However, Li Xiang was different.

This was a promising talent; it's important to give him more opportunities to practice.

The police station mostly handles trivial matters, and there currently aren't any major cases to train him on. Since he has made a new discovery, why not let him try it? It might lead to a miracle.

Besides, the station is busy at the moment, so it doesn't matter what a couple of auxiliary police officers can do. The municipal bureau will eventually want him, so maybe I should play along for now.

So he said, "Hmm, our station really can't provide you with much support for this case. If you want to investigate, I'm not opposed in principle. However, when you go to Jinling, you cannot handle the case as auxiliary police, since our station has local jurisdiction rules, and there are no funds or travel allowances. You'll have to cover all expenses on your own. Is that okay?"

"No problem, we're just thankful if Director Zhao can approve our leave."

Li Xiang never really expected to get any material support from Director Zhao, knowing that the grassroots police station was really strapped for cash, especially in recent years.

The next morning, Sun Zhidong drove to Li Xiang's house.

"Has Coal Ball grown this much?"

Having not seen it for a few days, Sun Zhidong was surprised to see Coal Ball again: "Do dogs grow that fast?"

Out of sight, only to suddenly see it, and Coal Ball had grown so much.

"It's because the dogfather bought nutritious milk powder; that's why it's grown so fast."

"Is that so? Then I'll buy two more cans of milk powder later."

"And some dog food too; it's starting to eat dog food."

Li Xiang didn't stand on ceremony with him; he raised this little creature mainly because Sun Zhidong is allergic to dogs. After all, it was his fault for shooting the dog's mom.

Buying some milk powder and dog food was only right.

"Since we're going to Jinling, we might not be back soon. What about Coal Ball?"

"Should I ask Xiaomei?"

Sun Zhidong didn't have a great solution either. Taking Coal Ball along wasn't very convenient, so he picked up the phone to call his girlfriend Xiaomei.

After he suggested it, Xiaomei on the other end raised her voice: "I'm afraid of dogs the most. If you bring it here, you're dead meat."

Sun Zhidong habitually held the phone away from his ear, then shot a helpless look at Li Xiang.

"You're really a pair, one afraid of dogs, one allergic to them. Incredible."

Li Xiang shook his head helplessly. Last time he went to Jinling, he left Coal Ball with Lin Feifei. Should he do the same this time?

After all, she's in Jinling too.

No,

The last time she wasn't busy, so she had time to look after Coal Ball. Now her work has picked up, sending Coal Ball to her would just be a burden.

"By the way, what did you do with Coal Ball last time when you went to Jinling?"

Sun Zhidong remembered Li Xiang's last trip to Jinling and asked out of curiosity.

"Last time it was with Lin Feifei, but now she is in Jinling too; she must be busy. It's not good to ask her to take care of Coal Ball again, right?"

"Why not? She's in Jinling anyway. Given your relationship, she'll surely agree. Call her."

Sun Zhidong urged him. Though Li Xiang was reluctant, there weren't many good alternatives, and he reluctantly dialed the phone.

After seven or eight rings, the call was answered by Lin Feifei's tired voice: "Li Xiang, sorry, I was just warming up my voice and getting ready to record later. Why are you calling today? Missing me or something?"

From the call, Li Xiang could tell that Lin Feifei was already exhausted. She must have been up early practicing, showing that her success was not accidental, driven by behind-the-scenes effort and sweat.

"Yeah, we haven't talked in a while. I'm on a business trip to Jinling today, maybe we can have lunch? And I have a favor to ask…"

"It's about Coal Ball, isn't it?"

The astute Lin Feifei quickly guessed Li Xiang's purpose, same as last time he went to Jinling when no one could look after Coal Ball.

"Yes."

"You should have told me earlier if you were coming today. My schedule is full. When you get to Jinling, just call me, and I'll have my assistant pick up Coal Ball."

"Okay, thank you, Feifei, for the bother again."

"It's no bother. I like Coal Ball too. Haven't seen it in days and kind of miss it."

After a bit more chatting, Li Xiang hung up and started packing Coal Ball's items; he'd bring them this time to Jinling.

Three hours later, they arrived at the Jinling highway exit, met with assistant Xiao Ai to hand over Coal Ball.

After giving Coal Ball to Xiao Ai, Li Xiang and the others officially started the search for Wang Liping.

"Li Xiang, I kind of regret coming with you."

Standing on Changxing Street, Liuhe District, Sun Zhidong looked around cluelessly.

He had acted impulsively, excited by Li Xiang's talk of meritorious service but now realizing they might have gotten themselves into a predicament.

Though the missing person's case was sketchy, he didn't see how they might gain recognition.

As for uncovering a trafficking ring, even sharing the credit might not get awarded.

"Too late to regret now."

"What can we do without local police cooperation? Just stare helplessly?"

"Even though there's no local police collaboration, I've asked Brother Mao for help, so we should hear back soon."

Li Xiang had a plan on the way here.

In Jinling, unfamiliar with the area and without local law enforcement support, the only choice was using Mao Ji's intelligence skills to their advantage.

Sure enough, just as he finished speaking, Li Xiang's phone rang.

"Brother Mao, any news?"

"Yes, some clues. I reviewed Jinghai Bus Station's surveillance, found footage of Wang Liping leaving. That morning, she wore a white down coat, dragging a yellow suitcase. I'll send the video to your phone shortly. Also, I got the driver's phone number from the ride-hailing platform who took Wang Liping to Changxing Street, Liuhe District. I'll send that too. For Jinling footage, I don't have clearance, so you'll need some local inquiries. But given her distinctive clothing, maybe there's a lead."

"Thanks, Brother Mao."

After hanging up, Li Xiang received a couple of notifications with the surveillance video and the driver's contact.

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