Xu Minghao and the others burst in, crowding around Lin Zeyu, half-laughing, half-crying. “Zeyu, how could you forget all of us?”
Lin Zeyu shrank back, hiding behind me. I tried to reassure him, “Don’t worry, they’re your friends.”
He whispered, “They’re scary.”
I turned to the group. “You can see his condition for yourselves. The doctor said not to upset him, so watch what you say.”
Xu Minghao glared at me. “When Zeyu gets his memory back, you’re dead.”
But Lin Zeyu stepped in front of me, his voice cold. “You’ve seen enough. You can leave now.”
Xu Minghao was stunned, but quickly backed off, dragging his friends with him. “Fine, fine, we’re leaving. Good luck, you two.”
As soon as they left, Lin Zeyu’s demeanor softened. He pressed me against the door, his eyes full of longing. “Can we pick up where we left off?”
I sighed. This was all my own doing.
Winter break ended quickly. The night before classes started, Aunt Lin called from overseas. She and Uncle Lin were swamped with work and couldn’t come back. After confirming that Lin Zeyu was physically fine, they hung up in a hurry.
Lin Zeyu sat on the couch, looking lost and lonely. I walked over and wrapped my arms around him, holding him tight, hoping to chase away his sadness
Yiran, do you think Mom and Dad don’t love me anymore? Why haven’t they come to see me after everything that’s happened?” Lin Zeyu’s voice trembled, his eyes rimmed red.
After the accident, Lin Zeyu had changed so much. The old him never cared if his parents were around; he used to say being alone meant more freedom. But now, he seemed to crave their affection like a lost child.
“They’re just busy with work, Zeyu. You’re their only son—of course they love you,” I reassured him.
“Really?” He looked up at me, tears threatening to fall.
He was such a crybaby now, so easy to tease. I couldn’t help but soften. “Really. And I love you too. I always have, ever since we first met. That’s never changed.”
I lowered my head, unable to resist the pull between us. Sometimes, the words you never plan to say just slip out when you’re with the right person. No matter what happens next, I decided to let myself be selfish for once.
The past few days, I’d truly felt the joy of being with Lin Zeyu. He was so obedient, so attentive, so “in love” with me. No matter how unreasonable I was, he always took my side.
If I wanted dessert in the middle of the night, he’d brave the entire city just to find an open bakery. Slowly, under his gentle influence, my anxiety about his memory returning faded. We did everything couples do—laughing, fighting, making up—our lives intertwined like a real couple.
Until the new semester began.
Before classes started, I reminded Lin Zeyu multiple times: “We haven’t gone public, so we need to keep our distance at school.”
He pouted and protested, accusing me of not loving him. I finally promised, “As long as no one’s around, you can do whatever you want.” That calmed him down.
Xu Minghao and the others who knew the truth kept quiet, so only a handful of people were in on our secret. But Lin Zeyu was still the campus heartthrob, and rumors about his amnesia spread like wildfire.
My best friend, Su Yin, cornered me between classes. “Is it true Lin Zeyu forgot everyone but you?”
I didn’t bother hiding it. “Yeah. And I messed with him, told him I was his boyfriend.”
Her eyes widened. “He believed you?”
I nodded, defeated. “He did. And now… we’ve done everything a couple could do. What am I supposed to do when he gets his memory back? Will he kill me?”
She stared at me, speechless, then finally managed, “You’re wild. Good luck, Yiran. You’re on your own!”
I slumped over my desk, feeling utterly hopeless.
After class, Lin Zeyu ignored my warnings and came looking for me, his eyes bright with excitement and affection for all to see. He sat down beside me, ignoring Su Yin’s shocked expression. “I’ve got a basketball game at three. Will you come watch me?”
“Why?” I asked, caught off guard.
He blushed, looking embarrassed. “Everyone else has someone bringing them water. I want that too.”
I rolled my eyes, but agreed. “Fine, I’ll be there.”
He beamed, nearly hugging me before my warning glare stopped him. “Don’t forget!” he called as he left.
Su Yin started clapping in amazement. “Yiran, you really know how to train a campus heartthrob into a puppy. Tell me your secrets!”
I could only give her a guilty smile. Deep down, I knew I’d have to pay for this one day.
The game was a friendly match between departments. I recognized most of the players—Xu Minghao and the others. Lin Zeyu kept scanning the stands until he spotted me, then flashed a smile that made the girls around me scream.
I clutched the water bottle, my face burning. Wasn’t this supposed to be a low-key event? I’d never watched him play before and had underestimated his popularity.
As the game heated up, Lin Zeyu was a star on the court. His accident had taken his memories, but not his skills. He scored again and again, the crowd roaring with each basket. Every so often, he’d glance my way, making sure I was still there.
But then, in a split second, disaster struck. A stray ball slammed into Lin Zeyu’s head. He clutched his forehead, dropping to one knee in pain.
My heart stopped. I leapt from my seat and pushed through the crowd. “Zeyu, are you okay?” I called, my voice trembling.
He looked up, dazed. “Chen… Yiran?”
In that moment, I knew—he’d gotten his memory back.
Chapter 04
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