My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Jin Renguang stopped his car a distance away from the target and switched off the police siren. Night was descending rapidly and the skyscraper was gradually filled with myriad dots of lights, slightly dispersing the chill caused by the cold air.

Ke Shao was currently communicating with the other side. "Yes, we have arrived at the west gate, 600 meters away. No problem, we're currently in a private parking lot. Yes…okay, sure. I will relay it to the Captain." He hung up the call and said, "Captain, we have locked down on the culprit."

"Who is it?" Jin Renguang asked.

The corner of Ke Shao's lips curled up in a sneer. "It's Yu Chuan."

A former acquaintance, Mr. Salesman who became the culprit's scapegoat willingly, Yu Chuan.

Jin Renguang's brows knitted and he ordered the three other people in the back seat. "Disperse around the area. Based on the culprit's personality, he's having Yu Chuan out to test us. If the police move, then he will be alarmed. Check on all the communication devices and CCTVs, discover how the culprit is monitoring Yu Chuan. Go!"

"Aye, Captain!" The door opened soundlessly and three people dived into three different locations and started their search.

"Ke Shao, go and ask Tang Wei to see which building that's best for viewing around here. It should have a clear look on the complex, inconspicuous and have an escape route ready." After hearing the order, Ke Shao nodded and started to connect with Tang Wei.

Jin Renguang leaned his head against the headrest, his eyes narrowed sharply, waiting just like a predator lurking amidst the dark.

In the tranquil night of bustling City A, the whole SCI squad began to move.

***

In the large van with its windows tinted dark, Xie Dong—one of the detectives—hung up the phone. His comrade, Luo Xiu, asked quietly. "Has Captain arrived?"

"Yes." Xie Dong answered. "He is 600 meters away, at the west gate. Come on, we are responsible for Yu Chuan while Captain will try to catch the snake behind the scene."

Luo Xiu grinned in excitement. "Yu Chuan ah, Yu Chuan. I have known that there was something wrong with him ever since Wang Chengbing pointed him out. Has it been almost three months ever since we interrogated him?"

"Two months and twenty days." Xie Dong corrected. Now that he had been fighting against a serial killer with a severe OCD case, hearing this kind of round and set numbers sent shivers down his spine. "This is definitely the culprit's work."

Inside the van weren't the usual rows of seats but only a flat ground with monitors all around the wall. Wires laid haphazardly across the ground with Xie Dong and Luo Xiu sitting on the empty space, a bag of potato chips in each of their hands.

Luo Xiu bit down on the seaweed flavored chips and narrowed his eyes to look at the screen. "Whose house did Yu Chuan break into again?"

There was a hint of sympathy in Xiu Dong's tone as he said, "It's Granny Kong and her beloved pomeranian's house."

Both men looked at each other, finding the same kind of schadenfreude and glee in their eyes. From all the people he could have possibly taken as hostage, he ended up choosing Granny Kong. They lit a candle in their heart for the miserable Yu Chuan.

Luo Xiu's shoulders relaxed. "It seems like we only have to wait for the mission to finish."

***

Yu Chuan hid in the back garden, among the field of lush vegetables free from pesticide and fertilizer. Even though his clothes were stained with dirt and mud, he couldn't care less. His manic and bloodshot eyes stared straight into the opposite house, seeing a skinny, jet black haired girl riding on an old bicycle into the yard.

She got off the bicycle and entered the house, flicking the lights on. Instantly, the cold, dark and desolate house was illuminated with soft, warm lights. A silhouette reflected behind the curtain as she opened the window slightly.

Yu Chuan waited in his position patiently until ten minutes later before moving.

He had done his job before coming here. This was an old complex with flats that was suitable for people who seek tranquility and peace. There were many elderlies living here, housewives who like to gossip but didn't care about other's business and white collar workers that he could beat up even with his eyes closed.

Yu Chuan suppressed the giddiness in his heart and steadily snuck into the house which was occupied by a single granny and her old dog. It was just a small, insignificant Pomeranian with measly strength, coupled with the old granny, it became a sumptuous delicacy for Yu Chuan to sink his teeth in.

Even though it was only 8 pm, Granny Kong had already gone to bed. The whole house sank into darkness but Yu Chuan's eyes were already accustomed to it. He crept into the kitchen and pulled out a long kitchen knife, his lips curled up in a malicious smirk.

His feet and hands were covered in a layer of protection to make sure that he wouldn't leave any trails behind.

When he glided across the living room, he didn't make any sound at all, just like a ghost who drifted in and out secretly.

The flat only had one floor and the design was simple and minimalistic. Thus it was simple for him to find Granny Kong's bedroom. He turned the doorknob and pushed it open slowly, bit by bit…

And was met with a pair of wet, limpid eyes.

The pomeranian's pupils reflected Yu Chuan's figure as it tilted its head in confusion. It sniffed around but didn't recognize this person, so it let out a whimper and was ready to bark. But sadly, before it could do that, Yu Chuan lunged forward like a beast and grabbed the tiny dog by its neck, cutting the yelp that was ready to slip out of its mouth.

The dog struggled madly, its throat letting out pained whines.

Yu Chuan really wanted to kill the dog, but a feeble voice drifted out from the bedroom. "Tangyuan, what's wrong?" Yu Chuan could only forget the dog for now as he threw it hard against the floor, its small body collided with the hard marble and twitched, then it remained motionless.

"Tangyuan?" Having not receive any answer, Granny Kong turned on the light and scanned her bedroom, but didn't find her beloved dog anywhere. "Tangyuan? Did you go to the bathroom again?"

She shuffled down from the bed and wore her slipper, then grabbed the cane stick by the nightstand and started to walk slowly to the door.

"Tangyuan—ah!!" A shadow flashed in front of Granny Kong, followed by a cold sensation on her neck.

A cold, fierce and deep voice hissed, but if one looked closer, they would be able to discover the slight tremble on his voice.. "Don't move, or else I will kill you."