Yang Lin coolly gave Lu Chuan the middle finger.

"You keep this up, you’ll have no friends."

Zhao Tianyu curled his lip. Everyone knew the stories of this guy, even the dogs he raised could recite them.

"I think he’s already friendless."

Earlier, when Wang Feng was having a meal with a few of them, he’d heard a bit about how Lu Chuan had frequently been commended over the past year or so, though the specifics were still a bit unclear.

"Old Yang, tell us in detail, what sort of commendations did he get?"

"Where do I start?"

Yang Lin glared at Wang Feng.

This guy was definitely doing it on purpose, bringing up the worst possible topic—had he forgotten how the four of us attended my ex-girlfriend’s wedding, and how Lu Chuan apprehended that creep right there at the scene?

Originally, Lu Chuan was allocated to a police station, but it was because of that incident that the leadership noticed him and transferred him to the Criminal Investigation Team.

Speaking of which...

My ex-girlfriend’s husband was arrested, so why didn’t I get transferred to the Criminal Investigation Team?

Amid laughter, the four of us shared our experiences from the past year or so.

No need to mention Lu Chuan. Over the past year, it was like he was starring in an American blockbuster, tackling over a dozen major cases, earning commendation after commendation.

Though Wang Feng wasn’t very clear on the details of Lu Chuan’s exploits, Yang Lin and Zhao Tianyu were, barring some confidential cases whose specifics weren’t disclosed. They knew all the other case details.

Over the nearly two years, Yang Lin mostly worked on community tasks at the police station.

Thanks to Lu Chuan, he participated in handling two cases, earning a minor commendation of his own.

"The rest of the time it’s running around, fixing this wife’s leaving, that husband’s missing, dealing with those day-to-day things."

Police stations in towns differ significantly from those in rural areas.

County police stations generally cover a broader area but have fewer people.

Aside from assisting with upper-level cases, their main tasks include cracking down on gambling and fraud within their jurisdiction.

Several years back, the social atmosphere in Haizhou City’s rural areas wasn’t so good. Many who returned from migrant labor liked to gamble, playing mahjong and losing the tens of thousands they had earned over a year.

So, a few years ago, the primary duties of rural police stations were to combat gambling.

However, due to the intense crackdowns in recent years, plus an improving social ethos in the countryside, hardly anyone gambles anymore.

Just some elderly folks who are bored at home during the New Year play a couple of rounds.

Last year, Lu Chuan heard Old Bai tell a joke.

A rural police station received a report of gambling during the New Year.

They happily went to catch gamblers; it had been a while since they’d had such an easy source of fines for revenue.

It’s the New Year, good times like this are welcomed by all, but you’re not as straightforward these days.

Only when they got there did they realize it was four elders in their sixties and seventies playing mahjong.

They weren’t gambling for money, but for corn kernels.

Turns out, the one who reported it was one of the grannies playing.

She won too much and didn’t want to play anymore, but the other three wouldn’t let her leave.

The responding officers had never seen someone win, not want to play anymore, and call the police on themselves.

Had they been wagering cash, fine—but corn kernels, really?

As for how much she won... thirty-five corn kernels.

Not only did it cost them petrol money, but they also had to respectfully escort the four elders back home.

The chief himself had led the operation, yet before they returned the three losing elders were unsatisfied. How could they leave having lost?

To even the score, the chief found a corn cob and pulled off some kernels for them.

You can’t mess with elders in their sixties and seventies; what if they suddenly had a heart attack or stroke?

Meanwhile, town police stations have smaller jurisdictions but higher population density and traffic, with many outsiders.

The main work involves patrolling and checks, resolving neighborhood disputes, registering information on outsiders, etc.

Town police stations face more oversight, so if the service attitude is lacking, someone might call the mayor to report you. The workload is complex and there’s plenty of overtime.

Over the past year, Zhao Tianyu hadn’t earned any commendations, as there wasn’t much activity in the K9 Unit.

"It’s fairly laid-back. I was assigned five puppies when I started."

"They’re grown now and in training. Today they participated in the unit’s obedience competition and took second place."

He emptied a glass of beer. Among the group, Zhao Tianyu’s life was the calmest.

He isn’t like Wang Feng, doing undercover work that’s both tense and thrilling.

Nor does he have Yang Lin’s role at the station, always running around dealing with minor neighborhood disputes, often late at night.

Regarding Lu Chuan, who works on homicides daily with the Criminal Investigation Team, it’s even less related to Zhao Tianyu.

The K9 Unit in the police system is often likened to a paradise.

The trainers communicate with animals. Some spend their entire careers there.

Most people working in the K9 Unit have straightforward thoughts.

Dealing with dogs—how complicated can it be? Feed them, and they are loyal; it’s that simple.

"Alright, alright, let’s not talk about work. What about life? Old Yang, how’s your love life? Gotten involved with anyone?"

Wang Feng patted Yang Lin’s shoulder. He grinned wide: "Forget it. Someone like me making three to four thousand a month, no car, no house, who’d be with me?"

Lu Chuan wasn’t having it, accusing him of not telling the truth.

"Doggy, don’t listen to his nonsense. If he wanted a girlfriend, he could have one in no time."

Wang Feng’s nickname was Doggy.

"What’s going on?"

Wang Feng’s eyes lit up with gossip.

Lu Chuan ate a slice of boiled mutton: "Listen to me closely."

Yang Lin got anxious: "Old Lu, don’t tell!"

"Hehe..."

It turns out that last year, while handling a report about a lost pet dog, Yang Lin caught the eye of the daughter of the dog owners.

"I’m telling you, the family is loaded, they live in a big mansion, drive a Rolls-Royce luxury car."

"Their daughter visits Yang Lin at the police station every now and then, bringing him food, buying clothes, even buying drinks for the whole station."

"Been chasing him for half a year."

Wang Feng stared dumbfounded at Yang Lin.

"Damn, man, you’re impressive."

"When’s the wedding?"

Lu Chuan pursed his lips: "Wedding my ass, the girl chased Yang Lin for half a year, and he didn’t agree."

"God...you’re such an idiot, aren’t you?"

"Don’t tell me you find her unattractive?"

Lu Chuan shook his head: "I’ve seen her. Can’t say she’s a stunning beauty, but she’s quite sweet and pleasant-looking."

Wang Feng touched Yang Lin’s forehead: "Have you lost your mind?"

"Hey, hey, hey, my family is what it is. Her family? Maybe she’s just got a temporary crush. Can’t take it seriously."

"Forget it, let’s not bicker, let’s drink!"

Wang Feng looked at Yang Lin as if he were an idiot.

Zhao Tianyu thought his dogs were still the best—obedient, bark when told, lie down when told.

The human world is too complex; dogs are much better.

At first, Zhao Tianyu felt overqualified being assigned to the K9 Unit, but later he realized it was paradise.

Except for finding a partner...

Hmm, there are only three unmarried female trainers in the K9 Unit.

Yet there are 30 singles barking around, louder than the dogs.

Stressful, indeed.

He doesn’t have any advantages. Looks like marriage has to be sorted outside.

"Old Yang, I think with the girl chasing you for this long, she must be sincere, so maybe you should just go for it. And if you succeed, spread the love; see if you can introduce me to someone. I have no other requirements, as long as she likes dogs..."

"...I think you’re pretty much a dog yourself..."