My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

The days passed by as usual. After the incident with Ruo Tingran, there wasn't any remarkable event in Shi Nian's life. Her days were filled with studying, studying and studying. Qiang Fei was promoted to be a branch leader and got busier due to that. In exchange, Shi Nian often spent time with Jiang Jinyan.

She would do her homework while he's working on his assignment. After that, they played with Little Apple, had dinner together and cuddled sometimes. It couldn't be more fulfilling than that.

Everything was so peaceful on the surface, unaware that there was a huge storm coming soon afterward. 

Xu Binchen was either not at home or he would return in the middle of the night. It seemed like work had piled up lately. Sometimes, Shi Nian's message wouldn't even be read until a few days later.

Shi Nian had no clear idea what he was busy with. But it seemed like the police had been preparing for something huge. The rumors of how they dug out a few corpses started to spread around the city, originating from the citizens who lived near the mountain. Worse, everyone started to connect it to the serial killer, protesting that the city wasn't safe anymore and how the police was incompetent to always let the culprit escape. 

[Xu Binchen]: Don't care too much about the gossip. It has nothing to do with the serial killer.

That was the only response Xu Binchen gave when she brought up the topic.

Sighing, Shi Nian typed.

[Ten Years]: Are you very busy?

[Xu Binchen]: It's good that you know it. Don't bother me anymore and go finish your homework. Eat on time and sleep properly.

Shi Nian had just wanted to type when a palm covered his phone screen. "Is it so fun texting him that you ignore your boyfriend?" Jiang Jinyan's voice came above her, sulking.

"No." Shi Nian hastily typed an OK and pocketed her phone. Turning around, she held Jiang Jinyan's hands and gave him a flattering smile. "How can I ever ignore you?" He was always feeling sour toward Xu Binchen. Shi Nian was helpless at first but after it happened oftentimes, she had somehow gotten used to it, even accustomed to appeasing his temper tantrums.

Jiang Jinyan scoffed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her aside. "Walk where you're going. You almost bumped into someone."

"Ah—I'm sorry!" Shi Nian bowed in apology toward the passerby she almost crashed into if not for Jiang Jinyan. Her fair cheeks reddened slightly, not only from the embarrassment for being such a klutz but also from the heat emanating from Jiang Jinyan's body. The two stood so close together that she could sniff his cool and clean cologne. It always made her heart race like never before. 

She peered at his side profile; straight nose, thin pale lips and well defined jaw, so sharp it could cut through rocks… "Hmm?" Shi Nian blinked and tiptoed, measuring the crown of her head to his body. "Jinyan, are you taller?"

He lowered his eyes slightly. The mask covering his face made them look all the more dazzling and captivating. The front of his hair had been pulled back into a half bun, showing his clean and smooth forehead. 

Hearing her question, the corner of his eyes curved slightly and he pressed his palm down her head. "Are you sure?" Bending until their eyes were on a similar level, he continued in a teasing tone. "It's not you who has gotten smaller?"

"No!" Shi Nian puffed up her cheeks. "See, it's you." She measured their heights again. "I recalled that I could reach your chin but now, I am only as tall as your shoulder! Are you having a growth spurt? How can you be so tall?"

Jiang Jinyan chuckled. "My father is over 190 cm while my mother isn't short either. It's in my genes."

"Hmm…" How tall was General Jiang again? Shi Nian tried hard to recall to no avail. In her memory, General Jiang stood towering and formidable not only because of his physique but also the aura he exuded. They had never stood this close before because Shi Nian had a habit of following behind him, always gazing at his back—transfixed. 

"What are you thinking about again?" Jiang Jinyan cupped her cheeks. "Your skin is so cold." Frowning, he wrapped the scarf tighter around her. "Be careful not to catch a cold. It's a very important period for you right now. In a few weeks, you're going to have your university entrance examination, right?"

"Yes, that's right!" Shi Nian's eyes sparkled in determination. "Wait for me. I will definitely get into Sangzhe University!"

"Alright." He gave a soft, very gentle smile. "I will always wait for you."

Shi Nian stared up at him, dazed. Her heart thumped furiously as if almost breaking out of her ribcage. What was with that gentle and doting voice? That was so unfair! Regrettably, Jiang Jinyan didn't give her any time to calm down as he grasped her hand and pulled her along. "Come on. Let's go home."

