As soon as Zhao Donglai said this, the atmosphere suddenly became a bit heavy.
They were already under enough pressure with this kind of case, and if pressure came from above...
Yang Su couldn’t help but frown and complain, "What’s she fussing about? Isn’t it that we’re looking for the person? We police aren’t gods, we can’t just magically make the person appear in front of her!"
Zhao Donglai sighed, "There’s nothing we can do. She’s a public figure. Now that she’s causing a scene about not finding the person, she wants to expose the whole Ningjiang County, so Director Zheng and the others are under a lot of pressure too."
"What’s this got to do with our Ningjiang County? Isn’t she being unreasonable?"
Hearing what the other party was doing, Yang Su was furious, while Luo Fei didn’t find it surprising.
After all, right at the scene, Sun Ling’s manager had spoken with implied threats, so it was no wonder they would resort to threats.
But with this situation, there really wasn’t much time left for them.
After a moment of contemplation, Luo Fei asked, "Captain Zhao, where are the others?"
"The second group went to the scene, and I sent the rest to the hotel to make inquiries and check the surveillance footage of nearby shops to see if there are any clues."
"That’s a good approach. Once Old Zhang finishes copying the surveillance footage, we can go back to the police unit and discuss the case."
Just like that, the group quickly obtained the copied surveillance footage and headed out.
As they returned to the lobby, they overheard Manager Wang angrily making a phone call.
"You’re skipping work again? Do you not want to work anymore? Fine, don’t bother coming back."
After saying those harsh words, he hung up angrily, and when he looked up, he saw Luo Fei and the others. He quickly put on a smile.
"Officers, have you finished?"
"Yes, it’s all taken care of. Manager Wang, thank you for today."
"Oh, it’s nothing. It’s our duty as citizens to cooperate with your work. I have that sense of responsibility."
His words made everyone laugh.
After the laughter, following his instinct, Luo Fei asked, "By the way, Manager Wang, who were you talking to just now? You seemed quite angry."
"It was just one of our employees. I don’t know what’s happened over the past six months; they’re frequently absent without leave and leaving early, with no sense of work responsibility. So in my anger, I gave him a scolding. I’m embarrassed to let you see that."
Originally, Luo Fei became suspicious upon hearing that a hotel employee was skipping work, wondering if this person might somehow be connected to the kidnappers. But after hearing Wang’s explanation, he felt perhaps he was overthinking it.
Furthermore, eager to return to discussing the case, he brushed it off with a few words and followed the others outside.
Right before leaving the door, he suddenly felt something was off in his mind, but couldn’t pinpoint what exactly...
"Luo Fei, what are you standing there for? Let’s go,"
Seeing him standing in a daze at the hotel entrance, Yang Mei urged suspiciously.
The interruption blew away that feeling from Luo Fei’s mind, and he could only shake his head, dismissing the random thoughts. "I’m coming."
He quickly caught up with the others.
By the time they returned to the unit, it was nearly eleven.
On the way, Luo Fei received a call from Wu Yan, asking him why he hadn’t returned home so late.
Luo Fei briefly explained that there was a task at the unit tonight, so he might not go home and advised her to sleep early.
Knowing his work often kept him away from home for days when busy, Wu Yan didn’t say much more, only reminded him to stay safe before hanging up.
After finishing the call, Luo Fei returned to the office, where Wang Lei and others were also coming back one after another.
But seeing them looking dejected, it was clear that they hadn’t found anything.
Seeing this, Zhao Donglai, already burdened, felt even heavier.
Originally, with Luo Fei being a talented detective, Zhao Donglai, as the county’s criminal police captain, also enjoyed some of the glory. He had hoped to climb the ranks these couple of years.
Yet now this had happened. If they couldn’t find any useful clues by tonight, once the city criminal police took over, all their hard-earned achievements these days might go down the drain.
He was deeply concerned when Zhang Fan and a few others from the second group returned.
Together with them were Zhou Weimin and Zhang Haiyang.
"Luo Fei, the dignity of our entire Ningjiang County police force rests on you this time. You have to solve this case quickly!"
Upon entering, Zhou Weimin anxiously grabbed Luo Fei’s hand and said.
Evidently, he also received notification from above and started to worry.
Sun Ling’s manager had been questioning the security of Ningjiang County. If the city bureau solved the case, it would cast doubt on the whole Ningjiang County police’s ability to handle cases.
Moreover, the worst fear was if the media seized on the issue, exaggerating in reports; that would be far more embarrassing.
Now, their only hope lay with Luo Fei.
In response, Luo Fei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, "Chief Zhou, don’t be . We’ll do our best."
"I have faith in you." Zhou Weimin patted Luo Fei’s shoulder, expressing his trust in Luo Fei’s abilities.
At this point, Zhao Donglai clapped his hands, "Now that everyone’s here, let’s have a meeting immediately to discuss the case."
Everyone naturally had no objections.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, Director Wucheng had already ordered that the case would be fully handled by the criminal police team, with the Songxin Police Station and nearby stations assisting, ensuring Sun Ling’s safety by finding her as quickly as possible.