Chapter 04: Brotherhood

"I am a frontline detective," Xu Pingqiu said casually while tasting the dish

The atmosphere during the first meal was so heavy that even Director Jiang, who was secretly contemplating a backdoor escape, wisely kept his mouth shut when it was time to disperse. Such a police force does not require backdoor access; after learning the truth, it is likely that even ordinary people would hesitate to go.

"Nonsense, if others don't understand, do I not understand you? The simpler your face looks, the more complicated this matter becomes. Does it really require the deputy director to personally call me to ensure my full cooperation in recruiting a frontline detective?" Principal Wang said gloomily, seemingly feeling that some matters should not be kept from him

Since it is a task, I will not ask.

Criminals spare no effort in their actions, while the police's investigative and enforcement methods are also constantly evolving. Some police chiefs, who remain in the shadows, are still aware of this. He put down his chopsticks, overwhelmed by an inexplicable sorrow, and sighed deeply. Xu Pingqiu and Director Shi exchanged glances, realizing that it would not be easy to keep this from the police chief. However, given the nature of their task, they could not speak openly about it, and the dining table was suddenly enveloped in an awkward silence, filled with unspoken words.

When he got angry, Xu Pingqiu's usual playful smile appeared. He brought some dishes to the teacher and comfortingly said, "Oh, Teacher Wang, why are you still the same as when you were the discipline director? Back in the day, I stole a few ears of corn, and you made me write several self-criticisms. Some things shouldn't be probed too deeply."

This proposition, which does not have an accurate answer, did not reveal a convincing response to Xu Pingqiu. As he spent more years as a police officer, he realized that being a good police officer is not merely about having passion, ideals, or knowledge; he was uncertain about what specific answer was actually required. While exploring, he came across a certain page and burst into laughter, laughing intensely and fiercely, to the point of lying back on the bed.

During the lunch break, Director Shi handed the registration forms to Director Xu Pingqiu, along with two statistical tables. One table listed the names of the participants, totaling 108 individuals, with 97 having registered. The other table contained the names of those who did not register, amounting to 11 individuals. Director Jiang submitted the training video records to Director Xu, indicating that this director from the provincial department could help resolve a few more employment quotas. However, there remained some unresolved issues regarding the police categories. After some probing questions, it became clear that Director Xu was quite experienced and did not provide any definitive statements regarding the library.

After a long pause, Principal Wang Lan sighed and said: "Please do not laugh at me. As one ages, one's worldview also becomes outdated, unable to keep pace with the changing times. Nowadays, no one delves into the history here. In the thirty years since its establishment, we have sent off twenty-nine batches of students, totaling four thousand four hundred and twenty-seven individuals. The number of those injured has not been specifically recorded, while two hundred and twelve have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. This includes your cohort, as well as Shao Bingshan, who once stole corn from a villager with you. In the 1995 bombing incident, he perished while trying to take down a suspect... Now, everyone claims that being the principal or in the academic affairs of a police academy is a lucrative position, with people sending tens of thousands each year, hoping to enroll their children in the police academy. Sometimes I feel lost, and at times I even think that being aimless and merely occupying a position, while better than gloriously sending them off, is still a form of existence..."

"Do not jest with me; I will ask you plainly: is this a special mission?" Principal Wang said with a stern expression. This statement caused Director Jiang's face to darken, and he appeared frightened. Looking at Xu Pingqiu and Section Chief Shi, both of their expressions were solemn, as they likely had an inkling of what was happening.

It was the last roommate, Yu Zui, who sat there. When the mouse glanced at Yu Zui's demeanor, he stared blankly at Dou Xiaobo and asked in confusion, "Dou Bao, what's wrong with him again? Is there an issue with his personality tendencies?"

... ...

Isn't that just right? Returning to the county or the town, becoming a small local police officer, flirting with girls, holding hands, earning a little money, enjoying some drinks—what a delightful life that would be. Why can't you all see it? Staying in the provincial capital? How many officials and wealthy families from our cohort have children in the police force? Good opportunities won't come our way. Come on, let's go eat, to avoid queuing again later.

Yu Zui teased the two brothers with a rhythmic tone. The brothers, with their eyes darting around, were persuaded after some thought. When the mouse wanted to ask again, Yu Zui blocked him and said: "Winning the lottery may not necessarily be a good thing. It might just lead you to fish for severed limbs and other body parts in a stinky ditch every day. At night, you’ll be visiting the morgue, unable to meet any girls, only seeing female ghosts."

