Chapter 51: Searching for the Human Trafficker
Chapter 51: Searching for the Human Trafficker
Wu Hanping took the file and, seeing that it wasn't urgent, dismissed the messenger after a quick glance. Lu Dabai rose and cautiously asked, "Comrade Commander, should we head back and await further news?"
Wu Hanping gestured for him to sit and then turned to Lu Jiaxin, "Can you sketch a person's likeness based on a description?"
Lu Jiaxin's mind immediately went to the idea of a simulation painter. "If the suspect looks distinctive, an experienced artist should be able to sketch them. I'm not that skilled; painting is just a hobby for me. I was able to draw the trafficker because I often dream about her, and the image is deeply etched in my mind."
Wu Hanping looked at her youthful face and asked, "How old are you, young lady?"
"Fifteen," she replied.
"Why aren't you in school?" he inquired.
Lu Jiaxin pointed to the scar on her head. "I lost too much blood from the head injury, and my body is still weak. The doctor advised against returning to school, saying that my body might not be able to handle it. So, I'm taking some time off to recuperate before going back."
Lu Dabai decided that he would give Lu Hongjun a piece of his mind over the phone later. He couldn't rest easy until he gave that man a good scolding. How could a father be so heartless as to make his child with such a frail body move out?
Wu Hanping smiled and said, "Young lady, are you interested in working for us? It would be a short-term arrangement, and we'll pay you."
He saw Lu Jiaxin as a talented individual. Not only could she create an incredibly lifelike sketch of a criminal suspect, but she also managed to analyze and provide so many useful leads. The unit desperately needed talented individuals like her, and her help could alleviate their staffing shortage while also putting pressure on the more lackadaisical members of the bureau.
Lu Jiaxin was taken aback but quickly shook her head. "I have to go for a check-up with the doctor in a few days. Once this matter is resolved, I'll need to head back for the appointment."
Wu Hanping understood the difficulty of the situation. "So, which university are you planning to apply to?"
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet, Uncle. Do you have any good suggestions?" Lu Jiaxin asked.
Wu Hanping shared his thoughts. "I think you'd be a great fit for our line of work. If possible, I hope you'll consider applying to the Public Security University."
Lu Jiaxin thanked him for the suggestion but explained that she hadn't decided on a specific university or major yet. However, she was certain that it wouldn't be the Public Security University, as she was timid and couldn't bear the thought of dealing with dead bodies or criminals.
After giving her statement and leaving a sketch at the office, the group left the Public Security Bureau. Once outside, Zhao Dajun furrowed his brows and commented, "Only four people in the entire county's Public Security Bureau? That's too few."
Lu Jiaxin agreed, "They must be out on assignments."
Standing outside the bureau's main entrance, Lu Dabai couldn't hide his disappointment as he said, "Xinxin, if only Xiao Shan and Xiao Cheng had half your ability, I wouldn't have to worry about them."
The fact that Comrade Wu wanted to recruit Xinxin, even if only as a temporary worker, was an extraordinary thing.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Uncle, let the kids study hard and get into university. Once they land a government job, you won't have to worry about them for the rest of their lives."
Lu Dabai dreamed of his children getting an education and escaping the life of farming. But he knew it was a difficult path, "Xinxin, no one in our family has the aptitude for studying. They all have the strength to work the land."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Xinxin, you're the smartest and most insightful person in our family. If you make something of yourself, I hope you'll look after Xiao Shan and the others."
He wouldn't have thought this way before, but after hearing Lu Jiaguang's words and witnessing today's events, he felt that his niece had a bright future ahead of her.
Lu Jiaxin could understand his thoughts. Farming was backbreaking labor, and even in a good harvest year, one could barely scrape by. If the heavens weren't kind, even filling one's stomach could be a challenge.
Lu Jiaxin smiled and said, "Uncle, we're family. If I can help, I definitely will."
With the increasing pace of reform, Pengcheng needed a vast workforce, and it wouldn't be difficult to help them find jobs there. However, whether they could make something of themselves and lead better lives in the long run would depend on their own efforts.
Lu Dabai was delighted to have her assurance.
Seeing that it was still early, Lu Jiaxin suggested to her uncle that they take the sketch and ask around on the streets. Although the chances were slim, they might get lucky and come across someone who recognized the old woman.
Lu Dabai didn't object, but he was concerned that Lu Jiaxin's feet would blister from all the walking. It wasn't that he saw her as a fragile porcelain doll, but three years ago, on her third day back, blisters had formed on her feet. They had used the traditional method of pricking them with sterilized needles, and Lu Jiaxin had cried her heart out, her sobs carrying far and wide.
The three of them went to the busiest marketplace in the area. This place was spontaneously formed by the locals and was very spacious, but the government was already in the process of building a proper farmer's market.
They asked many people, but none of them recognized the person in the sketch. Lu Jiaxin checked her watch and saw that it was already 12:30 pm, so she suggested that Lu Dabai and Zhao Dajun go for lunch.
While there were many small restaurants in the city, there weren't any in Feng County yet. The more remote and backward the area, the later new policies were implemented. For instance, while household contracting had been implemented in Feng County just this spring, some areas had started it over three years ago.
"Uncle, let's go to the state-owned restaurant," Lu Jiaxin said.
If it had just been Lu Dabai, he would have been content with a couple of steamed buns, but Lu Jiaxin was picky about her food, and he couldn't let the child go hungry.
There were two waiters at the state-owned restaurant. Lu Jiaxin thought that since the old woman had been well-dressed, she might have eaten there before, so she took out the sketch and asked the waiter with the round face.
The round-faced waiter didn't even glance at the sketch and dismissively told them to leave if they weren't eating.
Lu Jiaxin was displeased but didn't say anything. However, when Lu Dabai was ordering their food, the waiter flung the dishcloth in his hand, and it wiped across Lu Dabai's clothes.
Seeing this, Lu Jiaxin snapped, "Are you blind? You're swinging your dirty dishcloth around without any regard for the customers sitting here!"
The dishcloth used to wipe the tables was filthy, and such careless swinging could easily cause dirt and grime to land in the dishes of nearby customers.
The round-faced waiter thought she was just looking for trouble and retorted, "It's your eyes that are blind! You saw that I was working, and you should have moved out of the way!"
Lu Jiaxin was so angry that she wanted to laugh. There had been a similar phrase trending on the internet recently, usually used as a subtle jab, but she found it very fitting in this situation.
The round-faced waiter saw the towering and intimidating Zhao Dajun and felt a bit of fear, so she didn't dare to continue the confrontation.
(End of Chapter)
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