Police officer Chen Shu

Chapter 510 What a great place!
Although it was only mid-October, it didn't feel particularly cold during the day, but at night, the strong winds blew in gusts, making it quite unbearable.

They were quite lucky on the first night. After a six-hour march, they came across a simple sheepfold built by a shepherd near a small hill.

The sheepfold was empty at this time, with no people or sheep, which was perfect for blocking the wind, so at least I could get a good night's sleep.

Although it was the first time Chen Shu and Yu Maiken had met, they worked together quite well. They agreed that the two of them, along with Captain Zhao, would take turns keeping watch outside the sheepfold, while dozens of members of the Special Investigation Team and Xiao Qiang and others who insisted on coming along slept inside.

It's warmer inside, after all.

However, the two had a minor disagreement about whether to light the campfire, which ended with the local man, Yumaiken, winning.

Yu Maiken added some firewood to the campfire, which crackled and popped as it burned: "Officer Chen, don't worry, those 'rats' won't dare to come back. They only know how to bully unarmed civilians."

Yu Maiken had a good impression of Chen Shu. For local police like them, catching murderers was a matter of course, and they were used to it.

Police officers from inland and coastal cities who come to provide support usually stay for a year or two before leaving. They can help out and share the shifts, but the local police have to do the dangerous work themselves.

First, they were worried that their lack of experience might lead to an accident; second, they felt embarrassed, since this was their hometown.

This is an unspoken understanding between the police in both locations.

Although Yumaiken was born an orphan, she now has someone she wants to protect and hopes to provide her with a safe and happy environment in the future.

Therefore, Yu Maiken was impressed that the policeman from the coastal city, who was only there for research, had taken the initiative to join their frontline search team. They were facing armed and ruthless K elements.

"If I get the chance, I'll ask Old Zhao. I heard he's a tough guy in Donghai." Yu Maiken tossed a cigarette to the other man.

"SWAT?"

Chen Shu took the cigarettes, took out a lighter, and lit them for the two men: "SWAT team."

Yu Maiken took a deep breath, held it for a long time before exhaling: "I heard that the police over there get two days off on weekends?"

Chen Shu recalled the frequent Level 1 duty notices issued recently and pondered for a moment: "At least one day a week. But if you include compensatory leave for on-call duty, you can still manage to make it up to two days."

"You can get a day off in lieu of a shift?" Yu Maiken's eyes flickered behind the smoke, somewhat surprised.

"How can you stand staying up all night without resting for a day?"

"Yes, we also give you a break, but it's just a time to sleep."

"I'm sorry," Chen Shu said earnestly.

What followed was a long silence, with the firewood crackling and popping.

"Captain Yu, I heard from Captain Zhao that you have a million-dollar bounty on your head overseas. That's quite a big deal, you're practically an internet celebrity now," Chen Shu joked, trying to break the awkward silence.

Yu Maiken chuckled, extended his right hand, and clenched his fist several times with his palm facing upward: "A murderous internet celebrity? That doesn't sound like a good thing."

"But... tell me... what does it feel like to kill someone...? Can you sleep at night...?"

Chen Shu suddenly thought of Old A, the fugitive murderer he had personally killed before the New Year, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in his heart.

He felt that since that incident, he seemed to have become a different person, somewhat unfamiliar. This feeling was especially strong in the quiet of the night.

You'll feel palpitations, fear, and even more confusion.

Chen Shu imitated Yu Maiken's manner, extending his right hand, which was used to fire the gun, in front of his eyes, sometimes opening and sometimes closing, sometimes closing and sometimes opening.

Ah, this hand stained with blood.

In the wilderness, by the campfire, in the quiet night, Chen Shu's casual remark, which was actually just a question he was asking himself, made the situation even more awkward for both of them.

"Those who can't give up anything will ultimately change nothing." Yu Maiken threw his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out with a "poof," then his tone became light: "I heard that the police over there don't carry guns when they go out?"

"Yeah, where I'm from, people think that carrying a gun is a burden. Except for our special police who need to patrol armed, other police officers don't really carry guns."

"What a nice place. I'm a little envious."

The firelight illuminated Yumaken's face, and his shadow flickered.

He smacked his lips and added more firewood to the campfire, instantly brightening the makeshift camp.

Chen Shu pointed at the increasingly bright fire and said irritably, "Captain Yu, how can you sleep like this? What if the K elements sneak in under the cover of darkness? Wouldn't we all be finished?"

Yu Maiken pulled out a flip-top pocket watch from his pocket, opening and closing it repeatedly. He squinted at the dark Gobi Desert outside the sheepfold and chuckled, "If I can sleep, how will I have the energy to catch mice tomorrow?"

Chen Shu, a ruthless man, hung a cigarette behind his ear, stood up, and stretched: "You're right, we need to be well-rested for work tomorrow."

"Good night."

"Good night."

It was early morning, and it was still dark.

Chen Shu, who was sleeping at the entrance of the sheepfold, turned off his beeping phone alarm and got up to switch shifts with Yu Maiken, who was on night duty, under a large tree not far away.

Yu Maiken put away his pocket watch, took his sleeping bag, and went straight to sleep under the tree.

Although it wasn't particularly warm at the entrance to the sheepfold, it was at least better than being sheltered from the wind under the big tree. Chen Shu was surprised and was about to say a few words of advice when Yu Maiken turned over and started snoring loudly.

"Creak, creak, creak."

With a sound of footsteps, Wang Hao walked over and sat down beside Chen Shu, meeting his curious gaze.

"I couldn't sleep, so I came over to chat with you. You don't mind, do you?"

Chen Shu mimicked Yu Maiken's actions, tossing a few pieces of wood into the campfire: "Excited?"

"Afraid."

Seeing Chen Shu's surprised look, Wang Hao shrugged and said helplessly, "I'm not one of them, how could I not be afraid? You've just arrived and don't know the situation here. It's quite common for police officers to die. They'll get used to it after a while."

Chen Shu fell silent.

Wang Hao gestured with his chin towards the spot where Yu Maiken was sleeping: "Do you know why this guy sleeps outside? It's because he's worried we won't keep watch properly! Sigh, he's destined to be a workaholic!"

"Cough cough." The snoring suddenly turned into coughing from the sleeping bag.

Wang Hao laughed and continued gossiping about the special investigation team leader: "This guy is a daredevil. Just the month before last, he got into a fight and a bullet pierced his left arm and left chest, breaking three ribs, one of which even went into his left lung!"

He raised his hand and made a three-point gesture: "3 centimeters. The bullet was only 3 centimeters away from the heart, otherwise it would have been GAME OVER. Haha, you've only been in the hospital for a month and you're already back to work. I don't know what you're so worried about."

"Hey, are you afraid the earth will stop spinning if you're not around?" Wang Hao shouted the last sentence directly at Yu Maiken, his face full of disdain.

Yu Maiken ignored him.

Wang Hao composed himself, took out a small object covered in yellow cloth from his pocket, and carefully stroked it. It was clearly a talisman or something similar.

Chen Shu tossed a piece of firewood into the campfire, and the flames immediately blazed brightly. The twilight firelight illuminated the three silent men, flickering on and off.

The night was very deep.

(End of this chapter)