Tease

The strange tune stretched out, laced with eerie static, repeating itself two or three times in a muffled echo. Ye Mian lowered her head; the radio app on her phone had already stopped playing. It was as if an invisible hand had pressed the pause button on the room—everything fell silent.

She shivered uncontrollably. What was that just now?

What was that just now? Was it a memory she had forgotten? Or was she dreaming?

She lowered her head and opened her browser. Though her mind was in turmoil, her fingers seemed guided by some unseen force, typing a question into the search bar.

“Can a person lose their memory?”

She numbly scrolled through the search results. They said: “A person can lose their memory. This condition is called amnesia, which can be either permanent or temporary. There are many causes, including physical trauma and psychological trauma, all of which can damage the brain’s normal ability to integrate memory, consciousness, and surroundings, resulting in partial or complete memory loss, which is often difficult to recover.”

Ye Mian swallowed hard. In her previous life… Was it possible she had lost her memory? That would explain those inexplicable or confusing gaps.

She couldn’t help but wonder: if this was true, who was it in that scene who had violated her? Was it Zhong Qian?

She remembered the earring Jiang Chen wore. Jiang Chen only started wearing earrings after he entered university, by which time Zhong Qian was already in prison. Then who was it?

Ye Mian truly couldn’t think of anyone. Her social circle was small, and she’d had little interaction with boys.

She breathed heavily, not saying a word. Yet, from the scattered clues woven through her muddled adolescent thoughts, a single ray of clarity began to pierce through. At the very least, nothing had happened yet. But she already knew.

Someone had saved her from disaster—again and again.

She felt as if a corner of her memory had come alive, with not a trace of fear or dread. Her thoughts parted the darkness, and in earnest, Ye Mian could recall Jiang Chen’s words to her: “Ye Mian, don’t be afraid. I’ll save you.”

Ye Mian slowly clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, tears welling up as she gazed at the press of storm clouds beyond the window.

It shouldn’t be like this.

She had come back for a reason, had already marked out its meaning.

She wanted to say to the Jiang Chen of the future: Don’t be afraid. I’m here to save you now.

Only after Ye Mian finally digested all this did she notice it was already four in the afternoon. The torrential rain had dwindled to a gentle drizzle, but the sky remained dark. Pacing back and forth in the dormitory, slick with cold sweat, her dizziness had faded, but her mind was still filled with thoughts of Jiang Chen.

She felt she had a thousand questions she wanted to ask him. Yet none of them were so easily spoken. Still, right now, she desperately wanted to see Jiang Chen. She didn’t need to do anything—just to see that he was safe would be enough to soothe her unease.

After hesitating for a moment, she picked up her phone. Instead of typing out a message as she usually did, she resolutely called Jiang Chen.

Beep—beep—beep—beep.

The ringing seemed to echo her own heartbeat—pounding, growing louder. She couldn’t see him right away, but at the very least, she wanted to hear his voice.

Her gaze trembled with anticipation.

A short tone sounded—the call connected.

“Hello? Ye Mian.” His voice was as cool and calm as ever, with a faint, husky quality, as if he’d just woken up.

“Mm, it’s me.” Ye Mian’s voice was soft, as if she feared disturbing him. “Were you sleeping just now?”

Jiang Chen: “Mm. What’s up?”

“I… want to…” She hesitated to say “see you,” so she changed tack. “I want to invite you to dinner. Are you free tonight?”

There was a brief silence. Jiang Chen glanced at the time, his fingers absentmindedly stroking the leather sofa beside him, once, twice. After a moment, his eyes dropped and he replied quietly, “Okay. What time?”

Ye Mian’s eyes lit up. “Seven o’clock? I’ll come find you.”

Jiang Chen stood up from the sofa, grabbing his jacket. “Wait for me at school.”

Ye Mian couldn’t suppress her smile. After hanging up, she bounced over to her wardrobe and took out a beautiful dress she hadn’t worn in a long time.

There were still more than two hours before seven. She carefully washed her hair in the bathroom, applied a light touch of makeup, and chose a lipstick a shade brighter than usual.

When a girl prepares to see someone she likes, she always dresses up meticulously, never finding it troublesome.

Seven o’clock arrived on the dot.

She received a message from Jiang Chen: “I’m waiting for you at the university gate.”

Ye Mian immediately replied, “I’m on my way.” She then grabbed a sheer shawl and draped it over her shoulders.

Today, she wore a new-style Chinese dress adorned with intricate embroidery—elegant and understated, paired with Mary Jane heels. Her hair was swept back behind her ears, making her appear especially graceful and refined. With her light makeup, she looked more beautiful than ever before.

She checked herself in the full-length mirror, making sure everything was perfect. Taking her bag and phone, she hurried out the door.

There was still some distance from the dormitory to the main gate.

Knowing Jiang Chen was waiting outside, Ye Mian’s steps unconsciously grew lighter. She hurried down the stairs, and soon reached the gate.

Most students had already finished dinner and returned. Ye Mian was someone many took notice of, and seeing her specially dressed up today, quite a few gazes lingered on her.

She paid them no mind, slowing down to search for Jiang Chen.

After the rain, the lights outside were dazzlingly bright. Jiang Chen stood by the roadside, backlit, his entire figure outlined in the glow—tall and lean, his profile sharp even as he stared down at his phone.

Ye Mian’s heart suddenly pounded heavier in her chest.

She hurried over and gently poked Jiang Chen’s back.

“I’m here.”

Jiang Chen looked down, his gaze unhurried as it swept over her face, pausing at the tip of her nose before opening the car door. “Get in.”

Ye Mian, now familiar with the routine, climbed in at once. As Jiang Chen rounded the car and got in, her gaze remained fixed on him.

His expression was always cool and gentle.

She suddenly wondered what other expressions he might have. Could someone like Jiang Chen ever be shy?

Jiang Chen noticed the way she was staring at him, and raised an eyebrow. “What are you looking at?”

“Jiang Chen—” The girl called his name, her brows curved like apricot petals, a playful smile lighting up her beautiful face. The next moment, she said, “You’re really good-looking.”

Jiang Chen lifted his eyebrows. This was the second time. This was the second time the girl had complimented his looks to his face, but this time, there was even a hint of… teasing.

“Mm, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. You deserve it.” Ye Mian grew bolder.

“Very well.” Jiang Chen’s lips curled up faintly as he accepted the compliment, then his gaze landed on her face. “So, does this meal tonight mean I have to pay with my looks?”

Thank you for your votes and your support, dear readers. Thank you for loving this book and for reading to this point. Much love to you all. (End of chapter)