Chapter 34 Extra: Amnesia 1 - Raising a Wife Again

Xu Yan was awakened by a slight, tingling, and uncomfortable sensation. Her consciousness, like fragments floating in water, was slowly pieced together...

He opened his eyes, his vision initially blurry, then gradually clearing, settling on the face of the man on the edge of the bed.

He was an exceptionally handsome stranger.

Xu Yan blinked blankly, his brain working awkwardly as if it were rusty, prompting him to prop himself up from the bed.

This simple action triggered a sharp pain in his head... making him instinctively clutch his forehead.

Something seems off...

Didn't I get beaten so badly by my dad that I ended up in the hospital?

"Wife?" A hoarse but delighted voice drew his attention. The man, who had been woken up by him, looked at him with surprise, his eyes still showing dark circles, making him look very haggard.

"Wife?" Xu Yan repeated the word in confusion and bewilderment, but within seconds he quickly figured out what had happened.

Xu Yan's face turned pale, and her eyes became somewhat vulnerable. "Did Dad sell me to you?"

"What?" The man's happy expression froze instantly, then shattered. His pupils contracted slightly in shock. "Selling? We're in a legitimate relationship... Honey, you wouldn't be...?"

The man spoke very quickly, as if in a hurry. He only spoke half of his sentence before rushing out.

Then a doctor came and took him to do a series of tests.

Finally, she said to the man next to her, "It should be temporary. The tests are basically fine, and you can be discharged."

"The familiar environment at home helps him recover his memory."

"Okay, thank you." The man looked at him with concern, then took his hand to process the hospital admission.

They seemed to be very close and familiar with each other.

Looking at the man's back, Xu Yan couldn't help but wonder if she had fallen into some kind of scam.

He looked down at his hands, long, fair, and smooth, completely different from what he remembered... without a single wound.

The headache started to return, and I wondered if this person was really that kind to me.

Once in the car, the man looked at her worriedly, "Wife, what do you remember?"

Xu Yan frowned. "Could you please not call me that... I'm sorry, I'm not used to it yet."

The man immediately showed a hurt expression, then sighed, "Yanyan, it seems you've completely forgotten me. Do you still remember Lin Weiwei and the others?"

Xu Yan shook his head. Although he didn't particularly like the nickname "Yan Yan," it was still better than "wife."

"I only remember... I was knocked unconscious by my dad, and I don't remember anything after that."

The man was silent for a few seconds, probably finally understanding, before slowly saying, "It's okay, I'll help you remember."

"Then... how should I address you?" Xu Yan still felt like she was ten years old, but her body seemed to be an adult.

He would still subconsciously treat the person in front of him as an elder.

"...You used to call me 'husband'." The man sighed somewhat dramatically. "My name is Chi Chen, can you not call me by my full name?"

Xu Yan had doubts about Chi Chen's half-sentence. He couldn't bring himself to call him "husband" so affectionately.

"Fine, you can call me brother if you want." Chi Chen seemed to compromise, a bitter smile appearing on his lips. "Okay, baby, I really can't accept my wife calling me by my full name."

“…Okay, brother.” Xu Yan lowered his eyelashes and slowly uttered a few words.

It was a strange feeling. He wouldn't completely trust the person in front of him, but he didn't seem to mind being touched.

At least he's not a bad person.

*

Upon hearing Xu Yan's awkward, distant, yet soft and gentle "brother," Chi Chen suddenly felt that amnesia wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Xu Yan's current perception is stuck at the age of ten. She no longer has her usual aloof and distant temperament, but instead has a hint of confusion and caution.

Having lost the aloofness that comes with age and experience, Xu Yan's appearance evokes a protective instinct in people, making her seem like a naive and vulnerable little animal.

While driving, Chi Chen could also notice out of the corner of his eye that Xu Yan was constantly looking around at the surroundings, which was a sign of her insecurity.

After parking the car in the garage, Chi Chen grabbed Xu Yan's hand without any room for argument, "Let's go home."

He noticed that Xu Yan's wrist trembled in fear, instinctively resisting but lacking the strength to shake him off. In the end, she could only follow behind him angrily, looking too adorable.

As I opened the door, a warm and familiar atmosphere greeted me.

Almost simultaneously, three large, fluffy cats stood up, meowing, to welcome them, and circled around their feet.

