Diary of a Criminal Investigator

Sun Jian’s hand holding the lamb soup paused slightly at Zhang Erhe’s words.

Nanshan Road?

The task they just received was to investigate people who had lived on Nanshan Road and might have moved to Northern Avenue.

Although Song Tiejun wasn’t originally from Nanshan Road, he did live there for a few years.

It was actually quite a well-known story on Old Street.

Song Tiejun had a girlfriend back then, but the girlfriend’s family required him to marry into their family.

Old Song couldn’t control his son and had no choice but to let him move out to the girlfriend’s home on Nanshan Road.

Old Song’s family was often laughed at by neighbors on Old Street because of this.

In the eyes of the elders, if a son married into his wife’s family, even the children would take on the wife’s family name, and Old Song would have no descendants.

But eight years ago, Song Tiejun had a conflict with his wife’s family, got divorced, and returned to Old Street, taking over the blacksmith shop Old Song had left behind.

Though it was called a blacksmith shop, it was only open a few times a month. Song Tiejun usually drove a taxi and didn’t rely on the shop for a living.

"Song... why did you decide to come back back then?"

It was Sun Jiaoguo who asked, and Song Tiejun knew he wasn’t trying to make fun of him, since Sun was an elder.

If it were Zhang Erhe asking, he’d be doing it to poke fun at him.

He filled Sun Jian’s soup bowl with more soup: "I couldn’t stand it anymore."

"My wife’s family only had one daughter, spoiled since childhood. Over thirty, couldn’t cook a single dish, did no housework, and had a terrible temper."

"And since we never had children, it was better for everyone to separate."

"So, you don’t plan to remarry? Let me tell you, do you remember the widow from Eighth Wang’s family in the west village, Chen Guiying? The prettiest one when we were young. After Eighth Wang died, she’s still single, no children either. I think you two would make a good match!"

Zhang Erhe patted Song Tiejun on the shoulder, cheerfully recommending the Wang family’s widow.

"Forget it, I’m just a taxi driver. Would she even consider me?"

"Song, why haven’t I seen your dad’s old blacksmith tools?"

Sun Jian pointed to the empty space in the courtyard: "Weren’t they here before?"

"Oh, they’re not in use often, so I packed them up and stored them in the side room."

Song Tiejun poured another bowl of lamb soup for Sun Jian.

Sun Jian put down the soup bowl, and his gaze gradually sharpened: "Song... you returned from Nanshan Road to Old Street eight years ago?"

Hmm?

Zhang Erhe’s heart suddenly trembled.

Why does Third Uncle keep asking about Song Tiejun’s matters on Nanshan Road?!

Having worked as an auxiliary police officer for so many years, although not formally trained, Zhang Erhe learned quite a bit following Sun Jian. When he noticed the odd questioning, he immediately thought of the investigation instructions he received before setting out.

Adult males, height between 1.73 and 1.78 meters, physically strong, likely to have lived or worked on Nanshan Road, and now possibly residing around Northern Avenue!

Nanshan Road?

Northern Avenue?

Adult male?

1.73... 1.78 meters?

Zhang Erhe stared blankly at his simple-minded childhood friend, Song Tiejun... How could it be?!

They grew up together!

"Exactly, it’s already been eight years since I returned to Old Street. Too bad many of the older generation are gone, and not many peers are left. I can’t even gather enough for a mahjong game..."

"Third Uncle, Erhe, another bowl of lamb soup?"

Zhang Erhe’s whole body tensed, looking at his familiar childhood friend, who suddenly seemed so unfamiliar.

The Wang Family River had five bodies!

If it was really...

Sun Jian waved his hand and put down the soup bowl: "No more, I’ve had two bowls already. Erhe and I need to visit a few more places; we’re required to check on everyone. Oh, Song, I remember you didn’t have any rental properties, right? No outsiders living with you in recent years?"

"No, no, just me, you know the situation on Old Street, does everyone have to be checked?"

Sun Jian stood up: "Alright, we’ll be on our way."

This time, Zhang Erhe didn’t say a word, simply following Sun Jian as he stood up silently.

"Alright, Third Uncle, I won’t keep you then. Erhe, come over for a drink when you’re free."

Zhang Erhe nodded, and as he turned, his gaze met Sun Jian’s. His hand clenched slightly, a private signal between the two, indicating there was a situation - should they act?

Sun Jian gently shook his head and turned to leave first.

Since it was almost certain, there was no need to take risks.

At sixty, Sun Jian knew he was no longer at his peak. He feared even pulling a muscle if he stretched wrong, let alone getting into a fight.

Taking a risk now was not only irresponsible with his own life but also with Zhang Erhe’s.

This kid only had a six-year-old child. If anything happened, Sun Jian couldn’t face Zhang’s father.

With retirement around the corner, it wasn’t worth it to take a fall here after a lifetime of work.

So, going back for reinforcements was the most prudent option.

After all, Song Tiejun wouldn’t get away.

Zhang Erhe stood slightly to Sun Jian’s right, partially blocking Song Tiejun’s view. The two walked out side by side.

Then, just as they were about to step out the door, Zhang Erhe’s ears caught a whistling sound coming from behind.

"Third Uncle, run!"

As he shouted, Zhang Erhe pushed Sun Jian away and dove to the left.

But he was a moment too late!

His left shoulder was slashed by the kitchen knife wielded by Song Tiejun, and blood gushed out rapidly, obscuring Sun Jian’s vision.

"Erhe!"

In a thundering voice, Sun Jian drew his handgun and aimed it at Song Tiejun, who was preparing to charge at Zhang Erhe again.

"Tiejun! Stop or I’ll shoot!"

But Song Tiejun was unfazed by the warning.

He knew well the crimes he had committed. If Sun Jian and Zhang Erhe left, more police would come for him.

"Don’t blame me, Third Uncle!"

Actually, when Sun Jian and Zhang Erhe first arrived, Song Tiejun had already prepared for the worst; he had hidden a kitchen knife under the cushion of his chair.

When Sun Jian kept asking about Nanshan Road, Song Tiejun knew he might not be able to cover it up anymore.

And with Zhang Erhe’s unusual behavior when leaving, Song Tiejun didn’t hesitate. He acted as soon as they turned their backs!

Bang!

Sun Jian fired a warning shot into the air: "Song Tiejun! Stop!"

Yet the man ignored it completely, brandishing the kitchen knife toward the fallen Zhang Erhe.

At this moment, half lying on the ground, Sun Jian noticed that Zhang Erhe was in direct line of fire between him and Song Tiejun.

"Erhe! Run!"

Though his left shoulder was slashed, Zhang Erhe hadn’t lost his combat ability entirely.

As Song Tiejun lunged at him, his response was swift.