My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Psychiatrist Cheng Fenwan was a middle aged woman who had a kind and gentle look. She was Psychiatrist Yu's senior and had treated someone with PTSD before. After receiving Shi Nian's file, she smiled reassuringly toward Xu Binchen. "Don't worry, we can just try a few sessions first. From Shi Nian's statement, it was proven that butterflies are a good stimulus for her to recall her lost memory. I heard that there's some risk of hyperventilation, it's okay. I will do my best to help her."

Xu Binchen played with his lighter, opening and closing it, creating clicking sounds that echoed throughout the office. He then turned to Shi Nian. "Go out. There's something I want to say to Psychiatrist Cheng alone."

Shi Nian stared at him for a while and nodded.

Xu Binchen didn't take long. Shi Nian waited only less than ten minutes before seeing him coming out. She stood up and asked. [What did you talk about?]

"You're very reckless and stupid so I have to make sure that everything goes well." He was itching for a smoke but he had to wait until they got out of the hospital. It made him more irritated. "Talk well with your mother. She will come back in a few days, right? Think about it first during these few days and tell me your decision after that."

Shi Nian beamed, eyes curving happily. [Thank you, I will do that.]

Xu Binchen gave her a glance. It was rare to see him hesitate so much thus she waited patiently for him to talk. "He…did he torture you?"

Shi Nian's smile slipped. She had decided to open the Pandora Box but still, her fingers trembled uncontrollably when she grabbed hold of the opening. Her limbs chilled and she couldn't resist the fear that numbed her scalp. It had already been embedded into her body and soul during those three months.

No. The serial killer had never tortured her. He never wished to.

He just tried again and again to break her down mentally. To make her crazy. To create another him.

To make her into his best partner.

Warm palm held her hand, snapping her out of her thoughts. She lifted her head to see Xu Binchen, a hint of concern in his eyes but he still urged, "Did he?" Xu Binchen felt like he would go mad if he let go of the answer now.

Shi Nian whispered, "No."

Only then did Xu Binchen's brows loosened, but it wasn't known what he was thinking about, his expression sank again in the next moment. "This isn't a good place to talk. You should go to school first, we will talk about it again later on."

From a detective who had first neglected her well being and forced her to remember quickly, to the man today who looked more nervous than her upon touching the answer. Shi Nian couldn't hold back her smile. Right, she had escaped from that Hell. She wasn't alone now. If she called for help, someone would reach out to her and pull her out of the darkness.

She didn't need to be scared anymore.

Shi Nian took a deep breath. [Right, let's talk later on.]

Even if Shi Nian had just regained a piece of important memory, life still went on like usual. Today, school started at 1 pm. She went back to refresh herself and change to the uniform before going to school with Xu Binchen.

By a glance, nothing seemed different in Sangzhe High. The classes were still rowdy with chatter and laughter, some idle boys played basketball on the court and the Disciplinary Teacher was still standing on the front gate to check the students' uniforms. Only the yellow police lines around the Moonlight Pavilion and some people who looked more restless that showed signs that someone had just died.

It was a bit worse in Class 1. When Shi Nian entered, the atmosphere was still as gloomy and depressing as yesterday. The boys didn't dare to cause a ruckus like they always did in the back rows, some were earnestly doing practice papers, some were playing with their phones. 

Shi Nian took a glance and saw only Ruo Tingran's group behaved like usual, applying makeup and polishing nails, contrasted to Mo Ling who seemed to have become so haggard, none of her previous cheerfulness could be seen.

On Li Qing's desk, there were a few small buckets of flowers. White, yellow, pink and blue, its petals fresh and wide, swaying along with the wind. It fiercely reminded everyone that up until two days ago, someone had still been sitting there, talking and laughing with them.

The bell rang and Teacher Yao came in. She had black circles around her eyes. No matter how thick her foundation was, it couldn't cover the grief and exhaustion in her eyes. Li Qing's death had truly affected her very much, but when she stood in front of the podium, she had turned back into the great demoness Yao Xiurong. "The monthly exam will be suspended until next week."

Soft cheers were heard from the students. It evidently lacked any enthusiasm.

After the short announcement, class started like usual and practice papers were distributed again. The entire class didn't have any time to mourn for Li Qing's death anymore as they immersed themselves in Spartan mode study.

