Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"003"

Mrs. Xiao's name was Xie Jingfang.

Xiao Jingli's deliberate coldness toward Xiao Anfeng proved highly effective—Xie Jingfang's maternal love for Xiao Anfeng exploded into obsession.

Moreover, in the original story, it wasn't until a long time after the original body's death that Xiao Anfeng's true origins were revealed, which came as a shock to Xie Jingfang. But by then, her biological son was long gone. When the secret was uncovered, she did feel a brief pang of regret over their blood tie, yet it stopped there.

Less than a month after her falling out with Xiao Anfeng, when he stubbornly moved out of the Xiao residence out of pride, renting a shabby old apartment, and fell ill with a cold, she immediately panicked and rushed over with soup and medicine to care for her most beloved treasure.

Seeing the harsh living conditions Xiao Anfeng endured, she cried her eyes out and insisted on bringing him home.

Twenty-one years of raising him meant Xie Jingfang would not side with Xiao Lancui merely because of blood ties—in fact, she would undoubtedly stand in his way. Therefore, Xiao Lancui was in no hurry to play this trump card right away.

He had more time than the original Xiao Lancui had. Hearts and minds could be dismantled and reshaped. Let Xie Jingfang gradually discover the secret herself while she was mired in suspicion and panic, and when she finally realized she had been poisoning her own flesh and blood all along, her guilt and resentment would serve him even better.

The nurse soon brought the three packs of medicine and offered, "The pharmacy can decoct them for you—it's very convenient. Would you like that?"

Xiao Lancui declined. After the nurse left, he put together one antidote decoction and one lung-nourishing brew from the three ordinary herbal packs.

Long illness makes the patient a doctor—he could read pulses and prescribe formulas for common ailments, let alone the antidote decoction he regularly drank.

The chronic poison Xie Jingfang administered was not potent, but the original host body had consumed it since childhood, accumulating excess toxins that left him frail and weak. Xiao Lancui didn't use harsh medicine, fearing the body couldn't handle it and it would backfire. He prescribed a mild, gradual formula—drinking it consistently for a month or two would clear most of the toxins, and within about six months, the accumulated poison in his system would be fully eliminated.

The serious issue was the shadow cast by the lung infection—

Xiao Lancui mulled it over, then ordered an electric clay pot on his phone for instant delivery.

Once that was done, exhaustion washed over him. His body was far too weak. He drifted in and out of sleep until the courier delivered the electric clay pot.

Xiao Lancui loved brewing medicine.

Most people found the smell of herbs unpleasant, but he was drawn to the fragrance of medicinal plants—especially the herbal aroma rising in the steam as it brewed. It had a singularly soothing aroma.

After drinking the medicine, Xiao Lancui felt a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. In that rare comfort, he fell asleep again and slept straight through until the next day, when Xiao Jingli arrived.

This time, Xiao Jingli came alone—and not just to visit Xiao Lancui.

Xiao Jingli sighed, "What a terrible fire this time. Thankfully, your Uncle Lu and the others are fine, but his youngest son... ahem, he's still in the ER under observation. He might not make it."

The Lu family that Xiao Jingli would go out of his way to visit could only be the top-tier aristocratic clan from the original novel—the family of the other male lead.

In the original text, the Xiao family was already immensely wealthy, but the Lu family surpassed them. Money was secondary; what mattered more was their political clout. The Lu family had two sons. The eldest, Lu Siye, was Xiao Anfeng's current rival and future lover—21 years old, in the same school and major as the original body and Xiao Anfeng.

As for the youngest son, though—

The original text only briefly mentioned him. He was born to the first wife of Lu Siye's father, and she died in childbirth. The current wife was the father's first love. After the first wife's death, the first love stepped into the role the following year, ostentatiously bringing back a son—it turned out the Lu father had secretly fathered a child with his first love before his marriage.

Due to a difficult birth, the youngest son was born frail and sickly. His maternal grandparents, grieving their daughter, died one after the other, and the vast family fortune they left behind was all inherited by the Lu father.

The youngest son gradually lost all his support, received no fatherly love, and lived an invisible existence. He died on the night of his eighteenth birthday, and the novel never even gave him a name—only referring to him as the youngest son of the Lu family.

