Chapter 120: Reasons to hate small towns.

In the villa, Liwu was packing a bag. The case was in Beijing and her entire team had been invited to investigate. Surprisingly, Weijun was willing to go along for all three days.

“Are you following me just to escape your ex?” She paused, holding a t-shirt in her hands. “You don’t have to do this. I trust you.”

Weijun smiled stiffly. He did not trust her trust in him. He also didn’t trust Manman to keep a proper distance from him now that she had access to the house again. “I think we should move,” he suggested. He strapped a neck pillow around his neck casually.

Liwu frowned. “Why? We just moved here.”

He grimaced. Discomfort was written over his face. “Feng’er is not going to listen to reason. Manman is going to keep coming around. I think–”

“Then let Weifeng move.” She cut him off. “I am comfortable here and I like how your mom treats me. I like the gardens, the pool, the Yuening.”

“Then we take them all.” Weijun said quickly.

Liwu threw the shirt on the bed. “And what message does that send? That I am scared you will not be able to stop yourself from loving her? I will not be run out of my home by a two timing con artist.”

Weijun groaned. “See, she has not been here for a hour and we are already arguing? I don’t like this. Everyone is going to be on tension.”

“Like I said, let Weifeng move.” Liwu insisted. “I am tired of moving from places I like just to make other people comfortable.” She zipped the case. “We are late, we will discuss this after the case is solved.” She pulled her case, but when she reached the door, Weijun took the handle from her.

So, she followed after him, picked up Majesty and Reaper and then they were off to the airport. Just like always, it was a smooth transition from security to the plane. The team was already on board, most of them sleeping in their seats.

Liwu chose her usual seat on the jet, covered her eyes and sought some sleep. She didn’t move when she felt someone dip beside her. She did not shake her body when Weijun whispered her name.

“We are not talking about this,” she replied hastily.

Weijun sighed and let her be.

****

It didn’t take long for them to arrive in Beijing. From there, they climbed into SOB vehicles that were waiting. Liwu could not recall the last time she had traveled to or from Beijing like this. In fact, it struck her as odd that the Bureau had not simply teleported them to the crime scene. The flight and drive were a waste of precious time.

The SUV in which she was sitting had Linlin, and Weijun. They were talking about the infrastructure of the city. Well, Weijun was talking about it and Linlin was listening, occasionally making a comment here and there.

“Does anyone know the details of the case?” She cut in?

Linlin activated all comms by touching the dashboard. This way, everyone, could share the information they had, especially the Chief, who had kept the files to himself.

“We are going to Qinghe town.” Chief Abby informed them.

Liwu hit the brakes. “Qinghe town?”

“Yes.” The chief replied.

She took her communication device out of her ear and directly dialled He Xiao Yi. Her face screamed anxiety.

“What?” Weijun asked.

Liwu restarted the car, and still continued calling Xiao Yi, even though he refused to answer. “Qinghe town is He Xiao Yi’s hometown. He has not been back there for over a decade as far as I know.” She also knew that he had vowed never to return.

“Why?” Weijun asked.

Linlin was equally curious.

Liwu shook her head. “I don’t know, but I am guessing we might get a chance to find out.” She could already guess what mood He Xiao Yi would be in during the duration of this case. He was either going to be unusually quiet or more of an asshole than usual.

“Do you want me to poke around?” Majesty asked.

Liwu sighed. “No, I respect his privacy. The case is more important.”

They came to the town, and a squad car with a local officer picked them up. He took them through the main road, a single one that led in and out of the town. Qinghe was a small town, but a proud one. It was nestled between low hills and a winding river. The town had an old-world charm that was maintained rigorously: cobblestone streets, tiled rooftops, horses and carriages, lanterns.

Everywhere their cars passed, town people stared and whispered. Within an hour, everyone would know about their arrival.

“I hate small towns like this.” Linlin declared. “Everyone knows everyone and there are a million secrets beneath the surface. Everything you see is often a lie. The people, they tend to be off, obsessed with the town.”

Weijun nodded. “I am a big city man myself. The population is big, it is great for anonymity, more services, better health care.” Like Linlin, he judged the town basing on series and movies he had watched. “Places these like these have scandals, unselved crimes and shadows.”

“Which one do you think He Xiao Yi was running from?” Linlin asked.

The cars turned down a path that let to a fortress at the heart of the town, the prestigious Qinghe Academy. Everyone in the country had heard of this school. It was the pride of the town and envy of outsiders. Only twenty students were admitted each year, and they had to be the best of the best from all over the country.

Its classrooms smelled of chalk and ink, its labs were lined with innovations, its walls decorated with success stories. Most of its reputation rested on the brilliance of Professor Ce, the teacher whose system had shaped fifty nine talents for the nation.

It had carved dragon gates and courtyards with ancient pines.

“My mother had tried to get all her children into this school.” Weijun commented. “Sadly, they only take geniuses or system hosts. Money does not buy you a place here.”

“Eh!” Liwu made a skeptical sound. “Every child from my family has received an invitation and we all refused to come. This place may be a beacon but it is a pressure cooker. My father said our families have given enough to the country and he was not going to sacrifice his children on the altar of Qinghe, just to make people envious.” The saddest irony of the academy sitting in this town was that none of the children of the town folk had ever been admitted.

As far as Liwu was concerned, going in, the town resented the school and one day, someone would set it on fire.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep