My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

When Jin Renguang returned to the police station, what welcomed him was a depressing and gloomy atmosphere. Taken aback, he asked. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Ugh, Captain!" Wang Chengbing took the lead to complain. "You can't imagine how miserable I am!"

Qin Weizhe clicked his tongue and shook his head. "Shi Nian is so pitiful…"

Ru Meiqi sighed and stared out of the window blankly, a cup of steaming coffee in her hands. 

Jin Renguang approached her and leaned down slightly. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Ru Meiqi shook her head silently and sighed again. It caused Jin Renguang to grow frustrated. He straightened up and pointed at Qin Weizhe. "Okay, come here and tell me what all of this is about."

"Okay—ah, Binchen!" Qin Weizhe exclaimed in shock when Xu Binchen entered the office. His face still had residual dampness on it and his hair was wet, strands of it hanging down over his forehead. "Are you washing your face or burying your head under the cold water? Are you crazy? This is winter, you know! The temperature is 5 degrees Celsius!"

"I know." Xu Binchen said in a gruffed tone and wiped his hair casually with tissue. Noticing Jin Renguang, he nodded slightly. "You're here, Captain?"

"Yes. What happened when I was out?"

Ru Meiqi tugged on his palm and pointed at his computer. "Listen to the recording. I have sent it to your mail." 

Jin Renguang nodded and went to it. The total statement Shi Nian gave didn't even exceed ten minutes, mixed with stutters, sniffles and cries. However, the content was enough to make him cuss out loud. 

The words Si Yusheng said earlier repeatedly echoed in his mind.

Nan Cheng. He's the owner of Dreamscape Bar and the main suspect for murdering those corpses in the wall. Based on Si Yusheng's statement, he's also the one who caused his wife—Si Qingzhao's death. In short, he was an important individual worth monitoring. Yet, it's not going to be easy because they ought to search for evidence before they could act. Moreover, he was sure that Director Fen was on Nan Cheng's side. That alone messed up the situation even more.

On the other hand, Si Zhening was an adopted son of the Si Family and he was quite close to Si Qingzhao. After her death, he disappeared from the Si Family. It was unknown what he was up to. 

Now, the most important question was: if Si Zhening was really there the day Shi Nian escaped, was he the serial killer or a mere standbyer? There's a few problems with Nan Xukun too. Had his hallucination been cured already? What role did he play amidst all of this?

Jin Renguang massaged his brows and went out to the balcony to smoke. 

Plans after plans started to form in his mind however, every single one was equally dangerous. He was confident that he could handle the risk, but his teammates couldn't. He couldn't afford to put them in danger so he must seek a way that could benefit both sides.

Nan Cheng, Si Yusheng, Si Zhening…what's the middle point that connected them?

The fingers that held the cigarette paused as the answer popped up in his mind in an instant. 

Of course, the mafia!

Nan Cheng was said to have paid the mafia to bury the corpse for him whereas Si Zhening…let's say if he wanted to take revenge on Si Qingzhao's death, what was the best way to topple down a powerful figure like Nan Cheng? 

RIght, it was to use underhanded tricks. If he was in Si Zhening's shoes, as someone who had nothing—no wealth nor power—he would risk his life to join the mafia, gain Jia Renyu's trust and become one of their important networks. 

In exchange… 

"Kill Nan Cheng for me." He murmured under his breath.

"Kill who?" The sudden voice interrupted his line of thought. Before Jin Renguang's brain could react, his body had acted first. Turning around, he slammed his elbow toward that person, his eyes murderous…

…then he froze in place when he saw that person's face, barely stopping by a hair's breadth. 

"Qiqi…" Jin Renguang's body relaxed instantly, deflated like a balloon. "Haven't I taught you countless times not to creep up on me from behind? You know how my reflexes work. Are you okay?" He supported the pale Ru Meiqi to sit down on the bench and went to get her a cup of warm water. "Here, drink first. Sorry…did I surprise you that much?"

"Haha…" Ru Meiqi laughed blankly. She had always known that Jin Renguang was as strong as an ox with sharp reflex, but it wasn't until now that she felt it firsthand how dangerous he was. Looking at Jin Renguang who was putting on a sad puppy expression, Ru Meiqi realized for the first time how gentle he had always been in front of her. "Who did you want to kill just now?"

"That…" Jin Renguang scratched his nose awkwardly. "Nothing, I just…"

"Did you imagine yourself in the suspect's mind again?" Even just looking at his face, Ru Meiqi knew she got the answer right. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that? It's not healthy for your mind. If you're not careful, you might find yourself trapped inside." 

"It's a habit." Jin Renguang sat opposite her and sighed. "It's easier for me to deduce their line of thoughts that way."

"No one is asking you to brood over there yourself!" She berated angrily. "If there's something you can't solve, then you should discuss it with everyone!"

"I know…" He smiled and gingerly touched her hand. Upon noticing that she didn't show any rejection whatsoever, he grew more courageous and fiddled with her fingers, stroking the tender flesh on the back of her palm in a comforting manner. "I will not do it again. Don't be angry, Qiqi…"

Ru Meiqi harrumphed. "Don't give me that nonsense. Just promise me to take a psychology test after the case is solved, okay?"

"Alright, alright." Jin Renguang grinned happily then hastily changed the topic. "Speaking of it, how about that brat Jia Renyu's son? He still hasn't contacted us?"

"Ah, you reminded me. Just now, your phone rang." Ru Meiqi took the phone out of her pocket and handed it to him. "It's an unknown number. Do you happen to know who it is?"

Jin Renguang checked it and shook his head slowly. "I have no idea." In a timely manner, the phone rang again from the same number. He picked it up right away. "Hello? This is Jin Renguang speaking."

The other side was silent for a moment. "...Detective Jin?"

Jin Renguang frowned. The deep, baritone male voice sounded kind of familiar but he couldn't remember where he had heard it before. "Yes, who is speaking?"

"I'm surprised you didn't recognize my voice. After all the length you've gone to pressure us, I thought you might be expecting my call." The man introduced himself at the same time when Jin Renguang recalled his name. "I am Jia Renyu. Let's get to the point, where should we meet?"

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A/N: hehe we're getting close to the climax. Prepare yourself for the truth!