Before Qin Yong came, Lu Chuan had muttered about this matter.

Yang Sen adjusted the flower on his collar: "This isn't bad at all, Captain Qin personally presenting the medal."

"You earned this merit at the wrong time. If it were at the end of the month, during the brigade's annual meeting, you could have had a moment of glory on stage."

Old Bai nodded, carefully tidying his police uniform as well: "Next year is fine too, during the commendation on July 1st, merits like this can still be awarded on stage."

Lu Chuan wasn't particularly familiar with these things yet; he had started working in June, so with his qualifications at the time, he wouldn't have had the chance to attend this year's July 1st commendation ceremony.

As for the annual meeting, it had not yet arrived.

Under the banner, Lu Chuan, dressed in the police dress uniform, looked exceedingly spirited and handsome.

This set of police dress uniform, since it was issued, Lu Chuan had only worn twice, once when he had just been confirmed, wearing it once in Chenguang District after receiving it.

At that time, his parents dragged him around the neighborhood for a whole afternoon, looking rather proud.

This was the second time he wore it.

The police uniform is actually quite particular, not every occasion is appropriate to wear it.

For instance, this dress uniform can only be worn in solemn occasions like medal presentations or commendations; it's usually not worn by police officers.

The currently serving police uniform has been around for over twenty years, known as the '99 pattern.

In terms of function, they are divided into regular wear, training wear, and multifunctional wear.

Regular wear is primarily worn during duty, training wear is worn when handling emergencies, executing arrest tasks, and during training.

Multifunctional wear is of two types, traffic police wear the ones with reflective strips, and ordinary officers wear those without reflective strips.

Police uniforms are not uniform in size; they are tailored, made per person, and delivered directly by the manufacturer to the individual's hand, greatly improving the fitting rate of police attire.

Lu Chuan usually wore the regular uniform the most; as for the police dress uniform, it had only been distributed since the year before,

this dress uniform is designed as a strong ceremonial double-breasted six-button suit.

The men's design highlights broad shoulders in a "T" shape, while the women's is waist-accentuating in an "X" shape, emphasizing male strength and female grace.

"The medal presentation ceremony begins!"

The office director was in charge of the presentation process, and Lu Chuan took five steps forward to stand opposite Qin Yong.

Snap!

A standard salute, Qin Yong returns the gesture.

Opening the small box containing the second-class merit medal, Qin Yong took out the gleaming medal and pinned it on Lu Chuan's chest.

"Lu Chuan, congratulations!"

"Thank you for the organization's support!"

The two simple sentences were pre-arranged.

Lu Chuan then accepted the certificate and diploma, turned around, and took a photo with Qin Yong.

After the photo, the three from the Crime Scene Investigation office and other top leaders from the team joined for another photo.

Done!

In the CSI office, Yang Sen was playing with the second-class medal Lu Chuan had just received.

"Tsk tsk," Yang Sen's tone was full of emotion as he took a puff of Chunghwa, blowing out a large smoke ring: "I've worked most of my life without ever earning such a medal."

Old Bai agreed, as he also didn't have one.

Liu Guodong was relatively calm, as he had one.

Police honors come in many forms, from low to high: commendation, third-class merit, second-class merit, first-class merit, and honorary titles.

Among honorary titles are Second Class Hero Model and First Class Hero Model, etc.

By comparison, commendations are the easiest to obtain; some units issue them for three consecutive years of outstanding performance.

But merits are harder to attain.

Third and second-class merits are relatively common at the grassroots level, but first-class merits are extremely rare.

If you earn it lying down, those kinds of first-class merits happen every year.

Actually, merits are not particularly important for promotions.

Only earning a first-class merit allows for an exception in advancing a police rank by one or two years.

Third and second-class merits don't have this benefit; it only means being prioritized under the same conditions.

The honor symbol is far greater than the material and actual rewards.

Of course, there is money associated with earning merits: 5,000 for third-class, 10,000 for second-class, and 20,000 for first-class.

After the ceremony ended, Lu Chuan got busy answering calls.

For instance, the High-tech Zone Criminal Investigation Team Captain Yuan Shaokang, Deputy Captain Li Kai, Lu Chuan's old classmates Yang Lin, Zhao Tianyu all called to congratulate him.

In the evening, Lu Chuan hosted a dinner, and everyone gathered for a meal.

This kind of life is very pleasant.

No cases, no overtime, just meetings, making work-life quite leisurely.

Early the next day, Qin Yong led the team, including Ren Qiang, Sun Jun, Liu Guodong, Wang Changjiang, and Lu Chuan among nineteen people, on the bus to Haizhou City Funeral Home.

Song Kun's memorial service.

"Uncover your headgear!"

"A moment of silence!"

All members of the High-tech Zone Criminal Investigation Team, Criminal Investigation Team representatives, and all city bureau leadership members.

Said their farewells to Song Kun amidst the elegy.

Song Kun's body lay among the flowers, and during the solemn ceremony, only the childish voice of Song Kun's three-year-old granddaughter was heard.

"Grandpa is sleeping among the flowers and will never wake up again..."

Life must go on.

After entering winter, the weather grew increasingly colder, and half a month had passed since Lu Chuan received the second-class merit medal.

In this half-month, Lu Chuan was like a tourist attraction in Chenguang District.

"Brother Chuan, you sure are impressive, already a second-class merit?"

"Brother Chuan, how's the matter of introducing a female police officer going?"

From the first generation of still-living elders in the Lu Family to the fourth generation of babbling toddlers, they all visited Lu Chuan's home.

Over the years, the Lu Family hasn't lacked for money.

Once people satisfy their material needs, they tend to pursue fulfilling their spiritual needs.

Most in the Lu Family had clearly reached that level.

In the CSI office, Old Bai crossed his legs, singing a Beijing opera arias unfamiliar to Lu Chuan, at ease.

To be honest, Old Bai really had a knack for it, as he sang different operas almost every day for quite some time now.

He was increasingly looking like he was ready for retirement, sipping on premium Da Hong Pao tea, smoking Chunghwa cigarettes, Old Bai was actually somewhat reluctant to retire recently.

"Lu, if only you had graduated earlier."

Yang Sen nodded in some agreement: "A shame about my niece."

The niece again...

Lu Chuan's hand trembled as he tended to the flamingo-lily, nearly tearing off a delicate red leaf.

Last week, he had the chance to meet Yang Sen's niece, and it nearly resulted in a falling out with Old Yang.

"Isn't next week the year-end meeting?"

Yang Sen opened his computer and began working on some documents.

"Yes, the provincial department's meeting is today, Old Liu is currently attending via video in the conference room."

"Our brigade's performance ranking should be pretty high this year, right?"

"Of course, with all homicide cases solved, we should certainly rank ahead of Tianzhou City this time."

Lu Chuan nodded; that was certain.

Over in the Tianzhou City Criminal Investigation Team, things weren't going so well.

There had been three homicide cases in the second half of the year, only two of which had been solved.

One case was currently stagnant, though it was heard that progress had just been made.

But the complex case of remains under the highway was reportedly very difficult and not progressing smoothly.

With a hanging homicide dragging them down, no matter how many other cases they handled, it wouldn't help.

"If things go well this year, we may be recognized as provincial department's exemplary team, after all we..."

Bam!

Yang Sen's words were suddenly cut off.

The one who entered was Liu Guodong, who should have been in the meeting.

"Old Liu, why are you back?"

"Is the meeting over?"

"No, something happened!"

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