Volume One, Chapter One: Can someone graduate from the police academy with five disciplinary actions? This is unheard of!

Blue Star, Year M204.
Yuezhou City, Daxia.

Today, Xishan District’s Baiyun Police Station Chief, Xie Changkun, arrived at work with a beaming smile, greeting everyone cheerfully. It was clear he was in an exceptionally good mood.

“What’s gotten into the chief today?” Old He whispered as he approached the household registration window, eager to gossip.

“We’ve got new recruits. The bureau assigned us two new officers this year; they’re reporting today,” said He Wenyan from the registration department. She was in her forties, had been with Baiyun Police Station for over twenty years, and was the go-to source for all insider news. Nothing that happened at the station escaped her notice.

“No wonder. The chief has been asking for reinforcements these past two years, but the bureau never gave us any. Now, all at once, they send two. Impressive! No wonder the chief’s smiling so wide, his mouth’s almost crooked,” Old He mused knowingly.

“New recruits? Old He, don’t compete with us community officers. Our criminal investigation team is desperate for manpower,” said a burly man with a thick beard in plainclothes, approaching.

“Zhang Degen, get lost. All the young ones have gone to your CID. We community officers don’t even have a single member under 35; it’s about time we got some fresh blood,” Old He replied coolly, sipping his tea with confidence. This time, he was determined to get the chief to assign a young man to their team.

“I heard one of the new guys is a top police academy graduate, the other is some kind of talent,” He Wenyan whispered.

“What do you mean by talent?” Zhang Degen asked, puzzled.

“You’re asking me? Who else? All I know is that he’s a talent. I also heard some bureau leaders will be arriving soon.”

Just then, a police car drove right in—a sleek Santana sedan, clearly a vehicle for bureau leadership, since local stations didn’t have sedans.

As the car stopped, Xie Changkun dashed out of the office and stood waiting beside it.

“Director Zheng, it’s been a while since you visited. I missed you!” Xie greeted enthusiastically.

A middle-aged policeman with a stern face stepped out, wearing the insignia of a police superintendent. Alongside him was a sturdy young man, about 180 centimeters tall, in a crisp, immaculate police uniform, looking sharp and spirited.

“Old Xie, cut the act. You think I don’t know you? Behind my back, you’re the biggest critic of the bureau. You think I’m unaware?” Zheng Yongfei said coldly, refusing to be flattered.

“Heh, that’s not true. It’s all rumors spread by other stations,” Xie replied with a forced smile.

Zheng Yongfei snorted and then said seriously, “You’ve been asking for reinforcements all these years. The bureau couldn’t help because there’s simply no one available.”

“But the bureau has been mindful of your difficulties. This time, I brought you fresh graduates straight from the police academy,” he continued.

“Come here, Lin, say hello to the station chief,” Zheng Yongfei called to the young officer.

“Reporting, Chief! Officer Lin Xianfeng,” the young man saluted crisply.

Xie Changkun looked at the sturdy young man—tall, muscular, with sharp, bright eyes—and his heart swelled with joy. “Good, he looks like a promising cop.”

Zhang Degen’s eyes gleamed as well. “Old He, this guy’s definitely made for CID. If you try to snatch him, I won’t back down!”

“What? Big muscles mean CID material? I think he’d make a fine community officer too,” Old He shot back, rolling his eyes.

But he knew well that a man like this would surely be assigned to CID. Now, the question was about the other recruit.

Xie Changkun patted Lin Xianfeng’s shoulder happily, full of praise. “I’ve reviewed your file. You’re a top student, outstanding in combat, shooting, and criminal investigation. Work hard!”

“Yes, Chief!”

“Director Zheng, who’s the other one? I haven’t seen his file yet. Why didn’t he come with you?” Xie asked, puzzled.

Normally, the bureau would send the recruit’s file ahead to the station to help arrange their placement.

At the question, Zheng Yongfei’s lips twitched, and a strange expression crossed his face. He explained, “That’s Ye Lin. He said he’d report on his own. The file should have been sent, right? Hasn’t arrived yet?”

Zheng Yongfei turned to a young officer carrying a bag. “Xiao Li, what’s going on? Has Ye Lin’s file not been delivered? We stressed the importance of sending it early. Bureau work must be meticulous—no mistakes or omissions. Understand?”

Xiao Li smiled wryly, realizing it was his turn to take the blame.

“Sorry, Chief Xie. I got busy and forgot. I’ll get it right away—it’s still in the car.”

Xiao Li swiftly climbed into the car and retrieved a dossier, handing it to Xie Changkun with a conciliatory smile.

Xie looked at the two men with a strange feeling—what kind of drama was this?

Ye Lin—judging by the name, he should be a sharp young man.

Xie casually opened the dossier and pulled out the trainee ID card.

Immediately, his brow furrowed deeply.

The photo on the card was anything but sharp. It showed a cop with a roguish look, a smile that suggested mischief. Had he not been in uniform, Xie would have thought it was a mugshot of a suspect.

Xie raised an eyebrow and gave Xiao Li a fake smile. Xiao Li returned the awkward grin in understanding. Both seasoned men silently cursed under their breath.

Still, Chief Xie held back his frustration. Poor looks aren’t the recruit’s fault, after all. One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

But when he scanned further, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

He rubbed his eyes and counted on his fingers: “One, two, three, four, five… five disciplinary actions?”

He looked up at Zheng Yongfei with suspicion and a harsh tone. “Director Zheng, is this the talent the bureau gave me? This is a freak.”

“Two years at the academy and five punishments? How did he even graduate?” Xie’s voice grew louder, drawing curious glances from everyone in the station, even those who came to handle errands.

Zheng Yongfei’s face darkened, and he reprimanded, “Xie Changkun, watch your tone! If he graduated, there must be a reason. Besides, he’s a talent recruited by the academy. Mind your words!”

Zheng Yongfei cursed inwardly; he had expected this kind of reaction.

Xie was no pushover, and the bureau had forced such a “talent” on him. How could he not blow his top?

As expected, Zheng’s reprimand had no effect.

Xie shoved the file back and glared fiercely. “I don’t care. The bureau needs to send me someone else. This talent? Keep him for yourselves. I don’t want him!”