Police officer Chen Shu

Chapter 138 Making a Decision
The climate and environment in the South China Sea Province are comfortable. The wind is cool and the nights are peaceful.

Chen Shu leaned against the railing of the hotel balcony, smoking his usual Liqun cigarette, pondering Li Meng's "solving cases for the sake of solving cases" and his own long-standing commitment to "solving cases for the people."

He couldn't say who was right and who was wrong.

Perhaps it's simply because of their different positions or organizations.

Police stations are more grounded in the daily work, dealing with ordinary people the most, receiving the most complaints, and facing the largest number of people directly. Therefore, compared to other public security agencies, police stations are undoubtedly the places that best understand the people's sentiments.

Police stations also have the function of handling cases, not only ordinary administrative and security cases, but also some criminal cases with direct evidence can be handled by police officers from police stations.

Chen Shu worked in this environment for seven years, spending his days either interacting with ordinary people or on the road cracking down on and dealing with illegal and criminal activities.

In his approach to handling cases, protecting the people and combating crime are equally important; they should complement each other.

As for Li Meng's criminal investigation team at the Criminal Investigation Division, their daily work involves dealing with corpses and evil people, and they routinely deal with dismemberment, serial murders, and all sorts of perverted acts.

Murder, robbery, and organized crime—these cases constitute their entire world. They have neither the time nor the energy to manage their relationships with the community.

Therefore, it would be too narrow-minded to think that Li Meng's "solving cases for the sake of solving cases" is wrong.

The police officers in the Criminal Investigation Division are people's police, and the police officers in the local police stations should also be people's police. It's not to say that criminal investigators are necessarily more prestigious or deserving of higher status than public security or community police officers.

Chen Shu felt that he might have fallen into a misconception.

"Senior brother, why don't you come down and have a few more drinks with us?" Li Chaoyang's voice came from behind Chen Shu.

Chen Shu's team's trip to Nanhai Province to handle the case went smoothly. The suspect, Zhang Heng, confessed readily, and his family promised to return 30,000 yuan of the stolen money. Furthermore, under Zhang Heng's guidance, the local police station swiftly launched an operation, successfully dismantling a money laundering ring involved in a massive sum of money.

Finally, Zhang Heng's bail was successfully granted, with the minimum bail amount being one thousand yuan.

To celebrate this rare relaxing business trip, the four of them went to the hotel's downstairs bar, ordered a case of beer and some snacks, and sat on high chairs with the sea breeze blowing, savoring the unique seaside scenery of the South China Sea.

Chen Shu turned around and looked at Li Chaoyang, whose face was flushed after drinking several bottles of beer: "Come over and have a smoke."

Li Chaoyang took a few steps closer, took the cigarette, and also leaned against the balcony railing with its stunning view.

Facing the sea breeze, lighting a cigarette and watching the smoke rings rise layer by layer is a unique experience.

A moment later, Chen Shu stubbed out his cigarette, turned slightly to look at Li Chaoyang, who was squinting and enjoying the gentle sea breeze.

He asked casually, "Chaoyang, tell me, why can't I go to the Criminal Investigation Department?"

Li Chaoyang's expression shifted for a moment, then he let out a breath and finally spoke out about what he had kept hidden from him last time.

It turns out that most people in the institute already knew about Chen Shu's promotion, and the one who leaked the news was actually Zeng Hong, the instructor who was always meticulous in his work!

He must be the happiest person. Hearing this, Chen Shuwei sighed almost imperceptibly, understanding Zeng Hong's feelings.

Li Chaoyang paused for a moment, then continued to recall.

Actually, everyone was very happy about Chen Shu's promotion this time, and they were prepared to tackle the security challenges. They also hoped that this would give Chen Shu, the newly promoted leader, more face in the bureau.

Furthermore, it would also allow Zeng Hong, who had been in charge of the Zhongshan Institute for many years, to take the opportunity to be promoted to deputy section chief before retiring.

Chen Shu had some questions in his mind: What was his relationship with Zeng Hongsheng, the deputy section chief? How could a lowly police officer like him be promoted to a section-level cadre?

Li Chaoyang went into the room, took two cans of beer from the small refrigerator, went back to the balcony, handed one can to Chen Shu, and opened one for himself.

He tilted his head back and gulped down most of it, then let out a long, satisfying burp, suppressing the slight unease in his heart.

He put down his beer, wiped his mouth with his forearm, looked down at the lively scene downstairs, and said with a smile, "Senior, Officer Ma, who was in charge of cracking down on crime, has left. If you leave too, how will our Zhongshan Police Station maintain order? Instructor Zeng is retiring in two years. If the station doesn't achieve anything this time..."

Chen Shu took a deep breath. Amidst the flashes of lightning and thunder, he understood everything.

He also recalled how he had been running around for the job competition a few days ago, and how his self-righteous ambition to serve others had turned out to be nothing but empty words. Even Li Chaoyang, who had only been at the institute for less than two years, was already considering Zeng Hong's retirement, while he, his apprentice, was constantly thinking about his own future.

"Let's go downstairs for drinks! It's on me!"

Chen Shu narrowed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips, and he had already made up his mind.

The next day, before leaving, Chen Shu took Li Chaoyang to Huahai Police Station.

I didn't run into Wang Gang, but I did see the young policeman. However, he had dark circles under his eyes and was carrying two large bags of case files, looking very hurried.

Chen Shu smiled and stopped the other person, taking out some Dongzhou specialties from his backpack and stuffing a few more bags into the other person's already crowded arms.

After greeting the detention room at the station, he took Li Chaoyang there.

I met Zhang Heng in the detention room.

Compared to yesterday, Zhang Heng's eyes were more spirited. When he saw Chen Shu come in, he stood up and greeted him with a smile.

His expression was natural.

To be honest, although Zhang Heng is suspected of committing a crime, he didn't actually have any malicious intent. He just wanted to lend out his bank card to make some money. In his mind, he never intended to defraud or harm anyone.

He's just like most people; he simply doesn't understand.

Chen Shu approached him and chatted for a few minutes. Before leaving, he told him that he had left two bags of duck tongues for his mother in the cabinet outside, hoping that he could take them with him when he went out.

Zhang Heng was somewhat bewildered.

The moment Zhang Heng left the detention room and closed the iron door, a loud "Thank you" suddenly came from the cage where he was.

Chen Shu smiled and patted Li Chaoyang on the shoulder.

It's easy to punish someone, but difficult to save them.

……

The day before the public announcement, Zhongshan Police Station.

Zeng Hong called Chen Shu to his office. This time, he brought out a Pu'er tea that he had treasured for more than ten years and used all his life's work to brew a pot of the finest tea.

Its fragrance is like orchids and cassia, and its taste is like sweet rain!
I was just about to say something festive to celebrate and cheer on my highly regarded, last disciple.

Then the other person plopped down opposite me, picked up the precious Pu'er tea, drank it all in one gulp, and said nonchalantly:

"Instructor Zeng, I'll stay at the institute this time and won't be going to the Criminal Investigation Division. Please help me notify the Political Department."

After speaking, he gently placed the used teacup on the tea table as usual, arranging it neatly.

Zeng Hong's expression froze. He held the teapot, which was about to be refilled, motionless, and stared at him without saying a word.

"why?"

"I can't bear to part with this fine tea."

"Pah, you idiot."

(End of this chapter)