Mu Chunya gave Hu Jia a list of friends that Mu Jixuan had made back in the day. Hu Jia wanted to try his luck, to see if any of those people remembered him and could recall any clues from the past.
However, there was a slight obstacle: because Mu Jixuan had only befriended petty criminals, the information Mu Chunya provided consisted of nicknames or incomplete clues.
This made Hu Jia's search for people considerably more troublesome.
And so, another week passed.
Every day, Hu Jia meticulously recorded his actions. He had been somewhat worried that his private investigation into Mu Jixuan might be considered taking on a case, thus affecting his next period of amnesia.
But as the clock struck midnight, he discovered that he had indeed lost his memory again.
Now, Hu Jia had a conclusion: investigating his own past did not count as a case; it was merely inquiring about old matters.
With this answer, Hu Jia felt much more at ease. After all, he was also concerned about his physical well-being.
Meanwhile, as Hu Jia was bustling through the city's streets and alleys, Ouyang Wen finally gave up searching Wang Xia's ancestral home. After all, he had been busy for so long, to the point of almost dismantling the walls, yet he had found nothing.
Gao Liang had also found Feng Si and Li Yongqiang, but the information they could provide was limited. However, one name caught Gao Liang's attention.
This person was Zhang Hanjian. Wang Xia had met him shortly after arriving in the city. They hit it off and became good friends. Mu Jixuan's acquaintance with Wang Xia was also through Zhang Hanjian.
It was only later, when Mu Jixuan started following Hu Jia, that he gradually grew distant from Zhang Hanjian. "He knew both Mu and Wang. Perhaps he knows something."
Gao Liang quickly relayed this information back.
When the message arrived, Lü Qingqing was with Hu Jia. Upon hearing that someone needed to be found, Hu Jia insisted on going along. Lü Qingqing was initially hesitant but could not resist Hu Jia's persistent pleading and agreed.
Hu Jia had not seen Zhang Hanjian's name on Mu Chunya's list. He presumed that Mu Chunya had not disclosed it because the period Zhang Hanjian associated with Mu Jixuan did not overlap with Hu Jia's association with Mu Jixuan.
Following the address, Lü Qingqing soon found Zhang Hanjian's residence. Faced with the sudden arrival of Lü Qingqing and Hu Jia, Zhang Hanjian appeared remarkably calm.
At first, Lü Qingqing found it strange. Normally, ordinary citizens would be a little nervous upon seeing police officers. However, Zhang Hanjian not only smiled but also invited them in.
Perhaps Zhang Hanjian, being a streetwise character, was already accustomed to dealing with the police.
"May I ask why the two officers are here? I've been very well-behaved lately, haven't committed any offenses." Zhang Hanjian bowed obsequiously, appearing cautious.
"We're inquiring about someone named Wang Xia."
"Wang Xia?" Zhang Hanjian tilted his head, thinking. "That name doesn't sound familiar. I don't think I know him."
Lü Qingqing and Hu Jia exchanged glances. "What about Mu Jixuan?"
"Mu Jixuan?" Zhang Hanjian still looked like he was racking his brain. "Never heard of him."
Hu Jia suspected Zhang Hanjian was deliberately hiding something and snapped, "Zhang Hanjian, don't play games with us."
Seeing the police officers' displeased expressions, Zhang Hanjian immediately got up from his stool, looking terrified. "My esteemed officers, I truly don't know them. We who roam the streets use nicknames and pet names. You're using full names, and I really can't connect them to anyone I know."
Although Zhang Hanjian's words had some validity, Hu Jia was not easily fooled. "Then let me give you a hint. Ten years ago."
"Ten years ago?" Zhang Hanjian exclaimed involuntarily.
"What? Remember now?" Hu Jia asked.
"Ah? No, no." Zhang Hanjian stammered. "Distinguished officers, it's been too long. How could I remember people from ten years ago?"
Lü Qingqing sneered. This man was faking it. She had carefully observed the changes in Zhang Hanjian's facial expressions.
When those two names were mentioned, he indeed seemed vague. But upon hearing "10 years ago," his surprise was uncontrollable. His expression flickered with a hint of panic, and his gaze darted to the left, clearly indicating he was lying.
