Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 2

Seagull Café.

The moment Lu Cheng tackled the woman to the floor and tied her up, the entire café fell into stunned silence.

What the hell was this?

In broad daylight, a man had pinned down a woman and bound her hands? Where was the law in that?!

Most people instinctively sided with the weaker party.

“What’s going on here? Young man, how can you rough up a woman like that? Are you trying to kidnap her?”

“I heard you two were on a blind date just now. She ignored you, so you resort to force?”

“Let her go, I already called the police!”

…

Sure, the guy was handsome. But good looks didn’t give him the right to commit crimes.

The café erupted in noise. Voices rose in indignation, and a few self-proclaimed heroes were already rolling up their sleeves, ready to drag him off her.

Click! Click!

Phones came out, cameras flashing.

“She’s a wanted fugitive. I’m with Sanliqiao Precinct!” Lu Cheng’s voice cut across the chaos, steady and cold.

He pressed his knee firmly into Liu Juan’s back to stop her from escaping, lifting his head to glare at the crowd.

The three would-be rescuers froze in their tracks.

Police? Fugitive? Was that for real?

The crowd exchanged doubtful looks.

“Kid, don’t lie to us. I clearly heard you two talking about a blind date.”

“A cop and a fugitive going on a blind date? You think we’re stupid?”

“Sounds to me like she rejected you, and you’re making excuses.”

Lu Cheng ignored the muttering. If I were a criminal, would I really be stupid enough to assault someone in public? Use your brains!

He pulled out his phone decisively, ready to dial 110.

At that moment, the crowd parted on instinct.

A tall woman walked forward, her long black hair sleek and straight, her porcelain skin glowing under the light. Long, flawless legs stepped gracefully on high heels, a faint touch of makeup highlighting her delicate features.

Pure yet commanding, her beauty stunned men and women alike.

Lu Cheng’s heart skipped—he’d been dazzled. This woman was on another level.

She reached into her bag with composure, withdrew a black leather wallet, and flipped it open.

“I’m with Yuhua District Police Bureau. Here’s my badge.” Her voice was clear, sweet—and cold enough to make the air shiver.

“She is indeed a wanted fugitive. Name: Liu Juan. You can look her up on the Ministry of Public Security website.”

Lu Cheng blinked in surprise. This absolute stunner is a cop too?

A police beauty. A real police beauty.

“Police business. Everyone, back to what you were doing.”

Her gaze swept the crowd like a blade. The murmuring ceased immediately.

Even ordinary people with nothing to hide still felt a chill when faced with a real officer. Several patrons tucked their phones away, suddenly terrified of being hauled in for questioning.

She let her badge flash in front of Lu Cheng before saying, “Su Qingwu. Yuhua District Criminal Investigation Division.”

Still pinning Liu Juan down, Lu Cheng lifted his chin and answered crisply, “Reporting in! Lu Cheng, Sanliqiao Precinct, trainee officer!”

He’d already studied her ID carefully—the Great Wall hologram, the embossed seal—authentic. No mistake.

He was just a rookie, hadn’t even officially reported in yet, no uniform, no authority. She was CID, leagues above him. Attitude-wise, he had to stay respectful.

Lu Cheng opened his mouth to thank the gorgeous officer for backing him up—

Only to hear her say, “Leave her to me. I’ll have my team come take over.”

Su Qingwu knew this fugitive well. Half a year ago, in a joint operation, Liu Juan had been one of eight members of a theft ring. They caught seven. One slipped away.

That one was Liu Juan.

She’d vanished across provincial borders, leaving nothing but a trail of frustration. The Ministry had issued a nationwide warrant, but six months passed with no leads.

Now here she was, brazenly back in Jianghai—caught right under Su Qingwu’s nose. Fate was laughing.

Still, Liu Juan’s appearance had changed enough that it took Su Qingwu several moments of scrutiny to confirm it was her.

Her sharp eyes lingered on Lu Cheng. How did this trainee recognize her so fast?

Sanliqiao Precinct? Rookie cop? Lu Cheng… Interesting.

She took out her phone to notify her team.

With Liu Juan in custody, the half-year-old Lushui County gold shop theft could finally be closed.

Lu Cheng stiffened. Wait. She’s calling CID to take the suspect?

That didn’t sit right.

I’m the one who caught her. I’m Sanliqiao Precinct. This credit belongs to me.

Su Qingwu glanced at him, her tone calm: “Liu Juan is a suspect in the gold theft case our bureau has been investigating for half a year. It’s natural she’s handed over to us. Even if you took her to your precinct, she’d end up with us anyway. No need to waste time.”

But to Lu Cheng, this wasn’t a matter of procedure.

If he let her walk off with the fugitive, his hard-earned merit could vanish into thin air.

And Lu Cheng could stomach many things—but not being cheated.

“You’re not taking her away. I said so.”

He pressed his lips together and turned. “Officer Su, can you hold her down for me? I need to make a call.”

Su Qingwu’s beautiful eyes flicked toward him. After a pause, she nodded.

She placed her high-heeled shoe firmly between Liu Juan’s shoulder blades. Her long, flawless legs looked delicate, but the strength in them pinned the fugitive like steel.

Lu Cheng couldn’t help the thought slipping through his head. Nice legs.

Liu Juan struggled twice, then whimpered and went still.

Lu Cheng slipped aside to make his call.

…

9:30 a.m. – Sanliqiao Precinct.

Director Chen Weimin bustled about with the others, cleaning the yard in preparation for the new recruits.

“Director, I’m here to report. Trainee officer Yuan Jie!”

“Director, trainee officer Chen Zelong!”

“Director, I’m trainee officer Guo Lei!”

Three bright, fresh-faced youths entered, filling the air with their energy.

“Good! Welcome, trainee officers!”

Chen Weimin shook their hands warmly, introducing them to Instructor Song Chengfeng and the rest of the team.

At last, his gaze fell on Yuan Jie, and he lit up.

“Ah, Yuan Jie! Top student from the Criminal Investigation program. Excellent! Excellent!”

He clapped the young man’s shoulder affectionately. If he could train this one well, maybe—just maybe—he’d keep him at Sanliqiao to shine.

What was the rarest commodity these days? Talent.

Though realistically, the odds weren’t great.

Song Chengfeng glanced at the gate, frowning. “Weren’t there supposed to be four recruits? We’re missing one.”

Everyone looked around. No fourth rookie.

Chen Weimin’s brows knitted. “What’s his name again? First day and already late? How irresponsible!”

He was just about to blow up when a district bureau police car rolled into the yard.

Song murmured, “Looks like Chief Yang is here.”

…