Accidental Hero: The Rookie Who Outshines the Force - Chapter 85

Lu Cheng could no longer keep up the act; a laugh caught in his throat.

He shut his mouth and watched He Xueting and He Cong start broadcasting their son’s—or rather, their nephew’s—glorious achievement of receiving an individual Third-Class Merit Award.

This was a moment to shine! One person earns merit, and the whole family basks in glory.

The family chat group erupted.

Third Aunt: Auntie, is this for real? Xiao Cheng got a Third-Class Merit Award?

Third Aunt’s Husband: Don’t exaggerate! That’s a Third-Class Merit Award! Xiao Cheng just joined the force a few days ago!

Uncle (first aunt’s husband): Incredible! I’ve only ever seen these on TV, never in real life! And it’s our own family!

Cousin Qingqing: @Lu Cheng, bro! I got 92 on my last essay! First in the class! You really got a Third-Class Merit? Next week’s essay? I’m writing about you! I must write about you!

Grandma: Xueting, show us Xiao Cheng’s medal! I’ve lived my whole life and never seen one!

First Aunt: Post a picture already!

He Xueting hurriedly grabbed her phone and told He Cong to open Lu Cheng’s certificate and medal.

“Ah, place the medal to the right of the certificate. Align it properly!”

“Like this?”

“Let me take a photo first to see how it looks.”

Click! Click! Click!

After three arrangements, He Xueting chose the best from over a dozen photos.

He Cong immediately said, “Sis, send it to me first! The original photo, I’m going to show off!”

He Xueting sent it to him first, then posted it in the family chat.

On the crisp, white certificate, it read: [Name] Lu Cheng, [Gender] Male, [Position] Trainee Police Officer, [Award Level] Individual Third-Class Merit, [Unit] Sanliqiao Police Station, Jianghai Public Security Bureau.

Beside it was a dazzling gold medal.

The chat exploded.

Third Aunt’s Husband: Whoa!

Third Aunt: Whoa! Whoa!

Cousin Qingqing: Whoa!

Grandma: @Qingqing, no swearing, child! Wow! A real Third-Class Merit! I’m going to brag to the neighbors!

Uncle (first aunt’s husband): How did Xiao Cheng get so accomplished!

Meanwhile, Second Uncle didn’t post anything in the chat. He just glanced at his son sprawled on the sofa, playing mobile games, then drew the brand-new Seven Wolves belt from his waist.

He Xueting’s son, only 22, had earned an individual Third-Class Merit, while his own 26-year-old useless son had failed three interviews and had the nerve to play games?!

“Hmm? Dad, that belt’s pretty cool, new?”

Bam! Bam! Bam!

“Ah! Dad! Stop hitting me!”

For a full ten minutes, his son cowered by the TV cabinet, trembling, tears streaming down.

Second Uncle sat back down, glanced at the cigarette pack on the coffee table, and muttered, “Hmm, this Seven Wolves is nice. Finally found one better than Billy Qun’s.”

His son: “Waaahhh…”

In the chat:

First Aunt: Xueting, this is a joyous occasion! Don’t we need a celebration feast?

He Xueting: Ah, it’s just a Third-Class Merit Award. We’ll have a proper celebration when Xiao Cheng gets a First-Class.

Silence. Everyone was speechless, feeling deflated.

In high spirits, He Xueting carefully stored the certificate and medal in the valuables drawer of her room.

“Mom, this is my Third-Class Merit!”

“Mom will keep it safe for you.”

“Don’t lose it, okay?”

“Relax, even if you misplace it, these won’t get lost.”

“….”

He Xueting went to the kitchen to cook, adding two hearty dishes Lu Cheng liked.

Lu Zhiguo, seeing the chat messages, left work early to celebrate his son’s Third-Class Merit.

He Xueting hadn’t even had the chance to inform her husband! Truly something!

A trainee police officer earning a Third-Class Merit—brimming with prestige!

As for the 20,000-yuan bonus Lu Cheng received, while substantial—equivalent to several months’ salary—it was trivial compared to the family’s supermarket business income.

He Xueting and Lu Zhiguo never expected Lu Cheng to make big money; as long as he could support himself, it was enough. The family had no shortage of funds.

After dinner, Lu Cheng returned to his room. Just as he sat down, his phone rang.

It was Su Qingwu.

“Hello?”

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing much, just finished dinner. You eaten?”

“Yeah. If you’re free, come out for some shooting practice.”

“Sure!”

Lu Cheng had been bored, with no work tomorrow. Shooting practice was perfect to test his [Precision Shooting].

He grabbed He Xueting’s Mercedes keys and drove to the shooting club they had visited before.

Seeing Su Qingwu’s Q3, he parked beside it.

Inside, Su Qingwu sat on the lobby sofa, drinking water while scrolling her phone—currently reading an Angela guide for a mobile game.

Spotting Lu Cheng, she put her phone away and stood.

“Let’s go.”

Su Qingwu’s long legs led Lu Cheng into the shooting range.

Helping Lu Cheng improve his shooting was an additional task assigned by Captain Qin.

Su Qingwu recalled playing duo matches with Lu Cheng earlier; even without words, she could read his expression: “I’m terrible, but you’re not saying it.”

Now, at the range, she intended to return that look.

She loaded a magazine, put on her ear protection, and fired a few shots at a target.

A naturally gifted shooter, even Captain Qin admitted Su Qingwu outperformed him at her age.

Looking at the target—almost all ten rings, occasionally nine—impressive.

Lu Cheng gave her a thumbs-up.

“You shoot. Let’s see if you’ve regressed.”

She stood behind him, teacher guiding student.

“Okay.”

With [Precision Shooting], Lu Cheng just had to touch the gun—it was instinctive, like a martial artist handling their signature weapon.

His aura shifted instantly.

He raised his hand, aimed, and fired.

One smooth sequence.

After emptying a magazine, the target was brought forward.

The bullet holes shocked Su Qingwu.

No way—this level of precision wasn’t possible at his skill level.

Dense, all within the center circle!

She had seen his limp-leg shooting last week with her own eyes.

Could he have been faking?

This guy… was a sharpshooter?

Lu Cheng removed the magazine, smiling at her slightly parted lips.

“Don’t fall for me—I’m just a legend.”

With a brilliant smile, he thought of the bullets saved for Captain Qin—full marks, no need to practice further.

Su Qingwu inspected the target, still doubtful.

Lu Cheng used a Glock G17, with significant recoil, firing continuous shots without pause.

Under these conditions, such results were extraordinary.

Seventeen bullets, sixteen distinct holes.

“One miss?”

The bald instructor came over, examining the central holes: “Not a miss—two bullets hit the same hole.”

Looking at Lu Cheng, he noted the probability was low, proving the boy’s precision, reaching the level of pure feel.

Like in the classic fable of the oil seller, mastery through practice—if your feel is good, a whole magazine can hit perfect tens.

It seemed this handsome young man had achieved that level.

Even with one hole taking two bullets—simply impressive plus.