No one knew what Liu Yuxin and Ouyang Wen discussed, but after Liu Yuxin left, Ouyang Wen told Hu Jia that he was going to Zhong County.
“Did Sister Yuxin really steal something?”
“She was framed.”
“Who? Tong Meng?”
“It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that I’m going to help Yuxin resolve some issues now.”
“Then I’m coming too!”
“And me!”
Hu Jia and Lü Qingqing didn't give Ouyang Wen a chance to refuse and got into his car.
Later, on the way, Lü Qingqing found out that Liu Yuxin was just shopping when a woman claimed to have a stomach ache and needed to use the restroom, asking Liu Yuxin to watch her box.
Before Liu Yuxin could even refuse, the woman disappeared around a corner.
As Liu Yuxin was wondering what was happening, Tong Meng appeared, followed by the woman. However, this time the woman insisted that Liu Yuxin had stolen her box.
“Such a crude method?”
“As long as it works.”
Ouyang Wen said that he believed the other party had discovered Liu Yuxin's connection with Hu Jia, but couldn't figure out who Liu Yuxin was, so they deliberately sent her to Ouyang Wen.
The assassins wanted to use Ouyang Wen to investigate Liu Yuxin. Perhaps they were just trying their luck, as no one else could contact Hu Jia directly besides those involved in the shooting case.
However, Tong Meng didn't expect that Lü Qingqing was just an acquaintance of Ouyang Wen.
Hu Jia remained silent the entire time.
Because Ouyang Wen's analysis gave him a bad premonition, he suspected that Mu Chun Ya had also been exposed.
Ouyang Wen was unaware that Hu Jia had previously gone to Zhong County to find Yang Shao Quan, so he thought Tong Meng's actions were a coincidence.
But Hu Jia knew clearly that this was no coincidence.
Sixth Master must have discovered that Liu Yuxin had been to Mu Chun Ya's home, which led him to orchestrate this scheme.
After all, those who could be associated with both the Mu family and Hu Jia were likely privy to the events of that year.
Therefore, Hu Jia suspected that this was a trap set by Sixth Master for him, and it was an open trap, essentially saying, "I suspect this person knows something about what happened back then, so go investigate."
Don't try to investigate privately; I'll send her to Ouyang Wen, and we'll all investigate together!
Fortunately, Sixth Master hadn't forced Tong Meng on him through Qiao Hua Li.
Otherwise, that would have been truly unbearable.
“Actually, my uncle was also doing this for my own good. That widower’s family has some savings, and if I marry him, I won’t have to worry about food or clothing.” After a moment of silence, Liu Yuxin suddenly began recounting some family matters.
“But he is not the one you desire. Food and clothing can be earned later, but marriage has no retreat.” As a woman herself, Lü Qingqing feared that Liu Yuxin would choose to compromise.
“Yes, I know. That’s why I ran away.” Liu Yuxin thought for a moment, “I still want to marry the man I love.”
Screech…
Ouyang Wen slammed on the brakes, and the inertia sent everyone forward.
Uh, everyone felt awkward. Ouyang Wen rubbed his nose, restarted the car, and continued as if nothing had happened.
Lü Qingqing glanced at Liu Yuxin out of the corner of her eye. What a devoted woman.
But unexpectedly, Liu Yuxin blinked. Seeing Lü Qingqing’s expression, she seemed perplexed, “You don’t think I was talking about you, do you?”
After saying that, Liu Yuxin burst into laughter, “I’ve moved on from that chapter long ago. I already have someone else I like. His surname is Cao, and his name is Cao Chang Ming. We are from the same village, but his family is poor!”
Uh…
Hu Jia finally understood, “So, Uncle Yang didn’t agree because his family’s conditions weren’t good?”
Liu Yuxin nodded, her face filled with sorrow.
“Hey! Why is Uncle Yang like this? I’ll go and talk to him for you.” Hu Jia felt a sense of relief, as long as she wasn't running away from marriage for his brother.
