78: Policewoman Shen Xiaoyun
North Jiang District, Xiaoshiba Police Station Chief's Office.
“Is that so? That’s great! I’ll thank all the leaders on Xiao Shen’s behalf.”
Chief Zheng Guolin hung up the phone and immediately went downstairs to the General Office to find Shen Xiaoyun.
The call just now was from the Municipal Bureau, informing Zheng Guolin that Shen Xiaoyun’s third-class merit had been approved.
It really was approved just in time, because tomorrow is the annual summary conference. Although it's still a third-class merit, receiving this award at the annual summary conference feels completely different.
This was also Shen Xiaoyun’s second third-class merit since she became a police officer, so it was no wonder Chief Zheng was so excited when he received the call.
Zheng Guolin rushed to the General Office but didn't see Shen Xiaoyun.
“Where’s Xiao Shen?” Zheng Guolin asked an officer nearby.
“Xiao Shen?… I don’t think I’ve seen her all morning.”
Just then, a capable female officer pushed open the office door, accompanied by a young man in handcuffs.
Before Zheng Guolin could speak, the female officer said to a trainee officer in the office, “Xiao Guo, help me take this guy to the interrogation room first. I’ll deal with him later.”
The officer named Xiao Guo quickly stepped forward, “Senior Sister, what’s his situation?”
“Theft. I caught him stealing a wallet.”
Zheng Guolin, smiling, came over and said loudly, “Xiao Shen, you really can’t stop! By the way, I have good news for everyone.”
Zheng Guolin faced the office area: “I just received notification that Shen Xiaoyun made significant outstanding contributions in the process of solving the drug trafficking case in Tianmen Alley. The Municipal Bureau has awarded her a third-class merit. Tomorrow, she will join me at the annual summary conference to receive the award.”
As soon as he said this, everyone in the office area stood up and began to applaud enthusiastically.
“Really?” Shen Xiaoyun was also a bit surprised. After all, she had only assisted her anti-drug team colleagues in apprehending two drug traffickers, and she never expected that this would earn her a third-class merit.
Of course, that's what Shen Xiaoyun thought to herself, but the reality was that Shen Xiaoyun was fully qualified for this third-class merit; it was entirely deserved.
When Shen Xiaoyun apprehended those two drug traffickers, they were both holding knives. If Shen Xiaoyun hadn't been the ‘Combat Goddess’ at the police academy during her university days, the outcome might have been very different.
She herself didn't realize it, but everyone else knew how dangerous it was at the time. One could even say that Shen Xiaoyun's third-class merit was earned with her life.
Shen Xiaoyun has only been a police officer for three years and has already received a third-class merit twice. This achievement is rare, not to mention among girls, but even among boys.
“Thank you everyone, thank you everyone.” Shen Xiaoyun smiled brightly: “Tonight, I’m treating everyone to hotpot!”
Hearing there was hotpot, the colleagues' joy instantly became genuine.
“Xiaoyun, come with me to the office.”
Zheng Guolin finished speaking and walked out.
Shen Xiaoyun quickly followed.
As soon as they left, the gossiping crowd started whispering.
“She’s only been at our Police Station for three years and has already received two third-class merits. Senior Sister Shen is amazing!”
“Isn’t that right? We’ve been police officers for over ten years and haven’t even gotten close to a third-class merit. She’s so young and has already received two. This really shows that comparing people to people makes you sick, and comparing goods to goods makes you throw them away!”
“Old Xia, stop being so sour. She earned those with her life. Take this time she encountered two drug traffickers with knives; if it were someone else, they might have been killed.”
“Don’t even say it, there’s really nothing to object to about the two third-class merits Senior Sister Shen received. She earned them both with her own strength.”
“I also heard that Shen Xiaoyun’s father is the Nanwan District Chief. I wonder if it’s true?”
“I’ve heard that rumor too. Not only is her father the District Chief, but some people also say that Gu Wenhai, the Director of our Jiangcheng City Police Bureau, is also her uncle.”
“Then with such good conditions and her beauty, why hasn’t she found a boyfriend yet?”
“That’s simple. With her conditions, if you were given the chance, would you dare to pursue her?”
——————
Shen Xiaoyun followed the Chief into the office.
Zheng Guolin sat directly on the sofa, while Shen Xiaoyun stood facing him.
