"Susie told me a long time ago,
'Dear, please don't join the army.
They only like to make a fuss and fight.
They look a bit weird in their tight pants.
Their table manners are poor, and they're very rude.
They have a passionate sense of humor, and their jokes are crude.'"
Jack always thought the song officers sang during their runs was a bit crazy, but since the instructors taught it this way, everyone followed along. The tune stayed the same, and instructors loved to change the lyrics to be as crude as possible.
The slightly chubby middle-aged man beside him was singing enthusiastically, even though he was almost out of breath.
Three years after his initial crossing, Jack felt a mix of emotions when he encountered another familiar TV character. This middle-aged man was John Nolan, the protagonist of "The Rookie."
"The Rookie" was the last show Jack had watched before his transmigration. While he couldn't remember every episode of the episodic drama, seeing John made him realize why Zoe had seemed so familiar when they first met.
Zoe was the police captain who was shot while protecting John in the series. Jack hadn't recognized her immediately because the real Zoe was much younger and more attractive than the actress who played her.
"Hey, kid, what are you thinking about? Today is the final driving test. Do your best." John put an arm around his shoulder, pushing him towards the training field.
"Thinking about how to beat you," Jack grumbled.
John was a unique case—a 40-something former construction worker joining the police academy, competing with a bunch of young people. Despite the average age of the recruits being around 30, John excelled in almost everything, except the physical and academic tests where Jack had to give his all to secure first place.
Yesterday, in the handgun shooting test, Jack lost first place to John by a hair, missing out on 4 experience points.
Earning experience in the pitiful system was challenging. Passing a test only earned 1 point, and you needed to place first to get 5 points.
Today's driving test was likely another loss. Jack had little driving experience before his transmigration. Afterward, he had retaken his driver's license under Zoe's guidance but hadn't bought a car. His driving skills, honed under the police academy's instructors, were only at a competent level—not enough to compete with a veteran truck driver like John.
Looking at the system's requirement of 5 gold coins to upgrade driving skills to proficient, Jack gritted his teeth and chose to forgo it.
Despite daily tests from the fifteenth week onward, he had only saved up 2 coins. It was not enough.
As long as he could win two of the four comprehensive medals at graduation, it would be worth Zoe's special effort to reserve a spot for him.
American society wasn't completely devoid of connections and favors. Zoe must have owed quite a few favors to secure that spot, and Jack didn't want to disappoint her.
Once he earned the system rewards for officially becoming a police officer, he could consider upgrading his skills. Jack couldn't remember the specific plot where Zoe got killed, so he planned to upgrade his healing skills to proficient and keep a close watch on John. If necessary, he would take a bullet for Zoe to prevent her from falling victim to the plot.
After all, Zoe was the first woman in this world for him.
As expected, John finished first in the driving test, doing a celebratory dance and pointing at Jack. "First round of drinks is on you tonight."
Jack rolled his eyes.
---
"I don't understand. How did the youngest and oldest recruits become such good friends?"
Jack, John, and Lucy were hanging out at a small bar that night.
Lucy Chen, with her Asian features, pointed between the two handsome men, posing a soul-searching question.
Jack shook his head, indicating he didn't understand either, and signaled to ask John.
To be honest, he had initially befriended John to keep an eye on him and save Zoe. Unexpectedly, they became the best of friends among the recruits.
John shrugged and glanced at Jack. "When everyone looked at me with pity or sympathy, thinking I was joining the academy due to a midlife crisis after my divorce, only Jack asked if men only truly wanted to make a difference in the world when they were older and free from hormonal influence."
"Really?" Jack feigned confusion. "I remember asking if men only turned to fishing or seeking justice after reaching middle age."
"Hey!" John, feeling embarrassed, glanced at Lucy, who was giggling and placing a comforting hand on his leg.
Seeing their interaction, Jack smiled meaningfully. "So, how are you two planning to keep my mouth shut?"
Jack knew from the show that John and Lucy had a secret affair early on. Judging by their current behavior, it seemed they were already involved.
Caught off guard, Lucy blurted out, "I have some model friends..."
Jack leaned back, supporting his chin with his right hand, and asked in a deep, magnetic voice, "Dear Lucy, do I look like someone who can't find his own fun?"
His smile revealed two shallow dimples and a row of neat teeth.
Lucy froze, momentarily forgetting to breathe.
"Wipe that smile off, kid. That's cheating," John said, pulling Lucy close to assert his dominance.