Liu Yuxin nodded again and smiled, “Alright, I’ll leave my affairs to you, sister.”
Hu Jia readily agreed.
Liu Yuxin turned away with a smile, no longer speaking.
However, a hint of loneliness flashed in her eyes.
…
Finally, the group arrived at Liu Village. Oranges covered the hillsides, stretching as far as the eye could see. “Our area is especially suitable for citrus cultivation, and everyone earns quite a bit from oranges every year,” Liu Yuxin introduced.
“Indeed, Zhong County has abundant fruits. I remember there are also lychees, which are exceptional,” Hu Jia said with a smile.
“Yes. Many villages also grow lychees. My uncle said that your hometown, Gu Yue Village, has been growing lychees for over a thousand years, which is famous far and wide.” Liu Yuxin was very excited on the way, chattering non-stop.
“Yes! It’s a pity we left home so early and rarely get to eat lychees from our hometown. I just remember there was a lychee tree in our courtyard. I wonder if it’s still alive.” Speaking of her hometown, Hu Jia also felt sentimental. He had planned to return for the Spring Festival to pay respects to his father’s grave, but he was delayed by a case.
He thought to himself that since he was already back in Zhong County, he might as well visit home after this matter was resolved.
He could sweep the grave, light some incense, pour a cup of wine, and introduce Lü Qingqing.
Just as the group was chatting and laughing, they heard voices from behind. They turned around and their faces immediately darkened.
Tong Meng?
Li Han?
Why were they here?
“Oh my, Captain Wen, Captain Hu? What are you doing here?” Tong Meng’s performance was so fake that Lü Qingqing couldn't bear to watch.
After speaking, Tong Meng finally seemed to notice Liu Yuxin, “Oh my, the fugitive is here!” she exclaimed, making a move as if to apprehend her, but her feet remained rooted to the spot.
“Why are you here?” Ouyang Wen was too lazy to watch her act.
“I heard that the fugitive I apprehended had escaped, so I thought she might have fled back to her hometown, and I came to look for her. I didn’t expect Captain Wen to find her first.”
Tong Meng was clearly lying through her teeth. Not to mention that Ouyang Wen had personally released Liu Yuxin, but even if Liu Yuxin had truly escaped, which police officer would drive for more than a day and a night to catch a petty thief who had failed to steal?
Especially when the stolen item was just a suitcase full of clothes.
“Alright, you’ve seen her. She’s with me, and she’s not a thief; it was just a misunderstanding.” If it were ten minutes ago, Ouyang Wen might have thought Tong Meng's apprehension of Liu Yuxin was a coincidence. But now that Tong Meng had tracked them all the way to Zhong County, he had to suspect her ill intentions.
“Oh my, Captain Wen, since it was a misunderstanding, then let’s just let it go. My task is considered complete. However, the car broke down on the way, and I can’t get back anytime soon. How about we catch a ride with you after you’re done?” Tong Meng said.
Hu Jia's lips curled. Were these assassins no longer bothering to conceal their intentions? A broken-down car and a request for a ride clearly meant they wanted to follow them inside to meet Liu Yuxin’s uncle.
Hearing Tong Meng's excuse, Ouyang Wen was also speechless. This made it difficult for him to refuse.
As he was thinking how to decline, Hu Jia stepped forward, “Alright, a ride is a ride. We need to see an old friend, and we’ll head back together later.”
Ouyang Wen looked at Hu Jia with surprise. He had expected Hu Jia to refuse.
In fact, Hu Jia had no choice. Since they had tracked them this far, what else could he do but agree? It was better to go along with their plan. If he really angered the assassins, they might send people to take away Yang Shao Quan as soon as they left.
That would be counterproductive!
Hu Jia was frustrated. To protect Yang Shao Quan, he not only had to bring Tong Meng along but also subtly reveal some information to her.