414 Kidnapped (Part Four)

Chang Ning’s head hung low.

He knew how much Zhao Zhan cared for Zhao Nian even though they always quarreled with each other.

“We’ve asked him all we needed. They’re heading South. I’ve already sent people to continue the investigation. Take them and quickly follow them.”

“Yes, sir.”

Chang Ning and the two dogs split into two groups. Zhao Zhan watched him leave with cold eyes before gently patting Yue Jiaojiao’s back and saying in a warm voice.

“I’ve gathered all the people who had a deep impression of that man. I’ve also found a famous painter in Shangjing who’s good at painting portraits.

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“In addition, I’ve also asked where many painters live. When the portrait is successfully drawn, I will make the other painters hurriedly duplicate the drawing. After that I’ll ask County Magistrate Zheng to help inform the governor of the capital.

“When the time comes, with the help of officers, even if that person can hide, he won’t be able to hide for long.

“I did all of this in case the kidnapper’s accomplices knew what we’re doing and hurt some children in desperation. That’s why I did it secretly and didn’t make it public.”

It was not obvious that there were a few people missing from the street, but if even the hawkers who had set up stalls all day packed up and left, Zhao Zhan was worried that it would attract the attention of those kidnappers.

“Then let’s go back to the restaurant. I can help.”

She was good at sketching. As long as the artist drew a portrait, she could find a charcoal pen and draw a more detailed portrait.

“I’ll carry you back.”

Zhao Zhan couldn’t care less about the strange gazes of the pedestrians on the street. He carried Yue Jiaojiao on his back and quickly rushed towards the restaurant.

When they arrived, the artist had started on the eyes.

Yue Jiaojiao immediately sat down beside the artist.

Zhao Zhan quickly sent someone to find a charcoal pen.

After the artist drew the other parts, he showed them to the passersby who had seen the man for confirmation.

They look a little similar, but not particularly eye-catching…

“His eyes were a little slimmer.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? There’s nothing wrong with his eyes. What’s wrong is his nose. That person’s nose isn’t that narrow.”

Because Zhao Zhan had given him enough silver, even though the painter was already displeased after making several modifications, he still endured it and worked hard to modify it.

However, what others described was different from what he had seen.

Zhao Zhan had requested for the portrait to be as similar as possible, in the end, seven out of the ten people who had seen the man had to say that the drawing was correct before it was completed. Thus, the portrait kept getting edited.

In the end, more and more people said it didn’t look like it.

Yue Jiaojiao placed the portraits of the people who had crippled him in front of her. Her ears were listening to the sounds of the other people, and she held the charcoal pen and didn’t stop sketching.

“Please, wait a moment.”

A female voice sounded, and the surrounding noise suddenly quieted down.

“Do you think this looks like it?”

She raised the portrait that she had just drawn.

“Like, like, like… Raise the corners of the eyes a little higher, and narrow the nose a little more and-”

“Don’t be daft.”

The more these people talked, the more confused they became.

After all, they had only seen each other once. If they continued to argue, the face that they could remember clearly would become blurry after seeing so many similar portraits.

“In your memories, who knows that person’s appearance the best?”

“What were you doing when you saw him? What was that man doing?”

These people looked at each other, and finally, a sugar shop’s waiter stood up.

“I should remember him the best. When that person came to our shop to buy candy, I was the one who took the time to greet him. However, the shop was busy, and there was a child on his shoulder. He kept turning his head to look at the child when he spoke.”

The waiter quickly described the scene with gestures.

Yue Jiaojiao lowered her head and hastily constructed a scene. She no longer stuck to the face portrait and only restored the image that the waiter had seen.

“Zhao Zhan…” Halfway through the painting, Yue Jiaojiao stopped. “Look, don’t you think this looks familiar?”

Zhao Zhan hurriedly went over to take a look at the content drawn on the paper. His eyes suddenly widened as he turned his head and met Yue Jiaojiao’s eyes. He then brought the paper to the shop assistant. “Is the content drawn on this paper the same as who you just saw?”

“Yes.” the shop assistant nodded repeatedly. “It’s really strange. What kind of painting skills does the lady have? It’s as if she has seen this man herself.”

“Thank you for your troubles today. The waiter has already prepared a table of food and wine in the private room. Everyone can go and try it.”

“Many thanks, Zhao Zhan.”

With silver to take, and a table full of food and wine for free, these people immediately walked away.

After the crowd had dispersed, Zhao Zhan kept the paper and looked at Yue Jiaojiao. He said gently, “Since we already know who it is, the rest will be much easier.”