“Mr. Liu, it is truly presumptuous of you to come so late at night. However, I am on official business, please understand.” Ning Zhiheng spoke in a kind tone, trying his best to put Liu Molin at ease.
"The main reason for my visit this afternoon is the population survey. The tenant named Wang Yunfeng in room 402 on Beihua Street, which is registered under your name, is a prime suspect. We suspect that he is a Japanese spy. I would like to know if, besides you, your wife or children have seen this tenant?"
Liu Molin knew immediately that it was about Wang Yunfeng again. This guy must have gotten himself into big trouble because of his dirty laundry, which had even brought the military intelligence department to his door.
It's ridiculous that I used to think this guy was an honest person, always coming to my door to pay my rent. I can only judge a person by their appearance, not their heart!
"Please don't misunderstand, I'm just conducting an investigation. It will absolutely not harm you or your family in any way. My main goal is to gain a more detailed and specific understanding of Wang Yunfeng's appearance," Ning Zhiheng said, trying to reassure Liu Molin, noticing his hesitation.
"Of course, you also know that if someone conceals the facts or fails to report what they know, they can be treated as an accomplice!"
“Yes, Brother Liu. This matter is very serious, otherwise we wouldn’t have alarmed Commander Ning and the others. Don’t be confused.” Chen Yanqing, who was standing next to him, also spoke up to explain: “We’re all family here, why would we harm you? There was nothing to begin with, just explain it clearly and everything will be fine.”
Liu Molin thought for a moment before finally replying, "He usually comes to our house to pay the rent. My wife has seen him a few times!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiheng immediately felt relieved. His wife had met Wang Yunfeng, which proved that Wang Yunfeng was a real person. Liu Molin's suspicion could then be eliminated.
"Then I'd like to trouble you, sister-in-law, to describe Wang Yunfeng's appearance!" Ning Zhiheng said.
Liu Molin had no choice but to nod and, under Ning Zhiheng's watchful gaze, called his wife out.
Liu Molin's wife, a teacher, was more composed than Liu Molin. When asked to describe Wang Yunfeng's appearance, she thought carefully for a moment and said, "This person has a fairly decent appearance and is not tall, probably about the same height as this brother."
After she finished speaking, she pointed to Liu Yong, and everyone turned to look at him. Liu Yong was only about 1.68 meters tall, which is considered average height for a southerner.
She then described some of the same things as Liu Molin. She also mentioned that Wang Yunfeng's accent was more like that of a northerner, because southerners tend to have softer, more gentle speech.
However, she couldn't pinpoint the exact region of her accent, only knowing that she was probably from the north.
"This person is very well-mannered and speaks politely. Once, he even brought pastries over. I really didn't expect that!" Liu Molin said with some emotion.
Ning Zhiheng asked him to bring some white paper and a pencil, and then slowly began to sketch and draw according to the couple's description.
He had studied sketching in his previous life; his parents had enrolled him in classes while he was in school.
His initial plan was to pursue his special talent in college entrance exams, but he gave up on that for various reasons. However, his years of study have given him a solid foundation in sketching.
Portraiture emphasizes the composition and brushwork, from the overall composition to the brushstrokes, shading, coloring, and depiction of details, creating a three-dimensional effect throughout the painting.
Over the course of two hours, with continuous revisions and corrections, a clear sketch finally took shape under the astonished gazes of the crowd.
At that time in the Republic of China, Western painting techniques were just beginning to enter the public eye, and very few people had any exposure to them. Ning Zhiheng's painting greatly shocked and surprised them.
Looking at the scene before him, Liu Molin couldn't help but sigh, "Damn, even spies these days are so talented!"
"It's so lifelike! Your Western painting style is even more realistic than traditional Chinese painting; it's almost like a photograph!" Liu Molin's wife exclaimed in admiration.
Liu Datong and the other two were also shocked. Commander Ning was so young, yet he was skilled in both literature and martial arts, possessing extraordinary abilities! His painting skills alone were enough to support his family.
Ning Zhiheng was very satisfied in the end. In fact, he was not only good at sketching, but also at traditional Chinese painting.
In the last few years of his previous life, he devoted himself to antiques and calligraphy and paintings. He never neglected his craft, and today, his work astonished everyone present!
"Haha! You flatter me! I just like to doodle a little bit now and then, please excuse my poor skills!" Ning Zhiheng replied modestly.
It was already quite late when Ning Zhiheng got up to say goodbye: "I'm so sorry to have disturbed Mr. and Mrs. Liu's rest so late at night! I'll take my leave now."
At first, Mr. and Mrs. Liu were somewhat embarrassed and resistant to Ning Zhiheng's identity. However, after talking for a long time, they found that this young man not only had no arrogant attitude, but was also gentle and polite. Gradually, their impression of him improved.
The couple saw everyone off at the door. Before leaving, Liu Molin invited Ning Zhiheng to come over for a visit sometime.
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