In the evening, Lü Qingqing and the others re-analyzed Wang Yangang's words.
They deduced that the shooting case was related to the key, but for some unknown reason, it had gone missing. The Knife Men organization believed Wang Xia had taken it, hence the attempt to silence and recover it.
Seven years ago, Hu Jia had already found a connection to Mou Jixuan regarding the case. Mou Jixuan, being pursued and hunted by the Knife Men organization because of the key, required Hu Jia's protection.
The two struck a deal and established contact.
This relationship continued for two years, with Hu Jia intending to use Mou Jixuan as bait to uncover the true mastermind behind the Knife Men organization. Five years ago, he found a clue.
Hu Jia then attempted to apprehend the culprits, but the Knife Men organization preempted him, setting a trap. They not only severely injured Hu Jia but also burned Mou Jixuan alive right before his eyes.
From then on, Hu Jia lost his memory.
This explained why the Knife Men organization kept sending people to their deaths: to prevent Hu Jia from regaining his memory.
The fact that the Knife Men organization chose to keep Hu Jia alive, a potential threat, rather than kill him, was likely also related to the missing key. They believed Hu Jia knew its whereabouts and did not want to lose that sole possibility.
It had to be said that Lü Qingqing and Ouyang Wen's analysis was very accurate, almost to the point of uncovering the truth.
The only miscalculation was that the Knife Men's reason for not killing Hu Jia was not solely for the key, but to find the intermediary and the four sentences Hu Jia knew.
Therefore, was Hu Jia's disappearance related to the Knife Men organization? And what role did Tong Meng play within the organization?
Lü Qingqing wished to ascertain the location of the Knife Men organization, but unfortunately, Wang Yangang had no idea. According to him, missions were always assigned in different locations, and their organization communicated in small, self-contained groups, thus lacking knowledge of internal affairs.
"But regardless, if we want to find Hu Jia, we must first investigate the Knife Men!" Ouyang Wen issued the order.
Thus, a large-scale search and investigation began in the city.
Such an order naturally could not be kept from Tong Meng, nor did Ouyang Wen intend to hide it from her. He wanted to use this opportunity to test if Tong Meng was a mole. If she was, she would surely relay the information, and perhaps they could follow the trail to the Knife Men's headquarters.
Upon receiving this news, Sixth Master chuckled heartily. "As expected, Ouyang Wen is no pushover. He's already tracked us down so quickly."
"Sixth Master, aren't you worried? What if they actually find us?" Tang Yinge asked.
"Worried about what? Hu Jia will be released sooner or later. We just need to survive until Sunday," Sixth Master replied without a trace of concern.
Tang Yinge considered it and realized he was right. Next Monday, Hu Jia would reappear in Chongqing, and at that point, he would have forgotten everything from this week forever.
Therefore, the Knife Men only needed to ensure Hu Jia's whereabouts were not leaked for these two days.
"But Sixth Master, I still don't understand one thing. Hu Jia's memory is damaged; he will never tell us the latter two sentences. Keeping him around is a potential threat," Tang Yinge inquired.
"No, always leave a way out. Don't forget, I have another identity that can be utilized."
...
Hu Jia had been missing for five days.
Lü Qingqing pushed open Hu Jia's bedroom door. Her photograph still hung there.
The room was free of dust, a testament to Lü Qingqing's daily cleaning efforts. Now, she entered again with a rag, wanting to ensure a clean and tidy environment awaited him when he returned.
Standing by the bedside, she looked at Hu Jia's desk, her gaze falling on the memo book. This was a notebook Hu Jia used specifically to record matters concerning him and Lü Qingqing.
With its dark cover, Lü Qingqing's fingers trembled slightly. In that moment, she felt a strong urge to see what was written inside. She wanted to know what kind of person she was in Hu Jia's heart.
To be precise, it was her longing that fueled this desire to probe.
But should she read it or not?
