When their colleagues drove Bruce and Katherine back to the 21st Precinct, many officers had already received the news and were waiting in the reception hall to see the super tough guy who had fired his gun on his very first day on the streets.
So when Bruce and Katherine entered the reception hall, they were completely speechless at the sight before them.
The reception hall was packed with police officers, all of whom began to applaud as the two walked in; even quite a few members of the public, unaware of the situation, joined in the applause.
A tall, sturdy Black officer warmly reached out a hand in greeting.
“Hi, bro, I’m Kevin.
You’re famous—the 21st Precinct’s super tough guy!”
A blonde, blue-eyed white female officer nearby also greeted him warmly, “I’m Kim.
Congratulations, getting everyone’s recognition on your first day of work!”
“Thanks, thank you…” This spectacle was making Bruce, an extrovert, feel like he was turning into an introvert.
Just then, the door to the Commander’s office swung open, and a stout Black man poked his head out; the room fell silent instantly.
Ron Perry, Commander of the 21st Precinct and the direct superior of everyone present, said, “Officer Stacey, come in here for a moment.”
Hearing this, Bruce gave Katherine a nod and walked toward the Commander’s office.
“Reporting, Commander!
Officer Bruce Stacy reporting for duty!”
“Come in and close the door.” Commander Perry was signing documents with his head down, not even looking up.
When Bruce entered the office, he realized Morgan was also there.
He shot a questioning look, but Morgan gestured with his hands, indicating they should talk outside later.
“Commander, you wanted to see me?” Bruce asked as he approached Perry’s desk.
At that moment, Commander Perry finished signing the documents, put away his pen, and looked up.
“Officer Stacey, given your performance today, I personally admire you.
However, officially, I must place you on leave for a few days to undergo an Internal Affairs investigation.
I hope you understand.”
As he spoke, he handed over the documents he had just signed.
“These are the papers for your early permanent appointment.
I’ve just signed them.
Once the Internal Affairs investigation is over, you’ll be a full-fledged officer of our 21st Precinct.”
“Yes, Commander, I understand.”
“Alright, you can go now.”
Bruce turned to leave, raising an eyebrow at Morgan, who shrugged helplessly.
Stepping out of the office, Bruce was surprised to see Sergeant Platt waving him over.
Feeling puzzled, Bruce walked over to the front desk.
“Sergeant Platt, is something the matter?”
“These are the business cards for the department’s psychologist and the police union’s lawyer.
You can reach out to them if needed.” After saying this, Platt waved her hand as if shooing a fly, telling Bruce to hurry along and get out of the way.
Bruce took the cards, thinking to himself that Sergeant Platt was someone who acted cold but had a warm heart.
…
Entering the locker room, he found Katherine still waiting, though she had already changed into civilian clothes.
Her lithe yet full figure was perfectly outlined by her black casual wear.
*She definitely doesn’t weigh 120 pounds,* Bruce added internally.
“The Commander put you on leave, right?” Katherine asked, naturally unaware of Bruce’s inner thoughts.
“Yes, the Commander told me to take a few days off and said Internal Affairs would be coming to investigate,” Bruce replied while changing.
The moment he unbuttoned his shirt, the revealed muscles made Katherine’s eyes light up.
*As expected, he’s in great shape.*
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Katherine said, “That’s just a routine investigation.
It’s fine.
Just describe the situation at the scene as it happened.
I’ll testify for you too.”
“I’m not nervous.
I just find it hilarious that I bagged administrative leave on my very first day,” Bruce said with a wry smile as he finished dressing.
“But the Commander said I’ll be made permanent as soon as I get back!”
Hearing this, Katherine punched Bruce’s shoulder.
“Then congratulations, you lucky kid.
Come on, I’ll drive you home first.”
Seeing Bruce’s bewildered expression, Katherine burst out laughing.
“I live right downstairs from you!
You’re not very observant, are you?
I know you and that Black kid live in the Jack Apartments.
Don’t you usually ride in his car?”
Bruce scratched the back of his head.
Chicago was way too small.
…
Back at the Jack Apartments, Katherine really did live on the second floor.
The two talked for a long time on the way.
Barring any accidents, they would be partners for the next few years, so they were both working on getting to know each other better.
Bruce learned that Katherine had served in the Marine Corps before becoming a police officer.
Good grief, Bruce’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
A combination of a beauty, a special forces veteran, and now a cop—that was truly rare.
“Hey, Katherine, come over for dinner tonight.
My Chinese cooking is pretty good,” Bruce invited as they parted ways in the stairwell.
“Sure, see you tonight then.” Katherine agreed without hesitation.
There was no harm in meeting a future partner socially.
“Great, see you tonight.”
…
Returning to his room, Bruce looked around at the furnishings.
He had been dragged out by Morgan in a daze that morning and hadn’t even known what his own home looked like.
To the left of the entrance was a semi-open kitchen, followed by a large living room that extended out to a balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows.
To the right were Bruce and Morgan’s bedrooms, one for each.
Bruce’s was the one by the balcony.
Inside the bedroom were a large bed, a full-length mirror, a simple wardrobe, and a desk covered in legal and police-related books and materials.
He hadn’t had time to tidy up before leaving that morning, so everything was a mess.
Sitting on the bed and looking at the unfamiliar face in the mirror, that sense of disconnect resurfaced.
