Chapter 22: Aunt Liang Xiaoqing Comes Calling

Jiang Yang stopped in his tracks and slowly turned his head. The person who had called out to him was a tall woman pulling a suitcase, dressed in a pink skirt suit.

She looked about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, possessing a distinguished air. Her hair was cut into a sleek, short style with ends curled slightly inward, perfectly framing her delicate face. Her bright, spirited eyes sat beneath slender brows, and her high-bridged nose and beautifully contoured lips combined to create a beauty that was impossible to forget at a glance. Beneath the pink skirt, her long, slender legs, accentuated by white low heels and sheer stockings, were as pleasing to the eye as finely crafted works of art.

She pulled her suitcase over, walked quickly to Jiang Yang, and said, "Jiang Yang, let's stop fighting, okay?"

Jiang Yang was stunned. Yet another woman starting a conversation out of nowhere; this seemingly simple sentence contained a massive amount of information. Previously, Yang Xiaoran, Xia Bingbing, and Su Muyun had all mentioned a "teacher." He felt a sense of familiarity with the woman before him—could it be that she was the one they had been talking about?

He asked tentatively, "I'm sorry, I was in a car accident and lost my memory. May I ask... are you a teacher?"

The short-haired beauty frowned. "What teacher? Jiang Yang, you were in a car accident? Why didn't my sister tell me? And what's going on with your clothes?"

The barrage of questions made Jiang Yang’s heart tighten. Oh no, he had mistaken her identity and let something slip. This young woman was actually his aunt who had just returned from abroad; he couldn't let his mother find out about the accident.

He quickly explained, "My clothes got torn while playing cards with friends. I did have a car accident, but I’ve recovered and it’s not a big deal."

The short-haired beauty reached out to touch his forehead. "You've even forgotten me, Liang Xiaoqing, and you say there's nothing wrong?"

Jiang Yang smiled awkwardly. "Aunt, I'm just teasing you. How could I ever forget you?"

The beauty looked even more worried. "It’s over, it’s really over. Your brain must be damaged. You’ve always called me 'Qing-jie'—when have you ever called me 'Aunt'?" She took Jiang Yang’s hand and said, "Come on, let's just make do at your place for tonight, and you can tell me what’s going on."

Jiang Yang cursed inwardly. Ruolan had said she would check if he had returned home in an hour; if another woman were in his apartment, he wouldn't be able to explain himself even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

He stopped abruptly and said, "Wait, Qing-jie, you can't go up there."

"Why?"

"I... I'm married. I have a wife now, and I can't just let you go up there." Jiang Yang decided it was best to be honest.

Although Ruolan seemed suspicious, until he figured things out, she was still his wife, and he absolutely could not hurt her.

Liang Xiaoqing stopped again and sighed deeply. "Jiang Yang, I know it was my fault for fighting with you last time. You know what my temper is like. I came back this time for two reasons: first, to develop my career back home so I can be with you and my sister; and second..."

As she spoke, she took Jiang Yang's hand again. "Second, I wanted to say yes to your proposal. Let's not be apart anymore, okay?"

Jiang Yang was completely bewildered. "Aren't you my aunt? When did I ever propose to you?"

Liang Xiaoqing bit her lip, her expression turning pained. "You’ve been proposing to me since you were three years old, and you've said it countless times since. Do you want to go back on your word now?"

Jiang Yang was stunned. "What? I proposed when I was three?" He was truly shocked; he could barely speak properly at three, let alone propose.

"That's right! Have you forgotten? When you were three, you told me you wanted to marry me. I said I’d think about it. Well, I’ve thought about it now. We aren't related by blood, and even my sister doesn't mind, so why do you care?" As she spoke, she reached for his hand again.

Jiang Yang stepped back slightly. He understood now: this aunt, who had grown up with him as a childhood sweetheart, was not a blood relative. No wonder she was only two years older than him. Yet, this also proved that his brain injury was more severe than he had imagined, as he had even forgotten the person he had liked since the age of three.

He suddenly recalled Ruolan's words: "I don't like your aunt," and her unusual behavior that day. Could it be that she had known all along that his relationship with his aunt was unconventional?

He stated firmly, "Qing-jie, I meant what I said. I am truly married. Even if we grew up together as childhood sweethearts, we can only be relatives."

Liang Xiaoqing stared at him, then suddenly burst into laughter. She even doubled over. "Fine, I believe you. Then bring your wife down for me to see, and I’ll leave right after."

"I..." Jiang Yang’s words stuck in his throat. He realized he was trapped in a no-win situation. Ruolan wasn't home, so he couldn't bring her down to prove his marriage. And he certainly couldn't video call Ruolan to tell her she wasn't home and that Liang Xiaoqing would be staying the night. Doing that would be no different than cheating on her in plain sight.

This was a classic case of being trapped from both ends!

Liang Xiaoqing snorted. "Can't bring her down, can you? Don't I know your personality? You always spout nonsense when you want to dodge a question. If you had a wife, even if I didn't know, wouldn't my sister know?"

Jiang Yang was rendered speechless. It was true; his mother still didn't know he had a wife. How was he supposed to explain that?

"In any case, you cannot go up today." He stopped trying to explain and decided to be stubborn; it was better than having the two women video call each other later.

Liang Xiaoqing sighed. "Fine, if I can't go up, I won't. I know I was in the wrong last time; I didn't realize you were still so angry after all this time. But you and my sister were buried in debt and suffered for so long, and you refused to let me know about it overseas—how could I not be upset? Even though I was struggling back then, I could have borrowed money. Why did you have to... why did you have to go to a bar and do that kind of work..."

At this point, her eyes reddened, and she seemed unable to continue.

So, he and she had fought because of the massive debt their family was in? And it was because he and his mother didn't want to ask her for money? It sounded touching, but something felt off. She was talking about him working as a male model at a bar, but he had only ever accompanied Su Muyun for a drink on occasion; nothing had happened between them.

He quickly said, "Don't you dare say anything to my mother. She'll definitely start imagining things..."

Liang Xiaoqing wiped away a tear. "I know, of course. Just like when you did something wrong as a kid, I’ll keep this secret for you."

Jiang Yang nearly vomited blood. It never happened in the first place—what did she mean by "keeping it a secret"?

He looked at the suitcase in her hand, realizing it was getting late. Even if she wasn't staying at his place, he still had to settle her in. "Let me help you find a hotel nearby."

Liang Xiaoqing shook her head. "No need. Since you don't welcome me right now, I won't trouble you. I'll find a place to stay myself and go back to my sister's place in a few days."

Jiang Yang breathed a sigh of relief. At least the collision of two worlds wouldn't happen tonight.

Just then, the phone in Jiang Yang's pocket suddenly rang—it was a video call.