Despite reservations about Tong Meng's methods, she did touch upon a crucial point.
When investigating, one must always start from the source.
Upon returning home that evening, Lü Qingqing shared this with Hu Jia, only to discover that Hu Jia had already planned to do so. He had approached Zhou Yun that afternoon and had already found Zhang Hangjiang's hometown address.
"I'm a little worried," Lü Qingqing said, having not seen Hu Jia so proactively involved in a case for a long time.
"Are you worried about me getting involved in the shooting case?" Hu Jia understood Lü Qingqing's concerns perfectly.
"This Zhang Hangjiang is already connected to the shooting. If you can't solve the case within seven days, and your mind is constantly racing, you'll break down." On previous occasions, Hu Jia had experienced dizziness and headaches due to prolonged inability to solve cases. She couldn't imagine what might happen if it exceeded seven days.
"Don't worry, I just want to find the missing Zhang Hangjiang," Hu Jia reassured her.
Lü Qingqing nodded, offering herself some comfort. "You said they were twins, why do they use the same name?"
"No, even the most confused parents wouldn't give two children the same name. I suspect this is a case within a case."
"A case within a case?"
"The person in prison is likely the real Zhang Hangjiang, and the one outside is his brother. But why would a perfectly normal person abandon their own identity?"
Hu Jia's reminder made Lü Qingqing suddenly realize, "Because his own identity can't be used!"
"Exactly! That's why I must find the missing Zhang Hangjiang, not only because you tasked me with it, but also because it might involve another case."
Lü Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. No wonder Hu Jia wasn't worried about being drawn into the shooting case; he wasn't investigating that case in the first place.
...
Wednesday.
During the midday break at the study hall, Lü Qingqing visited the Special Operations Team office.
Zhang Hangjiang's hometown was not far from the city. Hu Jia had left before dawn, and if all went well, he should have returned by noon.
However, after waiting all morning, Hu Jia had not returned. Instead, he called: "Find, find someone named Zhang Hanghai. He is Zhang Hangjiang's younger brother."
Hu Jia explained that the Zhang brothers lived in Shangtuwan in the western part of the city. Their parents had passed away 15 years ago when the brothers were only seven years old.
It was said that the two brothers not only looked alike but also had similar heights and builds. The only way to distinguish them was a mole behind Zhang Hanghai's left ear.
After their parents' deaths, the Zhang brothers began a life of wandering, often resorting to petty theft. This earned them the disdain of the locals. However, Zhang Hangjiang never reformed and even instigated his younger brother to steal.
Three years ago, Zhang Hangjiang was arrested. Zhang Hanghai's last known appearance was two years ago.
Hu Jia's suspicion was correct: Zhang Hanghai dared not use his real identity because he was indeed implicated in a murder case.
Upon learning this, Hu Jia went directly to the city police station. When he explained his intentions and stated that he was aware of Zhang Hanghai's existence, Zhang Hangjiang presented a condition.
"Help my brother clear his name," Zhang Hangjiang said. His brother had visited him in prison, and it was then that he learned Zhang Hanghai had become involved in a murder case.
Two years ago, Zhang Hanghai had been drinking with a young man from the village named Yan Ji. The next day, Yan Ji was found hanged.
At first, everyone assumed Yan Ji had committed suicide. However, it was later discovered that there were two ligature marks on his neck. Zhang Hanghai was among those who had drunk with him, and given his poor reputation and past misdeeds, he became a suspect in the eyes of the police.
"But my brother promised me he didn't kill anyone," Zhang Hangjiang insisted. "I believe him; he wouldn't lie to me, and there's no reason for him to."
Zhang Hangjiang said that to protect his brother, he had allowed his brother to live under his identity.
"I never thought there was anything wrong with taking my brother out to steal back then. It was only after I was imprisoned that I realized the terrible price of crime."
Zhang Hangjiang deeply regretted leading his brother down the wrong path, but there was no going back. However, he hoped his brother, Zhang Hanghai, could live in the light.
"Therefore, if you can't find the real killer, I won't tell you anything."
This was Zhang Hangjiang's threat, and also a plea for help.
"Now that your brother has disappeared and we can't find him or hear his account of the events, how can we help him?" Regardless of whether Hu Jia believed Zhang Hangjiang, his goal was still to inquire about Wang Xia and Mou Jixuan.
"Exactly. If you want our help, why didn't you say anything during your previous interrogations? Now that the person is gone, you're asking for help, do you think we're gods?" Ouyang Wen chimed in.
"I didn't know what case you were investigating, and besides, Hanghai's identity hadn't been exposed. Why would I voluntarily mention that he was involved in a murder case?" Zhang Hangjiang retorted.
Ouyang was taken aback. Alright, he could understand that.
"Do you know his whereabouts? Without the party involved, this case cannot proceed." Hu Jia had become interested in the hanging case, but his immediate task was still to find Zhang Hanghai.
"That's your problem," Zhang Hangjiang remained unyielding.
Hu Jia sighed helplessly, "Fine! I'll take this case. But I want to state in advance: if the killer truly is your brother, I will not bend the law."
"Given your reputation as the 'Seven Days Detective,' I will trust your conclusion. If the killer is indeed him, I will still uphold my promise," Zhang Hangjiang said.
Hu Jia relayed the entire matter to Lü Qingqing, hoping that while investigating the hanging case, the search for Zhang Hanghai could proceed simultaneously.
...
Originally, Lü Qingqing wanted to be involved in the case. However, Ouyang Wen had proposed it first. Lü Qingqing thought this was a good opportunity for them to bond, and coupled with her heavy academic workload, she decisively withdrew.
She only needed to do one thing: find Zhang Hanghai.
Since Zhang Hanghai was also prone to petty theft, Lü Qingqing's first thought was to search the police's arrest records.
Indeed, in the police records, she found Zhang Hanghai's name.
According to the information from that time, Zhang Hanghai was living in Lianglukou. While reviewing these records, Lü Qingqing noticed that almost every time Zhang Hanghai was arrested, a person named "Feng Chun" was with him.
It seemed they were once accomplices.
Soon, Lü Qingqing found Feng Chun, who was in a mess, packing his belongings. Upon learning that Lü Qingqing was looking for Zhang Hanghai, Feng Chun became furious. "I wanted to find that kid too! He said he'd wait for me at home, but then he left without a word and even stole my savings. Humph! You really can't judge a book by its cover."
Lü Qingqing blinked. "You collaborated so many times? And you still don't know him?"
Uh...
Feng Chun felt awkward.
Perhaps the wording wasn't quite accurate.
"When did he leave?" Lü Qingqing asked.
"I don't know. I just got back myself. Look how he ransacked this place," Feng Chun was still angry.
Lü Qingqing looked around. It was indeed very messy. Items were thrown everywhere, and many bowls and basins were smashed.
"Did you just lock the drawers?" Lü Qingqing noticed the table by the wall was intact, and even the U-shaped lock on the drawer was fine.
"No! It was locked before he left," Feng Chun replied.
Always locked? Lü Qingqing pondered for a moment. Oh no.
This Ouyang Hai wasn't a thief fleeing; he had been abducted.