Since it was Yi Jiayi’s first time practicing shooting, she shouldn’t overdo it, so she didn’t practice for too long before running back to Team B, eager to wrap up the work on the KTV murder case.
As she approached the office door, before she could even peek in, she suddenly heard Liu Jiaming mention the name ‘Eleven’. Instinctively, Jiayi stopped in her tracks.
“How long has Eleven been in the Major Crime unit?” Liu Jiaming waved his hand dismissively and continued with a smile, “Brother Fu, you’re just overthinking things.”
“I think Brother Yue is indeed looking to focus on grooming little Eleven,” said Fu, sighing heavily.
“Which one of us wasn’t personally trained by Brother Yue when we first joined the team? It’s normal to look out a bit more for the newbies,” Gary chimed in.
“If you’re curious, why not just ask directly? What’s the point of guessing here?” Uncle Jiu glanced at the younger officers, as if he had seen through everything.
“How can we ask about such things? We’re detectives; don’t our eyes and reasoning tell us all we need to know?” Fu shook his head.
“Then there’s nothing we can do about it. Sir Fang has always been fair, so we just have to trust him,” Lin Wang Jiu spoke again.
“Uncle Jiu, maybe say a little less,” Liu Jiaming quietly chided Lin Wang Jiu.
“Let’s just see how it goes,” Fu scratched his temple. Promotions were indeed troublesome.
Desires hard to control, and the unknown made people anxious.
Jiayi stood at the door, clenching her teeth and bowing her head.
It was clearly not the right time to enter, so she simply turned on her toes and headed towards the Administrative Support Department upstairs.
As expected, the moment she entered, she saw Sister Yin struggling with documents while sipping her Earl Grey tea, occasionally sighing—whether from the tea being too delicious or the workload being too much, it was hard to say.
“Sister Yin, let me help you with the documents,” Jiayi walked over to the opposite side where she used to sit and smiled.
It was said that Sister Yin’s replacement had already been decided, but they hadn’t started yet. She could still sit here for a few more days; after that, her chair would no longer be hers.
“A distinguished guest arrives!” Sister Yin, beaming with joy, quickly pulled out another small teacup, poured Jiayi a cup, and presented today’s snacks, saying, “This is a new shop I found. The pastries aren’t very sweet, but very fragrant. Try some.”
“Thank you, Sister Yin.” Jiayi took the files, quickly determined where to file them, and after sorting out two batches, she picked up a small date cake from the plate Sister Yin handed her.
The unique aroma of the dates filled her mouth, and the soft, delicate texture combined with the sweet aftertaste of baked eggs was indeed delicious.
Having spent half her life at the police station, Sister Yin had tasted countless afternoon teas; she was truly an expert in this area.
“Finally smiling, who’s been bullying our little detective?” Sister Yin put down her work, leaned back in her chair, and immediately started gossiping.
As soon as Yi Jiayi had entered, Sister Yin could tell—her complexion was different from before.
With a thought, she continued:
“Is it those smelly guys from the Major Crime Unit?”
Jiayi didn’t want to speak ill of Brother Fu and the others. Since she had joined the Major Crime Unit, they had taken good care of her. During the dismemberment case on Ferry Street, Brother Fu, concerned that she might get hurt, had given up the chance to enter the house and capture the criminal for a commendation. Instead, he had pulled her to hide under a window to protect her.
So she just looked up, forced a smile, and didn’t say a word.
Seeing her reaction, Sister Yin guessed she was right and laughed out loud, patting Jiayi’s hand to comfort her:
“Those smelly guys, they’re used to being proud. The Major Crime Unit, right? They’re warriors chosen from thousands, each thinking they’re the smartest, the bravest. Suddenly, a young woman joins, excels at everything—of course, they’d be happy, but if they feel their authority is being challenged, they become as prickly as hedgehogs. When I first got married, it was the same with my husband. We fought for a while until we drew our lines. He knew I had my own strengths and limits, and of course, he had to give in.”
“And guess what? Even though it seemed like he was calling all the shots when we first got married, now, after persistence, I’m the one in charge of all the big and small decisions at home, and I’ve got him completely trained.”
Jiayi laughed, “Sister Yin, you’re really something.”
“Of course~ Don’t worry. Since Sir Fang chose you, it means you’re capable of being a detective in the Major Crime Unit. Just focus on your work, and soon they’ll fully accept having a young detective like you, capable of handling CID investigations just as well as they do,” Sister Yin laughed heartily, as if her laughter could drown out all troubles in the world.
Jiayi took a deep breath, didn’t continue the conversation, and organized five files, took a sip of black tea, feeling a bit warmer, then spoke again:
“Sister Yin, they do accept me as a detective, and they take good care of me, even teaching me things.”
