Police officer Chen Shu

Chapter 412 My Honor
Chen Shu, who had been standing at the door listening for a long time, was suddenly reminded of his own eight-plus years of police service.

Eight years ago, on that day, he was about the same age as Pu Shu now, and he also threw himself into public security work with a supreme sense of mission and unprecedented enthusiasm.

But reality is often different from imagination; the daily life at the police station is a mess of trivialities and grievances. Yes, grievances. Who would have thought that as a powerful and violent department of a country, anyone could come to their door and point their finger at them and hurl insults?

In particular, the public satisfaction feedback released by the bureau.

Those who are arrested for gambling, prostitution, or fighting are put in cages by the police for a few days. When they are asked later if they are satisfied with the service, do you think they will be satisfied?

They would say, "Oh, okay, free food and lodging, that's really pretty good!"
is it possible?
Then, dealing with all sorts of people every day, I basically saw all the dark sides of society and became somewhat numb to things that crossed the line. As I was transferred to the public security team and the case files piled up, my enthusiasm quietly faded. They say that even ten years of drinking ice can't cool down one's passion.

Chen Shu didn't know how he had gotten through all these years.

Police work very hard and are very tired. Police officers are also human beings; they have families and needs.

need?
demand.

"Brother Chuan, Yan Song, thank you. I've thought it through. I'll stay. I'll make sure everyone takes notice of me in the competition at the end of the month, and I'll pass next year's recruitment exam with flying colors!"

From inside the house came Pu Shu's voice, which was calm but gradually tinged with excitement and gratitude.

Chen Shu took a deep breath. Approaching thirty, he felt he should go in and say something, not exactly as a senior's guidance or instruction, but simply some reflections from someone who's been there, and a bucket of cold water on his feelings.

He straightened up, turned around and knocked on the door that Chen Chuan had opened earlier. He walked into the room, glanced around, and said with a serious expression, "Pu Shu, you need to think carefully about whether you really want to stay. This path is not as simple as you think."

He paused, then continued, "Being a police officer requires passion and honor, not just a little impulse."

Pu Shu didn't know how to answer, and only subconsciously shook his head in rebuttal: "Captain Chen, I wasn't impulsive. Do you think it's difficult for me to achieve anything?"

Knowing he had already said that, Chen Shu coughed and then said seriously, "Pu Shu, as a newcomer to the assault team, you have already proven the basic qualities of an assault team member with your strength. But as an auxiliary police officer, the honors you receive are limited, and what you will have to give up is your everything, including your family, your life, and most importantly, your future."

"I know you yearn for the SWAT team and the commando unit, but that yearning won't last long in reality. You'll soon realize the huge gap between aspiration and reality. If you want to stay, besides loyalty and courage, you also need to be mentally prepared to withstand the enormous gap between aspiration and reality, such as the pressure from your family."

"In your future career as a special police officer, you may also face real life-or-death tests, and you could die. Then think about your elderly parents, your future lonely wife, and your helpless children. And the sense of heroism you gain will often only happen in a single moment. Of course, I think it would be better if this sense of accomplishment didn't happen at all."

"Then comes the relatively monotonous daily duties, with patrols, training, shifts, and overtime filling your work. You may have enthusiasm, aspirations, and ideals now, but over time, they will all be worn away. Believe me, besides a mess and some insignificant, cheap memories, the unit will leave you with nothing."

Chen Chuan and Yan Song, who were standing on the side, were completely stunned. They had originally thought that Chen Shu's appearance would successfully stop the incident of Pu Shu's resignation, and then everyone would return to their normal training and work.

Completely unexpectedly, Chen Shu's words upon entering the room were like a bucket of ice-cold water, instantly extinguishing the flame of hope they had painstakingly kindled for Pu Shu's dream of becoming a policeman.

However, Pu Shu's reaction was somewhat unexpected. He went from being shocked and at a loss to gradually calming down and becoming thoughtful.

Chen Shu took a deep breath and looked at the two young men standing in front of him one by one: "Pu Shu, Yan Song, you must remember that no one can make decisions for you, including your parents, your friends, and your leaders. You have to think about everything carefully and thoughtfully."

"You only live once. Are you really prepared to live it? Are you really willing to dedicate your youth to the cause of the people's public security?"

In Chen Chuan's eyes, Chen Shu's assertive words seemed more like a question posed to his own soul.

Is he really ready?

