Chapter 275: Aren’t You Working Too Hard?

Of course, the police had investigated Lan Qingman.

After all, the Qin Family was suspicious of her.

Plus, the child had disappeared while Lan Qingman had taken her out.

So, naturally, the police had listed her as a person of interest.

"One moment. I’ll go get it for you."

The man stepped out and returned a moment later with a case file in his hands.

"This is Lan Qingman’s investigation report. It’s all here."

Qin Wenhao took it and began to flip through it. ’He had to admit, the station’s investigation was surprisingly detailed.’

It even listed all of her family’s original relatives, who had all been investigated.

"We’ve already visited all these people’s homes. We didn’t find anything out of the ordinary."

The Lan family didn’t have many relatives.

Their ancestral hometown was in the suburbs. The entire family moved into the city only after Father Lan found work there.

Back in their hometown, she still had one or two uncles on her father’s side.

Father Lan was the third-born.

Qin Wenhao continued to flip through the file.

He didn’t see anything else useful.

"Based on our investigation, this Lan Qingman isn’t a suspect. Furthermore, as the missing child’s biological mother, her motive—well, she shouldn’t have one."

’Using a word like "shouldn’t" was hardly rigorous,’ Qin Wenhao thought with a cold, internal sneer. ’Who says Lan Qingman has no motive? Doesn’t her hatred and desire for revenge count for anything?’

"Thank you. I’ll be going now. Please let us know if anything new comes up."

"Alright."

Qin Wenhao left the police station.

He didn’t go home. Instead, he navigated a series of winding turns and arrived at a small courtyard house tucked away in an alley.

He raised his hand and knocked.

A moment later, the door opened.

The person who answered was clearly surprised to see him.

"Qin Wenhao? What are you doing here?"

"Let’s talk inside."

At Qin Wenhao’s words, the man immediately stepped aside to let him in, then closed the door.

Qin Wenhao didn’t go inside the house, remaining in the courtyard. "I need you to look into something for me. A five-year-old girl. This is a sketch of her. Her name is Qin Ruqiao."

The portrait had been drawn by Fu Mingxue, and Director Xie had later found someone to print copies.

Qin Wenhao had gotten the original sketch from Director Xie.

The man took it and glanced at it. "Alright."

"Also, look into Lan Qingman for me again. Find out who she’s been in contact with over the past month."

"Got it," the man agreed.

—

Meanwhile, Fu Mingxue worked late and didn’t get home until well after dark.

Mrs. Fu opened the door for her.

"Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet? Didn’t I tell you not to wait for me? Why are you waiting up again?"

Fu Mingxue spoke as she pushed her bicycle into the courtyard.

Mrs. Fu bolted the door.

"Oh, by the way, your husband called this afternoon. He’s arrived safely."

Fu Mingxue looked at her. "So, you waited up for me until now just for this? You could have told me tomorrow!"

’Besides, he left a few days ago. The trip takes about three days—I would have known he’d arrived even without him calling.’

’It’s not like he was going to get lost, was he?’

Mrs. Fu was left speechless.

’Wasn’t her daughter being a little too cold toward her own husband?’

"Mom, you should get to bed. I still have a drawing to finish."

"Still have to work this late? You do this every day. Can your body handle it? You’re working yourself to the bone! It’s too much!"

Mrs. Fu felt that even if the pay was good, working such high-intensity overtime, in the long run, was no way to live.

’Wasn’t this just trading her health for money?’

Fu Mingxue, however, didn’t see it that way.

She smiled. "Mom, I’m young, I can handle it. Besides, it’s just some reading and drawing. My job at the factory is pretty relaxed, all things considered. It’s much easier than those who have to toil in the fields all day, exposed to the wind and sun."

"Mom, I honestly don’t find it draining. My work is meaningful and important, and that makes me happy. Besides, I’m not the only one working this hard. The researchers in my unit are even more dedicated. The hours they put in and the sheer effort they expend are far greater than mine."