128 Reward (Third update! Please vote with your monthly tickets!)

Before long, the robbery scene was cordoned off.

A significant number of personnel arrived from both the police department and the procuratorate. Li Hui made a rough count; there were at least a dozen of them.

"Well, if our squad had this many people, we would have solved the case long ago."

"Right, let's go back and write the report." Han Bin stretched and felt a clear conscience. If you cannot even protect your own colleague, what kind of police officer are you?

After grabbing a bite to eat, Han Bin returned to the branch office. During that time, Han Weidong called him. Han Bin relayed the situation truthfully, and Han Weidong comforted him, telling him not to worry, to write the report carefully, cooperate with the investigation, and explain the situation clearly to the leadership. Not wanting to make his father worry, Han Bin readily agreed.

Back at the branch office, Zeng Ping and Zhao Ming were interrogating the purse-snatching suspect, while Tian Li had taken Jin Hua to the hospital. Han Bin and Li Hui returned to their office to work on their reports.

Li Hui chewed on a piece of gum and asked, "How is this thing supposed to be written?"

"How would I know? You’ve been in the criminal investigation team for all these years; haven't you ever written one?" Han Bin retorted.

Li Hui chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed. "Honestly, I’ve never actually fired my weapon."

Since only Han Bin and Li Hui were present when the shot was fired, and Han Bin had fired to save Li Hui, Li Hui also had to submit a report.

"Should we look it up online?" Han Bin asked.

"Can you really find this kind of stuff online?" Li Hui was skeptical.

"Let's look; maybe we can use it as a reference," Han Bin said nonchalantly. He had plenty of time, so he could just write it slowly. The longer it took to write, the more sincere the attitude and the more profound the self-reflection appeared. He estimated that he would be able to get off work on time tonight, and he wondered if his mother would be making something delicious.

...

In the Bureau Chief's office, Dai Minghan and Zheng Kaixuan sat on the sofa. Dai Minghan pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Zheng. Zheng flicked his lighter to light it for him.

Dai Minghan took a drag and asked, "Has the situation been clarified?"

"It has. The suspect attacked Li Hui. Han Bin fired a warning shot; the other party ignored it, and only then did Han Bin shoot and wound the suspect," Zheng Kaixuan said, sitting on the edge of the sofa.

Dai Minghan flicked the ash and smiled. "The kid is a good shot, hitting the suspect with just one round."

"He aimed for the leg, but hit the lower abdomen."

"That’s still pretty good. I remember the first time I fired a gun, I aimed here," Dai Minghan pointed to his chest, "and didn't hit a thing."

"The kid has the makings of a criminal investigator; he’s decisive enough," Zheng Kaixuan added.

"How is the wounded suspect?"

"He's been sent to the hospital for treatment and is currently in surgery."

"Although it's a bit of a hassle, it's better for the suspect to be injured than one of our own. The kid did the right thing," Dai Minghan stated his position.

Zheng Kaixuan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Chief Dai, Han Bin fired in time to save his partner. How do you think we should reward him?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Every time a shot is fired, countless media outlets are watching and netizens are posting comments. If this blows up, no one knows how it will end," Dai Minghan scoffed.

"But you still have to take a stance. Han Bin’s actions were in line with police regulations. If you don’t commend him, criticize him, or make a statement, what will the other officers think?" Zheng retorted.

"Forget the other officers—what do *you* think?"

Zheng Kaixuan hesitated, then said, "To be honest with you, I find guns to be a nuisance too."

"What kind of nuisance, and why? Explain yourself." Dai Minghan stubbed out his cigarette and lit another one.

"First, I'm afraid of losing it. Second, I'm afraid of an incident. Third, I'm afraid of having to use it." Zheng sighed. "Once you fire, you have to retrieve the casing, write a detailed report of the incident, get it signed by the supervisor, report it step-by-step to the municipal bureau, and have it filed..."

"That's enough." Dai Minghan waved his hand, cutting him off. "If you're afraid of this and that, you're not a competent police officer."

"See, you told me to be honest," Zheng Kaixuan shrugged.

Dai Minghan knew that officers were resistant to carrying guns—they were afraid if they carried them, and afraid if they didn't. He wanted to change that situation, but it wasn't a one-man job, and even if he tried, it would require taking on a certain amount of responsibility.

Dai Minghan took another drag. "Tell you what: as long as you handle these two cases properly, I will nominate your Second Group for the September 'Star of the Police Force' collective award."

"What about the individual award?" Zheng pressed.

"The same as last time—I'll leave the nomination to you."

"Thank you, Chief Dai."

"Tell Han Bin not to overthink it. Just do a good job on the cases, and everything will be fine," Dai Minghan said.

"Yes, Chief Dai."

Dai Minghan picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Why are you still standing there?"

"I promised Han Bin that if he could win the individual award twice in a row, I'd apply for a Third-Class Merit for him," Zheng said with a wry smile.

"The month has just started; you're talking about next month. Get out of here," Dai Minghan scolded.

Zheng Kaixuan didn't dare talk back and slipped away.

...

At 2:00 PM, Zheng Kaixuan entered the Second Group’s office, looking serious and carrying his thermos. He scanned the room and saw only Han Bin and Li Hui, who were both slumped over their desks, fast asleep.

"Hey, we're on duty! What are you two doing?" Zheng slammed his cup down on the desk.

Han Bin and Li Hui were startled and quickly looked up.

"Captain Zheng!"

"Captain Zheng, why are you here?" the two asked as they stood up.

"Where are the others?"

"Captain Zeng took the suspect to reenact the crime scene," Han Bin said.

"The scene where Wang Deli was robbed?"

"Yes."

"So what are you two doing?"

"Writing our reports," Han Bin said sheepishly.

"Writing reports my foot! You think you can write a report by sleeping at your desk? Do you think I've never written one?" Zheng scolded.

Han Bin and Li Hui kept their heads down, not daring to answer.

"Look at you two," Zheng said, showing his frustration. "You're ready to quit over such a small thing?"

"No."

"We were just..." The two didn't know how to respond.

"Forget it. Put your minds at ease—it's nothing." Zheng sat down on a chair and said to Li Hui, "Go, pour me a cup of tea."

Li Hui, eager for an excuse to get away, grabbed the cup and scurried off.

"Captain Zheng, is there really no issue with me firing that shot?" Han Bin asked in a low voice.

"I reported it to Chief Dai. He is very understanding of the officers on the ground, especially those of us in the criminal investigation team. This incident is nothing. Chief Dai even said that as long as you handle these two cases well, he will nominate your Second Group for this month's 'Star of the Police Force'."

"Really?" Li Hui, who had been listening from afar, shouted in excitement, "What about the individual award?"

Zheng Kaixuan pointed at Han Bin. "For the individual award, I plan to nominate you. Whether you get it or not depends on your own merits."

Han Bin felt both happy and moved. A leader who takes responsibility is more important and more admirable than a leader who is merely capable. Han Bin felt lucky—he had met one.