Chapter Seventy-Nine: Memories

Zhao Meng looked at Qin Yu’s helpless expression, blinked, and continued with a smile, “Yes, I survived. And as for the organization, they subjected me to one round of brainwashing after another. The content of the brainwashing was to make me see Qin Yu as my very life—no, even more important than my own life.

In those countless sessions, the name Qin Yu was etched into my soul, fused into my blood. Even if I forgot who I was, I would still remember those two words: Qin Yu. Later, the organization hypnotized me again and again, simulating all kinds of scenarios. Only after confirming my absolute loyalty to Qin Yu did they decide to assign me to her side as her protector.

But on the very night they were to take me away, there was a massive explosion at the organization. Amidst the chaos, I was kidnapped by someone, drugged, and lost consciousness. When I woke again, I had forgotten everything. As I opened my eyes, I saw my parents keeping watch at my bedside. My memories had been altered, everything changed. The only thing that remained was the name Qin Yu, and the unwavering desire to protect her.”

As Xia Cheng listened to Zhao Meng’s relaxed tone, his heart ached unbearably. Suddenly, he pulled Zhao Meng into his arms and said in a muffled voice, “Honey, stop—my heart aches for you.”

Zhao Meng gently patted Xia Cheng and replied, “If your heart hurts, let me rub it for you. Be good.”

Xia Cheng shook his head. “It won’t help. I can feel it bleeding—so much, so much blood.”

“Be good. Once I finish, it won’t bleed anymore.” Zhao Meng stroked Xia Cheng’s head, then turned to Qin Yu and continued, “Xiao Yu, the first time I saw you, you felt so familiar, yet I’d never met you and didn’t even know your name. I thought maybe it was love at first sight, that the moment I looked at you, the urge to protect you overflowed in my heart. So I took your hand and brought you into my life. But really, how many genuine instant connections are there in the world?

Now I realize, back then, it was simply the organization making me drink some kind of medicine when they assigned me to protect you, and that medicine caused the later sense of familiarity. Though I spent nearly ten years in that organization, I knew almost nothing about it except my mission to protect you. But every drug they gave me worked wonders—some had effects I’d never even heard of. Sometimes I wondered if the organization was some ancient family of healers.

Xiao Yu, meeting you might have been by chance, but I feel as if some invisible hand was guiding it all. I don’t know why you were in that state back then, or why the organization never contacted me again. My days seemed so calm, as if even the apocalypse was just a change in lifestyle. I thought I would always be that cheerful, carefree Zhao Meng.

But then, Feng Meier’s actions awoke my memories. I wandered in those terrifying, desperate recollections, afraid that the girl in my mind who considered killing a kind of cure was once me. I was afraid that the warm blood staining my future path would blind me to whether the road beneath my feet was smooth or rough. I ran from everything, terrified that what lurked in my mind would overwhelm me. So I chose not to choose and stayed quietly in place. If it weren’t for you, Xiao Yu, I might have been swallowed by darkness, never to awaken.

Last night, listening to your conversation, all the truths I’d been avoiding came flooding back. Watching your struggles and pain, I suddenly realized I was a coward—a coward afraid to face her true self, a selfish demon, a terrifying pretender behind a mask. How could someone like me deserve your acceptance? Your love?

And so, I began to accept who I had been: the little girl who grew excited at the sight of blood, who repeated Qin Yu’s name over and over, who once resented the world. My past and present selves collided, and the person standing before you today is a new me—someone who has escaped both hell and heaven. Now, in this world, I stand by your side.

I ran before, but from today on, I will run no more, because I have you with me—people who will never abandon me, no matter who I am.”

Zhao Meng tilted her head, her eyes crinkling as she smiled, her lips curving into their widest arc. Looking at this Zhao Meng, Qin Yu suddenly felt as if a flower had bloomed in her heart—bright and beautiful, dispelling all uncertainty and confusion, bringing her the loveliest scenery.

Qin Yu’s eyes reddened as she looked at Zhao Meng. With a hint of a sob, she said, “No matter what you’re like, Zhao Meng, in my heart, you’ll always be the one who, despite wailing over failing exams, would drag me out for spicy hotpot; the one who, though furious, would still gently cover me with her coat; the one who gave up chances to rise for my sake and then seized the opportunity to blackmail me. Whatever you’ve been through, the past is past. From now on, we’ll always be together—always, always.”

Zhao Meng’s smile deepened. Then she stroked Xia Cheng’s head and said, “Xia Cheng, you couldn’t be part of my past, but will you face the future with me?”

Xia Cheng lifted his head from Zhao Meng’s neck, gazed at her, and replied, “Honey, I was late for your past, but I’ll never be absent from your future!”

At these words, Zhao Meng’s eyes reddened instantly. She hugged Xia Cheng tightly and said, “Husband, yes!”

Xia Cheng embraced Zhao Meng in return. In that moment, their hearts pressed together, closer than ever before, promising a future with less hardship and more sweetness. It was this closeness that later made Qing Li feel a pang of sorrow each time she saw their interaction.

Meanwhile, Tao, who had quietly listened to the entire exchange, lowered her head as she thought of that man. If only there had been more understanding and tolerance between them, if only she had tried harder to know him, would things have ended differently? Would their relationship be as beautiful as Zhao Meng and her brother’s? But in this world, “if only” is always the most impossible thing.

Qin Yu glanced at Tao, then at the embracing couple, and a smile curved her lips—a smile full of relief, blessing, and a trace of longing.

The sunlight sprawled lazily over the earth, filling the entire room with warmth. But this gentle scene was soon to be shattered by a group of uninvited guests.

Kisses to all my little friends!