Chapter 5 Stirring Up Trouble Right After Arriving

In the Dormitory

Alexander squinted at David and the others in front of him, responding curtly, "I understand what you're saying, but it's not my job. I can't do it."

"Do you pull some strings in the department?" David grinned, grabbing Alexander by the collar. "Just got here and already causing trouble, huh?"

"Don't touch me," Alexander warned.

"So what?" David, also quite burly, raised his right arm, aiming a short punch at the side of Alexander's head.

Alexander sidestepped, grabbed David's wrist with a loud smack, and swung his right leg in a small arc.

A deafening sound erupted as David was thrown onto the bed, his head smacking straight into the iron railing.

"Get him!" David shouted, clutching his head.

Alexander bent down and leaned into the lower bunk. Grabbing David by the collar with his left hand, he swiftly raised his right knee, aiming it straight at David's temple.

David's head snapped back from the impact, hitting the wall with a thud. "Beat him to death! I'll take the blame!"

After his words, everyone rushed forward. Alexander nimbly crawled out of the bunk, took two steps back, and positioned himself in the corner between the window and the bed, slightly crouching.

David got up and pulled a retractable baton from the wall. Walking towards Alexander, he cursed under his breath, "How dare you just cause trouble as soon as you get here?"

Just then, the partially open door was pushed open, and a woman in a light green police uniform shouted loudly, "What's going on?"

Everyone turned to her.

David wiped the blood from his forehead and immediately smiled. "Olivia."

"I could hear the commotion from the hallway. Are you trying to kill someone?" Olivia, in her early thirties, was slightly short but had a very attractive face with big, bright eyes.

"Nothing, just chatting with the new guy." David grinned.

Olivia glanced around the room, looking at David with some annoyance. "Why are you so domineering? Did he offend you as soon as he got here?"

"No, I asked him to take a shift. But he refused and cursed at me," David put down the baton and explained with a grin.

"I've caught you playing cards on duty several times already," Olivia said, rolling her eyes at David. "If you cause any more trouble, don't blame me for writing you up."

"Got it, Olivia." David nodded repeatedly.

Olivia didn't bother to enter the dormitory, standing at the door and shouting at Alexander, "Are you the new guy?"

"Yes." Alexander nodded.

"Why haven't you gotten your uniform?" Olivia asked.

"I went earlier, but no one was there," Alexander replied sheepishly.

Olivia glared. "Nonsense, I've been in the office the whole time."

Alexander was taken aback. "Then I must have missed it."

"Come with me to get your uniform," Olivia said, turning to leave.

"Okay." Alexander quickly nodded, grabbed his luggage, and called out to Eric, "Come with me, will you?"

Eric, unsure how to face David, immediately followed them out.

In the dormitory, David sat up, rubbed the lump on the back of his head, and spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor. "That guy hits hard."

"Are you okay, David?" Others asked.

David didn't respond, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number. "Hey, are you in the office? Just checking. Does the new guy, Alexander, have any special background?"

David inquired again, "No? Are you sure? "Okay, got it."In the Hallway

Olivia walked ahead with her hands behind her back, asking Alexander, "Do you have any connections?"

Alexander was taken aback. "No."

"Then stay out of trouble. This place is complicated," Olivia advised kindly. "Just do your job, and don't get into fights."

"Thank you, Olivia." Alexander nodded.

Olivia said no more, leading Alexander to the first-floor storage room. She picked out a standard uniform, a training uniform, a pair of handcuffs, and a baton for him, then left.

In the First-Floor Lobby.

Eric glanced at his watch and said, "I have to deliver some materials later, so I can't go with you. Be polite when you go back. Don't cause any trouble. David has William backing him, and it won't do you any good to offend him."

"Got it." Alexander smiled and nodded. "If you're free tonight, let's have dinner together."

"Sure, I'll come find you if I'm free," Eric agreed readily.

