Chapter 13: A Memory Too Painful to Recall

On the other side, Nan Xing hung up the phone but did not immediately fall asleep. She opened Li Beitian’s WeChat profile picture, zooming in, then out, then in again.

It was just a simple dog avatar.

The only difference was that this dog was tall and imposing, standing on a wooden chair like a human.

He wore a yellow floral shirt underneath and a loose denim jacket over it.

It looked almost human.

Nan Xing never would have imagined that Li Beitian, who usually appeared strict and reserved, would use such a photo as his avatar.

She had assumed that, like the domineering CEOs in novels, he’d prefer a dark, mysterious style.

Instead, he turned out to have a subtle, hidden charm.

Driven by curiosity, Nan Xing opened his Moments to take a look.

His signature was blank.

But the WeChat background caught her attention.

It was a road through a primeval forest.

Wildflowers blossomed along the path, flanked by towering trees that disappeared into the clouds above. The dense foliage was shrouded in mist, with sunlight piercing through the clouds and filtering through the treetops, casting dappled shadows.

A quiet, winding road stretched deep into the forest.

From a distance, it exuded a serene loneliness.

Staring at the familiar forest road before her, Nan Xing’s throat tightened, and her frail back bent forward.

A painful memory surged into her mind.

That night, Nan Xing was completely unable to sleep.

…

The next day, Nan Xing was awakened by a knock at the door.

A servant hurried in to tell her that the delivery man was waiting outside, saying there was a package that required Miss Nan’s personal signature.

Recalling the events of the previous day, Nan Xing got out of bed, tidied her hair in the mirror, and put on a mask before heading out.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see people, but her face was too perfect, and she didn’t want to invite unnecessary trouble.

If beauty was a crime, then Nan Xing was beyond redemption.

As she descended the stairs, she ran into Nan Zhen’er heading toward the front door, looking excited.

“Are you Miss Nan?” the delivery man asked, eyeing Nan Xing’s masked face. After receiving confirmation, he handed her a pen.

But the pen ended up in Nan Zhen’er’s hands.

With a flourish, Nan Zhen’er signed her name with elaborate strokes.

The delivery man was dumbfounded. Seeing that both had come from the same villa, he assumed they were family and repeated, “This is a gift for Miss Nan,” before leaving.

Nan Xing raised her chin, gesturing for Nan Zhen’er to check the information carefully. “Is this yours?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Didn’t he say it was for Miss Nan? There’s more than one Nan in the family!” Nan Zhen’er huffed impatiently.

If Nan Xing hadn’t come back, she would still be the Nan family’s cherished darling, the only young lady showered with endless love!

She had to blame Nan Xing for stealing her place!

“Don’t believe me?” Nan Zhen’er curled her lips. “Look, it even says ‘perfume’ here. I specially had a friend bring it back from France. It’s endorsed by the superstar Lin Weiyang, and the scent was crafted by Coral, Sky’s chief perfumer—a masterpiece.”

“Nan Xing, you probably can’t even afford such an expensive perfume, let alone have that kind of taste.”

Noticing Nan Xing’s mask, Nan Zhen’er sneered, “Wearing a mask so early in the morning—are you trying to sneak off with my delivery when no one’s looking?”

Nan Xing’s expression remained unchanged, her almond-shaped eyes visible, radiating an air of dominance. “Did you bring your brain when you left the house today?”

Unfazed, Nan Zhen’er lifted her chin proudly. “Nan Xing, don’t go barking just because you can’t afford luxury goods. If you speak nicely, I might even consider giving you a bottle—to help get rid of that rustic scent you carry.”

“Slap—”

Without further ado, Nan Xing raised her hand and struck her.