Chapter Twelve: Piecing Together Fragments of Memory

Yang Xiaoran’s expression shifted slightly as she circled the words “taking medicine” on the notes in front of her.

She tapped the pen on those words, then glanced up and down at Jiang Yang. “Why do you still have to take medicine? Are you not doing well?”

Jiang Yang nearly choked. Straightening his back, he retorted, “What do you mean I’m not doing well? I can go for two hours straight.”

A faint smile curved Yang Xiaoran’s lips as she leaned closer to him, her gaze deliberately drifting downward. “Really that impressive? You make me want to try it myself…”

Only then did Jiang Yang realize he had said something he shouldn’t have. He shifted to the side, covering his crotch. “Dr. Yang, please don’t keep teasing me, a married man. Let’s talk business.”

Yang Xiaoran pursed her lips, thinking, we’ll have plenty of chances later.

She sighed softly. “Alright then, tell me—if there’s nothing wrong with you now, why do you have to take medicine every day?”

Jiang Yang rubbed his forehead. “That’s because after the car accident, I suffered a brain injury. I often get splitting headaches, and only these medicines can ease the pain a bit.”

Yang Xiaoran nodded. “Oh… I see. When do these headaches usually come on? Or when do they get worse?”

Jiang Yang thought carefully. “I think… I get headaches when I have nightmares, sometimes really bad ones.”

“You mentioned your dreams to me before. Can you describe them in detail?”

Jiang Yang’s face flushed, but he still recounted the scenes from his dreams. As he remembered them, a dull ache started creeping back into his head.

Yang Xiaoran listened attentively, jotting down the words “taking medicine,” “headaches after amnesia,” and “strange dreams” on a piece of paper. She connected them with lines, forming a triangle on the page.

Holding the paper up to Jiang Yang, she said, “Have you noticed how these things are closely connected?”

Jiang Yang frowned as he looked at the notes. “I’ve thought about this before—could it be that Ruo Lan wants to cover up the memories between us, or with other women? But that seems unlikely. Once I return to my normal life, shouldn’t my memories come back gradually?”

Yang Xiaoran smiled gently. “You’re right, but what if—just what if—you recover all your memories and she’s not there?”

Cold sweat broke out on Jiang Yang. Yes, this was the fear lurking deep in his subconscious.

If all his friends and flirty acquaintances didn’t recognize Wang Ruo Lan, it wouldn’t be so bad. After all, she said they married quickly after knowing each other a short time, so it made sense others didn’t know her.

But if even he himself didn’t recognize her, that would be terrifying—more chilling than any ghost story.

Those familiar with the supernatural know that ghosts at worst drain a person’s energy or possess a body; these things aren’t so unusual once you understand their purpose.

But the question remained: What does such a wonderful woman like Wang Ruo Lan want from being with him?

“Could it be that she’s just a figment of my imagination?” Jiang Yang began doubting his own perception.

“No,” Yang Xiaoran replied. “Before talking to you, I might have thought she was imaginary. But when you said she made you take medicine, I stopped doubting.

“Psychologically speaking, imagined people may have a clear image but their actions are usually vague.

“But you describe her doing very concrete things. Such a character can’t be imaginary—she must be real.

“And if such a good woman is with you like this, she must have a special purpose.”

Yang Xiaoran grew more serious, her expression darkening as if describing a twisted killer.

“But she hasn’t done anything bad to me,” Jiang Yang said, feeling perhaps muddling through was okay.

Yang Xiaoran nodded. “I think the medicine you’re taking might be problematic. You should give me one of the pills she gave you; I’ll have someone test it.”

“That’s doable. But what else can I do?”

“To find the truth, the best way is to return to your previous life. You had many part-time jobs—you can ask your colleagues or the women you had ambiguous relationships with.

“How you interacted with them before—you shouldn’t reject their approach. The truth might be among them.”

Jiang Yang stood up abruptly. “I’m not going to become some playboy—you know I’m a married man.”

“I’m not really asking you to be a playboy. Besides, are you even really married?” Yang Xiaoran’s words struck a chord deep within him; perhaps this was indeed the best way to uncover the truth.

He took a deep breath. “Thank you, Dr. Yang. If you hadn’t helped me sort this out today, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Yang Xiaoran’s cheeks tinged pink as she leaned closer again. “Don’t mention it. Remember, we’re good friends who have even shared a bed, right?”

At that moment, she was so close that the deep V of her neckline revealed a breathtaking view right before Jiang Yang’s eyes.

Such beauty was dangerous—just a few more seconds of looking and his resolve might falter. Two people alone like this, if he suddenly lost control here, it would be a disaster.

He quickly averted his gaze. “I should go back first. I’ll bring the pills to you later.”

Yang Xiaoran seemed pleased by his avoidance. “No need. I’ll have Xiao Zhao come to your company to pick them up.” She paused, then added, “Remember, act as if nothing’s wrong when you’re around that woman.”

Seeing her sincere and serious expression, Jiang Yang nodded sheepishly. He felt like Yang Xiaoran was encouraging him to cheat on Ruo Lan.

But she was just helping him and occasionally teasing him with suggestive jokes, with no ill intentions.

He glanced back at the doctor once more before leaving the clinic.

Watching the door close behind him, Yang Xiaoran let out a soft, cold snort. Those other women were already difficult enough, and now this Wang Ruo Lan had appeared.

Whether she was truly his wife or not, she was stirring up trouble—and that was just what Yang Xiaoran wanted to muddy the waters for her own gain.

She picked up her phone and dialed. A sweet female voice answered, “Dr. Yang, why are you calling me?”

A slight smile played on Yang Xiaoran’s lips. “Your chance has come.”

…

After leaving the clinic, Jiang Yang retrieved his phone from assistant Xiao Zhao and turned it back on.

As soon as it booted up, a friend request popped up on WeChat: “Senior Brother, why did you delete me?”

Signed: “Bingbing in the Summer”