Where is it? This is a good thing. The mouse looked a bit dazed and tilted his head to ask Doubao. Dou Xiaobo felt something was off but couldn't articulate it at the moment, scratching his head and saying: "Exactly, are you making up stories to deceive us? And the books"

Unfortunately, the glory of the brothers cannot be brought into the classroom. As graduation approaches, the anxiety regarding internships and employment grows heavier. Yan Debiao looked at the form, filling it out stroke by stroke; it was quite simple, requiring his name, gender, place of origin, and political status among other details. There was a subjective question asking why he wanted to become a police officer. He certainly knew the answer: to eliminate violence and maintain a harmonious society. Just as he was about to write it down, a hand reached over from behind, snatched the form away without a glance, crumpled it, tore it, stuffed it into a pocket, and swaggered off.

Watching Doubao get up in frustration and leave, Shubiao followed him out. As he walked down the steps of the classroom, he inadvertently caught sight of the perfect couple, Jie Bing and An Jialu. Shubiao smiled at the beautiful An. The appreciation for beauty is something everyone possesses, but that smile was filtered out by An, who didn't notice him at all. This left Shubiao feeling dejected as he exited.

The dining area was lively, with everyone discussing the selection process. However, these three brothers were completely absorbed in playing Dou Di Zhu while eating, enjoying themselves immensely. Once the game concluded, Dou Bao and Shu Biao were laughing so hard they were almost in tears, while Yu Zui, having lost, had a green face. He took the three bowls to wash, as that was the forfeit for losing the bet

Indeed, Mouse, you go compete for the elite, we have much less pressure

What if, I mean what if, the card in my hand is a straight flush? That would be something. The mouse shook its head, filled with great expectations for the future, and with bright eyes said: If that were the case, there would be no need to return to the countryside. In our town, it might take several years to get a position, and even then, it’s uncertain if one could get in. Do you know what I would go back to do? Patrolling the streets in the middle of the night, how much suffering that would be, and I wouldn’t even earn any money, just 1,200 a month, the same as a sanitation worker... Hey, wait for me, why are you running?

"Oh right, why didn't he pick up the form? For the physical fitness test, even a beast can't outrun him." The mouse turned back and was startled. However, Dou Xiaobo shrugged and said, "I didn't pick it up either. Are you just talking nonsense? Even if there is a chance to stay in the provincial capital, it wouldn't be our turn."

When Director Shi came up with a strange expression, Xu Pingqiu handed him a form. Upon seeing it, Director Shi also smiled. It contained a few lines stating that his ideal was to become a successful businessman, preferably as wealthy as Bill Gates. As for becoming a police officer, there was no way, the reason being—

The two parties exchanged a few customary verbal jabs, with Shou Maoyan and Dou Xiaobo, known as "Dou Bao," sharing a dormitory. Although these two often ranked at the bottom in their studies and training subjects, they were no slouches when it came to playing cards. Whether it was Dou Di Zhu, Zha Jin Hua, or Pao De Kuai, they played each game with remarkable skill. Playing cards with them not only resulted in monetary losses, but sometimes even put one's meal card at risk.

Oh dear, the mouse suddenly grinned, startling me. Nervously, I said: "Don't make that face, I usually prefer lighter flavors"

Upon careful consideration, it is indeed true that pies do not fall from the sky, unless someone is up to mischief

The standard of the working meal was slightly higher, accompanied by a bottle of fine wine. Principal Wang Lan personally poured wine for Xu Chu and Section Chief Shi. From what was said, it seemed that he had once been Xu Pingqiu's teacher. Although this old man was within the system, his exposure to law enforcement was quite limited; at most, he was familiar with the contents of the operational guidelines. After a few drinks, he curiously asked Xu Pingqiu, "Pingqiu, what kind of people are you actually recruiting this time?"

Oh dear, even the bean bun is described in such a way that it gives me goosebumps, my head shaking like a rattle drum, directly saying: "Don't jinx it, you're making me feel guilty, I wasn't planning to go anyway"

Chasing after the fleeing Dou Xiaobo and Yu Zui, the mouse, with its incessant chatter, began to complain again, still in that same old manner. Although it knew the chances were slim, what if, what if they happened to run into each other? Wouldn't that be a stroke of luck? Among the graduates of the provincial police academy, apart from those whose families are in the provincial capital, very few have the opportunity to stay in the city. Most are assigned to the most basic criminal investigation teams and police stations. Just think, if what Xu said about resolving household registration and housing were true, how many fewer years of struggle would that entail?

As he looked at the forms, Xu Pingqiu muttered to himself about the declining morals of society and the loss of integrity among people. There were quite a few applications filled out, filled with empty rhetoric and nonsense. He chuckled as he read aloud the reasons for wanting to become a police officer. Some wrote that they wanted to catch bad guys and maintain world peace, which was idealistic; others wrote about maintaining a harmonious society and protecting the property and lives of the people, which was nonsensical; and some expressed a desire for a stable career development, noting that being a police officer was undoubtedly a good choice, which was realistic.

