Another person committed suicide.
No, it should be said, another person committed suicide in front of Hu Jia.
Li Yang and the others looked at each other. Unlike Hu Jia, they were more shocked than filled with questions.
This was the second incident, and this time it was slightly different from the last.
Last time, it could have been explained as a coincidence in front of Hu Jia, but this time, the other party clearly called out Hu Jia's name.
The intention was obvious: I want to die in front of you.
Who planned all this, and what was their purpose?
That evening, carrying Hu Jia on her back, Lü Qingqing gathered everyone, including Ouyang Wen.
"The suicides in these two incidents were both ordinary citizens. They didn't know each other, nor did they have any bad habits. Their only commonality was that their wives had passed away, making them widowers."
"According to today's afternoon suicide case, a child was also present at the scene. Later investigations revealed that the child was the deceased's son."
"In other words, we have reason to suspect that the deceased was threatened by someone else. The other party used the child's life to force him to commit suicide."
"And we currently can't figure out what purpose the other party has behind planning this suicide case. So, it's possible this is the last one, but most likely there will be another one, or even more."
At this point, Lü Qingqing gritted her teeth in anger. She couldn't figure out the other party's purpose or motive, and the victims were attacked indiscriminately.
One person dead a week, who could stand this?
Widower, child, father, death.
These four words kept revolving in Ouyang Wen's mind. "I think I know what the other party is trying to do."
Ouyang Wen said that after Uncle Hu was murdered, Hu Jia, due to self-blame and the stimulation of witnessing his father's death, had a brief period of mental lapse.
"Oh, right. I remember now. During that time, the boss didn't eat or drink, just lay in bed all day, completely withdrawn," Yu Yue said.
"Yes, listless, and often made mistakes at work, almost getting a long vacation from the police station," Li Yang clearly remembered.
"That's why the boss moved and left his old apartment," Luo Wenwu said. "This period lasted for more than half a year. Everyone was terrified, thinking the boss was ruined."
Ouyang Wen lit a cigarette. "Hu Jia also started smoking during that time."
Lü Qingqing listened quietly as everyone recounted the scenes from back then. She knew Hu Jia had a difficult time back then, but she never imagined it was that difficult.
"Uncle Hu was a widower," Ouyang Wen's statement reminded everyone.
Raising a child alone, and a father dying in front of his child – how similar this was to the situation with the Hu family back then.
"So, you suspect that the person planning this action wants to provoke him, drive him crazy, or even turn him into a useless person again?" Lü Qingqing was stunned.
What kind of person was this, with such a vicious mind?
He was not only harming Hu Jia but also the life of a loving father and a child who became an orphan.
It was even more likely to leave serious psychological trauma in the child's heart, making this city have another useless person.
"Damn it, Li Yang," Yu Yue trembled with anger. "When we catch him, whip him hard with a hundred lashes. Don't come to see me if you whip fewer than a thousand."
"Don't worry, I'll target his tender spots," Li Yang said, flexing his knuckles, wishing he could catch the person behind it right now.
After a round of curses, a new problem arose: should they tell Hu Jia about this?
"Let's not. As police officers, we have a responsibility to catch the mastermind behind this, and as friends and family, we have an obligation to protect the victims around us." Ouyang was the first to oppose telling Hu Jia, fearing that Hu Jia wouldn't be able to handle the truth.
After all, "Though the son did not kill his uncle, his uncle died because of him."
"I think so too," Li Yang agreed with Ouyang Wen's approach. "After all, the boss loses his memory once a week. We see two suicides, but he only sees one. Why should we dredge up his bad memories again?"
"But if the person behind it sees that the boss doesn't react, they will escalate and continue their actions again and again. This means more people will commit suicide in front of the boss in the future," Yu Yue worried.
"So, we need to catch the culprit as soon as possible. We can't rely on Hu Jia for everything," Ouyang Wen said.
"But I'm worried the boss will blame us when he knows the truth," Luo Wenwu frowned.
"Then keep your mouth shut," Ouyang Wen said sternly. After all, in his heart, Hu Jia was the most important.
Lü Qingqing tacitly agreed with Ouyang Wen's suggestion. Indeed, what good would telling Hu Jia do? It would only add to his troubles. After all, in seven days, he would be another him.
...
The city lights were dim, casting long shadows.
"How have you been lately?" Ouyang Wen asked Lü Qingqing.
"The usual, nothing special," Lü Qingqing replied.
"How are things at the study hall these past few days? Is Tong Hua still bothering you?"
"No, I haven't seen him much. He's probably busy dealing with Huang Yuan's situation."
"Sigh." Speaking of Huang Yuan, Ouyang Wen also had a headache. They hadn't found any useful clues. "Huang Yuan's case is really tricky. We still haven't found the reason for the couple's murder."
Lü Qingqing knew a little about this. Huang Yuan and her husband were well-liked and wouldn't have offended anyone. All their valuables were in place, and there were no signs of forced entry, so it wasn't for money. Their relationship was also good, so it wasn't for love.
Then why?
Who knew!
"Right, tomorrow we'll send people to Huang Yuan's dorm to pack up her belongings. Please help keep an eye on things then."
"Don't worry," Lü Qingqing promised.
...
Walking up the stairs, Lü Qingqing glanced at Hu Jia's door. She hadn't seen him today.
She had spoken to him through the door in the morning, and everyone had carried him during the meeting in the evening.
She wondered what he was doing now and if the suicide incident in the afternoon had affected him.
Lü Qingqing stood at Hu Jia's door, about to knock, her hand raised, but then she lowered it.
Never mind, she was still a stranger to him now.
Just as Lü Qingqing turned to leave, the door opened.
Hu Jia appeared before Lü Qingqing.
"You're back?" Hu Jia smiled at Lü Qingqing, showing no signs of unfamiliarity on his face.
"Mm," Lü Qingqing nodded. At this moment, she had to admit that Hu Jia had a much better ability to adapt than she did, and he was better at pretending.
"Have you eaten?"
"I just grabbed something to eat, how about you?"
"I also just had a quick bite."
Then, silence.
An awkward silence.
"You..."
"I..."
They spoke at the same time and then smiled at each other.
"You go first," Hu Jia said with a smile to Lü Qingqing.
"Actually, it's nothing much. I heard about what happened today. Don't have any psychological burden."
"What burden could I have? I don't remember him. I just feel a bit sad when I recall it."
To perfectly explain why the suicidal person had called out the Hu family's name, everyone had come up with a lie. They said the person had once received a favor from Hu Jia and had come to see him before committing suicide.
Hu Jia had his doubts about this lie, but he couldn't refute it.
After all, he was just a person with amnesia.
Seeing that Hu Jia was indeed fine, Lü Qingqing also breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, it's late, I'm going back."
"Hey!" Hu Jia called out to her.
Seeing Lü Qingqing turn back, Hu Jia fidgeted. "I haven't changed. I'm still the same me you know."