Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 36

The very first morning of the anti-pickpocket operation, before noon had even arrived, Lu Cheng had already taken “first blood” and “second blood,” showing off in front of everyone.

A mere probationary officer from Sanli Bridge Precinct had just taught the entire police force a lesson!

Everyone was muttering the same thing: Is this Lu Cheng kid born to be a cop? How the hell does he make catching thieves look as easy as drinking water?

The whole atmosphere of the operation immediately tightened. Catching nothing was one thing—but being outshone by a rookie? Absolutely not!

Every other team cranked up their focus, nerves strung taut as bowstrings.

News of the captures quickly reached Chen Weimin, who was grinning so hard that his wrinkles seemed to multiply.

“Damn it! I swear that brat Lu Cheng must’ve been a cop in his past life—opening round and he bags two already?!”

Song Chengfeng was beaming. “This time Lu Cheng really made Sanli Bridge proud. Out of all the anti-pickpocket units, not a single team has made a move, yet that probationary officer has caught two in a row. I can already imagine the looks on Luo Yong and the others’ faces.”

“Two days ago, Old Wan from Qingshijing tried to trade ten of his top trainees for Lu Cheng. He must be out of his damn mind. Ten for one? I wouldn’t trade him for twenty!” Chen Weimin scoffed.

Meanwhile, Zhao Han was manning the school patrol post while Cheng Zhijie and Wang Guodong patrolled the commercial district.

When their phones buzzed nonstop, they snuck a peek at the WeChat group.

【Breaking News: During the anti-pickpocket operation, Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin from Sanli Bridge Precinct have already arrested two pickpockets. One case alone involves over 20,000 yuan.】

“Good lord!” Zhao Han exclaimed. “Lu Cheng’s basically the Pickpocket Slayer! Stealing the spotlight again—can’t stop him if we tried!”

He couldn’t suppress his grin, and even bragged in the group chat: 【Good work! That’s my disciple, after all!】

Cheng Zhijie and Wang Guodong nearly spat blood. Shameless bastard… claiming credit like that.

At Xinan Village bus terminal, Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin waited a few minutes until a squad car from Shuangqiao Precinct arrived.

A young officer hopped out, shook hands with both of them, then turned to Lu Cheng with a thumbs-up.

“Man, you’re famous already! A probationary officer with this kind of record? How the hell are you so fierce at catching thieves?!”

He’d seen good cops before, but never one this sharp. While other teams hadn’t even opened their accounts, Lu Cheng had already slammed down two arrests.

They loaded the “handyman” thief into the car, and Lu Cheng reclaimed his handcuffs, clipping them back onto his belt.

As the squad car drove off, the system chimed in his mind, dishing out his reward.

【Attribute Point Gained: Speed +0.5 (Current Speed: 18.5)】

From the previous thief, he’d also received +1 Strength. Now his Strength sat at 18.

By noon, Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin ducked into a Lanzhou beef noodle shop for lunch.

The boss lady froze when she recognized them—then broke into a smile. “Officers! It’s you two!”

Turns out she was one of the victims from that earlier bus incident, the woman who had lost her phone and wallet.

“Well, what a coincidence. Two bowls of noodles, please, ma’am.”

“Coming right up!”

Lu Cheng pulled out his phone to scan and pay, but the boss lady slapped his hand down. “What are you doing? Paying me? That’s an insult! Lunch is on the house!”

No matter how he insisted, she shoved him back to his seat.

A moment later, two steaming bowls arrived—huge portions, the beef piled so thick it covered the surface. She even threw in two poached eggs and a couple of bottles of chilled soymilk.

The two rookies ate until they were stuffed to the brim—probably needed to arrest five more thieves just to burn it off.

By the afternoon, the other anti-pickpocket squads finally started reporting action. At the train station, malls, subway lines, and buses, arrests began piling up.

The numbers were steadily rising.

Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin boarded another bus, heading to the last row as always.

They had barely sat down when Lu Cheng’s system skill flared to life.

Two glowing flies appeared, landing separately on a young man and a young woman who had just boarded.

Lu Cheng kept his eyes on his phone, sneaking glances from the corner of his eye.

The pair were textbook “street punks”—flashy hairstyles, tight T-shirts, leather pants, tattoos, piercings.

Even Lin Wenbin caught on immediately. “Obvious as hell,” he thought. “These two are up to no good.”

He and Lu Cheng exchanged a quick look. No doubt about it—they were thieves.

As the bus filled up, the couple made their move, pretending they were about to get off. Jostling in the crowded aisle, their hands began to wander—phones, wallets, jewelry, anything they could slip away.

Lin Wenbin was ready to pounce when Lu Cheng grabbed his arm.

Just then, a middle-aged man with sunglasses and a drooping mustache stepped aboard.

The man gave the couple the faintest glance before squeezing into the crowd near them.

Lu Cheng’s instincts screamed. This guy’s part of it.

Sure enough—his flies buzzed again, splitting their glow between the couple and the newcomer.

Lu Cheng had always wondered—at Level 2, 【Flycatcher】 could reveal two targets. What if there were more than two criminals nearby?

Now he had his answer: he could choose which ones to mark.

He willed one fly onto the mustached man and the other onto the punk boy.

The middle-aged man subtly brushed against the pair, and just like that, the stolen goods changed hands, vanishing into his black satchel.

Lin Wenbin witnessed the handoff and nearly swore aloud. Holy crap—an organized crew. They’re passing the loot!

Three birds with one stone!

He stole a glance at Lu Cheng. This kid’s got hawk eyes. He spotted the accomplice immediately. Can’t deny it—he’s sharp as hell.

The next stop was 500 meters ahead. That mustached man would get off with the goods, while the young couple stayed on board, distancing themselves from the crime.

Lu Cheng tapped out a quick message on WeChat, syncing with Lin Wenbin.

When the bus stopped, the mustached man stepped off with the loot.

Lu Cheng rose smoothly and followed him out.

Meanwhile, Lin Wenbin stayed behind—eyes locked on the punk couple.