Chapter 351 New Clues
"Since we're cooperating, why not share your thoughts on how to resolve our current predicament?"
Xie Xing spoke slowly and deliberately, without any sign of panic, showing no signs of encountering difficulties.
But he was an official appointed by the imperial court, and whatever he said went. Others could only listen and do as he instructed.
So, the employees of Xinglong Restaurant really started to express their opinions.
Lei Zi said, "Sir, I think since there's a new portrait, why don't we take it with us to look for the person?"
Panda continued, "A portrait may not be able to identify a person. He can impersonate someone once, and he can impersonate someone a second time to evade inspection."
Xiao Liuzi said, "Sir, I think we should seal off the town first to prevent that person from sneaking out during the search."
“If that person wanted to leave, they should have left last night.” Liu Ji shook his head and said, “It’s unclear whether they’re still in town!”
After these words were spoken, everyone nodded in agreement.
“If the person isn’t in town, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.” Zhu Chengye’s eyes showed a hint of difficulty as he looked at Wan Qiqi.
Xie Xing also looked at Wan Qiqi, as if waiting for her opinion.
Wan Qiqi blinked and said, "Whether they've left or not, we'll have to wait for someone to come over."
She had barely finished speaking when Liang Pengfei came to report.
"My lord, Miss Fang requests an audience, saying she has an important clue!"
Xie Xing looked at Wan Qiqi, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Miss Fang is here, how can you stop her? Let her in immediately!"
"yes!"
A moment later, Fang Luxue's cursing voice could be heard from outside the door.
"Wan Qiqi is a woman. How could you lock her up with so many men? This is outrageous..."
Upon entering and seeing the people from Mingyuefang, he choked up.
She then cleared her throat, adopted the demeanor befitting a daughter of an official, glanced at everyone present, and finally focused on Wan Qiqi.
Because she had been kowtowing during the day, Wan Qiqi had her hair down and a medicine bag wrapped around the back of her head.
Because of her fair skin, she looked from a distance as if she were seriously ill, with little color in her face.
Fang Luxue's expression changed instantly. She turned her head and glared at Xie Xing, saying coldly, "He was perfectly fine when I left yesterday. How come he's like this today?"
As soon as Chen Yongnian entered the restaurant, before he could even speak, he was lectured by Fang Luxue.
"And you! How have you been taking care of your wife? She's sick and you're still interrogating her? Can't you have any compassion?!"
Chen Yongnian lowered his head and remained silent.
Xie Xing leaned back on the throne, quietly watching Fang Luxue, as if he were watching a circus act.
Wan Qiqi sighed.
Fang Luxue no longer resembled a proper young lady; she acted like a shrew cursing in the street.
She sighed and said, "I'm fine, I just tripped and fell."
Fang Luxue was skeptical at first, but in the end she chose to believe Wan Qiqi.
But the look she gave Xie Xing was still hostile, as if she were looking at an enemy.
Xie Xing tapped the armrest lightly with his fingers and said, "Miss Fang, you said you have a clue, why don't you tell us about it?"
Fang Luxue glanced at the people in the hall and said coldly, "How do you know there aren't any people mixed in here?"
She glanced at Wan Qiqi and said, "I only tell people I trust!"
“She’s a suspect!” Xie Xing said without the slightest hesitation.
Fang Luxue was about to argue with Xie Xing when Wan Qiqi stopped her.
"With so many people around, it's best to have as few people as possible who know about this important clue."
In the end, Wan Qiqi, Chen Yongnian, Xie Xing, and Liang Pengfei followed Fang Luxue upstairs to discuss the matter, while the others remained on the first floor.
Watching them leave, Liu Ji said in a low voice, "Manager Zhu, it's one thing for them to question us, but how could they leave you behind as well?"
Once the footsteps were no longer audible, Zhu Chengye turned his gaze away, glanced at Liu Ji, and said, "As long as the restaurant can be proven innocent, what difference does it make who talks to the government?"
"That's not what I meant, it's just that you are the head manager..." Liu Ji paused, sighed, and said, "Your restaurant is now all under her control, I'm afraid your position is in danger in the future."
Zhu Chengye's eyes instantly turned cold, his previous amiable demeanor vanished, and he said in a cold voice, "Accountant Liu, you'd better not say such things in the future! I don't care who the head manager is, I only care whether the people I cooperate with can bring benefits to the restaurant."
"I know Wan Qiqi's character well, and I won't allow others to say more."
He stared at Liu Ji's gaunt face and said coldly, "If anyone does anything to harm the restaurant, I, Zhu Chengye, will be the first to not let that person off the hook!"
Those who inquired among themselves did not know what Liu Ji and Zhu Chengye were talking about, but it was clear that the usually amiable Manager Zhu seemed to be very angry.
However, they were more curious about the conversation upstairs than anything else.
Fang Luxue and Liang Pengfei stared at each other for a while before Wan Qiqi urged them to get down to business.
“Last night I had the Tang family help me stand guard at the town entrance. No suspicious people came or went, so the person you are looking for should still be in town.”
After Fang Luxue finished speaking, she looked at Wan Qiqi and said, "Do you have a sketch of the suspect? I want to confirm something!"
Liang Pengfei placed the latest portrait on the table for Fang Luxue to examine.
Fang Luxue was stunned when she saw the portrait, her eyes flashing with astonishment. "Who painted this? It's so much better than the previous artist! It's exactly the same!"
Upon hearing this, all three knew one thing—Fang Luxue had met the suspect!
Fang Luxue suppressed her shock and pointed to the portrait, saying, "I've seen this person before, right at the entrance of the restaurant."
"I had prepared a jar of fine wine from a merchant in the Western Regions to celebrate with Sister Qi, but when I got to the door, I bumped into this man, and he spilled my wine without apologizing and just ran away!"
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