"Ten years ago, Wang Xia was a police officer. You knew him. And Mu Jixuan was your friend," Lü Qingqing said. "Since I've reminded you this much and you still can't recall, let's talk about the offenses you've committed in the last two years."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hanjian was so frightened he immediately fell to his knees and repeatedly kowtowed. "It's a false accusation, esteemed officers. Please investigate. It's truly been too long, I can't remember. I got into fights before, and I suffered a head injury, so my memory isn't very good."
"Oh? You have a head injury and poor memory?" Hu Jia asked with a playful smile. This man's fabricated excuse had accidentally hit the mark.
"Yes, I forget things easily. My memory was eaten by a dog," Zhang Hanjian hastily explained.
Uh...
Hu Jia's smile froze.
Was he subtly mocking me?
Lü Qingqing stifled a laugh and glanced at Hu Jia. "That dog is quite indiscriminate, isn't it? With so many people, it chose yours?"
Hu Jia glanced at Lü Qingqing but said nothing.
"Yes, dogs are like that, aren't they? They always go for the rotten ones," Zhang Hanjian quickly chimed in.
Hahaha...
Lü Qingqing burst out laughing.
Hu Jia glared at Lü Qingqing, cleared his throat, and said, "Ten years ago, you were caught picking pockets by a police officer. That person was Wang Xia. Do you have any recollection?"
"Sir, I know I've lived a scummy life all these years, and I've picked many pockets and been caught by many police officers. But how could I possibly remember the names of the officers who caught me?"
Lü Qingqing and Hu Jia spent over an hour with Zhang Hanjian, but the man remained clueless, claiming to have forgotten whenever questioned further.
This infuriated Hu Jia.
"A dog's memory, not as good as mine. I still remember things from ten years ago."
"Yes, yes, yes. How could he compare to you? After all, you're not afraid of dogs, so they wouldn't dare eat your memory."
Despite yielding no results, it did not affect Hu and Lü's mood. They sat at a small noodle stall, chatting and laughing.
"Hey, Brother Hu Jia." An intrusive voice broke the air. Turning, they saw Tong Meng walking up with a look of surprise. "Brother Hu Jia is also eating noodles? I'm hungry too."
With that, Tong Meng sat down at their table without waiting for Hu Jia's consent, completely ignoring Lü Qingqing.
Lü Qingqing rolled her eyes. "You can call him 'Captain Hu' or 'Hu Jia.' You're not my sister, so why call him 'brother'?"
Tong Meng seemed to have just noticed Lü Qingqing beside them, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, Qingqing is here too? You say that, but I'm a few months older than you, so how could I be your sister? Do I look that young?"
Lü Qingqing put down her chopsticks, about to retort, but suddenly changed her mind and turned to Hu Jia. "Is she your sister?"
Hu Jia shook his head.
Lü Qingqing pretended to ponder. "I guess she's not your sister either. Otherwise, she'd have to call me 'sister-in-law.' But if she's not my sister, why would she call you brother? Could this relationship be through Ouyang Wen? That makes sense; some of his subordinates also call him 'brother.'"
"You!" Tong Meng was furious. With a few words, Lü Qingqing had turned her into Ouyang Wen's subordinate. "My brother and he are classmates. I've known him since I was little, for over ten years."
Heh, playing the childhood sweetheart card?
Lü Qingqing's eyes twinkled. "Is that so? Oh my, if you calculate it that way, you can indeed call him brother. Haha, that's great. Come on, call me 'sister-in-law'!"
"Lü Qingqing, you have no shame!" Tong Meng's face turned green with anger. "You haven't even gotten married and you're calling yourself 'sister-in-law'! Where are your manners? Truly from the countryside, can't represent yourself."
Before Lü Qingqing could speak, Hu Jia's face darkened. "She is my fiancée. If you want to call me brother, then she is definitely your sister-in-law. On the other hand, do I know you? Are we familiar? Who is your brother? You came uninvited and sat down uninvited. Where are your manners?"
Tong Meng: ...
"Miss, your noodles are ready." Just as Tong Meng was extremely embarrassed, the noodle stall owner brought Tong Meng's noodles.
"I'm not eating it! It's dirty." Tong Meng didn't even look and stood up to leave.
"Hey, boss! This person is eating for free, don't let her escape," Lü Qingqing quickly shouted.
Seeing everyone on the street looking at her, Tong Meng took out two copper coins and slapped them on the table, her liver aching with anger.