"Three years have passed, and I thought you would have made some progress, but compared to three years ago, what's the difference?"
Han Tiecheng did not mince words, reprimanding him, "It's fine if you die, but you dragged my daughter down with you. Do you have a grudge against my Han family?"
Chen Fan couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
Han Wei had insisted on going; he had tried repeatedly to dissuade her, but to no avail.
She wasn't a child; adults were responsible for their own actions.
However, such an explanation was difficult to articulate to Han Tiecheng.
"With your status and position, would it be difficult to mobilize a team to provide support outside the Ghost Market?"
Han Tiecheng's anger had not subsided, and he said unhappily, "Or do you think you're invincible, capable of sweeping through the world? If that were the case, why did you slink away from the capital three years ago?"
Chen Fan was speechless.
For anyone else, such words would be out of line, but Han Tiecheng was different.
Furthermore, given Han Tiecheng's status, he would never scold ordinary people so harshly.
Seeing that Chen Fan did not retort, Han Tiecheng's expression softened slightly, and he said, "I've already arranged for people to investigate thoroughly outside the pass. If there are any results, Han Wei will inform you."
"Additionally, if you uncover any findings on your end, you can inform Han Wei. If possible, the two families can cooperate!"
He glanced at Zhao Quan, who was barely breathing, and Han Tiecheng continued.
Chen Fan was taken aback.
Han Tiecheng had berated him, and now he was expressing a willingness to cooperate?
His mind raced, still not fully grasping Han Tiecheng's intentions.
Even though Han Wei had been drawn into this matter, given Han Tiecheng's status and mindset, he wouldn't be overly angry about it.
After all, Han Wei was not seriously injured; she only had a cut on her forehead, no real damage.
This wasn't to say Han Tiecheng was cold-hearted, but rather that a figure of his stature, in charge of the bigger picture, wouldn't let emotions cloud his judgment or actions.
Was the Han family trying to intervene through Han Wei? What was their objective?
"Alright, thank you, Uncle Han."
Chen Fan expressed his gratitude. Regardless of anything, since Han Tiecheng had hinted at cooperation, he would naturally not refuse.
The influence of a family at the level of the Han family was immeasurable.
In this regard, Chen Fan's alliance with the Feng family was far less significant than forging a closer relationship with the Han family and becoming allies.
Of course, such an alliance could not be his only trump card.
No matter the situation, one's own strength and influence were paramount; that was the foundation.
Han Tiecheng turned to leave and said, "Chen Tianjiao, among the younger generation, no one can contend with you. But the principle that sharpness can lead to breakage, and excessive rigidity can lead to snapping, I hope you've understood this after three years of quiet reflection!"
Chen Fan replied somewhat helplessly, "I'll remember."
How could he not understand this principle? But his nature was such.
Furthermore, wasn't the so-called "excessive rigidity can lead to breakage" a sign of not being rigid enough?
Han Tiecheng left the ward, and Zhao Quan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Given his status and experience, facing a figure like Han Tiecheng had been immensely stressful.
"I have to leave now."
Chen Fan instructed Zhao Quan, "You stay here and recuperate. If you recall any other clues, notify me immediately. Once your injuries have healed, I'll make arrangements for you!"
"I only want revenge."
Zhao Quan rasped, "My injuries aren't serious!"
"You'll stay here for now; the police will protect you," Chen Fan said. "After you've recovered, we'll find the mastermind together."
"Okay!"
Zhao Quan agreed solemnly.
Chen Fan said no more and also left the ward.
Zhao Quan was quite capable. After escaping back then, he had gained Ji Cang's appreciation and managed the underground boxing rings, which demonstrated his competence.
Chen Fan lacked manpower in the capital, and Zhao Quan was a good choice.
Outside the ward, the guards were still heavily posted.
Taking the elevator to the first floor, Chen Fan got into his car and left the hospital.
After driving for a while, his phone rang; it was Han Wei.
"Chen Tianjiao, where did you go?"
Han Wei asked.
"What's wrong?" Chen Fan replied.
"Why didn't you say anything when you were leaving?"
There was a hint of annoyance in Han Wei's voice.
Chen Fan was a bit surprised and explained, "Your father was at the hospital, and I thought you wouldn't have free time."
"My dad left."
Han Wei's voice weakened slightly. "I'm going home to change and rest. What clues do you have? Wait for me, and we'll go together!"
"No need, you should rest first."
Chen Fan hung up the phone and concentrated on driving.
He first returned to Chen Xing'er's siheyuan. She wasn't home, but that didn't pose a problem for Chen Fan. He scaled the wall, washed up, and changed his clothes.
Then, he made a call and found the number he had saved for Chen Xiaozhu that day.
The phone rang for a while before Chen Xiaozhu's voice came through, "Hello?"
"It's Chen Tianjiao!"
There was a pause on the other end, then a surprised voice, "Mr. Chen, have you found anything?"
"Almost. I have a few things I need to ask you about. Tell me a place!"
Chen Xiaozhu quickly gave him a location.
Chen Fan agreed to meet her in half an hour and drove there.
In less than half an hour, he arrived outside Chen Xiaozhu's residence.
Chen Xiaozhu was already waiting.
He gestured for Chen Xiaozhu to get into the car. Chen Fan looked around, then drove to a coffee shop and booked a private room.
"Mr. Chen?"
"Just call me Chen Tianjiao," Chen Fan said. "I've found some clues and need your help to verify them."
Chen Xiaozhu nodded quickly.
"Did Zhi Gang ever mention to you if he and Old Liang had anything special in their possession?"
Chen Fan chose his words carefully and continued, "For example, something they obtained shortly before the incident, something particularly unusual?"
Chen Xiaozhu shook her head upon hearing this and after recalling for a moment, still shook her head.
Chen Fan was not disappointed; it was normal for Chen Xiaozhu not to know about such things.
After all, old soldiers like Old Liang and Old Shang were aware of military secrecy regulations and wouldn't easily reveal certain matters to outsiders, even their girlfriends.
He then asked, "Do you know if anything else happened around the time of the incident?"
Chen Xiaozhu scratched her head. "I really don't know. I don't live in Qingyan Town; I only go there during holidays."
Chen Fan frowned slightly. The information Chen Xiaozhu could provide was very limited.
Chen Xiaozhu thought for a moment and said, "There might be someone who knows about what you're asking."
"Who?"
Chen Fan's eyes lit up as he asked.
"Aunt Pang!"
Chen Xiaozhu said, "Zhi Gang and the others hired Aunt Pang to help with chores. She's a local and was hiding in the garden when the incident happened. She helped me a lot afterward!"
"Can we find her?" Chen Fan asked.
"Yes, I saw her last time I went to pay respects!"
Chen Xiaozhu replied.
Chen Fan was impatient and immediately asked Chen Xiaozhu to accompany him to Qingyan Town.
It was noon when they arrived in Qingyan Town. Not far from the grave mountain where Old Liang and the others were buried, Chen Fan parked the car, and he and Chen Xiaozhu walked into a farmhouse courtyard.
"Child, why are you here again?"
In the courtyard, an elderly couple saw Chen Xiaozhu and greeted her with a sigh.
The plump woman, around sixty years old, was Aunt Pang. She shook her head and said, "You were just here a few days ago. Auntie advises you, people need to look forward, to let go of what needs to be let go of!"
"Aunt Pang, I have something to ask you!"
Chen Xiaozhu, following Chen Fan's instructions, asked, "Before Old Liang and the others' incident, did anything happen in their area?"