Volume One, Chapter 10: Is This Street Performance at the Overpass? This Commendation Feels Entirely Forced

“Look, that young cop knocked him out with a flying kick—truly impressive.”

“Impressive indeed. Old He wouldn’t stand a chance, not like this. Honestly, Old He’s not even as good as me.”

Hearing the crowd’s praise, Ye Lin felt a surge of joy bloom in his heart.

With a swift motion, he sprang to his feet and bowed repeatedly to the gathered residents.

“Thank you all for your appreciation. Rest assured, with me around, no criminal can escape. Ha ha ha!”

Old He lowered his head silently, thinking to himself, This kid is starting to get carried away again. Too much showing off.

But the villagers, ever eager for excitement, cheered even louder at Ye Lin’s display.

“Hero!”

“Young hero indeed!”

“Well said! A policeman should be this formidable!”

Xie Changkun led his team rushing into Hengxi Village. As soon as he entered, he heard bursts of applause and cheers from within.

What was this about? It sounded like street performers under a bridge.

Xie Changkun wondered quietly, When did a troupe come to this village? It wasn’t even a festival, yet the atmosphere was so lively.

The shouts and cheers rose and fell in waves, tempting Xie Changkun’s curiosity to see for himself.

But he remembered his duty, suppressing his nosy instincts, and took out his walkie-talkie.

“Old He, where are you all?”

“Chief, you’re here? We’re right here, a whole bunch of us.”

The walkie-talkie crackled with cheers.

Xie Changkun gazed at the so-called troupe in disbelief.

Damn!

He hurried over, parting the crowd to take a closer look.

Holy hell!

That bastard, I feel like killing someone right now!

In the center of the small circle, Ye Lin had taken off his uniform and was proudly demonstrating his kicking techniques.

Sometimes a high kick, sometimes a low sweep—the moves were dazzling and colorful.

“See, just now with this kick, I sent that Wang Erbao flying,” Ye Lin said as he demonstrated, like a street storyteller under a bridge.

But…

Is this still a people’s police officer?

This is a performance!

“Ye Lin!!!” Xie Changkun roared.

Ye Lin looked up excitedly. “Chief, you’re here!”

“Everyone, this is Chief Xie, the one who sent us to catch Wang Erbao.”

Ye Lin yanked Xie Changkun out of the crowd.

“Greetings, Chief!”

“A great leader!”

“A just and upright magistrate!”

The villagers surrounded them, each shouting compliments, making Xie Changkun nearly sink into the ground with embarrassment. What on earth is this?

Still, after pulling a few auxiliary officers to disperse the onlookers, Xie Changkun finally had the time to examine Wang Erbao.

Despite his wild hair and disheveled appearance, Xie Changkun recognized him immediately.

“Wang Erbao, it’s really you. Three years ago, you got away, but now, three years later, we’ve finally caught you.”

“Good, good,” Xie Changkun exclaimed joyfully. Among the three officers who let Wang Erbao escape back then was himself.

He had carried a heavy guilt ever since and longed to personally apprehend Wang Erbao. Though he knew the odds were slim, he always held on to that hope.

Unexpectedly, it was Ye Lin who actually caught him. This kid really was what Director Zheng called a “lucky fish” — a bringer of good fortune.

“Well done, Ye Lin!” Xie Changkun patted Ye Lin’s shoulder happily, all previous frustration vanishing like smoke.

Catching an A-level wanted criminal meant the precinct could earn a collective third-class merit award this year, and everyone’s bonuses were secured.

Ye Lin’s personal merits would also be recognized, possibly even a first-class award. This honor was practically handed to him on a silver platter, making Xie Changkun a bit envious.

“Send Wang Erbao back to the station.”

…

At Baiyun Police Station.

Zheng Yongnian never imagined that after escaping from Baiyun station that morning, he would have to return again that afternoon.

An A-level wanted criminal—this was serious enough for the district chief to personally involve him immediately.

Upon entering, he saw Xie Changkun beaming with pride, rushing out to clasp his hand tightly.

“Director Zheng, that little scoundrel won’t escape this time, right?”

Zheng Yongnian’s face darkened. This old fox is out for revenge for this morning.

“Don’t worry, Director Gao promised to allocate you a van. That should satisfy you now.”

“Satisfied, very satisfied, a million times satisfied! Ha ha!”

Xie Changkun’s smile stretched ear to ear.

Zheng Yongnian snorted coldly, outwardly displeased but secretly thrilled.

Baiyun station was under his jurisdiction; in a single day, they caught an arsonist and an A-level wanted criminal. His leadership performance had greatly improved.

He heard the city’s publicity department had already gotten involved in the arson case, planning an extensive campaign to highlight how a serious threat to public security was nipped in the bud. Such a report would have a tremendous impact.

In the lobby, several officers surrounded Ye Lin, eagerly asking about the details of the arrest, their faces flushed with excitement.

Only Zhang Degen looked sour, and Lin Xianfeng was visibly frustrated. They had spent the morning patrolling with no results.

That was normal—under broad daylight, crimes were less frequent.

But there was no comparison without contrast. Old He had taken a team on a patrol and brought back an A-level wanted criminal, utterly overshadowing the detective squad.

When Zheng Yongnian entered, everyone snapped to attention and the lobby instantly fell silent.

Ye Lin stood alone in the center.

Zheng Yongnian’s face bloomed with a kindly smile, like a spring breeze, as he shook Ye Lin’s hand vigorously twice.

“Little Ye, well done. I already told Chief Xie this morning, you’re a talent, a lucky fish. That old fox insisted on adding a van before agreeing to take you on—what short-sightedness!”

Xie Changkun’s expression darkened. Damn it.

Zheng Yongnian, you bastard, a district leader openly exposing my secrets—I’ll get you drunk and kill you next time.

But that was for later. For now, Xie Changkun could only smile awkwardly.

“Little Ye, the chief was joking. You’ve seen our bureau’s situation—poor equipment makes it hard to catch criminals. I just mentioned it casually as a difficulty.”

“Keep up the good work, I’m watching you!”

Ye Lin inwardly cursed. These two old foxes were trying to use each other to step on me.

Zheng Yongnian’s main purpose was to confirm Wang Erbao’s identity and see if there was any inside information.

But the preliminary interrogation had already revealed that Wang Erbao was dazed and confessed everything. He had just been away too long and wanted to see his family.

He intended to sneak back for a brief visit and leave, but unexpectedly ran into He Xinmin.

Though his disguise was nondescript, no one would normally recognize him, but since he had escaped from Baiyun station before, the officers there hated him deeply and remembered his face well. They recognized him at once.

Wang Erbao also admitted that he thought the police at Baiyun station were too weak in combat skills and believed he could escape if caught.

He never expected Ye Lin, this prodigy, to take him down so quickly.