Xu Yan's usually wary eyes lit up the moment she saw these adorable babies.

He looked down at the big, fat orange cat that was climbing all over him most enthusiastically, then bent down and picked it up.

The big fat cat pressed its cheek against Xu Yan's face, purring loudly and comfortingly. The warm, plush touch made Xu Yan's eyes involuntarily show a smile.

“Its name is Daju (Big Orange), and it used to be the most attached to you, even though it lived with me the longest.” Chi Chen gently and patiently helped him recall, “Do you remember?”

Xu Yan paused slightly and shook his head.

Chi Chen wasn't discouraged. He found it a good process to reintroduce his wife to the home they had decorated together.

He pointed to the wall opposite, "This is our marriage certificate. Now you can believe it, right?"

Xu Yan looked up and noticed the marriage certificate frame on the opposite wall that was immediately visible... Such tacky taste, completely out of place in this home.

Are he and Chi Chen really in love?

Xu Yan walked to the photo. The man on the marriage certificate was indeed her brother Chi Chen... But was the other face her own face as an adult?

Judging from his eyes and expression, he seemed very happy, so perhaps he really wasn't sold by his father.

Xu Yan glanced at the somewhat frivolous man beside her.

His appearance is indeed impeccable, but there's no reason why I would like such a frivolous person.

Having gone through those things in my childhood, how could I possibly fall in love with someone?

Xu Yan had no intention of doubting her choice; there must be a reason.

He held the cat and stroked it gently. He hadn't looked in a mirror since waking up, and only learned what he looked like as an adult through his marriage certificate...

It seems like no one can bully me anymore.

"You sit down and rest first, I'll go make dinner." Chi Chen said, leading Xu Yan to the sofa and turning to go to the kitchen.

"Wait... let me help you, brother." Xu Yan followed him. Reading the room and doing chores was his survival skill, which could save him a lot of trouble.

Chi Chen froze, a hint of heartache flashing in his eyes.

In his memory, Xu Yan was always arrogant and never had to please anyone. Despite being pampered by him and never doing housework, she took the initiative to offer to cook after losing her memory.

"No." Chi Chen refused decisively, pressing Xu Yan back onto the sofa. The young man in front of him looked up at him.

Chi Chen's heart softened. "The cat hasn't seen us in a long time. When I'm cooking, your job is to play with the cat."

After saying that, she ruffled his hair and went to the kitchen without giving him a chance to object.

Xu Yan stroked the orange tabby in her arms blankly, wondering if playing with a cat was a big deal.

Does he not have to do housework in this house?

Before he could fully process the information, the orange cat suddenly moved, leaped down with a kick of its hind legs, and made a muffled thud with its chubby paws on the carpet. Then it turned around and meowed at him.

Xu Yan was somewhat confused, unsure of what Da Ju needed.

Then the orange cat started walking and calling out, as if it was taking him somewhere.

Xu Yan hesitated for a moment, then Da Ju turned around and urged him again.

Unable to refuse the kitten's request, Xu Yan got up and followed.

The orange cat led him to a door with three cat heads carved on it. This must be the cats' room.

But can I open the door without permission?

Xu Yan stood at the door for a few seconds, and the cat meowed again to urge her on. Finally, it suddenly stood up and hopped around a bit.

Two thick, strong arms grabbed the doorknob and pulled it down.

The door opened, and the two orange cats that were playing on the other side immediately rushed over upon hearing the noise.

Xu Yan looked into the room, which was filled with colorful and cozy toys such as cat scratching mats, cat climbing frames, and cat tunnels.

It was a meticulously prepared cat bed.

Big Orange walked to the transparent cabinet next to it, stood up and patted the cabinet door.

The cabinet was filled with pet supplements and treats, but a key was stuck in it, making it seem like an insurmountable barrier for the orange tabby.

Although Xu Yan understood what Da Ju meant, he took out the cat treat, hesitated for a moment, and looking at Da Ju's expectant eyes and matter-of-fact attitude, he still didn't ask Chi Chen what he meant.

Perhaps I used to play with them here often.

Xu Yan tore open the packaging, and three fluffy, round heads came closer, their tiny tongues licking rapidly. A warm sense of peace spread through her heart... giving Xu Yan a strange sense of belonging.

Does it feel like home?

