My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Shi Nian's heart stopped beating for a moment as Jiang Jinyan's faint breath brushed her nose. The man's face magnified indefinitely in front of her to the point where they were close enough to…to…

Her fingers gripped his shirt so hard that it crumpled.

However, Jiang Jinyan stopped when they were only a few centimeters from each other.

Right at that moment, the footsteps walked to their side, followed by a surprised curse. "Fuck, what the hell…? If you want to make out, just get a room!" Then, that person turned into a corner with rapid and hasty steps.

Shi Nian peered up at him, eyelashes trembling.

Jiang Jinyan angled his head so that it looked like they were kissing passionately, but his voice in her ear was clear and piercing. "Can you see him?"

Startled, Shi Nian peeked out and saw the silhouette of the person who was getting further. It was a man wearing black T-shirt with jeans whose color had worn off. His entire person looked very unkempt with slightly messy hair. When the man turned into a corner, his eyes trailed to them and Shi Nian abruptly squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face into Jiang Jinyan's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" His arm on her waist tightened.

Shi Nian cracked open her eyes a bit and didn't see anyone there. She let out a sigh of relief and every single nerve in her body relaxed, causing her legs to weaken. Fortunately, Jiang Jinyan caught her in place and easily brought her back into the apartment building, closing the door behind them.

She took in large gulps of air, heartbeat drumming incessantly.

During that time, Jiang Jinyan had already pulled out his phone and from Shi Nian's peripheral vision, she could see him entering Xu Binchen's name. Without thinking, she grabbed his hand which earned a frown from him.

Shi Nian shook her head and typed on her phone. [Xu Binchen gege is sick. He's still sleeping upstairs.]

Jiang Jinyan frowned deeper.

[Is that person…the murderer?]

Instead of answering, Jiang Jinyan said simply. "Call the police."

Shi Nian gave him a 'wait a moment' gesture and opened her chat with Ru Meiqi. Fortunately, the woman replied in an instant.

[Meiqiqi]: !!!

[Meiqiqi]: What did you say?! You probably met the killer?

[Meiqiqi]: I am on my way right now, don't worry. There are police officers patrolling there. I have informed them about it.

[Meiqiqi]: Were you alone just now? Did he see your face?

[Ten Years]: No…Mr. Jiang Jinyan was there with me. The killer didn't see me thanks to him.

[Meiqiqi]: Pass him the call.

Then, Shi Nian's phone rang from Ru Meiqi's incoming call. She passed the phone to Jiang Jinyan which the man received swiftly. "Yes, this is Jiang Jinyan. No, don't worry. I made sure that he didn't see us. Yes, it's a man. I'm not sure if he's the one I saw last time." He gave Shi Nian a furtive glance. "It's Miss Shi who managed to see him so you might want to ask her instead. Yes, we are currently inside the building." Then, a long pause followed.

Shi Nian looked at him, curious as to what could make him so troubled like that.

"Alright." Jiang Jinyan pinched his brows. "I know. Right, thank you." The call ended and the phone returned to her.

Shi Nian couldn't hold back her curiosity. [What did she say?]

"Nothing." Jiang Jinyan let out a short sigh and when his eyes fell upon her, they were filled with slight displeasure and exasperation. "How old are you?"

Even though she didn't understand why he's asking that, Shi Nian still answered. [17.] Well, she would be seventeen in a few months so it didn't count as lying, right?

To her surprise, he's getting angrier instead. "You're already seventeen. Do you know what you should do when you're met with a situation like that? Instead of fulfilling your curiosity, you should step back, observe the situation properly and make a report to the police!"

Shi Nian's eyes widened in surprise.

This was the first time that Jiang Jinyan had said so many words to her. It was evident how he was angered by her recklessness. Shi Nian lowered her head but couldn't resist the curl of her lips. [I know. It's my fault. Don't worry.]

Jiang Jinyan was struck speechless and he cooled down in an instant. "…Who's worrying about you?"

Shi Nian pursed her lips, silent. Yet her eyes clearly told that she didn't believe any words he said. There was a faint glee and joy emerging in her golden eyes which were shining brighter. She decided not to chase after that topic anymore. [What are you doing there?]

"Just passing by." He bypassed her and walked forward.

Shi Nian chased after him. [Have you eaten yet? Did you get sick yesterday?]

  "No," he answered curtly.

Shi Nian wanted to ask further but she couldn't concentrate on walking and typing at the same time so she could only follow him to the elevator. There were only the two of them inside and Shi Nian scooted closer once again.

However, before she could finish typing, Jiang Jinyan snapped at her, his tone cold. "Why are you asking so much?"

Shi Nian froze and then slowly lowered her phone, no longer messing around. The elevator silently went up to the nineteenth floor and Jiang Jinyan stepped out, leaving her behind to stare at his nonchalant back.

She was complaining inwardly about Jiang Jinyan's bad temper when the man stopped in his tracks. He turned to the side and asked quietly. "Is there anyone else in your house?"

Shi Nian shook her head, confused.

Jiang Jinyan sighed as he surrendered and stepped back again. "The police officer just now asked us not to stay alone. So, do you want to stay at my place or your place?"

No matter what the choice was, it was all the same. If Jiang Jinyan went to her place, then they would totally be alone together for quite some time. Shi Nian felt her cheeks heated up at the notion.

But then, if she went to Jiang Jinyan's place…

She abruptly remembered the little kitten that she had seen before in his place. Light bulb popped up above her head and she beamed. [Let's go to your place!]

Jiang Jinyan seemed like he had expected that answer as he blocked the elevator door with his palm, letting her step out. Shi Nian hummed a random tune, her fear and anxiety earlier dispersed in an instant. Jiang Jinyan opened the door with a deadpan face then, a blue grey small fur hurled out from the sofa to hang onto Jiang Jinyan's leg, its golden eyes filled with coquettishness. "Mew~"

"Let go." He grabbed its scruff and pushed it aside.

Shi Nian crouched down and caught the kitten in her arms, hugging it happily. Two golden eyes stared at each other and Jiang Jinyan could somehow imagine the same expression on their faces. [What is its name?] she asked.

"Nothing."

She replied innocently. [Its name is 'nothing'?]

Jiang Jinyan opened the door wide and huffed. "It doesn't have a name."

The little kitten nuzzled against Shi Nian's cheeks, smelling like soap and sunshine. Very warm, soft and comfortable. How could Jiang Jinyan not give it any name? Pitiful little guy…Shi Nian patted its head and the kitten purred happily.

Jiang Jinyan left the door wide open and Shi Nian stepped into the room cautiously, looking around with wide eyes. Generally, the interior of the room was the same but this one was slightly smaller than hers and Xu Binchen's. There were two bedrooms that were connected with the living room, but somehow, Shi Nian felt that Jiang Jinyan's room was the same as Xu Binchen's. Cold, empty and emotionless. Like a place that wasn't home to return to, but only a place where they used to sleep.

There wasn't any unnecessary furniture or little trinkets that were special to its occupant. The curtain was beige in color and the sofa was grey black. Jiang Jinyan emerged from the kitchen with a cup of water. "Sit. I don't have anything to drink except water so just bear with it for a while."

Shi Nian shook her head and sat on the sofa with the kitten on her lap.

Jiang Jinyan threw it a disdainful glance and sat opposite Shi Nian.

Then, the atmosphere turned silently awkward. No, to be exact, it was only Jiang Jinyan who felt awkward because the girl's gaze was so scorching that it was hard to ignore. Jiang Jinyan frowned impatiently, his skeptical and deep eyes stared straight at her.

"What are you looking at? Is there a flower on my face?"