Chapter 21: Portrait

~I know this person~

Zhao Xiangwan had a bad feeling when she saw Director Peng’s cryptic expression.

Sure enough, Director Peng looked at her and said, “Zhao Xiangwan, you’ll be in charge of communicating with this artist.”

The others chimed in: “Why does Zhao Xiangwan have to handle this? She’s just an intern.”

Director Peng waved them off: “Don’t worry, it’s not a bad thing. This portrait artist is special. He won’t have an official position, won’t be paid, and doesn’t need to work in the office. His only condition is that he wants to follow Zhao Xiangwan.”

Xu Songling looked wary: “No salary, no position—who would agree to that? Nothing’s free. Director Peng, you can’t take advantage of the situation like this. Zhao Xiangwan is just an intern. She still has to learn from Zhu Feipeng and He Mingyu. How could she guide someone else?”

Seeing Xu Songling’s concern for his apprentice, Director Peng laughed: “Don’t worry, Lao Xu, you know this guy. He’s trustworthy.”

“I know him?” Xu Songling was confused. “Who is it?”

Director Peng grinned: “I’ll keep you guessing. The artist is in my office. I’ll bring him over.”

Director Peng walked out of the Serious Crimes Unit’s office, his footsteps echoing.

Zhu Feipeng groaned: “Why has Director Peng gotten so playful?”

He Mingyu, observant as always, opened the window and peeked out: “Did you see that? Someone donated three Changjiang 750 sidecar motorcycles, two Beijing Jeep 212s, and two Changan minivans to the bureau. This will really boost our police vehicle fleet. Director Peng is so happy, he can’t stop smiling.”

Zhu Feipeng blinked and realized: “Who’s rich enough to donate so many vehicles? That’s a lot of money.”

Xu Songling, looking at the parking lot, smiled.

Zhu Feipeng glanced at him: “Captain Xu, what’s so funny?”

Xu Songling shook his head, still smiling.

Zhao Xiangwan, however, didn’t smile and frowned.

Zhu Feipeng noticed and asked, “Why are you frowning? Have you figured it out?”

Zhao Xiangwan sighed and shook her head.

Seeing everyone acting like they knew but wouldn’t share, Zhu Feipeng, now growing anxious, asked, “Hey, hey, hey, are you all keeping this a secret? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Zhu Feipeng spun around the office, pulling at his hair, while the others laughed.

Suddenly, a voice came from the door: “Are you all so happy to see me?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the newcomer.

The man, with a round figure, smiling face, and wearing a dark satin cotton jacket with a fox fur-trimmed collar, was none other than Ji Jinmao.

Behind him stood Ji Zhao.

Ji Zhao had porcelain-white skin, smooth and radiant. His eyes, framed by long, crow-feather lashes, were like black jade. If no one had mentioned it, it would have been impossible to associate this incredibly beautiful man with autism.

After the Four Seasons Hotel incident, Ji Jinmao arrived at the Serious Crimes Unit with a banner. Familiar with the office, he entered with a smile and shook Xu Songling’s hand. “Captain Xu, I’m here to bother you again.”

Seeing the car donation to the bureau, Xu Songling immediately guessed it was Ji Jinmao. His generosity likely meant he wanted Ji Zhao to join the police force.

Ji Zhao, a hyperrealist painter ^[1]artist who creates extremely detailed and lifelike images., had joined the Serious Crimes Unit as a portrait artist. Director Peng was visibly pleased. The more Xu Songling thought about it, the happier he became. With a hearty smile, he shook Ji Jinmao’s hand. “No trouble at all.”

Ji Zhao remained silent, his expression cool, and followed Ji Jinmao into the room.

Director Peng introduced him with a smile. “This is our new colleague, Ji Zhao. He will assist with portrait work. Zhao Xiangwan, you will be his point of contact.”

Zhao Xiangwan stepped forward and saluted. “Yes!”

