Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 18

Lu Cheng was officially “confined.” Before his wounds healed, he wasn’t allowed out on field duty.

He could only obediently sit in the office reading case files. Chen Weimin wouldn’t even let him touch desk work.

For an entire year, the Sanliqiao Police Station hadn’t produced any dazzling achievements. Yet in just two days on the job, Lu Cheng had pulled off several headline-worthy feats.

Every single one of them was brilliant.

Word spread quickly through the police force. Congratulations poured in from neighbouring units.

“Old Chen, your Sanliqiao station has made a name for itself! Yesterday a wanted fugitive, today a drunk driver from hell—impressive!”

“Director Chen, that trainee officer of yours is incredible. You’ve struck gold!”

“Old Chen, we’ve been friends for years. Next week during our anti-pickpocketing operation, we’re short on manpower. Lend us a few of your good hands, will you? That trainee of yours—Lu Cheng, was it? He must come!”

…

Chen Weimin answered phone calls for half an hour straight, grinning from ear to ear the whole time.

Beside him, Song Chengfeng teased, “Old Chen, careful you don’t pull a muscle from smiling too much.”

“Hah! Even if I do, I’m happy to!” Chen Weimin narrowed his eyes, wrinkles creasing into a grin. “That kid Lu Cheng is something else. In two days, he’s hogged all the spotlight—and dragged our Sanliqiao station’s name into fame with him!”

Song Chengfeng was proud, but also worried. “He’s still too reckless. Lucky nothing went wrong. We’ve got to drill some sense into him. He’s a rare seedling—if something happened, it’d be a loss not just for us, but for the entire police force.”

Chen Weimin nodded. “Mm. I’ve already told Zhao Han. He’ll keep Lu Cheng at the station for a few days to cool his head.”

At lunch, the station’s cafeteria added extra dishes.

Two days of special meals in a row—unheard of.

Everyone knew it was thanks to Lu Cheng. His deeds were the talk of not only the station, but the whole district.

“Lu Cheng, come eat!”

“Little Lu, let’s go to the cafeteria. How’s the injury? Nothing serious, right?”

Everyone greeted him with warm smiles—treatment even the station director never got.

The single female officers even piled yogurt and snacks on his desk, driving the other male officer’s crazy with envy.

That afternoon, District Bureau leader Yang Zheng came by again.

He had just visited yesterday. Coming two days in a row was extremely rare.

Chen Weimin brewed fine tea, certain Yang Zheng had brought good news. Commendations, rewards—something had to be in the works.

He rubbed his hands together, already calculating. The Sanliqiao jurisdiction might be small, but one patrol car was never enough. He’d been requesting more for a year with no luck. This time, Yang Zheng would have to cough something up.

Yang Zheng’s first stop was to visit the trainee himself.

The moment he entered the office, all the officers stood. Lu Cheng scrambled to his feet to salute.

“Carry on. Sit down,” Yang Zheng said, then walked straight up to Lu Cheng.

“We, as people’s police, protect the lives and property of the people. But our own lives are just as important. To protect the people, you must first protect yourself.”

His tone was weighty, fatherly.

He didn’t lavish praise. But the fact that he’d made Lu Cheng his very first stop was the highest form of recognition.

Yang Zheng valued not just Lu Cheng’s heroic deeds, but the young man himself.

Good seedlings deserved protection.

He clapped Lu Cheng hard on the shoulder, then went upstairs to the director’s office.

Over fragrant tea, Yang Zheng revealed his purpose.

A personal commendation.

For Trainee Officer Lu Cheng.

In just two days, he had risked his life to capture a fugitive, foil a thief, and stop a runaway drunk driver from plowing into civilians. If that wasn’t worth recognition, then what message did it send to those on the frontlines?

If the fugitive had been of slightly higher rank, Lu Cheng could have earned a third-class merit.

Instead, Yang Zheng ordered Chen Weimin to submit a full report of Lu Cheng’s deeds. The commendation would be issued the following week—complete with medal and bonus.

Song Chengfeng sighed inwardly: A commendation on his second day on the job. Who else in history has done that?!

Then came the real battle.

Chen Weimin began his well-practiced routine of crying poverty.

Yang Zheng sipped his tea calmly, letting him finish.

“You done?”

“More or less.”

“Then say straight what you want.”

Chen Weimin grinned. “Yang Bureau, I heard twenty new patrol cars were distributed citywide recently. I won’t ask for much. Just three for us.”

He raised three fingers.

Yang Zheng almost choked. “One hundred sixty-plus stations in the city, and you dare demand three? What’s next, you want our Bureau’s jeep too?”

“If you’re willing, I’ll take it,” Chen Weimin replied shamelessly.

Yang Zheng shook his head, speechless. “Forget it. Those twenty cars are long gone. But I’ll transfer you one older unit.”

“We don’t want junk.”

“Eighty percent new. Hybrid. Fuel-efficient, accelerates fast. It’s practically a gift.”

Chen Weimin’s eyes lit up. “Deal.”

The Sanliqiao jurisdiction might be small, but its workload was no lighter than anywhere else. One patrol car had never been enough.

But budgets were tight. If not for Lu Cheng’s spectacular exploits putting their station on the map, Yang Zheng would never have relented.

By afternoon, the “new” patrol car rolled into the yard.

The entire station crowded around, gawking like children at a treasure.

“Sanliqiao’s not the forgotten stepchild anymore—we’ve got another car!”

“Hybrid, huh? Looks like last year’s model.”

“All-electric range of 120 kilometers. Mostly runs on battery, barely needs fuel!”

“Nice! Electric’s smooth, and the acceleration—sweet!”

Then, without warning, Chen Weimin tossed the keys to Lu Cheng.

“Lu Cheng, you’re responsible for this car. Get it inspected, buy seat covers—nothing too pricey—and wash it up. Three days.”

“Uh… yes, sir!”

Lu Cheng blinked, pocketing the keys.

Everyone stared at him with open envy. Chen Weimin was basically letting him drive the new patrol car for three whole days.

Heavenly treatment.

But no one could argue. The car was here thanks to Lu Cheng’s credit. If anyone deserved it, it was him.