The car started smoothly.
Ning Zhen tilted her head to look at Meng Xianwen. He wasn’t blind, and he couldn’t ignore his parents’ expressions either. The mark on her neck behind her ear that looked suspiciously like a hickey—there was no doubt who had made it. A flicker of awkwardness passed across his brow. He didn’t meet her eyes, instead looking out the car window.
Xiao Xuezhen coughed twice to clear her throat. “Zhenzhen, did you sleep well?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
Ning Zhen’s aggrieved little gaze drifted toward Meng Xianwen, and her tone was pitiful. “So many people called me asking about Xianwen’s condition, and I didn’t say a thing.”
“Those people are so annoying.”
Meng Jiaran was the only one in the car who hadn’t slept.
He sounded a bit irritated, with lingering red veins in his eyes. “If anyone else asks, just tell them to call me.”
“Nonsense.”
Xiao Xuezhen shot her son a glare. More often than not, a married couple is closer than brothers. It was perfectly normal for others to call Ning Zhen for updates.
Meng Jiaran wanted to say something more.
Meng Xianwen, who had remained silent the whole time, finally spoke in a calm voice. “Enough. It’s not a big deal.”
Ning Zhen glanced at him, her doubts gradually fading.
The Meng Xianwen in front of her now was exactly the same as the one from three months ago—more accurately, the one she had known over the past decade. He was the older brother who kept his distance, mature, but always there to cover for his younger siblings. She wouldn’t normally seek him out to joke around, but when trouble came, he was the first person she thought of, and he would look at her with a helpless but tolerant gaze.
But after that night, it was gone.
She understood clearly why he had lost his temper that day. Aside from her scheming against his own younger brother, there was also disappointment in her. So he had withdrawn the leniency and tolerance he had once shown her.
He truly didn’t remember the reasons for their contractual relationship.
At the sight of him, the unease Ning Zhen had been holding in her heart finally settled. Still, she kept glancing at him, her eyes filled with concern and worry, along with a hint of grievance at not getting his gentle response in return. Her lingering gaze made both Meng Jingshan and Xiao Xuezhen feel uncomfortable.
Buzz buzz. The phone in her hand vibrated with a message from Meng Jiaran: [I know you’re hurting, but take it easy.]
The next one: [Think about my parents.]
Another: [We shouldn’t be in the car; we should be under it.]
Some words could only come from Meng Jiaran.
He and Ning Zhen had been close friends for years. Comforting her or reminding her wasn’t out of line.
Ning Zhen typed back: [He won’t even look at me.]
Meng Jiaran: [Sister Zhen, try to understand my brother. It’s really hard for him to accept. It’s like me waking up one day and finding out you’re my girlfriend—I’d go kill myself.]
Meng Jiaran: [sorry]
Meng Jiaran: [But speaking of which, how long have you and my brother actually been together?]
As for when Meng Xianwen and Ning Zhen had gotten together and how long they’d been together, they had both been vague about it. Some people speculated their secret relationship had lasted at least three years, since Meng Xianwen had only returned to take over the company four years ago. Others claimed to have spotted Meng Xianwen taking Ning Zhen out for dinner two years prior.
Ning Zhen: “…”
She had to applaud the imagination of the gossipers.
She replied: [We’ve been together for three lifetimes.]
Meng Jiaran was caught off guard for a moment, then finally responded: [You and my brother can have a proper talk in private (just the two of you). For now, hold back.]
Ning Zhen put her phone away and stopped staring straight at Meng Xianwen. She quietly looked out the window. Meng Jiaran had reminded her—she couldn’t overdo the act. She wasn’t a trained actress, and laying it on too thick could blow their cover.
They were heading to a private kitchen restaurant that didn’t serve the public.
The driver struggled to park in the alley, and after getting out, they still had to walk a bit.
Xiao Xuezhen wanted to help her son, but from the corner of her eye, she saw Ning Zhen standing nearby. She relaxed her expression and stepped aside.
