Amnesia Trap (GL) - Chapter 34

Sheng Zhi looked at the potato she had sliced twice. She hadn’t closely observed exactly how a potato should be sliced, as she generally didn’t need to cut them.

But looking at it now, she felt that a potato wasn’t supposed to be cut like this. Something felt awkward.

She wasn’t deaf to Ji Qingfan’s question, but she didn’t put down the knife after hearing it. It was too late to hide it, so she might as well brazen it out.

Sheng Zhi: “I thought this potato was ugly, so I sliced it.”

The statement was not very logical, but combined with the way she had sliced the potato, it surprisingly sounded quite reasonable.

Ji Qingfan subtly took the knife from her hand, a little worried Sheng Zhi might accidentally cut herself later.

Then she looked at the uneven potato pieces and smiled brightly, “How did Zhi Zhi know I wanted to make potato curry? We’re so in sync.”

Hearing Ji Qingfan say this, Sheng Zhi was slightly taken aback.

Even she, who couldn’t cook, felt the potato wasn’t sliced quite right, so it was impossible for Ji Qingfan not to notice. But Ji Qingfan said nothing, not only avoiding any mention that she had ruined the potato but acting as if they had a deep, tacit understanding.

Her eyes were curved, and her smile was especially gentle and beautiful.

And the potato she had poorly sliced was naturally sliced further by Ji Qingfan and stewed into the curry.

Steam and fragrance wafted up.

As if colored by the surging aroma, Sheng Zhi’s cheeks also grew warm.

She parted her lips, about to speak, but heard Ji Qingfan preempt her: “But Zhi Zhi doesn’t need to help with any of this. Just tell me what you’d like to eat.”

Ji Qingfan washed her hands as she spoke, wiped the water from them, and looked at Sheng Zhi.

In truth, Sheng Zhi had often seen Ji Qingfan’s loving, nearly overflowing gaze since she started pretending to have amnesia, but she still found it hard to get used to.

It wasn’t just the gaze; Ji Qingfan’s voice was also so affectionate, “At home, Zhi Zhi only needs to rely on me completely.”

The words were full of tender affection, like the sweet talk of a couple in love.

But—there it was again.

That strange, subtly unnerving sensation that made her scalp tingle.

As her words faded, Ji Qingfan noticed Sheng Zhi’s expression.

After a very subtle pause of one or two seconds, she gently approached and wrapped her arms around Sheng Zhi’s waist: “After all, I would be lost without Zhi Zhi. I’m not as certain as I appear. I’m so anxious. I want Zhi Zhi to rely on me more. I don’t want Zhi Zhi to leave me…”

The gradually spreading aroma of the dishes, and the unmasked needs expressed in a soft whisper.

The cozy atmosphere prevented things from becoming too tense, and so, every subtle moment passed without issue. The possessiveness and desire for control, briefly exposed, were retracted by their owner. Ji Qingfan held Sheng Zhi, feeling Sheng Zhi’s hand lift and fall, seemingly conflicted about whether to hug her back.

…So adorable.

But thinking of the expression Sheng Zhi wore in that brief instant just now, Ji Qingfan lowered her eyes slightly.

Sheng Zhi was more sensitive in this regard than she had imagined, almost like an instinctive sensitivity residual in her subconscious, even though she had forgotten their past.

But she couldn’t say that either. After all, in high school, it was her own lack of restraint regarding this excessive possessiveness that drove Sheng Zhi away, and then she used the wrong methods to try and recapture Sheng Zhi’s attention.

She was too young then, only thinking of grasping the flying bird tightly, not realizing that the more she did so, the more the bird longed for freedom.

—She should lure her.

Lure her in the guise of a lamb, making her believe the initiative was in her own hands, making her think she was the one in control, and making her develop a strong possessiveness and unyielding desire for her, too.

A flying bird cannot be tightly held. One can only set a well-hidden trap and bait, so she walks into it defenseless and unable to prepare.

Sheng Zhi listened to Ji Qingfan’s words.

She felt that lies were indeed more pleasant than the truth. That’s why people say “honest advice is hard on the ears.” Even if pleasant lies are fake, they are truly agreeable.

Especially hearing Ji Qingfan, who hated her, say she didn’t want her to leave.

She had been so self-assured when betting with her in the hospital room, yet her heart wasn’t so certain.

Perhaps her statement about not wanting her to leave was genuine? Even if it was for financial gain, Ji Qingfan truly didn’t want her to end the marriage, did she?

The power to continue or terminate this relationship, and even the bet, was in her hands, not Ji Qingfan’s.

The arm around her waist wasn’t squeezing hard. Ji Qingfan looked truly easy to bully as she held her and confessed her anxiety.

Sheng Zhi suddenly felt a surge of good humor. She hummed, “Whether I leave or not depends on your performance.”

She didn’t hug Ji Qingfan back, seemingly deliberately. The more anxious she found Ji Qingfan, the less she comforted her. It was mean, but she also didn’t push her away, allowing her to embrace her unilaterally.

