Chapter 4 Do You Have a Say?

"It's been three years," Eric replied.

"Damn it." Alexander shook his head and sighed.

The two chatted as they stepped into a large convenience store.

Alexander glanced around as he entered, patted the dirt off his pants, and smiled. "This store is pretty big, but there's hardly anyone here."

"Feel free to look around and buy whatever you need," Eric said, taking a puff from his e-cigarette.

Hearing this, Alexander wandered around the shelves. The more he looked, the more his brow furrowed. After wandering for about ten minutes, he hadn't picked up a single item.

"Why aren't you getting anything?" Eric asked as he walked over from the counter.

Alexander frowned at Eric and blinked. "Dude, are you secretly helping them sell stuff?"

"What's up?" Eric asked.

"The stuff here is at least 30% more expensive than outside, and a lot of it is fake... I squeezed a blanket, and it felt like it was filled with steel wool. It pricked my hand, man!" Alexander explained.

"The goods aren't great, but all the new guys at the precinct buy here," Eric said.

"Why?" Alexander was puzzled.

"Because William's cousin owns this store," Eric said in a low voice, "It's the designated supplier of the Police Department."

Alexander darkened his face upon hearing this. After a moment, he replied, "Then does Mr. Charles buy stuff here, too?"

"Now you're just being provocative. Even if Mr. Charles dared to buy, William wouldn't dare to sell to him," Eric explained with a roll of his eyes. "Only the newbies buy here. You buy for a couple of months, and then you don't need to shop here anymore."

"I'm not buying here for even a day. Do they think we're idiots?" Alexander said without hesitation, "Let's go, take me to another store."

Eric was stunned. "You've already spent so much. What's a little more? Trust me, everyone buys here. Don't make a fuss."

"I'll buy a phone just to show respect to William," Alexander said as he walked out.

"Alexander, listen to me..." Eric added.

"Do you get a commission or something?" Alexander was puzzled.

"Trust me, it's fine. Just buy a little..." Eric insisted.

"The toilet paper is like sandpaper. If I use it, I'll need a band-aid," Alexander said, walking straight out without further discussion with Eric.

At 4:30 PM.

At the precinct dormitory building, outside the door of Room 2 of the First Criminal Investigation Team, Eric smiled and called into the room, "David, the newbie is here."

Inside, six or seven guys were playing cards around a table. The leader looked up at Alexander when he heard Eric's voice, "Come in."

The two entered the room, and Alexander looked around. It was less than 300 square feet, with six bunk beds, twelve beds in total, two communal metal cabinets, and many personal items. It looked very cramped but somewhat tidy, at least without any particular smell.

"Alexander, let me introduce you. This is David Nicholas, our action team leader," Eric said, subtly indicating David's position. "David has been with us for three years, and he's William's right-hand man. David, this is Alexander, our new member."

"Hello, David," Alexander said, extending his hand with a smile.

David, with a buzz cut, glanced at Alexander. Holding his cards, he gave a symbolic nod. "Where are you from?"

"The anarchic district," Alexander replied honestly.

David was surprised. "The anarchic district? What did you do there?"

"Delivered goods for a boss, mainly daily necessities," Alexander said.

"Delivery guy? That's not simple," David replied.

"No, no, I just drove," Alexander explained.

"A driver, huh." The surprise in David's eyes disappeared, and he lazily asked, "How did you get into the Police Department?"

"A friend introduced me. I paid my way in." Alexander answered.

"You bought your way in?" David said, still focused on his cards. "Alright, wait for William to come back and arrange things. Eric, let him take the bed by the window."

"Got it." Eric turned to Alexander. "You take the bed inside."

"Okay." Alexander picked up his luggage and newly bought daily necessities from the security office and walked inside.

"Wait a minute," David suddenly called out when he saw Alexander's stuff.

"What's up, David?" Alexander turned back.

David glanced at the plastic bags in Alexander's hands. "Where did you buy your daily necessities?"

"I forgot the name, just a store next to the Police Department," Alexander replied casually.