She stumbled along, eyes landing on their intertwined hands. Slowly, a blissful grin bloomed on her face.

Turns out, it was possible to love a person more and more with each day. It was quite disconcerting how fast her feelings had grown. It had reached the point where she was afraid that if Jiang Jinyan wasn't by her side anymore, she wouldn't be able to bear it even for a second.

Of course, they would always be together…right?

"What are you talking about?" Shi Nian snapped out of her senses. Only then did she realize that she had voiced the question out loud. She gave a sheepish grin and was ready to shift the topic when Jiang Jinyan said with certainty. "Even if you want to leave me, I won't let you go."

"W—What…? I won't!" She skipped forward and linked her arms with him, grinning foolishly. "I'm the one who should say that!"

The two walked down the street, immersed in their own world without caring for anyone around. That's why they didn't notice a man in a hooded jacket had been trailing them ever since Shi Nian left the school. 

The lips that weren't hidden under the shadows slowly pulled up into a manic, crazy grin. "My little girl, wait for me. Soon…everything will be ready soon."

***

Smiles colored Jiang Jinyan's eyes even when he had sent Shi Nian off for the day. He closed the door behind him and lifted Little Apple to his arm, stroking the cat's fluffy fur softly. "You're getting fatter and fatter. I should tell Shi Nian not to feed you so much."

"Mew!" Little Apple's fur stood up and it bounced off Jiang Jinyan's embrace, running toward its nest and protesting aggrievedly a few more times. "Mew mew mew!"

"Why? Unhappy?" Jiang Jinyan chuckled, sat on the couch and took off his artificial leg, sighing. For a while, he leaned his head back without moving. The only sound in the room came from the ticking clock and Little Apple's claws scratching the post.

It was so quiet and desolate. As soon as Shi Nian left, he was overwhelmed by the loneliness which came out of nowhere.

There was something Jiang Jinyan never told anyone. To be honest, he was very disturbed by the fact that the serial killer was still prancing around freely around Shi Nian. Even worse when one of the possible suspects was his father's secretary, Si Zhening. Exactly how did that old man choose his secretary? It's so lousy that even such a dubious person could pass, he grumbled.

Left with no choice, Jiang Jinyan grabbed his phone and opted to text him instead.

[Jiang Jinyan]: Father, there's something I want to talk to you about. Please call me once you receive this message. It's about your secretary, Si Zhening.

He had just put down his phone when it suddenly rang. 

Jiang Jinyan was pleasantly surprised for a split second before realizing that it was only a text. Disappointment flooded his chest. 

Soon after, his expression froze abruptly. Why was he upset? He wasn't waiting for Jiang Huocheng's call, okay?!

He grumbled and opened the text which came from an unknown number.

This time, he was genuinely stunned, unable to recover even after a while.

[Hello, Mr. Jiang Jinyan. Have you ever wondered whether your mother's mental disease was hereditary? Let me tell you, it's not. Your mother didn't die of mere suicide, she was driven to do it. Are you interested to know who is the one who spurred your mother's death?]

Jiang Jinyan moved his stiff fingers and typed slowly, his heart beating irregularly inside his chest. [Who are you? What do you want?]

[Who I am isn't important. I merely wish to help you see the truth. Jiang Huocheng isn't as noble as you imagine him to be. Otherwise, how could your healthy mother suddenly go insane all of a sudden? Don't be fooled, Mr. Jiang. Open your eyes and see clearly who is your enemy. Do you not wish to seek justice for her?]

Buzz rang out in his ears. The words swiveled in his mind yet none registered truly. 

Who was this person? They knew his parents and also the truth behind her mother's death when all that was exposed in public was how Guan Xiaoxiao died of a chronic illness. Who could it be? His father's business rival? 

His mother's suicide…was it really intentional? Someone was inciting her?

Jiang Jinyan's fingers pressed so hard that his knuckles turned white. Slowly, his lips curled up into a cold smile, his eyes even more so. 

[I'm in. Tell me.]

Let's see what kind of nonsense this bastard would tell him.

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A/N: Yep, the finale is here. Prepare yourself hehehe