Chapter 186 Could he be faking amnesia?
Qu He didn't take Zhuang Bieyan's "See you tomorrow" to heart.
The next morning, she saw that familiar figure leaning against the car downstairs in Baiyuwan.
Zhuang Bieyan was already the most eye-catching sight on the autumn morning simply by standing there.
Unlike his usual suits, he wore a simple white T-shirt with a light gray cashmere cardigan on top.
This outfit softened his elite aura, adding a touch of rare languor that made Qu He a little dazed.
"Good morning."
He stepped forward and handed over the breakfast he was holding, which was still steaming hot.
Qu He recalled the message Zhuang Liuyue sent last night, saying that things were not peaceful within the Zhuang family and that only a very few people knew about Zhuang Bieyan's amnesia.
To avoid giving anything away, it would be best to have him stay with her for the next few days under the pretext of recuperating from illness.
Both publicly and privately, she seemed to have no reason to refuse.
She pursed her lips, her gaze falling back on him.
Zhuang Bieyan followed her gaze and looked down at himself, explaining, "Yesterday at home I saw some old clips online, and a lot of people were talking about our age difference. So I chose this one, hoping it might make me look younger?"
Qu He almost burst out laughing.
This person, despite having amnesia, is still concerned about such trivial details, and speaks much more directly than before.
As they were talking, a gust of autumn wind swept by, swirling the fallen leaves on the ground and bringing a refreshing chill.
Zhuang Bieyan stepped forward and shielded her from the wind.
Where are you going? I'll take you.
He opened the passenger door.
That Maybach is totaled; he's now driving a black Rolls-Royce.
Qu He got into the car and announced her destination: "Heyuefang".
Watching him skillfully steer, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "You know the way? You don't need navigation?"
"I learned about you and the places you frequent from Tan Cong,"
Zhuang Bieyan looked ahead, "Including Heyuefang. I memorized the route last night."
Qu He nodded, but a slight ripple stirred in her heart.
He was always so meticulous in his work; even after losing his memory, his instincts and habits remained.
After arriving at Heyuefang, Quhe went to the pottery throwing classroom.
The finalists for the Qinglan Cup will be announced soon. Teacher Qimo sent another message, hoping that she would prepare some works for the exhibition and try to apply for this year's Art Basel.
During this time, she made a voice call to Zhou Shi'an to ask in detail about the specific requirements for the exhibited works.
Zhuang Bieyan, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa in the reception area, began to pace around frequently shortly after her call was connected.
He first brought over a glass of warm water, placed it on the small stool next to her, and then leaned against the workbench, where he stayed for more than twenty minutes.
Later, I started working as his assistant, either washing carving knives or arranging tools.
Sometimes, he would also glance at the finished clay figures on her table.
Qu He kept glancing at the man who was trying to get her attention, and she found it somewhat amusing.
What is he doing? Supervising the work?
During lunch, Qu He mentioned this matter.
He looked completely innocent and said, "I feel uncomfortable. Would I have been jealous before?"
Qu He hadn't expected him to be so direct, and was speechless again.
In the afternoon, he went out for a while, and when he came back, he had a PADA dessert bag in his hand.
He placed the bag in front of her, and seeing the questioning look in her eyes, explained, "When I brought you here this morning, I saw you glance at this restaurant a few times. Zhuang Xi said I used to take her there often. I thought you'd like it too?"
Qu He stared at the familiar logo, momentarily lost in thought.
Those memories that I thought had long since faded have resurfaced clearly.
He did buy her things often, especially during the best period of their relationship.
It turns out that so much time has passed.
Zhuang Bieyan took out the dessert and placed it on the small round table next to him.
He also called Si Yue over, and then tactfully returned to his sofa.
After thanking her happily, Si Yue took a big bite of tiramisu and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
She leaned close to Qu He's ear and asked, "Senior, is this what you call Mr. Zhuang accompanying someone to work? Is the Zhuang Group really that free?"
Remembering Zhuang Liuyue's instructions, Qu He could only give a vague answer, "He's still recovering, and the doctor advised him to rest and avoid strenuous activity. It's quieter here."
Even she herself found the reason far-fetched, but she never expected Si Yue to believe it.
She glanced at the sofa and muttered to herself, "But judging from President Zhuang's aura, he doesn't seem like a patient who needs to rest at all."
After saying that, she looked at Qu He again, her tone becoming more sincere: "But to be honest, senior, the car accident last time was really scary. President Zhuang was in a coma for so many days, I was so worried. Luckily, he's alright."
