After She Fell for Me, I Lost My Memory (GL) - Chapter 52

So, she learned to cook this time for Zhao Zhao?

Jian Mu stood outside the door for a while, unwilling to dwell on it, forcing herself to look away.

After two days of study, although Cen Luo’s culinary skills hadn’t advanced by leaps and bounds, the food was at least edible.

Confident, Cen Luo had Zhao Zhao sit in the living room to watch TV while she prepared the meal. However, Zhao Zhao shook her head and followed her into the kitchen, saying she wanted to help as an assistant.

Zhao Zhao was in charge of washing and prepping the vegetables, while Cen Luo handled the cutting and the stove.

As Cen Luo was chopping, Zhao Zhao noticed a burn mark on the back of her hand.

Cen Luo was busy boasting about how great her cooking skills were when Zhao Zhao, who had been humoring her, suddenly went silent, staring intently at her hand.

Cen Luo instinctively pulled her hand back, feeling the embarrassment of being caught in a lie.

“Even if your cooking is great, there are times when you can’t control the heat perfectly, you know?” Cen Luo blinked, hoping Zhao Zhao would take the hint.

Instead of answering, Zhao Zhao asked, “Does it hurt?”

Cen Luo shook her head. A few drops of oil wouldn’t hurt; it was just a bit frightening at the moment.

“Did you apply medicine?”

Cen Luo was about to answer when Zhao Zhao suddenly took her hand, turned the burn toward her, and blew on it.

Cen Luo felt a few seconds of discomfort due to Zhao Zhao’s expression, but remembering she had patted Zhao Zhao’s shoulder earlier, she relaxed. She pulled her hand back and glanced at it: “I applied some. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

After that, Zhao Zhao didn’t speak for a long time. Cen Luo looked at her in confusion and saw an expression that wasn’t quite normal—a look in her eyes that didn’t seem to belong to a “younger sister.” Cen Luo couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“I used to think you were just like my sister, but now I feel like you’re not that similar after all.”

Zhao Zhao had heard Cen Luo say this ten years ago. Back then, Cen Luo was often so frustrated by her that she wanted to throw her out, always ending with: “If you weren’t so like Xiao Xi, I would…”

Young and unable to express herself, Zhao Zhao didn’t like being called “like her sister.” Despite her many protests, she couldn’t change Cen Luo’s mind. So, at that time, she never called her “Sister” as Cen Luo wished.

It wasn’t until the day she left that Zhao Zhao finally called her “Sister.” Later, she often wondered if she had been more obedient and called her that earlier, if Cen Luo’s reluctance to part would have been greater—even if it was just because she resembled her sister.

“Maybe this is just fate,” Zhao Zhao finally replied with a smile after a long pause.

She took the knife from Cen Luo’s hand and added, “Let me cut. I think if we follow your speed, we won’t eat until midnight.”

Zhao Zhao guessed that if she said she was afraid Cen Luo would cut her hand, Cen Luo might try to prove her wrong.

Cen Luo thought Zhao Zhao had a point and stepped aside. She was about to suggest she start stir-frying instead, but then Zhao Zhao said, “Sister, do you believe my cooking is better than the chefs at the Yunxiang Club?”

Cen Luo naturally didn’t believe her and shook her head.

“You don’t believe me?” Zhao Zhao shook her head in disappointment. “Then I must prove it to you today. Just stand there and watch me—witness the birth of a gourmet meal!”

Cen Luo gave a hum of surprise that Zhao Zhao could actually cook. Thinking that Zhao Zhao’s skills were likely better than hers, she resigned herself and went to the sink to help wash vegetables.

Zhao Zhao wanted Cen Luo to just stand and watch, but clearly, Cen Luo wanted to help, so she let her.

Watching Zhao Zhao stir-fry with such practiced movements, Cen Luo marveled, “I didn’t expect you to be so good at this.”

Zhao Zhao turned the heat down and replied, “I learned how to cook after I left your house.”

