When I returned to the dorm, Mai Qi was 'educating' Jing Ni. "How can you be so feeble? Look at Jing Yan, she is so domineering. You are both misses of the Jing Family so how can you be so different from her? So what if your father is gone? Your surname is still Jing, right? If they dare to mistreat you, Nanxing and I will back you up. Don't be afraid of them!"
I smiled. "You are more than enough to back her up, why bring me into it?"
Mai Qi glared at me. "Are you saying that you won't back her up when they bully Ni Ni?"
I didn't say anything.
Lu Yan commented, "You all have such good relationship."
I sighed, "That's because Jing Ni has once saved my life!" Jing Ni smacked me jokingly, "Nanxing, stop exaggerating!" I knew she didn't like to talk about that incident, plus Lee Yang was featured in it.
I changed the subject. "What is your oldest aunt up to? Is she trying to sell you?"
Jing Ni shook her head. "I don't know but it chills me just thinking about it. She has never treated me so kindly before."
Mai Qi pouted. "One is not so solicitous for no reason!"
I thought about it and asked, "Mai Qi, do you know who Ni Ni's oldest aunt is?"
Mai Qi rolled her eyes. "Her oldest aunt is her oldest aunt!"
I reminded her. "Jing Ni's oldest aunt is your good friend, Jing Yan's mother!" I emphasized the word, good friend.
Mai Qi said stubbornly, "So what?"
I shrugged. "I just want to tell you that so that you wouldn't say the wrong thing and accidentally offend someone!"
"Ha! Like I'm afraid of that."
Well, she was right. There was no reason for Mai Qi to be afraid of offending anyone.
...
The next afternoon, after class, I returned to the dorm but I couldn't find Jing Ni. I thought she had activities with her other friends so I didn't think much of it. I was quite hungry and remembered that Auntie Bai Rui said there was a sweet chestnut stall behind the campus. On a whim, I went to buy 2 packs. One for me and Jing Ni and the other for Auntie Bai Rui. Their house wasn't far from campus anyway.
On the way there, I received a call from my group of 4. They said they were around the university and wanted to come visit me. I told them to meet me in front of Jing Ni's new neighbourhood.
I knocked on Jing Ni's front door and the door swung open lazily. Are they not home?
When I saw the living room, my heart squeezed. The living room was a mess.
I tiptoed forward and tried to not touch anything. "Auntie Bai Rui?"
No one answered.
After making sure there was no one inside the house, I looked outside the house. Auntie Bai Rui was not home.
I cursed internally and quickly called my group of four.
...
On the other hand, the group of four stood at the neighbourhood gate and saw a car drive past them. Inside the car, Bai Rui was struggling. Before they understood what happened, my call came. They were shocked. They clued me in on what happened.
I had Brother Hu investigate the background of the car while I called Jing Ni. Sure enough, there was no answer. Auntie Bai Rui didn't go out much. Who would kidnap her and for what? The reason was simple, to threaten Jing Ni. There was not many people who would do that, one of them was Jing Ning and his mother!
I immediately had Brother Hu search the city for Bai Rui's whereabouts. I offered great rewards for everyone who could provide me with clues. Those who refused to tell the truth or were involved would have to go to hell!
I called Mai Qi and had her call Jing Ni until she picked up. Perhaps the person would feel pressured when they saw it was Mai Qi who was calling.
I summoned Su Qian and Su Shen before heading to the Jing Family.
Su Qian drove the car and she asked me worriedly, "Miss, how sure are you that Miss Jing Ni is with the Jing Family?"
I shook my head. "I can't be sure but I know that pair of mother and son has to be involved!"
Su Shen asked, "Miss, what do you plan to do?"
I gripped my fists. "I need them to talk! They have to tell me where Jing Ni is!"
"Should I call Master Qi?" Su Shen asked worriedly.
"No!" I said without hesitation. I looked at them firmly.
"I have already told Brother Hu that this is Sky City's problem. It has nothing to do with Dragon's Gate and Ardent Flame Alliance!" Su Shen and Su Qian went silent.
I knew what they were worried about. I said, "I have no idea how many dangers my little uncle and Jing Tian have blocked for me, but you do. I am done being their burden.. Plus this time, the victim is my closest friend, I need to help her. I don't want them to worry, I know what I'm doing!"