I was worried before, afraid he might lose his memory like in the TV dramas and forget everything. Now it seems I was overthinking it. Mr. Zhuang's feelings for you are still the same as before.
What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.
Qu He listened to Si Yue's words and looked thoughtfully at the back of the person sitting on the sofa.
My mind started replaying what had happened that morning.
From the moment he bought her favorite breakfast, to remembering the route to Heyuefang, to buying her PADA desserts, and even just now when he was hanging around her, helping her organize her tools and placing them in the positions she was most comfortable with.
Is all of this really something a person with amnesia could do?
Is he faking amnesia?
This speculation emerged and grew stronger.
During dinner, Qu He decided to test the waters.
She specifically ordered a beef soup, and when the waiter took her order, she added, "Please add extra chopped celery to the beef soup."
Zhuang Bieyan had an extreme aversion to the smell of celery; he would almost frown at the mere whiff of it.
When the beef soup is served, chopped celery is placed on top.
Qu He personally ladled a small bowl and pushed it in front of Zhuang Bieyan, saying with a smile, "This is my favorite dish. It's strange, but after we got married, you seem to have come to like it too, and even changed your old habit of not eating celery. Come on, have a taste."
She stared intently into his eyes and at the hand that picked up the spoon.
Zhuang Bieyan lowered his eyes to look at the bowl of beef soup, his eyelashes casting a small shadow under his eyelids, making it impossible to see the emotions in his eyes.
He scooped up a spoonful, put the soup and celery into his mouth, chewed and swallowed with a normal expression, and then nodded in approval: "Hmm, it tastes very fresh."
Watching him eat without changing his expression, Qu He's thought that "he's faking amnesia" wavered a little.
Could it be that amnesia has even changed one's taste?
Undeterred, she came up with another plan.
"It's autumn now, the weather is getting cooler, so it's perfect to have some mulled wine to warm up."
As she spoke, she raised her hand to call the waiter.
If he was faking it, he must have remembered her alcohol allergy.
Sure enough, before she could finish speaking, Zhuang Bieyan reached out and gently pressed down on her wrist.
Qu He's heart stirred, and the corners of her lips curled up.
Sure enough, you couldn't keep up the act any longer, could you?
She turned her head and asked deliberately, "What's wrong?"
Zhuang Bieyan first politely said to the approaching waiter, "Sorry, we don't need it at the moment."
Only after the waiter left did he look at Qu He.
"Your period is coming soon. It's not a good time to drink alcohol."
Qu He hadn't expected him to give such a reason: "I'm perfectly healthy, it's okay to drink occasionally. Besides, why can't I drink during my period? And how did you know I was on my period?"
She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with mischief and a hint of pressing, "Zhuang Bieyan, you seem so nervous, could it be that you've remembered something?"
"I didn't remember anything,"
He spoke slowly, his voice steady, "But in the bedroom of the Zhuang residence, I found a calendar. It had many important notes marked on it in red pen."
Zhuang Bieyan watched her, like a kitten tentatively extending its claws, and understood all her intentions.
He took out his phone, opened the photo album, and turned the screen towards her.
“I don’t remember anything,” he said gently, “but I saw this.”
Qu He looked down in confusion. The phone screen showed a photo of an open calendar page. Sure enough, the dates were marked in red pen between the cells.
"Ahe's period is coming soon, so we need to remind her to avoid cold and raw foods and prepare brown sugar water in advance."
"PADA's new autumn products are now available, including persimmon daifuku that Ahe loves. Remember to pre-order."
“The carving tools in Ahe’s workshop are severely worn, and we need to contact Master Mikasa to customize new ones.”
"The breakfast shop owner from Baiyuwan is returning to his hometown today. You can go and buy his favorite wontons and paper-wrapped chicken shumai."
"There are still 30 days until our wedding anniversary. I look forward to seeing her in a wedding dress again."
He recorded each and every trivial, ordinary thing in this clumsy way.
Qu He read each word carefully, a bittersweet, warm feeling welling up in her heart.
My eyes welled up with tears uncontrollably, and my vision gradually blurred.
Unbeknownst to her, he was recording every day related to her in this way, noting her preferences, and planning the future with her.
Zhuang Bieyan looked at her slightly trembling eyelashes and reddened eyes, took back his phone, and said, "Now, do you still doubt that I'm faking it?"
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