There were two other people beside him.
On the left was a middle-aged man, who appeared to be a high-ranking official from the police department based on his uniform. The person on the right was Tong Hua.
"Are members of my Special Task Force someone you can just curse at?" Hu Jia approached Tong Meng step by step, making Tong Meng’s face turn pale.
Of course, it might have been from pain. "Brother Hu Jia, he hit me," Tong Meng said, not forgetting to act spoiled.
"So what if he hit you? If you have the guts, go find your own way to get even," Hu Jia sneered contemptuously.
What a joke! Other than her sharp tongue, what other offensive capabilities did Tong Meng possess?
Moreover, that tongue was no match for a slap.
"Enough. What kind of scene are you two making? Is this still a police station?" the middle-aged man spoke up.
"Director Qiao!" everyone greeted him, except for Hu Jia.
Director Qiao?
Was this Qiao Huali?
The second-in-command of the Municipal Police Department?
Lu Qingqing glanced at the man. She had heard from Ouyang Wen that Qiao Huali was a master investigator, a close friend of Hu Shilong, and had once been the leader of the Double Gun Special Investigation Team.
After Hu's father passed away, Qiao Huali had taken good care of the brothers, especially Hu Jia, treating him like an uncle.
Otherwise, with Hu Jia's arrogant demeanor in front of outsiders, he would have been impeached countless times already.
Since the director had intervened, Lu Qingqing naturally had to explain the situation clearly.
She even took the initiative to admit her mistake, acknowledging that hitting someone was wrong, especially hitting a police officer in the police station.
This was a classic move of "retreating to advance."
As expected, Director Qiao only reprimanded them a couple of times. Regarding Tong Meng, Director Qiao handled it impartially. "Tong Hua, how do you think this matter should be resolved?"
Lu Qingqing then remembered that Tong Meng's brother was also present. However, looking at his expression, he didn't seem angry at all.
It was as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.
"Although Li Qingqing was the one who acted, and my sister was the one who was hit, it was fundamentally because my sister made a mistake first. Since Director Qiao has already criticized both of them, and Lu Qingqing has also apologized proactively, I think we should let this matter rest."
Director Qiao Huali's handling of the situation was within Lu Qingqing's expectations, but she was somewhat surprised by Tong Hua's approach. She had expected Tong Hua to dwell on the matter and perhaps implicate her further.
"Brother..." Tong Meng was displeased.
"What? Are you still not embarrassed enough?" Tong Hua deliberately put on a stern face, but his tone was not one of blame.
Upon hearing Tong Hua's words, Tong Meng turned her back and stopped speaking.
Although Tong Hua appeared calm, Tong Meng, who knew him well, understood that if she dared to cause any more trouble, she would face severe consequences at home.
Seeing that the matter had been satisfactorily resolved, Director Qiao smiled and said, "Alright. We are all brothers and sisters. Let this matter pass. No one should ever bring it up again."
This was considered the final decision on the incident.
After work, Lu Qingqing, Hu Jia, Ouyang Wen, and Zhan Ruoxuan walked together.
They were discussing Huang Yuan's case.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Tong Hua was looking at Tong Meng coldly. "How many times have I told you not to cause trouble, not to cause trouble? It seems you've taken my words to heart."
Tong Meng shivered all over, scared. "Brother, I just..."
A cold glint flashed in Tong Hua's eyes, and Tong Meng immediately shut her mouth.
"If you continue to use these nonsensical methods to attract his attention, and mess up my plan, don't blame me for disregarding our sibling bond."
"Okay!" Tong Meng felt a pang of pain in her heart.
*I'm the one who was hit?*
*I'm the one who lost face and dignity?*
*And yet, all you care about is your mission.*
*And Ouyang Wen, you're siding with outsiders.*
*Hu Jia, you bastard.*
*Especially you, Lu Qingqing, I will definitely get revenge!*
Tong Hua was still saying something, but Tong Meng didn't hear a word. Her fingernails dug fiercely into her own fingers: *I want revenge. I want revenge. Since no one is willing to stand up for me, I will stand up for myself.*
"Huang Yuan's husband is dead?" Lu Qingqing and Zhan Ruoxuan were both a little surprised. It was then that they understood why Zhan Ruoxuan and Yu Xiaohui had been cleared of suspicion.
