed the world was playing a joke on him; his former subject of investigation was now a police officer here. The stark contrast in his circumstances didn't bring Tong Haojing great joy or sorrow. His heart was as calm as still water, and he firmly believed he could achieve something in this place.

Tong Haojing's arrival sparked a considerable buzz among the police officers.

Officer Lan and Lu Tong knew Tong Haojing had arrived at the station. They hadn't been in the office for several days, fearing they would have to face their former subject of investigation, who was now their comrade.

Director Tang, whose real name was Tang Changan, a First-class Police Superintendent, was about to move to a less demanding role. He was initially very pleased that the station was gaining a hero, strengthening their ranks. However, he then considered that Tong Haojing was a demobilized soldier recommended by Director Gao Weimin, a member of the Special Operations Unit. Why was he assigned to the West City Police Station? Director Tang naturally thought of calling Director Hu, who was in charge of criminal investigation, to inquire about Tong Haojing's background. "Director Hu, I need to ask you something?"

"What is it? Spit it out!" Deputy Director Hu didn't want to beat around the bush.

"Did you recommend Tong Haojing?" Director Tang asked cautiously.

"No. I almost got into an argument with the Director over this!" Director Tang could tell Director Hu sounded a bit angry, but he didn't know why. Director Tang didn't dare to ask further, and Director Hu hung up the phone.

Director Tang sat in his office, his mind blank. After a long while, he came back to his senses. He would have to figure out Tong Haojing's situation himself. He pondered how to arrange Tong Haojing's work next. Just then, Tong Haojing walked into his office.

His tall stature and heroic demeanor immediately made a good impression on Director Tang.

"Come, have a seat!" Director Tang said as he went to pour hot water, treating him like a visiting dignitary, very courteously. This was something he hadn't done before.

Seeing Director Tang personally pouring him tea, Tong Haojing dared not be negligent. "I'll do it myself!" Tong Haojing grabbed the teacup, poured half a cup of plain water, held it in his hand, and sat on the sofa. Before Tong Haojing could speak, Director Tang said, "Little Tong, the jurisdiction of the West City Police Station is complex, and it's always been a high-incidence area for major cases, with limited police force. Your arrival has strengthened our station's power; it's truly a godsend!"

Tong Haojing chuckled twice. "You flatter me. I'm here to learn from you!" Afterward, Director Tang slowly introduced the police force's deployment and the basic situation of the jurisdiction. Tong Haojing watched Tang Changan intently, listening with the focus of a student receiving training.

Seeing Tong Haojing's humble listening demeanor, Director Tang formed a preliminary plan. He slowly sipped his tea and looked at Tong Haojing eagerly. "Little Tong, what are your thoughts? I'd like to hear your opinion!"

Tong Haojing said without hesitation, "I want to go to the criminal investigation team." Tong Haojing spoke his mind directly and frankly.

Director Tang keenly observed the determination in Tong Haojing's eyes. A thought went through his mind: This young man's eyes have an inscrutable quality. If he goes to the criminal investigation team, his impetuous, aggressive nature might get him hurt. It's better to let him be more steady and temper his edge first.

"Little Tong, we have an unwritten rule in our station: new officers must first be assigned to community work! How about this: you shadow Teacher Jiang Hongde of the Hongqiao Community for a couple of days. Once you're familiar with the situation, we can reassign you. Remember, you must report anything to Teacher Jiang or me!"

In Tang Changan's mind, Old Jiang was a seasoned police officer with extensive experience, having worked in public security, criminal investigation, and traffic. Due to his age, he was assigned as the community police officer for Hongdu, often dealing with the darker aspects of the community. A few years ago, Old Jiang had a strange argument with Tang Changan, after which their relationship became even closer. The officers in the station didn't understand why, and even more bafflingly, Old Jiang's wife had caused a scene at the station several times, yet they had divorced.

"Yes!" Tong Haojing replied in a military tone.

Director Tang called Jiang Hongde over. "I'm assigning you an apprentice; you need to train him well!" Jiang Hongde, a First-class Police Superintendent, was the community police officer for Hongqiao Community. He was not tall, had a round face, and was 55 years old. Everyone at the station called him "Old Jiang."

Jiang Hongde had heard about Tong Haojing. "A hero, seeing you in person is better than hearing about you a hundred times. You look quite spirited. Follow me, and you might learn some bad habits!"

Tong Haojing said, "Teacher Jiang is quite funny!"

Director Tang said, "Old Jiang, a good general doesn't have weak soldiers. You need to show me something. Here's a small task for Little Tong: familiarize yourself with the community's population within a month! Also, the white Prince motorcycle at the station will be at his disposal."

Old Jiang's face fell. He looked at Tong Haojing with disbelief, then at Director Tang. "What? A… a small task!"

Tong Haojing raised no objections and readily accepted. A Prince motorcycle was quite novel. He imagined the stylish, dashing feeling of riding it, and the passion of youth often ignited at such moments. Once the spark is found, it's unstoppable, leading to an irreversible momentum!