David, still playing cards, expressionless, asked Eric, "Eric, didn't you tell the newbie where we buy our stuff?"

Eric felt a bit awkward at this. If he said Alexander didn't listen to him, it would seem disloyal. But if not, he'd take the blame.

After a brief silence, Alexander quickly interjected, "Eric told me to buy from the store across the street. But the stuff there is expensive, and I didn't have much money, so I bought from the store next door."

David, still playing cards, let Alexander wait for several seconds before replying, "It's fine, go make your bed."

"Okay." Alexander nodded and went inside to make his bed.

Eric, standing nearby, helped organize and quietly advised, "Newbies always get the bed by the window. It's drafty and cold at night... Just cover your blanket with your coat for a while. When new guys come in, it'll be better."

"No big deal, I've slept outside for months," Alexander said nonchalantly, opening his bag and discreetly pulling out two packs of premium cigarettes to give to Eric.

"What's this?" Eric was surprised.

"I saw you smoking an e-cigarette earlier," Alexander said with a smile. I don't have much. I just have two packs to thank you for helping me today."

In these tough times, premium cigarettes were a luxury. And these were old brands that most smokers had never even seen, let alone smoked.

Eric, holding the cigarettes, was astonished. "How did you got these in the anarchic district? I haven't seen these in years!"

"Even poor places have their perks." Alexander grinned. "I'll handle the rest myself. You go ahead, and I'll treat you to something later."

"Thanks!" Eric didn't hesitate and pocketed the cigarettes.

As they talked, David suddenly turned , looking at Alexander, said with a smile, "Got some good stuff, huh?"

Alexander didn't expect David to be watching him and was momentarily stunned. "A friend gave them to me."

"We haven't seen this good stuff," David said with a cold smile.

Eric paused briefly, then took out the two packs of premium cigarettes, bending over to offer them. "We're all brothers, let's share. Here, everyone takes one."

Alexander gave the cigarettes to Eric out of gratitude for helping him all day, but he didn't feel he owed the others anything. But since David had seen and mentioned it, considering he had to stay in this room, he didn't want to make things too tense. After some thought, he pulled out another pack of cigarettes from his bag.

At the card table, David pushed Eric's arm away. "These are too good for me. I haven't smoked them before."

Eric stood there, unsure of what to do.

Alexander, feeling uncomfortable, put the cigarettes back into his bag and continued organizing his things.

David put down his cards, smiling as he turned to Alexander. "We have a rule here. Newbies work three consecutive shifts. You're on duty tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that. Got it?"

Alexander looked at Eric, who avoided eye contact and quickly understood. "David, how are the shifts arranged?"

"Full-day shifts. Daytime at the station, nighttime on the street," David said, sipping his water.

"Is there overtime pay?" Alexander asked.

"It's a team rule, no overtime pay," David replied without looking up.

"Alexander, just do the three shifts. I'll switch with someone and accompany you for two days," Eric hesitated, looking at the cigarettes in his hand, and awkwardly interjected.

"You're a good guy, Eric," a young man sitting next to David joked.

"We're all brothers, helping each other." Eric smiled.

David put down his water cup, pointing at Eric. "Tell him how to schedule the shifts after he gets his uniform."

"Alright." Eric nodded.

"David, I can't do these shifts," Alexander suddenly said.

The room fell silent.

David licked his lips, tilting his head at Alexander. "Everyone else can do it. Why can't you?"

"I have a heart condition. I can't handle the night shifts."

"No problem, I'll get you some medicine. You're doing the three shifts," David insisted.

"I said I can't do it." Alexander smiled.

David darkened his face after being refused twice by the newbie. "Why can't you?"

"David, we're all brothers. Let's talk this out." Eric stepped forward to ease the tension.

David punched Eric in the shoulder. "Stop your nonsense."

Eric, holding the cigarettes, stood there, unsure whether to speak or leave.

David, leading four others, stepped forward, tilting his head at Alexander. "Next week, the whole week is your shift. When you have a heart attack, then it's over. Got it?"