...
In Deng city, hidden away from the bustling markets and roads was a run-down apartment complex. From the outside it resembled a prop from a cheap B grade movie designed to arouse rue from the audience. Sitting below the complex were a few shops and an alley that lead to a bigger street. And from the looks of it, there were very few people living in there.
In one of the diminutive flats inside the complex, a few people were huddled around a table and excitedly by a dining table.
They were namely: Shi Xiaofei, Feng Hanying and Lou. ShI Xiaofei looked extremely haggard as he adopted a small beard on his face, while Lou looked lanky due to his thin stubble. Both of the men had become emaciated in a month; mainly due to working without rest.
Feng Hanying on the other hand looked a bit weary, but otherwise her vixen-like lips and foxy appearance was as hot as ever. Her charming blue dress showed that both men spent everything on her. She worriedly held Lou's hands and rested her head on his shoulders.
"Lou'gege and Shi'gege... I'm really worried for you two. We've staked everything we have on this...t-this exam. If you two fail then..."
"It might seem weirdly plausible that we're going to fail; but I assure you, and by no means am I sporting overconfident drivel, that we're going to pass this exam." Shi Xiaofei shrugged off Feng Hanying's worries.
Feng Hanying's worries weren't mollified, however her mouth closed as she mused over the situation. Lou tightened his hands over hers and looked at her, "You don't need to worry. We totally bombed the shit outta the exam, right brother Shi?"
"Yeah. Anyways, I'll search for our roll numbers on the result page."
...
Within a few moments, everyone suddenly started jumping up and down in exhilaration over the result. And just like how Shi Xiaofei had prophesied, both of them had passed with flying colors!
" Yes, yes! Brother Shi we've passed, we've fucking hit the lottery!!! YEAH!"
"I told you we'd pass!"
"Brother Shi, thank you! Thank you so fucking much!!"
Feng Hanying broke down crying seeing the two men hug each other passionately; a blossoming smile also lit up on her lips as she began laughing.
"Wait wait wait, since we passed, we now have to attend police training. It's written here on the result file that everyone who passes is invited for free training for nine months at any Police Academy in China."
Feng Hanying suddenly spoke up, "Shi'gege, isn't there a Police Academy in Deng city? Why don't you and Lou'gege go there to train? After all it's close to our village."
"Hmm, not a bad idea. But will this backwater city's Police Academy have enough resources for us?"
"That...I don't know."
Shi Xiaofei pondered about it for a while and ended up agreeing, after all he had several matters to take care of in this city.
"Ah, fine."
...
...
"Today, officers, all of you will bid farewell to this humble academy. Officers; all of you are the future of the Chinese law enforcement. Brave, mighty and talented..."
In a swarm of blue, glossy police uniform-cladden cadets was Shi Xiaofei. His dark eyes shone mystically as he rested his hands on his navel.
It was that time again. The time where he'd rise like a star and blind foolish men; it was time for him to once again serve the people.
From now on, his true journey would begin. His revenge, his quest for his mother — everything he would solve in one fell swoop.
"I'm feeling really nervous."
"Yea, me too. I'm finally going to graduate, yay!"
"For God's sake, can you make more noise?"
Some random people noisily conversed behind him, but Shi Xiaofei paid no heed.
"Officers, repeat with me. I pledge to be loyal to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China!"
"I PLEDGE TO BE LOYAL TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA!"
"Fulfill the legal responsibilities of my position,"
"FULFILL THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF MY POSITION!"
"Be loyal..."
...
...
The ever-tall Shi Xiaofei exited his apartment complex and started walking while looking at his letter of appointment.
His uniform; a blue police uniform with two pips and a simple silver bar, attracted the attention of many as he walked by. People were especially very surprised to see police in a remote area like this.
According to his letter of appointment, his posting was at the Police Bureau in Deng city. He wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry. But decided to laugh anyway at his fate. Unfortunately, Lou was also posted there like him since there was a shortage of lower ranked officers.
The Police Bureau was surprisingly close to his house, almost a fifteen minute walk. It was also very nondescript and had an office-like modern atmosphere.
He took permission from the constable outside and entered the bureau, and looked out for the Inspector.
Soon, he found the officer-in-charge, a bald fat man that was writing a file on his desk. The ever-jovial smile on him mismatched the gloomy aura of the police station.
"Hello sir, it's me, Shi Xiaofei. I'm the new Sergeant here, I've come!"
The inspector looked up from his desk and smirked, "Aren't you being a bit too hasty? Weren't you supposed to come tomorrow, why are you here?"
"Sir, idling around is a waste of productivity. Why do things later when you can do them now?"
Shi Xiaofei always tried to build friendly relationships with his superiors, and what could be more effective than portraying himself as a hardworking nationalist youth?
" Haha, now that's what I call youth! You're smart kid, I like you. Constable Zing!"
The bald Inspector called out for a grey haired constable, who came running with two cups of tea. He had a bootlicking smile on his face as he served the inspector and Shi Xiaofei tea. Originally he was supposed to come with only one cup of tea, but after seeing the two pips and a silver bar on Shi Xiaofei's uniform he came running with another cup of tea.
Shi Xiaofei smiled and declined the tea, "Thanks, but I don't drink tea."
"Of course, sir."