Before Cen Luo could ask why, Zhao Zhao chuckled, “Because I wanted to cook for you the next time we met. By the way, the sour and spicy shredded potatoes and the stir-fried pork with green peppers you made back then were both raw.”

Cen Luo thought back; that might have been her very first time cooking. Because she was afraid of the oil splashing, she had put the oil and vegetables in at the same time. They ended up scorched but raw—quite a feat. Even more absurd was that Zhao Zhao had ignored her protests and eaten more than half of it.

A true warrior.

“Sister, I have always been grateful to you for giving me a direction. I’ve been looking for you all these years, but I couldn’t find you. Later, after I gained more freedom, I went to your home many times, but I was told you hadn’t been back in a long time. Then I heard an old woman passing by say you had gone to Yuncheng, so I wanted to apply for a university there. I thought I’d have a chance to meet you over those four years, but due to some accidents, I stayed in another province for four years instead.”

Somehow, the atmosphere suddenly became sentimental. Especially when Cen Luo met Zhao Zhao’s eyes and saw the suppressed, restrained emotions within. Something she couldn’t understand was breaking through the surface.

Cen Luo hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, “Why were you looking for me?”

Facing a suddenly emotional Zhao Zhao, Cen Luo couldn’t use a joking tone to tell her that she had only picked her up on a whim because she resembled Xiao Xi. Cen Luo knew Zhao Zhao was serious; she had likely been searching for her for many years.

Zhao Zhao lowered her eyes, then looked up again after a long pause: “I…”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Cen Luo instinctively looked toward the door. It rang twice more.

The atmosphere was broken. Zhao Zhao regained her composure as Cen Luo headed to the entryway. Zhao Zhao turned back to the stove and stirred the food.

Cen Luo opened the door to find Jian Mu standing there.

Before Cen Luo could ask, Jian Mu explained, “I think I packed the wrong document. It went into your box.”

Cen Luo glanced at the last unopened box on the table. She had looked inside yesterday and noticed a folder full of numbers, symbols, and messy things she didn’t understand, as well as some design drafts. She had assumed they were things from her own work. Now that she thought about it, even in several decades, she would never like such complex things.

It made sense they belonged to Jian Mu.

Recalling Jian Mu’s earlier call, the document was likely urgent. Cen Luo hesitated and then said to Jian Mu, “Just stand right here.”

Jian Mu nodded.

The moment Cen Luo turned around, Jian Mu’s gaze shifted. From where she stood, she could see into the kitchen. She saw Zhao Zhao cooking, wearing an apron that looked very familiar.

Jian Mu knew Cen Luo liked to buy items in multiples—either to give to friends or to use one and keep another. The apron Zhao Zhao was wearing was identical to the one in her own home. In the past, whenever she occasionally cooked, she often forgot to wear an apron and would get splashed by oil. Cen Luo would always put the apron on her before she started.

So, did Cen Luo put that apron on Zhao Zhao with her own hands? Did she stand on her tiptoes to tie the strings around her neck?

Whatever their relationship was, it was enough to make her jealous.

Zhao Zhao had seen Jian Mu as soon as she appeared at the door. She didn’t know what Jian Mu had said to Cen Luo, but Cen Luo hadn’t chased her away; instead, she let her wait at the door.

Seeing Cen Luo walking toward the living room, Zhao Zhao said softly, “Sister, come and taste this. If it’s okay, I’ll plate it.”

“Hurry, it’s about to burn!”

Cen Luo had intended to find the document, but she paused. Plating was more urgent; scorched food wouldn’t taste good. This was the honest thought of someone who had been eating scorched food for the past two days.

Cen Luo turned toward the kitchen, but Zhao Zhao was already coming out, holding a small bowl.

“I’ll bring it to you.”

“Ah—” Zhao Zhao used clean chopsticks to pick up a piece and held it to Cen Luo’s lips.

It all happened in seconds. Before Cen Luo could think about what Zhao Zhao was doing, she instinctively opened her mouth and swallowed.