“Oh? Then what are they wary of you for?” Sister Yin was puzzled.
Jiayi, though young, was diligent, eager to learn, humble, and liked taking care of others—what could possibly dissatisfy those smelly men?
It was baffling.
“Maybe… someone realized that I want to become a Senior Inspector,” Jiayi said seriously.
“…” Sister Yin’s eyes and mouth gradually widened, even someone as savvy as her found herself at a loss for words.
Stunned to the core, in silence.
…
…
On the fifth day of shooting practice, as soon as Yi Jiayi entered, Alison tossed her a bottle of ice water.
The two smiled at each other, having become friends within a few days. Jiayi would bring Alison little snacks made by her brother, and Alison would always have water ready for her.
Before they started, Jiayi put on her protective gear while listening to Alison share her knowledge about firearms. Alison was a gun enthusiast, familiar with everything from bullet types to the latest foreign products.
Jiayi was a good listener, never pretending to understand things she didn’t. She asked questions earnestly, greatly satisfying Alison’s desire to share and show off.
In Alison’s eyes, Jiayi was a once-in-a-century genuine and naive good detective.
Jiayi had been practicing the Weaver stance for a few days and today planned to try the Isosceles stance, which made it easier to move and switch targets.
She was familiar with handling the gun, so she felt relaxed. She fired two casual shots to get a feel, hitting the 7th and 6th rings.
Alison laughed and said, “That was too casual, but it’s pretty good since it’s been a long time since I used this stance.”
“I’m going to aim now,” Jiayi said with a smile, getting a good grip on the gun and just about to take a deep breath to prepare when suddenly a group of people approached.
She glanced at them from the corner of her eye and lowered her gun.
It was the detectives from Team B, even Uncle Jiu had come.
“Little Eleven has already started, huh? We haven’t shot in a long time either, just came to get some practice,” Liu Jiaming came over with a smile and asked, “What’s your score now?”
“Just around the 6th and 7th rings? You’ve been practicing for several days, right? How were your scores at the police academy? Eleven, you need to step it up,” Gary said, standing on Jiayi’s other side, patting her shoulder encouragingly.
Alison stood by watching this group, wanting to interject that Jiayi was capable of much more, but she never got the chance. When it was time to prepare the firearms, she was even busier.
Fu took a gun and stood next to Jiayi’s shooting position, looked at her and half-jokingly said, “Even Eleven has her weak points.”
Jiayi just smiled. These days, everyone was busy with an old case. She couldn’t see the criminal, so she spoke less and focused more on taking notes and learning everyone’s investigative methods and approaches. Following Officer Fang, she went around interviewing witnesses.
Overall, the atmosphere in the team was good, no different from before.
But she could feel the underlying competition.
In work, it’s always about capability and performance. Since when did seniority matter?
It’s not a competition of seniority after all.
“Brother Fu, how about we have a little competition? Let’s see who scores higher with five shots,” Jiayi suggested with a smile, her voice light but her eyes revealing a hint of stubbornness.
“Ha, Little Eleven has guts, challenging me to a shooting contest?” Fu chuckled, pointing to Jiayi’s recent two shots—one hitting the seven-ring and the other the six-ring. Both were nearly off the target. “How can this even be a contest?”
“Practice a few more years,” he advised.
Jiayi looked at him squarely, not backing down.
“Really? You still want to compete?” Fu leaned in, eyebrows raised, looking down at her.
“Yes. The loser buys afternoon tea. Pineapple buns, French toast, and a full feast of milk tea and coffee—are you in or not?” Jiayi took a step back, diminishing Fu’s looming advantage over her.
“Alright, if Little Eleven is treating, I won’t say no,” Fu shrugged, calling out to the others, “Hey, Eleven is challenging me to a shooting contest. Hold off on practicing, come and keep score.”
“Eleven, Brother Fu is a sharp shooter,” said Liu Jiaming, standing between Fu and Jiayi, looking at the two bullet holes on Jiayi’s target, feeling a bit sympathetic.
It’s not easy for Little Eleven to earn money, with younger siblings still in school, and they all live in an old, run-down building where even an upstairs fart could wake the downstairs—why take such a bet, treating such an expensive meal?
“Forget it, Eleven, don’t bet with him,” Gary advised. “If you’re craving something, just ask Brother Yue to treat. He wouldn’t say no if we pester him a bit.”
Lin Wangji slapped Gary on the back of his head, “Why don’t you treat?”
“With Brother Yue around, when is it ever our turn?” Gary rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly, “Anyway, let’s not gamble. Let’s practice shooting and get back to work.”