The constable took back the tea and looked towards the Inspector, "Sir, do you need anything?"
"Ah, Constable Zing, show Sergeant Shi Xiaofei his desk. He's new, so make sure to introduce him to the staff, okay?"
"Yes, sir! Sergeant Shi, please follow me "
Shi Xiaofei stood up, and suddenly saluted for the Inspector. His eyes abtrusely shone as they fell on the Inspector's name plate — Inspector Fei.
"A salute to Inspector Fei; thank you for your kindness."
Inspector Fei leered at him slyly, "Don't try so hard to act smart on the first day, Sergeant Shi. I very well know what you're trying to do, but your enthusiasm nonetheless is refreshing."
"Regardless Sergeant Shi, I hope you well. Just so you know, you're in the Criminal Investigation department. From this moment, you are to accept whatever cases come to your desk. Constable Zing will show you around, but I hope you've paid attention to your training. "
Sergeant Shi nodded and left with Constable Zing. On the way, he saw many higher-leveled police officers on their desks and offices. Since it was the police bureau in charge of the whole city, the traffic; criminal investigation; narcotics and ect were all mashed together in one building. A few of the constables and staff glanced at him and cupped their hands at him, however the higher or equal level officers ignored him.
After going to the Criminal Investigation hall, he was guided to an office where most of the Sergeants were posted. Amazingly, his designated desk was also right in front of the entrance; meaning that he'd be the first person people would approach to file cases!
"Sergeant Shi, here's your desk. Right by the entrance... I'm not really sure if Inspector Fei likes you."
Constable Zing shook his head in frustration and sat down on a stool beside his desk. After Shi Xiaofei sat down, he curiously asked, "Huh? I'm pretty sure being here means he likes me. More cases solved means a faster promotion."
Constable Zing's old and rubbery countenance for one second turned into one of a mix between a cry and a laugh, however it returned to its former firm and serious one. He answered with another shake of his head, "Cases solved? Forget about solving them, Sergeant Shi, you won't be able to even write down reports for most of the cases flying through the Investigation Department. I'm not sure if anyone told you before, but in this city cases can't be filed against bigwigs from the gangs. "
A small frown began to appear on Shi Xiaofei's face as he ruminated over the matter. Deng City was this lawless?
" Oh, sorry Sergeant Shi, it's not like you have to worry about that for now — but you shouldn't have too much hopes either. You saw Inspector Fei, right? His promotion was blocked after he tried to force an audit on a business owned by the Blackwater Gang. So, you should be careful. "
Unfortunately, Shi Xiaofei hadn't heard of the 'Blackwater Gang' before as he wasn't well-acquainted with the forces inside Deng City.
Their long conversation was broken by the sound of footsteps as a female officer entered the empty office and sat down on her respective desk.
Her mediocre looks were overshadowed by a large black scar on her face. She looked weird, but her tight-fit blue uniform suited her. Her rank insignia was of a 2nd Class Sergeant, the same as Shi Xiaofei's.
"Hello colleague, I'm Sergeant Shi Xiaofei, nice to meet you." Shi Xiaofei extended a friendly hand towards her.
The female lightly coughed and shook his hand with a nonchalant smile. "Right, nice to meet you too. I hope we can work together. You can call me Li."
Shi Xiaofei nodded politely and sat down once again on his desk. However before he could continue his conversation with Constable Zing a man rushed into the office screaming loudly.
" AAAAH! Officer, officer, I need to write a report!! This is the Criminal Investigation Office, right?! There's a drug shipment coming down here at Deng Bay, I'm one of Blackwater's men!!"
Listening to him attentively, Shi Xiaofei pulled out a diary from the desk and wrote down the basic information from the man.
The man's hysterical sceaming had alerted and attracted the attention of many staff, who came down to see what happened.
Constable Zing seeing Shi Xiaofei write down a report was alarmed and stole the pen from his hands, "Sergeant Shi, what are you doing?! Don't do this, you don't know what will happen if you do!"
Sergeant Li, that woman from before, chimed in and came before the man and put her hands on his shoulders, "Calm down, calm down. What shipment? What drugs are you talking about? Are you in your senses, I can smell alcohol from your mouth!"
The man's eyes widened, "B-but, no! I'm not lying."
"Wait, don't do it! If we're caught suppressing reports we'll be suspended!" Shi Xiaofei angrily separated the man from Sergeant Li, who looked at him bemusedly.
"Are you out of your mind?! This is something that's way above our payscale; a report against Blackwater gang, are you serious?"
"I'm not fucking joking with you, this is wrong on many levels! No one should be above the law!"
"Your mora—"
"Shut up, I'll do whatever the fuck I want. You can sell yourself to those people, but I won't sell myself!"
Shi Xiaofei angrily walked out of the room, and with indomitable will in his voice, ordered Constable Zing, "Constable Zing, hand me my revolver."
His voice sparked something within Constable Zing as he blanked out, and withdrew a revolver from Shi Xiaofei's desk. He then threw it towards Shi Xiaofei.
Shi Xiaofei caught it and confidently strolled out. A few staff members ran beside him to the Criminal Investigation office to investigate the screaming voice from before.
Shi Xiaofei was born an opportunist. If he couldn't take advantage of this situation who could?