Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 53

“Lu Cheng is on my team.”

Xiao Zheng and Xiao Hu exchanged looks, their eyes practically glowing with anticipation.

Ah, a couple working together—now that’s the dream! Not only would the work feel lighter, but if Lu Cheng got transferred to the criminal investigation team, well… being around Officer Su Qingwu could mean some sweet couple moments for the rest of them to fangirl over.

Su Qingwu remained expressionless, an untouchable, icy goddess as always.

Lu Cheng, on the other hand, was thrilled, practically grinning from ear to ear.

The various teams set out on their canvassing tasks.

Along the way, Su Qingwu spoke first.

“You really think you can find the murder weapon?”

“Not really,” Lu Cheng replied. “I’m just trying my luck. The salvage team will take forever in the water. If we can spot it along the riverbank, we save a lot of time.”

In his heart, he was thinking, Yeah, I’m confident because I’m basically overpowered.

Su Qingwu’s narrow, elegant eyes flicked to him. “Seems like luck has always been on your side.”

“Luck’s part of skill, right? Actually, it’s all because I’m strong,” Lu Cheng boasted lightly.

Su Qingwu nodded. “If you can find Wu Hao, then I’ll be impressed.”

“You’re not impressed yet?”

Lu Cheng winked. He’d already found the fingerprint on the window hook—if he found the murder weapon too, she should be bowing down at his jeans.

Su Qingwu didn’t respond, only giving him a cool, sideways glance.

Lu Cheng understood. The message was clear: “Go ahead and play your games.”

He’d also noticed something: when it was just the two of them, Su Qingwu spoke more freely. Around others, she kept her words sparse.

And her eyes… they were breathtaking. If they were hung in the night sky, they’d shine brighter than any star.

“What are you thinking?” Su Qingwu asked.

“About hanging your eyes… oh, I mean, the next location is a bathhouse. You shouldn’t go in—it might… pollute your eyes.”

Su Qingwu gave a faint nod.

Soon, they arrived at the “Public Bathhouse.” Wu Hao’s payment records showed he visited frequently.

Su Qingwu questioned the owner in the lobby while Lu Cheng went straight into the men’s bath.

Ten minutes later, Lu Cheng emerged, water droplets clinging to his hair.

Su Qingwu handed him a few tissues. He dried his hair, and they both shook their heads—Wu Hao hadn’t been there since the crime.

They moved on to the next location.

Canvassing was exhausting—time-consuming and physically demanding.

An hour passed, and finally, good news arrived: Wu Hao’s whereabouts were identified.

This time, luck was not on Lu Cheng’s side. Wang Guodong’s team had tracked Wu Hao.

Dongxing Hotel.

A small, low-key inn by the labor market, where no ID was required—just a deposit.

Wang Guodong’s team scoured the street, checking every inn and internet cafe, until they spotted Wu Hao at Dongxing.

The owner recognized him from a photo. He’d been in Room 302 all day, buying five instant noodle cups before staying inside.

The team stationed themselves at the front and back doors, waiting for backup.

Seven minutes later, Su Qingwu and Chen Weimin’s teams arrived.

“Where is he?”

“Room 402. The owner said he hasn’t left all day, eating only instant noodles.”

“Officer Chen, can you put two more people on guard? I’ll take the others upstairs.”

Su Qingwu, the deputy team leader, began giving orders immediately.

Chen Weimin nodded, touching the gun at his waist. At the precinct, only he carried a service weapon. Usually, guns and ammo were separate, rarely used.

Today was different. They were after a murderer, so the gun came out.

Each criminal investigation officer had a sidearm, and the young precinct officers were visibly envious.

Why did everyone want to join the criminal investigation team? One, you get to solve cases. Two, you get to handle guns.

Lu Cheng, however, wasn’t jealous. Even if a gun were needed, there were few real shooting opportunities. Most criminals surrendered immediately; anyone daring to resist was a fool. A gun was mainly a tool of intimidation—he could simulate it just fine.

With the keys from the owner, Su Qingwu and Lu Cheng quietly made their way upstairs.

These seedy inns were full of all sorts of people, with laborers from nearby markets as frequent guests.

On the fourth floor, a shirtless man reeking of alcohol blocked the stairwell. He spotted Su Qingwu and his eyes immediately lit up like lamps.

“Hic~! Is this a goddess?!” he slurred.

He stumbled forward, grinning. “Hey, pretty lady, how much for a quickie?”

Su Qingwu’s gaze went icy. Behind her, Xiao Zheng and Xiao Hu were ready to explode. Dare insult our Su Team Leader? You’re asking to die.

She flashed her badge. “Police! This is an investigation. Get lost!”

The drunk man laughed recklessly. “Oh? Police cosplay? I like it! Come arrest me!”

Snap!

Lu Cheng moved like lightning. He twisted the man’s jaw, instantly dislocating it.

“Ughh…”

The man’s eyes went wide in shock. Seven-tenths of his alcohol buzz vanished instantly, replaced by panic. His jaw nearly fell off.

“Go fix it yourself with a doctor. Try anything funny, and I’ll snap your arms off too,” Lu Cheng said coldly.

“Uh… I won’t…”

The drunk man bolted down the stairs.

Everyone was stunned. This guy is brutal! Professional!

Xiao Zheng and Xiao Hu exchanged impressed glances. Officer Lu’s boyfriend power is off the charts!

Su Qingwu’s expression didn’t change, though a faint flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

Suddenly, Xiao Hu froze, eyes locked ahead.

“It’s Wu Hao.”

Everyone followed his gaze. A scruffy man holding instant noodles stood dumbly at the stairwell.

Seeing everyone staring, he panicked, dropping the noodles and bolting toward another stairwell.

Su Qingwu sprinted after him.

Lu Cheng and Xiao Hu followed immediately.

Xiao Zheng grabbed his radio. Wu Hao had taken the rear stairwell.

On the third floor, Wu Hao hesitated. Realizing police were probably at the first-floor landing, he didn’t go down but dashed into a room on the third floor.

“Hey! What are you doing? Is this your room? Stop breaking in!”

Wu Hao vaulted out the window. Below was a trash bin—he landed safely.

Su Qingwu reached the first floor, found no one, and radioed, “He’s on the third floor.”

Lu Cheng and Xiao Hu skidded to a stop, then headed to the third floor.

They swept through room after room.

Suddenly, cursing came from one room. They raced over.

Peering through the window, Lu Cheng and Xiao Hu saw Wu Hao climbing out of a trash bin, running in another direction.

“Chase him downstairs!” Xiao Hu shouted, turning on his heels.

Lu Cheng didn’t hesitate. He jumped straight out the window.

Xiao Hu’s jaw dropped. “Whoa!”