Jack had no interest in wooing Lucy. In fact, he despised how TV show writers often messed up stories with random romantic entanglements.
But being in this strange world, he was curious to observe if these characters with flesh and blood would act like puppets controlled by writers or if they would live their true lives.
So far, Jack remained optimistic. The original rookie trio had replaced a Black guy with him. Then there was the Texan girl Hannah, whom he had never seen in the show. The people around him seemed to lead normal lives with their own joys and sorrows.
---
"So, we got tasered, pepper-sprayed, and nearly drowned in a bucket just to wear this in 95-degree August heat?"
Jack incredulously stared at his official LAPD uniform. The dark blue, almost black outfit was made of wool.
"They say there's a short-sleeve version. Once you're no longer a rookie, you can choose it," John said, already eager to wear his uniform.
Suppressing the urge to curse, Jack reluctantly put on the $160 uniform, the biggest clothing expense since his transmigration.
Becoming an LAPD officer wasn't cheap. Training fees and gear cost nearly $10,000. Without selling the small apartment and grocery store his parents had left, Jack would have needed a loan.
Fortunately, as a police academy recruit, he started receiving a salary, leaving him some money for future rent.
"Wow, looking sharp. You should consider strolling through Beverly Hills in that. You could earn more in one night than months as a cop," John joked.
Jack playfully punched his shoulder. "You're not bad yourself. From what I know, Beverly Hills has more rich old ladies."
As a disciplined force, the LAPD emphasized honor and awareness. During the graduation ceremony, the recruits sat upright, listening to the officers' speeches.
This was also the first time Jack saw Zoe in uniform, exuding a cold, elite aura typical of American leaders. This was likely how others viewed her as the top commander of a Los Angeles police precinct.
At the award ceremony, Jack and John each earned two of the four comprehensive medals. Lucy also ranked among the top, an impressive feat for an Asian woman.
Late at night, at Zoe's residence.
Sensing Zoe's sudden sadness, Jack gently stroked her back, whispering, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Zoe blushed with embarrassment. "Don't call me that. It's my dad's nickname for me. If he knew, he'd shoot you with his Colt Python."
Jack often teased her with this childhood nickname during intimate moments.
After a moment of silence, Zoe cupped Jack's face, stared into his eyes for a long time, then pressed her cheek to his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Feeling her tears, Jack was surprised. "Are you crying? What happened?"
Zoe buried her head, avoiding his gaze, and quickly wiped her tears.
"I just feel maintaining this relationship is unfair to you, but I can't let you go. Am I being too selfish?"
"Hmm?" Jack was puzzled. Did American women also overthink relationships?
Zoe bit his chest in anger. "We're about to be superior and subordinate. Don't you know what that means? If our relationship is exposed, my career is over."
"So?" Jack was confused. In TV shows, such relationships were common. Just keep it discreet.
But then he realized Zoe, at 35, was already a precinct commander, indicating strong connections and scrutiny from others.
"Then why did you specifically recruit me to Wilshire?" Jack felt Zoe's actions were contradictory.
"I thought you might just be infatuated with me because you're young. Maybe you'd soon tire of me or leave for Hannah."
"But the longer I spend with you, the less I want to be apart. I'm starting to regret it. Seeing Hannah genuinely like you makes me jealous of her youth." Zoe's voice trailed off.
Jack was stunned. What kind of twisted logic was this? She created her own love rival?
Reflecting on his time with Zoe, Jack realized the problem might be him.
Their relationship had started with mutual need, but his middle-aged soul's nurturing habits likely won her over. He'd cook for her when she was busy, make medicinal meals when she neglected her health, and even used his healing skills to improve her skin texture.
Did these actions win over the elegant older woman? This wasn't how it went in TV shows!
Faced with Zoe's confession, Jack couldn't remain indifferent. Though passive in
past relationships, he knew how to woo a woman.
Moreover, Zoe was a rare, smooth-skinned, odorless American woman. So what if she was older? Older women could be more caring. She even planned ahead, offering Hannah as a backup girlfriend. Where could he find such a considerate woman?
With that in mind, Jack decided to use the ultimate weapon in TV romance. He flipped Zoe onto her back, whispered in her ear, "I love you, silly."
Simultaneously, he opened the system in his mind, ignoring unread messages and rewards. He immediately upgraded his healing skill from competent to proficient. Zoe was saved; Jack said so, and not even Jesus could stop him.
Jack vowed to use "I love you" sparingly in the future. It was too exhausting.
___________________
Read Ahead
P@treon.com/Mutter