Recalling his past and present lives, Bruce unconsciously drifted into a deep sleep.
In his dreams, he flew rapidly through the memories of two different lives, scene after scene, illusory yet realistic images flashing by.
In his past life, Li Yunmo was an orphan who worked hard to get into the police academy.
He worked on the front lines for nearly five years before finally being assigned to a remote local police station because he didn’t fit in.
In this life, Bruce Stacy was also an orphan, but he had been adopted by a kind-hearted couple.
His adoptive father was a New York police officer, and his adoptive mother was a nurse at a large hospital.
Under his adoptive parents’ elite education, Bruce had gotten into the University of Chicago.
However, he was dissatisfied with his father’s plans for his future career.
To prove himself, Bruce chose to stay in Chicago and become a cop.
*What a lucky brat,* Bruce thought, evaluating the Bruce of the past.
…
*Ring, ring…* A sudden phone ring woke the sleeping Bruce.
Seeing “Mother” on the caller ID, Bruce cautiously answered the phone.
“Hello, Bruce?” It was the voice of a middle-aged woman.
“…”
“Bruce, stop being angry with your father.
We got a call from the Chicago Internal Affairs today, and it scared us to death.
Are you alright?” An urgent voice came from the other end, tinged with exhaustion and concern.
“Mom…
I’m fine.
Sorry for making you worry.” For some reason, Bruce’s voice was a bit choked up.
“Your father and I were both very worried about you, Bruce.”
“Mom, is Dad there?” Bruce asked cautiously.
In his memories, his father was very strict.
“Your father isn’t home from work yet.
He was afraid you wouldn’t pick up if he called, so he specifically asked me to check on you,” the middle-aged woman said carefully.
It seemed the father and son had had a major falling out over work.
*Whew~* “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” Taking a deep breath, Bruce still felt a bit of fear toward his adoptive father in his heart.
“I heard you…
fired your gun today…” The woman’s voice betrayed her worry.
“Mom, I saved a pregnant woman, so I’m fine.
I’m not feeling any pressure…” Bruce slowly comforted her.
“That’s good.
If you want to come home, just come back.
Everyone would welcome you, including your father…”
“Yeah, I know, Mom,” Bruce hesitated before continuing, “Tell Dad for me that I’ll come back to New York for Christmas this year.
Tell him to stay safe.”
Hearing her adoptive son’s words, the woman’s mood finally relaxed a bit.
“Tell him yourself.
But of course, I’ll pass the message along for you too.”
“Yeah, alright then.
Love you, Mom,” Bruce said sheepishly.
“I love you too, Bruce.
You must stay safe.”
After hanging up, Bruce found the contact labeled “George Stacy” in his phone.
That was his adoptive father’s name.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.
I’ll be home for Christmas.
I’m sorry.” He drafted the message and hit send.
A moment later, his phone vibrated.
He opened it to see: “Understood.
Waiting for you to come home.”
Looking at the text, Bruce smiled.
He tucked his phone into his pocket and got up to prepare dinner.
He had invited Katherine over tonight.
…
For dinner, he made three dishes: tomato beef soup, cola chicken wings, and braised pork ribs.
He made slight adjustments to suit American tastes, making them all a bit on the sweeter side.
For the main course, he cooked a large pot of rice, plus a big bowl of fruit and vegetable salad.
Just as he finished, he checked the time—it was 6:20 PM.
Morgan should be back soon.
*And what was up with him today, reporting directly to the Commander?
He couldn’t be the Commander’s son, could he?* Bruce grumbled to himself.
Just then, the door opened, and Morgan walked in, dragging his exhausted body.
He sniffed the air.
“Motherfucker, that smells amazing.
Bruce, your cooking has improved!”
“Hurry up and get ready.
I invited Officer Katherine over for dinner—my training officer.” Seeing Morgan’s confused “motherfucker” expression, Bruce explained, “She lives right downstairs.”
“OMG!” Morgan’s mouth was already large, but now it hung open so wide it looked like it might split.
“She’s right behind you!” Bruce pointed behind him.
Hearing that, Morgan spun around quickly to see Katherine in casual clothes, holding a bottle of red wine and standing right there.
“Hi~”
The two went to the dining area, Morgan still in a daze.
Katherine handed the wine to Bruce, then walked straight to the table and took a sniff.
“It smells delicious.
Bruce, your cooking really is great.”
“Everyone, sit down before it gets cold.” Bruce directed them to their seats while he opened the wine and poured a bit for each of them.
At the dinner table, Bruce asked Morgan curiously, “So, what’s the deal with you?”
Hearing this, Morgan put down the chicken wing in his hand and sighed.
“Bruce, I’m leaving you!”
“What the hell?
Speak properly.” Bruce flipped him off.
Katherine also looked at the rookie curiously—leaving right after reporting for duty?
“My dad used his connections to transfer me to the 1st Precinct in the Central District.
The Commander already signed off on it.
I report there tomorrow…” Morgan blurted it all out as if resigned to his fate.
“Motherfucker, you mean your high-ranking dad?” Now it was Bruce’s turn to be shocked.
“Yeah, he’s the head of the Internal Affairs Division—the two-star kind.” Morgan looked miserable.
“fuck!!!” This time, even Katherine lost her cool.