As long as it wasn't verified, Li Ling didn't mind. He took the camera strap off his chest.
"Officer, feel free to look around!"
"Wow, the wide-angle lens is really great, and the design is also nice. It's a German Leica, and the overall look is fantastic!" The male police officer was a photography enthusiast and knew his stuff; he recognized the brand at a glance.
"So, according to you, you can only buy it in Germany. How much does it cost?"
"Five thousand yuan!"
"Only five thousand?" The male police officer thought it was cheap and was considering buying it. "The lens clarity is unbelievable, and the workmanship is simply unparalleled. How can it be so cheap? When I take my annual leave, I must go to Germany and buy one!"
"Sir, I meant US dollars, not Hong Kong dollars, don't get me wrong!" Li Ling lied, though he didn't actually know how much it was.
"US dollars? That's thirty or forty thousand Hong Kong dollars!" The male police officer dared not play any further, afraid of breaking it. His monthly salary as a policeman was three thousand eight hundred; it would take him a year of saving every penny to afford this camera. Reluctantly, he returned it to Li Ling.
"Last month I bought a Nikon F3. I thought that Japanese products were high-end enough, but compared with German-made ones, their outdated nature was immediately exposed. Damn!"
"Japanese guys are born with bowlegs, they have the genes of country bumpkins, their aesthetic sense is flawed, it's normal for them to be old-fashioned." Li Ling joked familiarly.
"Bowlegs? Heh heh, last month when headquarters visited, a few Japanese instructors came, and they all had bowlegs, quite a description!" The male police officer chuckled in agreement.
At this point, the bus driver, growing impatient, urged, "Officers, please hurry up! If you can't find the problem, please get off the bus. I'm in a rush. If you continue to neglect your duties, I will file a complaint!"
"If you dare to complain, I'll investigate you until dark! Every time you come from Yuen Long, I'll investigate you without fail, until you're fired!"
The male police officer turned around, glared at the driver, and sneered, "Try complaining!"
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has only been established for a few years, and the corrupt Hong Kong Island police have not yet developed a good habit of serving the public.
"You're tough enough, I can't mess with you!" The driver lost his temper, rolled down the window, lit a cigarette and started smoking, only to be yelled at by an old man behind him. He immediately lost his temper, thinking, "Damn it, I can't even handle the police, but I can't handle a nobody like you."
He stood with his hands on his hips and started arguing with the old man. Several passengers next to the old man joined in the argument, all criticizing the driver for being rude.
Suddenly, a heated argument erupted in the train carriage.
Seeing this, the two policemen stopped talking to Li Ling and continued to perform their duties.
The male police officer had a sharp eye and noticed the middle-aged man and the young woman behind them.
Please show me your ID card!
The middle-aged man thought the police were targeting him and said indignantly, "Sir, I haven't broken the law, why are you checking my ID?"
Section 17C of the Immigration Ordinance stipulates that any Hong Kong Island resident aged 15 or above must carry an identity document at all times and cooperate with police officers for random checks.
"Failure to produce identification as required is a violation of the law. Upon conviction, the penalty is a fine of HK$100 and being taken to the police station for investigation and questioning!" The male police officer recited the law fluently.
Hong Kong Island police have the power to check identity cards anytime, anywhere. This clause remains in effect in the 21st century, only the fine has changed, fluctuating with prices. Before the time travel, the fine was HK$5,000.
The middle-aged man dared not refuse, slowly pulling his ID card out of his pocket while muttering, "Check it! Please hurry up!"
The male police officer took the ID card and handed it to his female colleague. "Check him!"
The policewoman took the walkie-talkie off her shoulder and put it to her mouth: "Calling the front desk, checking ID card, number is 856249, last four digits are (2), name Fu Wenhui..."
The middle-aged man's ID number was correct. The policewoman then asked him for his home and office address, which he provided in great detail, down to the room number, just to show that he was a legal Hong Kong resident.
But the young woman only fled to Hong Kong last night, so where would she get her documents?
Li Ling was pondering how she would act and how she would get close to the police when, before the police could ask any questions, she suddenly patted Li Ling on the shoulder.
"Cousin, quickly show our ID cards to the officer."
Cousin? Us?
Before Li Ling could respond, the young woman smiled and said to the two police officers:
"Sir, Madam, this is my cousin. He's back from America visiting relatives. My mom asked me to keep him company. He was worried I'd get tired, so he put my things in his bag. Please wait a moment."
"Handsome, is she really your cousin?" The male police officer was skeptical.
Li Ling knew he had to admit it; the young woman knew his background, and if he dared to deny it, she would definitely drag him down with her.
He glanced back at her; the young woman's expression was flawless, calmly meeting his gaze.
This insidious and astute on-the-spot reaction surprised and angered Li Ling, but he concealed the chill that enveloped him and calmly confirmed to the two policemen:
“My cousin is so old-fashioned that I want to vomit. I especially hate her. She’s also stingy. I told her to take a taxi, but she insisted on taking the bus. I’m definitely going to tell my aunt when I get home.”
The male police officer frowned upon hearing this. His experience told him that something was amiss. He wanted to continue the investigation, but hesitated because Li Ling's attire and demeanor dispelled his suspicions.
His moment of hesitation was cleverly interrupted by Li Ling.
“We have our identification, officer!” Li Ling said easily. “Look!”
He pulled a passport out of his bag. The cover was genuine, but there was nothing inside. Li Ling had bought it from a roadside stall when she was shopping for clothes, just for this situation, and now she needed to use it immediately.
Li Ling held his passport up high for a moment, then quickly put it back, exclaiming with delight, "Huh? I forgot, I have a Star Wars treasure here!"
Li Ling took out the Black Knight keychain he had kept and handed it to the policewoman. "Madam, this pendant has George Lucas's signature engraved on it. It's more meaningful than the shirt. I'll give it to you!"
"Wow, it really has Lucas's autograph!" The policewoman was overjoyed. She wanted to accept the gift, but was worried about violating the Police Ordinance, so she asked the male officer, "Senior, may I accept it?"
The male police officer examined the pendant, nodded, and said, "This thing is neither gold nor silver, it's not worth a penny. Take it! But it's a souvenir, after all, it's a token of his appreciation. This handsome young man was willing to give it to you, so you should express your gratitude..."
“You’re wrong, officer!” Li Ling interrupted him without any politeness.
"Your disciplined forces serve the public professionally, protecting the safety of citizens day and night. My admiration for you is like a surging river. It is I, and all the passengers here, who should be thanking you!"