My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

"What the heck?! What happened?!" The shamate man approached hastily, panic in his eyes before turning blank as he found the two figures hugging behind the shelf.

Jiang Jinyan turned his head and said, deadpanned. "Sorry, there's no problem at all."

"Oh—okay, okay. Please be careful and don't damage the product ah!" He scratched his head and walked away, muttering. "Couple these days is so damn courageous. Okay, I am not envious..."

Shi Nian was still in a state of shock as if she couldn't comprehend why Jiang Jinyan could appear in front of her. Until the man turned to her, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Do you have something to say, little stalker?"

It was supposed to be a jeering remark. However, his voice muffled by the mask sounded lower than usual, adding on to the narrow space between them and the hidden corner, the atmosphere instantly turned ambiguous.

Shi Nian's stiff body relaxed under his presence and her lips curled into a sweet, booming smile.

Even Jiang Jinyan himself didn't realize that his heart skipped a beat at that sight.

It wasn't until the girl mouthed, "Mr. Jiang Jinyan." that Jiang Jinyan realized something was wrong about their position. He hastily loosened his arms and stepped back. "I've told you not to follow me again, haven't I?"

Shi Nian used her phone to type. [It's just a coincidence that we are going the same way.] She eyed the medium sized bag on his back which seemed empty. [I have no idea you're going to Sangzhe University! I am in Sangzhe High, Class 1 Year 3!]

This was such a pleasant surprise. Even though Shi Nian knew that Sangzhe High was affiliated to the university whose building was just beside them, she didn't expect that Jiang Jinyan would enroll there!

Seeing the girl smiling so foolishly, Jiang Jinyan was rendered speechless.

How could she…still act like nothing happened?

Did she not remember how he chased her out after her confession that day?

The most important thing was…he glanced at her phone. "You're not talking anymore?"

Shi Nian tilted her head. [You want to hear me talk?]

It seemed like they couldn't ever stand on the same wavelength, Jiang Jinyan huffed. "What does it have to do with me?" He turned around and bought three meat buns from the counter under the shamate man's dubious gaze. Jiang Jinyan knew what he was thinking about but he was too lazy to care.

He walked out without looking back, but somehow he knew that the girl must be following behind.

This strong conviction popped up out of nowhere. He had a weird notion that as long as he turned around, he would always be able to find her there. It felt kind of…bizarre.

Shi Nian looked at his back, dejected. Of course, she still remembered his strong reaction after her simple yet heartfelt confession. He had sneered without saying anything. Shi Nian got a bad premonition that she had reminded him of something unpleasant. 

True to her thoughts, in the next moment, she was politely and coldly chased out. Shi Nian saw that his fever had broken, thus she could only give him space and tried not to provoke him anymore.

The setting sun illuminated his figure, so blinding that she couldn't look straight at him.

That's why she hadn't realized that Jiang Jinyan had stopped since God-knows-when. It wasn't until Shi Nian caught sight of his shoes did she lift her head in surprise.

Their eyes met in midair and Jiang Jinyan sighed, exasperated. "Keep up."

Shi Nian's pupils dilated and for a while, she was immersed in her past memories. But this time, instead of rejecting, Shi Nian took a step forward to approach him, her whole being radiating happiness.

They walked side by side and occasionally, their arms would brush against one another. Shi Nian pursed her lips, cheeks flushed bashfully. However, Jiang Jinyan's expression didn't change a bit as he ate heartily with cheeks bulged out.

He found her stealing glances and finally took one meatbun out, giving it to her not without reluctance.

Shi Nian was surprised and then, she realized that Jiang Jinyan had misunderstood her intention. She couldn't help but giggle, then took a bite out of it.

"It's quite tasty." He commented.

Shi Nian hummed. This was by far, the most delicious meatbun she had ever eaten.

Jiang Jinyan looked around for a garbage can and inadvertently caught sight of a conspicuous black motorcycle parked on the side of the road, a boy in uniform with black helmet sitting atop of it. Their eyes met for a while before Jiang Jinyan turned away, not giving it any thought whatsoever.

When they arrived at the subway station, it had already been crowded with people to the point where all they could see was a sea of black hairs. Shi Nian got a scare and stuck to Jiang Jinyan's back who didn't say anything to agree or refuse.

Office workers who had just gotten off work, students with numerous different uniforms in groups and other kinds of people were mixed in one space. In the past, Shi Nian used to ride a bicycle to travel thus she had never experienced rush hours before.

Jiang Jinyan's wide back offered an immense sense of safety.

Shi Nian looked down and hesitatingly grabbed onto the hem of his shirt. She felt the man stopped for a split second but then, he didn't say anything so she grabbed onto him tighter.

This way, they successfully boarded the train. Even then, there wasn't any seat anymore so they had to stand amidst the sea of people, pressed together tightly like sardines.

Shi Nian looked at him worriedly. In this crowd, it wasn't uncommon for people to step on each other. Jiang Jinyan's leg…

She tugged on the hem of his shirt.

He looked down, expressionless.

Shi Nian was surrounded by people to the point of breathlessness, she couldn't even fumble for her phone. Thus, she mouthed. "Are you okay?"

Before he could answer, the train swayed and a strong force pushed her from behind. Jiang Jinyan's arms reached out to catch her and she bumped her nose against his shoulder. It was so painful that she was seeing stars.

Jiang Jinyan's voice came above her head. "Look up."

Shi Nian obeyed in reflex. Her eyes were teary due to the pain and her nose was red, fortunately there wasn't any injury. This appearance of her made her look piteously lovely yet aggrieved at the same time.

Jiang Jinyan's heart softened a bit and he said in a moment of carelessness. "Hold on to me properly."

Of course, Shi Nian didn't have any qualms and obediently wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him properly like he said.

Jiang Jinyan: "…"

He didn't mean it like that.

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A/N: Shi Nian (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ you're so proactive! But Jiang Jinyan's heart still softened in the end so...hehehe 

Enjoy this tidbits of fluffiness before we got back to the serious business~