Then, Mr. Chen relayed the specific information he had gathered about Tian Jie to Xia Chuyi and the others.
"The suspect Tian Jie comes from Niujing Village in the suburban area. According to her records, her parents are farmers with little income and are quite poor."
"She herself stopped attending school after finishing junior high. After the Southern regions opened up and vigorously developed their economy, she went south to work."
"From what Xia Mei meant, she seems to be doing not too badly there."
"I suggest we make a direct trip to Tian Jie’s home. I estimate we could then find out where the suspect is staying."
Father Wang and Mrs. Wang, listening anxiously, hurriedly said, "Then what are we waiting for? Officer Chen, let’s hurry over there!"
"Hold on!" However, Chuyi suddenly spoke up, her brow furrowed as she asked, "Mr. Chen, if we just go straight to the Tian Family , could we possibly startle the snake in the grass?"
Everyone’s attention shifted to her at once.
Chuyi immediately explained, "The journey from H province to G city takes several days. If Tian Jie gets wind of this, might she take precautions in advance?"
China is too large, and the population too vast. For a person wanting to hide without being found, it’s all too easy.
After hearing her point, Mr. Chen nodded and said, "What you’ve said is very valid, there’s indeed such a possibility."
But it’s not possible to say we won’t visit the Tian Family. Doing that would leave us without the suspect’s address.
"Then what should we do?" Mrs. Wang asked anxiously.
Chuyi thought seriously for a moment and then said, "Here’s what I’m thinking, Mr. Chen, can I go to the Tian Family myself first? Let the police stay out of it for now."
"Since Tian Jie often takes people to work, I could pretend I want to go with her, lower the Tian Family’s guard, and then try to elicit Tian Jie’s specific circumstances.
Father Wang and Mrs. Wang quickly looked at Mr. Chen.
Mr. Chen pondered for a moment and then said, "I think that’s feasible."
Mrs. Wang immediately grabbed Chuyi excitedly and said, "Child, thank you for worrying about our Xiao Fang on our behalf!"
Chuyi hastily said, "Auntie, there’s no need for formality, Xiao Fang is my friend. It’s natural for me to help with her matters."
Moreover, Wang Xiaofang’s situation was to some extent her own doing.
Apart from her failing to write a few more letters to ensure Wang Xiaofang knew about Song Yingjie, there was also Xia Mei...
The affair between Xia Mei and Song Yingjie was, to a certain extent, a result of her efforts to force the then "Meng Zhaodi" to leave the school voluntarily.
Had things not been that way, if Song Yingjie had gone home for the holidays, perhaps Wang Xiaofang would have noticed something herself, perhaps Song Yingjie would have come clean... and it’s possible that "Meng Zhaodi" wouldn’t have had any interest in Song Yingjie after all.
Of course, it’s also possible that Xia Mei would still have ended up with Song Yingjie, and that this incident would have still occurred.
But Chuyi couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt.
In any case, she must find Wang Xiaofang and bring her home.
"Enough talk, Uncle and Auntie, let’s head to Niujing Village to find the Tian Family later."
After reassuring Mrs. Wang, she immediately asked Mr. Chen, "Officer Chen, I will take care of the matters with the Tian Family, but what about Xia Mei and Song Yingjie?"
Mr. Chen knew what she meant and answered, "Song Yingjie’s behavior has the suspicion of concealment and harboring criminals; he needs to be detained for further investigation."
"According to Xia Mei, she did not directly harm Wang Xiaofang, but in actuality, she has already committed the crime of being an accomplice to the suspect."