My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

"This is the last place." Jia Ming'en said inside the car with hardly any change in his expression. 

They were in an old residential complex which had been abandoned for quite long. The building was constructed in a tube shape and the prolonged desertion had caused the yard to be filled with wild grass and overgrown bushes. It was so old that the paint had peeled off and moss grew rampant on every corner.

"Are you sure?" Xu Binchen asked.

He nodded quietly. "Actually, Si Zhening is a very systematic person. Once you recognize his habit, you will be able to figure him out easily. He won't do anything without preparation and…this is the most suitable place." Jia Ming'en pointed toward a direction. "That's the entrance to the basement. Si Zhening used to live there before he joined my father's group."

Ke Shao repeated incredulously. "Si Zhening used to live here?" He looked at the shabby complex once again, unable to believe his ears. "Here?"

"What's so surprising about it? I never heard him talk about his family. He has always been alone." Jia Ming'en shrugged. "Unused basements like this are cheap so it's suitable for people who struggled economically. Sometimes, you don't even have to pay the rent because practically nobody wants to live there. It's dark, cramped and moldy. The air is stench with a rotten odor and water will drip down from below."

Xu Binchen recalled how Si Zhening wasn't registered in the Si Family and guessed that there was more than what meets the eye. Based on Si Yusheng's statement, Si Zhening only ever interacted with Si Qingzhao so it's no wonder that he lived astray once the woman died.

Still, it was kind of hard to believe that such a sophisticated person like Si Zhening—who looked like he would drive a limousine around—had once lived in such a dirty place.

What about his OCD? Or…did everything start from here?

"Where are you going?" Ke Shao's voice snapped Xu Binchen out of his thoughts. He lifted his head to see Jia Ming'en already wrapped himself with a scarf and opened the door.

"I'm done here." He deadpanned. "If you want to catch him, then feel free to do so. I…don't want to see it when that happens."

Ke Shao sneered. "Funny coming from the person who brought us here."

Jia Ming'en acted as if he heard nothing and proceeded to leave. 

"Wait." Xu Binchen suddenly called out. Jia Ming'en turned his head sideways and raised one of his brows. "Why do you know so much about him?" The man asked.

Jia Ming'en was taken aback by that question and fell silent for a while. "Well…just because." After leaving that sentence, he turned around and left for real without looking back.

"What's with that boy?" Ke Shao grumbled. "Do you trust him? Would he be so kind as to guide us to the right place? What if he colluded with that bastard Si Zhening to trap us here?"

Xu Binchen looked at the young man's back who was almost swallowed by the pure white landscape. He drifted further and further…until the end, what could be seen was only a black dot far in the distance. Xu Binchen couldn't help thinking that he looked especially…lonely and desolate. 

He shook his head slowly. "I don't think so. Come on, we should report back to Captain Jin and formulate some plans."

Xu Binchen scanned the surroundings for the last time and turned the car around.

The overcast sky encased the bleak and barren residential complex, compelling a gloomy premonition to whoever saw it. The whole scene looked like a prelude to a fateful and calamitous showdown, one that would change their lives forever.

Countdown until the time's up: 21 hours 44 minutes 32 seconds.

***

"So, the places he might be at are…" Jin Renguang circled the two locations on the map spread above the table. "His former junior high school and the old residential complex. Both places have been deserted for at least five years. Based on the video, the place Jiang Jinyan was detained in is a dark, cramped space with brick walls. If what Jia Ming'en said was true, then the possibility of him being in the complex's basement is more palpable."

Everyone nodded whereas Ke Shao was still grumbling. "We're searching for Si Zhening and coincidentally, some dude popped up and brought us to where he is. Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence?"

"It's not a coincidence."

Ke Shao turned to Wang Chengbing who had just spoken. "What do you mean?"

"Jia Ming'en. That's him, right?" He turned his laptop screen around to show Ke Shao the CCTV footage of Jia Ming'en perching on his motorcycle under the snowy weather. "Ever since the wanted poster of Si Zhening was spread, he has been lurking around Si Zhening's house, presumably wanting to catch him red handed."

"Damn…" Ke Shao rubbed his arms. "Is he a stalker then?!"

Wang Chengbing rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Jin Renguang who had started to give out orders. "We will form two teams. First, Ke Shao and Xu Binchen, you two will lead Team 1 to check out Si Zhening's junior high. Wang Chengbing, assist them. First, we will observe to see whether there's any sign of him around. Remember, don't alert anyone. As soon as you confirm the news, share it to others through our channel's walkie talkie. Team 2, we will stand by near the residential complex and wait for Team 1's report. If Si Zhening is indeed in the complex, then everyone will gather there at once and we will break through from both sites. Understand?"

"YES, SIR!"

Xu Binchen, Ke Shao and Wang Chengbing saluted then proceeded to rush toward the junior high school. The weapons and bulletproof vests had been prepared and they had received Director Fen's full approval thus everything went down smoothly.

Before leaving, Jin Renguang stopped by his office and carried out his usual habit. First, water his plants and tidy up the messy folders. Then, made sure that his will was placed atop of his table where his subordinates would find it easily in case something unexpected happened to him.

"Must you do this?" Ru Meiqi's voice came from the doorway. The woman had his hair pulled up into a tight bun and tight combat suit enveloping her curves and edges as she leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest.

"It's a habit." Jin Renguang frowned. "Are you really coming with us?"

She straightened up and said in a serious tone. "Captain Jin, I am also part of your team."

Jin Renguang fixed his stare on her, myriads of indescribable emotions flashed through his eyes. In the end, every sentiment he hadn't had the chance to express ended with a single chuckle. 

"You're right." No matter if it was five years ago or now, he knew that he wouldn't be able to change her mind. That's how stubborn she was and he loved that about her. "But I have high expectations toward my comrades."

A smile formed on her lips, eyes twinkling in determination. "I know."

Jin Renguang approached her slowly, his pace slow and composed yet it also seemed like he would suddenly pounce and do something totally unexpected. Ru Meiqi gulped inaudibly and fixed her eyes ahead.

The atmosphere outside the door was a full blown chaos. Yet in Jin Renguang's eyes, only her silhouette was reflected vividly as if she was the only thing he could see. And perhaps, that's also the truth.

In the end, when he passed by, his fingers reached out to hook against hers lightly, teasing yet also contained a hint of affection. "Qiqi…" He whispered. "After the case is solved, there's something I want to tell you."

Ru Meiqi froze and it wasn't until Jin Renguang turned to face her did she snap out of her senses. Her heart beat furiously inside her chest. Whether it was nervousness or anticipation, she couldn't ascertain. 

"Me too…" She murmured in a low voice., eyelashes quivering. "Me too, Renguang."

They had so much to talk about, so many to catch up on. After everything ended, they could finally sit down and have a proper conversation; a deep, heart-to-heart talk. 

That's why…they had to end this soon.

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A/N: Sorry for the late update! I'm so happy to see you speculate your doubts in the comment section. What I can say is.... no spoiler fufufu. Everything will fall in place soon so please wait for it~