My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Xu Binchen drove a silver grey Benz which was parked in the underground parking lot. On their way there, the atmosphere was completely silent. Xu Binchen was shrouded in a cold aura, Jiang Jinyan never bothered to talk and Shi Nian was unable to talk, thus the party of three made their way to the elevator to the underground floor in complete silence.

The underground parking lot was equipped with an automatic lock. Xu Binchen grabbed his work card and swiped, then opened the door for himself, striding out directly. The huge glass door almost smacked Shi Nian on her face because she was standing right behind Xu Binchen. But an arm came from behind in a timely manner and blocked it for her.

Shi Nian turned around to find Jiang Jinyan's apathetic face. She gave him a grin and walked out, deliberately waiting for him.

Xu Binchen's legs were long and due to his job, he was used to walking in brisk and swift steps. Just due to the few seconds delay, Shi Nian and Jiang Jinyan were already more than ten meters behind.

In fact, Jiang Jinyan's height didn't lose out to Xu Binchen. Their height was almost the same. His legs were also long and slender. But it was evident that he was unable to walk fast thus as time passed, the distance between them was getting further and further away. Shi Nian realized it and her heart ached, thus she slowed her steps so that Jiang Jinyan would always be two steps behind her.

Their moderate speed made Xu Binchen realize belatedly that he had left them behind. He turned around facing Shi Nian, his face in a scowl as if asking, "What the hell are you dilly dallying there for?" However, before he could shoot his mouth off, he was reminded of Jiang Jinyan's legs and forcefully swallowed his complaint.

The words which were suppressed made his chest congested and it felt so comfortable that his temple throbbed. He huffed under his breath, his fingers itched for a cigarette and he fumbled around his pocket to none. He had finished smoking two packs for the last three days and there was no stock left. The notion just made Xu Binchen grow more irritated.

The Benz's headlights lit up in the dim parking lot and Xu Binchen gestured for them to enter.

Jiang Jinyan nodded and conscientiously got into the back seat.

Like a chick following its mother, Shi Nian happily followed behind him just for her scruff to be grabbed by Xu Binchen's evil claws like a helpless kitten. She let out a gasp, her gaze toward Xu Binchen was full of inquiry.

Xu Binchen sneered. "Do you think that I am your driver? Sit in front!"

Shi Nian pursed her lips and begrudgingly crawled to the passenger seat. Xu Binchen entered beside her. "Put on your seatbelt."

The car drove out of the police station toward the bright marmalade sky with purple streaks across the cloud. Xu Binchen opened the dashboard and to his relief, found another pack of cigarettes. Without asking for the other two's opinions, he lit one up and opened the window.

Cold air mixed with fumes rushed in, circulating the scent of tobacco as billows of smoke flew out of the window.

Shi Nian's head was lowered as she replied to Qiang Fei's message, telling her that nothing was wrong that she was on her way home with Xu Binchen gege. After that, she was reminded of the silent person behind. She took a glance at the rearview mirror and saw Jiang Jinyan sitting behind Xu Binchen's seat, looking out of the window in a trance.

She frowned at the thick scent of smoke and opened her window slightly. Then, worried, she typed. [Have you eaten yet?] She turned her body around and wanted to ask him…but Jiang Jinyan never noticed her.

Ever since they met, Shi Nian had the hunch that he was purposely avoiding her.

But what for? Because of last night? Because he had inadvertently exposed a weakness?

She lowered her head, dejected. Her fingers pressed on the delete button. Xu Binchen glanced at her and opened his mouth, his voice slightly raspy. "Have you eaten yet?"

Shi Nian was surprised. Her first instinct was to look at Jiang Jinyan but the man didn't react.

"I am asking you, Shi Nian."

Oh…he was asking her. Shi Nian shook her head. [Mama cooks.]

"How about you, Mr.Jiang?"

Only then did Jiang Jinyan turn his head. But still, no matter how much she hoped, he didn't look at her at all. "I have eaten, thank you."

Liar! General Jiang always forgot to eat and had to have Fu Jia, the head servant, to remind him. Oftentimes, he would just eat some snacks and let it be done just like that. Sadly, Shi Nian couldn't just expose him like that because she wasn't supposed to know anything about him in this life…

The cold wind continuously blew into the car and Jiang Jinyan sneezed.

Shi Nian instantly fussed like a mother chicken. [Are you sick?]

This time, Jiang Jinyan's eyes met hers and he glanced toward her memo. "No." However, two seconds later, he sneezed again.

"Sorry, it has been getting cold lately." Xu Binchen snuffed out his cigarette and pulled up the window. In no time at all, the car began to warm up.

"No, it's okay." Jiang Jinyan said. "Detective Xu shouldn't mind me."

[How could that be?!] Shi Nian typed furiously, but Jiang Jinyan's attention was pulled out of the window again. She could only use her eyes to examine him but didn't notice anything wrong.

The distance between their apartment and the police station was close. Fifteen minutes later, the Benz drove into the familiar district. There were police officers in civilian clothes patrolling outside and another stationed inside the post. Xu Binchen's car was clearly recognized because he was directly granted entry.

The man pulled down the window and nodded.

"Detective Xu." The police officer saluted.

"Is there any development?"

"No. Everything's under control. Nothing suspicious so far."

Xu Binchen nodded and drove around the apartment district, circling toward the west side of the building. His eyes scanned around the surrounding area before driving back toward their apartment in a roundabout manner.

From afar, Shi Nian could see the public garbage can which was still sealed off by the bright yellow police line.

Xu Binchen pulled out three masks from the compartment beside him and handed two to Shi Nian and Jiang Jinyan. "Wear it. In case something pops up."

Shi Nian fidgeted nervously and wore the black mask around her face, Jiang Jinyan followed suit without any word. The car entered the garage and the security guard came to confirm their identity. Xu Binchen gifted him some tips and brought the other two up.

"Which floor are you, Mr. Jiang?"

Jiang Jinyan said nineteen quietly and silence descended onto them once again. Fortunately, the suffocating atmosphere was going to end soon. Inside the elevator, Xu Binchen said, "Don't forget to call me if there's anything wrong. Do you have my number?"

Jiang Jinyan shook his head, thus the two men directly exchanged contact information. Shi Nian's eyes lit up and she fished out her phone, sticking herself in between them. Xu Binchen gave her a disdainful glance. "What do you want?"

Shi Nian looked at Jiang Jinyan with bright hopeful eyes, her gesture was evident.

Jiang Jinyan's mouth twitched. He was already holding his phone and rejecting her in front of Xu Binchen didn't seem so appropriate. This girl really knew how to take advantage of the situation.

In the end, Shi Nian got what she wanted. She looked at the new contact information in her phone and couldn't flatten the curl of her lips.

Xu Binchen snorted in contempt. Surely, she had forgotten what she had just promised him a few days ago.. What not fall in love early? What about not having someone she liked? Just a bunch of lies.