My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Young Master Nan was very unlike your usual young master. Well, not that Shi Nian knew any other young masters. He inherited his father, Presdir Cheng's deep set eyes and enigmatic smile, it made him look more profound and mature than the other men his age. However, he was very down to earth, so humble that sometimes it made Shi Nian forget about his identity.

The time when Shi Nian had to sunbathe alone turned to two upon Young Master Nan's arrival. "Little meimei! You're here early!"

Shi Nian gave him a smile as she waved her hand.

Nan Xukun seemed like he didn't have any idea about personal space at all as he sat beside her, so close that their shoulders were touching. Shi Nian was still not used toward his close proximity, afterall, they had just known each other for three days.

Young Master Nan's smile was very sincere, his eyes crinkled with genuine and warm smile, causing people who received his smile to feel like he was really happy to see them. The same case could be seen in his eyes. When he looked at you, it gave you the impression that you were the only one in his world.

Maybe that's why Nan Xukun became so famous on the entire fifth floor despite his peculiar behavior and strange temper.

Shi Nian felt quite uncomfortable because she didn't like to be the center of attention. Instead, she was the kind of person who liked to squeeze into the corner of the room to grow mushrooms. But then, Nan Xukun never mind her alienation, or maybe he didn't even realize, Shi Nian didn't know.

He grinned, showing his pearly white teeth. "How are you today?"

Shi Nian gave him her thumbs up.

"Really?" He looked incredulous. "Can you really survive on this hospital's unpalatable dishes?"

Shi Nian tilted her head, confused. She felt like the food served in the hospital was quite good. It tasted better than the food that her neighboring auntie used to share with her.

Nan Xukun huffed. "I am going to ask my dad to sponsor this hospital's canteen! How can they make such food? Anyway, how old are you? How long will you stay in the hospital?"

Young Master Nan was the kind of person who could change topics in a blink of an eye and wouldn't bat an eyelash on it. Shi Nian had quite grown used to his temper in the past few days. [I am 16. I don't know…I am waiting for my mother to come.]

"Sixteen?!" He gasped. "You look so young and tiny! I thought you're only thirteen or fourteen!"

Shi Nian pursed her lips, upset. [I am an adult already!]

"Okay, okay." He chuckled. "Where is your mother?"

[Working.]

"Where? Why haven't I seen her around?"

Shi Nian didn't know whether anyone would ask about a stranger's parents when they had just known each other for a few days or Young Master Nan was just being overly friendly. But to be polite, she answered casually. [Abroad. She is coming back soon.]

Nan Xukun wilted like an inflated balloon. "Really? If you're gone, who should I talk to?! This floor is so boring! There's no one around!"

[There is…] Shi Nian thought for a while but decided not to divulge Jiang Jinyan's identity. [There's nurses and doctors.]

"How can nurses and doctors compare to a little meimei?!"

Shi Nian: "…"

"Where is your school? Which grade are you on? Are you a highschooler? I am eighteen, let's see…" He counted with his fingers. "I have dropped two grades, so currently I am in the first year of high school." Speaking until here, he laughed mischievously. "But then because of my injury, I am forced to recuperate at home for three months. Should I drop a grade again?"

Shi Nian, who studied so hard like a dog, couldn't relate…

Nan Xukun had just wanted to talk again when his phone rang. He clicked his tongue and fished out a brand new phone that looked exactly like hers. When the ringtone sounded, Shi Nian fell into a trance. She stared for a while and inadvertently saw the caller's name. [Old Bastard]

"Yeah." His voice turned low as he spoke irritably. "I know, you don't need to remind me. Yes, yes, you're so long winded! Talk to you later!" He forcefully hung up and offered an apologetic smile at her.

"Sorry, it's just an unrelated person—Shi Nian?" He called out because Shi Nian had been looking at his phone, she didn't even notice that he was calling her. "What's wrong, hey?"

Shi Nian's face turned pale as she looked at the wallpaper of his phone, transfixed.

A blurry memory surfaced in her mind.

A ringing phone in a dark alley and then, a dark wallpaper of slanted lips, oozing with gloominess and malice. The lips were frighteningly wide, with rows of sharp teeth that were dripping with blood. Below the lips was a word written in gory letters, 'Hello'.

Along with it was the voice of a person that had been altered. His tone was giddy with joy and excitement yet the voice that came out was as cold as ice, such a contrast pieced together to form a monster.

The back of Shi Nian's head throbbed in pain.

***

"Young Master Jiang, your father asked me to send a message. He has gone on a business trip, this time, it's a very crucial time for Jiang Corporation, if not he would have come back and accompanied you." Si Zhening smiled at the man on the bed. "How are you? What did the doctors say?"

Jiang Jinyan looked at his father's secretary with a deadpan expression. He wasn't familiar with Si Zhening, nor did he want to, so he couldn't muster any smile at him. "I am fine." He leaned back and continued. "Tell him that he doesn't need to come."

"Young Master…" Si Zhening turned apologetic. "You know that CEO Jiang treasures you very much."

Jiang Jinyan scoffed.

But Si Zhening's smile was impeccable as he said. "Do you need anything? Is this hospital comfortable for you? CEO Jiang told me to solve any problem you have."

Jiang Jinyan pursed his lips as he looked out the window. "I don't need anything."

"Then…"

"When is he coming back? How is my mother? Has he gone to see her?"

Si Zhening's smile faltered for a second. "Madam is very well. Don't worry, Young Master Jiang."

Jiang Jinyan knew that it meant her mother's condition was still the same as usual, no improvement at all and Jiang Huocheng hadn't gone to see her even a bit for the past half a year. He felt vexed and irritated. "I don't need anything else! Go back to your work, I want to rest."

Si Zhening didn't say anything else but bowed slightly. "Then, I will take my leave. Get well soon, Young Master Jiang. And if you need anything, you can directly call me."

He strode across the room and slid open the door and at the same time, a loud scream exploded along the hallway, echoing in the entire floor. "DOCTOR! NURSE! ANYONE! HELP! SHI NIAN IS—!"

Jiang Jinyan lifted his eyes hearing the familiar name. A horde of chaotic footsteps followed, "What happened?! What's going on here?!"

"I don't know!" The young man's loud voice was enough to pierce anyone's eardrums. "She just fainted all of a sudden!"

Si Zhening turned his head, his smile apologetic. "I'm sorry for the ruckus. I will close the door for you. See you, Young Master Jiang." Jiang Jinyan's door closed and the hubbub died down, but from the transparent glass on the door, he could see the nurses running around in panic.

Si Zhening walked down the hallway calmly, bypassing a crowd of nurses and doctors checking an unconscious young girl. He gave a fleeting glance and continued walking, his back ramrod straight, steps steady and leisurely.. Sighing, he looked out of the floor to ceiling window.