Community Police Officer (I)

Tong Haojing arrived at West City Police Station. He paid special attention to the small room where he had once been detained. It was as if fate had played a joke on him: once an investigation target, he had now become a police officer here. The contrast in circumstances brought Tong Haojing neither great joy nor great sorrow. His heart was calm as still water, and he firmly believed he could accomplish something in this place.

Tong Haojing's arrival sparked a modest discussion among the officers.

When Officer Lan and Lu Tong learned that Tong Haojing had come to the station, they stayed out of the office for several days, afraid of running into their former investigation target, now their comrade.

Director Tang, whose real name was Tang Changan, was a First-class Police Superintendent and was about to move into a less demanding post. At first, he was delighted that the station had gained a hero, strengthening its ranks. But then he reconsidered. Tong Haojing was a demobilized soldier and Special Operations Unit member assigned by Director Gao Weimin. Why had he been sent to West City Police Station? Director Tang naturally thought of calling Director Hu, who oversaw criminal investigations as well, to probe into Tong Haojing's background. "Director Hu, can I ask you something?"

"What is it? Speak!" Deputy Director Hu did not want to beat around the bush.

"Was Tong Haojing recommended by you?" Director Tang asked cautiously.

"No. I nearly had a falling-out with the director over this!" Director Tang could hear that Director Hu was somewhat angry, but could not tell exactly why. He did not dare ask further before Director Hu hung up.

Director Tang sat in his office with his mind completely blank. Only after quite a while did he come back to himself. Now he would have to find out about Tong Haojing on his own. He was considering how to arrange Tong Haojing's work when Tong Haojing walked into his office.

Tall and full of heroic bearing, he immediately made a good impression on Tang Changan.

"Come, have a seat!" Director Tang said as he went to pour hot water, treating Tong Haojing as politely as if he were receiving a superior. He had never done this before.

When Tong Haojing saw Director Tang personally pouring tea for him, he hardly dared accept such treatment. "I'll do it myself!" He took the teacup, poured himself half a cup of plain hot water, and sat on the sofa with it in hand. Before Tong Haojing could speak, Director Tang began, "Xiao Tong, West City Police Station's jurisdiction has complicated public security. It has always been an area with a high incidence of major cases, and we're short on manpower. Your arrival has strengthened our station. You've come just when we needed you most!"

Tong Haojing chuckled twice. "You flatter me. I'm here to learn from all of you!" Director Tang then slowly introduced the staffing at the station and the basic situation in the jurisdiction. Tong Haojing watched Tang Changan without blinking, listening with the attentiveness of an elementary school student receiving instruction.

Seeing Tong Haojing listen so humbly, Tang Changan formed an initial plan. He slowly took two sips of tea and looked earnestly at Tong Haojing. "Xiao Tong, what are your thoughts? I'd like to hear your opinion."

Without hesitation, Tong Haojing said, "I want to go to the Criminal Investigation Squad." Straightforward by nature, he blurted out exactly what was on his mind.

Director Tang sharply noticed the determination in Tong Haojing's eyes, and his thoughts turned. There's something unfathomable in this young man's gaze. If he goes to the Criminal Investigation Squad, that fierce, headlong charge of his might get him hurt. Better let him steady himself first and blunt his edge a little.

"Xiao Tong, our station has an unwritten rule: all newly transferred officers must work in the community first! How about this? Follow Teacher Jiang Hongde in Hongqiao Community for a couple of days. Once you've familiarized yourself with the situation, we can transfer you to another post. Remember, if anything comes up, you must report it to Teacher Jiang or me!"

In Tang Changan's mind, Old Jiang was a veteran officer with extremely rich experience. He had handled public security, criminal investigations, and traffic matters. Because of his age, he had been assigned as the resident officer for the Hongdu area, often dealing with the dark side of society in his jurisdiction. Years ago, Old Jiang had inexplicably quarreled with Tang Changan, yet their relationship had become even closer afterward. No one at the station knew why. Even more puzzling was that Old Jiang's wife had come to the station several times to make a scene, and the two had actually gotten divorced.

"Yes, sir!" Tong Haojing answered in a soldier's tone.

Director Tang called Jiang Hongde over. "I'm assigning you an apprentice. You'd better teach him well!" Jiang Hongde was a First-class Police Superintendent and the resident officer of Hongqiao Community. He was short, round-faced, and fifty-five years old. Everyone at the station called him "Old Jiang."

Jiang Hongde had long heard of Tong Haojing. "Hero, seeing you beats hearing about you a hundred times. You look sharp. But if you follow me, you might learn some bad habits!"

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

Director Tang said, "Old Jiang, a strong general has no weak soldiers under him. You have to train him into something impressive for me. Here's the plan: give Xiao Tong a small assignment. Within one month, he must familiarize himself with the population of the community! Also, the station's white Prince motorcycle will be assigned to him."

Old Jiang's face darkened. Looking incredulously at Tong Haojing and then at Director Tang, he said, "What? A... a small assignment?"

