After getting off the bus and walking toward the residential complex under the streetlights, she looked up at the countless lit windows and couldn't help but think: Hadn't she lived like this before? Why did loneliness now feel as pervasive as breathing, seeping into every corner?
Then, focusing her gaze, she saw the light in her own apartment was on. Her heart suddenly began to race. You Mingxu couldn't quite describe the feeling—uncontrollable joy, bitterness, and unease all surged within her. She truly disliked this emotionally volatile version of herself, yet she still rushed into the elevator at top speed and arrived at her doorstep.
She stood in the hallway.
The door was open, and several workers were moving things in and out. The teenage wardrobe, parts of the prince's castle, along with the man's crisp suits and the green caterpillar costume were all jumbled together.
You Mingxu walked over slowly. The workers didn't recognize her and gave her a few curious glances. She brushed past them and went straight into the apartment, where she saw Chen Feng directing operations from the bedroom doorway. When he noticed her, Chen Feng maintained his composure perfectly, offering only a faint smile. "Miss You, Teacher Yin has decided to move back home. I'm here to clear out these unnecessary items so they won't inconvenience you. It's quite late today, so we'll finish moving and not disturb your rest. Tomorrow, we'll restore this room to its original state for you."
You Mingxu felt as if the air had been knocked out of her. Stubborn as she was, witnessing this scene made her eyes sting. Yet her expression remained icily detached. "Where is he?"
Chen Feng hesitated briefly before replying softly, "Downstairs, in the car across the street."
You Mingxu turned and went downstairs.
The night was thick and penetratingly cold.
From a distance, You Mingxu spotted the car—a black Bentley. For a long time, she hadn't allowed him to drive it, deeming it too flashy. So he'd had the driver dig out a BMW from the garage instead. She could see the driver in the front seat, while the person in the back was hidden behind tinted windows, completely invisible from the outside.
You Mingxu walked over.
The driver noticed her too. The usually stern and burly chauffeur showed a rare flicker of hesitation but ultimately kept his eyes forward, pretending not to see her.
You Mingxu stood by the rear door, hands in her pockets, waiting quietly.
The opposite door opened, and Yin Feng stepped out.
You Mingxu stared at him, feeling somewhat dazed. This was only the second time she had seen him since he woke up, yet he looked like a completely different man. If they had crossed paths on the street, she might not have recognized him at first glance.
You Yingjun used to comb his own hair haphazardly, leaving his fluffy short locks tousled. The man before her now had impeccably styled hair. He wore a black turtleneck sweater under a matching cashmere coat and black casual pants, appearing exceptionally tall, straight, and refined in an understated way.
He rested one hand on the car, glanced at her, then tapped on the window. The driver understood and drove away, leaving just the two of them alone.
You Mingxu had stormed down in a fit of anger, but now, face to face with him, she found herself at a loss for words. Her expression remained detached, revealing neither emotion nor vulnerability as she watched him.
Yin Feng studied her for a moment as well.
He had learned most of what had happened over the past two years. Now, looking at this policewoman, his feelings were truly indescribable.Before speaking, he took another moment to appraise her appearance. Her figure was first-rate—slender and slim, yet full and delicate. Thanks to long-term exercise, her curves appeared more lifted and sensual than those of pale, thin beauties. However, he preferred girls who were a bit more fragile, not this athletic type, which lacked the delicate, pitiable charm he found appealing in women. Her fashion sense was decent; though simple and makeup-free, the short jacket and jeans somehow made her look both beautiful and dashing. Still, she wasn’t his type.
Before coming today, Yin Feng had mentally prepared himself to face a woman’s anger, resentment, reluctance, or even entanglement—just like the women who had once revolved around him. Unexpectedly, the woman before him looked extremely calm, even somewhat stern, betraying no excess emotion.
“Seen enough?” her light voice rang out.
Yin Feng remained unhurried, his gaze traveling from her ankles back to her face. He smiled slightly and said, “I’ve heard from Chen Feng about everything that happened during this period. Thank you for taking me in and caring for me. According to the doctors, it played a positive role in my recovery. I’ll remember this kindness. If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word—as long as it’s within my power.”
Yet You Mingxu felt her heart gradually sinking as she listened. She stared at him without speaking.
Yin Feng took a step forward. With the streetlight behind him, his shadow instantly enveloped her. You Mingxu found herself distracted, thinking: Why hadn’t she noticed how tall he was before? Probably because he was always hunched over or squatting on the ground, straight and unyielding like a clean bamboo stalk, always bending down for her.
Her nose tingled with emotion. Suddenly, she didn’t want to look at the well-dressed man closing in on her and turned her gaze aside.
Yin Feng studied her expression. He realized this woman was indeed different from others. For instance, her demeanor—even though she clearly loved the person he used to be, she never showed overt emotions, except for yesterday in the hospital room when she angrily forced a kiss on him… She only revealed very subtle shifts, like in her eyes or the slight curl of her pinky. Yet none of it escaped his notice.
She wanted him to stay.
But for Yin Feng, that was asking too much.
“Miss You,” he said calmly, “I hope you understand. Perhaps we shared feelings during the past period, but that was during my mentally impaired, amnesiac state—my emotions and intellect weren’t normal. And now I don’t remember. If we forced ourselves to be together, to me, it would be like dating a stranger. I can’t do that. I also hope you won’t insist anymore.”
You Mingxu looked at the ground, at their two overlapping shadows, and smiled faintly. Lifting her head, she met his gaze directly: “You’re overthinking it. As you said, I developed feelings for the past you—not the present you. What you are now has nothing to do with me. Just take your things and leave. No one will force you to date a ‘stranger.’ But Yin Feng, remember my words today: I never beg men, and I can’t stand betrayal. Once you leave today, don’t ever step into my home again. I’ll consider that person as if he never existed.”
With that, she turned and walked away.Yin Feng remained in place, his expression somewhat dazed. To be fair, the woman's fierce and aloof words had stirred a flicker of anger within him. Yet as he watched her turn and leave, the phrase "I'll pretend that person never came" echoed with unusual clarity in his ears. For some inexplicable reason, that restless, oppressive feeling began to surface again. He watched coldly as she walked toward the residential gate, then turned away without another glance. Making a gesture to the driver waiting by the roadside ahead, he got into the car with a frosty expression.
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