Chapter 414: Risking It All

Chapter 414: A Life-Risking Move (Update 1)

“Time to clock out.”

Stepping out of the autopsy room, Xiao Yu glanced at his watch and said to Wang Cheng.

Every investigative unit takes care of its rookie cops.

They ease them gradually into the department’s rhythm.

After all, these officers are just kids!

“Master, I’m not tired,” Wang Cheng chuckled.

“You’re young,”

Xiao Yu smiled. “Soon enough you’ll feel the burn, but it’s not time yet. Let’s go.”

“Alright!”

Wang Cheng nodded and, a bit bashfully, asked, “Master, are you seeing someone?”

Apparently, Dog King hadn’t shared his own business with Wang Cheng… Xiao Yu laughed. “I’ve been married for over a year now, and our baby is just one month old.”

“Huh?”

Wang Cheng was astonished. “Master, aren’t you a bit young to be married?”

“I met her through a matchmaking session.”

Recalling his younger days, Xiao Yu’s face lit up with a warm smile.

“Impressive.”

Wang Cheng, slightly embarrassed, scratched his head. “I have a girl I like too, but I never know how to start. Master, you must have some experience—teach me, will you?”

“Hahaha!”

“I’ve got about zero experience… If you like someone, just confess. What if you end up as a fallback?” Xiao Yu joked.

Wang Cheng: …

This master sure seems a bit unreliable, doesn’t he?

“I’m not joking.”

Wiping his smile away, Xiao Yu fixed his gaze on his apprentice. “You have to earn your opportunities… Haven’t you ever dated?”

Could it be? Are you, like me, single until your early twenties?

“No.”

Wang Cheng, a little sheepish, added, “I’d only ever heard classmates and friends talk about how they met girls—it all sounded fun.”

Meaning that he only heard stories without ever experiencing the trials of love firsthand… Xiao Yu chuckled, “Give it a shot; most of the time, you won’t be risking your life.”

Taking a chance might as well be a death sentence, right?

“Mm.”

Wang Cheng nodded emphatically. “I’m listening, Master!”

Xiao Yu couldn’t help but laugh at his apprentice’s antics.

That kid’s shameless finger-pointing even had a hint of Wang Dong’s flair—truly a family trait!

……

After his apprentice left, Xiao Yu stayed behind and headed back to the Criminal Investigation Team.

Instead of diving into the case, he first sent a video to his sister.

“Sis, I won’t be back tonight.”

(chdj) Xiao Yu watched the video, seeing Mu Qingwu cradling the little baby.

His eyes settled on his son’s tiny face, and a smile tugged at his lips.

That small face was both pretty and rosy, exuding a pure innocence.

Bright, fluttering eyes with crystal-clear whites—so unlike adults whose eyes can grow cloudy and bloodshot with age…

An indescribable bond that connected father and son.

Even through a video, it filled Xiao Yu’s heart with warmth.

He felt an urge to dash home, scoop up his own son, and plant a kiss on him.

“Got it.”

Mu Qingwu, used to her brother’s line of work, said gently, “Stay safe, eat on time, and come home early… Mu Mu and I are waiting for you.”

“Mm.”

Xiao Yu smiled warmly at his sister. “Thanks, sis.”

“Dummy, we’re married, remember?”

Mu Qingwu giggled lightly, “Feeling a bit guilty? Sing me a song.”

Xiao Yu nodded and began to speak slowly…

……

Clinging to the sofa, with bleary eyes and tousled hair,

he longed to be as dashing as a movie hero.

On the eaves, crows were huddled densely.

Those repressed emotions just couldn’t find a way out.

He had even considered leaving—just to exist in that state.

It was all because of those narratives, those stances,

and those unforgettable memories and passions.

One day, as the sun sets in the west,

I’ll return with honor.

……

The video call with his sister ended.

Xiao Yu picked up the case files.

He was about to mull them over when…

His phone suddenly rang.

“Hey, little brother, how’s that kid Wang Cheng doing?”

Wang Dong asked cheerfully over the phone.

“Better than you,”

Xiao Yu replied with a smile. “At least this kid isn’t as shameless as you, Wang Ge!”

“How did I become shameless?” Wang Dong retorted, indignant.

His tone was that of an old hand—a slippery veteran.

When a seasoned pro speaks, you can’t trust every punctuation mark.

“Enough talk.”

Xiao Yu laughed, “You only called me over for such a trivial matter?”

“Not at all.”

Wang Dong turned serious. “Big Boss wants you to come to Capital City.”

“Hmm?” Xiao Yu frowned. “Does National Security have a case?”

If so, that would be troublesome.

The case in Bincheng is already quite tricky.

“It’s not a case—but something much bigger.”

Wang Dong explained, “Your Ninth First-Class Merit has been awarded!”

That gave him a start… Xiao Yu rolled his eyes. “That’s it?”

“Is that all?”

Wang Dong’s voice shifted. “Little brother, are you sure your head hasn’t been caught in a door?”

“What do you mean?” Xiao Yu asked, puzzled.

“Do you know what a Ninth First-Class Merit stands for?”

Wang Dong’s tone grew solemn. “In modern times, it’s been granted to over five officers!”

“What the—? Really?” Xiao Yu was taken aback.

“As if there’s any doubt.”

Wang Dong laughed wryly, “You don’t take your merits lightly, do you? Do you know how many cases you’ve cracked these past few months without proper recognition? Not only Big Boss, but even the head of your Police Department has gone gray from all your achievements.”

“What’s the point? I don’t really care about that stuff,” Xiao Yu laughed.

“Is that really a matter of indifference for you?”

Wang Dong chuckled irritably, “It’s not that no one dares claim your credit… But here’s a heads-up.”

“What?” Xiao Yu asked, confused.

“The Ninth First-Class Merit was awarded by two Big Bosses together.”

Wang Dong said earnestly, “But for the Tenth—even their words won’t count… There’s an honor attached, you know?”

“National Honor Medal…” Xiao Yu replied, his tone turning serious. “I know!”

“So, for the Tenth First-Class Merit…”

Wang Dong’s voice took on a strange tone, “You’ll have to earn credits equivalent to at least ten times what you’ve done!”

Xiao Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

Damn, is it really that terrifying?

But compared to that ‘National Honor Medal,’ it doesn’t seem so bad.

In other words, to attain the Tenth First-Class Merit,

you’d have to trade in credits equal to ten First-Class Merits?

Xiao Yu felt a surge of excitement—a reckless impulse was brewing.

Maybe he’d just take the plunge; a little risk never hurt anyone…

Damn it, yeah—risking your life indeed!