My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

The day of Shi Nian's departure soon arrived.

Due to safety issues, they didn't even tell Auntie Su where they were moving to. Instead, they gave her a fake address, much to Shi Nian's reluctance. Afterall, Auntie Su had always been taking care of her when Qiang Fei was absent and the food she made was delicious too.

For the nth time this morning, Shi Nian gave a look toward this home where she had been staying ever since she was born.

Yes, it was cramped and yes, there was nothing valuable. But in every nook and corner, she could still remember every single memory it contained. For example, the small fridge that she and Qiang Fei got together from the wholesome sale during New Year, the bedroom door that was covered in all kinds of old stickers, from the Princesses to Doraemon and Spongebob. There were also height measuring lines on the side of the wall which recorded Shi Nian's growth.

For her, this was the only place she could call home. But now, she had to leave it all behind.

Qiang Fei called out from behind. "What's wrong, baby?"

Shi Nian turned around and shook her head.

Qiang Fei sighed with a look that said 'I don't know what I should do with you'. "It's okay. Don't be sad. We can always come back here together again, okay? If…If everything becomes safer, we will return."

Shi Nian knew that Qiang Fei only said it to comfort her. She didn't point it out though, only giving a fleeting sensible smile. Qiang Fei's heart ached for her. She knew her daughter very well. Even though she looked easygoing, mature and didn't really care about anything, in fact, she was a sentimental person deep down. She cherished every single thing in her life. If she liked something, then she would continue to like them even though it had worn down to the point of unrecognizable.

Qiang Fei could only swallow her comfort back down and beckoned to her. "Come on or else we will miss the plane."

Shi Nian gave her house—which was already bare with the remaining furniture covered in white cloth—one last glance and closed the door behind her.

The journey to the airport was smooth sailing and when they arrived, Ru Meiqi was already there waiting for them. The girl wore a casual yet stylish long t-shirt with ripped jeans, her face donning a black sunglasses. The sunlight shone into her light brown curly hair and as she stood there with her face lowered, she exuded an elegant and refined aura that attracted people's gazes.

"Miss Ru!" Qiang Fei called out and approached her, smiling apologetically. "We're sorry for making you wait."

Ru Meiqi typed on her phone and locked it before answering. "It's okay. I have just arrived anyway. Come on, let me help you to register your luggage."

"No, no. I can't let you do that." Qiang Fei rejected politely. "It's okay Miss Ru, you can just keep Niannian company, right?" The last word was directed to Shi Nian which the girl didn't have any choice but to nod.

Ru Meiqi didn't insist and acceded. "You can go to that counter. She's our people." She gestured toward the nearby empty counter where a woman in uniform was smiling at them politely.

When Qiang Fei was busy with their luggage, Shi Nian took the chance to look around. Call her a country bumpkin, but this was the first time for her to go to an airport. Her whole life had been spent in City A and the scope of her activity was limited to school, supermarket and part time jobs. Thus, everything was very novel and new.

There was a smile in Ru Meiqi's tone as she asked. "Is it your first time riding an airplane?"

Shi Nian nodded, her eyes glistening curiously. She took out her phone and typed on the memo. [Is it true that the moment the plane takes off, we will be momentarily deaf?]

"No," Amused, Ru Meiqi rubbed Shi Nian's head. "It's just how our body copes with the huge difference in air pressure. Not deaf, just that your ears will be ringing and possibly, your head will hurt too." She took out a can of drops and gave it to her. "Here, you should eat mints if you're uncomfortable later."

The process didn't take long. Because the counter was empty, Qiang Fei registered their luggage quickly and soon, they entered the boarding area. People were walking back and forth, most were pulling suitcases around. The transparent window showed the scenery of large, gigantic airplanes that were currently parking in place. One was just taking off while the other was landing smoothly.

Ru Meiqi strode forward with confidence, Shi Nian and Qiang Fei followed behind. There was a different air about her that made heads turn. Maybe it was because of her graceful yet soft temperament or maybe because she was just simply so beautiful. Anyway, people wouldn't be able to associate her with the word 'police' or 'criminal psychologist'.

"Baby, are you hungry?" Qiang Fei asked. "You didn't eat too much for breakfast just now."

Shi Nian shook her head and held Qiang Fei's hands, telling her not to worry.

They had just averted their eyes for a moment and Ru Meiqi had already been talking to an airport security member donned in blue uniform. His attitude when talking with Ru Meiqi was especially humble and polite, almost anxious that he couldn't bend his waist lower.

Ru Meiqi talked with him for a moment and returned to them. "Are you guys ready? If yes, we can board the plane now."

The two agreed readily. Shi Nian—who was inexperienced—wouldn't even know if someone sold her out but Qiang Fei was someone who was accustomed to having business trips out of the city. "Miss Ru, may I ask for our boarding pass?" Come to think of it, they didn't even need their ID card when they checked in earlier.

"No need," Ru Meiqi shook her head as she pointed at the security member who was on standby. "We can just follow him."

Bewildered, Qiang Fei could only follow this criminal psychologist while Shi Nian trailed after Qiang Fei. They went through another corridor and now, even though Shi Nian was stupid, she still knew that they had trailed off from the boarding area.

"Please come, Missuses. Make sure that you don't leave anything behind. Are you hungry? We can wait for you if you want to eat something first. Oh no, I forgot, you can also order whatever you want inside the plane." The man chattered as they walked.

Ru Meiqi waved her hand. "We will board now."

"Sure, sure." He grinned and led them to another passageway. There were two women in the post who were tasked to check their bodies for any suspicious or dangerous substances even though Shi Nian could see that it was all a formality. They were almost given a free pass judging from how wide their smiles were. Shi Nian blindly followed behind and looked around but didn't find anyone else beside the three of them. Her confusion grew bigger.

Qiang Fei: "Miss Ru, we—" She wanted to ask, but it didn't seem too suitable with other people present so she refrained herself.

Ru Meiqi realized her doubt and took off her sunglasses. "Oh, it seems like I forgot to tell you. My apologies. Due to the special identity of the passengers, we will not take a public plane."

Qiang Fei: ???

Not a public plane? So…?

.

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A/N: Happy 100th chappies for MDG! I originally thought that this would be a short story that finished in 100-200 chappies but it seems like I am still too naive hahaha our ML hasn't even make his full debut yet. Please be patient ne~