My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Shi Nian would've never guessed that one single action of hers would cause her to land into the police station. She could be considered an acquaintance, thus everyone didn't treat her the same as other witnesses.

No, it was worse than that.

She sat in Ru Meiqi's chair, surrounded by three police officers, with Xu Yanluo himself personally taking on the lead. "Tell me, what are you doing on the rooftop in that early hour?"

Shi Nian shrank her neck just like a good student who was caught cheating then was condemned by all teachers with the principal holding a knife above her nape. [I—]

She hadn't even typed out a sentence when Xu Binchen's voice rang out. "Don't lie. If you dare, I will place you under home arrest."

Shi Nian looked up at him in shock.

On the other hand, Ru Meiqi chided softly. "Why are you so harsh to her?! Shi Nian, tell Sister Meiqi. Was something going on?"

Qin Weizhe echoed: "Right, right."

Shi Nian glanced at them tearfully. [I was just having a nightmare.]

"What nightmare?"

Shi Nian fidgeted in her seat.

"Don't try to lie." Xu Binchen threatened again.

Heaving a sigh, Shi Nian confessed half of the truth. [The matter…of the past.]

The surrounding fell silent for a moment. It was Ru Meiqi who spoke up. "You mean, you're having a nightmare about that time when you're kidnapped?"

Shi Nian opened the album in her phone and showed Xu Binchen the photo of her notebook. With each second passed, the latter's frown was getting deeper and deeper. "Why didn't you tell me?"

[It's just a blurry fragment...]

Xu Binchen was so angry that he laughed. "It's not the first time you've had nightmares, right? All these times, you have kept quiet. For what? I am willing to bet that even your mother doesn't know about it. Every single piece of memory you regain is a precious clue for us! What are you hiding for?!"

Shi Nian lowered her head guiltily. [Sorry, gege.]

Ru Meiqi instantly caught on. "Gege?" She raised a brow and gave Xu Binchen a meaningful smile. "Since when did Shi Nian change her address to you?"

Xu Binchen pinched his brows. "Can we focus on the important topic right now?"

Qin Weizhe: "Right, right. Binchen, you're so sneaky!"

Both Ru Meiqi and Xu Binchen pretended that it's only fart beside them as the interrogation continued on.

"I heard from your mother that Psychiatrist Yu is preparing a new therapy for you?" Ru Meiqi softly asked which Shi Nian answered with a nod. "Are you scared? Is that why you're having nightmares?"

Shi Nian chose the lesser of two evils and admitted. [I am quite scared.]

Xu Binchen stared at her intently, feeling that the girl had a guilty conscience. She must be hiding something else. However, they had a more important thing to solve right now thus he couldn't question her in detail. "Last night, were you with Mr.Jiang?"

Surprise and dread filled Shi Nian's eyes. [Why? Did something happen to him?!]

If not, why would she be called to the police station?!

Colors drained from Shi Nian's face and she looked at them anxiously. Ru Meiqi sat beside her and held her hand. "Don't worry, he's fine." Then, she elaborated what had happened to her in a concise manner. "Did you see anything last night?"

Shi Nian relaxed and sheepishly shook her head.

Her eyes and mind were full of her General Jiang. How could she still notice anything else? [It's not the same culprit?]

"It's not." Ru Meiqi said resolutely. "Right now, the autopsy is still going on. In a few hours, we will know the victim's identity and possibly, the culprit too. Don't worry too much, we're just going through the procedures."

Qin Weizhe: "Right, right!"

Shi Nian's brows knitted. [Then, Jiang Jinyan…he's here?]

"He is."

[I want to see him!] Her eyes shone in enthusiasm.

"Why?" Surprise, Ru Meiqi asked. "He said that he doesn't know you well. Only your name."

Hearing that, Shi Nian's glee from the unexpected encounter suddenly decreased by half. [He said that?] She pursed her lips, upset.

Ru Meiqi nodded.

Head lowered, she typed in glum. [But I still want to see him…]

Ru Meiqi burst into laughter and asked in a joking tone. "Did you fall in love with him or something?"

Shi Nian was so shocked that she almost tumbled down from the chair. F—Fall in love?! With the general?! It—It was such a blasphemy! How could she fall in love with him?! Was he someone that she could like so casually like that?

She shook her head furiously, but her face that almost resembled steam crabs made everything more suspicious.

Ru Meiqi was only asking in passing, she didn't expect Shi Nian to react so excessively. She stole a glance toward Xu Binchen and saw the man lowered his eyes, seemingly in a trance.

Qin Weizhe gulped with difficulty. It's over. Xu Binchen—the male god in the police academy—actually had a one sided crush?! No one would believe Shi Nian's denial when she reacted like this. Qin Weizhe chuckled wryly. "Hey, come on. Don't tease her like that, Miss Ru." Or else Binchen will be heartbroken ah! How can this be so tragic?!

Xu Binchen stood up, almost making Qin Weizhe choke on his breath. "Come on." He said. "I will take you there."

Shi Nian happily jumped and went after him, not noticing the undercurrent in the room.

Ru Meiqi had a moment of speechlessness. "Did I mess something up?"

Qin Weizhe glanced at Xu Binchen's back in sympathy and sighed as he shook his head. "It's better to make everything clear sooner than later. Moreover, a girl's feeling is fickle. Who knows, maybe next month, she will come to like Binchen…"

Ru Meiqi smacked him on the back of his head. "What did you say?!"

"Ow ow—" Qin Weizhe ran out and yelped in pain. "I didn't do it on purpose!"

***

Xu Binchen opened the door and gestured for her to enter. Shi Nian's eyes lit up as her sight fell upon Jiang Jinyan who was sitting by the window as the evening sun shone on him, surrounding him with an ethereal glow of golden light.

Jiang Jinyan—upon hearing the door opened—turned his head and met Shi Nian's bright eyes. The girl dashed toward him, looked at him up and down in worry. [Are you okay? You're not hurt right?]

He frowned slightly and created some more distance between them. "Miss Shi." Jiang Jinyan nodded plainly in acknowledgement. His attitude was so estranged as if the person who complained softly under the night wasn't him.

Xu Binchen stood by the doorway, his face flat and expressionless. Jiang Jinyan caught sight of him and surprise flashed through his eyes. "Detective…Xu?"

"I see that you still remember me." Xu Binchen nodded. "Mr.Jiang, I never expected to see you here."

Realization dawned on Jiang Jinyan. "You're the detective who lives in the same apartment as me?"

"You're right." Xu Binchen gave a furtive glance toward the girl whose eyes were focused on someone else. "I live on the floor above yours, beside Shi Nian's.. We're all neighbors so…please take care of me from here on."