"My dear wife, dinner's ready." Chi Chen's voice came from the doorway. He had already untied his apron and was leaning against the door frame.

The warm yellow light shone on him, highlighting his upright posture.

For some reason, Xu Yan felt her face getting hot.

He got up, put down the orange he still seemed to want more, and walked towards the restaurant. Soon, a rich and enticing aroma wafted to his nose.

On the table were dishes he had always loved but could only afford scraps from. Now, he could finally eat freshly made, steaming hot food every day.

"Come on, Yan Yan." Chi Chen pulled out a chair for him and sat down before sitting down next to him.

Xu Yan was a little reserved, but the brightly colored dishes on the table kept attracting him.

It's been a very, very long time since I've had food like this.

Chi Chen had already picked up a soup spoon, filled a small bowl with soup, and gently placed it next to Xu Yan. "Have some soup to warm up first."

Xu Yan lowered his eyes. A layer of golden oil floated on the soup in front of him. Inside were tender pork ribs and fresh mushrooms. The aroma wafted into his nose. He hesitated for a moment, then picked up a small spoon, scooped up a small mouthful, and put it in his mouth.

"Ugh!" The scalding soup burned his tongue the moment it touched his tongue, forcing him to open his mouth slightly. Soup dripped down his lips, and fear made him swallow instinctively. Pain immediately spread in his throat.

"Did you get burned?" Chi Chen practically jumped up, the chair scraping against the floor with a screeching sound.

Xu Yan seemed startled by his commotion, covering her mouth tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with tears, looking at him with fear and pleading.

Chi Chen's body stiffened abruptly. He saw Xu Yan's expression of not daring to make a sound, and his heart ached. He could only turn around quickly and go to the kitchen to get the popsicles back. "Let them cool down quickly."

Xu Yan had recovered a little, but he still obediently opened his mouth and gently licked the cold popsicle with his scarlet tongue. The coolness made him feel better before he opened his mouth to hold it.

Chi Chen's gaze involuntarily fell on Xu Yan's cheeks, slightly bulging from the popsicle, her moist, swollen lips lightly pressing against it. [She's just eating a popsicle because of a burn.]

A surge of blood rushed to his cheeks. No, what was he thinking...? But Xu Yan's eyelashes, wet with tears, were stuck together in clumps, and her eyes were cautiously looking up to observe his expression.

The fragile yet alluring scene almost made Chi Chen's brain burn.

Xu Yan's eyes trembled slightly. The precocious Xu Yan could easily see what Chi Chen's expression meant. He suddenly took out an ice pop and covered Chi Chen's lips with his numb lips.

The icy cherry flavor spread between his lips and teeth, and Chi Chen's mind went blank for a moment. Xu Yan in front of him had red eyes with tears in them, and her movements were extremely awkward and cautious.

The next second, as if doused with cold water, Chi Chen suddenly sobered up; this was not a kiss born of passion.

This is Xu Yan trying to please him.

Chi Chen used all his self-control to press down on Xu Yan's thin shoulders with both hands, pushing him away to a safe distance.

His breathing was still a little unsteady, but his eyes had regained their clarity as he stared intently at Xu Yan. "Yan Yan, I will respect all your wishes, so please don't look at me like that, okay?"

Xu Yan's thoughts were seen through, and her cheeks suddenly turned red.

Chi Chen lowered his head and used his fingers to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, his movements as careful as if he were caressing a beloved treasure.

Xu Yan didn't speak, but hugged Chi Chen's waist tightly. Because they were still sitting, her face was pressed against his waist and abdomen. "Brother... I, I just want to satisfy you."

“…Damn it.” Chi Chen struggled to regain his composure.

He couldn't take advantage of her vulnerability, even though they were a legally married couple and it had happened many times. But Xu Yan was clearly immature... obviously, he was just trying to please him.

This is not allowed.

Chi Chen simply hugged him back gently, suppressing all his impulses, "I'll wait for my wife to regain her memory... The doctor said it's not serious and she can recover easily..."

"Can you please be a little more patient?"

"Hmm..." Xu Yan nodded gently, "I think I know why I like you."

"Husband...husband..."

Xu Yan's voice was soft, tinged with shyness, yet also with a hint of determination.

A drop of bright red blood dripped from Chi Chen's nose, and he casually grabbed a tissue to cover it.

Ah... a wife with amnesia is really a problem.