I looked into his eyes and tentatively asked, "So, could you stop being angry with him?"
The man seemed taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing immediately. "What do you take me for?"
He was like someone who had just witnessed a hilarious event. He tugged at the corner of his mouth helplessly, yet there was a hint of resignation in his expression.
"Don't worry. I'm not that petty. Anyway, I'll need your help in the future."
After saying this, he turned around and left. Staring at his back, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Officer Chen beside me wasn't going to let him off so easily. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed the man, and stared at him with a fierce look in his eyes.
When I saw Officer Chen's reaction, I immediately realized something.
"Wait. Stop for a moment."
I grabbed Officer Chen and motioned for him not to confront the man head - on. In this situation, being confrontational wouldn't help.
Officer Chen was held back by me, but he clearly showed his dissatisfaction on his face.
I pulled Officer Chen aside and whispered, "You don't have to be like this. Tell me what's bothering you, and I'll help you solve it."
Officer Chen turned to look at me, his eyes full of suspicion. I glanced at the thing in his arms and felt a sinking feeling in my heart.
If this guy was really A Jin, then where was the A Jin I knew?
I felt heavy - hearted, but I didn't show it on my face. I shook my head and looked at Officer Chen with expectation in my eyes.
"I know what you're trying to say. I'm just as worried as you are about this. I've known A Jin since we were kids. Although our relationship was different from yours, I won't let a good person just die like this. So I hope you can trust me, okay?"
I stared into Officer Chen's eyes, and he stared back at me.
He gritted his teeth, walked forward while telling me what had happened before.
It turned out that Officer Chen and A Jin had known each other for a long time, and it wasn't just a recent acquaintance.
When I heard this, I was quite shocked. I didn't expect Officer Chen to be such a sentimental person.
"Aren't you and Hua Lian'er a couple? How did you end up with A Jin?"
Although Fatty was being nosy, he asked exactly what I wanted to know.
Wasn't Officer Chen supposed to be with Hua Lian'er? How did he become A Jin's ex - boyfriend?
I glanced at Yan Yan's back. Seeing that he didn't seem to be bothered by the term "ex - boyfriend", I felt relieved and continued to ask.
Officer Chen looked at me with a strange expression. "Why would you think that? I'll tell you the truth. This is not what you think. A Jin never regarded me as the most important person in his life. I don't know how to explain it to you, but you should know what he does. In this circle, A Jin's status is higher than mine. I never wanted to get involved in these things."
I understood Officer Chen's words better than anyone else, but I wondered why he got involved in this matter after so many years. Was it because A Jin had gone missing?
Officer Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead, and his eyes showed a look of pain.
"But you've clearly met A Jin. You live in the same city, and you could see each other every day if you wanted to."
"That wasn't A Jin."
Officer Chen knew what I was going to say. He suddenly opened his eyes wide and stared at me. I was startled by his expression and shrank my neck, quickly nodding.
"I know. That wasn't A Jin. Don't touch me. I didn't hurt your A Jin. There's nothing I can do even if you stare at me like this."
Officer Chen sighed angrily. He lowered his head and didn't say a word, his eyes full of resignation.
"I know you don't trust me, but I used to be someone who loved to be with my lover all the time. However, I had more important things to do, so I was delayed. During that period, A Jin suddenly changed. I don't know why he became like this. All I know is that every time I saw him, he was no longer the person he used to be."
I froze on the spot and stared at him, trying to find something in his eyes. But Officer Chen just shook his head at me helplessly.
"You don't need to try to figure it out. The injured person you saw that day was fake. He's no longer the same person. He went missing three years ago."
"Wasn't it five years ago?"
Officer Chen raised his eyebrows. "He did die five years ago, but I clearly saw him three years ago. I've never known what really happened that year, so I got close to Hua Lian'er."
"So after all this time, you're just a scumbag, deceiving that poor girl's feelings."
Fatty was overreacting beside us, looking rather annoying.
I rolled my eyes and hit Fatty. "If you can't speak properly, just shut up. What do you mean by deceiving her feelings?"
Fatty rubbed his head and whispered, "I don't know, but I think you'd better just stay out of this. It's none of your business."
Fatty knew me better than anyone else. He knew exactly what he was talking about, and I understood his meaning.
He was advising me not to get involved in this matter. If I did, it might be a one - way street with no turning back.
I shook my head and looked at Yan Yan helplessly. "Can you tell me what's going on?"
"Why are you asking him? This has nothing to do with Yan Yan."
Strangely enough, Fatty seemed to be afraid that I would anger Yan Yan. He quickly stepped in front of me to block me. I knew he was afraid that I would offend someone.
Yan Yan looked back at us but didn't say a word. I just had the feeling that he might be a bit angry. It must be just my imagination.
Yan Yan turned around and left. I watched his back from behind and quickly stopped him.
"Hey, don't be angry. We didn't mean anything by it."
I wanted to explain to Yan Yan that we didn't suspect him, but Fatty stopped me.
"Why are you so excited? He didn't say anything. Are you so eager to explain because you're really into him?"
I was stunned by Fatty's words and didn't know what to say for a moment. I wanted to refute him, but I found it hard to do so.
"Stop talking nonsense." I could only force a smile and walked towards Yan Yan again.
Yan Yan walked very fast. I could hardly keep up with him. I ran as fast as I could.
After running just a few steps, I bumped into a hard back. Yan Yan turned around to look at me, and I looked back at him. The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.