Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Community Police Officer's First Patrol

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“The precinct has been very supportive of our station. This year, they specially assigned two outstanding graduates from the police academy to join us—one is Lin Xianfeng, and the other is Ye Lin. Let’s give them a warm welcome!”

A burst of orderly applause filled the room.

A surge of pride instantly welled up inside Ye Lin; the applause must be cheering for his comrade’s earlier remarks.

“The instructor is too kind, it’s all part of what we should do, hahaha,” Ye Lin said loudly.

Everyone was taken aback. Big brother, what did the instructor just say? What was he complimenting?

Huang Xuliang was momentarily stunned. What did I just say? Did I misread the script?

“Ahem!” Seeing the instructor like this, Xie Changkun realized Ye Lin was about to steer things off track again and quickly interrupted with a cough to remind him.

“Hey, that Ye Lin is quite humorous. Well then, let’s all introduce ourselves,” Huang Xuliang shifted the topic.

“He Xinmin, I’ve been with the Baiyun Station for 20 years, mainly responsible for liaising with community residents.”

“Zhang Degen, I’m in charge of the criminal investigation team. It’s quite exciting work, kid.”

“He Wenyan, I handle household registration.”

“You two listen up! Sister He here is our station’s top matchmaker. She has a whole bunch of girls ready for you. Your happiness in the years ahead depends on her,” Huang Xuliang interjected.

There was no helping it. Although the police profession offers stable pay, people themselves are unpredictable—especially when things get busy, sometimes you don’t even know where you are.

Therefore, finding a partner is one of the perennial challenges within the force.

When Huang Xuliang said He Wenyan was a top matchmaker, he wasn’t exaggerating. Among the station’s staff, about half were introduced by her.

One reason was that she managed household registrations and was familiar with all the communities. The other was that she knew exactly which girls were willing to date policemen—she could tell at a glance.

Hearing the instructor’s praise, He Wenyan, who hadn’t planned to speak, had no choice but to put on a forced smile and say, “You two young men can count on me.”

Inwardly, she cursed silently. Damn it, Huang Xuliang, you old fox. Lin Xianfeng is one thing, but as for Ye Lin, my dear mother wouldn’t be able to find a suitable girl for him.

Lin Xianfeng smiled shyly.

Ye Lin grinned broadly and shamelessly said, “Sister, I like pretty ones, with figure.”

He Wenyan’s face darkened. She gave a perfunctory reply, “No problem, leave it to me.”

Damn, I don’t care what you like.

If you want me to introduce you to someone, no way.

With that little rogue’s look, he’s nothing but trouble for the girls.

Next came Xiao Xu, Shi Tou, and several younger police officers, as well as a few auxiliary officers.

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Seeing that everyone had more or less introduced themselves, Huang Xuliang was very satisfied; the atmosphere was lively.

“Xiao Lin, Xiao Ye, once you join us here, you’re family. There are single dormitories; if you have nowhere to stay, you can live there.”

“As for work assignments, we’ll follow the station chief’s arrangements.”

Xie Changkun cleared his throat and stood up. “Well, our station has many veteran officers, plus the geographical location means we handle a lot of matters, so we’ve always been short-staffed.”

“This time, the precinct leaders have fully considered our difficulties and sent us two elite soldiers.”

“We always have a system where the experienced guide the newcomers. Xiao Lin, Zhang Degen will take care of you; Xiao Ye, Old He will look after you.”

Zhang Degen flashed a victory sign and gave Old He a teasing smile.

“Wait, Chief, our community urgently needs a...”

Old He suddenly hesitated, unsure how to finish the sentence. Was he about to say Ye Lin looked too much like a rogue?

Looking at the hopeful little eyes Young Ye was giving him, Old He suddenly couldn’t say it. Sigh, the kid looks like this and is quite pitiful.

If he were to reject him now, wouldn’t that be too cruel?

“What’s the matter, Old He? Do you have any objections?” Xie Changkun blinked hard.

“Ah, we…”

“Our community needs young blood like Xiao Ye.”

“Welcome, Xiao Ye.”

Old He forced the words out against his conscience, then bowed his head and shed bitter tears.

Chief Xie smiled in satisfaction, finally having handled that tricky matter.

“This time, we must commend Comrade Ye Lin for his wit and bravery. The station will submit commendation materials to the precinct.”

“Work hard; you’re a talent.”

“Old He, take good care of him.”

Old He replied perfunctorily, “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.” Of course I’ll take care of him.

After the meeting, Lin Xianfeng was taken under Zhang Degen’s wing like a precious treasure and went off for training.

Old He looked at Ye Lin and pointed to a seat. “You can look over the materials for now. I’ll take you out to the street later.”

Ye Lin opened the computer. The fan whirred loudly, as if about to smoke.

After five minutes, the screen still hadn’t come on. Old He stepped out first.

“Xiao Ye, let’s go. I’ll take you to our lower community to get a feel for the public sentiment.”

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“Got it.” Ye Lin happily put on his police uniform.

Suddenly, the station lobby fell silent.

How should I put it? It’s like wearing a dragon robe but not looking like a prince—that’s exactly you.

Although Ye Lin was dressed neatly, his flowing middle-parted hair and rogue-like face always made him seem out of place.

But Ye Lin was carefree. Damn it, what’s there to fear? This is just my style.

He followed Old He out in a carefree manner and didn’t forget to flash a backward glance to everyone as he left.

His hair was just so effortlessly flowing.

“Xiao Ye, our Baiyun Station is located at the urban-rural fringe, with a complex mix of people, all sorts.”

“Usually, we mainly walk through the communities, helping residents solve various problems.”

Old He began to open up.

No matter who was nearby, at least someone was chatting now, which was better than the previous lonely strolls.

“He, Old He, you’re here again?”

“Old He, bring back some bones; today the bones are just right.”

On the way, they met familiar faces, and Old He stopped to chat with them.

However, each time these acquaintances looked at Ye Lin with suspicious eyes, “Old He, is this a policeman?”

Old He’s face darkened. “Get lost. This is our new comrade, Officer Ye.”

“Hello, Officer Ye.”

Ye Lin took no offense; he was used to it. “Hello, comrades.”

“This young comrade is quite interesting.”

After a few sentences, everyone got used to his looks. After all, the uniform was no fake.

“Up ahead is Hengxi Village, the largest urban village around here, not yet demolished, with many small workshops and factories.”

“Over there is the resettlement housing complex, Baiyun Homeland District. Besides locals, many outsiders rent there, so neighborhood disputes are frequent.”

“This side is reserved land, undeveloped yet. People always farm here; no matter how often you drive them away, they keep coming back.”