The discussion about Jiang Sanqiang only sparked some interest on the first day Zhou Weimin notified everyone. Over the next two days, basically no one paid any more attention to Jiang Sanqiang, after all, everyone has so many things to do every day, no one has that much idle time.
Thursday. Today is Luo Fei's first day on full duty after officially assuming his role. During his apprenticeship, Luo Fei had accompanied his mentor, Zhang Haiyang, on duty twice, but back then it was mainly Zhang Haiyang's responsibility, while Luo Fei was just there to follow and learn.
Today, Zhang Haiyang did not accompany Luo Fei, after all, even chicks need to fly high. Having been promoted, Zhang Haiyang couldn't always follow along; there's a first time for everything.
Despite it being his first day on duty, Luo Fei wasn't the slightest bit nervous, and there was nothing to be nervous about. Luo Fei's psychological age was already mature, plus the confidence given by the system assured him that he could handle any issues that arise during duty.
The established patrol route first led to the cement factory on Xinglong Street. Luo Fei used to live here, and while patrolling, Luo Fei met some elderly neighbors who greeted him, to which he smiled and responded.
After coming down from the cement factory on Xinglong Street, the car station was next. The car station here is a place where people mix, often a spot with more frequent police calls.
"Zhang Yu, Li Tian, what's the usual salary for auxiliary police like you?" Luo Fei asked the two accompanying auxiliary police officers beside him.
Both were young auxiliary officers from the Songxin Town police station. Generally, in Songxin Town, an official police officer is paired with two auxiliary officers on duty, once a week. The two accompanying Luo Fei today were a dark, skinny man named Zhang Yu and a slightly shorter, chubby one named Li Tian.
Both were about the same age as Luo Fei, having graduated from specialized schools, unable to find good jobs outside, and failing to get into public offices on their return home, ultimately having no choice but to temporarily be auxiliary police officers to make a living.
"The take-home salary is about two thousand seven to eight hundred, not as much as your official salary." Zhang Yu answered with a bitter smile.
Luo Fei did not refute. It was the truth; auxiliary police officers' pay and benefits are much worse than those of official officers. Official officers are state civil servants after all, whereas auxiliary police are mostly temporary workers, with few on contracts.
Thinking for a while, Luo Fei seriously said, "If you two really plan to stay in your hometown, then while you're still young, work hard to pass the public service exam. If not, then at least aim for positions in official institutions."
In Ningjiang County, there aren't as many businesses, nor as many job opportunities. The only chances are with public service or official institutions.
Li Tian smiled earnestly and said, "I'm taking exams. In April, for the provincial exam, I was in the same batch as Brother Luo, but I applied for Zhushan Town as they don't have educational requirements and are recruiting two people. Unfortunately, I only scored 112, placed twentieth, didn't even make it to the interview."
"Keep trying; as long as you work hard, you'll definitely achieve something." Luo Fei patted Li Tian's shoulder in encouragement. Maybe because Luo Fei always appeared calm or due to being an official police officer, somehow even though Luo Fei was of a similar age to Li Tian and Zhang Yu, speaking to them with the tone of someone experienced didn't feel out of place.
The three of them continued to patrol while chatting and soon arrived at the car station.
At the intersection under the gas station, Luo Fei and the two auxiliary officers were waiting at the traffic light.
On the other side of the red light near the middle hospital under the yellow poplar tree, two fashionably dressed, tall girls had just gotten off a coach, carrying bags and water bottles.
As the light turned green, the three crossed the pedestrian path to the opposite side.
The two tall girls were bowing their heads as if discussing something, while Luo Fei and the auxiliary officers planned to pass by them.
But suddenly, Luo Fei stopped, eyes sharply focused on the two, as if they were whispering something.
Just moments ago, Luo Fei was about to walk past, but his nose detected a peculiar smell. Luo Fei was certain he hadn't smelled it before, yet he was sure it was drugs, knowing it was feedback from the system-enhanced police dog's scent.
Luo Fei had no doubt in the system, certain that the drugs were on these two girls.
"Brother Luo, what's wrong?" asked Li Tian beside him, seeing Luo Fei stopping, staring sharply at the two girls.
"There's a situation; I smelled drugs. I suspect these two girls are carrying drugs, let's go check them out, and watch their movements," Luo Fei said, heading straight for the young girls.
Li Tian and Zhang Yu quickly followed, having heard rumors about Luo Fei's keen nose at the station.
As they approached the girls, Luo Fei realized their whispering charade was fake, they were actually trying to avoid them.
"Ladies, may I see your ID cards, please?" Luo Fei's voice was quite stern, eyes constantly observing the girls' actions, knowing that though the chance of the girls carrying weapons was slim, one must be cautious to avoid the unexpected. Many officers lost their lives due to momentary negligence.
The two girls, pretending to chat, could no longer conceal.
"What do you mean? Why check our IDs?" demanded the girl with a neck tattoo, angrily questioning Luo Fei.
"I'm suspicious you're carrying drugs, please show your ID cards and open your bags for our inspection," Luo Fei coldly replied, assured by the system of the drugs.
Hearing drugs mentioned, the short-haired girl visibly shivered, but the tattooed girl remained firm, "Are you kidding? How do you know we have drugs? Is it because of our tattoos that you think we're bad? Is this how you conduct investigations? What if you find no drugs? Can you take responsibility? What's your name? I'm going to report you."
The tattooed girl wasn't intimidated but boldly defended herself, seemingly confident, making Zhang Yu and Li Tian doubt if Luo Fei made a mistake.
"Enough, you can report me, but first show your IDs and open your bags," Luo Fei snapped.
Luo Fei's shout finally subdued the tattooed girl.
"What's the big deal, why yell?" muttered the tattooed girl, though she obediently took out her ID and opened her bag, with the short-haired girl, seemingly deferring to her, doing likewise.
Luo Fei took the ID, while Zhang Yu and Li Tian checked their bags.
The tattooed girl was Zhang Siyu, 20 years old, from Guangyuan County; the short-haired girl was Zou Wen, 20 years old, also from Guangyuan County.