Amnesia Trap (GL) - Chapter 5

For a moment, Sheng Zhi really wanted to tell her to stop acting. Her mother, who was unaware of the truth, looked somewhat relieved upon hearing Ji Qingfan’s explanation, while Jiang Wanyin beside her was clearly taken aback. Although she quickly regained her composure, the fleeting look of disbelief didn’t quite disappear.

Meeting Ji Qingfan’s affectionate gaze again, Sheng Zhi felt her face flush—purely from anger.

Why hadn’t she noticed how thick-skinned Ji Qingfan was before?

However, Ms. Sheng Xiyi clearly didn’t overthink the situation. She even obviously misinterpreted something, pulling the still bewildered Jiang Wanyin aside and winking at Sheng Zhi, indicating they could step out. “Zhi Zhi, you talk to Xiao Ji first. We’ll be outside and won’t disturb you.”

Sheng Zhi opened her mouth, about to speak, but then thought of Ji Qingfan’s stream of lies and decided it was better if they were left alone in the ward. So, she nodded, crafting a clever line: “It’s good, I’m actually very curious about the memory I lost. Maybe talking about it will help me remember some things.”

As the ward door closed, the room returned to having only the two of them.

Sheng Zhi withdrew her gaze from the door, found Ji Qingfan still looking at her, and looked back without much reaction, even unconsciously tilting her chin up a little.

—This was her habitual posture. She was a domineering personality since childhood, and even her most casual glance carried a hint of arrogant authority.

Ji Qingfan watched her, then inexplicably curved her lips. Her eyes, which were naturally cool when unsmiling, filled with an intoxicating charm once she smiled: “Zhi Zhi, do you know? Every time you look at me like that, I think you are very cute.” Like a little peacock, or a pure white swan, the kind that is lofty and untouchable, the very image that appeared in her dreams on countless nights.

She spoke with great sincerity, smiling with a water-like gaze even without receiving a response.

The moment Sheng Zhi decided to fake amnesia, she had anticipated many possible scenarios, but she never expected the current situation.

Actually, thinking about it, it wasn’t that strange.

Just as she wanted to end the marriage for her own benefit, Ji Qingfan would want to extend it for her own benefit.

But the thought of Ji Qingfan’s words still made Sheng Zhi inwardly scoff.

She looked at Ji Qingfan, who was still smiling and praising her cuteness, and an idea suddenly popped into her mind.

The most logical thing she should do right now was directly refuse Ji Qingfan’s suggestion. What ridiculous one-month trial? If she refused now, the marriage would likely be voided immediately. Why wait a month?

But the problem lay here—she knew this was just Ji Qingfan’s tactic, yet she couldn’t help but become curious.

She was genuinely curious.

Curious about what Ji Qingfan would do during this month.

Was Ji Qingfan so certain that she wouldn’t insist on dissolving the marriage after a month? Or did she have some new method of procrastination planned for a month later? Besides, even if she had true amnesia, the subconscious residual feeling would be one of resistance towards Ji Qingfan. Ji Qingfan should know this clearly.

She couldn’t possibly think that because she forgot her, she would become good-tempered and easy to deal with, could she? That would be utterly laughable.

Once curiosity was piqued, it was impossible to suppress. Sheng Zhi thought about it and decided that it was only a month, and playing along wouldn’t hurt.

Moreover… since Ji Qingfan insisted they were deeply in love and acted so doting, then it wouldn’t matter if she was demanding and willful, right? Didn’t Ji Qingfan hate this kind of personality the most? She would boss her around and be utterly dramatic. She didn’t believe Ji Qingfan could tolerate it forever.

Just watch—in just one month—maybe even less—she would absolutely torment Ji Qingfan until she regretted ever making this proposal to her.

With this in mind, Sheng Zhi blinked. When she spoke again, her tone became much more serious: “I’ve thought about it, and there’s some sense in your method. The main thing is that I really do feel a bit strange when I see you, but… what was your name again?”

She put on a thoughtful expression. After a moment of contemplation, she clapped her hands and said with certainty: “I remember! Your surname is Li, right?”

With a different expression, this would have been deliberate provocation, but her demeanor had no hint of any other meaning.

