"Qiao Huali isn't the murderer?"
Lu Qingqing's words instantly gave Hu Jia a glimmer of hope.
Honestly, deep down, he didn't want to believe that man was the killer.
"Why do you say that?"
"Do you remember those four sentences? Uncle Hu gave them to people he cared about."
Hu Jia's eyes lit up. That was right.
If his father had discovered Qiao Huali was the killer, why would he have told Qiao Huali the fourth sentence?
Thinking of this, Hu Jia felt a sense of relief.
"But isn't it possible? That before Uncle Hu discovered the true killer was Qiao Huali, he had already given him the fourth sentence," Guan Jinsong proposed another possibility.
"But you must understand, since Uncle Hu found this gun and hid it, it proves he investigated everything behind this gun," Lu Qingqing retorted. When Hu Shilong buried the gun, he should have known it was connected to Qiao Huali, so he certainly wouldn't have told the other party the location of the hidden gun.
Hearing Lu Qingqing's words, it seemed to make sense.
Then who was the real killer behind all this?
...
Hu Jia felt it was necessary for him to have a talk with Qiao Huali, and coincidentally, Qiao Huali also wanted to talk to him.
The uncle and nephew agreed to meet at a teahouse.
This was the first time in months they sat together without a verbal sparring match.
"When exactly did you join the Dao Ren organization?" This was the first question Hu Jia wanted to know.
"A long time ago, so long I can barely remember," Qiao Huali looked at Hu Jia. "You were still young then."
"You were still young then," a single sentence was enough to answer everything.
"Did my father know you were a member of the Dao Ren organization?" This was the second question Hu Jia wanted to know.
"He knew before he left this world," Qiao Huali replied.
Hu Jia unconsciously clenched his fist. "So, is my father's death related to you?"
This was the question he most wanted to know.
"Your father's death is related to the Dao Ren," Qiao Huali's answer was deliberately ambiguous, not a direct confirmation.
"What about the shooting case?" Hu Jia asked again.
"The answer is the same as the previous question," Qiao Huali said.
Hu Jia fell silent.
Qiao Huali's words seemed to answer Hu Jia's questions, but not completely.
Hu Shilong, Qiao Huali, Dao Ren, they formed a triangular relationship. Hu Shilong's death was related to Dao Ren, and Qiao Huali's identity was also Dao Ren.
Hu Shilong's implication was simple: if you think your father's death is related to me, it's because I am Dao Ren. But your father didn't die by my hand, so I can only answer you that his death is related to Dao Ren.
"Then who killed my father? Who were the two people who entered my house that day?"
Hu Jia hadn't expected Qiao Huali to answer; he just wanted to ask.
As expected, Qiao Huali's lips twitched slightly as he poured Hu Jia more tea. "Let's talk about what we can discuss."
"Aren't you afraid I'll expose this?" Hu Jia looked at Qiao Huali, actually hoping for an answer that would at least lessen his anger towards him.
"What crime? Accusing me of being Dao Ren? Where's the evidence? I'm just acquainted with Dao Ren. Doesn't every police officer have an informant?" Qiao Huali smiled.
Hu Jia took a deep breath. This was why he couldn't move against Qiao Huali yet.
He lacked evidence.
He could find evidence that Dao Ren committed illegal acts, he could prove Dao Ren committed all sorts of evil, he could prove Dao Ren had surpassed the police's control over underground forces.
But he couldn't prove what weight Qiao Huali held in the Dao Ren organization or what role he played.
"Alright, you've asked me five questions. Now it's my turn." This was why Qiao Huali and Hu Jia could sit together peacefully.
"Have you already deciphered those four sentences?"
"Yes."
Hu Jia was not surprised by Qiao Huali's question and gave a direct answer.
"What did you find?"
"A metal box with a lock. It should require a key to open, and that key should be in your possession."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Huali paused, clearly contemplating something.
Hu Jia smiled. "You're wondering why we haven't pried open the lock, aren't you? It's my father's遗物 (relics/personal belongings), and I don't want to damage it. So, if you want to see what's inside the metal box, we'll cooperate."
Hearing Hu Jia say this, Qiao Huali's expression seemed to soften. "Alright."
Hu Jia inwardly sneered. He knew the other party was suspicious of him, wondering why he hadn't just opened the box. Fortunately, he had prepared a reason beforehand.
After all, wanting to protect his father's遺物 was a plausible excuse and the only way to dispel the other party's suspicion.
Hu Jia took a sip of tea, waiting for Qiao Huali's next question.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Huali stood up directly. "My purpose has been achieved. Consider your extra two questions as a free bonus. We'll agree on a time and place, and then we'll open the box."
As Qiao Huali prepared to leave, Hu Jia narrowed his eyes. "Agreed, but I have only one condition. The person who comes for the transaction must be Sixth Master, and I also want to see Luo Wenwu."
Qiao Huali paused, then after a long moment, "I will relay the message."
"No, I want his promise," Hu Jia's attitude was firm.
Qiao Huali turned to look at Hu Jia, a hint of anger in his eyes.
"I can't make decisions on Sixth Master's behalf."
"But I can make the decision about opening the box."
Hu Jia refused to back down.
Qiao Huali took a deep breath. "I will inform you."
Indeed, the initiative was now in Hu Jia's hands. He could smash the lock at any moment.
Watching Qiao Huali's receding back, Hu Jia was very satisfied. It was a perfect transaction.
Hu Jia knew that Qiao Huali was definitely hiding something from him, just as he himself hadn't told the whole truth.
But it didn't matter. The person he wanted to see was Sixth Master, and Sixth Master needed that box.
...
Back in the office, everyone was waiting for him.
"How did it go? Did he agree?"
"He said he'll inform me of the time and place."
That meant he agreed. Everyone's face lit up with joy; they would finally get to meet that Sixth Master.
The man hidden behind Dao Ren.
"But if they can't open the metal box we hand over with the key, they'll know we lied," Zhou Fengjiu voiced a concern.
"It's alright, Qingqing has already thought of a solution," Hu Jia looked at Lu Qingqing.
Lu Qingqing rolled her eyes at him. "Don't push all the credit onto me. If you praise me so highly, if I can't think of a good solution one day, won't I fall hard?"
Lu Qingqing's words drew laughter from everyone, bringing a breath of fresh air to the tense atmosphere.
Lu Qingqing took a lock out of her bag. "This is an old lock, rusty and worn. It fits perfectly with something buried underground for 10 years."
Lu Qingqing explained that she had already filled the keyhole with resin and dirt. When Dao Ren couldn't open the lock with the key, they could claim the lock was damaged due to being buried underground for too long.
"In the end, they'll resort to smashing the lock anyway. They only care about the result, and as long as they don't doubt the result we provide, everything will be settled."