My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Shi Nian had a spectacular date with Jiang Jinyan and even received her birthday gift in advance, keeping her in an exuberant mood when Monday arrived. The rest of the day passed by smoothly as temperature continued to drop, moisturized by soft, drizzle rain and occasional downpour. For a few times, it looked like the sky was going to snow anytime soon.

Ever since the accident where Shi Nian was blocked by a group of gangsters, Xu Binchen wasn't rest assured to let her go home by herself. So, for the subsequent days, everyone would always see someone fetching Shi Nian; sometimes it was Xu Binchen but oftentimes, it was Jiang Jinyan.

Both men shifted the schedule regularly, never bumping with each other as if they had discussed it before.

But Jiang Jinyan and Xu Binchen?

Even in a million years, Shi Nian would never be able to put the two of them together. Not because there were huge differences between them, but because they were just too similar. Appearance wise, they were both attractive enough to put the entire entertainment industry in shame. They had similar temperament; unapproachable and aloof. Lastly, did she need to talk about their wealth? One was the only son of the CEO of Jiang Corporation and the other even had a private plane at his disposal.

It was precisely because they were both too similar that Shi Nian couldn't put them in the same frame. Just like how magnets of the same side would repel each other.

"So, who is it that's going to pick you up today?" Mo Ling asked in a teasing tone.

Shi Nian smilingly answered. [Jiang Jinyan.]

Chen Jiawei and Mo Ling had seen Jiang Jinyan a few times before. But different from Xu Binchen whom they still dared to get close to, Jiang Jinyan totally exuded a reclusive aura that kept people miles away. Even a girl as extrovert as Mo Ling preferred to avoid him as much as possible.

"Aww," Mo Ling cupped her cheeks. "I can't imagine how it feels to have two men by my side."

[What two men?] Shi Nian pushed Mo Ling's forehead with her forefingers, amused.

Her movement pulled on her collar, exposing a glimpse of sparkling necklace chain. Mo Ling's eyes widened and she hurriedly pulled Shi Nian closer, shock and awe filled her eyes as she saw the delicate crescent moon pendant with a small exquisite star hanging on it. The necklace rested on the curve of her collarbone, complimenting her fair skin perfectly. "Shi Nian, I didn't remember you wearing a necklace before…" 

Shi Nian blushed as she tried to pull her collar up but Mo Ling held her hands. "Aiyah, don't try to hide it anymore. I have seen it! Tell me, who gave it to you? Is it...Jiang Jinyan whom you like?" Mo Ling grinned mischievously as her fingers wriggled to articulate. "Have you two...you know?" 

Fortunately, the class had ended and there were not many students left except for those with cleaning duty otherwise they would be the center of attention. Shi Nian had to admit that when it came to nonsensical things, Mo Ling would always be spot on. She indeed wished she could show off Jiang Jinyan's gift to the whole world when she first received it, but when the time came, all she wanted to do was to bury her head and hide.

Why did gifting someone a necklace translated into something so lascivious in Mo Ling's eyes?!

They...They had only kissed, okay?!

Chen Jiawei pushed up her glasses and with a contemplating expression as if she was cracking a difficult problem, she guessed. "Your notebook must be from him too?"

"What?!" Mo Ling yelped, shining eyes landed on the notebook on Shi Nian's desk. It obviously came from the same set judging from the elegant, lilac cover in moon and stars pattern. "Oh my, it's so beautiful! If I can have the same notebook, I will be willing to do a few more practice papers!"

Shi Nian helplessly shoved her new notebook into her backpack, her face blushing all the way. [It's my birthday gift…]

The three of them walked out joking and bickering back and forth when Mo Ling suddenly elbowed Shi Nian's side, taking her off guard. She had a cheeky grin on her face which told Shi Nian that the girl was up to no good again. "See who's in front of us?"

Shi Nian followed her line of sight and saw Zhang Jiancheng in the school lobby. The heavy rain outside posed as the background to his tall and slender figure. He had taken off his outer jacket, leaving a white shirt and vest which highlighted his slim waist. With soft strands of hair hanging down his forehead, he looked very much like a noble prince. A mere look was beautiful enough to be an art painting.

As if noticing their presence, Zhang Jiancheng looked their way and his eyes brightened up subtly although no change could be seen from his expression. 

Mo Ling squealed, grabbing Shi Nian's arms tightly. "Oh gosh, he's walking toward us—no, he's walking toward Shi Nian aaaah! I am wrong, she doesn't only have two men but three!!!"

Shi Nian pursed her lips and threw a questioning glance toward the boy.

"Shi Nian." Zhang Jiancheng stopped in front of her. The lobby was still crowded with students taking shelter from the rain and in a blink of an eye, a circle was formed with them in the middle.

Chen Jiawei frowned, lowered her head and pulled the silly Mo Ling away. They joined the crowd and observed from a distance.

Shi Nian looked around in discomfort.

"I won't take much of your time." He said softly. "Sorry, I can only catch you if I am waiting here. You always avoid me and I don't know your number." There's a hint of grievance in his voice but fortunately, the heavily drumming rain masked their conversation or else Shi Nian was sure she was going to be in the forum again tomorrow.

No, she has probably been discussed there right at this moment.

[What do you want to say, Classmate Zhang?]

Zhang Jiancheng gazed at Shi Nian seriously. There's a hint of helplessness in his lowered eyes when he saw how unyielding she was. Of all people, how could he possibly fall for this one girl who couldn't be moved? "I just want to say sorry for the rude remarks I have said last time."

Oh, so he was talking about the matter in the café. Shi Nian nodded. [I didn't take it to heart, don't worry.]

"How can you not?" Zhang Jiancheng raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Otherwise you will not avoid me like a plague."

The whispers surrounding them increased as they stood there and talked. Shi Nian had no intention to drag this any longer. [Classmate Zhang, I think you misunderstood me.]

"Huh?" He didn't expect that kind of answer. "I did?"

He waited both patiently and impatiently until Shi Nian finished typing on her phone. From where he was standing, he could barely catch her screen and saw a new notification popped up above the screen. In an instant, the frown on her face smoothed and the corner of her lips tilted up uncontrollably.

Zhang Jiancheng couldn't resist asking, "Is that the boy you like?"

Shi Nian paused for a moment and decided to ignore that question. Instead, her typing speed became faster. [I am avoiding you, yes. But not because of the incident in the café. It's only because I don't want to make someone misunderstand me.]

"Who?" he asked.

But the girl's attention wasn't on him any longer, her eyes shot past his back and they instantly brightened up in a way he had never seen before. It was so…bright and dazzling, like two pools of golden gems. 

With happiness radiating from her whole body, she nodded perfunctorily to Zhang Jiancheng and held the strap of her backpack as she dashed through the throng of people into the rain, approaching the tall figure with black umbrella.

The students' eyes were both on Zhang Jiancheng, Shi Nian and the new figure, curious and excited. Was this the so-called love triangle in live action? Would the two men fight to win Shi Nian over?

Alas, they were destined to be disappointed because Zhang Jiancheng didn't give much reaction except a light sigh. After that, he grabbed his outer jacket, draped it over his head and ran out toward the parking lot. 

When they turned their gaze to Shi Nian, they belatedly found out that she had walked away with the other man, their silhouettes already turned hazy and blurred due to the downpour. Yet somehow, there was a subtle intimacy and heartwarming nuance in the way they both snuggled under one large umbrella.

"What are you looking at?" Mo Ling crashed into the scene and shooed them away. "Go, go! The show is already over!"

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A/N: aaah Jiang Jinyan saw her with Zhang Jiancheng again (/ε＼*)