Chapter 110

The victim, looking at the recovered bag, burst into tears. “Thank goodness it was recovered. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to go on living.”

The policemen quickly offered some comforting words. “The bag was retrieved by that soldier. Check if any money is missing.”

The victim looked around the alley, finally locking eyes with Lu Weiguo.

In his eyes, none of them—neither the ones caught nor the one standing tall—looked like good people. When he saw someone chasing the thieves, they were too fast for him to see clearly. Judging by clothing color was also impractical since everyone’s clothes were similar shades.

He concluded, based on the woman who reported the theft, that the intimidating man must be the soldier the police referred to.

He approached, intending to shake Lu Weiguo’s hand in gratitude, but the man’s overwhelming presence made him hesitate.

The victim retracted his hand and, with a face full of gratitude, said, “Thank you, comrade soldier, for helping me retrieve my wages. I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve saved my life.”

Before he could say more, Lu Weiguo interrupted, “First, check if the amount of money in your bag is correct.”

The victim’s grateful words were stifled. He opened the black bag and counted the bundles of money. “The amount is correct.”

The policemen sighed in relief.

One of them approached the unconscious thief and hesitated before asking the leader, “Captain, should we take this guy to the hospital?”

The captain was unsure and was about to check when Lu Weiguo intervened, “I’ll wake him up.”

He was closer to the unconscious little leader and noticed the thief’s hand had just moved slightly.

When the little leader fell unconscious, his hand was trapped under him, and he was subtly trying to move it. Lu Weiguo figured he was awake.

Lu Weiguo pushed Shi Tingyu towards the police for safety and crouched in front of the little leader.

Despite the cold weather, sweat beaded on the little leader’s forehead, and his eyelids fluttered as Lu Weiguo approached.

Lu Weiguo grabbed his hand and pressed down hard on his philtrum.

The pressure made the little leader’s face contort in pain, and he immediately cried out.

Lu Weiguo calmly stood up and patted his hands as if dusting off nonexistent dirt, speaking in an unperturbed tone, “See, isn’t that better?”

The crowd realized the thief had been faking unconsciousness to seize an opportunity to escape to the hospital. The police quickly apprehended him.

The police captain then said to Shi Tingyu, “Comrade, you and your husband need to come to the station to make a statement.”

Since one was the reporter and the other the catcher, they needed to explain the situation. With limited manpower, they needed the soldier to help escort the criminals.

Lu Weiguo glanced at Shi Tingyu, and seeing her nod, he didn’t refuse.

The police didn’t consider the victim capable of holding down the criminals. They arrived on an old Changjiang 750 sidecar motorcycle, with the rest of the team on bicycles. At the time, this was relatively good equipment; in more remote areas, even bicycles were rare.

Due to the number of people, they locked the vehicles and used old-fashioned handcuffs for two of the criminals and a rope for the third. The group headed to the station, attracting curious onlookers along the way.

The police captain turned and shouted, “Police business, clear the way!”

The onlookers slowly dispersed, showing the respect police commanded back then.

The station wasn’t far, and they soon arrived. After making a brief statement, Lu Weiguo prepared to leave with Shi Tingyu.

The victim hurried over, “Comrade soldier, I will report your heroic deeds to my factory leader. We’ll send a commendation letter to your unit.”

Commendation letters were highly valued and often broadcasted to inspire others.

Lu Weiguo replied, “No need, it was my duty.”

Shi Tingyu thought Lu Weiguo was being naive, but it was the soldiers’ nature at the time.

The victim insisted on sending the letter. Lu Weiguo and Shi Tingyu left amid his profuse thanks. The next day, the commendation letter reached the unit.

Captain Han grinned widely, “Old Lu really brings honor to our camp.” Reading the letter, he decided, “I need to commend him.”

The letter praised Lu Weiguo’s bravery and Shi Tingyu’s calm, rational response. The mechanical factory offered five job openings to military dependents, believing in their high moral standards to contribute to modernization efforts.

Captain Han broadcasted Lu Weiguo’s heroism and the job openings, exciting the military dependents.

Returning from training, Lu Weiguo encountered many smiling dependents, all friendly and warm. Knowing the reason, he quickened his pace to avoid the overwhelming enthusiasm.

Behind him, the women chatted about Lu Weiguo.

“I’ve realized he’s just got a fierce look but a warm heart.”

“Exactly, we were misled by his appearance.”

“Look at him, facing three criminals without flinching and securing job openings for us. Truly admirable.”

Hearing this, Lu Weiguo quickened his steps even more.