My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Today, it's Shi Nian's birthday.

Right at 00.01 am, she received three messages. First, it was from Jiang Jinyan. [Happy seventeenth birthday. I will pick you up at school today.] in which she returned with a so-moved-that-I-don't-know-what-to-say gif.

Second, both unexpectedly and somehow, as expected, Xu Binchen. [Hbday.] 

It was obvious that he only used a split second to type it before he continued to work. Shi Nian even wondered whether it was set in a timer from days ago. Or else, how could someone like Xu Binchen go out of his way to wish someone a happy birthday right when the calendar changed?

Still, Shi Nian replied with an orz[1].

Third, who was someone she didn't expect at all, it was the contact that had been sitting in her phone for months. One that she had almost forgotten about. The profile picture was totally black with only a large, bold font of three letters 'KUN' was printed across the screen. [Happy birthday, Xiao Nian! You're already seventeen this year, time really flies so fast! Hoping that you will grow taller laugh.jpg]

Shi Nian felt guilty and moved at the same time. So much had happened in her life to the point where she had almost forgotten she had a good childhood friend by the name of Nan Xukun. Even the memory of that period had started to fade. She didn't even remember what Nan Xukun looked like as a child anymore, only recalled that he was so pretty. Otherwise, how could she mistake him as a girl?

[Thank you, Xiao Chun hug.jpg. If you're free, will you come to have dinner at my place? My mother and I both miss you so much.]

Shi Nian never got a reply even after she finished showering. She shrugged and put the phone into her pocket, thinking that Nan Xukun hadn't gotten up yet.

"Happy birthday, Niannian!" The confetti blasted as soon as Shi Nian opened the door. She gasped in shock as the colorful paper sprinkled down like rain above her head. In front of her, Qiang Fei was holding her phone, recording Shi Nian's every reaction whilst grinning cheekily. "Are you surprised? You're surprised, aren't you?"

"I—" Shi Nian looked at the living room which was decorated with numerous pink balloons that formed the number 17. It wasn't there when she went to bed last night. So, Qiang Fei must have done it either late into the night after she was asleep or early in the morning. She could even imagine how the woman tiptoed around, trying to be as silent as possible so as to not rouse her up.

"Mama…thank you!" Ignoring Qiang Fei's protest, Shi Nian rushed to envelop her in a bear hug.

"Aiyah, aiyah, the phone is still recording!"

Shi Nian buried her face into Qiang Fei's shoulder and giggled.

On the table were two bowls of longevity noodles with a plate of red eggs. Shi Nian sat down and took a deep breath. "Hmm, it smells heavenly!" She praised in exaggeration. "Mama is the best! There's no mother better than Mama in the whole world! Mama's dishes are the most delicious food in the world!"

"Oh you!" Qiang Fei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You haven't even eaten it yet."

Qiang Fei went to her room and brought out a box similar to shoe box's size. It was wrapped in lilac wrapping paper and tied in a large, bright red ribbon. The woman's eyes were slightly red. "Last year, Mama couldn't celebrate it with you so...here, it's two years' portion! You should open it after you get home later, okay?" She glanced at the clock and exclaimed. "Oh my, look at the time! We should hasten up otherwise we will be late!"

Shi Nian received the box curiously and shook it. There's a slight movement inside but the box was light thus Shi Nian had no idea what Qiang Fei had put inside. Suppressing her curiosity, she put the box in her room and together, they wolfed down the longevity noodles and red eggs.

"You should give these to Xiao Jiang, Detective Xu and your friends." Qiang Fei said as she pointed at the round eggs on the plate.

Shi Nian nodded. "Okay!" On birthdays, they always had red eggs. In Chinese culture, it symbolized birth or a new start. The red color signified prosperity and good fortune, thus it was paramount to be served to guests.

She put some into a small container and brought it to school, giving them to Chen Jiawei and Mo Ling. Both were excited to receive it, especially Mo Ling. Her family didn't have the habit of making red eggs on birthdays before, thus it was her first time receiving it.

"It looks so cute!" She lifted the egg against the light and peered into it with one eye.

Shi Nian was amused. [The taste is the same as any ordinary boiled egg. It's just the shell that's dyed in red.]

"Is that so?" Mo Ling replied, intrigued. "Then, I will tell my mother to make some yellow, blue and green eggs on my birthday next year!"

Shi Nian and Chen Jiawei burst out laughing at her silly remarks. 

Her mood remained exuberant even when Teacher Yao surprised them with a sudden mock exam, especially when she recalled that Jiang Jinyan would pick her up after school. As she wondered what the man wanted to say, her heart began to race uncontrollably.

At lunch break, Shi Nian got a free meal from Chen Jiawei and Mo Ling because they didn't prepare any gifts. She accepted it heartily and ate with relish. In the middle of it, a dark shadow fell upon their table without any warning and they lifted their heads simultaneously to see Zhang Jiancheng towering in his full height. Behind him was an unfamiliar boy looking at them with intrigue and curiosity. He seemed to be Zhang Jiancheng's good buddy judging from how he had his arm around the latter's shoulder.

"It's your birthday today?" Zhang Jiancheng suddenly asked.

Shi Nian's cheeks were stuffed with food and her hands were oily. She was reluctant to touch her phone nor was she ready to speak in front of the public. It was Chen Jiawei who voiced everyone's question. "How do you know?" It was equal to admitting.

The boy by Zhang Jiancheng's side, Xuan Liyuan, replied with a laugh. "Why don't you ask this lady over here who ran around everywhere to show off a red egg?"

Mo Ling's face blushed. "Ah…sorry, Shi Nian. I was just too excited."

Shi Nian shook her head with a smile then turned to Zhang Jiancheng, her eyes inquiring. Because today was a good day, she wasn't willing to spend it in a foul mood. However, Zhang Jiancheng just had to pour water into the already boiling oil.

"I don't have a gift with me right now." He asked gently. "Is there anything you want?"

.

.

[1] orz = it's a kneeling pose if you look closer hehe

.

A/N: Happy birthday, Shi Nian! (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ

Her birthday is on November and coincidentally, we are on November as well! Finally, we arrived at this moment. What do you think Jiang Jinyan wants to say? hehehehe...

Confirmed! Mass release five chappies tomorrow at this hour so wait for it! It will be so exciting fufufu