Peach-Orange! – Chapter 323 – Change of Plans

The next morning, before Su Tao had even woken up, Dongfang Yang and Si Chen were already gathered together.

Including psychologists Dr. Lin and Dr. Chen, they held an early meeting.

The topic, naturally, was Su Tao.

Anyone could see that Su Tao wasn’t acting normally.

After analyzing the situation, the two psychologists concluded that Su Tao was overthinking things, and Chi Xiaocheng’s memory loss had exacerbated her anxiety.

In the past, stress had occasionally caused her personality to shift temporarily, making her seem unlike the “white moonlight” Su Tao everyone knew.

But now, her behavior stemmed more from a lack of security. What was once easily within reach had now become unattainable, leading to unease, irritation, and regret.

Closing herself off had led to constant self-destructive thoughts.

It was like a wealthy person suddenly becoming poor: unable to accept it, unable to adjust, teetering on the edge of breakdown.

After much discussion, the solution they arrived at was.…

There was no solution.

To untie the bell, one must seek the one who tied it.

All four of them understood that the root of the problem lay with Chi Xiaocheng. Su Tao’s strange behavior was entirely because of her.

To make Su Tao return to her old self, either Chi Xiaocheng would have to wake up and guide her, or she would have to pull herself out of the darkness through self-reflection.

If she were an ordinary person, the only hope would be Chi Xiaocheng.

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But this was Su Tao.

The “white moonlight” with countless virtues.

Excellent, resilient, independent, rational, warm-hearted, and gentle with others.

Precisely because she was Su Tao, Dongfang Yang and Si Chen believed there was still a second possibility.

After the meeting adjourned, they had breakfast together. Then, Dongfang Yang sought out Professor Su. “By the way, how’s Chi Xiaocheng doing?”

Morning was the time for her check-up and medicine change. Only after the procedures were completed did Dongfang Yang get a chance to ask.

Professor Su smiled faintly at him. “Why don’t you go see for yourself?”

“Could it be…?”

Dongfang Yang’s eyes lit up, and he immediately called Si Chen over as they headed for the elevator.

“What’s the rush?”

“Professor Su just hinted at it. I think Chi Xiaocheng’s already awake!”

“Wait, that fast?”

“Well, it makes sense. Yesterday’s report said she passed out from the pain after being hit hard, not a prolonged coma. After treatment and rest, waking up isn’t unreasonable, right?”

With a ding, the elevator arrived on the fifth floor.

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As Si Chen adjusted his watch, he asked, “What about Su Tao? Haven’t seen her all morning.”

“Probably exhausted from yesterday. She entered that state you mentioned… Darkening, right? She must’ve overexerted herself. Let her rest a bit longer.”

Dongfang Yang spoke as they quickly arrived outside Chi Xiaocheng’s room.

In the same familiar position as last time, peering through the window, they saw the girl with tea-colored hair lying flat on the bed, holding her phone up with both hands as if bored.

Dongfang Yang raised an eyebrow at Si Chen. “What did I tell you?”

Then he knocked on the door and entered first. “Chi Xiaocheng, happy New Year!”

He spread his arms exaggeratedly, grinning like he was coaxing a child, his smile as warm as sunlight.

But all he got in return was an eye-roll. “Dongfang Yang, you’re so childish. Also, it’s already the eighth day of the new year. New Year’s is over.”

Dongfang Yang chuckled. “Just checking your mood. Glad you’re okay. I was so worried yesterday that I couldn’t sleep all night.”

Chi Xiaocheng set her phone down and sighed. “It’s nothing major, but moving hurts a lot. Professor Su told me to stay lying down and not move around. Just a bit bored, that’s all.”

Si Chen stepped closer, his voice low. “Good to see you’re alright. This was my fault. I failed to protect you.”

The moment he said that, Chi Xiaocheng instinctively tried to sit up. But the instant she arched her back, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, forcing her to gasp and lie back down.

Yet her urgent words still spilled out, overriding the pain: “Is Tao-Tao okay? Was she hurt?”

Dongfang Yang quickly moved to her side, gently pressing a hand down. “Chi Xiaocheng, don’t get worked up. Su Tao’s fine, she’s still sleeping right now.”

Si Chen added, “After you passed out, Su Tao turned into a superhuman and saved all of us.”

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“Superhuman???”

Chi Xiaocheng looked utterly baffled but listened patiently as Si Chen recounted what happened.

Only then did she click her tongue in amazement.

As expected of the novel’s female lead. She even had this kind of hidden lineage.

In the early and middle parts of the original story, there hadn’t been any hints of this.

Maybe it was an ability Su Tao was supposed to awaken much later to counter the “darkening” of the rich rival love interest, but by sheer coincidence, it had activated prematurely.

Still, at least Tao-Tao wasn’t hurt.

Chi Xiaocheng’s tense heart finally relaxed. She then turned to Dongfang Yang. “Find time for Professor Su to give Tao-Tao a full check-up too. I’m worried this ‘Darkening’ thing might leave lasting damage.”

“You’re in this state, and you’re still worrying about her first?”

“Heh, Tao-Tao’s more important than me.”

Hearing her lively tone, Dongfang Yang was sure Chi Xiaocheng really was fine. “I’ll have Professor Su arrange Su Tao’s check-up later. Should be done by the afternoon. But her mental state might be a bit off.”

“How so?”

Dongfang Yang: “She blames herself for your injury this time. Too guilty, too afraid of losing you again. So she’s been depressed all day yesterday. When she wakes up and comes to see you, comfort her a little. Give her some warmth.”

Chi Xiaocheng nodded softly. “I will.”

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“Oh, and also….”

Dongfang Yang began droning on like a mother hen, his pure concern making Chi Xiaocheng both exasperated and touched.

She glanced sideways and noticed Si Chen hesitating, so she cut Dongfang Yang off mid-sentence. “Dongfang Yang, why don’t you go ask Professor Su to prepare Tao-Tao’s check-up first? There’s something I want to talk to Si Chen about alone.”

The moment Dongfang Yang heard that, his guard shot up as he stared at Si Chen.

Something to talk about.

Alone.

That tone… the implications were suddenly obvious.

‘Si Chen, oh Si Chen, I treated you as a bro, and the moment Chi Xiaocheng wakes up, you’re trying to take advantage?!’

But since Chi Xiaocheng had spoken, he forced a laugh and left the two of them in private.

Once the door was shut and Dongfang Yang was gone, Si Chen sighed and sat in the chair beside the bed. “Because of yesterday’s incident, we might have to adjust our plans.”

Alone now, they could speak frankly.

Excluding subordinates like Dr. Lin, Si Chen was the only one besides Fang Ning who knew Chi Xiaocheng hadn’t actually lost her memories.

Chi Xiaocheng frowned. “Change of plans? What do you mean?”

Si Chen stroked his chin. “I think… Chi Xiaocheng, you can’t keep pretending to have amnesia.”