Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 40

Chen Weimin and Zhao Han walked toward Lu Cheng and the others.

Chen Weimin strode forward like he owed no one anything, brandishing a belt with uncontainable pride.

“Director Chen!”

“Director Chen!”

…

Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin greeted him, and Yuan Jie, Chen Zelong, and the others jogged over.

There was no doubt: Sanliqiao Precinct had outshone all the others today, stealing the spotlight entirely.

“Hey, Old Chen, where are you headed?” someone asked.

“Back to Sanliqiao. These kids have been running around all day. I’m taking them for a good meal.”

“Oh, this one’s on me! There’s a great local grilled fish place in Shuangqiao. Come on, let’s treat the Sanliqiao team properly. Everyone’s invited.”

“No, no, we’ll head back ourselves,” Chen Weimin waved off politely—but everyone knew him. This sly old fox ran numbers in his head constantly. Sure, he was here partly to save face… and partly to enjoy a free meal.

He’d never spend his own money treating a bunch of young cops. Back at his precinct, it would’ve been cafeteria food.

And let’s be honest—who caught the most thieves this operation?

Shuangqiao couldn’t let the other precincts hog all the glory… or the food.

Luo Yong politely replied, “Director Chen, I promised to have the Texas roast chicken ready. This meal is definitely happening at Shuangqiao.”

He leaned in, whispering, “A little drink too—there’s a bottle of Wuliangye in my car trunk.”

Chen Weimin’s stomach growled. No more pretending. With a reluctant smile, he conceded:

“Alright, alright. Since that’s the case, we’ll eat here at Shuangqiao before heading back.”

Lü Zhengbo and Luo Yong exchanged glances. The meal itself was trivial; maintaining good relations with Sanliqiao was the real priority.

If they needed manpower later, wouldn’t Sanliqiao come through?

The Sanliqiao team numbered ten, plus Lü Zhengbo and Luo Yong. Four cars set off toward Da Fu Fish House.

Other teams either ate at the Shuangqiao precinct cafeteria or went home.

The unequal treatment left the other precincts feeling a little sour.

Da Fu Fish House, private room.

Two six-pound grilled fish sat on the table, along with three Texas roast chickens.

Only Lü Zhengbo, Chen Weimin, Luo Yong, and Zhao Han drank alcohol. The younger officers had tea or soft drinks—after all, tomorrow was another day of anti-pickpocket patrol.

Lu Cheng could handle roughly eight taels of alcohol. Any more, and he’d either faceplant or vomit. He didn’t particularly like drinking; to him, it tasted awful.

Those who said, “Alcohol is delicious because it’s hard to drink,” were clearly crazy in Lu Cheng’s eyes.

The grilled fish was fragrant, the Texas roast chicken perfectly seasoned.

Lu Cheng barely spoke, focused entirely on eating. He hadn’t had a proper meal all day.

Lin Wenbin was just as hungry.

A short while after the five-man gang had been brought in, Lu Cheng’s system chimed in.

Rewards received:

Reward One: [Martial Arts Mastery] skill upgraded to Level 2. His combined martial arts had grown significantly stronger. Lu Cheng could now confidently overpower Su Qingwu if needed.

Reward Two: [Subtle Clues] skill upgraded to Level 2, enabling detection of even more concealed traces and clues.

Reward Three: [Flycatcher Enhancement Card] ×1

This would strengthen the Flycatcher skill, increasing detection range to 999 km—a one-time-use item.

This was a game-changer. After tracking “Brother Ji” to the tin shack, the Flycatcher had lost its green dot beyond 300 meters. Only when the couple thieves regrouped did it reappear.

Three hundred meters was far too small. If criminals split up, this card could come in handy.

After a few drinks, Chen Weimin, Lü Zhengbo, and the others stopped drinking. They had a good handle on their limits—no one got sloppy.

Throughout the meal, Lu Cheng’s name came up dozens of times, praised repeatedly.

Lin Wenbin, Yuan Jie, and the other young officers earned compliments as well.

Zhao Han, the proud mentor, even offered a toast to Lu Cheng himself.

Full and satisfied, everyone eventually headed home. Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin, having abstained from alcohol, became the designated drivers.

The second day of the anti-pickpocket operation was May 1st. Crowds surged at every public venue—malls, subways, pedestrian streets, open scenic spots.

All precincts increased patrols.

After receiving their assignments, the squads continued action. Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin were sent to a pedestrian street along Wulin Road. The bus route they’d patrolled yesterday was unnecessary now—after yesterday’s haul, thieves would be wary.

Wenhua Pedestrian Street.

Despite it being Labor Day, no one was working—everyone was out eating, drinking, and having fun.

Crowds packed the streets, giving criminals plenty of cover.

Lin Wenbin squinted through the throng, feeling his head ache. Catching thieves here? It’s like finding a needle in a haystack.

Even if someone got robbed, the thief could vanish into the crowd immediately.

His eyes darted left and right, growing dizzy. Everyone seemed suspicious… yet everyone seemed innocent. He nearly lost his mind.

Lu Cheng glanced at him, smiling faintly.

This “hang-accidentally-win” genius didn’t need to strain himself. He just needed to wait for the Flycatcher to trigger automatically.

He stopped at a Snow King stand and bought two cups of lemon iced water, specifying overnight lemons.

Clouds dimmed the sun, offering a touch of shade.

A sip of lemon water, refreshingly cool.

Lin Wenbin stared, baffled. Is he here to catch thieves or on vacation?

Then, Lu Cheng’s expression shifted.

In his unique vision, a green-glowing fly landed on a middle-aged man in a striped polo.

A thief! Lu Cheng’s heart leapt.

The man wore frog-mirror sunglasses and lingered at a jade and antique stall crowded with shoppers.

Subtly, the man’s hands moved.

Right hand scratching his ear as a ruse, he deftly lifted a wallet from a man dressed as a construction boss, slipping it silently into his own pocket.

With the loot secured, he turned to leave.

Lu Cheng followed the green dot, keeping a safe distance.

Lin Wenbin sensed something and whispered, “Target?”

Lu Cheng nodded. “About two hundred meters ahead. Striped polo, frog sunglasses, middle-aged.”

Lin Wenbin craned his neck, seeing only a sea of heads—impossible to pick him out visually.

“Too far! If we chase, we might lose him!”

He quickened his pace.

Lu Cheng strolled leisurely. No rush—as long as the target was within detection range, escape was impossible.

The thief continued snatching wallets and gold bracelets along the way.

This guy was a pro.

The pursuit led them into a narrow alley. The thief began emptying cash from the wallet, tossing the rest into a trash bin.

Lu Cheng and Lin Wenbin positioned themselves—blocking both the front and back of the alley.