Lü Qingqing was very respectful of others' privacy, but...
"Sis..." Lü Duobao pushed open the door, interrupting her internal struggle.
Lü Qingqing hastily put down the memo book. "What is it?"
"There are only two or three days left until the new year. Will brother-in-law be able to make it back?"
Indeed, it was already the end of December. Only three days remained until 1929.
Would Hu Jia be able to return?
...
The alleys of the mountain city were always uphill and downhill, winding and curving. Tong Meng had been in a good mood lately. Sixth Master hadn't summoned her, nor had the team. She had spent almost every day by Hu Jia's side.
Even though he didn't acknowledge her.
In the dim lamplight, human shadows stretched long.
Tong Meng felt her shoe buckle was loose and bent down to adjust it. Just as she was about to stand up, she saw a dark shadow on the ground behind her.
It was a human figure, and it even moved slightly. Was she being followed?
Tong Meng straightened up without changing her expression, continuing to walk as if nothing were amiss, the key chain in her hand still jingling. Who was following her?
Was it Sixth Master's people or the team's?
Tong Meng looked ahead and saw a long flight of stairs. She walked up unhurriedly, and as she neared the top, she suddenly crouched down again to adjust her shoe buckle.
Looking down from a higher vantage point, a mere glance from the corner of her eye revealed everything clearly.
Tong Meng saw the person pause. Even though he quickly lowered his head, Tong Meng still recognized him. His surname was Guan, and he often followed Lü Qingqing.
A sharp glint flashed in Tong Meng's eyes. She stood up as if nothing had happened and continued walking.
Home!
The moment she closed the door, Tong Meng's expression turned grim. It seemed the plan to frame Gao Liang needed to be put on the agenda.
...
December 29th, Saturday.
Lü Qingqing was being reprimanded in class by Tong Hua.
"Do you think because you have someone protecting you now, with good grades and a high reputation, you can disregard the school?" Tong Hua slammed the desk. "I ask you, how many classes have you attended this week? If you think supplementary tutoring can no longer teach you anything, then quit early."
Lü Qingqing looked at the roaring Tong Hua, a cold sneer in her heart. He was going to great lengths to get her a disciplinary record.
Upon their return next week, Lü Qingqing and the others would be promoted from the freshman class to the senior class. According to tradition, outstanding senior students would inspire and pose as role models for the freshmen.
Everyone had assumed that Lü Qingqing would be chosen. But unexpectedly, on the last day of this week, Tong Hua brought up old issues, accusing her of excessive absences.
It was true that Lü Qingqing had missed classes this week due to matters concerning Hu Jia, but she had asked Zhan Ruoxuan to request leave from the teachers for every absence.
The current situation was that the subject instructors were not pursuing Lü Qingqing's responsibility, but Tong Hua, the class advisor, was stubbornly holding onto the issue.
"Lü Qingqing, as the disciplinary assistant in the class, not only failed to set an example but also knowingly violated rules. Such a student should not only be disqualified from representing senior students in addressing freshmen but should also be severely punished."
"Then how does Assistant Tutor Tong suggest she be dealt with?"
"Deduct 30 points from her conduct score and issue a probationary warning."
Tong Hua and Li Hongjiang, in a duet, easily determined Lü Qingqing's punishment.
Lü Qingqing watched the two on stage with cold eyes. "Heh, they're targeting me again."
"I refuse to accept this! I did miss classes this week, but I had requested leave for every single one, so it wasn't an unauthorized absence. Furthermore, Captain Ouyang of the Municipal Criminal Investigation Team invited me to assist in an investigation, and he had informed the academic affairs office beforehand. Therefore, I was not absent without cause."
Lü Qingqing stepped forward. "I am not looking for excuses for my absences, but I must state the facts. I hope Assistant Tutor Tong will investigate before speaking and make a decision based on evidence. Otherwise, I have every reason to suspect that you are not fit to be my assistant tutor!"