Carrying a stack of fresh newspapers as he left the store, Chen Zhou ate breakfast as he walked into a dead-end alley.
Crouching in the shadow at the corner of the wall, he tried his best to make himself less conspicuous, chewing on his bread as he observed the pedestrians on the street.
The shopkeeper's story had suddenly opened a door of hope.
Though what the shopkeeper said hadn't provided any clear clues or helped him identify any suspect, at least it gave him a general direction, and that was enough.
Even more coincidental, Chen Zhou happened to have a "friend" who had only met the missing person once, but was troubled by this very affair—
The missing little girl.
...
"I need to find the guy who drove me to the hotel yesterday as soon as possible."
After a few mouthfuls of bread, downing a bottle of soda, and gulping down a carton of milk, Chen Zhou thought silently.
