Wang Zhenkang turned to Xiong He.
“Old Xiong, go tell every officer at the station to be in the meeting room in five minutes. Make sure you get everyone, including the new guy!”
“Everyone?”
Xiong He blinked in surprise.
“Got it.”
Though puzzled, Xiong He nodded and left the office.
Wang Zhenkang watched him go, then turned to Chu Jiang, who was resting in a chair. His gaze was inscrutable.
Five minutes later, in the meeting room at Zhangshantou Police Station, officers began filing in. They gathered in twos and threes, murmuring among themselves.
“Hey, do you know why the chief suddenly called a meeting?”
“No idea. He’s being so secretive—and he said everyone had to come, even the new guy.”
“Could it be some big operation?”
“Maybe. The station’s been working on that… crackdown on organized crime lately, hasn’t it? Maybe we’re making arrests tonight!”
“Seriously? That’ll be exciting!”
“Shh, keep it down. The chief’s here!”
Wang Zhenkang and Xiong He entered the meeting room one after the other. The room, which had been buzzing with conversation, fell silent at once.
Everyone turned their attention to Wang Zhenkang.
He walked to the front of the room and surveyed the officers before speaking in a low, serious voice.
“I’ve called you all here today to announce an important assignment.”
“I’m sure you all know that public order in the Zhangshantou area has been cause for concern lately, with various kinds of illegal and criminal activity on the rise.”
“To maintain social stability in our jurisdiction and protect the lives and property of the public, the station has decided to launch a coordinated crackdown tonight!”
His words were met with a low murmur around the room.
“I knew it. There had to be a big operation!”
“Wonder how many people we’ll arrest this time.”
“Heh. Looks like we’ll be busy again.”
Wang Zhenkang raised a hand for quiet and continued.
“Every officer at the station is taking part in this operation, including our new colleague!”
“Instructor Xiong will explain the plan in detail shortly.”
“There’s just one thing I want to stress: this is confidential.”
“No one is to disclose any details of the operation to anyone outside the station, not even your own family.”
“If anyone leaks information, they’ll be dealt with severely once it’s confirmed. There will be no leniency!”
Everyone’s expression turned serious.
“Yes, Chief!”
The officers answered in unison.
Wang Zhenkang dismissed them and told them to make their preparations for the operation.
The officers filed out of the meeting room, leaving only Wang Zhenkang, Xiong He, and Chu Jiang.
Wang Zhenkang went over to Chu Jiang and patted him on the shoulder.
“Little Chu, stay behind.”
Chu Jiang looked up at him, puzzled.
Wang Zhenkang patted him on the shoulder again, his tone steady.
“Little Chu, why were you late today?”
He got straight to the point.
Chu Jiang paused, then realized what he meant.
“Chief, on my way to the station, I saw someone trying to jump off a building…”
“I helped the firefighters rescue her, so I was delayed.”
Wang Zhenkang was stunned.
“What? Someone was trying to jump? And you went to help?”
“Yes. A woman was about to jump. The situation was really urgent…”
Chu Jiang briefly described what had happened.
Wang Zhenkang stared at him, dumbfounded.
He hadn’t imagined for a moment that this was why Chu Jiang had been late.
“You… You kid. Something that serious, and you didn’t tell me sooner?”
Chu Jiang was just about to explain when Xiong He, who had been silent until then, spoke up.
“Come on, Old Wang. Did you give him a chance to say anything?”
Xiong He looked at Wang Zhenkang, exasperated.
“You started right in with a scolding. How was he supposed to explain?”
Wang Zhenkang shot Xiong He an irritated look.
“You always have something to say!”
He turned back to Chu Jiang, his tone softening.
“Fine. Let’s put it behind us. Just be more careful next time.”
“Old Xiong, take him to get his hiring paperwork done.”
“Yes, Chief.”
Xiong He led Chu Jiang out of the meeting room and headed toward the service hall.
Sunlight streamed through the corridor windows, scattering bright patches across the floor.
“Little Chu, Old Wang’s just got a lousy temper. Don’t take it to heart.”
Xiong He broke the silence, speaking gently.
“Don’t worry, Instructor Xiong. I didn’t take it personally at all.”
Chu Jiang waved it off, looking relaxed.
Xiong He smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
“You’ve got a good attitude, kid.”
“That’s how young people should be—open-minded.”
“By the way, you said you rescued a girl who was trying to jump. What happened?”
Xiong He suddenly remembered what Chu Jiang had mentioned in the meeting room.
“Oh, well…”
As they walked, Chu Jiang told Xiong He what had happened.
“I was on my way to the station when I saw a crowd gathered up ahead, so I went over to take a look.”
“Then I saw a girl standing on the roof. It looked like she was about to jump.”
“When I saw that, I couldn’t just stand by. I rushed over to help.”
“What happened next?”
Xiong He was so engrossed that he couldn’t help asking.
“Then the firefighters and I finally managed to talk her down.”
“Honestly, these young girls nowadays are so quick to think about ending it all. It’s enough to worry anyone.”
Chu Jiang shook his head and sighed.
“Yeah. Young people these days are under so much pressure.”
Xiong He sighed along with him.
“But you really are something, kid. You actually dared to go save her. You’ve got guts.”
Chu Jiang grinned, showing a row of white teeth.
“Helping someone in danger is part of a police officer’s duty.”
“Good lad. You’ve got the right spirit!”
Xiong He gave him a thumbs-up.
“Come on, let’s get your hiring paperwork done!”
They chatted as they walked, and soon arrived at the service hall.
The hall was a hubbub of voices, like a pot boiling over.
The air was thick with all kinds of smells: sweat, perfume, and some complicated odor that was hard to put a name to.
Xiong He led Chu Jiang straight to Window 5.
“Xiao Zhang, busy?”
He rested a hand on the counter and called into the window.
A young officer inside was bent over, sorting through paperwork.
Hearing Xiong He, he looked up. As soon as he saw who it was, a smile spread across his face.
“Instructor Xiong, what brings you here?”
Xiao Zhang quickly stood and greeted him warmly.
“I’ve brought the new guy in to get his hiring paperwork done. Take care of it for him.”
Xiong He pointed to Chu Jiang beside him.
“This is Chu Jiang. He’s our new colleague from now on.”