My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Under Xu Binchen's intense stare, a bout of numbness shot through Shi Nian's scalp and her gut feeling told that something would happen if she got the answer wrong. With a strong survival skill, Shi Nian put on a solemn face and shook her head like a rattle drum.

What fall in love? What someone I like? I am just an innocent sixteen years old girl!

Look at my eyes! Look at the genuine sincerity swimming in my eyes!

Xu Binchen kept his gaze on her for a moment and retracted it. "It's good that you don't. Men are untrustworthy, got it? Don't ever trust what they say no matter how kind or how sweet they are. Such a naïve girl like you," He showed a disdainful expression. "You will not even know when you're sold and will even help them count the money!"

Finally, the usual Xu Binchen came out.

Shi Nian heaved a sigh of relief. [Don't worry. I won't.] Then, after pondering for a while, she added. [Gege[1].]

Xu Binchen was caught off guard and Shi Nian flashed a bright smile. It felt so good to draw multiple expressions out of Xu Binchen's paralysis face. [You don't want me to call you 'uncle' so…is Gege good?]

His face cooled down abruptly and he scoffed disdainfully. "Do you think I care about that?"

Shi Nian almost rolled her eyes up to Heaven. This drunkard had forgotten what he had just said five minutes ago!

[Have you sobered up?] she probed.

Truthfully, he had.

Seeing that 'Gege' word formed in front of his eyes, the last bit of alcohol in his system evaporated instantly and Xu Binchen was shaken awake. His imagination was so strong that somehow, he could hear a clear, soft and youthful voice calling out 'Gege' by his ears…

The tip of Xu Binchen's ears twitched and it burned slightly.

He pinched his brows, exhausted. After going through a sleepless night, he had impatiently called out Si Yusheng early in the morning just to sign the contract. The latter dawled for a while, engaging him in small pleasantries and Xu Binchen, who hadn't gotten a wink of sleep for 42 hours, was forced to drink a few glasses of wine again.

It was already remarkable of him not to topple down after exiting Dreamscape Bar.

Ru Meiqi replaced him and settled into the driver's seat. She gave him a glance. "Should I drop you off at the police station?" In a way, she had grasped Xu Binchen's personality well. This man was workaholic to his bones and wouldn't be absent even when it's storming or raining. Now that they had gotten some clues, how could Xu Binchen not itch to go back and analyze it?

Then, to her surprise, the man who was looking down at his phone answered quietly. "Drop me off at my apartment building."

Ru Meiqi raised her brows in surprise, but this rude brat didn't have any intention to elaborate thus Ru Meiqi could only drop him off in anger. She was already sulking because she couldn't taste the seven thousand dollars wine due to her shy and obedient fake character and she didn't have any patience to deal with him any longer.

The early morning when the air was suffused with thin mist, Xu Binchen recalled Shi Nian's message which was sent to his phone last night. [Uncle, are you busy?] Then, his pig head which was muddled by wine and lack of sleep stopped working. Instead of going back, he found himself pressing the doorbell to Shi Nian's room.

Then, when he finally saw her, he was reminded of Lei Liqiu's desperate and dim eyes. Such a young and promising girl, bright and beautiful, eventually destroyed by her scum boyfriend…

Before his mind worked, his shitty mouth had blurted out. "Don't fall in love early."

And when she didn't answer, anger got to his head and he really wanted to teach her a lesson she wouldn't forget.

What kind of lesson could you possibly teach her, Xu Binchen? Don't mess around.

He admonished himself inwardly. "Sorry, I was quite drunk. Forget what I said just now."

How could Shi Nian, this cheeky girl who would take a mile when given an inch, be willing to forget Xu Binchen's dark history just like that? She patted his shoulder and gave him an encouraging look just like a mother would.

[It's okay. I know that everyone has their own needs.]

Xu Binchen: "…" Needs? What needs?

Shi Nian looked at him innocently. He returned early in the morning, reeked of wine, smoke and perfume. Wasn't it a clear indication that he had just gone out for a fun nightlife? Don't underestimate Shi Nian. Even though she was just sixteen years old, she had seen quite a lot of people in the messy environment she grew up in!

Realization dawned on him all of a sudden and Xu Binchen's face scrunched up like dried tangerine peels. "Don't think nonsense! It's not what you think it is!"

Shi Nian nodded. Clearly, she didn't believe him. This time, even if Xu Binchen jumped to the Yellow Spring River, he wouldn't be able to wash himself clean anymore.

He decided that it's better to end the topic once and for all. "Why did you message me last night?"

Shi Nian saw that the usual Xu Binchen had returned and happily elaborated in detail her conversation with Jiao Jiaying in the canteen. Xu Binchen was so angry that he laughed out loud, his tone so cold that Shi Nian felt shiver down his spine.

"So, you're pairing me with your mother just like that?" Every single word was squeezed out in between his gnashed teeth.

Shi Nian took a step back and readily admitted her mistake. [I shouldn't have done that!]

Xu Binchen smiled icily. "Really?"

Seeing his unusual rage, Shi Nian grew incredulous. [It couldn't be that…you really like her?] Then, she had doomed herself and the innocent Xu Binchen!

Xu Binchen had to expend all his effort not to knock her brain out of her skull. "Oh sure, I like her very, very much." He enunciated, the sarcasm in his voice could circle the Earth twice.

Unfortunately, the blockhead Shi Nian didn't catch on. She was truly shocked out of her mind. [Oh no, what should I do? I will…go, apologize and explain it clearly to her?]

Xu Binchen couldn't hold himself back anymore and…and vented his anger on her innocent cheeks. His evil claws kneaded the soft flesh on her face until it was deformed. How he wished that he could knock some senses into her head! "Why are you so stupid?! It's really a wonder how you can live safely until this day!"

Shi Nian almost dropped her phone out of pain and shock. Dumbstruck, she stood in place as she received a lashing that came out of nowhere. Shi Nian felt that she was really wronged and tried to fight back, only to be stopped by Xu Binchen's glare. "Do you dare?"

Shi Nian: "…" She didn't dare.

She could only accept her punishment sullenly, her whole person wilted like a rotten mushroom.

Xu Binchen finally vented all of his anger and let her cheeks go. She rubbed her aching face and sought death once again. [So, you don't like her?]

"What do you think?" He humphed in such contempt that made Shi Nian question her IQ.

Well, it seemed like he didn't. Then, why didn't he say so from the beginning?!

For the first time, Shi Nian learned that a man's heart was just like a needle in the ocean.

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[1] Gege = brother in a cutesy tone

A/N: Congratulations Xu Binchen, you've been awarded! After being uncle-zoned, elder-zoned now, now it's brother-zoned (≧∀≦) I should give him 'The Most Zoned Character' award

This chappie is dedicated to ArcaneMag for her amazing contribution in GT~

Please enjoy some tidbits of sweetness before we get to the serious business ٩(ˊᗜˋ )و