Chapter 7 — My Amnesiac Benefactor Wants to Marry Me

Three months later, he was brought back to the city. As for me, thanks to my stellar academic record, the principal recommended me for a school in the town center. Immersed in my studies, I soon pushed those memories to the back of my mind. Just like that, the wind blew us apart. I struggled to hold back the giggle bubbling up in my throat. So, what about all those snacks in your office? I asked. Naturally, they were prepared for you. It is a pity that I dropped hint after hint, yet some silly girl never bothered to come to the company to check.

I suddenly remembered. He had once mentioned that the company cafeteria food was terrible, and I had simply told him to order takeout instead. How was I supposed to know! You never said it outright! I was just a substitute canary, how could I dare to wander into your company? I retorted, playfully rubbing against him in retaliation. Zhou Shi-Jun held my waist firmly. Alright, it is my fault. But if you want to keep sleeping, stop moving. My body ached in several places—I truly could not handle a second round. I nestled into his arms, listening as he recounted how he had spent the last few years searching for me. My heart felt like it was steeped in honey, sweet and overflowing. It turned out that all the gentleness, pampering, and favoritism I thought he reserved for someone else... had been meant for me all along.

As I listened, I suddenly sat up and grabbed him where he was most vulnerable. He almost tricked me into letting it go! There was still an unsettled debt! So, you were never suffering from memory loss at all. Why did you lie to me? Zhou Shi-Jun’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked away. That... can I tell you another day? I tightened my grip. Hmph! Are you learning how to dodge questions now? Zhou Shi-Jun let out a soft hiss and rolled over, pinning me to the bed. I braced my legs against his stomach to stop him from advancing. After a brief struggle, he finally sighed and surrendered. Back then, you were always so secretive; I thought you wanted to go back to your ex-boyfriend... that you didn't need me anymore.

I was terrified. Scared that you didn't love me. Afraid that your heart held someone else. Terrified that you would leave me at any moment. I wanted to give us a fresh start... to see if you would still choose me. Tong Nhung, no matter how much money I have, when it comes to matters of the heart, I have absolutely no confidence. He produced a velvet box from somewhere and opened it—a diamond ring the size of a pigeon’s egg glittered inside. So, will you marry me? Will you give me a title? I was so worked up I took a playful bite of his shoulder. He was the one stalking me! I would never go back to that jerk! I have liked you for a long time!

Zhou Shi-Jun’s eyes lit up instantly. He pulled my hand and slid the ring on immediately. Then it is a wedding! I hadn't fully processed it yet. Wait! One last question—what exactly did you save my name as in your phone? I had been dying of curiosity for days! He moved my legs aside and said nonchalantly, See for yourself. My heart skipped a beat. I took my phone and, with trembling fingers, dialed his number. Zhou Shi-Jun picked up his phone from the nightstand and held it in front of me. Read it aloud. On the screen, it displayed: [The Absolutely Stunning Beauty—My Beloved Wife].

I froze. How humiliating! I buried half my face in the pillow and burst into uncontrollable laughter. Zhou Shi-Jun leaned down, his teeth grazing my earlobe. It seems Nhung Nhung likes this title quite a bit. Wife. I will transfer all my money into your account, and my shares will go to you as well. Let’s go register our marriage tomorrow. I rasped, Why not today? Zhou Shi-Jun let out a low, rumbling laugh, his chest vibrating against mine. His hot hand tightened on my waist. Because you won’t be able to get out of bed today. Outside the window, the morning sun was perfect. In my ear, his deep, warm voice spoke of love, slow and steady.

Extra: Zhou Shi-Jun. In the blink of an eye, I was twenty-five, having long since assumed the heavy responsibilities of the Zhou family. Money, power—and countless women threw themselves at me like vultures circling prey. But those women, no matter how stylishly dressed, could not compare to the faded, plaid shirt Tong Nhung wore. Those women, no matter how elegant their gestures, could not compare to the way she peeled a sweet potato and offered it to me with such natural, heart-stopping grace.

Later, rumors swirled in elite circles that the CEO of the Zhou Corporation harbored a mysterious, unreachable love. Mysterious, because no one had ever seen her. Even I, from the moment I left that mountain school, had never seen her again. I had begged my father to donate funds to that place, though I never knew if that money had truly helped Tong Nhung. Once I gained the power to do so, I began to track her down. But Tong Nhung was like the wind—moving schools constantly; the leads grew more tangled, more numerous, and kept vanishing.

Until one day, I received a message from Assistant Ly. What Tong Nhung was about to do made me both livid and heartbroken to the point of suffocation. I practically slammed the gas pedal to the floor, my only prayer being that I reach her in time—that I had to stop her! Fortunately, we collided right in the hallway. I gripped her hand, refusing to let go again. Looking at that face, both familiar and strange, I could not help but blurt out, You look... so alike... just like the version of you I grew up with in my dreams.

Perhaps the noise in the club was too loud, or perhaps she was too terrified at the time, but she only caught half of my sentence and misunderstood—assuming she only resembled my hidden love. You fool... you are that love! I screamed inwardly. She seemed to have truly forgotten me, for when I offered to help her with money, her eyes held a defensive, heartbreaking wariness. Fine—if she wanted to misunderstand, so be it. As long as she could accept me. If I had to play a role, I would play it to the end. I signed a patronage contract with her. To satisfy my own selfishness, I forced her to call me husband. She was flustered, so I lied and said all the other canaries did the same. Her voice was as soft as water; when she whispered those two words, I nearly lost all control right then and there.

Later, her parents passed away. She cried for a long time, in such agony. Then she graduated from college. She didn't know that, even in her clumsy, naive, and adorable attempts to pretend to be drunk and seduce me, she was committing a crime against a man’s heart. Call me pathetic if you want. I accept it. Because from that night on, I knew I could never let her go again.