Faced with this situation, Ji Qingfan’s expression didn’t change at all. If anything, the only change was that the curve of her beautiful, peach blossom eyes became slightly more pronounced.

“You got it wrong. My surname is Ji. Ji Qingfan.”

Ji Qingfan leaned closer, took Sheng Zhi’s hand, and used her fingertip to trace the outline of the character “Ji” on it.

“But it’s okay if you can’t remember. You used to call me Sister.”

The fingertip brushed her skin, causing a slight tickle. Sheng Zhi withdrew her hand and ignored the latter part of her sentence, instead repeating her full name word for word. Then, in the next second, her tone abruptly dropped: “Ji Qingfan, although I agreed to your suggestion, could you please stop touching me casually? Are you uncomfortable if you don’t have physical contact?”

To her surprise, Ji Qingfan only gave her a long, deep look, her tone tinged with melancholy and sadness. Her voice dropped considerably, and she immediately replied: “Yes. I didn’t think Zhi Zhi would notice.”

“After all, we were so close every day before. Now Zhi Zhi is so cold and mean to me. I’m truly heartbroken. Even your form of address has changed. The contrast is too great…”

A beautiful woman’s sadness was as pleasing to the eye as a painting.

Sheng Zhi was still a little unaccustomed to this side of Ji Qingfan, and after the initial discomfort, she felt a strange curiosity. Even though she knew Ji Qingfan was acting, the novelty was undeniable. To use another word, it felt similar to encountering a fun new toy.

Cold and mean?

That was considered mean?

Sheng Zhi narrowed her eyes, then suddenly beckoned with her finger, signaling Ji Qingfan to come closer.

Her movement was small, and she didn’t speak, but Ji Qingfan seemed to understand instantly and moved closer to her.

Seeing that she just made a simple gesture and the other person approached, Sheng Zhi found it even more amusing.

She watched Ji Qingfan lean in closer and then mercilessly reached out and patted the other woman’s face.

She didn’t use any force, of course, but it was the kind of movement that produced a couple of subtle slapping sounds, which was utterly humiliating to hear.

“Your ‘great contrast’ has nothing to do with me. I’m telling you now, this is the closest you can get to me. If you take any liberties, I won’t hold back.”

Ji Qingfan probably hadn’t expected her to do this so suddenly, and she seemed stunned.

Seeing her reaction, Sheng Zhi’s expression remained unchanged, but she felt immensely pleased inside, especially thinking about how annoyed Ji Qingfan must be right now but couldn’t show it. She felt even happier, smiling to show her two pointed canine teeth, and even patted her a few more times. “Speak. Did you hear me or not?”

After being patted a few more times, Ji Qingfan seemed to finally recover, but instead of avoiding it, she maintained her posture and said gently: “I heard you… then what about this kind of ‘cuddle’? Is that okay?”

Sheng Zhi was surprised that Ji Qingfan endured it. She hadn’t expected it.

She had thought Ji Qingfan would immediately give her a cold shoulder. After all, there had always been quite a few people who offended Ji Qingfan at banquets due to a lack of respect.

Didn’t she start to dislike her because of this very thing all those years ago?

The only reason Ji Qingfan could endure this was that the marriage contract with the Sheng family was genuinely very important to her, which was why she was so unwilling to divorce her. Sheng Zhi thought to herself, finding it perfectly normal for Ji Qingfan.

After all, even during the time when they were most at odds and Ji Qingfan disliked her the most, she never left their home. Not only did she not leave, but she also kept up appearances in front of her mother, didn’t she?

But this was more fun. After all, she still had many ways to make things difficult for her that she hadn’t used yet.

What was the point if she gave up right away?

But… “‘Cuddle’ is what?”

Ji Qingfan didn’t get angry, and her expression didn’t change. Sheng Zhi was about to withdraw her hand, but as soon as she started to pull it back, she felt Ji Qingfan grip her more firmly, as if she didn’t want her to take her hand away.

“‘Cuddle,’ you ask…” The woman tilted her head slightly, rubbing her cheek against Sheng Zhi’s palm. Her eyes were shimmering, and her gaze towards Sheng Zhi seemed veiled with water.

“It’s like this.”

She said softly and slowly.

Her warm breath fell entirely onto Sheng Zhi’s palm with the utterance of each word.