Time passed quickly when you were throwing yourself into something.

Until the class ended, Mo Ling didn't even say a sentence. Only then did Shi Nian realize how desolate the classroom became without the girl's loud and cheerful voice. Chen Jiawei silently packed her bag and shot a glance toward Mo Ling.

Shi Nian noticed her line of sight and wrote in her notebook. [Is she okay?]

Chen Jiawei forced a smile. "She will. She just feels guilty because she couldn't make up with Li Qing before her death." She was sure that it would definitely be one of Mo Ling's lifelong regrets. Chen Jiawei pushed up her glasses and whispered. "Shi Nian, I heard from the police officer yesterday that your brother is also a detective. How is it? Did they…find out anything about Li Qing's death?"

Shi Nian shook her head regrettably.

The police were still working hard but there was still no news.

Shi Nian said goodbye to Chen Jiawei and Mo Ling. Then, she grabbed her backpack and walked alone to the gate, her silhouette painted a long shadow on the ground as she stepped on the fallen maple leaves, creating crisp, crunching sounds.

Suddenly, there came another shadow behind her.

Shi Nian turned around and found Zhang Jiancheng there. The boy smiled faintly and nodded in greeting. Together, they walked along the yard. Even though they didn't do anything, everyone's eyes were attracted to them. It couldn't be helped, School Grass Zhang was just too popular. Fortunately, the school forum was still off or else they would become a hot topic tomorrow.

After yesterday's incident on the rooftop of Moonlight Pavilion, Shi Nian was a bit reluctant to be alone with Zhang Jiancheng. Even if she was deaf and blind, she couldn't ignore the subtle signal he gave off, especially after his blatant question, "If I told you that me in the music room and saving you in the nick of time was a coincidence and I only tagged along to keep you company, will you believe me?"

Shi Nian was shocked upon receiving that question. Afterward, Zhang Jiancheng took the initiative to break the silence. He gave a slight smile, his tone light and casual. "Don't worry. I don't have any bad intentions. Just want you to know. You don't need to mind it, Shi Nian."

She didn't understand. There were many girls out there who were more beautiful, smart and fashionable than she was. Why would Zhang Jiancheng chase her?

"Shi Nian."

His voice brought her out of her reverie. Without her knowing, they had walked up to the parking lot. Shi Nian frowned from the excessive attention that they garnered. They slowly crept closer, acting as passersby to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Zhang Jiancheng realized it too and his brows knitted, he clicked his tongue in displeasure and grabbed his helmet. "I want to talk to you about something."

Shi Nian lowered her sight, writing. [I don't have anything to talk to you about.]

Zhang Jiancheng smiled wryly. "Why are you so eager to reject me?" The tall boy leaned forward all of a sudden. Shi Nian stepped back in reflex, but in the end, the sentence he whispered managed to make her stay.

She contemplated for a while and nodded.

His smile became more dazzling. The afternoon sun shone on him, enveloping him in a golden glow. His eyes were full of smiles as he looked at her. His long legs proceeded to swing onto the black motorcycle, the smooth and swift movement was very cool. Shi Nian could even hear the muffle squeal from some girls nearby. Unfortunately, she was immune to Zhang Jiancheng's charm.

"Can you get on?" He asked teasingly and handed her a helmet.

Shi Nian accepted it, her face deadpanned as she directly climbed on the large motorcycle without his help. Zhang Jiancheng looked at her through the rearview mirror. The black helmet covered his head, leaving only a pair of dark eyes full of charm. "Why don't you wrap your arms around my waist so that you won't fall?"

What he received was only a hit on the back.

His lips curled into a smile. "Hang on tight."

Shi Nian grabbed the seat behind her and nodded.

He was helpless against her stubbornness and started the motorcycle. Under the students' gazes, he pulled down the visor on his helmet. The motorcycle roared fiercely and flew out of Sangzhe High's gate.

What Shi Nian didn't know was, from when the motorcycle exited the gate until it turned to a corner and disappeared, someone's gaze was glued on to her back, dark and unfathomable.

.

.

.

A/N: oho, who is that person? 

Honestly, I really like Zhang Jiancheng. He will be the perfect male protagonist with his looks, temperament and smoothness lol. But unfortunately, Delana's male leads have never been perfect _(:3」∠)_