011: As long as it’s you, he’ll sign without a moment’s hesitation.

Xiao Qi could see the regret written on her face.

“Do you regret saying those things to Ye… I mean, what you said?”

Zhuang Jia lifted her gaze to meet hers, fell silent for a long time, then lowered her eyelids, her expression hidden in shadow. At last, she spoke in defeat, “Yes, I regret it, because in my heart, you were a very good friend… But even after you left, I didn’t feel remorse. Because after you were gone, Yi Chen was so calm—there was no heart-wrenching grief. But now I know: sometimes, a calm surface means a stagnant heart.”

“Looking back, even though Yi Chen seemed calm, there was a brooding gloom and desolation between his brows.”

“I knew it all along, but I kept deceiving myself.

“Yi Chen never used to drink or smoke, but after you left, I often saw him smoking, drinking to excess…”

“That’s when I finally understood—even if you were gone, Yi Chen would never love me. I still remember the last thing he ever said to me. He said, ‘Someday you’ll understand: if there was ever that one person in the world, everyone else is just settling. I don’t want to settle.’”

“Those words made all my blind spots suddenly clear. Back then, he’d say you were clingy, but there was always a hidden smile in his eyes. Sometimes, if you were late, he’d grow restless. No matter how many careless things you did, he’d simply frown and then help you sort it all out…”

Zhuang Jia spoke at length, tears streaming down her face before she realized it. Yet she no longer knew who these tears were for.

Xiao Qi didn’t know what to say—after all, she wasn’t really the person involved.

But listening to all this, it was clear the man was truly fond of Ye Xiyang. Was it really right for her to be impersonating Ye Xiyang like this?

But if she didn’t, her chances of finding the signal device would be slim. As soon as she found it, she’d leave at once.

All these tangled earthly romances—she wanted no part in them.

She handed over a few tissues. “Don’t cry anymore. Are you… are you still in love with Lin Yi Chen?”

“I’m already married.”

“What? Married?”

“Yes.” Zhuang Jia took the tissue and wiped her face haphazardly, her gaze falling back on the flowerpot on the railing. “After graduation, I never contacted Yi Chen again. Later, I met a man who loved me, so I married him.”

She paused, forcing a smile. “You see that flowerpot on the railing? Sitting there alone… I wonder if anyone knows when it bloomed, or when the petals, battered by wind and rain, withered away, leaving just a single red petal swaying in the morning breeze.”

Her voice dropped to a near whisper, audible only to herself. “Actually, I’m just like that nameless flower. One person blooms, one person withers. All these years, from beginning to end, no one has ever asked.”

“What… what are you saying?”

“Nothing,” Zhuang Jia withdrew her gaze and looked at her.

She wanted to say that Yi Chen’s mother died when he was six, and within a year, his father brought another woman home.

She had always stayed by Yi Chen’s side. Once, Yi Chen even asked her who she was.

They were still young then and didn’t think much of it, quickly growing close again.

After all, they’d always been very familiar and close.

Later, when they entered junior high, the two of them discovered it was a medical condition. Every month, if he was around someone his own age—especially a girl—he’d forget them.

Yet even so, Zhuang Jia never left him, always quietly encouraging him at his side.

By then, Yi Chen had already learned how to hide his condition and protect himself.

In eighth grade, he met Pan Sen, who was three years older and attended the same school. Pan Sen was a freshman in high school then, and determined to help, he filled out medicine as his college major when he was a senior.

He did become a doctor as he’d wished, and secretly treated Yi Chen’s amnesia.

In their first year of university, Yi Chen met Ye Xiyang. The moment she saw him, she vowed he would be her boyfriend—she was determined to win him over.

Back then, when Xiyang chased after Yi Chen, Zhuang Jia thought the girl was dreaming. How could Yi Chen possibly fall for such a naive, silly girl?

And besides, Yi Chen had his amnesia.

But things didn’t go as expected. When it came to Ye Xiyang, Yi Chen didn’t forget her. What’s more, he actually reciprocated her feelings.

Not only did he fall for her—he fell deeply in love.

...

...

Lying in bed, Xiao Qi couldn’t get Zhuang Jia’s final words out of her head.

“Xiyang, you must be good to Yi Chen, because you’ll never guess how much he loves you.”

You’ll never guess how much he loves you.

Ugh, of course I’ll never guess—I’m not even her!

These earthly entanglements have nothing to do with me.

The next morning, Xiao Qi strode out of her room, feeling fresh and full of energy.

When Fang Yun saw her, her eyes nearly popped out.

“Xiyang, why are you here?”

Xiao Qi was perplexed. “Where else would I be?” Then she suddenly remembered the message she’d sent Auntie last night and hurried to explain, “Oh, I’m just not used to sleeping at someone else’s place, so I came back last night.”

“But you don’t have a key!”

“…”

Xiao Qi racked her brain for an excuse. “Um, Auntie, how much money did Lin Yi Chen make renting out the place yesterday?”

The mention instantly distracted Fang Yun. “Yesterday’s private booking was a huge success! I’ve realized, if you want to make real money, you have to snag big clients. Xiyang,” Fang Yun’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Xiao Qi, “it’s such a pity you forgot about Lin Yi Chen, that diamond bachelor. But if you stick close to him now, my little restaurant could become a grand Western restaurant.”

Xiao Qi was left dumbfounded. Should she tell her that not only had she clung to him—she’d even kissed him?

“Xiyang, look at this,” Fang Yun grabbed a printed poster from the table. “See, this is a catering agreement I came up with. As long as Lin Yi Chen’s company employees order meals from us, I’ll give them a twenty percent discount. If you give this to Lin Yi Chen and he signs it, the agreement will take effect.”

That way, it would bring in money and give Xiyang more excuses to see Lin Yi Chen.

Fang Yun felt her plan was flawless.

“And what if he doesn’t sign?”

“If it’s you, he’ll sign, one hundred percent.”

That’s right—she was Ye Xiyang now, the woman he liked.

This was the perfect excuse to go to his company and look for her signal device.

It wasn’t at his house or on him. Could it be at his company?

Meanwhile, elsewhere—

Lin Yi Chen had been knocking on the bedroom door for ages, but there was no response.

He frowned, handsome brows drawn tight. His instincts told him the room was empty.

He pushed the door open. As he suspected, she was gone.

But there were guards at the iron gate outside.

How had she left?

“Brother,” Yi Yang came in, “are you waking Xiyang?”

“She’s not here.”

“Not here?” Yi Yang poked his head into the room—the bed hadn’t even been slept in. “When did she leave?”

Lin Yi Chen said nothing and strode away.

He checked the security footage outside the villa. There was no sign of anyone leaving.

Xiyang, how did you manage to get out?