Although Lu Chuan has only been working for a short time, barely a month in total.
He has been involved in quite a few cases.
Right after starting work, he attended a friend's wedding and caught a fugitive who had been on the run for twenty-eight years.
Then there was the Zhang Wen murder case, the longstanding robbery and assault case, the theft at Director Song's father-in-law's house, and the case involving the secretary of an investment firm on the pedestrian street.
Each of these cases brought recognition to the higher-ups.
Yesterday afternoon, he helped the second action group solve the South Suburb arson case.
In this month alone, Lu Chuan has directly or indirectly participated in five cases.
Reflecting on this made Liu Guodong and the others feel a sense of shock.
"The Zhang Wen murder case, plus the Outlets case, I've heard there might be a collective third-class merit award."
Ren Qiang looked at Lu Chuan again: "Lu, there might even be an individual commendation for you."
After seeing Ren Qiang off, Lu Chuan looked at Liu Guodong with some confusion.
"Master, Group Leader Ren's information… is quite well-informed."
By rights, Ren Qiang, as a group leader of the Criminal Investigation Team's action group, holds some position, but not arguably high enough to be in the know about the City Bureau affairs.
Rewards for cases, although not secret, should only be known to a few before being officially announced.
After all, these matters require discussion and research by higher authorities before being issued.
"Ren Qiang's daughter works in the City Bureau's office as a clerk."
Liu Guodong revealed the hidden details with one sentence.
Turns out it was the clerk, so naturally, the information is readily accessible.
"By the way," Yang Sen clapped his thigh and looked at Lu Chuan: "Lu, Old Ren's daughter is quite nice, should I introduce you?"
When Yang Sen spoke, Lu Chuan immediately thought of his 180-pound niece.
"Brother Yang, let's just focus on comparing fingerprints."
Ren Qiang's information is not only well-informed but also precise.
Three days later, the City Bureau's commendation document was released.
Criminal Investigation Team, collective third-class merit.
Lu Chuan, a city-wide commendation once.
"Congratulations, Lu, just started working and already received a city-wide commendation, congratulations!"
This was the team colleagues' congratulatory words.
"Chuan! You really did it, even a cow can't compete!"
This was from his close friend Yang Lin.
Qin Yong once again came to the Crime Scene Investigation office for a friendly visit.
He painted a bright future for Lu Chuan as a rising star in the police force.
The implication being if anything happened to him, Lu Chuan would be the team leader.
Lu Chuan was so touched, he started to sweat.
Cases are like a period, always concentrated in certain days, making people miserable, and even cutting off income sources.
However, once you get through it, it's clear skies and you can resume work.
In peaceful days, the Crime Scene Investigation office was filled with the sound of leisurely sipping tea.
Lu Chuan leaned back in his chair, holding a large porcelain mug, given to him by Liu Guodong.
He said it's standard for Crime Scene Investigation, everyone gets one.
To be honest, this large porcelain mug, when used to brew tea alongside a spread-out newspaper, really gives off a relaxing vibe.
Upon starting work, Lu Chuan glimpsed what his retirement life would be like.
"Master, lately it's been really peaceful, life without cases is quite relax..."
"Don't say it!"
Hmm?
Liu Guodong and the others' expressions changed, but they couldn't stop Lu Chuan in time.
"Master, why not say it?"
Liu Guodong and the others were ashen-faced: "In our line of work, never speak of cases lightly."
"Master, isn't that a bit superstitious? I mean, it's not like I..."
Bam!
Before Lu Chuan could finish his sentence, the office door was pushed open with a bang.
Zhang Hui from the second action group, who has been with the police for five years and soon to be the mainstay, was someone Lu Chuan met at the South Suburb arson case scene.
"Supervisor Liu, something's happened!"
Lu Chuan: "..."
Is it really this uncanny?
Liu Guodong and the others glanced at Lu Chuan and sighed collectively.
"Lu, in our line of work, some things can't be dismissed as superstitious."
Old Bai put down his newspaper and large porcelain mug with a chipped glaze, patting Lu Chuan on the shoulder: "Don't take it to heart, even without mentioning cases, they'll still happen… but try not to mention them next time."
...
Year 3020, September 12th, Tuesday, cloudy.
Haizhou City North City New District, Happy Reservoir.
Lu Chuan now doubles as a driver for the Crime Scene Investigation office, parked the car, and entered the site.
The crime scene was on the southeast side of the reservoir, where the police had already set up a cordon.
Around it, many local villagers were watching.
"The report came from someone fishing wild fish at the reservoir, Ren Qiang and others are taking statements."
At the crime scene, Qin Yong and others were listening to the initial report, while Lu Chuan and the four others entered first as Crime Scene Investigation.
The forensic doctor followed closely behind.
On the shore, there was a body in a white dress.
It lay face up, with long hair covering half of its face.
Jagged wounds were spread all over, as if gnawed by something, making the original features unrecognizable.
Upon seeing such a gruesome scene for the first time, Lu Chuan's face changed dramatically.
"Lu, are you okay?"
Liu Guodong's face wasn't looking good either, handing gloves to Lu Chuan.
Lu Chuan shook his head; he had seen corpses before in college, not suffering from corpse phobia.
Moreover, he was also present when Zhang Wen was murdered last time.
The reason for such a strong reaction this time was due to the face of the corpse being evidently gnawed by fish on the shore.
The scene was overly stimulating.
But after adapting, it got a lot better.
Seeing Lu Chuan's complexion ease slightly, Liu Guodong began arranging tasks.
It's still uncertain if the deceased died by suicide or homicide, or if this is the primary crime scene.
But given it's a murder case, Liu Guodong immediately arranged tasks with the highest standards.
"Lu, you take Crime Scene Investigation photos first, Old Yang and Old Bai will mark and collect physical evidence."
Lu Chuan's performance at the Zhang Wen murder scene was commendable, with excellent Crime Scene Investigation photography.
This time's photography was different from last time.
The scene of Zhang Wen's death was indoors, and it was the primary crime scene, requiring photographs of every detail.
But this time, the scene was outdoors, and the body had been pulled out of the water.
So Lu Chuan focused mainly on the body.
In less than ten minutes, he completed the Crime Scene Investigation photography.
Then the forensic doctor examined the body.
"There are obvious strangulation marks on the neck, and corneal congestion, initially judged to be mechanical asphyxia!"
The forensic doctor's words made everyone's heart sink.
Mechanical asphyxia, meaning the deceased couldn't have drowned.
It's now pretty much confirmed as a homicide.
Another murder case!
Ren Qiang also finished questioning the reporter.
At this moment, his face was extremely serious: "Captain Qin, the reporter just said that when they were fishing, the line broke once."
"The body was hooked the second time they cast the line, so… there might be something else in the reservoir!"
Ren Qiang's judgment made the atmosphere at the scene even colder.
One death was already a big deal, if there's a second person…