My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

For Lei Liqiu, life after escaping from Dreamscape Bar couldn't be more mundane. Just a few days had passed, but she felt like the thrill, anticipation and nervousness of that day's ship hijacking was an event that happened in the previous lifetime. Her memory was blurry and chaotic, making it seem even more like a dream.

The first thing she did after returning was to file a report against her scum ex boyfriend for his fraudulent act and the evidence that he was clearly involved in more ways than one with the human trafficking in the bar. However, only after the police took action did she find out that Zhu Zhenli — that scum — had a huge debt on his shoulder and was currently on a run. 

Once again, Lei Liqiu was overwhelmed by disbelief. She couldn't have imagined that the sunny, innocent and puppy-like man who chased after her everywhere was actually so rotten and disgusting underneath his mask. 

The following event after that was uneventful. She returned home, had a good cry with her mother, cheered herself up after waking up the next day and proceeded to search for a job. Because she had a good qualification in university, she easily landed herself a job in an foreign English based company. The wage wasn't bad, at least it was better than her previous job. 

Her life slowly returned to normal and from that day on, she hadn't met with Xu Binchen again nor did she have any reason to.

Well, she still sent a message to him every once in a while but the man never bothered to reply. Lei Liqiu even wondered whether he read it as everything was like stones sinking down to the ocean

Maybe...this was it. The man obviously showed that he wasn't interested in her. If she kept on making a pass on him, then wouldn't she look like a desperate and wanton girl? Lei Liqiu didn't want Xu Binchen to think of her like that, thus the only thing she could do was try to forget. She should be able to, afterall she had only known the man for less than a year. They couldn't even be considered as friends — only acquaintances.

A chilly winter arrived amidst the storm that shook the entire city's foundation. The CEO of Henan Corporation, Nan Cheng, was taken away by the police with a string of crime accusations stamped on his body. It really overturned people's opinion of him. Not only Lei Liqiu, but her mother was also shocked as she was quite a fan of Nan Cheng.

"So it's this bastard who is the ringleader behind the human trafficking!" Mother Lei cursed when they were sitting together at dinner one day. The newscaster passionately reported Nan Cheng's crimes one by one — each was more shocking than the other. "This is why you shouldn't trust a rich, handsome man! Ckckck, look at that bastard's face! Even with a handcuff around his wrists, he still doesn't show an ounce of guilt!"

Lei Liqiu nodded, her mouth full of rice. 

Mother Lei patted her chest, still with lingering fear within. "Fortunately you have been rescued. They really... didn't do anything to you, right, Qiuqiu?"

Lei Liqiu shook her head helplessly and gave the anxious woman a smile. Patting her hand, she replied, "No, they really didn't. Actually… I even lived quite a comfortable life compared to others. It's all thanks to Detective Xu. I'm sorry to have made you worried sick, Mom."

"Detective Xu? Is it the very cool and handsome man with a domineering aura just like a CEO?" Mother Lei's eyes brightened up at the mention of him. 

Where was the woman who had just vowed not to trust a rich and handsome man? Lei Liqiu nodded, amused. However, in the next second, realization dawned on her. "Wait a moment, how do you know him? You've met him before...?"

Mother Lei hummed happily. "That Detective Xu, he's a really good man. When you were gone, he came to visit me almost every week to fill me in on the update of your case. He always told me not to worry, that he would definitely save you out of that place. Otherwise, do you think I could still manage to eat and drink when your fate out there was still unknown?!"

"Wha—" Lei Liqiu almost choked on her food. "He—He came here almost every week?"

"Uh-huh." Mother Lei chuckled. "Why are you so shocked?"

Lei Liqiu couldn't close her jaw. Were they still talking about the same Xu Binchen? That Xu Binchen, who treated her as distant as a stranger after the case was solved? That Xu Binchen, who always had an impatient frown when he was talking? Was it possible for him to be so caring as to comfort a stranger's mother?

...No, actually it was. Hadn't she realized it? Beneath that cold exterior of his, he had always been a caring and passionate man who put the priority of others above himself.

Xu Binchen was exactly that kind of endearing man.

Lei Liqiu clenched her fists. The feeling that she had tried very hard to ignore came crashing down like a tsunami. She didn't want to give up, didn't want them to end up just like this. 

Right now, she really, really wanted to see him.

Hastily finishing her food and washing the dishes, she refused Mother Lei's offer to watch TV together and locked herself in her room, dilemma.

How should she contact him first?

Texting him was a no-no, it was just like smashing her head into the brick wall. No matter how bloodied she became, the wall would still be unmoved.

Her fingers trailed down toward another contact beneath Xu Binchen, one that she had never thought she would need one day.

Shi Nian, the only girl who seemed to have a close relationship with Xu Binchen and also...the girl he liked. 

Lei Liqiu swallowed and after inhaling deeply a few times, started a new conversation with Shi Nian. 

[Lei Liqiu]: Good evening, this is Lei Liqiu. Do you still remember me?

The reply came within seconds, making Lei Liqiu so shocked that she almost dropped the phone. With her heart beating faster, she opened the message that was filled with nothing but cordiality. 

[Shi Nian]: Good evening to you too. Of course I do! How can I forget you? laugh.jpg

[Shi Nian]: How are you doing? Sorry, I have been wanting to contact you sooner but things have been a bit chaotic lately. 

[Lei Liqiu]: No, no it's okay. I am doing very well, thanks for asking. Um...what do you seek me for?

[Shi Nian]: Don't be so formal. I am younger than you, Sister Liqiu :) you can address me comfortably. 

[Shi Nian]: Nothing important. I just want to get to know you better. Afterall, you're a friend of Binchen gege.

Lei Liqiu smiled wryly. She and Xu Binchen… they really weren't friends but she had no idea how to correct Shi Nain's misunderstandings. 

…Wait a moment. Wasn't this a good time for her to ask about him?! Lei Liqiu hastily replied.

[Lei Liqiu]: It's been quite long since I met Detective Xu. I wonder...how is he doing lately?

[Shi Nian]: Binchen gege? 

[Shi Nian]: He's...not very good. His health deteriorated again and he's now in the hospital.

Lei Liqiu almost sprung up on her feet. Anxiety filled her eyes.

[Lei Liqiu]: Hospital?! Is he very sick?

She bit her nails nervously as she waited for the answer. The upper section kept showing 'Shi Nian is typing…' on and off as if the girl was pondering on how to word it down. Was Xu Binchen's condition so serious that she had no idea what to say?!

Three minutes later, the reply Lei Liqiu was painstakingly waiting for finally arrived, carrying with it the doom she felt deep within her soul.

[Shi Nian]: Quite serious.

[Shi Nian]: He almost needed surgery. The doctor even told him not to run around but he's too stubborn and workaholic to obey sigh.jpg

[Shi Nian]: It really makes one wonder how he could keep his life until this day.

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A/N: 

Shi Nian: I'm not lying, just partially covering the truth teehee :)

Question: if you're Lei Liqiu, after being treated coldly like that by Xu Binchen, will you still not give up and persistently chase after him?