“Don’t stand, sit down.”
Shen Xiaoyun sat opposite Zheng Guolin with her legs together.
“Chief, do you have something to tell me?”
Zheng Guolin picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, “First, congratulations on receiving your second individual third-class merit. You’ve also brought honor to our Xiaoshiba. But there’s one thing I still have to bother you about again.”
“Please speak.”
“Actually, it’s not a big deal. It’s still about your personal life. Xiaoyun, you’re 27 this year, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I just turned 27 last month,” Shen Xiaoyun replied.
“Logically, I shouldn’t be the one to say these things, but your mother and I are classmates. She insisted that I, as your leader, urge you. I’m really in a difficult position, but I really want to ask, what exactly are you thinking? Why haven’t you found a boyfriend at 27?”
Shen Xiaoyun knew in her heart that Chief Zheng was being pushed by her mother. He wasn't asking about anything else but her personal life.
“Chief Zheng, you know I’ve only been in the police system for less than two years. I’m currently in a period of career advancement. I really don’t have the time or energy to date.”
“Why can’t you date?” Zheng Guolin said, “Work and dating can happen at the same time. These two things aren’t contradictory.”
“I really don’t have the time.” Shen Xiaoyun said, “Since you brought this up, I also want to ask you, what did the captains above say about my application to join the Criminal Investigation Team?”
Zheng Guolin didn't expect that his urging her to find a partner would give her an opportunity to turn the tables.
Shen Xiaoyun had wanted to be a criminal investigator for a long time, and he had indeed talked to the two captains of the Municipal Bureau, but neither of them had given him a clear answer.
Actually, it's very simple for an ordinary police officer to transfer to the Criminal Investigation Team; all it takes is the nod from the three captains of the Municipal Bureau's major detachments.
But Zheng Guolin knew very well that Wan Qiang and Duan Changhong wouldn't take just anyone. Even if Shen Xiaoyun was Gu Wenhai's niece, they wouldn't easily agree.
Unless Gu Wenhai himself spoke up, but Shen Xiaoyun was a principled girl. She only wanted to enter the Criminal Investigation Team based on her own strength, and not rely on her uncle, to avoid being criticized later.
“How about this, I’ll ask again.” Zheng Guolin simply dialed Wan Qiang’s number directly.
Soon, the call connected.
“Captain Wan, it’s Old Zheng. There’s something I want to confirm again. Do you remember when I told you about Shen Xiaoyun, the female officer from our Police Station, wanting to transfer to your Municipal Criminal Investigation Team?”
“Shen Xiaoyun?”
It seemed Captain Wan on the other end of the line had forgotten.
“Oh, I remember now. She’s Director Gu’s little niece, right?”
“Yes, yes, that’s her. This child previously received a third-class merit, so she wants to use this opportunity to apply to join your Criminal Investigation Team. Do you have any openings? She’s a very good child and has always wanted to be a criminal investigator.”
“Oh, this matter is really difficult. You know, our three teams have always had a very tight staffing. This year, there are only three spots, two of which are reserved for those cultivated by the Capital Police Academy, who will start next month. For the remaining spot, I already have a candidate.”
“Is that so? Then may I ask who this candidate is?”
“His surname is Lei. You wouldn’t know him if I told you. I’m really sorry, Old Zheng. Please tell Director Gu’s niece that the spots are full this year, and to wait until next year. I will definitely take her next year.”
Zheng Guolin hung up the phone and sighed, looking at Shen Xiaoyun, whose expression was a bit grim.
“Xiao Shen, you heard it all. Captain Wan doesn't have any openings for now. But don't worry, I'll call Captain Duan right now.”
Soon, Captain Duan’s call was also connected.
But his explanation was almost identical to Wan Qiang’s.
“Originally, there were three spots, but two of them are already designated. I heard they are master’s students from the Police Academy. For the remaining spot, I already have a candidate.”
“You also have a candidate? Who is this person?” Zheng Guolin asked curiously.
“His surname is Lei. You wouldn’t know him if I told you.”
Zheng Guolin was a bit confused: “Why is his surname also Lei?”
“What do you mean ‘also’? His surname has always been Lei, alright?” Duan Changhong said apologetically, “Old Zheng, I’m really sorry. It’s not that I’m not giving you face; it’s just that our Second Team truly doesn’t have any extra spots. How about next year?”