After a brief conversation, Alexander returned to the dormitory with his belongings. David and the others were gone, leaving only two people in the room. They glanced coldly at Alexander before continuing their conversation.

Alexander glanced at them, then casually went to his bed and started organizing his things, ignoring the two.

Around 7 PM, Alexander finished organizing his things. Seeing that Eric hadn't come to find him, he decided to go out and explore the area to grab some dinner.

He got out of bed, pulled a waist pouch from under his pillow, and headed out.

"Sorry." Just as Alexander stepped out, he bumped into Eric, who was rushing over. They exchanged a glance before Eric explained, "Had a last-minute meeting. Are you heading out?"

"I thought you weren't coming, so I was just going out for a walk and some food," Alexander said with a smile. "Let's go eat together."

"I have a friend coming, too. Is that okay?" Eric asked.

"Sure, no problem," Alexander replied after a moment of hesitation.

"Great," Eric said.

After a brief chat, they headed downstairs and met another young man at the dormitory entrance.

Eric's friend was named Andrew Charles. According to some old-timers in the department, he had some connection with Mr. Charles, but they rarely interacted, so no one was sure about their relationship. Andrew was known for his unconventional behavior. Once he even drunkenly recruited for a position while on duty, insisting on an open call, caught by the inspection team. He only received a minor punishment and a two-week suspension, while two colleagues who didn't get along with him were forced to resign.

Andrew was quite handsome.

Alexander had a rugged and heroic look, while Andrew was more of the charming and cunning type, reminiscent of a once-popular celebrity.

The three of them met, and Eric gave a brief introduction. "This is Andrew, a friend who take good care of me. This is Alexander, a new intern police officer on our team," Eric introduced.

"I heard you just arrived and had a run-in with David and his group?" Andrew asked with a smirk and his hand in his pocket. "You've got quite a temper, huh?"

"No, just a little argument," Alexander replied vaguely, finding Andrew's personality a bit odd.

"I can't stand those guys. They just mess around," Andrew said disdainfully. "The whole team is full of slackers."

Alexander was speechless at this, glancing at Eric, who explained, "Andrew is just straightforward like that. He says whatever's on his mind."

"Where should we eat?" Andrew asked.

"I'm new here, so I don't know any good places," Alexander said. "You guys decide."

"Who's paying?" Andrew asked with a sly grin.

"I'll pay," Alexander smiled.

"You're paying. Alright then, let's go to Faith Bennett's restaurant," Andrew said.

"That's too expensive," Eric protested.

"Are you paying?" Andrew retorted.

"It's fine. I have some money. It should be enough for dinner," Alexander said, though he was a bit reluctant. In these times, food was scarce, and eating out was a luxury most couldn't afford. But Alexander knew he needed to make friends and that some social expenses were unavoidable, especially now that he had a stable job.

After deciding on a place, they walked about a mile to a restaurant called Spice Lane.

Alexander glanced at the restaurant, unconsciously touching his wallet with a pang of reluctance.

"Let's go," Andrew said, heading up the steps.

Just then, the roar of an engine caught their attention, and an old SUV pulled up to the entrance.

They turned to the SUV, and Andrew remarked in surprise, "Who drives a gas-powered car these days?"

Gasoline cars had become rare, as most lands had turned into wastelands or radiation zones, making oil extraction nearly impossible. That was why Andrew was so surprised.

As the SUV stopped, four men and a woman got out and walked towards the restaurant.

"Let's go in," Alexander said, having seen a lot in the anarchic district. He only glanced at the SUV before heading towards the restaurant. But Andrew stayed put, staring at the woman in the group. "She's beautiful!" he exclaimed.

Alexander turned back, saw Andrew's expression, and said, "Let's go. She's with those guys."

The woman, standing among the four men, glanced around with her beautiful eyes before saying, "I need to use the restroom."

"Don't try to cause trouble. Hurry up," a short middle-aged man scolded her in a harsh tone.

Meanwhile, Eric's phone beeped. He glanced at the message, then looked at Alexander with a complicated expression.