Tong Haojing raised no objection and gladly accepted. A Prince motorcycle was rather novel to him. Thinking of the stylish, carefree feeling of riding it, youthful passion often erupted at just such a moment. Once the spark was found, there was no holding it back—it would become unstoppable!

Hongqiao Community had nearly two thousand residents and more than five hundred households, and its circumstances were complicated. How could anyone possibly grasp the entire situation within a month? Jiang Hongde looked at Director Tang, then signaled to Tong Haojing with his eyes, meaning that he should think twice and not agree so quickly.

During his training at the police academy, Tong Haojing had learned that working in a community was the most basic duty of a police station. Since the leadership would not let him join the Criminal Investigation Squad, perhaps they were trying to train him. Heaven entrusted great responsibilities only after testing one's sinews and bones and making one suffer hunger. No matter how bitter or difficult the work, he was not afraid. He saw Teacher Jiang's look, but Tong Haojing still made his decision firmly. "I will complete the mission without fail!"

He did not pick at bones or find fault; even if it were gravel, he would swallow it. Tang Changan admired Tong Haojing's competence and bearing. This was Tong Haojing's first impression on Tang Changan.

Jiang Hongde was instantly dumbfounded. So angry that he kept stomping beneath the desk, he could not believe Tong Haojing dared take on such a burden. Jiang Hongde was like a deflated football, silently groaning in misery. This guy doesn't know the limits of heaven and earth. He won't even refuse a task that clearly can't be completed. This is obviously going to ruin the reputation of Master Jiang!

Jiang Hongde did not leave immediately. Instead, he softly asked Director Tang, "Brother, do you know this kid's background?" There seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them. Director Tang looked at Jiang Hongde suspiciously. "You don't trust me?"

"How could I?" Jiang Hongde appeared utterly respectful, but inwardly he cursed, Old fox. He knows it can't be done, yet he insists on making him do it. What is he plotting? In the eyes of the officers, Old Jiang and Director Tang were close, but the two hid conflicts no one knew about.

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

After leaving the director's office, Tong Haojing finally felt the heat. The breeze stirring through the corridor gave him a slight chill, and he unconsciously tugged at his shirt, which clung tightly to his body, giving it two shakes. At the stairwell, he ran into Ke Qian, who was carrying a large stack of household registration files to get Director Tang's signature. Ke Qian was in a hurry and only watched her phone as she walked. Before she noticed him, she bumped into Tong Haojing, scattering the files all over the floor.

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

Ke Qian was a little stunned. Wasn't this the tall boy who had made such a commotion in the detention room some time ago?

"How is it you... you're working at our station?" As Ke Qian spoke, she gestured several times between them, trying to ease the embarrassment of not knowing how to put it.

Before Ke Qian could react, Tong Haojing had already gathered the files intact and placed them in her hands.

"Sorry. My name is Tong Haojing. I'm new here."

Only then did Ke Qian realize that the boy before her had said "sorry" three times. She had clearly been the one who ran into him, yet he apologized to her and even helped pick up her fallen files. She could not help feeling embarrassed, and for some inexplicable reason, a little shy as well. This boy was likable.

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

"May I ask which floor Teacher Jiang's office is on?"

"On... on the fourth floor!" Ke Qian paused. Normally, she would have answered without thinking, but for some reason, she was a little slow this time.

"Thank you!"

Tong Haojing turned and headed toward the stairs to the fourth floor.

Old Jiang's office door was half open. Through the glass window, Tong Haojing could see a desk and a brand-new computer. The room looked extremely bare.

Old Jiang had not yet arrived at the office, so Tong Haojing waited at the door.

After a while, Old Jiang arrived. Seeing Tong Haojing waiting outside, he called out, "Xiao Tong, the door isn't shut. Just push it open!"

Tong Haojing did not move. He still politely let Old Jiang go in first.

"Xiao Tong, what were you thinking? Don't you have any sense of time? One month isn't long!" Jiang Hongde did not believe Tong Haojing could complete the task. Things have come to this. All I can do is depend on Tong Haojing's own luck and ability.

Still, Old Jiang felt an inexplicable bond with Xiao Tong that transcended their age difference. Perhaps to make a deeper impression, Old Jiang added, "Tonight, let's have a little drink. I'll take you around so you can get familiar with the community boundaries."

"How could I let Teacher Jiang spend money? I should be the one treating you!" Tong Haojing said.

"It's settled!" Jiang Hongde was so earnest that he almost sounded angry. Jiang Hongde's only hobby was having a little drink. As long as he was not on duty, he would go to Jia Jia Small Tavern, diagonally across from the police station, for a couple of drinks. Recently, he had rarely gone home. At six that evening, Tong Haojing and Old Jiang arrived as agreed.

Though Jia Jia Tavern was small, a neon sign with an exquisitely written advertisement flickered above its two glass doors, which were plastered with bright red snack ads, making the little tavern look surprisingly grand.

The moment Old Jiang arrived, before he could say anything, the owner served a plate of peanuts, a couple of liang of dried beef, and a small cold dish. The owner had an excellent memory and knew his regular customers' preferences inside out.

Old Jiang hurried forward and said, "There are two of us tonight. Add two more dishes."