“Mmm, it’s delicious.” Cen Luo gave Zhao Zhao a thumbs-up. Then she walked to the sofa and found the document folder at the very top of the box.

Turning around, she realized she hadn’t closed the door. Had she forgotten?

She handed the folder to Jian Mu and reminded her, “I hope this is the only document.” Meaning if there was a next time, she wouldn’t open the door.

Jian Mu, who had been watching Zhao Zhao, gave a hum and lowered her head. She barely said thank you before the door was closed in her face.

Jian Mu stared at the document in her hand, recalling the admiring expression on Cen Luo’s face when Zhao Zhao fed her. She returned to her room in silence.

Near noon, Zhao Zhao was called away by a call from her manager. After careful consideration, Zhao Zhao had decided to sign for Late Soul. Today was the final day promised for consideration, and they had arranged a meeting for the afternoon.

Before leaving, Zhao Zhao nagged Cen Luo with several instructions. Cen Luo didn’t understand why Zhao Zhao had suddenly become so talkative, acting like she was the older sister.

“I’ll walk you out.” Cen Luo couldn’t help but interrupt her nagging.

“No, the car is nearby,” Zhao Zhao added, fearing Cen Luo would walk her downstairs. “What if we get photographed together? Are you going to date me then?”

“What are you talking about?” Cen Luo patted her arm dismissively. “Just be careful, ‘Big Star,’ don’t get caught.”

“Sister,” Zhao Zhao said suddenly.

“Mhm?”

“Will you come to visit me on set at Huiling Mountain?”

Seeing the anticipation in her eyes, Cen Luo nodded, “Mhm, mhm.”

Zhao Zhao hesitated to say more, but finally smiled: “I believe you will come.” Then she pulled down her hat, put on her mask and glasses, and headed for the elevator.

After seeing Zhao Zhao off, Cen Luo stretched her neck, ready to go back for a nap. Jian Mu happened to come out of her apartment. She was startled to see Cen Luo, then asked:

“Can I borrow some soy sauce?”

Soy sauce? Does she not even have soy sauce at home?

Just as Cen Luo was about to answer, she saw Zhao Zhao, who had just left, walking back.

“Why are you—”

Before she could finish, Zhao Zhao walked up quickly and gave her a gentle, brief hug.

“Sister, you must remember to come.”

Zhao Zhao felt uneasy; six months was too long for things to change.

Cen Luo nodded, “Don’t worry.”

Zhao Zhao pursed her lips and added, “Sister, remember to consider what I said just now.”

Cen Luo was stunned, then smiled and nodded.

Jian Mu, standing to the side, seemed to have been treated as thin air by the two of them. Before Zhao Zhao left, she glanced at Jian Mu, and their gazes met in a silent battle for a moment.

After Zhao Zhao left, Cen Luo remembered Jian Mu was still there.

Soy sauce? Can’t you buy it yourself?

“No.” She then closed the door.

This was the third time today she had heard Cen Luo’s door slam. Jian Mu gave a self-mocking curl of her lips.

The phone in her hand kept ringing. Jian Mu looked at it. There were several unread messages, the last one from Chu Linbai: [How’s it going? Did you manage to borrow it?]

Jian Mu lowered her eyes and slowly typed a line in the chat box:

[I want to hug her.]

Chu Linbai replied instantly: [???]

[Wake up! You’re not worthy.]

[Just say it if you want a full refund!]

[Calm down, calm down. Let’s take it slow. Please trust my professional expertise, okay?]

Jian Mu went into her living room, turned off her phone, and sat on the sofa in a daze. After a while, she sent a message to Chu Linbai:

[Help me find some recipes. Spicy ones.]

Chu Linbai: [?]

[Am I your subordinate?]

The next second, Chu Linbai saw a transfer notification on her screen. Feeling Jian Mu’s “sincerity,” she immediately withdrew her previous message.

[No problem, leave it to me.]