Upon hearing the words "facial reconstruction," Zhang Yean and Xiaofang were instantly dumbfounded.

Xiaofang asked, "Is it really possible to reconstruct the deceased's appearance using plaster and clay?"

Jiang An nodded.

"Absolutely!"

"It's just that I don't know if my skills can achieve a lifelike level."

Then, Zhang Yean recalled and said, "Regarding craniofacial reconstruction techniques, I heard about it from my forensic science teacher when I was at police academy."

"It's currently in the exploratory research phase."

"Moreover, in the whole of Dragon Country, only a few individuals know how to perform craniofacial reconstruction."

"Which master did you apprentice under?"

In Jiang An's mind appeared the research projects he had supervised in his previous life as a forensic graduate student, including the study on "Methods for Reconstructing Facial Appearance from Human Skull Bones."

But he just smiled and said, "I learned it on my own; I didn't follow any mentor."

"Self-taught?"

"Can such advanced techniques be self-explored?"

Zhang Yean and Xiaofang looked at each other, and they both read confusion in each other's eyes.

Then, Zhang Yean quickly followed.

Xiaofang immediately grabbed her mobile duty phone and followed as well.

Despite graduating from the police academy and working at the police station,

Xiaofang was very interested in craniofacial reconstruction technology.

She had seen such skull reconstruction scenes in Beautiful Country's movies.

Soon.

Jiang An carried plaster and clay back to office 403.

He put on a pair of gloves and placed the skull on the table first.

Next, Jiang An picked up a ruler to start measuring, recording data to prepare for the skull reconstruction.

Meanwhile.

Li Jian, Wan Junjie, Mr. Zhang, and another officer were conducting a sweep.

Now, they arrived at the entrance of a "Xiao Yan Foot Therapy" shop.

Although the four were in plainclothes, the female owner inside immediately recognized Zhang Chao.

"Mr. Zhang, what brings you here today?"

Zhang Chao waved his hand and said, "We have something to ask you."

"Do you have any missing female employees here?"

The woman said, "All 8 of our employees are here."

Li Jian asked sternly, "In the past year, have you heard of any missing individuals in the same industry?"

The woman thought for a moment and said, "I haven't heard of that."

"However, you know this industry is very mixed."

"Some do legitimate business, while others engage in illegitimate activities."

"People come and go, and not many pay attention."

Wan Junjie casually asked, "What business do you operate here?"

"Oh, this little brother said,"

"Of course, we do legitimate business."

"If you don't believe me, you can go in and see. Everything is open and well-lit."

Finally, Zhang Chao said, "If you hear about any missing persons, please report it to us promptly."

"Mr. Zhang, alright! I'll provide any leads I get."

Next, the four of them headed to the KTV next door.

Seeing the four, the doorman asked, "Do you have a reservation, sir?"

Just as the words were spoken, the police officers presented their badges.

"Oh, it's the four officers."

"Sorry, I've only been here for two days, and I really didn't recognize you."

"I need to see your manager."

"Please come in and have a seat."

"Please wait a moment, he'll be right over."

A minute later, a young man in a suit came out.

"Mr. Zhang, sorry for not welcoming you earlier!"

"Here to relax with friends today?"

Zhang Chao sternly said, "On a case! We need a quiet private room."

They then proceeded to an empty private room.

The manager asked, "What brings you officers here tonight?"

Li Jian said, "Have there been any missing persons from your KTV this past year?"

The manager shook his head.

"I've been the manager here for two years, and I can't recall any employee disappearing suddenly."

Wan Junjie asked again, "Think carefully."

"Officer, how can I joke about such a matter?"

"Even if it were a joke, it couldn't be made in front of you four officers."

Li Jian asked again, "Have you heard of any colleagues going missing in the past year?"

After thinking for a moment, the manager replied, "I haven't heard of that."

Finally, Zhang Chao advised, "If you hear of someone going missing, make sure to report it to us promptly."

"Mr. Zhang, I will! Definitely!"

Then, the group left the KTV.

Right after, the four of them continued to investigate 15 more locations, but still no clues.

Li Jian raised his wrist and glanced at the time.

3:30 AM.

He turned and asked, "How many more locations do we have left to investigate?"

Zhang Chao glanced at the list in his hand.

"Still 18 more."

Wan Junjie said, "Mr. Zhang, you sure have a lot of these specialized venues in your area!"

Zhang Chao grinned, "Mainly because our group is responsible for the busy areas."

"Mr. Li, should we consider taking a break and continuing tomorrow night?"

Li Jian lit a cigarette and said, "Let's continue the investigation!"

"Tonight, we must check all entertainment and wellness venues in the jurisdiction."

Then the four continued their investigation.

Meanwhile.

In office 403 at the Houshan Police Station.

Jiang An was fully focused on his work.

After measuring all the data, Jiang An began preparing the plaster paste; he found a bucket and mixed the plaster powder with water in proportion.

Next, Jiang An placed the deceased's skull into the plaster, letting the external structure of the skull shape entirely in the plaster, creating an external mold of the skull.

Two hours later, Jiang An took out the deceased's skull, leaving a large indentation in the bucket's plaster.

The external mold of the deceased's skull was complete.

Then, Jiang An asked, "Fang, do you have any large plastic wrap in the office?"

Xiaofang, surprised, replied, "Yes! I'll go to the kitchen and get it for you."

Zhang Yean asked, "Junior, do you need plastic wrap for this experiment?"

Jiang An said, "Using the Sculpture Method to restore the deceased's appearance should require potassium sulfate soap liquid as an isolating agent, but since we can't buy it here, plastic wrap will have to do."

Five minutes later, Xiaofang brought the large plastic wrap from the police station's kitchen.

Subsequently, Jiang An bent over and placed the wrap inside the prepared external skull mold.

After that, Jiang An poured plaster into the external skull mold, stirring as he poured to ensure an even fill.

Zhang Yean and Xiaofang stood by, watching intently.

Once the plaster paste stopped moving and solidified, Jiang An pried off the plaster shell, taking out the skull model.

Finally, based on the skull's features and anatomical connections, Jiang An picked up the clay, kneading it into strips and blocks to sculpt the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and other details.

Xiaofang asked curiously, "Did he study art?"

Zhang Yean smiled and said, "He's a forensic expert!"

"Can forensic scientists, like artists, professionally restore human faces?"

Zhang Yean added, "His main job is forensics, but he's also skilled in criminal investigation and art."

5:20 AM.

Jiang An attached the final piece of clay to the corner of the eye on the skull model, taking off his gloves.

"How do you two see the reconstructed face?"

In an instant, Zhang Yean and Xiaofang gave a thumbs up.

They simultaneously said, "Lifelike."

Meanwhile.

The officers out on investigation were also finishing up their work.

From night until the early hours, from the early hours to dawn, they had at last completed a comprehensive sweep.

However.

Team Leader Li Jian's face remained stern, his brows furrowed.

This thorough investigation had turned up nothing.

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