Section 25

  Twenty-seven

  "What about Zhou Huijuan?"

  "What about her? She didn't even attend the Confucius ceremony, we thought she had gone back."

  The servant hurried back to report. Zhou Yaolong was flustered, his daughter Zhou Huijuan had always been known for her independence and freedom, where could she have gone, without even telling the family, could it be that she went to join the revolutionary army? Impossible, her dream was to inherit the silk store, become the silk princess, how could she just disappear like this. Even if she was kidnapped by bad people, there should still be a letter or something.

  It dawned on him that it was getting more and more serious, so he quickly went to the police station to report the case. The police station saw that it was Zhou Dajie's daughter who had gone missing, and they didn't dare to slack off, immediately filing a case.

  Officer Ma scolded while inquiring, "Why did you come to report this so late? It's been almost a month since the new semester started at Nanhui Girls' School. Now it's hard to find either the teachers or the students."

  "What to do, Captain Ma? I'm begging you, no matter how much money it takes, my family only has this one daughter. If she goes missing, my wife will tear me apart." Zhou Yaolong was more afraid of his wife, and the foundation of their business was also left behind by his wife's parents. Although he had expanded it under his own hands, because of this, he didn't even have a concubine. Zhou Huijuan was the only child, and in the future, they planned to find an uxorilocal son-in-law for her marriage.

  "Now we can only go to their school to find clues." Captain Ma puffed on his pipe, with a big beard.

  The gate of Xin Hui Girls' School was closed, the snow began to melt, and the weather was unusually cold. It's almost New Year's Day, but I still have to come out to handle a case. Two followers scolded and said that Zhou Huijuan had run away with someone she liked.

  Captain Ma's teachings were: Do more and talk less.

  Zhang Xiaoping helped them open the door and took the three to Zhou Huijuan's dormitory. As a special person, she did not live with others, but lived independently in one room. After opening the door, it seemed that no one had lived there for a long time. The tables and beds were covered with thick dust, and a gloomy atmosphere enveloped the house.

  After searching for a long time, no note or message was found. The wardrobe seemed to have been moved, with one side of the door open, possibly because it was forgotten in a hurry when leaving.

  After searching around the school again, there was no clue, no one was seen alive, and no body was found dead. This made Captain Ma's scalp itch a bit. Although Zhou Yaolong wasn't a big official, his satin fabric was directly presented to the Presidential Palace, and many high-ranking officials knew him. If they really couldn't find out the truth, Captain Ma didn't know if he would become history. Hopefully, it was true what those two guys said, that she had run off with a man she liked.

  Then went to Zhou Huijuan's home and asked, normally there were no good classmates coming and going, it was an all-girls school, where would there be any good friends.

  The director was furious when he heard the report, slapping his hand on the table with a loud bang. "You must crack the case before New Year's, otherwise you can go home and plant sweet potatoes for your ancestors after the holiday."

  The captain of the horse team came out of the director's office and scolded his subordinates, "You bunch of trash, if you can't get anything done in a week, I'll quit, and you won't have it easy either."

  A new assistant raised his hand timidly.

  "Speak!" Captain Ma's anger had yet to dissipate.

  That man spoke with a slightly effeminate tone, clearing his throat before speaking. "I think first we should post Ji Huijuan's portrait in conspicuous places throughout the city to issue a missing person notice and find someone good at drawing portraits. It would be best if we also posted some in surrounding towns, so that if Ji Huijuan has left the city, people will still provide us with clues. Then, we need to ask her parents to carefully examine the room where she lived in school to see if there's anything unusual. Last time we didn't investigate thoroughly enough. Finally, after issuing the missing person notice, we'll offer a reward of 5,000 yuan to anyone who provides clues."

  "Where the hell am I supposed to find so much money? Do you think the director is an idiot? Where would he be willing to take out so much money?"

  "This one, we can ask Old Zhou to take care of it." The effeminate assistant said in a flattering tone.

  "Why didn't you say so earlier?" Captain Ma said, using his pipe to heavily knock the guy on the head. "Hurry up and move."

  A missing person notice was posted on the door of Kang's rice shop, and suddenly Kang felt that Zhou Huijuan's big eyes were staring straight at her, her face was pale as a dead person, full of sorrow. The counter where the rice was sold had a fire burning, but it seemed even colder than outside.

  Under the photo it says:

  Zhou Huijuan, female, 20 years old, from Jiangsu Province, a second-year student at Xinhuai Girls' School (see photo). Height: 165cm. Last seen wearing a green cotton jacket, plaid scarf, and blue cotton shoes when she went out. She left school on January of the 4th year of the Republic of China and has not returned yet. Her parents are extremely worried and hope for her early return home. We hope that anyone with information will inform us promptly, and we will definitely reward them heavily! The informant who provides clues can receive a maximum reward of 5,000 yuan, and we will keep our promise, as guaranteed by this notice.

  Kang Weiwei looked at the photo, her hair standing on end. She couldn't believe it was discovered so quickly, and her palms were sweating. The shop assistant returned to the counter and said, "Miss, you should go back now, it's getting dark. Look, there's a missing female student."

  "Hail a taxi for me." Kang Mi stood leaning against the wall.

  Xiao Hei was the most obedient, and he hailed a rickshaw by the roadside. He helped Kang MiaoMiao get on and said "to the Kang residence". Kang MiaoMiao's body was gently swaying with the motion of the vehicle, her heart also trembling with fear, "so fast, so fast."

  The rickshaw driver turned back and said, "You're in a hurry, are you? Then I'll go slower."

  The sky has darkened, the melted snow and mud are mixed together. Tomorrow should be a sunny day, but it will be even colder than now. Zhou Huijuan lies by the river, feeling cold, unable to forget her pleading eyes before she died. At that time, Zhou Huijuan must have been very scared, more scared than I am now.

  Got off the car, gave the driver money, body still trembling, finally walked to the door of home.

  That large missing person notice appeared again at the gate, still with Zhou Huijuan's pale and lifeless face, her empty mouth slightly open as if crying to herself.

  Candy today is my birthday

  Wishing you a happy birthday, happiness every day...