Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 11

“Director Yang, the trainee officer assigned to us this time is ridiculously good!”

“No, I’m not being sarcastic—he’s the real deal! Absolutely brilliant!”

“Especially that kid, Lu Cheng. You won’t believe it—he just caught another professional pickpocket!”

“A repeat offender, too. The guy’s stolen a lot before. We already found fifty thousand in cash, a stack of wallets, and a handful of phones on him. There’s bound to be more. We’ll know after interrogation…”

Chen Weimin had one hand on his hip and the other holding the phone, his voice laced with smug satisfaction.

On the other end of the line, Yang Zheng quickly caught his meaning:

First—among all the rookie cops, Lu Cheng was outstanding. He’d already nabbed another thief.
Second—with Sanliqiao Police Station catching both fugitives and pickpockets left and right, headquarters would have no choice but to hand out commendations or awards.

Chen Weimin finally had legitimate grounds to “cry poor” and ask for funding.

But even so, Yang Zheng couldn’t hide his surprise. That trainee had just reported for duty!

And on the way back from escorting Su Qingwu, he had caught the thief—on his own!

Tch—!

This kid… really was a talent.

Not long after, Ding Chengzhi and a colleague came to Sanliqiao Station, trying to transfer Hou Sida back to their own jurisdiction.

But Chen Weimin didn’t give them an inch.

“Was he arrested by you? If yes, take him away. If not, he stays.”

The words left Ding Chengzhi and his two men speechless.

Technically, the case had happened in West District. No matter who caught the suspect, he should eventually be handed over to their station.

But Lu Cheng had witnessed the theft firsthand. Hou Sida was considered “caught in the act.” By law, Lu Cheng had every right to make the arrest and bring him back.

Since Lu Cheng belonged to Sanliqiao, bringing the man there first was perfectly legitimate.

Even if the case would eventually be transferred, Chen Weimin wasn’t about to let it go so easily.

As station chief, his rank was higher. Ding Chengzhi couldn’t openly argue, so he had to let Hao Jianping speak instead.

Meanwhile, Wu Sanmao and a group of workers rushed in by taxi, panicked and desperate.

“Officer! My name is Wu Sanmao! This morning on Fengshan Old Street, a thief stole fifty thousand yuan from me!”

“Brand-new bills! That’s the money my wife needs for surgery!”

Right then, Ding Chengzhi from West District overheard. Once the facts were verified, Sanliqiao officers immediately returned Wu Sanmao’s money so he could pay the hospital.

Chen Weimin even had Xiao Lin drive him there personally—no chances taken.

Wu Sanmao wept with gratitude.

Just then, the phone in Chen Weimin’s office rang. It was Hao Jianping.

He’d been waiting for this.

For fifteen whole minutes, Chen Weimin bragged nonstop.

West District had mobilized their entire force and failed to catch the guy.

But his rookie, Lu Cheng, had nabbed the slippery thief all by himself.

Compared to them, West District’s veterans couldn’t even measure up to a single trainee.

One fugitive in the morning, one pickpocket in the afternoon.

“Tell me, impressive or not?”

“Jealous yet?”

On the other side, Hao Jianping was dying inside. “Alright, alright, I get it—you’ve got a monster rookie.”

“Old Chen, but Hou Sida still needs to be transferred to us.”

Hearing that humbled tone, Chen Weimin finally agreed. Rules were rules, after all.

“Lu Cheng, escort the thief to West District and assist them with the paperwork.”

“Yes, sir!”

Lu Cheng accepted immediately. His electric scooter was still parked at Fengshan Old Street anyway—he’d grab it on the way back.

He left with Ding Chengzhi’s car.

Back at Sanliqiao, the other rookies sat in silence.

Same first day on the job. They were still learning station protocols, reading manuals, shadowing seniors.

Lu Cheng? He’d already gone hands-on twice and personally arrested suspects.

Calling it “impressive” wasn’t enough. The guy was too impressive.

In his office, Chen Weimin had barely taken a sip of tea when veteran officers Cheng Zhijie and Wang Guodong came in one after the other, each carrying expensive tea leaves.

Both were mentors to other rookies—Chen Zelong and Guo Lei.

Now, both wanted to swap trainees for Lu Cheng.

After all, who wouldn’t want a prodigy for a disciple?

Chen Weimin nearly laughed. I want him too! He didn’t even want Peking University’s top criminal investigation grad, Yuan Jie.

But he’d already promised Zhao Han that rookie.

At first Zhao Han refused, wanting Yuan Jie instead. Chen Weimin had coaxed him into taking Lu Cheng.

Now Zhao Han must be grinning ear to ear.

“Too late. If you want him, talk to Zhao Han yourself.”

The tea stayed; the men left empty-handed.

West District Police Station.

Lu Cheng sat calmly in the office, a cup of premium tea placed before him.

“Officer Lu, could you describe in detail how you subdued the pickpocket, Hou Sida?”

“Of course.”

He began to recount the arrest step by step.

The officers listening froze.

“Wooden stick strike to disarm the knife?”

“Then a leap into an elbow smash… followed by a wide-swinging hook…”

“Straight punch into a flurry of crosses and a rib shot?”

“Leg sweep, body lock, transition into a side hold… wrist lock into an armbar…”

…

“Yes, that’s about it.”

Lu Cheng sipped his tea as if nothing was unusual.

The room fell silent.

Ding Chengzhi’s hand, halfway to his cup, paused midair.

Everyone else stared at Lu Cheng in disbelief.

What the hell? They’d asked for an account of the arrest, and this kid delivered a fight choreography breakdown fit for a movie.

Straight punches, hooks, sweeps, armbars… complete with professional terminology.

“Officer Lu,” the clerk finally asked, “those moves… are they from Sanda or wrestling?”

“Not just those. I’ve also integrated joint locks, free-fighting, Muay Thai, and other combat arts.”

Lu Cheng shrugged casually.

Good lord… this kid’s scarier than a world champion.

Ding Chengzhi suddenly remembered Hou Sida’s bruised, swollen face. No wonder. The guy must’ve been pounded half to death.

Just then, another officer walked out from the interrogation room holding two empty bottles of herbal oil.

“How’s the questioning?” Ding Chengzhi asked.

“Hasn’t said much yet. Just keeps groaning about the pain.”

“I thought he was faking, told him to stop playing around. But then we checked—his body’s black and blue everywhere. Minor injuries, nothing serious. Still, we used up two bottles of oil already. I’ll need to fetch another one.”

He left, bottles clinking.

The office fell silent once more.