Chen Xiao did not recognize the middle-aged man beside Zhang Xian.
But from Lin Xi's reaction, he should be a significant figure.
At the very least, Zhang Xian showed great respect towards the man.
Soon, Zhang Xian brought out two bags of fruit from the car.
After the man glanced at them, he entered the house.
Lin Xi quickly introduced, "Mom, Dad, this is Captain Zhang Xian from our criminal investigation team. Beside him is Captain Zhang's ntor, who used to be the captain of the Dongzhou criminal investigation team and is now a guiding figure for our entire Dongzhou police force!"
Upon hearing Lin Xi's introduction, Chen Xiao instantly knew who he was.
Han Zai!
Forrly the captain of the Hongshan Branch criminal investigation team, he later served in the police forces of the Provincial City.
Although Han Zai's highest position was just captain,
he was considered a legendary figure in the hearts of the Dongzhou police.
When Chen Xiao first t Zhang Xian, Zhang Xian ntioned that both he and Liang Yan were trained by the sa ntor.
That ntor was Han Zai.
However, Han Zai is not in active service now; he retired early due to a severe injury and now handles so simple affairs.
Though he doesn't hold any significant position nowadays, he still commands a lot of respect.
Upon hearing Lin Xi's introduction, Old Chen also beca serious and quickly greeted the guests.
Han Zai was quite casual, and after sitting down inside, he focused all his attention on Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao glanced at Zhang Xian, then joked, "I genuinely didn't know Teacher Han would co today, or I would've had my parents prepare more. How about staying for lunch at my place?"
"I told Zhang Xian not to ntion it; everyone is still asleep in the morning. Couldn't do sothing that disturbs good dreams!"
Zhang Xian chid in, "Yes, Teacher arrived in Dongzhou this morning, and after calling , he said he wanted to make this trip."
Chen Xiao was a bit surprised, but Han Zai straightforwardly said, "Yesterday I t Guo Zhengchang, who already spoke highly of you. Then I decided to co and visit."
"I see, it seems Teacher Han and Elder Guo are also friends."
Han Zai chuckled, "Not really on good terms; I almost threw him in jail back then. But fortunately, he knew his limits and eventually saved himself."
Such a statent sounded casual.
The incident probably happened a long ti ago.
Yet, just those words made Chen Xiao deeply contemplate Han Zai's character.
After all, even back then, Guo Zhengchang was a notable figure in the Provincial City.
As Chen Xiao was pondering, Han Zai added, "Don't overthink my relationship with Old Guo; we were rivals in the past, but not truly close friends now."
"Alright, so Teacher Han, you ca this ti...?" Chen Xiao also chose not to beat around the bush.
Han Zai's visit to Songshanping clearly had a purpose.
Yet, what Chen Xiao never anticipated was when Han Zai said, "In early 1992, I visited your Songshanping, and I rember those stone lions."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao's eyes widened abruptly.
Han Zai sighed slightly, "Back then, a fugitive I was chasing hid in your area. We mobilized a lot of police forces to involve in a mountain search to capture him."
As he said that, Old Chen also rembered, "I thought so, just felt like I'd seen you sowhere before."
Han Zai nodded with a smile, "Yes, at that ti, to catch the fugitive, I set up a shack behind your village and shouted into the mountains every day with a speakerphone."
"Right, right, I rember. Back then, you were shouting at that grandson, telling him to keep hiding. Anyway, you had food, drink, and salary; use your wages to buy cigarettes and alcohol!"
Han Zai burst into laughter, "You rember clearly, huh? I'm sure people around here were sick of , right? There seed to be a group of kids... "
"Yes... back then, there was a fearless big kid, probably eight or nine years old. Whenever he saw
pick up the speaker, he'd rush ho and brandish a flag, leading a bunch of kids behind him, waving flags and cheering. Couldn't chase them away; they really got on my nerves!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao's eyes suddenly widened.
He then looked at the tea on the table, followed by the fruit platter, and smiled, "You all chat, let
wash so fruit for everyone."
"Sit down!"
Old Chen's voice stopped Chen Xiao as he got up, leaving Zhang Xian and Han Zai puzzled.
Even Lin Xi froze for a mont, then blushed, holding back laughter.
Awkwardly, Old Chen glanced at Han Zai, saying, "That fearless kid you ntioned is this one here in my house."
"Ah?" Han Zai also looked over in shock.
Chen Xiao chuckled uncomfortably, "Cough... cough... wasn't I too young then to understand? Teacher Han, surely you're not holding a grudge, right?"
Han Zai laughed heartily again, "So it was you, fate... truly fate!"
Chen Xiao shrugged, "Who would've guessed? I don't rember much from then. Without your detailed descriptions, I'd probably never think of it."
"Yes, it was years ago, forgetting is understandable."
"Then Teacher Han, the stone lions you ntioned earlier, did you notice sothing wrong with them back then?" Chen Xiao asked.
Han Zai nodded and then shook his head, "Not quite notice; at the ti, I was curious about the stone lions' material, and then I discovered a strange phenonon in your village."
"What phenonon?"
"No dogs!"
Chen Xiao's eyes suddenly beca sharp, while Lin Xi and Zhang Xian also displayed shock.
Though Old Chen seed to recall sothing, replying, "Back then, there truly were no dogs. I rember a trend started, and there were dog at restaurants in the county and town."
"Then, both house dogs and stray dogs were often stolen from around the village. Eventually, fewer people kept dogs, and even stray dogs rarely visited Songshanping."
"Yes, I was curious then, but after hearing about the dog at restaurants, I didn't think twice. Soon after, I caught that fugitive and never visited Songshanping again."
As Han Zai spoke, his eyes seed to inadvertently glance at Chen Xiao.
At the mont, Chen Xiao appeared to be in the midst of a mind storm.
Such events were absent from his mories.
He couldn't rember.
Since he experienced not just fourteen or fifteen years,
But two lifetis!
If nobody clearly pointed out past events from childhood, he surely wouldn't recall them.
Yet now Han Zai had described everything in such detail, how could Chen Xiao not realize his true intention for coming here?
He ca to reveal this information!
Back then, when dog at restaurants suddenly appeared in Lanshan County or Songtan Town,
It was likely not a re coincidence!
Soone might have been deliberately orchestrating it all!
But why would they orchestrate it?
Could it be a stray dog carried sothing it shouldn't have, scaring that person?
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