The book didn't mention the cause. Based on the timeline, the Lu family's youngest son died shortly after the original body's death—likely in this very fire.

Xiao Lancui said the same thing as before, "Who is Uncle Lu?"

"Father's friend. His eldest son is Lu Siye." Xiao Jingli looked at him with a kind smile. "You don't remember Siye either?" he said. "You two used to be good friends."

The original Xiao Lancui and Lu Siye were friends—though "friends" was a stretch. Lu Siye liked Xiao Anfeng without realizing it, like a grade-schooler. Knowing Xiao Anfeng hated the original Xiao Lancui, he deliberately got close to the original body to provoke Xiao Anfeng, and even pretended to bully Xiao Anfeng at school.

Lu Siye was

the leader of the Princelings, and the other young heirs also felt a rush of blood at the sight of Xiao Anfeng. But held back by Lu Siye, they dared not reveal their feelings. Outwardly, they bullied and ostracized Xiao Anfeng, but in truth, each of them loathed the original body.

Xiao Lancui said indifferently, "I don't remember."

A flicker of troubled pain crossed his brow as he said to Xiao Jingli, "Could you ask others not to visit me for now?" He lowered his head, clutching his water cup, fingers fidgeting anxiously around its rim. "I... I'm scared."

Xiao Jingli's expression flickered. He stepped closer to Xiao Lancui, still smiling. "Why are you scared?"

Had he remembered something after all?

Xiao Lancui looked up. His dark eyes were veiled in a misty, watery haze, the black pupils stark against his snow-pale face, his chin sharp and thin. He looked completely harmless and innocent. He whispered, "I try so hard to remember but can't recall any of you... I'm... I'm useless. I'm afraid everyone will get tired of me." His voice dropped even lower. "I'm sorry."

Only then did Xiao Jingli's expression relax somewhat. He sat down beside him, stroking Xiao Lancui's soft black hair, and couldn't help smiling. "Forgetting is a blessing, silly child. Family will never get tired of you."

Then he added, "I just ran into Siye. He wanted to visit you, but since you've lost your memory, I made up an excuse to put him off." His face was full of paternal affection. "Dong Dong, Dad wants to tell you something ahead of time. Before you lost your memory, you came to me and confessed that you like Lu Siye."

Xiao Lancui looked appropriately shocked. "Is Lu Siye a woman?"

At the same time, he understood Xiao Jingli's scheme to kill two birds with one stone. Xiao Jingli had long noticed Lu Siye's feelings for Xiao Anfeng, so he planned to use the "amnesiac" Xiao Lancui to sabotage their relationship.

Second, with the Lu family's youngest son dead, Lu Siye was the next heir to the Lu conglomerate. In this world, same-sex marriage was legal. If the original Xiao Lancui could actually marry into the Lu family through Lu Siye, it would be an enormous boost for the Xiao family.

What a sly old fox.

Xiao Jingli said with affection, "He's a man—you're both men. When you confessed, Dad couldn't accept it either. Before you fell into the sea, I gave you a thorough scolding and forbade you two from seeing each other again. Then you fell into the sea, and Dad came around. As long as you're alive, that's all that matters. Whoever you like, Dad supports you."

He also hinted that the original Xiao Lancui had jumped into the sea deliberately because he couldn't bear the shame of liking men.

Xiao Lancui didn't take the bait, only pretending not to understand. "I can't remember." He pulled out a tissue, covered his mouth, and coughed softly.

Xiao Jingli observed his expression, slowly patting his back. "Don't rush. Memories may fade, but love won't." He continued, "Siye has excellent looks and character. When you see him, you'll naturally fall for him again."

Xiao Lancui shook his head. He set down the tissue and suddenly gripped Xiao Jingli's wrist tightly, speaking in a low voice. "I can't remember you, but being near you makes me feel safe. Could you stay and have dinner with me tonight?"

Xiao Jingli hesitated.

Today wasn't a special occasion per se—just that recently, Xiao Anfeng had won a national photography newcomer award, and a celebration had been planned for today well in advance.

