My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Fortunately, Qing Si concluded his presentation with a video of him doing a high jump. The youth on the screen only wore a sleeveless shirt and short pants, displaying his slender arms and legs covered in thin muscles. His eyes filled with determination as he rushed from the starting line and ran for some distance before propelling himself up from the ground. 

In mid air, his body arched gracefully, the lights overhead converged onto his body just like a dolphin that broke through from the shackles of water. The movement lifted his shirt and a glimpse of taut waist and abdominal muscle could be seen. It was only for a split second, but enough for the atmosphere to heat up like a blazing flame.

"Aaaaaah! Oh my God! It's so cool!!" Screams and cheers erupted below the stage. 

The video was indeed very well taken, both angle wise and lightning wise. But for a veteran like Jiang Jinyan, he could catch a minute detail like how Qing Si's jump wasn't stable enough, causing his posture to be crooked. If the pole was lifted a centimeter higher, then he would surely flunk it. His body was also not flexible enough and his turnover was stiff and dull.

Jiang Jinyan was sure, if he was the one who performed like this, then he would have been punished by Coach Yong to mop the training centre's floor for one week straight.

It seemed like Qing Si still hadn't made any definite improvement. He still made the same mistake as when Jiang Jinyan hadn't gotten into the accident yet.

The short video ended and the screen returned to Qing Si's wallpaper; a photo of him together with all of the people that usually exercised in the same training centre. And in between them was Jiang Jinyan. The old Jiang Jinyan. Sharp eyebrows, bright and prideful gaze, a lazy smirk on his face.

The photo was taken way before his car accident. That time, he was still the haughty and proud Jiang Jinyan who had just won his first national gold medal.

Some students who were in the same classes as Jiang Jinyan were stunned when they saw a familiar face. "Wait…isn't that guy in our class? You know, the one who often wears a mask?"

"What? Where?"

"There…the second from the left. The one in black, sleeveless shirt."

"Oh my God, you're right! So he's an athlete too?"

"What is his name?"

Jiang Jinyan's entire body was frozen in place. The more he looked at the photo, the more distorted it was. It took a few moments for him to realize that his fever was getting increasingly high, whether from anger, humiliation or the suffocating space, even he himself couldn't discern.

Seemingly realizing the hubbub caused by the photo, Qing Si put on a regretful expression. "I used to have a good friend. He's also the one whom I always look up to. You should know him from the huge stir in Weib8 a few months ago. It's such an unfortunate incident." Qing Si shook his head in pity. "Because he's involving himself in something he wasn't supposed to, he was unable to keep his career."

Buzz resounded throughout the auditorium. "He's talking about…Jiang Jinyan right?"

"So, the matter of him getting into a gang fight and the mafia ended up chopping both of his legs for revenge was true?"

"What? I heard that he was doing illegal racing and his brake came loose. Also, he only lost one leg, okay?"

"Anyway, there's nothing good about him."

Amidst the scorn, there's also minor protest and support, albeit it was quickly drowned out by others. "No! Wuwuwu, I don't believe it! How can he suddenly get into an accident just like that?!"

"Yes, there must be some truths we didn't know about!"

"Shush, do you know Jiang Jinyan yourself? Qing Si is his good friend and even he has already said it himself so the rumors must have been true!"

Jiang Jinyan pulled down his mask and breathed through his mouth. His entire face was hot, yet his bones felt cold to the point of soreness. His mind was surrounded by noises from all directions. Malice, accusation, protest, defense…each sound attacked his head, causing it to ache immensely.

He gnashed his teeth in rage and his bloodshot eyes were filled with Qing Si who showed a regretful expression.

Qing Si, who had especially come to Jiang Jinyan's hospital room to mock him. Qing Si, who had taken his spot. Qing Si, who had once again slandered him in public.

Did Qing Si think that he didn't know who had been pouring the black material in Weib8? Did Qing Si think that he didn't see the glee that flashed through his eyes when he heard the numerous discussions under the stage?

How despicable… Disgusting!

Who did Qing Si think he was that he could step all over Jiang Jinyan's head and not expect him to retaliate?!

Anger got the best out of him. The pen in his hand cracked under the force he exerted to clench his fist and before his brain could think, his body had already moved. The loud screech of a chair being pushed back drowned all of the hushed whispers. Instantly, hundred pairs of eyes turned to the source of the sound.

A tall, slender man stood. He had a stern expression, neatly combed hair and rimless glasses sitting on his nose. Instead of making him look like a nerd, he looked more like a high ranking official of a mafia organization. Low pressure exuded from his body, making everyone fall silent simultaneously. Just in one glance, he was able to insert the impression that he wasn't a man to be trifled with.

One hand brought a mic to his lips, while the other hand was clasping the shoulder of a man sitting in front of him. Because of the lack of lights, nobody could catch a clear sight of the man. No one cared either because the standing man had already sucked all of their focus.

"Hello, everyone. Sorry for the intrusion. I am Jia Ming'en, a third year student from the Department of Civil Engineering as well as the Student Council President."

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A/N: aaaah yes, idk if you notice it. He's indeed Jia Ming'en, the one who Shi Nian read in the book, General Jiang's loyal friend (refer to chs 234 - I Can't Even Hug You?) and in this life, he's going to be Jiang Jinyan's good friend too QAQ