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Chapter 55: The Fool and the Bad Guy

“Shi Chen, what do you mean?” Wang Hongtao frowned at the SWAT officer in front of him, displeased.

Zou Quan looked at Shi Chen just as confused and asked, “Why do you oppose giving them commendations? The only reason this vicious incident turned from danger to safety was the bravery and cleverness of those two high school students, so why shouldn’t we reward them?”

Shi Chen answered in his deep voice, “Vice Chief, please calm down and listen while I explain. Ahem, this high school student named Lu Li appeared at the scene not because he was already in the restaurant but because he broke through our cordon and forced his way inside.”

Shi Chen produced the surveillance footage and played for Zou Quan the video of Lu Li sneaking back into Good Flavor.

After watching the clip, Zou Quan frowned and asked, “What are you trying to say?”

Shi Chen explained, “What I mean is that Lu Li was not passively dragged into this case; he went in there on purpose.”

Shi Chen coughed twice and said sternly, “According to our verification, when the criminal Xu Ke… the masked man… entered Good Flavor, Lu Li had already left. When Lu Li returned to the restaurant, we had already evacuated the civilians and warned everyone that there was danger nearby. Yet Lu Li ignored all that, went back into Good Flavor again, and fought the thugs. His behavior showed obvious individual heroism; he deliberately tried to play the hero.”

“Oh? How so?” Zou Quan stared steadily at Shi Chen.

Shi Chen continued to embellish, “Originally, if we had just waited for our sniper to get into position, the crisis could have been resolved effortlessly. But Lu Li’s unauthorized actions almost caused us huge losses! Imagine if he had failed to subdue Xu Ke and Xu Ke had detonated the bomb, then no one inside Good Flavor would have survived! Therefore this show-off, Lu Li, should receive criticism and education rather than praise. If others blindly imitate his behavior, it could seriously harm public safety in the future.”

Hearing this, Zou Quan’s face tightened; he tapped the tabletop lightly and said, “You have a point.”

Wang Hongtao disagreed and said, “Director Zou, I think Shi Chen is completely shifting the issue to cover up their own mistakes and shirk responsibility! His SWAT team arrived far too late, and the sniper couldn’t reach the optimal position in time; that is a serious error that cannot go unpunished! If the criminal had detonated the bomb before the sniper was ready, that would have posed the real threat to public safety! By contrast, Lu Li ultimately subdued the criminal, rescued everyone, and protected the lives and property of the public; for that alone he must be commended. Not punishing wrongdoing and not rewarding merit… that is absolutely against our discipline!”

Zou Quan nodded repeatedly and said, “Hongtao also makes sense…”

Shi Chen retorted, “Wang Hongtao is judging only by the outcome! I absolutely oppose this kind of personal heroism! Lu Li must be criticized!”

Wang Hongtao shouted, “You’re ignoring the facts! As captain of the SWAT team, you should take full responsibility for the sniper’s mistake!”

“Enough! Stop arguing!” Zou Quan slapped the table, stood up, and declared, “The sniper’s late arrival was indeed the SWAT team’s fault. Shi Chen, write a self-criticism!”

Shi Chen knit his brows. “I admit my fault, but what about Lu Li’s mistake…”

Zou Quan snorted, “Lu Li’s reckless heroics show individualism that disregards the collective; that is not something we encourage. Therefore, cancel Lu Li’s commendation and award; instead give him criticism and education!”

Wang Hongtao’s eyes widened. “Director Zou, how can you…”

Zou Quan cut off Wang Hongtao’s protest and said solemnly, “My decision is final; that’s it.”

Shi Chen left, satisfied.

Wang Hongtao looked at Zou Quan unhappily and said, “Director Zou, this…”

Zou Quan raised his hand. “I know you’re upset, but you should understand Shi Chen. He once got his mentor killed because of recklessness; he isn’t trying to shirk responsibility… he just hasn’t gotten over that knot in his heart. He’s not targeting Lu Li; he’s targeting the version of himself back then.”

Wang Hongtao stayed silent for a long time, then took a deep breath and said, “Director Zou, but Lu Li didn’t do anything wrong; he doesn’t deserve punishment. And Chu Zining was forcibly dragged into the crisis; she finally disarmed the gun-wielding criminal, and her merit is plain to see. You can’t punish her too, can you?”

After a moment’s thought, Zou Quan said, “Fine, she can receive the Outstanding Youth Award and the Courageous Act bonus. As for Lu Li, skip the criticism report as well. Hongtao, you handle the paperwork.”

“Yes, sir.”

Wang Hongtao let out a sigh of relief; at least this could be considered a compromise…

…

After finishing their statements in separate interrogation rooms, Lu Li and Chu Zining met again.

Lu Li looked at Chu Zining with interest and teased, “Officer Jiang told me that after I passed out, you took that old guy down with your bare hands?”

“N-no, it wasn’t me.” Chu Zining shook her head.

“Not you?” Lu Li feigned surprise. “If it wasn’t you, who else could it be? There wasn’t a fifth person in the restaurant… unless it was a ghost.”

Chu Zining stammered for a while, unable to speak.

She glanced at Lu Li, looking a little troubled.

When Jiang Chaoyun asked her to recount what had happened, she hid the existence of her second personality and just said she did it herself because explaining the second personality would be too complicated.

But she didn’t want to lie to Lu Li.

“Lu Li, actually I’m sick too.” After struggling for a bit, Chu Zining finally spoke up.

“What illness do you have?” Lu Li froze and furrowed his brow.

“D-dissociative identity disorder…” Chu Zining lowered her head, feeling a little inferior. “I have a second personality; whenever I’m in danger, she comes out to save me. She’s the one who subdued the old man, not me.”

Lu Li: “…”

Lu Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; he had just thought Chu Zining really had some illness, and it turned out to be this…

Seeing the look of helplessness on Lu Li’s face, Chu Zining bit her lip, and her eyes gradually reddened.

The next moment Lu Li burst out laughing. “A second personality? That sounds awesome! If she could take down that bad guy, she must be a handsome, suave, fearless, and brilliant genius!”

Chu Zining was stunned, then nodded seriously. “She is indeed cool and handsome, much more impressive than I am.”

“But where did ‘suave and handsome’ come from? She’s me, and I’m a girl.” Chu Zining explained earnestly.

When Lu Li said nothing, Chu Zining became nervous. “She’s really nice. Next time she shows up, I can let her chat with you.”

I won’t be able to talk with him at all…

Lu Li gave her a playful karate chop, then paused and switched to rubbing her little head.

“Dummy.”

“Hm?” Chu Zining’s moist peach-blossom eyes sparkled with confusion; she didn’t understand why Lu Li called her that.

Even so, she didn’t reject Lu Li’s touch; it felt warm and comforting.

“Feels pretty good… better than that puppy.” Lu Li suddenly grinned smugly.

Chu Zining’s face froze, her eyes rippling, and she murmured softly in her heart, “Bad guy.”

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