Chapter 5: I Only Know Her

It was unexpected, really. The turn of events should not have turned this way.

Ji Nanfeng threw a short glance over to Duan Anran, but in doing so incurred a sort of pathetic misery. How to turn the water over and drive her out without boiling the water?1

Duan Anran’s left brow raised slightly, mind blown away in lieu of Ji Nanfeng’s action towards Mo Lixin. It should not be so. Ji Nanfeng treated Mo Lixin a stranger, but as he looked her in the eyes, his features softened.

Duan Anran felt nauseated as she watched his ephemeral gaze.

“Help me up.” Said Ji Nanfeng, the order directed to Mo Lixin who watched him carefully with great attention since his awakening.

Mo Lixin thought he was muttering to himself, but she nevertheless hurried to support his back and cus.h.i.+oned a pillow at the back of his head to lean on.

“You go out!” Ji Nanfeng said coldly to Duan Anran, voice lacking any sort of tenderness and care he once gave her.

Duan Anran discovered a change and abnormality in Ji Nanfeng. She suddenly thought of something and leaned forward. “Nanfeng, I am Anran… do you remember me?”

Ji Nanfeng looked at her dazed look. It seemed as she thought he had a sort of amnesia.

He chuckled inwardly. A fool, he thought, but thinking carefully, it seemed the probable cause. A person cannot change so much. If he behaves abnormally, it’d be a cause for concern.

Without plausible reason, Mo Lixin would only grow suspicious of his kindness towards her, possibly thinking he means her harm. He’s not afraid of his rebirth being exposed, only afraid no one will believe him. And what good would it do? Would it change anything? Should he personally say to Mo Lixin that owed her in the past life? Even if she listened on, he had no courage to h.e.l.l her.

After a short period of quietness, Ji Nanfeng suddenly thought of the perfect solution — he lost his memory, unable to remember anything nor of the past. This reason is the perfect excuse to remain by Mo Lixin’s side. She is his wife and this reason settles it down, maybe he’ll find the heart to speak of this matter later on.

“Who are you? I don’t know you. I only know Lixin!” A loss of memory, he can only profess this lie as mere truth, only remembering Mo Lixin, and his and her parents, deciding that he lost a year of his memory. He knew not the existence of Duan Anran a year ago and his relations.h.i.+p with Mo Lixin was still good, if not bearable.

Mo Lixin and Duan Anran drew their bodies back, startled by his profession.

Duan Anran’s pupil enlarged as she staggered backwards. Her mind was blank.

Nanfeng… lost his memory…? Then what of all that I have done? Was it all in vain…?

Her heart grew close to collapsing. Her eyes overflowed a set of tears. A pitiful sight it was, but Ji Nanfeng felt nothing.

Compared to Duan Anran, Mo Lixin’s heart thumped voraciously. She was confused. On one hand, she worried for his sake. The trauma incurred must have been drastic. If not taken care of properly, the future troubles to come would only lead to further problems, but an evil voice in heart sighed in merry happiness.

He does not remember Duan Anran… for odd reasons, she felt content.

“Nanfeng, I am Anran! Duan Anran! You’ve accompanied me for more than a year!”

“I said I don’t remember you! I don’t know you! I don’t like you! Get out!” Ji Nanfeng exclaimed.

Hidden in his heart were too few many regrets of the past… especially her, his wife. He’d never allow anyone to hurt her nor cause her suffering whether directly or indirectly. She’d not suffer the same fate as before.

And Duan Anran, she must go.