“Lu Yuling?”

Upon hearing Sister Yan mumble a word of approval, Li Hui couldn’t help but laugh at himself.

He really felt like there was something he wanted to ask just now.

But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t connect the dots.

He indeed knew Sister Yan, but they were just not familiar with each other.

Nevertheless, Chen Xiao’s reaction was still much more rapid.

Sister Yan mumbled the name “Lu Yuling,” her brow furrowed tightly.

Watching her reaction, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but remind her again, “She’s from Xiangdu, currently thirty-five years old. Does that ring a bell?”

Sister Yan’s brow still didn’t relax as she replied, “I don’t know why, but it seems like I’ve heard that name before. I’m sure I haven’t met her though.”

This answer already brought unexpected joy to both Chen Xiao and Li Hui.

“Can you recall when you heard about her?”

Sister Yan shook her head, “I really can’t remember. Could you give me some time and I’ll contact some old friends and ask around?”

“Alright, but try not to make too much fuss. This matter needs to be asked precisely; otherwise, if it gets out, it might not be good.”

“Understood.”

Sister Yan replied, and Chen Xiao didn’t have anything else to ask. Li Hui also instructed her and then let her go home waiting for her friends’ information.

After Sister Yan left, Li Hui couldn’t help but ask, “How do you know Wen Yan?”

“She met with one of my uncles. After he disappeared, his luggage has been under her care.”

“I see. Speaking of your uncle’s disappearance, why don’t I have any impression of his file?”

Li Hui had always been investigating the skull case, but now he knew something about Wan De.

However, even after looking through so many missing files, he had no memory of Wan De.

“Not surprising, Uncle Wan De’s family has six sons and three daughters, and he never got much love. After he disappeared, it might have been more of a relief than a burden for his family.”

Chen Xiao spoke calmly, leaving Li Hui momentarily stunned, only able to shake his head eventually.

Back in the day, people had many children; eight or nine is shocking to hear but not unusual.

With many kids, if parents are biased, the one not favored would have a tough upbringing.

Li Hui didn’t dwell on this and returned to the main topic, “Cheng Qing’s relatives were sent to the city for identification, but you know the technical means may involve a long wait.”

“Moreover, in our inquiry with Cheng Qing’s family, we didn’t find any information regarding any conflicts with others. In the eyes of everyone known, that kid has an image of being very studious and honest.”

Chen Xiao pondered for a moment and asked, “Can we find Cheng Qing’s previous subject teachers or close classmates?”

“I thought of that too. His former homeroom teacher is now retired and traveled abroad.”

As he spoke, Li Hui checked the time and said, “I asked him to temporarily return. He should be in the county by now, let me call and check!”

Picking up his phone, Li Hui made a call and soon said to Chen Xiao, “He’ll be at the county bureau in ten minutes!”

Chen Xiao nodded, and Li Hui remarked, “In our Lanshan County, various aspects aren’t great, but Chang Hua Middle School is well-known even in the city and province.”

Chen Xiao agreed with this.

Back then, during his high school exams, every classmate aspired to attend Chang Hua Middle School.

Although his mediocre grades rendered him unrelated to Chang Hua, it remains a top school.

Many even say that getting into Chang Hua is like stepping into a second-tier university with another foot at the door of a first-tier, and one’s eyes can see the renowned universities 211 and 985!

Forget the famous 211 and 985.

In 2006, a second-tier university was still worth a lot.

Thus, many tried their utmost to enroll in Chang Hua, but the school always adhered to the principle of quality over quantity, with very tight score lines.

The retired teachers from Chang Hua have students all over the world.

About ten minutes later, a man in his sixties walked into the detective squad.

Li Hui received him into the break room, offering him a cup of tea.

“Sorry to bother you, Teacher Xiao. We called you back temporarily over a student’s issue we’d like to consult you on.”

Teacher Xiao waved his hand, “Captain Li, you’re too polite. I was planning to come back anyway. But which student are we talking about?”

“Surely you remember Cheng Qing?”

Li Hui’s confidence came from Cheng Qing’s notable grades and the incident happening just two months before the college entrance exams, leading him to believe Teacher Xiao should remember.

Indeed, Teacher Xiao nodded repeatedly, “You’re talking about the kid who disappeared during the Qingming Festival after visiting the graves, right?”

“Yes, do you have a vivid impression of him?”

“Certainly. I taught him for three years, watching him climb from the bottom of the class to the top of the grade. That kid appeared quiet but had a tenacious spirit within.”

Li Hui nodded, “Did anything memorable happen during those three years? Like fights or did he come to you alone seeking advice on difficulties in his studies or life?”

Teacher Xiao slightly lifted his head and began to recall.

During this, Chen Xiao didn’t interject at all, almost invisible in the break room.

He simply held a notebook and pencil, drawing on paper.

During the waiting, Li Hui couldn’t resist moving closer to Chen Xiao.

He saw Chen Xiao was drawing Cheng Qing’s appearance.

Li Hui had heard some things about Chen Xiao, so seeing him draw made his eyes brighten.

But no matter how he looked, Li Hui noticed nothing particularly unusual about the drawing, despite the fact Cheng Qing’s photo was in the file.

Li Hui didn’t understand Chen Xiao’s intent, and Teacher Xiao couldn’t recall.

Until this moment when Chen Xiao stood up, having completed three portraits as fast as possible.

“Teacher Xiao, take a look at these three portrait sketches I’ve drawn in different states. Did I make any mistakes?”

Teacher Xiao took the three portraits Chen Xiao offered, glanced at them, and laughed, “Officer, your art skills are incredible.”

Chen Xiao just flashed a grin, and Teacher Xiao continued examining the three paintings.

The first depicted Cheng Qing sitting in the classroom, glancing at something.

His expression appeared somewhat flustered, with fists clenched in the drawing, yet his eyes were deeply painted.

The second sketch had Cheng Qing looking increasingly resolute, with an added blackboard showing rankings.

In the third drawing, Cheng Qing stood amid classmates, depicted with outstretched arms clapping for him. Those clapping were sketched only as silhouettes since Chen Xiao didn’t know who was in the classroom back then.

Only Cheng Qing’s features were clearly rendered in the entire drawing.

But in this drawing, Cheng Qing’s expression lacked any trace of joy, his gaze seemed more resolute and profound!

Upon seeing the last sketch, Teacher Xiao suddenly seemed reminded of something, exclaiming with surprise, “It’s so alike! Just the sight of it brings me back to those days!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep