Chen Zapi's death was not part of Yang Hua's plan. According to Yang Hua, they had shared a considerable amount of money with Chen Zapi afterward, but Chen Zapi was too greedy, demanding more and more each day. Even the Liu family, with their substantial wealth, couldn't withstand such exorbitant demands.
Therefore, eliminating Chen Zapi was imperative.
However, she never expected that others would be present at the scene of Chen Zapi's murder. The noise he made alerted Yang Hua, but she couldn't catch him as he fled too quickly.
This incident had been a constant thorn in Yang Hua's side. She didn't know who the other person was or if they would report her. So, she disguised herself as a peddler and traveled around, hoping to hear rumors of a murder.
Yet, nearly half a year passed, and the area remained peaceful.
Just as Yang Hua was beginning to relax, a letter reached her.
As expected, what was bound to happen had finally occurred.
Someone was threatening Yang Hua for money, demanding that she leave the payment at a designated location.
The person was not overly greedy, asking for modest amounts each time. Yang Hua, given her financial means, could have managed. But who would willingly live with a knife hanging over their head every day?
Yang Hua decided to eliminate the informant.
She analyzed the locations of each transaction and discovered they were all not far from Shangtuwan Village. Moreover, Chen Zapi was originally from Shangtuwan. Thus, Yang Hua deduced that the informant must live in Shangtuwan.
Once again, Yang Hua disguised herself as a peddler and visited Shangtuwan repeatedly. Finally, she heard Chen Zapi's name mentioned by Zhao Jiwa.
Zhao Jiwa was then strangled to death by her and the scene was staged to look like a suicide.
Yang Hua finished her story. She confessed to all the crimes. In her account, the planning and execution of the case were solely her doing, with Yuan Shan merely being aware and cooperating.
Hu Jia, however, harbored doubts about this.
"You didn't kill the Liu family solely for revenge for your son, did you?" Hu Jia asked.
Yang Hua faltered for a moment, then responded with unwavering certainty, "It was entirely for revenge for my child."
Hu Jia scoffed. Yang Hua had been lonely for nearly twenty years. Yuan Shan's arrival had rekindled her life like a dry spring, and her days were filled with contentment. Thus, Yang Hua feared Yuan Shan would leave her.
Yuan Shan, on the other hand, was never one to settle down. Coupled with Yang Hua's adoration for him, this sense of potential loss was amplified.
To keep Yuan Shan, the only solution Yang Hua could conceive was money.
This was her true motive for coveting the Liu family's fortune.
Upon hearing Hu Jia's accusation, Yang Hua no longer argued. Did the true reason for her actions even matter anymore?
"It does. It's about tearing down the hypocritical mask that disguises crime," was Ouyang Wen's answer.
"Also, do you really think by taking all the blame upon yourself, you can protect him? Zhao Jiwa was 1.68 meters tall and weighed about 55 kilograms. Try hanging him from the rafters now," Hu Jia pointed to a nearby sandbag. "If you can lift this 50-kilogram sandbag to a rafter over three meters high, I will believe this was a solo act."
Yang Hua showed a troubled expression. She truly couldn't.
Yet, she did not concede. "Two years ago, my physique was better. My inability to do it now doesn't mean I couldn't do it then."
Hu Jia anticipated her response. "Do you know that Yuan Shan spends your money lavishly every day? While you played the peddler outside, he was a lover in other people's homes?"
"Impossible, you're lying!" Yang Hua's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Not only is he someone else's lover, but they now have a child who is almost a year old," Hu Jia gestured, and Li Yang and Luo Wenwu had arrived at the scene.
They were accompanied not only by Yuan Shan but also by a slender woman. Upon seeing Yang Hua, Yuan Shan's eyes flickered, but he did not approach, nor did he offer a single word of concern.
"Do you want to know where we found Yuan Shan?" Hu Jia's question effectively gave Yang Hua the answer.
While she engaged in illegal activities, Yuan Shan was enjoying the peace she had sacrificed her life for.
Ah...
Yang Hua screamed.
She wanted to rush forward and slap Yuan Shan hard. No, she wanted to plunge the dagger in her hand into his chest. But Cao Yang held her back firmly.
It was a heart-wrenching cry, a wail of despair, the hatred of betrayal.
"So, do you still want to protect Yuan Shan?" Hu Jia posed the final question.
...
Hu Jia genuinely fainted this time, to the point where no amount of calling could wake her.
This shocked everyone immensely.
"Seven days have passed. Has the boss completed this case or not?" Li Yang and Wenwu were very worried.
If the case was considered complete, then tomorrow Hu Jia would enter her next period of amnesia. But if it wasn't, Hu Jia would continue to suffer from headaches and fainting spells.
Her body was severely weakened.
"It should be considered complete. Wasn't the purpose of finding Zhang Hanghai to find Zhang Hangjiang? And wasn't finding Zhang Hangjiang to learn about what happened back then? Now that the Shangtuwan village case is solved, and Zhang Hangjiang will tell the boss about the past, the objective has been achieved, so it should be concluded?" Li Yang sounded uncertain.
That evening, the latest developments of the case were reported back to the municipal bureau. The bureau also rescinded and publicly announced the cancellation of the Shangtuwan case, declaring Zhang Hanghai's pursuit to be over.
Hu Jia was then taken back to Jintang Street by everyone.
"Why isn't he awake yet?" Lü Qingqing was extremely anxious.
"Perhaps the case dragged on for too long, reaching a critical point." Ouyang Wen believed this was a severe aftereffect.
Seeing Hu Jia asleep, Lü Qingqing once again realized Hu Jia's physical condition. It seemed choosing not to let Hu Jia participate in the investigation of the shooting case had been the right decision.
All night, Lü Qingqing stayed by Hu Jia's bedside, wanting to confirm if Hu Jia would have amnesia upon waking. Listening to his steady breathing, Lü Qingqing lay by his bed, their hands intertwined.
As if sensing a slight movement in her hand, Lü Qingqing opened her eyes to see a pair of dark eyes gazing at her.
"You?" Lü Qingqing was somewhat nervous, unsure of the current situation. After all, this was different from how Hu Jia usually woke up after losing his memory.
Where was his surprise?
His bewilderment?
His disbelief and screams?
"You are my fiancée?" Hu Jia's first words startled Lü Qingqing. She instinctively turned to look at the bedside table; the diary was still closed, and given she had been holding Hu Jia's hand, he had no reason to have read it.
"You don't have amnesia?" Lü Qingqing exclaimed.
At this moment, she was somewhat afraid. An un-amnesiac Hu Jia was a sickly man, and no one could predict the future course of his illness.
"It's over, you actually remember..." Lü Qingqing murmured to herself.
"What is your name?" Hu Jia asked again.
Uh...
Lü Qingqing's soliloquy was interrupted.
"You don't remember my name?" Lü Qingqing was surprised.
Hu Jia shook his head. "I only know you are my fiancée."
Lü Qingqing's eyes widened. "Do you know what year it is?"
"1921!"
Eight years ago!