Star of Police Unit 061

Qindao Sub-bureau.

The beating of drums and the clanging of gongs grew louder and had already attracted the attention of the bureau’s leadership.

Director Dai Minghan personally came out to investigate. Li Zhankun, captain of Criminal Investigation Team One, and Sun Chengying, captain of Team Two, also stepped outside. Many officers came out to see what was happening.

“Zhankun, Old Li, what’s going on?” Dai Minghan asked.

“Director Dai, I’m not sure myself,” Li Zhankun replied, shaking his head.

“Looks like someone’s here to present a banner,” Sun Chengying said.

“Nonsense! I can see that myself. What I want to know is, who are they giving the banner to?” Dai Minghan snorted impatiently.

The two captains exchanged awkward glances, simultaneously wondering whether it might be for Team Three.

At the head of the drumming, cheering crowd was Xu Yan from Linfang Community, holding a banner inscribed in large characters: “The People’s Police Serve the People—Swift Justice Warms Our Hearts.”

In the top right corner was written: “Presented to Yuhua Sub-bureau, Qindao.”

On the left side, in smaller characters: “Xu Yan and Song Jinchang of Linfang Community, August 2019.”

Xu Yan stepped forward from the crowd and, seeing Dai Minghan surrounded in the center, walked up to him. “You must be the leader of the sub-bureau?”

“This is Director Dai. What can we do for you?” Li Zhankun asked.

“Director Dai, I’m a resident of Linfang Community. I came to present your bureau with this banner to thank you for promptly capturing the culprit and saving my father,” Xu Yan explained.

Dai Minghan was momentarily confused, unable to fully grasp the situation.

Others from the group stepped forward as well. A man shook Dai Minghan’s hand. “Director Dai, I’m also a resident of Linfang Community. Thank you for catching the thief for us.”

“You’re welcome, just doing our duty,” Dai Minghan finally began to piece things together. He remembered that a series of thefts had occurred a few days earlier, and he had reminded Zheng Kaixuan that there are no small matters when it comes to the people—cases must be solved swiftly.

Two more residents appeared with banners. One read: “Diligent and Responsible, Swift Resolution.” The other: “Wholeheartedly for the People—The People’s Police.”

Seeing these three banners, Dai Minghan was quite pleased, his face lighting up with satisfaction.

“Director Dai, I’d like to present this banner to Officer Zheng and Officer Han, and thank them personally,” Xu Yan said earnestly. “If not for their timely action in catching the thief and recovering my father’s surgery funds, he might not have survived…”

As she spoke, Xu Yan became increasingly emotional, her eyes reddening with gratitude.

“Don’t worry, I’ll call them over right away,” Dai Minghan reassured her. This case had been handled by Zheng Kaixuan, so he was the Officer Zheng in question. But who was Officer Han?

“Zheng Kaixuan!” Dai Minghan called out.

“Director Dai, you wanted to see me?” Zheng Kaixuan squeezed through the crowd.

“Well done on the case. The public is here to present you with banners,” Dai Minghan said, patting him on the shoulder.

“Officer Zheng, thank you and Officer Han for saving my father,” Xu Yan said, handing the banner directly to Zheng Kaixuan.

“Ms. Xu, this is what we police officers are supposed to do,” Zheng Kaixuan replied, then called out, “Han Bin, come over here!”

“Yes!” Han Bin answered from a distance, walking over and greeting them. “Ms. Xu, everyone, you’re all here…”

“Thank you for catching the thief and helping us recover the surgery money in time. I didn’t have much to offer in gratitude, so I wanted to come and thank you in person,” Xu Yan said.

“Has your father had the operation?”

“Yes, it went very well. He’s recovering now.”

“That’s good,” Han Bin said with a smile, glad his efforts had not been in vain.

Other residents who had been robbed also stepped forward to express their thanks.

At that moment, the bureau’s Public Relations Department arrived with cameras and video equipment to record the lively scene.

Han Bin too was presented with a banner. He took several photos with the residents of Linfang Community, enjoying his moment in the spotlight.

Prompted by the PR staff, Dai Minghan, Zheng Kaixuan, and Han Bin took a group photo with the residents presenting the banners.

Finally, the members of Team Three gathered for another group photo, holding the three banners. Zheng Kaixuan stood in the center, with Han Bin and Zhao Ying at his sides, and the rest of the team arranged in rows.

This banner presentation was a major moment for Team Three, putting them in the limelight, while Teams One and Two were left feeling somewhat overshadowed. Their captains quietly returned inside.

After the excitement died down, Zheng Kaixuan, Han Bin, Zhao Ying, and others personally escorted the Linfang Community residents to the bureau’s main entrance.

Song Jinchang, looking somewhat withdrawn, lagged behind the group and approached Han Bin. He shook Han Bin’s hand. “Officer Han, thank you for catching the thief and clearing my name.”

“No need to thank me, it’s my duty.”

“I just wanted to thank you in person.”

Han Bin nodded, noticing the man seemed preoccupied. “About the earlier suspicions, those were raised by the police as part of the investigation. I hope you and your wife don’t hold any hard feelings.”

Song Jinchang hesitated for a moment before giving a bitter smile. “Xu Yan and I have already agreed to divorce.”

Han Bin was surprised. “Because of the stolen savings?”

Song Jinchang shook his head. “The issues between us have existed for a long time. Even if the money hadn’t been stolen, we’d still have had conflicts over the surgery expenses.”

“It’s really come to that?” Han Bin frowned.

“Officer Han, you’re not married yet, are you?”

“No.”

“Compared to her own family, what Xu Yan cares about most is her parents,” Song Jinchang sighed. “I’m a few years older than you. When you get married, you’ll understand.”

Han Bin opened his mouth to offer some words of comfort but ultimately said nothing. As Song Jinchang had pointed out, he wasn’t married and had no experience in such matters—what right did he have to advise the man?

Perhaps Song Jinchang only wanted someone to talk to. He and Xu Yan were already at odds; rather than constantly arguing and hurting one another, it was better to part peacefully and start anew…

Director’s Office.

Dai Minghan sat at his desk, looking at his computer. On the screen was the internal police website, with Han Bin’s photo in the upper left corner.

As he read, Dai Minghan nodded to himself. “This young man’s not bad—he’s already achieved several first-class merits since joining the detective team.”

“Ah, so he’s Old Han’s son. No wonder he seemed familiar.”

“He really has a good son.”

There was a knock at the door.

Dai Minghan closed the screen. “Come in.”

The door creaked open and Zheng Kaixuan and Han Bin entered.

“Director Dai,” the two greeted him formally.

“Sit,” Dai Minghan said, indicating the chairs across from him.

“Director Dai, is there something you need?” Zheng Kaixuan asked directly.

“Your Team Three has had a good clearance rate recently. Stay humble in victory and persistent in defeat—keep it up.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dai Minghan turned to Han Bin. “You’re Han Bin?”

“Yes.”

“You’re a promising young man, well-suited to be a detective. I have high hopes for you. Keep up the good work,” Dai Minghan encouraged.

“I won’t let you down, sir,” Han Bin replied solemnly.

“Given your team’s performance, I’ll be nominating Team Three for this month’s ‘Star of the Police Force,’” Dai Minghan announced.

The sub-bureau’s internal network and bulletin board had a “Star of the Police Force” section, designed to highlight exemplary role models.

The selection was held monthly, with one outstanding individual and one outstanding team chosen each time, serving as models for all officers to emulate.

Dai Minghan pointed to Zheng Kaixuan. “As for the outstanding individual, I’ll leave that recommendation to you as team leader.”