n

n

nShi Nian titled her head in confusion.

nXu Binchen impatiently explained.

"We decide to cooperate. He will cover the outside of the perimeter of the hospital while I stay close to you.

"

nShi Nian wanted to ask why not Wang Chengbing be the one to guard beside her and Xu Binchen outside, but she guessed that the man was currently not in a very good mood. Thus, she sensibly swallowed her question down to her stomach.

nThat afternoon, Xu Binchen was cranky and often irritated. Shi Nian didn't know the reason why, and because they were not close enough that she could freely ask about his business, Shi Nian refrained herself to do so even though she kept on stealing glances at him.

n

"What?

" he snapped.

nShi Nian shook her head briefly.

nXu Binchen snarled.

"If there's something you want to say then say it.

"

nShi Nian fidgeted for a moment. Uncle…is there something wrong?

n

"No. What's wrong?

"

nYou're angry.

nHe rolled his eyes.

"From what angle do you see that I'm angry?

"

nShi Nian was so exasperated that she wanted to stomp her foot. Did he think that she's blind? Couldn't she see that across his face was plastered 'currently angry, do not provoke' words in capital letters?

nShe decided that she didn't want to talk to him anymore and turned her head away.

nNowadays, Shi Nian had been given permission to request her food to the canteen. As long as it wasn't so greasy and strong flavored, then the hospital would give her whatever she wanted to eat. Shi Nian thought that it was very great, she couldn't bear to eat porridge or soft rice any longer.

nBecause she was bored being holed up in the room all day, Doctor Chun gave her the permission to walk around the hospital. She could even eat in the canteen.

nWhen the sky darkened and she had finished refreshing herself after all the sweat, she walked out of the room alone, totally ignoring Xu Binchen.

nThe man frowned and thought,

"What is wrong with this girl again?

"

nThus, he asked no more and silently trailed after her.

nThey were walking toward the elevator and Shi Nian was grumbling about Xu Binchen's mood swings which were more severe than women's PMS when suddenly, in the corner, she caught sight of a very, very familiar side profile.

nInstantly, she stopped in her tracks.

nXu Binchen halted too.

"What's wrong?

"

nShi Nian couldn't hear him. No, she could hear and see nothing because her eyes were focused on the man sitting on the wheelchair far in the corner of the hall.

nThey were separated by more than twenty meters, and the man was sitting with his head bowed, the nurse behind him was talking about something in a low voice and he nodded imperceptibly.

nThe only thing Shi Nian could hear was her thunderous heartbeat.

nHer mouth opened but no words came out.

nGeneral…

nEven though the man looked far younger than the general in her memory with his skin unblemished without any long and hideous scar, furthermore he had bangs covering half of his face, still how could Shi Nian not recognize him?

nHer heart soared, and she stared blankly at him.

nIs that you?

nIs that really you?

nThe man didn't turn to look at her, he didn't even notice her presence. He kept his head lowered, his hands placed on his knees.

nShi Nian's breath got stuck on her throat.

nThe nurse grabbed the handle of his wheelchair and started to push him away.

nShi Nian jolted and before her mind could process, she had already started running.

n

"Hey!

"

nHer eyes were anxious and restless. She opened her mouth, very much wanting to call out to him. But as if her voice was blocked, she could only make out some wheezing and soundless whimpers.

nHe turned and disappeared into the corner.

nShi Nian's knees softened and her feet gave out beneath her. She almost fell down straight to the ground but behind, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and hauled her back so that her back was leaning against a warm chest.

n

"Hey, what's wrong with you?!

"

nShi Nian's eyes were blank as they glued to the corner where she last saw him. Her blood coursed wildly within her veins and no matter how hard Xu Binchen called her, she didn't give any reaction. He turned her around forcefully and lifted her chin.

"Look at me!

"

nShi Nian lifted her gaze lifelessly, her eyes empty without any clarity.

nBecause she had accidentally seen it.

nThe man who looked exactly like General Jiang…

nBut that man, one of his legs was missing.

n

"Shi Nian!

"

nThe name somehow snapped her out of her stupor and she blinked a few times.

nXu Binchen's face hovered above her, so close that she could see his eyelashes. The man's gaze was sharp and guarded. His brows furrowed deeply.

"Are you awake now? What the hell is wrong with you?!

"

nThe urgency in his tone was hard and commanding, but Shi Nian found that her limbs were numb and she couldn't give any reaction for a moment.

nHer mind spiraled on all kinds of possibilities, one was more terrifying than the other. Her appetite had evaporated completely and she suddenly grabbed hold of his wrist, so tight that her nails almost embedded into his skin.

nHer mouth opened anxiously and for the first time, she hated the fact that she couldn't speak.

nShe was so distressed that the rims of her eyes reddened as if she would burst into tears at any moment. Xu Binchen didn't understand what she was saying and she didn't bring her board either.

nIn the end, he just stretched out his hand.

"Write it here.

"

nShi Nian shook her head hard and pulled him forward instead.

nThis was the first time he had seen her make this kind of expression. Hell, this was the first time he had ever seen her make an expression other than smiling. Her lips were pursed tightly, and the tip of her nose reddened.

nHer eyes were glassy and wet, the emotion in them was almost bursting out like fireworks. Joy, fear, expectation, grief, anticipation, sadness…

nXu Binchen let himself be led around.

nThey turned to the corner, but the hall was empty with no other soul to be seen.

nThe girl was breathing heavily and she suddenly squatted down while hugging her head.

nXu Binchen was almost shocked out of his soul.

"What's wrong?! Does your head hurt?

"

nShi Nian gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes tightly. Was that only a figment of her imagination? Did she let her yearning get to her head to the point where she was starting to hallucinate? But…was it really a hallucination? What if it was real?

nGeneral Jiang Jinyan…

nA part of her heart felt exhilaration upon seeing him, but another part of her really wished that she had seen wrong.

nOr else…such a proud man like him, how could he bear to live with one of his limbs missing?

n