“I’m the one who wanted to bet,” Jiayi stated seriously.
“…” Liu Jiaming raised his eyebrows in concern.
“?” Gary crossed his arms and cocked his head.
“It’s settled then, since Brother Fu agreed,” Jiayi huffed, turning her attention forward, gripping the gun in both hands, and then turned to say, “Step back a bit, don’t interfere with our contest.”
The others exchanged looks and stepped back to watch quietly.
Alison stood at the back, looking calm watching the others.
Liu Jiaming turned to her and asked in a low voice, “Can she do it? Has Jiayi hit the ten-ring at all these past few days?”
“Let’s see,” Alison replied with a smirk slowly spreading into a sly grin.
Jiayi repositioned herself, returning to the Weaver stance she had become fully familiar with over the past few days.
As her right index finger lightly touched the trigger, she could even feel the calluses that had formed from long hours of practice—a testament to the countless times she had pulled the trigger before.
“Bang!” The first shot.
By now, Jiayi no longer held her breath completely; that kind of nervous tension had evaporated during practice the very next day.
With ear protectors on, she was fully focused, undistracted. In her hands was only the gun, in her eyes only the target.
Standing next to her, Fu shot and unconsciously stepped back, crossing the barrier to check on her, but all he saw was the young policewoman’s strict back and her focused profile.
He arched an eyebrow, returned to his position, and confidently fired his second shot.
“Bang!” Jiayi’s second shot.
She lowered the hand holding the gun, took two deep breaths to let her fingers and arms recover, then raised her arm again.
Starting over to correct her posture meticulously, ensuring everything was right, she then focused her aim:
“Bang!” The third shot.
Liu Jiaming, standing behind her, glanced at the scoreboard displaying Jiayi’s scores.
Two shots were in the ten-ring, one shot just on the edge of the ten, hitting the nine-ring.
Although not all shots hit the bullseye, this level of skill was beyond his expectations.
Compared to them, who were more of a ‘good enough’ group, Jiayi was really serious and impressive.
Lin Wangjiu’s brow slightly furrowed, he watched Jiayi’s back intently for a long while before shifting his gaze to Fu, who probably felt he had already won and was relaxed; his mood subtly shifted.
He thought of patting Fu on the back, offering a few comforting words.
Fu casually completed his 5 shots, while Jiayi had just finished her fourth.
As she looked down and took a deep breath, Fu walked up behind her, smiling as he looked up at the scoreboard. In the next instant, his gaze froze, his expression turning stiff.
A 10 and a 9.
How could this be?
His own scores were out, 3 tens and 2 nines, certainly very respectable.
In his mind, if Jiayi managed to hit a 9, that was impressive enough.
How could this be…
Clenching his fist, a cold sweat suddenly broke out on his back. Looking back at where he had stood, he regretted not being more careful and serious.
Could they have a rematch?
As the thought crossed his mind, his mind became even more confused.
Watching Jiayi’s retreating figure, he began to pray unconsciously: “Nine rings, no, this shot must hit beyond eight rings!”
Fu’s forehead broke out in sweat, his entire body tense to the extreme. He was more nervous than when he was fully focused on shooting!
“Bang!” The last shot.
Jiayi’s index finger still meticulously followed the trigger’s recoil before she finally relaxed.
She let out a long sigh, took off her ear protectors, dropped her arms, and looked up to see her score.
Four 10s and one 9.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, her face flushed from the heat and tension. When she turned around, she saw Fu, his face even redder than hers.
Taking a step back, she looked up to see Fu’s score, a smile finally appearing on her face.
She won!
One more perfect ten!
Turning back, she saw Fu’s face, now turning from red to dark. His expression sank, and he looked as if he wanted to throw his gun and storm off—utterly disgraced!
He had lost!
Liu Jiaming and Gary exchanged glances, wanting to rush over and embrace the impressive little cop, but worried about damaging Fu’s pride and provoking his anger.
Their dilemma was visible only in their wildly shifting eyes, both faces turning red from restraint.
How could Little Eleven be so strong!
Only Uncle Jiu, with his seniority, approached Fu and reassuringly patted him on the shoulder.
Then he walked over to Little Eleven, his smile broadening as he congratulated the young policewoman with a hearty pat on the back.
Yi Jiayi’s smile was huge, she had won!
She had won!
Previously known for consistently scoring nines and chasing tens, and now with her theoretical and meticulous approach, wasn’t she worthy of perfect tens?
Grinning at Uncle Jiu, the young policewoman lifted her smiling face and bravely addressed the disgruntled Tan Fu loudly:
“Brother Fu, I won!”
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