My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Shi Nian sensed that Jiang Jinyan was a bit angry even though she didn't know why. Knowing his temper, Shi Nian didn't dare to provoke him lest she made the whole situation worse though she felt a little wronged. 

He was the one who told her to hold on properly, no? She didn't do anything wrong, did she?

The subway stopped at their station and Jiang Jinyan walked out, followed by Shi Nian. Exiting the station, it didn't take ten minutes for them to walk home. However, it was for normal people's walking speed. Shi Nian eyed Jiang Jinyan's leg from behind, worried.

She had tried her best to use her own legs to shield him from being stepped on, but she couldn't be rest assured.

Shi Nian observed for a while but found nothing unusual about Jiang Jinyan's walk. The man didn't say anything and Shi Nian didn't break the silence either. They spent the whole journey in a depressing atmosphere, at least for Shi Nian.

Their apartment district had always been quite peaceful and serene. The main reason was because of the high rent cost, so there were many buildings that were still devoid of tenants. Along the way, they encountered a few gossiping aunties and office workers who had just returned. People only cared about their own business but still, when they turned to look at her and Jiang Jinyan, Shi Nian still offered them a polite smile while Jiang Jinyan pretended that he saw nothing.

Jiang Jinyan had just turned to the road leading to their apartment building when Shi Nian pulled on the hem of his shirt. He turned sideways silently, his face expressionless.

Shi Nian tutted inwardly but still asked. [Have you eaten yet?]

It seemed like she had always asked this question every time they met. Jiang Jinyan's brows subconsciously relaxed.

Shi Nian continued. [Let's eat in the cafeteria?]

He completely halted in his tracks, his thought unreadable.

Shi Nian waited by his side until the security guard's head popped up to look at them questioningly. Only then did Jiang Jinyan step aside. "Lead the way."

Her smile blossomed as she pulled ahead, brimming with energy. It wasn't quite dinner time yet so the cafeteria was quite empty. Shi Nian liked Uncle Peng's dishes, thus she directly walked there and ordered her usual menu, Jiang Jinyan silently trailing after her.

"Oh?" Uncle Peng's eyes lit up slightly. "Who's here together with Shi Nian?"

Even though Jiang Jinyan exuded an aura that made people hesitate to approach, he still held enough courtesy toward elders. He bowed slightly and pulled down his mask. "Hello, my name is Jiang Jinyan."

"Hello, hello." Uncle Peng's fat face shook along with his wide smile. "My name is Peng Cheng. Please order whatever you like, Uncle will make sure to add more to your portion!"

His words made Shi Nian recall the horror she felt the last time she ate here. She hastily typed on her phone. [Uncle Peng, no need to give me meat, okay?]

"No?" Peng Cheng was slightly confused.

Shi Nian put on a smile. [I am not very hungry so don't waste your food.]

Peng Cheng entered their order to the cashier, all the while complaining. "Aiyah, you young people should eat more! Look, you're so thin already."

Shi Nian could only nod and go along with what he said.

Surprisingly, Jiang Jinyan had the patience to stand beside her, listening to Uncle Peng's chatter. Shi Nian had long been worried so she turned to him. [You can go and sit down first. I will bring your food there.]

Jiang Jinyan looked at her with those dark eyes, it wasn't known what he was thinking about but he still managed to make Shi Nian nervous. He replied slowly, "No need."

Okay then...

Thus, the two of them waited silently in front of Uncle Peng's empty stall.

Right at that moment, Uncle Peng's part time worker, Song Yongzheng, arrived carrying a bag that looked heavy with stack of books in his arm. "Uncle Peng, sorry I'm late! The professor dragged the class longer and I couldn't leave." He moved inside and saw Shi Nian and Jiang Jinyan.

Looking at Jiang Jinyan's aloof temperament and his excessively beautiful face, a glint of displeasure flashed through Song Yongzheng's eyes. "What do you like to order?" He asked impatiently.

Shi Nian knew that Song Yongzheng didn't like her for some reason but she didn't expect that he would show the same kind of attitude toward Jiang Jinyan. Instantly, anger filled her eyes. It was okay if he didn't like her but he used this kind of stinky tone to talk to Jiang Jinyan too?!

Conversely, Jiang Jinyan just gave a disinterested glance. "We have already ordered."

Song Yongzheng could only reply with "Oh."

Fortunately, Uncle Peng cooked fast and three dishes were completed in just less than fifteen minutes. "Here you go!" He smiled kindly, not noticing the strange undercurrent between the other three.

Shi Nian grabbed a tray, but Jiang Jinyan's hands reached out quicker. When she came to her senses, he had already walked away with her food included. Shi Nian was stunned for a moment before hurrying after him.

They took a seat beside the window. Shi Nian helped him put down the plates. [Thank you.] Her eyes couldn't help but fall onto his right arm, however Jiang Jinyan was currently wearing a long sleeve coat, thus she couldn't confirm the condition of his wound. 

Jiang Jinyan noticed her gaze but unwilling to say anything about it. He sat down and started to eat. After swallowing, he said. "Bad service."

Shi Nian almost choked on her rice. She covered her mouth and giggled. This kind of complaint was truly General Jiang's style.

He lifted his eyes slowly. "What are you laughing at?"

She wanted to reach for her phone but the man chided. "Don't play on your phone and eat properly." Hence, she retracted her hands and ate quietly with her head lowered.

Jiang Jinyan couldn't help but give her another glance. "Why aren't you speaking anymore?"

Shi Nian was taken aback by his question. She wanted to answer but Jiang Jinyan didn't allow her to take the phone. Her lips opened and closed, yet no sound came out.

"Forget it." He said after a while.

Shi Nian pursed her lips and put down her spoon. The clear sound made him lift his head. Then, Jiang Jinyan saw Shi Nian's mouth open and close to say something. He frowned. "What? I…can't? You can't speak?" He scoffed. "So the person who spoke last time was a ghost?"

Shi Nian had only talked once before and it was during her failed confession. When he brought it up all of a sudden, she was taken aback and heat crept up her cheeks. 

Looking at her bashful and awkward look, Jiang Jinyan's mind was blank for a while before recalling what he had just talked about. He cleared his throat and resumed eating. Hence, the topic ended there even though the atmosphere around them shifted subtly, bringing them back to the ambiguous air in the convenience store.

"Shi Nian!" A familiar female voice greeted from afar.

Shi Nian lifted her head to see Jiao Jiaying waving at her with a beaming smile.

Instantly, she got a headache.

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A/N: yes so the matter of her speaking only happen once in a blue moon lol.. Shi Nian is honest when she said she is unable to speak again after that. There will be an explanation for that in the later chappies~