Ji Qingfan tightened her hug. Her tone didn’t express any unhappiness at the answer, and her eyes were moist and moving, “I will make sure Zhi Zhi sees my love, and I will try hard to help Zhi Zhi remember.”

Even with the intention of making things difficult for Ji Qingfan, Sheng Zhi couldn’t find fault with the dinner, which was excessively delicious and exactly to her taste.

She felt Ji Qingfan understood her preferences a little too well…

But before she could think more deeply, her train of thought was interrupted by the low, rumbling sound of thunder.

Sheng Zhi didn’t have a habit of checking the weather, so she instinctively looked out the window when she heard the thunder: “Is it going to rain today?”

Ji Qingfan followed her gaze to the window, “I remember it being sunny when I checked this morning… But it’s okay if it rains. Zhi Zhi can just stay and sleep here. How about that?”

Towards the end of her sentence, she turned her eyes back to Sheng Zhi.

Ji Qingfan had checked the weather forecast this morning, but it wasn’t for sunshine; it was a heavy rain warning.

Sheng Zhi had no intention of staying here. Just like last time, she hadn’t stayed. Even though Ji Qingfan kept telling her this was their shared home, Sheng Zhi knew very well it wasn’t; they hadn’t cohabited after marriage.

“No, thank you. It’s probably just a thunderstorm. It won’t be bad enough to stop us from driving. I’ll call the driver to pick me up soon.”

Sheng Zhi did not agree to Ji Qingfan’s suggestion.

She genuinely had no intention of staying.

Ji Qingfan didn’t pressure her to stay after hearing her refusal, only sounding a little disappointed, “It’s alright. Zhi Zhi can decide whatever she wants. But could you stay until after we finish dinner before leaving?”

Sheng Zhi wasn’t in a hurry either. She saw that it wasn’t too dark outside and didn’t take the weather seriously. Since she hadn’t finished eating, she agreed.

However, the bad weather came faster than expected. As soon as they finished eating, a bright, blinding flash of lightning was followed by a downpour. The rain offered no time to prepare; it just started pouring.

Ji Qingfan was clearing the dishes to take them to the dishwasher. Seeing the rain, she gently suggested, “Why don’t we wait a bit? It’ll be safer to leave when the rain lessens.”

Sheng Zhi felt that made sense. Regardless, she wouldn’t be staying here today.

“I’ll go wash some fruit. Zhi Zhi can wait while eating some fruit.”

Sheng Zhi didn’t look at her. Hearing Ji Qingfan’s receding footsteps, she presumed Ji Qingfan went to get the fruit.

But in the span of a few words, the rain visibly grew heavier.

…If it kept raining like this, driving would be difficult.

She stood up, staring intently out the window.

Just then, another peal of thunder suddenly exploded in the clouds.

It was followed by several more in succession, deafeningly loud.

And then, the indoor lights abruptly went out, all of them.

The room instantly plunged into darkness. Since her vision hadn’t completely adjusted from the bright environment, adapting to the sudden darkness was difficult. Sheng Zhi gasped.

She had been kidnapped once as a child. Although she hadn’t sustained any serious injuries because she was rescued promptly, it left a lingering psychological shadow.

It wasn’t particularly severe.

After all, she wasn’t usually afraid of the dark, heavy rain, or thunder. But she was terrified when these factors collided—a pitch-black room with only herself inside, while lightning flashed and thunder roared outside. Every time this happened, her heart pounded uncontrollably.

The nightmare from her childhood happened in such an environment.

Helpless and terrified.

She couldn’t overcome it. Her blood seemed to freeze instantly, and her breathing stopped.

Sheng Zhi’s fingers trembled slightly. She reached for her phone screen and turned on the flashlight, but the full-body stiffness didn’t abate with the cold light. She clearly knew she was safe now, yet she couldn’t stop the panic, feeling as if she were back in that dilapidated underground warehouse.

Lightning tore across the sky again. The thunder rumbled deep in the heavy clouds, making thick, low noises, like a warning for something unknown about to descend.

Sheng Zhi gripped her phone, standing rigid, and couldn’t help but call out, “Ji Qingfan.”

…No one answered.

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, hesitating whether to call out again.

But the next second, she was gently embraced.

A complete hug, accompanied by the soothing voice of the woman ringing in her ear, “Zhi Zhi, I’m here. I’m right here.”

She stroked her hair, while the other hand continuously rubbed her back.

Sheng Zhi’s senses were filled only with Ji Qingfan’s faint scent. She reached out and tightly wrapped her arms around Ji Qingfan, almost locking her in her embrace, afraid she would run away.

The body she was holding was warm, a warmth completely opposite to the rainy night.

She buried her face in Ji Qingfan’s neck.

Ji Qingfan’s voice was gentle, whispering soothing words in her ear, and her embrace was soft.

Listening to her gentle coaxing, the intense physical reaction subsided somewhat.

But the room was still dark, with no sign of the power returning, and the thunderstorm outside showed no signs of stopping.

Sheng Zhi kept her eyes closed.

Boom—

Thunder roared in the sky again, mixed with the sound of rain and wind.

As another bolt of lightning struck.

Ji Qingfan covered her ears and kissed her lips.