Xiao Lancui immediately released his grip. He lowered his gaze, forcing a weak smile. "I'm sorry. It seems I asked for too much."

Xiao Jingli had no choice but to laugh. "What are you saying? Dad would love nothing more than to stay by your side every day." He gently patted Xiao Lancui's head. "You're Dad's most precious treasure. Nothing is more important than you. I can't make time at noon, but from now on, I'll come have dinner with you every night! What would you like to eat? I'll have it sent over."

Xiao Lancui ordered a few dishes based on the original body's tastes.

Memory may fade, but muscle memory doesn't—and neither do taste preferences.

Xiao Jingli placed the order, then called Xie Jingfang. After listening for a moment, her face turned grim.

Xiao Anfeng was still checking his watch, waiting for Xiao Jingli, and his expression soured at the sight. He said quietly, "Mom, Dad's not coming."

It wasn't a question—it was a statement.

Xie Jingfang sulked in silent anger, partly because Xiao Jingli had stood them up again for Xiao Lancui, and partly because Xiao Jingli said he wouldn't be coming home for dinner for a while, staying at the hospital to keep Xiao Lancui company. Her poisoned meals would have to be put on hold.

Also present in the private room were Xiao Liqin and the fourth young master of the Xiao family, Xiao Mian. Xiao Liqin noticed Xiao Anfeng's eyes were slightly red, and his heart ached. He hurried over, wrapping an arm around his shoulder to comfort him. "The Lu family had a fire—they're in the same hospital. Don't overthink it."

Xiao Anfeng gave a bitter smile, and before he could speak, Xiao Mian set down his wine glass heavily and sneered, "Big brother, don't hide it—everyone knows Dad's darling is hospitalized. He only has time to run to the hospital; how could he remember that today is Second Brother's celebration banquet!"

Xiao Liqin shot him a sharp glare. "Shut up!"

Xiao Mian snorted, then glanced at Xiao Anfeng's dejected expression. He thought darkly, once Dad is away, he would definitely go teach Xiao Lancui a lesson!

Nothing but a worthless bastard!

A week later, Xiao Mian finally got his chance. That day, Xiao Jingli had an unavoidable dinner engagement. Xiao Mian received word and immediately rushed to the hospital.

He was 18, in the crucial final year of high school, but since he attended an international school, he would graduate and go abroad for college—his days were just eating, drinking, and goofing off, totally idle.

It was his first time visiting Xiao Lancui's ward. He stopped at the door, eavesdropped to confirm his dad wasn't inside, then kicked it open.

It was past seven in the evening, fully dark outside with light snow falling. The ward was warm and snug, the air carrying a faint scent—fresh winter plum blossoms in a vase on the coffee table.

Xiao Lancui wore a light blue hospital gown with a thin beige cardigan draped over his shoulders, holding a book as he leaned against the headboard reading.

The door slammed with a loud crash, but he remained unfazed, glancing up with a placid, detached gaze.

Xiao Mian had come in a fury, but suddenly meeting Xiao Lancui's unruffled dark eyes, his temples twitched, puzzled.

It had been a while since he'd seen him—Xiao Lancui seemed different somehow, no longer that cowering, pathetic wimp you'd want to punch.

Xiao Mian snorted, slammed the door, and strode over to the bed with long, aggressive strides, crossing his arms as he loomed over Xiao Lancui.

He was the youngest in the family but the tallest at 189 cm. He loved sports and tanning, sported a spiky haircut, had dark, gleaming skin, broad shoulders and long legs—standing there like a wall, he'd intimidate most people. But Xiao Lancui just looked away and went back to his book.

After a period of recuperation, free from the poisoned meals and taking daily detoxifying broths, Xiao Lancui's complexion had regained some life, his hollow cheeks filling out a bit. Only his fingers stayed naturally slender and elegant, with neatly trimmed nails that gleamed like pearls in the light as he turned the pages. It was a pleasing sight.

He ignored Xiao Mian. Xiao Mian's face darkened, and he stepped forward to snatch the book. "I'm talking to you, are you—"

"Smack!"

A sharp crack echoed. Xiao Mian's head snapped to the side, his left cheek already swelling red.