When Zhang Yaqin said this, she didn’t hold much hope that her husband would agree.
Because once they reported it to the police, their daughter’s elopement would undoubtedly become public, rendering all their previous efforts meaningless.
But she was a mother, and at this moment, all she wanted was for her daughter to return safely.
To her surprise, Yu Changqing not only nodded in agreement but even reminded her,
"If you’re reporting it, call the Beijing Public Security Bureau headquarters. They have the latest facial recognition database, which will make finding her easier."
Seeing his wife frozen in place, her eyes filled with confusion, Yu Changqing let out a bitter laugh.
"Manli is my daughter too. Now that she’s missing, how could I just stand by and do nothing?"
He had indeed calculated when arranging his daughters’ marriages.
But in his heart, he knew the men he had chosen were exceptional in both character and ability, even by Beijing’s standards—aside from their family backgrounds.
"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and make the call."
Zhang Yaqin snapped out of her daze. "Alright."
The call was quickly made. Hearing that Army Commander Yu’s daughter was missing, the Beijing Public Security Bureau took the matter very seriously.
Within ten minutes, several officers arrived.
After taking statements from the couple, one officer asked,
"Do you have recent photos of Comrade Yu Manli? If so, please give us a couple."
"Yes, yes, we do."
Zhang Yaqin hurried to fetch two photos. "Officers, thank you for your help. Please find my daughter as soon as possible."
"Don’t worry, we’ll do our best."
The officer reassured her, "The bureau has already dispatched a search team. If there’s any news, we’ll notify you immediately."
As it was getting late, the officers didn’t linger. They needed to return to the bureau to compile a report.
Just as they were about to drive off, they happened to run into Huo's fourth uncle.
Huo's fourth uncle had gotten off work early today. Knowing that the young couple would be leaving in two days, he had rushed back to the family home after work.
While visiting the old master, he also brought Jiang Si an unexpected surprise.
Thanks to the remarkable effectiveness of Jiang Si’s first version of the facial recognition database, the public security system had held several meetings and decided to officially hire her as a technical illustrator.
From now on, she would be fully responsible for updating the templates and expanding the database.
Jiang Si hadn’t expected that her side job would turn into a formal position!
Though she was only an external hire with a negligible monthly salary, the official work permit issued by the public security system was nothing but beneficial for her.
Naturally, she wouldn’t refuse such an opportunity.
They agreed that she would bring her household registration booklet to the bureau at nine the next morning to complete the necessary procedures.
Because of this, the entire family spent two or three hours eating, drinking, and chatting.
If not for the early start the next day, Huo's fourth uncle would have stayed longer.
Just as he stepped out of the family home, he encountered the bureau’s vehicle.
Seeing the officers holding notepads, Huo's fourth uncle was surprised. The compound’s security was excellent—it had been years since anyone had reported a case here.
Besides, this area wasn’t even under their jurisdiction.
Even if someone had reported a case, the local precinct should have handled it.
Curious, he stopped and asked, "What happened?"
Hearing this, the officer in charge reported truthfully.
"Chief, Army Commander Yu’s child is missing."
"What? Whose child is missing?"
Perhaps the shock in Huo's fourth uncle’s voice was too obvious, the officer added,
"Yes, it was Army Commander Yu’s wife who called. She said their youngest daughter went missing this morning."
"Let me see the report."
"Yes, sir."
The officer handed over the report. After quickly skimming through it, Huo's fourth uncle instructed in a grave tone,
"Once you return to the bureau, send more people to search every alley near the compound first."
"Especially all state-run guesthouses within a three-kilometer radius. Screen them thoroughly."
Even though no guesthouse would dare check someone in without an introduction letter,
there was always a chance someone might take the risk.
"Yes, Chief!"
The officers acknowledged the order and soon drove off.
After a moment’s thought, Huo's fourth uncle turned back and re-entered the family home.
Seeing him return so soon, the whole family was puzzled. The old master asked in surprise, "Did you forget something?"
Huo's fourth uncle shook his head. "Dad, Brother, Army Commander Yu’s youngest daughter is missing."
Father Huo, who had been drinking tea, couldn’t help but spit it out, spraying Huo's fourth uncle in the face.
"What did you just say? Who’s missing?"
"The Yu family’s youngest daughter."
Wiping the tea from his face, Huo's fourth uncle confirmed, "The report came directly from the Yu family. There’s no mistake."
"How could this happen…" Father Huo murmured, and the room fell into silence.
Although the two families had always been in competition, one thing had nothing to do with another.
A missing child was distressing no matter what.
No matter how strained their relationship was, the Huo family wasn’t heartless enough to gloat over such a misfortune.
Besides, this involved a young woman—unlike a man, if she wasn’t found soon, who knew what might happen?
Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou were utterly shocked. A disappearance was entirely different from running away from home.
For some reason, Jiang Si immediately thought of Yu Manli’s boyfriend.
At this point, there was no reason to hold back.
So, Jiang Si recounted how she had seen them at the train station the day before.
"Fourth Uncle, the guard at the sentry post saw Yu Manli leave early this morning."
"Her eyes were swollen like walnuts. If she were visiting relatives or friends, she wouldn’t have left so early. I think she might have gone to see her boyfriend."
The mention of a boyfriend first stunned everyone, then sparked looks of realization.
"If that’s the case, she really might have gone to him," Mother Huo agreed with her daughter-in-law’s theory.
But Huo's fourth uncle shook his head. "It’s unlikely. I just reviewed the police report."
"Army Commander Yu went to see that man first thing this morning and questioned him thoroughly."
"The man insisted that after parting ways with Yu Manli at the train station yesterday, he hadn’t seen her again, and she never came looking for him."
"Yu Manli’s relatives, classmates, and friends—they’ve all been questioned. No one has seen her."
"Besides, Zhang Yaqin confiscated Yu Manli’s ID and introduction letter. In her current situation, she can’t even leave the city."
This revelation made everyone realize the gravity of the situation.
Mother Huo glanced at the pitch-black sky outside. "If she didn’t go to friends or family, and she can’t stay at a guesthouse… what will she do tonight?"
"What a tragedy," Grandma Huo sighed. "In this freezing cold, even wearing a military coat, your legs tremble after a while outside. How can a young woman endure it?"
The words left everyone unsettled.
Especially Grandpa Huo.
No matter what, he and Old Master Yu had fought side by side against the Japanese and climbed snowy mountains together.
Even if their families couldn’t reconcile, the bond of the past remained.
After a moment of silence, Grandpa Huo spoke. "Old Fourth, it’s getting late. Head back now, but keep an eye on this matter."
"Understood, Dad."
Just as Huo's fourth uncle stood to leave, Jiang Si suddenly called out, "Fourth Uncle, wait a moment."
