After choosing their instant noodles, the two each picked out a pack of cigarettes and went to the counter to pay.
Guan Feng asked, "Boss, do you have any hot water? We'll just soak it in hot water and eat it."
The shopkeeper saw that Guan Feng was still holding two packs of cigarettes and said with a smile, "Yes, yes! I'll get them for you right away!" He then picked up a thermos from the counter and handed it to Guan Feng.
Guan Feng poured water for Zhao Dong, then filled his own cup, ordered two sausages, and paid the bill along with two packs of cigarettes.
While eating instant noodles, Guan Feng casually asked, "Do you all own this house?"
The supermarket owner nodded and said, "That's for sure! This is all in town, not like in the city, so these houses aren't worth much."
Guan Feng asked, "Boss, I saw a lot of cured meat hanging outside the shop next door. Does that shop sell cured meat?"
The supermarket owner said, "You mean Wang Hongtao's family? They don't make it themselves. That's their own cooking. What's wrong? You two want to buy cured meat? If you want to buy some, I can help you get in touch. It's definitely good quality and cheap. We're all from Hua'an, so we won't rip off our fellow villagers."
Guan Feng shook his head and said, "I was just asking casually!"
The supermarket owner sized up the two of them and asked, "You two aren't police officers, are you?"
Guan Feng looked at his boss and asked with a smile, "Do you think we look alike?"
The supermarket owner thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "It's just like you! It really is! I've had the police question me twice before, and the people who came to ask questions looked just like you, except they weren't as roundabout as you. They even bought two packs of cigarettes to support my business."
Guan Feng laughed and said, "Since you've figured it out, boss, we'll just lay it all out! But we didn't come here on purpose to buy cigarettes. We just happened to be hungry and came to buy a cup of instant noodles to ask you how things are going."
The supermarket owner remarked, "You police officers really work hard! You don't get to eat a hot meal often when you're out on cases. Tell me, what do you want to ask? I'll definitely tell you."
Guan Feng didn't answer, but asked instead, "Boss, can I trust you?"
The supermarket owner said, "If you're asking about Wang Hongtao's family, then I'll definitely tell you everything I know."
Guan Feng asked, "Oh? Is there some story behind it?"
The supermarket owner said, "It's nothing serious. It's just that the two houses are next to each other. People from the countryside are short-sighted, and they often argue about who's better and who's worse. Later, the conflict escalated. So if you ask me, I might not be very objective."
Guan Feng asked, "Just speak up, and we'll decide whether it's true or not."
The supermarket owner said, "Go ahead and ask."
Guan Feng asked, "The Wang Hongtao you mentioned, is he his son?"
The supermarket owner said, "Yes, he's in his thirties and has a buzz cut."
Guan Feng asked, "Does he own a silver-white sedan with the license plate ending in 369?"
The supermarket owner said, "369? I didn't notice that! But their car is definitely silver-white, a Camry, right?"
Guan Feng nodded and said, "That's the car!"
The supermarket owner asked, "What happened? Was it a traffic accident?"
Guan Feng said, "It's not certain yet! Since you live next door to him, what are his family members like? Are they usually honest and upright, or are they idle and lazy?"
The supermarket owner thought for a moment and said seriously, "Although I don't get along with his family, how should I put it, Wang Hongtao is a good person, quite honest. You might say there was a traffic accident, but other things don't seem like it!"
Guan Feng asked, "Really? Didn't you just say that the two families don't get along?"
"It may be bad, but I can't just lie through my teeth, can I?"
The supermarket owner paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, what I said may not be correct, and you can look into it further! But everyone's opinion should be similar, so you can ask around more?"
Guan Feng nodded and said, "Do you remember where that silver car was parked these past two days? Especially the night before last, did it come back?"
The supermarket owner said, "How could I remember that? I really didn't notice!"
Seeing this, Guan Feng asked some other questions.
......
Five minutes later.
After finishing their instant noodles and clarifying the issues, the two said goodbye to the shop owner, gave him a final reminder about the confidentiality agreement, and then got into the car with Zhao Dong and headed to Wang Hongtao's house.
Guan Feng said, "We still need to meet the person in charge!"
Zhao Dong said, "At least I have an impression that they are not bad people, which will make it much easier to start asking questions later."
Guan Feng said, "I've learned a lot from the detachment leader."
Zhao Dong said, "Xiao Guan, you're just being modest! Didn't you handle cases this way before?"
Guan Feng said, "There have been times before, but none as targeted and purposeful as the captain's! It seems I'll have to work on cases with the branch captain more often in the future."
Zhao Dong smiled and pointed at him, not knowing what to say.
The two drove to Wang Hongtao's house.
There was an open space right in front of the entrance, so they parked the car there and the two of them got out.
Guan Feng and Zhao Dong walked to the door.
Guan Feng knocked on the half-open iron gate and asked, "Is anyone home?"
Who is it?
A shout came from the inner room.
A middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties came out.
Guan Feng looked at the other person, who vaguely resembled the person in the ID photo, and asked, "You must be Wang Hongtao?"
Wang Hongtao nodded, looked the two over, and asked, "Who are you?"
Guan Feng showed his badge and said, "We are police officers! We're here to investigate a case with you. Do you have time?"
Wang Hongtao's expression changed instantly, and he asked, "W-what case?"
Guan Feng looked at the other person's face and said, "Do you remember the intersection by the Tongshui River the night before last?"
Wang Hongtao's expression changed again.
Guan Feng had a feeling something was wrong, so he said sternly, "Are you going to confess yourself, or come back with us?"
Wang Hongtao frowned and said, "No, isn't this too much trouble? What did the other party say? Officer, it really wasn't me who caused the accident and fled. The other party said we should settle it privately and not call the police, so I agreed to leave. Is he trying to frame me? That's so inhuman!"
Guan Feng frowned and said, "Whether it's a false accusation or not, it's not up to you or him to decide! So if you want to avoid trouble, tell us everything clearly. If what you say is true, we will give you justice and won't let you suffer such injustice for no reason."
Thank you!
Wang Hongtao nodded repeatedly.
Guan Feng glanced around the room and asked, "Is there anyone else in the house?"
Wang Hongtao said, "My parents are in the backyard."
Guan Feng thought for a moment and said, "In that case, why don't you come with us and talk in the car? That way, we won't have other people see us and spread any gossip. You don't want to make a big fuss over something so small."
Wang Hongtao hurriedly said, "That's perfect. That's how it is in the village. Whenever something happens, everyone starts gossiping about this family or that family. I'll get in the car with you."
The three of them then got into the car.
Guan Feng and Wang Hongtao sat in the back row.
Zhao Dong sat in the driver's seat.
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