Street Hustler and His Policewoman Wife-Chapter 167: Dogs!

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 mentor, 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!

Formerly 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 met Zhang Xian, Zhang Xian mentioned that both he and Liang Yan were trained by the same mentor.

That mentor was Han Zai.

However, Han Zai is not in active service now; he retired early due to a severe injury and now handles some 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 became 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 come today, or I would've had my parents prepare more. How about staying for lunch at my place?"

"I told Zhang Xian not to mention it; everyone is still asleep in the morning. Couldn't do something that disturbs good dreams!"

Zhang Xian chimed in, "Yes, Teacher arrived in Dongzhou this morning, and after calling me, he said he wanted to make this trip."

Chen Xiao was a bit surprised, but Han Zai straightforwardly said, "Yesterday I met Guo Zhengchang, who already spoke highly of you. Then I decided to come 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 statement sounded casual.

The incident probably happened a long time 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 came this time...?" 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 remember 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 remembered, "I thought so, just felt like I'd seen you somewhere before."

Han Zai nodded with a smile, "Yes, at that time, 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 remember. 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 remember clearly, huh? I'm sure people around here were sick of me, right? There seemed to be a group of kids... "

"Yes... back then, there was a fearless big kid, probably eight or nine years old. Whenever he saw me pick up the speaker, he'd rush home 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 me wash some 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 moment, then blushed, holding back laughter.

Awkwardly, Old Chen glanced at Han Zai, saying, "That fearless kid you mentioned 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 remember 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 mentioned earlier, did you notice something wrong with them back then?" Chen Xiao asked.

Han Zai nodded and then shook his head, "Not quite notice; at the time, I was curious about the stone lions' material, and then I discovered a strange phenomenon in your village."

"What phenomenon?"

"No dogs!"

Chen Xiao's eyes suddenly became sharp, while Lin Xi and Zhang Xian also displayed shock.

Though Old Chen seemed to recall something, replying, "Back then, there truly were no dogs. I remember a trend started, and there were dog meat 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 meat restaurants, I didn't think twice. Soon after, I caught that fugitive and never visited Songshanping again."

As Han Zai spoke, his eyes seemed to inadvertently glance at Chen Xiao.

At the moment, Chen Xiao appeared to be in the midst of a mind storm.

Such events were absent from his memories.

He couldn't remember.

Since he experienced not just fourteen or fifteen years,

But two lifetimes!

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 came to reveal this information!

Back then, when dog meat restaurants suddenly appeared in Lanshan County or Songtan Town,

It was likely not a mere coincidence!

Someone might have been deliberately orchestrating it all!

But why would they orchestrate it?

Could it be a stray dog carried something it shouldn't have, scaring that person?