Satisfied, Director Peng turned to Ji Jinmao. “Alright, my job is done. Ji Zhao will coordinate with them from here on.”

With that, Director Peng left happily, knowing the department now had more vehicles, a portrait artist, and no need to allocate extra salaries. It was a win-win situation.

Ji Jinmao bowed to everyone. “Foreign psychology expert Hanks ^[2]refers to a specialist in mental health and behavior. suggested Ji Zhao interact more with strangers. I wanted to let him go, but after the hotel incident, I worried about his safety. The Public Security Bureau is the safest place—everyone here represents justice. You are doing a great deed. Please understand a father’s heart.”

He sighed. “I can take care of him while I’m alive, but what about after I’m gone? Please guide him, teach him to recognize good and bad people. I’m counting on you.”

The richest man in Xing City, a well-known entrepreneur, and president of a listed company, bowed just to help his son integrate into society. His fatherly concern moved Xu Songling.

Stepping forward, Xu Songling reassured him, “Don’t worry, President Ji. Since Ji Zhao is with us, we’ll take care of him. But police work is tough. Can he handle it?”

Ji Jinmao smiled slyly. “If the police force needs anything, just tell me. I arranged with Director Peng for a Beijing Jeep and a minivan for the Serious Crimes Unit. Plus, I’ve sent two chefs to improve the cafeteria meals.”

The room erupted in cheers.

“I call dibs on the new Jeep!”

“That van will be great for group transport.”

“The cafeteria food needed an upgrade!”

“I’m eating there morning, noon, and night from now on!”

Watching these hardworking young officers celebrate over basic resources made Ji Jinmao feel a twinge of sadness. They were Ji Zhao’s age yet carried heavy responsibilities.

He continued, “I’ve also arranged a one-million-yuan fund to reward officers for solving major cases.”

The cheers grew louder.

Zhu Feipeng, from a wealthy background, might not care about money, but the others did. Police salaries were low, and bonuses were a welcome motivation.

Amid the excitement, Xu Songling called Zhao Xiangwan over. “Since you can communicate with Ji Zhao, keep an eye on him.”

Zhao Xiangwan nodded. “Understood.”

Ji Jinmao, smiling almost apologetically, said, “Sorry to trouble you.”

Zhao Xiangwan replied indifferently, “It’s fine.”

She hadn’t expected this method when Ji Jinmao said he could make Ji Zhao follow her.

Noticing Zhao Xiangwan’s indifferent tone, Ji Jinmao quickly pulled Ji Zhao closer. “From now on, he’ll follow you—do what you do, eat what you eat. He’s not picky about food or clothes, but he struggles with communication. He may get emotional at times. Please be patient.”

As Ji Zhao moved closer, Zhao Xiangwan’s mind was once again filled with his inner world.

The same wilderness, the same tree, and the same skylark ^[3]a type of small songbird.. But this time, the snow had receded, revealing patches of grass.

The skylark was not flying but hopping on the ground, curiously pecking at a sprouting blade of grass like a child discovering a new toy.

Seeing such purity in a noisy world, Zhao Xiangwan asked, “Isn’t grass green? Why not add some color?”

Ji Jinmao, witnessing Zhao Xiangwan’s unique way of communicating with Ji Zhao, held his breath.

Ji Zhao, who had kept his head down, suddenly looked up, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

Ji Jinmao clenched his fists to suppress his excitement. It was only their second meeting, yet Ji Zhao made eye contact with her!

Since childhood, Ji Zhao had resisted communication and avoided eye contact with everyone except his grandmother. Even Ji Jinmao, despite his best efforts, couldn’t get his son to look at him.

Then, a voice sounded in Zhao Xiangwan’s mind—a young boy’s voice.

“How do I draw colors?”

Zhao Xiangwan felt relieved. As long as he was willing to communicate, they could get along well.

“If you want it to have color, it will have color.”

[Then I’ll try?]

Ji Zhao’s voice became livelier. Zhao Xiangwan met his gaze.