Ouyang Wen explained that Huang Yuan's husband had also died of poisoning, specifically ricin, and had died four or five hours before Huang Yuan.
It was clear that both had been poisoned at home. Since they were poisoned at home, then Zhan Ruoxuan and Yu Xiaohui, who lived at school, were naturally not the ones who administered the poison.
"Does this case need any help?" Hu Jia asked Ouyang Wen, looking quite eager.
Ouyang Wen quickly stopped him. "Forget it. It's Monday in a day. Don't cause any trouble."
Ouyang Wen, like Lu Qingqing, did not want Hu Jia to get involved at this crucial juncture.
Hu Jia pouted and remained silent.
Ouyang Wen gave Lu Qingqing a look. Lu Qingqing felt a surge of annoyance. He was reminding her to keep Hu Jia in check tomorrow, not to let him get involved with the case, and certainly not to investigate it privately.
Lu Qingqing glared at Hu Jia discontentedly. He was such a troublemaker. She had a rare day off tomorrow, and it seemed it would be wasted on him.
After sleeping until dawn, Sunday.
To fulfill her duty, Lu Qingqing was already guarding Hu Jia's room early in the morning.
"So early?" Hu Jia was still groggy.
"Yes, you sleep first. We'll talk after you wake up." Lu Qingqing wished he would sleep the entire day.
However, with a woman sitting in his room, how could Hu Jia sleep soundly?
Seeing that Hu Jia had also gotten out of bed, Lu Qingqing quickly moved on to her next plan.
Going to the market!
Today, she decided to cook with him at home.
Carrying their shopping baskets, they walked from east to west, from meat to vegetables. He picked the vegetables, she haggled; she trimmed the vegetables, he washed the rice; he started the fire, she cut the vegetables; he handled the wok, she added the oil.
They looked exactly like a young couple.
"Is this dish a bit too salty?" Lu Qingqing tasted it.
"Salty?" Hu Jia picked up a string bean. "Hmm, it is a bit. We can eat it in ten minutes then."
Ten minutes?
"Because time will dilute everything," Hu Jia said.
Lu Qingqing: ...
After eating their fill, Lu Qingqing patted her belly and slumped into a recliner.
"Go wash the dishes!"
Hu Jia looked distressed. "A gentleman stays away from the kitchen. I've already cooked, so these dishes..."
Lu Qingqing let out a sound and turned to stare at Hu Jia. "When you asked me to be your fiancée, you said you would cook and wash the dishes from then on. What? The wedding hasn't even happened yet, and you want to go back on your word?"
"Did I?" Hu Jia was very skeptical, as he had never seen this scenario described in his memo.
"Heh heh!" Lu Qingqing looked utterly defeated. "As expected, men are full of lies. I, Lu Qingqing, have lived this life in vain, only to find out I was blind."
Hu Jia's expression turned dark. "Fine! Sister, I'll wash them, I'll wash them!"
"Good!" Lu Qingqing waved her hand. "Go ahead, leave me alone for a while. My heart has just been wounded and needs to recover."
Hehe!
In the afternoon, the two did not go out. One was hunched over the table writing a diary, and the other, bored, started wiping the table.
After wiping the table, she felt the cabinet was a bit dirty.
After wiping the cabinet, she felt the floor also needed mopping.
The setting sun streamed in through the window.
It illuminated Lu Qingqing's face, stunning the man sitting at the desk.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Lu Qingqing's angry shout startled Hu Jia, who had been smiling foolishly. Lu Qingqing flipped over and leaped directly from the second-floor balcony.
Hu Jia's eyes narrowed. He immediately stood up and followed her off the balcony.
"What's wrong?" Hu Jia looked at Lu Qingqing below.
"Someone was watching our balcony. I don't know if it's the person Duobao mentioned last time." Lu Qingqing couldn't catch up with the person; they disappeared as soon as they turned into an alley.
Hu Jia's expression turned grim when he heard this. He immediately scanned the surroundings again. After confirming no one was there, he said, "Let's go. He's already gone."
Lu Qingqing nodded.
At this moment, both of them had their own thoughts.
Lu Qingqing was wondering about the identity of the man who had been tailing them, while Hu Jia was wondering if he had offended someone.
Not long after the two walked back to the door, a black figure emerged from the corner, revealing half his face.
He looked at Lu Qingqing's retreating back, a slight curve forming at the corner of his lips.