The Hongqiao Community had nearly 2,000 residents in over 500 households, and the situation was complex. Mastering it within a month was no easy feat. Jiang Hongde looked at Director Tang, then signaled to Tong Haojing, implying he should reconsider and not agree so hastily.

During his training at the police academy, Tong Haojing knew that community work was the most basic task for a police station. If his superiors didn't let him go to the criminal investigation team, perhaps it was to train him. "When heaven is about to confer a great office on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering, and his sinews and bones with toil. He will suffer hunger and humiliation, and his body will be destitute of his deeds." He saw Teacher Jiang's look, but Tong Haojing still resolutely decided, "I will resolutely complete the mission!"

Not picking and choosing, he would swallow even a piece of gravel. Tang Changan admired Tong Haojing's competence and demeanor. This was Tong Haojing's first impression on Tang Changan.

Jiang Hongde was stunned. He stomped his feet under the desk in anger. How could he dare to accept such a burden? Jiang Hongde deflated like a punctured football, inwardly lamenting, This clueless guy dares to accept a task that's clearly impossible without even refusing. This is going to ruin my reputation as Master Jiang!

Jiang Hongde didn't leave immediately. He gently asked Director Tang, "Old brother, do you know this kid's background?" There seemed to be a tacit understanding between them. Director Tang looked at Jiang Hongde with a doubtful gaze. "You don't trust me?"

"How could I dare!" Jiang Hongde said respectfully, but inwardly cursed, You cunning old fox, making him do something impossible. What is he up to? The other officers saw Old Jiang and Director Tang as close, but they harbored hidden conflicts.

Deep down, Tang Changan agreed with Director Wu's assessment but was also afraid Tong Haojing might cause some trouble.

Tong Haojing left the director's office and finally felt the heat. The wind stirred in the corridor brought him a slight coolness. He unconsciously tugged at his tight-fitting shirt, making it flutter. At the stairwell, he ran into Ke Qian, who was carrying a large stack of household registration documents to get them signed by Director Tang. Unfortunately, Ke Qian was walking in a hurry, engrossed in her phone, and bumped into Tong Haojing, scattering the documents all over the floor.

Tong Haojing repeatedly said, "Sorry, sorry," and bent down to pick up the scattered household registration documents.

Ke Qian was a bit stunned. She thought, Isn't this the tall young man who was making a scene in the detention room a while ago?

"How is it you... you're working at our station!" Ke Qian gestured between them as she spoke, trying to alleviate the awkwardness of her words failing to convey her meaning.

Before Ke Qian could react, Tong Haojing had already picked up all the documents intact and placed them in her hands.

"Sorry, my name is Tong Haojing, I'm new here!"

Ke Qian then realized that this young man had already said "sorry" three times. It was clearly her fault for bumping into him, yet he apologized to her and even helped her pick up the dropped documents. She felt a bit bad, even inexplicably a little embarrassed. This young man was likable.

"No, I bumped into you. My name is Ke Qian, I work in the Household Registration Office and also handle internal affairs for the station!" Ke Qian introduced herself unconsciously, smiling at Tong Haojing.

"Excuse me, which floor is Teacher Jiang's office on?"

"It's... it's on the fourth floor!" Ke Qian paused. Normally, she would have answered casually, but for some reason, she was a bit slow this time.

"Thank you!"

Tong Haojing turned and walked towards the stairs to the fourth floor.

Old Jiang's office door was ajar. Through the glass window, a desk and a brand-new computer made the room look extremely simple.

Old Jiang hadn't arrived at his office yet, so Tong Haojing waited at the door.

A moment later, Old Jiang arrived. Seeing Tong Haojing waiting at the door, he called out, "Little Tong, the door isn't closed, just push it open!"

Tong Haojing didn't move, politely letting Old Jiang go first.

"Little Tong, I don't know what you're thinking. Don't you have a sense of time? A month isn't long!" Jiang Hongde was pessimistic about Tong Haojing completing the task. Thinking that the matter had come to this, he could only rely on Tong Haojing's own fortune and ability.

However, Old Jiang felt a strange sense of camaraderie with Little Tong. Perhaps to deepen the impression, Old Jiang added, "Let's go for a drink tonight, and I'll take you to get familiar with the community boundaries."

"How can I let Teacher Jiang pay? I should be treating you!" Tong Haojing said.

"It's settled then!" Jiang Hongde said sincerely, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Jiang Hongde's only hobby was drinking a bit. As long as he wasn't on duty, he would go to Jia Jia Small Tavern, diagonally opposite the police station, for a couple of drinks. He hadn't been home much recently. At six in the evening, Tong Haojing and Old Jiang arrived as scheduled.

Although Jia Jia Tavern was small, a neon sign with a dazzling advertisement, embedded above the two glass doors covered with red food advertisements, made the small tavern look opulent.

Upon Old Jiang's arrival, before he could speak, the owner greeted them with a plate of peanuts, two taels of dried beef, and a small dish. The owner had a good memory and knew the preferences of his regular customers like the back of his hand.

Old Jiang hurried forward to respond, "Two people tonight, two more dishes."