Animal Detective

Chapter 36 Lost Dog Notice
"It's not worth much. My family makes Yixing teapots and handicrafts. I specially picked out a set, but I don't know if you'll like it."

Shen Xin quickly explained.

Shen Xin's parents started out making Yixing teapots and later expanded into making handicrafts.

My mom brought over several sets of these before, asking Shen Xin to give them to his boss.

Shen Xin gave gifts to three leaders and Li Dongsheng, and there are still a few sets left, which have been gathering dust.

I didn't know what gift to buy at the last minute, so I just brought a set.

"How could I not like it?" Shen Yuemei accepted it with a smile, praising Shen Xin for being polite and more sensible than Zhang Qian.

Zhang Qian, standing next to her, silently rolled her eyes in response.

After everyone sat down, Shen Yuemei ordered the dishes and wine, asking Shen Xin whether he wanted white wine or red wine.

Shen Xin subconsciously wanted to say that white would be fine, but before he could say it, Zhang Jian next to him said in a muffled voice, "He can't drink."

Shen Yuemei glared at her: "Everyone's off work."

“Even after get off work, it’s not allowed,” Zhang Jian retorted.

Shen Yuemei was clearly aware of the situation, saying that it was enough to report it, and that Zhang Jian was Shen Xin's superior, so they should report it on the spot.

It's clear that Zhang Jian is a bit afraid of his wife, but he's also very principled and unwilling to be with her.

Shen Xin quickly smoothed things over, saying that he didn't drink alcohol, but would be fine with a soft drink.

Zhang Qian, who was standing next to her, almost burst out laughing.

I don't drink alcohol; last time someone vomited on my foot.

Shen Xin finally had a chance to glance at Zhang Qian. Compared to the daytime, Zhang Qian seemed to have put on makeup, making her even more radiant and beautiful.

She gave Shen Xin a slight glare, her eyes asking what he was looking at.

Shen Xin chuckled and shook his head, immediately averting his gaze.

This meal was unpleasant.

The main problem was that Zhang Jian sitting next to me felt awkward.

Shen Yuemei was very enthusiastic, constantly asking Shen Xin questions, serving him food, and praising him in various ways.

They said that Shen Xin had earned a third-class merit at such a young age, and that he was sure to have a bright future.

Unlike Zhang Qian, who studied graphic design but is still just drifting along.

Zhang Qian, who was eating a crab, subconsciously wanted to refute, but then thought better of it and gave up.

After finally finishing their meal, Zhang Jian got up to see Shen Xin off, saying he had something to discuss with her, but Shen Yuemei grabbed him.

She gave Zhang Qian a push, signaling Zhang Qian to see her off.

Helpless, Zhang Qian gave Shen Xin a wink, signaling him to leave quickly.

Shen Xin quickly said goodbye and followed Zhang Qian out the door.

Once downstairs, Zhang Qian said first, "My mom is just like that, don't overthink it."

Shen Xin thought to himself, "Why are you thinking so much?" He simply nodded.

Anyway, after this meal, Shen Xin was starting to believe Li Dongsheng's words.

If he were to actually pursue Zhang Qian, it would be incredibly awkward for him to then acknowledge Zhang Jian as his father-in-law.

"Then I'll be going now. Please thank your aunt for me." Shen Xin said goodbye and left.

Zhang Qian was slightly taken aback.

Unexpectedly, Shen Xin left so abruptly.

However, she felt it was fine, though she was inexplicably a little annoyed.

Unexpectedly, Shen Xin took two steps away and then turned back.

Zhang Qian's heart tightened, and she immediately composed herself, asking Shen Xin what was wrong.

"I heard from your aunt that you study painting, so could I ask you for a favor?" Shen Xin suddenly remembered something.

It's that yellow dog with white face from Wu Jiawang.

Shen Xin thought about printing out a notice and posting it to see if anyone had seen the dog.

But since there were no photos, they could only draw.

As for my own drawing skills, they're at best kindergarten level.

The fact that Da Mei was able to find the calico cat through her own paintings can only be attributed to the fact that the calico cat's features were too obvious.

Zhang Qian stared at Shen Xin for a while, nodded, and asked what help he needed.

"It's just a painting, a typical mongrel dog, but with two important features," Shen Xin described the dog. "That's it?"

Zhang Qian was somewhat surprised.

Is this some new way to start a conversation?

Shen Xin nodded and specifically requested that the two key features be drawn.

All mixed-breed dogs look pretty much the same, the main difference being the missing left ear and a white patch on the left hind leg; that's how you tell them apart.

"Okay, I'll draw it and send it to you on WeChat tonight."

"Thank you then."

Shen Xin quickly thanked him and took his leave.

Sitting in the car, watching Zhang Qian return to the restaurant, Shen Xin sighed.

Without a doubt, Zhang Qian is a good girl.

But the thought of having Zhang Jian as my father-in-law always feels awkward.

Shen Xin sighed and banished these chaotic thoughts from his mind.

Now that I've been officially hired, the work pressure will only be greater, and I'm still young, so I don't have time for romance.

Around 9 p.m., Zhang Qian sent a draft to Shen Xin.

No doubt about it, professionals are professionals.

Zhang Qian used gouache to paint this, and she even painted the side and back views, showing the missing half of her left ear and the white patch.

On WeChat, Zhang Qian asked if it was okay.

Shen Xin held his phone and thought about it carefully before replying to a message, asking Zhang Qian if he could revise it again.

"It's so beautifully drawn!"

Meanwhile, Zhang Qian, in her bedroom, frowned when she saw the message from Shen Xin.

What exactly does this guy mean?

I went to all that trouble to make it look nice for you, and you didn't even appreciate it.

But she still quickly drew a picture and sent it over, just as Shen Xin had requested.

This time it's just right.

Shen Xin felt that the previous painting was too stylish and beautiful, and that people would be attracted by the painting style first, without paying attention to the two key features.

Since all yellow berries are the same, just draw them in a simple way and highlight their unique features.

"Thank you, it's very well drawn," Shen Xin replied in a message.

Upon seeing this news, Zhang Qian was so angry she almost fainted.

What kind of taste does this guy have?!

Holding her phone, Zhang Qian wanted to ask Shen Xinhua what the dog was doing.

She was quite curious.

But I decided against it, guessing it was some kind of clumsy pickup line.

But unexpectedly, Shen Xin disappeared without a trace after that.

Zhang Qian was completely confused. Did Shen Xin really just want her to help him paint a picture?
The next day, as soon as Shen Xin arrived at work, Zhang Jian grabbed him and asked him about Li Jin and the dog.

It seems that this was what he wanted to talk about during dinner yesterday.

“That’s right, your approach is correct. Regardless of whether it’s useful or not, let’s find the dog first.” Zhang Jian nodded after listening.

It's really strange that a dog that went missing seven years ago is still alive.

Shen Xin printed out some lost dog notices, told Wang Shuwei who was on duty, and then drove to Xianghong Village, where he posted them at the entrances and exits of several roads and in places frequented by pedestrians.

The contact information left was their own.

They even contacted Zhao Shouchuan and asked them to keep an eye out for him when they were on patrol.

Since this case falls under the jurisdiction of the branch office, there's no need to worry about jurisdiction.

Shen Xin took the opportunity to look around himself, but found nothing.

Three days after the missing dog notice was posted, there was still no news.

Shen Xin was getting restless.

It seems we can only resort to the old method and ask Da Mei to come out of retirement.

(End of this chapter)