It has been a week since the end of the Marksmanship King competition.

During this time, the municipal bureau hasn't encountered any major cases, so the first squad has been relatively relaxed.

Today, Li Xiang was given a day off, allowing him to go home to prepare properly. In the afternoon, the head of the city government personally led a team to his home to present a plaque.

The weight of a first-class merit award is unlike any other; Jinghai City only has one first-class merit slot per year. Unless it's a particularly significant achievement, even if there are slots available, it's not just given casually.

Only those who attain significant achievements and pass the municipal committee's approval can receive this slot.

Every first-class merit is taken very seriously by the city government. Li Xiang's first-class merit, directly awarded by the province, is even more prestigious, so the head of Jinghai City made time in his busy schedule to come present the plaque.

Along with them were leaders from the county, town, and village levels, all of whom had received notifications.

At 2 PM, a group marched forward grandly, carrying a first-class merit plaque, beating gongs and drums all the way to the Li Family Village.

Li Xiang's parents, having received prior notice, also took a special leave from work to stay home and host the leaders.

Last time it was a second-class merit, and it hasn't been long since then, yet he's already achieved a first-class merit. They know their son best, after all, from childhood to adulthood.

They didn't expect that not forcing him to come home for a blind date during this Lunar New Year would result in him making a name for himself in the police system.

"Son, they're here, the leaders are here. Help mom check if her hair is out of place. I've never seen such high-ranking officials in my life; I can't be rude in front of so many leaders."

Li Xiang's mom had already checked herself in the mirror countless times, but as the leaders were about to arrive, she nervously asked Li Xiang if her hair was in place.

"It's not out of place, mom is the prettiest today."

The sound of gongs and drums was deafening, and firecrackers echoed, creating an unmatched scene.

Accompanied by the rousing sound of gongs and drums, the villagers, upon hearing the news, came out one after another.

"Li Xiang has earned another merit, and this time it's a first-class one. The Li Family is really going to flourish."

"Last year, I was planning to introduce my cousin's daughter to Li Xiang, but that foolish girl didn't think he was good enough. Now she regrets it deeply."

"So many leaders are here, some of whom I've only seen on TV."

Villagers followed the procession, adding to the spectacle of the plaque-presenting group.

The group lively arrived at Li Xiang's house entrance, and Li Xiang greeted them with his parents.

"Hello, leaders."

"The young man is impressive, bringing glory to his hometown."

After praising Li Xiang, they then turned to his parents: "As parents, you deserve the most credit."

One sentence from the leaders filled Li Xiang's parents with joy; it felt like their years of hard work had paid off, and they had finally achieved their dreams.

"Leaders, please come inside, come inside."

They welcomed the plaque-presenting group inside. Song Jun personally tied the "First-Class Meritorious Person" sash on Li Xiang, while city leaders draped the "Meritorious Family" sash over Li Xiang's parents.

"Let's take a group photo."

Everyone gathered together as a photographer captured this glorious moment.

"When one person earns a merit, the whole village shines. Li Xiang, you are the pride of the entire village!"

The village head also expressed blessings, and his words were not exaggerated. Their Li Family Village had never produced a meritorious person before. Li Xiang had broken the record with his second-class merit, and now the first-class merit record too.

"He is also the pride of Jing'an County."

The county-level leader added that it had been many years since a first-class merit was achieved in their county. Now that Li Xiang had earned a first-class merit, Jing'an County shared in the honor.

"There should be spiritual rewards, and material rewards too. This is the first-class merit bonus; mom, please accept it. It's not easy raising a child."

Then, Song Jun handed over a 20,000 yuan bonus to Li Xiang's mother.

"The city government also awards commendations to meritorious individuals."

The city leader took out a condolence fund and handed it over to Li Xiang's mother as well.

"Thanks to the leaders, it's all because of your nurturing that Li Xiang has achieved today. He's still young, and if there's anything he's not doing well, feel free to criticize and educate him."

"His achievements are the result of his own hard work. You might not know, but recently the city held a Marksmanship King competition. Over 400 police officers participated, and Li Xiang alone won four championship titles. Many senior officers couldn't match him."

"He's so good at shooting?"

"This kid has loved playing with slingshots since he was little. He used to hit birds with great accuracy!"

"Cough, cough~"

Hearing his dad start to share his less-than-flattering past, Li Xiang immediately coughed to signal him, as sparrows are now protected animals, and bird hunting is illegal.

Sure enough, Song Jun sternly criticized Li Xiang after hearing this: "Hunting birds is also illegal. Don't do it again in the future!"

"Yes, that was from when I was young and foolish; I don't play with slingshots anymore!"

Seeing this, his father quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say more!

The leaders stayed at Li Xiang's home for half an hour before leaving. Their schedules were packed, and being able to take this much time to deliver the plaque showed a lot of importance they placed on this.

After they left, many people crowded into Li Xiang's home again. Upon seeing the plaque, they turned to Li Xiang's father and said:

"How can this plaque just be placed here? I think it would be more impressive to hang it up!"

"Yes, hang it up. I have a ladder at home; I'll go get it now!"

The neighbors were more enthusiastic than Li's father; upon seeing the plaque not hung up, they all offered to help hang it up.

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