Without a second thought, Ning Zhen stepped forward. As if by muscle memory, she looped her arm through Meng Xianwen’s. Feeling his body stiffen slightly, she looked up at him and said softly, “You’re not discharged yet. Let me help you. Don’t refuse me, okay?”
After saying that, she mumbled, “Before, wherever we went, you’d hold my hand.”
Meng Xianwen was silent for a few seconds before silently allowing her to take his arm.
Ning Zhen laughed inwardly. For the past three months, she had gone along with whatever he said. Now it was her turn!
She barely restrained the smug look on her face as she held his arm and walked behind the others. After a few minutes, they reached a modest courtyard. The owner and chef were waiting there and led them inside, up to a private room on the second floor.
The menu was also plain, looking like nothing more than ordinary home-style dishes.
After the order was placed, an awkward silence fell over the room.
Ning Zhen, who was sitting next to Meng Xianwen, took the initiative to ease the tension. Unlocking her phone, she spoke softly, “So many people are asking. How about I take some photos and post them on Moments later? That way, it won’t attract too much attention. What do you think, Xianwen?”
The other three looked at him.
Meng Xianwen thought it over and nodded, then said contemplatively, “Fine.”
Since he agreed, Ning Zhen opened the camera and found a good angle to get all five of them in the frame. She made a peace sign with a bright smile, and the picture was snapped.
Meng Xianwen seemed unwilling to bring up his memory loss. Whenever Meng Jingshan hesitated to speak or Xiao Xuezhen looked worried, he would calmly change the subject. That was just his nature—since he was young, whenever something serious happened, he rarely let his parents find out.
Xiao Xuezhen had no doubt that if it hadn’t been for the car accident, or if it had been any other kind of incident, her son would have kept it tightly under wraps without letting a single detail slip.
“We’ll head back to Beicheng tomorrow,” she said. “Zhenzhen, take care of him here. Make sure he rests.”
They had already argued about this matter for an hour in the hospital room.
Her son refused to believe that he and Ning Zhen were together, but the evidence was undeniable. It was his own confession, the way he had held and protected her in front of his parents and family, not to mention that after going public, he had brought Ning Zhen to all kinds of events. Her Moments, and those of his close friends, were full of their photos together.
Faced with all this proof, her son had no choice but to accept it.
Fortunately, she knew her child—he wasn’t the type to shirk responsibility in a relationship. Though he was uncomfortable with the change in their relationship, he didn’t bring up breaking up.
“Yeah.” Meng Xianwen paused, then calmly drank some water.
Ning Zhen quickly assured them, “Aunt Xiao, Uncle, I’ll definitely take good care of him. I won’t let him stay up late working.”
Meng Jingshan relaxed his brow. “Finish what you need to do and hurry back.”
“Brother.” After finishing a bowl of rice, Meng Jiaran put down his chopsticks. After hesitating, a look of determination settled on his face. “I’m planning to report to the company in the next couple of days. You don’t need to assign me a specific position—I’ll just follow you as an assistant.”
He had said this yesterday, and Ning Zhen’s reaction had been fairly calm.
Meng Jingshan raised an eyebrow, leaning in. “What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”
Ever since returning to the country, Meng Jiaran hadn’t been idle. He had his own dreams and had founded two clubs early on—one for racing, one for skiing. The members were all second-generation elites from various circles. It was what he was good at and what he loved.
The family had gotten used to that. So when he suddenly said he wanted to work at the company, they all thought he was joking.
“I’m not comfortable with you like this, Brother.” Meng Jiaran had made up his mind. “Don’t worry about attracting attention. You’ve mentioned several times this year that I should join the company. Anyway, I’m going.”
Another stretch of silence.
Meng Xianwen held a cup in one hand, pondering for a moment. “Alright then. But you won’t work directly under me. I’ll arrange a different position for you. Since you’re coming, you need to learn properly. You ought to do something worthwhile after all.”
…
After the meal.
