Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 75

The officers from the Economic Crime Division all had their eyes on Lu Cheng. This “Super Catcher” was participating in the operation, and everyone was curious—some even excited.

His reputation in Yuhua District’s police circles was growing. They all wanted to see if this trainee really lived up to the hype.

After all, someone so young showing extraordinary abilities was rare.

Some wondered if Team Leader Fan had been too hasty inviting Lu Cheng, who had little experience and was still fresh out of the police academy. Wasn’t it risky to include him in such a high-stakes operation?

This mission involved a clever counterfeit gang, a case dragged on for over six months. Now that they finally had a lead, they couldn’t afford mistakes.

Everyone had heard of the nickname “Super Catcher,” but few had witnessed his true skills. And Economic Crime cases were no ordinary assignments—they required precision and subtlety.

“Team Leader Fan, can that kid pose as Zhu Yaojie’s cousin? What if Wang Xiaolong is a seasoned streetwise guy and notices something off?”

“Sure, why not? I trust him.”

Lu Cheng had been borrowed from Shuangqiao Station by Fan Wanqing, who had done her homework thoroughly.

He was brave, sharp, and skilled—the perfect choice. Compared to some of her young officers, he simply stood out.

“Team Leader Fan, I think Xiao Wu can also work. In terms of appearance, he could pass as Zhu Yaojie’s cousin. That Lu Cheng… he’s a bit too handsome, might be a problem.”

Fan Wanqing tapped her fingers on the desk. The suggestion had some merit.

“All right, let Xiao Wu prepare too. Let’s try both and see who fits best.”

“Got it.”

The photo of Zhu Yaojie’s cousin was printed out—a slightly dark-skinned, street-smart-looking youth.

According to Zhu Yaojie, he had taken his cousin to a nightclub and encountered Wang Xiaolong. The cousin had gotten drunk and spent the entire night in the bathroom, barely leaving.

Wang Xiaolong had only seen the cousin briefly in dim lighting and while drunk, so his impression was vague.

The division’s best makeup officers worked on Lu Cheng and Xiao Wu, transforming their appearances to resemble a rough street youth, matching the cousin’s vibe.

While being made up, both memorized the cousin’s background, so that if Wang Xiaolong asked questions during the deal, they wouldn’t slip up.

“Memorize these two pages thoroughly—know it backward and forward. You need to answer immediately when asked, so no cracks appear,” Fan Wanqing instructed. “You have one hour.”

Xiao Wu glanced at the team leader and thought: This is basically undercover work. Two pages, over three thousand words—this is tough. He hadn’t memorized text like this since school.

He looked at the Shuangqiao trainee sitting beside him, already studying intently, and dared not waste time.

Half an hour later, the makeup was complete.

The female officer shook her head at Lu Cheng. “You’re too handsome. No matter what we do, you’re still handsome. I give up.”

Xiao Wu’s base features weren’t as strong. A bit of makeup, darken his skin, throw on a floral shirt, and he looked like a small-time thug.

Fan Wanqing walked over. “How’s it going?”

She glanced at Xiao Wu—so-so. Then at Lu Cheng, frowning slightly.

“No good. Too handsome. Doesn’t look right.”

The female officer was at a loss. “Team Leader, I’m not a professional makeup artist. I made him darker, and he’s still handsome… impossible!”

Fan Wanqing slapped her forehead. “Lu Cheng, why were you born so handsome anyway?”

Lu Cheng: “……”

The other officers couldn’t help making strange faces.

Being a cop these days wasn’t easy—you couldn’t even be handsome.

At least it balanced things a bit—they saw firsthand that being handsome alone didn’t earn you anything.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, was displeased. Why did darkening his skin make him look like a thug, while this guy could be darker and still handsome? Life wasn’t fair.

Lu Cheng eyed the makeup kit and thought of his newly acquired system skill—[Disguise & Camouflage Lv.1].

“Mind if I try it myself?” he asked.

Fan Wanqing raised an eyebrow. “You can do makeup?”

“Yes.”

He picked up the foundation, eyebrow pencils, and other tools, studying the printed photo as he worked on his face.

Ten minutes later, a streetwise “little punk” look emerged.

He stood, grabbed a cigarette from a middle-aged officer, and placed it between his lips. The instant he did, his aura shifted.

Everyone in the office froze.

“No way… you really can do makeup?! You don’t even look the same!”

Fan Wanqing compared him to the photo—Lu Cheng now bore an eighty percent resemblance to Zhu Yaojie’s cousin.

She immediately called Zhu Yaojie to confirm.

Lu Cheng spoke in the cousin’s hometown dialect: “Cousin, you eaten yet?”

Zhu Yaojie’s jaw dropped. “You… here?!”

Fan Wanqing’s eyes widened. The other officers were dumbstruck.

Holy…

Was Zhu Yaojie’s cousin possessed?!

The expression on Zhu Yaojie’s face was exactly as if he were seeing his real cousin.

Lu Cheng nodded, thoroughly satisfied with [Disguise & Camouflage]. The system didn’t just alter appearances—it captured the essence of the persona flawlessly.

After a few seconds, Zhu Yaojie realized the voice didn’t match, but the illusion was already perfect.

“Does it look right?” Lu Cheng asked.

Zhu Yaojie exclaimed, “Holy crap! So fake! I actually thought you were my cousin!”

Fan Wanqing was stunned. Not only could he disguise himself, but he could also speak the hometown dialect?

“You’re also from Dianhu Town? How do you know Zhu Yaojie’s dialect?”

“Looked it up online. Learned just a few phrases,” Lu Cheng replied with a smile.

Fan Wanqing decided Xiao Wu wasn’t needed. Lu Cheng was perfect for the role.

She quizzed him on some additional details, and Lu Cheng, using [Memory Enhancement Lv.2], memorized them in half an hour and recited everything flawlessly.

Fan Wanqing was delighted.

Looks like lending the jeep for Lu Cheng was more than worth it.

At last, the Economic Crime officers saw it with their own eyes—they were genuinely impressed with the trainee.

By 10 PM, three private vehicles drove along a country road north of Xinguang Village, Fuan District.

They stopped at a closed restaurant: a Dodge Ram 350 van and two small cars.

The van’s rear seats had been removed and converted into a temporary command center.

Xiao Wu fitted a tiny flesh-colored earpiece into Lu Cheng’s ear. Completely invisible from the outside.

Lu Cheng thought: Only Economic Crime could afford this. The latest model, noise-canceling, EM-interference resistant—used internationally for security operations.

The receiver was disguised as a gold chain around his neck.

A quick test confirmed perfect audio quality. Zhu Yaojie got the same earpiece.

To ensure the mission went smoothly, Fan Wanqing commanded from the van, giving real-time guidance to Lu Cheng and Zhu Yaojie.

Lu Cheng’s role: protect Zhu Yaojie and prevent him from acting impulsively.

Time was nearly up. Fan Wanqing handed Lu Cheng a handgun.