My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Not only Auntie Su but Shi Nian and Qiang Fei's faces also sported the same expression. Question of 'where the heck did this distant cousin pop out from?' written across their faces but Ru Meiqi carried herself with so much naturalness and confidence that it was hard for Auntie Su to doubt her.

Qiang Fei's brain clicked and she cooperated seamlessly. "Yes, that's right. This is Niannian's distant cousin. She came from the Capital and because of the summer vacation, she visited City A a few days ago."

Shi Nian nodded her head in cahoot.

Auntie Su recovered her smile and greeted Ru Meiqi warmly. "Meiqi, is it? Such a beautiful name. I haven't heard that Shi Nian has a distant cousin before so please pardon my rudeness."

"No problem, Auntie. It's also because I have lived abroad these past few years that I seldom appear here. Please take care of me in the future." The both of them shook hands amicably.

Upon hearing that Ru Meiqi was a returnee, Auntie Su's impression of her went up a few notches. In her mind, someone who was living abroad surely had a sophisticated lifestyle and a greatly educated person. She instantly glossed over the holes in Ru Meiqi's words and continued the topic. "Shi Nian's classmate ah? They…" She tried hard to recall. "Because they ran away when I came out, I actually didn't see them clearly. I only know that it's a man, quite tall because his head almost reached the top of the door and he has a good figure."

"Anything else?" Ru Meiqi pressed on gently. "Anything remarkable that can make us recognize him easier?"

"Remarkable? Hmm…" Confused, Auntie Su shook her head. "Sorry, I have no idea."

Ru Meiqi nodded in understanding. "Okay, thank you very much, Auntie Su. We will make sure to find Shi Nian's classmate and thank him." It had been months and Auntie Su had just glanced upon that person in a split second, it was understandable that she couldn't offer anything crucial.

But the important point was, when Shi Nian was kidnapped, someone came to her house. What intention did that person carry?

Ru Meiqi furtively inspected the dim hallway and saw an old CCTV that had stopped working in the corner. Every floor had only one CCTV and it was even sparser outside. She prayed that the CCTV on the floors below would still work just fine.

The three of them entered Shi Nian's house. It was a small, one room apartment where the kitchen on the right could directly be seen upon entering the door. The living room was only big enough for a small couch, low table and old TV. The one and only bedroom door was firmly shut. One of the walls was covered in floor to ceiling window with a small balcony outside. The curtain was drawn thus the light in the room was slightly dim and there was a moldy smell special to a house that was long unoccupied.

Qiang Fei brought the luggage in. "Welcome, Miss Ru. Please pardon our messy home. I have just tidied it up casually."

Shi Nian pulled out a new slipper from the shoe cabinet and gestured for Ru Meiqi to change her shoes. To be honest, it was the first time for Ru Meiqi to enter such a cramped room where no privacy was offered to the members in the family. But due to her job, she was accustomed to being surprised by all kinds of different things in people's lives.

With a smile, she shook her head and slipped into the slipper. "No, it's a very cozy house."

After putting down the luggage, Qiang Fei hurriedly went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "What does Miss Ru want to drink?" But then, she was speechless because there's nothing inside, not even a bottle of mineral water. She slapped her forehead, exasperated.

Fortunately, Ru Meiqi was an easy going person. "Whatever is fine. Please sit, Madam Shi, Shi Nian. Don't treat me like a guest."

Shi Nian rummaged through her luggage and brought out her board. Swiftly, she wrote. [Sister Meiqi, is there something wrong with the person Auntie Su was saying?]

Ru Meiqi took the initiative to sit on the carpeted floor and nodded in agreement. "Please don't be offended, but because of your case, we have investigated your background thoroughly. We have also gone to your school and interrogated your classmates one by one. They said that you were often seen alone and they had no idea if you had any close friends in school. That's why, hearing that your classmate came to your home to visit, I thought that there's something more about it."

Qiang Fei came out of the kitchen with two glasses of warm water. Upon hearing Ru Meiqi's words, she was shocked and sad. Her eyes lowered in regret. "It's all my fault. Because of the tight economy in our household, Shi Nian took the initiative to take some part time jobs and she didn't have time to make friends."

Shi Nian pursed her lips, upset. [Mama, it's not your fault.]

Qiang Fei took her hand and pleaded. "Niannian, listen to mama. Don't do part time jobs anymore okay? Money can be earned but Mama only has you…" The woman's eyes were brimming with tears, rendering Shi Nian unable to refuse.

Ru Meiqi moistened her throat and cut off the emotional mother and pair conversation. "Don't worry about the suspicious person, the police will take care of it. Also, there's something I have to say to both of you."

Seeing Ru Meiqi's solemn expression, Qiang Fei wiped the damp corner of her eyes and gestured for her to go on. "Is it about Shi Nian?"

"Yes." Ru Meiqi looked at Qiang Fei and Shi Nian but in their eyes, it would look like Ru Meiqi's eyes were unfocused as they stared at something far away through them. Anyway, Shi Nian had gotten used to it but unexpectedly, Qiang Fei's ability to accept everything was also commendable. "Madam Shi, have you considered moving? By moving, I mean to move into another city, possibly quite far from City A. I know that you have to consider your finances but there's something I have to warn you of."

Ru Meiqi continued, "Shi Nian, the criminal—he knows you. He knows your name, your appearance, where you live and the place you work. Possibly, he also knows the route you often partake in. City A isn't safe anymore for you. That's why the police suggest that you will consider moving. Because you're a victim and an important witness, we will try our best to help you to settle down in another place, find a new school for you and place some officers around to guard your safety."

Shi Nian fell silent. She didn't know what to say, so she turned to Qiang Fei. In this household, she had always listened to Qiang Fei's words.

"Miss Ru is right." Qiang Fei contemplated seriously. "Actually, I have been promoted and my superior wants to place me in another city. Ever since we found Shi Nian, I have considered moving into another city and start a new phase of life."

Ru Meiqi nodded in satisfaction. "That's a good mentality to start with. Shi Nian," She turned to the silent girl. "Even though we know that the culprit is still running free and he may come to you at any moment, we want to create a new environment for you to live in. You're only sixteen." Her voice came out soft, encouraging and as warm as Shi Nian could remember. "Your life has just started and you don't have to live in the shadow of fear each day."

She held Shi Nian's hands tightly. "Don't be afraid. We are all by your side."

Qiang Fei nodded, moved. "Then, we will listen to the police's suggestion."

Just like that, the matter of moving into another city was set into stone. Shi Nian was helpless against the numerous changes that were instantly discussed heatedly by both Qiang Fei and Ru Meiqi. Matters like where Shi Nian would continue her education or where they would live was finished in a blink of an eye.

They didn't have many things to begin with so it was easy to pack everything.

The police moved fast and Qiang Fei cooperated in every way possible. Three days later, they had already confirmed everything. Shi Nian and her mother would move to the Capital. Other than because Qiang Fei was promoted into a branch company in the Capital, there was also the Police Bureau Headquarters there.

The distance between City A and Capital was quite far. Thus, it was decided that they would fly in a plane with Ru Meiqi and another police officer accompanying them.

Just that, on the day of the departure, Shi Nian didn't expect to find a familiar face.