I will also tell you a reasoning story ... During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there was a small vassal state whose ruler wanted to marry off his daughter. He offered a dowry of over ten thousand gold pieces and sought to recruit a butcher as the prince consort. However, that butcher resolutely refused the princess. Can you deduce the reason behind this?" Yu Zui asked seriously.

"Where do you say it is? Discounted goods are not good quality; do you think those who sell at a loss have good products? Even those who sell pigs and meat have figured it out: I sell fresh meat at a high price and there are buyers, but no one asks for discounted overnight meat. This meat sold at a loss is definitely not good meat... Indeed, this is the case. After seeing the daughter of the monarch, I realized how extraordinarily ugly she is." Yu Zui said, educating the two individuals who were taller and older than him, impatiently pinching the faces of the two foolish listeners and commenting: "Look at you two piles of meat, do you think you are worthy of staying in the provincial capital? Is it necessary to sell your house at a loss? Does this even require thought? It’s impossible even if you think with your backside."

Not really, the personality is fine, but the person has some issues. Dou Xiaobo said with a smile, as mutual attacks among police academy students often employ such professional terminology

"Is it possible that he, a high-ranking official, is deceiving us with such blatant lies?" Yan Debiao no longer believed it

A boy with several acne spots on his face turned around and shouted. The chubby boy, who had just received the form and was suddenly attacked, known as "Mouse," looked confused and a bit angry, shouting: "Are you an elite? You’re covered in essence from head to toe"

Yu Zui pointed at the bean bun and threatened, "You want to know, don't you? Do you know what the casualty rate of criminal police is? It's close to ten percent. With your character, you can't run, and you can't fight. What are you going to do? Just increase the organization's injury statistics, right?"

The term "special" carries a shared meaning within this group. Wearing a full police uniform and carrying a loaded firearm is merely following protocol, not special. When the term "special" is mentioned, it implies involvement in heinous crimes such as drug trafficking, homicide, and cross-border criminal activities, even referring to the legendary profession with the highest mortality rate: undercover agent.

Hearing Yu Zui's annoyance, he turned around and startled the Mouse. Among the three, Yu Zui was the youngest, but he was the most cunning. Although the three did not share a dormitory, ever since Yu Zui uncovered the secrets of Dou Bao and Mouse's card skills, they had become close friends. Now, Yu Zui helped Brother Mouse adjust his collar and said in a mature and seasoned manner: "Brother Mouse, although others call you Mouse, I don't think you are short-sighted. Do you really think hetushu.com is genuine?"

Indeed, what a joke, who are you mocking? Losing a card game and putting your meal card on the line, is this really how you plan to regain your honor? Support for the mouse has arrived, it's Doubao. The two not only share a brotherly bond but also resemble each other like siblings. The one referred to as livestock, squeezed by the two, seemed to harbor a deep-seated grudge, as if he had a vendetta for a murdered father or a hatred for a stolen wife, gritting his teeth and saying: "Doubao, don't get too cocky. We'll continue this tonight, and if I don't clean you out of your travel expenses, you won't know how your livestock brother calls you."

The three of them took advantage of the early hour, and only saw their classmate enter the cafeteria after finishing their meal. The day before, they had won quite a bit from Zhang Meng, and Yu Zui felt a bit guilty. He took his meal card from Mouse and gave it to Zhang Meng. That guy seemed to be in a tight spot after losing, as he was banging on the food tray, wandering around, looking to mooch a meal from someone. He took it without any courtesy, not even bothering to say thank you. Mouse, on the other hand, was a bit unhappy and complained for quite a while.

This is a true story, recorded in historical texts, about a pair of fools

As he rose, Xu Pingqiu spilled half of the wine, and finished the remaining half in one gulp. Principal Wang Lan also had a significant amount of wine, and when he sat down again, he no longer mentioned the matter of the selection at that time

Where is the problem? The two brothers are staring at Yu Zui, and they truly do not know what the issue is

Softly spoken words highlight the desolate state of mind of the old principal as Xu Pingqiu gently inquired: "Teacher, just as you said when we graduated, there must be someone responsible in this society. If the first person to stand up against crime is not the police, then it is a disgrace to the police. The classmates who sacrificed in the line of duty, your students, you should feel proud, not sad... Come, let us toast to them." The classmates who sacrificed in the line of duty, your students, you should feel proud, not sad... Come, let us toast to them.

So, what exactly is the situation? Director Xu, who was resting at the police academy's guesthouse at noon, returned to his room to carefully examine the submitted forms. He assigned a task to Deputy Director Shi, focusing on those who did not register. The specific task was to conduct individual conversations to investigate the reasons. Of course, it was important to first look into their family backgrounds. If any of them were the children of officials or wealthy families, or from within the system, there would be no need to ask. Those young masters are always the type to receive benefits without taking on responsibilities, so one should not expect them to contribute anything.

My mother is very demanding

Yu Zui said, turning his head, and the two behind him followed awkwardly, having been persuaded