Ning Zhen took Meng Xianwen’s arm as they walked downstairs. Once was unfamiliar, twice was easier—this time, he didn’t stiffen up as quickly. She could tell he was adapting.
At this time of year, the climate in Southern City was pleasant. The evening breeze brushing against them wasn’t cold at all. Ning Zhen could sense that in just one day, Meng Xianwen had masterfully shifted the atmosphere. Everyone, including herself—whose emotions had been all over the place—was now settled.
That sly dog actually had some skill and finesse.
He had a way of turning a huge matter into something trivial.
“Xianwen, let’s take some photos too,” Ning Zhen said as she walked, tilting her head to rest it on his shoulder, her tone affectionate.
Thank goodness for the past three months of pretending. Getting close to him came naturally to her now—no awkwardness, no discomfort.
He glanced down at her but said nothing.
Ning Zhen took his silence as consent. She raised her phone and smiled sweetly at the camera. Then she lowered her arm and took his hand, intertwining their fingers. When she felt him try to pull away, she held on tighter. “You used to hold my hand everywhere we went. You even kissed me.”
“Don’t say that,” he cut her off with a frown.
“Oh...”
She responded with a feigned note of grievance, while quickly snapping a photo of their clasped hands. Anyone who knew him would recognize his wristwatch. She had no trouble piecing together a set of nine photos. “Today Jiaran told me we haven’t had an easy journey. I’ve given so much for you. It’s really hard for me to give up now. I honestly can’t.”
Meng Xianwen looked down and listened in silence.
Xiao Xuezhen and Meng Jingshan watched their close interaction, exchanged a glance, and felt relieved. They were more at ease about his suggestion that they head back to the hotel to rest. Meng Jiaran originally wanted to go back to the hospital and keep watch, but Ning Zhen refused, and Meng Xianwen refused even more firmly.
Unable to argue with them, Meng Jiaran—before stepping out of the car with his parents—couldn’t help teasing, “I get it. You two want some alone time. I won’t be a third wheel.”
Then he shot Ning Zhen a look that said, don’t overdo it.
Ning Zhen shook Meng Xianwen’s arm. “He’s so annoying.”
Meng Xianwen didn’t respond.
…
In the hospital room.
Ning Zhen looked at the suitcase sitting off to the side and said considerately, “You must be tired. Do you want to freshen up and rest first?”
Meng Xianwen fixed his gaze on her, as if his earlier quietness outside had all been an act. Now that they were alone, he let out a slow laugh. “Sure. Help me get my razor, please. Thanks.”
“…Here we go. It’s finally here.”
Ning Zhen’s scalp tingled. Meng Xianwen was never an easy person to deal with. The reason he had gone along with her earlier was purely because his parents and brother were present. He didn’t want them to worry—and more importantly, he wanted them to head back to Northern City first thing tomorrow morning, so they wouldn’t interfere with his real plans.
As for the so-called romance they had talked about? He wasn’t the type to just believe whatever people said just because he had lost his memory.
She walked over to the suitcase and bent down. It was his usual one, but the combination lock had been scrambled. She understood his intention—if she was truly his intimate girlfriend, she would know the password.
What was Meng Xianwen’s suitcase password!
Think. Think!
She felt like crying. How was she supposed to know that… Sure, she could try to fudge her way through, but with a cunning man like him, he would definitely get suspicious. If she couldn’t dispel his doubts now, there was a good chance he’d investigate thoroughly.
Ahhhhhhh…
Meng Xianwen, you’re not human! You’re a beast!
You should just change your surname to ‘Dog’!
“What’s wrong?”
A gentle male voice sounded behind her, slow and deliberate, but it sent an inexplicable shiver down her spine. He was standing right behind her, watching her calmly. “Oh, I almost forgot the suitcase has a password lock,” he said with a faint smile. “I’ll do it.”
Ning Zhen turned her head and gave a pleasant smile. “You might not remember your other passwords, but I know this suitcase. How many times have I packed for you?”
With that, she bent down and reached her hand out to turn the dials.
Click.
The lock opened.
