Chapter 27: The Memory He Shouldn't Have
Shen Muyan didn't move for a long time.
He stood there, fingers slightly curled, watching Lin Chaoxi's back retreating into the hallway. Her words echoed in his mind like a stone thrown into still water.
"I'm your wife, remember?"
But the truth was—he didn't.
At least, not completely.
The assistant came back with Gu Yining, ready to introduce her formally to the team. But Shen Muyan barely reacted.
"President Shen?" Gu Yining's voice was soft and calm, just like he remembered it from those hazy, impossible dreams.
He blinked. "You look different."
Gu Yining smiled. "Five years does that to people."
Something twisted in his chest.
Five years…?
That was the same number of years he couldn't remember clearly.
Meanwhile, in the dressing room, Lin Chaoxi's breathing was erratic.
System Alert: Emotional Threshold at 87%. Recommend sedation protocol.]
"No," she whispered, gripping the sink.
[You are losing control. Shall I initiate memory suppression?]
"Shut up," she snapped, biting her lip until it bled.
She looked at her reflection. The flawless face, the curled lashes, the eyes trying to hold back tears.
"Why now?" she muttered. "Why did she have to appear now?"
A knock on the door broke the silence.
It wasn't Shen Muyan.
It was Gu Yining.
"Hi, Lin Chaoxi," she said sweetly. "We haven't properly met, but I've heard a lot about you."
Chaoxi's spine straightened.
"Oh?" She smiled coolly. "All good things, I hope."
Yining tilted her head. "Well, that depends. I was surprised to hear you're… married to Shen Muyan."
There was no malice in her tone. Just… curiosity. Calm, polite, threatening in its own way.
Chaoxi took a slow breath. "Surprised? Why?"
"Because the man I knew…" Yining's eyes met hers. "Would never marry without love."
[System Warning: Threat Level – High. Prepare for emotional destabilization.]
But Lin Chaoxi only smiled.
"Well," she said softly, "maybe people change."