Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 34

Shuangqiao Police Station, Anti-Pickpocket Task Force Information Center.

Two officers were busy sorting through reports. The operation against pickpockets was scheduled to last a week, and it had only just begun. It was far too early to expect any news from the frontlines.

But right then—the phone rang.

One officer picked it up. “Hello… what? You caught a pickpocket? Where? Bus Route 701, Stop 11, at Daniu Village Pond Station? Got it. We’ll dispatch a squad car immediately!”

When he hung up, the officer was stunned. Already? That fast? What kind of insane luck is this?

His colleague leaned over. “Which team caught him?”

“Sanjiao Bridge Precinct, Team One. Just two officers—two young rookies. One’s called Lin Wenbin, the other’s Lu Cheng.”

“Lu Cheng? That rookie cop?!”

“Which rookie?” The second officer looked blank.

“You don’t know? Let me tell you…”

He launched into the legendary exploits of Lu Cheng’s first three days on the job.

By the time he finished, the other officer was left dumbstruck. A mere probationary officer shaking the entire Yuhua District police force? Unheard of.

Word of the capture spread quickly across all anti-pickpocketing units. Everyone was floored.

Two hours into the operation and someone already bagged the first thief?

Other teams hadn’t even spotted a suspicious-looking passenger, let alone made an arrest.

Pickpocket duty was usually a grind of patience and chance. You never knew if there’d even be a thief, or when they’d make a move.

It wasn’t uncommon for plainclothes officers to spend an entire day undercover without catching anyone—just like a fisherman coming home empty-handed.

But now word came in: not only was a thief already caught, the amount stolen was significant—over twenty thousand yuan.

This wasn’t some petty thief who’d be jailed for a few days before release. This was at least a one-year sentence.

Holy hell… who pulled this off?

When they learned it was two young cops from Sanli Bridge—one of them still a probationer—even the most stoic officers couldn’t keep a straight face.

If a seasoned veteran had done it, fine. But a rookie? Ridiculous.

Luo Yong’s heart skipped a beat when he heard. Sanli Bridge Precinct? Could it be…?

He asked the names. Sure enough—it was Lu Cheng’s team.

Luck? Or skill?

Hearsay is one thing, but seeing is believing. This kid might really be the real deal.

Team members Ding Chengzhi and Chen Feng also got the news, both equally stunned.

“Already? They just hopped on a bus and ran into a thief? Talk about lucky.”

Chen Feng insisted it was pure chance—just as he’d thought before.

But even he hadn’t expected Lu Cheng to land a catch so quickly.

“So we didn’t nab anyone today just because we’re unlucky, huh?”

Ding Chengzhi shook his head. “Don’t underestimate that rookie. He’s not simple.”

Chen Feng fell silent. What if Lu Cheng caught another one? He’d be completely slapped in the face.

Lu Cheng’s team had taken the first blood, setting the tone for the operation and injecting fresh energy into everyone else. Morale was suddenly high.

Daniu Village Pond Bus Stop.

Lu Cheng had slipped a black plastic bag over the handcuffs to hide them. Minutes later, a police car screeched up.

The Shuangqiao officers greeted Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin warmly, exchanged a few words, then escorted the thief away.

When the pickpocket overheard the phrase rookie cop, his face twisted in disbelief.

Three years in the trade—from small petty theft to big hauls on public buses—he’d never once failed.

With experience came sharper methods. He’d even spotted undercover cops on more than one occasion.

And yet, right under their noses, he still pulled off jobs cleanly, strutting off the bus without a hitch.

But today? Taken down by a probationary officer?

Like an eagle who’s hunted a lifetime… only to get pecked in the eye by a sparrow.

The thief shot Lu Cheng a bitter glare before boarding the police car. Waiting for him was a prison sentence of at least a year—three meals a day, state-issued.

Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin pressed on, catching another bus bound for Zhengjiawu.

As usual, they took the very back row.

This time Lin Wenbin was smarter—no more fake sleeping. He acted like a clueless passenger, scrolling through short videos on his phone just like Lu Cheng.

But this bus was clean. No pickpockets.

At the terminal, both got off.

An hour wasted. Lin Wenbin frowned. “Lu Cheng, what if there was a thief on board and we just didn’t spot him?”

“Possible. Maybe he didn’t find the right target, so he didn’t make a move. Otherwise, a victim would’ve called in a report by now.”

Lu Cheng nodded outwardly, but inside he was certain—there hadn’t been one. His system hadn’t triggered.

If a pickpocket was there, even if he hadn’t acted yet, the mere intention would set off the skill.

No trigger meant no criminal.

Heh. With my cheat turned on, there’s no such thing as a fish slipping through the net.

Lin Wenbin sighed. Catching thieves was hard.

Thinking back to the earlier arrest, he hadn’t even been part of the action. It left him itching for more.

“Hey, Lu Cheng. Next time you spot something, give me a heads-up. If I see anything, I’ll let you know too. Don’t forget—we’re a team.”

Lu Cheng grinned. “The heroic duo of Lu and Lin, right?”

Lin gave him a big thumbs-up. “Exactly.”

They stood waiting. Soon, another bus rumbled closer.

Lin glanced at it. “Uh… that’s the 213. Heading to Xinan Village. Doesn’t stop here.”

But when it was about thirty meters away, Lu Cheng’s eyes flickered. He spotted a faint green glow inside.

【Flycatcher】 skill—triggered!

There was a thief on board.

Lu Cheng instantly waved at the bus. But it didn’t slow—this wasn’t its stop.

He waved harder.

Beside him, Lin frowned. “Lu Cheng, what are you doing?”

“Trying my luck—let’s get on this bus!”

And before Lin could stop him, Lu Cheng darted into the road, blocking the bus with his body.

Lin nearly had a heart attack.

The driver leaned out, ready to curse.

But Lu Cheng put on a panicked, desperate look. “Please, driver, I need your help! My grandma fell and broke her leg. I have to get back to the village to see her!”

He clasped his hands in supplication.

The driver’s anger softened. “Alright, hop on, quick!”

“Thank you!”

They climbed aboard.

Trailing behind, Lin thought, Damn, this guy’s acting skills are good.

Once inside, Lu Cheng maintained his anxious façade—for the thief’s eyes.

And sure enough, a tiny green fly hovered and landed silently on the shoulder of a hunched man in faded work pants, a green tool bag slung over one arm.

The man looked like nothing more than an ordinary handyman.

If not for Lu Cheng’s cheat, no one would suspect him.

Lin Wenbin? He’d never in a million years guess this “water-electric worker” was actually a thief.

Tsk. Do crooks these days practice acting before bed?

If even thieves are working on their craft, maybe cops should be taking acting classes too.

Life really was a damn movie.

The bus was packed, no seats left, people squeezed in the aisles.

Lu Cheng and Lin grabbed a handrail near the back. When they looked up, they noticed two plainclothes officers seated in the rear.

Young officers from Qingshijing Precinct—also staking out this very bus.