Suddenly, Chen Chuan felt a pang of nostalgia for his younger self ten years ago. If a mentor had stood before him back then, he would have readily agreed without hesitation.

Just like these two bewildered young men today.

Chen Chuan smiled, and sure enough, he heard a resounding reply.

"Ready at all the time!"

Ten p.m.

Chen Shu and Chen Chuan arrived at the long-missed "Old Couple's Barbecue" and, as usual, sat down at a small round table outside the shop. They ordered a grilled fish, a grilled eggplant, and a row of lamb skewers sprinkled with pepper.

"Boss, a few bottles of beer, ice cold," Chen Shu called out to the shop.

"Okay! Coming right away!"

"Hey, you actually ordered drinks on your own initiative?" Chen Chuan was a little surprised, then turned his head and shouted into the house, "Half a case of Budweiser, please."

"So many people?" Chen Shu, who originally just wanted to have a few drinks, didn't expect Chen Chuan to go too far.

"It's rare for you to want to drink, so I'll make sure you drink as much as I can," Chen Chuan joked.

"You can't possibly finish all this, can you?"

"Hehe, I can finish it. By the way, what's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly drinking? I think something's wrong."

"Yeah, it's nothing, I just wanted a drink."

Just then, the burly boss came over carrying a whole case of beer and placed it on the table, saying heartily, "Officer Chen, it's been so long since we've seen you. The neighbors all thought you looked down on us now that you've become a high-ranking official!"

Chen Shu looked up and smiled at him: "How could that be? I've just been busy with work and haven't been able to find the time. You see, I came here today as soon as I had some free time to try some of your old favorites."

After opening two bottles for Chen Shu and the others and placing them on the table, the boss quickly opened another bottle and raised it to himself, saying, "Officer Chen, I'd like to toast you with this!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and downed the entire bottle in one gulp, turning it upside down. The boss burped, wiped his mouth with beer foam, and laughed, "Officer Chen, I've finished mine, you can do as you please."

Chen Shu had no choice but to smile helplessly and return the favor with a bottle.

However, the shop owner was sensible. Seeing that Chen Shu had barely swallowed a few bites, he smiled and turned back into the shop.

Chen Shu put down his empty wine bottle and calmly watched the shopkeeper's departing figure: "Chen Chuan, what do you think we police officers are doing all this for?"

Chen Chuan reached into the iron plate and pulled out a lamb skewer. As he ate, he said, "Didn't you and those two kids sort things out this morning? Why are you asking me now? We're almost thirty, let's not bother with these superficial things."

Chen Shu said, "When we were young, we always thought that being a policeman meant you had to outwit and outmaneuver criminals and be incredibly powerful. In reality, we spent every day arguing with a bunch of difficult older men and women, the kind of arguments that never end."

"Oh, Shu, let's not talk about such boring things. Didn't you get transferred from the police station? What are you complaining about?"

"Yes, it's not a complaint."

"Then why are you arguing with yourself? Didn't you say it quite well this morning? What we police need is passion and honor!" Chen Chuan picked up a piece of chives and, imitating Chen Shu's serious expression from that morning, pronounced each word clearly and distinctly.

You know what, it looks pretty good.

After saying that, Chen Chuan made a face, pulled a lamb skewer from the iron plate and handed it to Chen Shu: "But then again, passion is understandable, young people all like that. But what's the use of this honor? I didn't realize you were so into superficial things."

Chen Shu remained silent for a few seconds, then turned to look at the proprietress who was carrying a plate of dishes over, and said with a smile, "Proprietress, if I remember correctly, all our dishes should be served."

"Yes, everything's served," the proprietress replied with a smile.

She walked to the table, bent down, and placed a plate of freshly stir-fried cured pork on the small round table, saying, "Officer Chen, I know you don't like discounts. Every time I try to give you a discount, you end up paying us more, so I'm bringing you this dish. This is from a pig we raised ourselves back home, over 400 jin (200 kg). We just slaughtered and cured it a few days ago and had it delivered by express, it's very fresh!"

After saying that, as if afraid that Chen Shu would refuse, the proprietress put down the cured meat, turned around and walked back to the shop quickly. Before entering the door, she secretly looked back a few times.

Chen Shu smiled and generously picked up his chopsticks to serve Chen Chuan and himself two slices of meat. After chewing a few bites, he felt that this meat was indeed much more fragrant than the pork bought at the market.

His tone was calm yet tinged with a hint of pride: "This is my honor."

(End of this chapter)