After Losing My Memory, I Became Sweet - Chapter 16

The next day, Qin Huaichu set off for a charity auction.

 

Despite the setback the previous night, he was determined to return from this auction with something that Zhu Yun liked.

 

During the two years he had been married to Zhu Yun, he had attended many similar events, but he had never thought that, aside from birthdays and other important occasions, he could pick a gift for Zhu Yun at any time just because he wanted to.

 

Qin Huaichu couldn’t help but feel that he had made some progress.

 

When Zhu Yun got up, he barely spoke, simply hugging a large rabbit plush on the sofa, lost in his thoughts.

 

Qin Huaichu asked, “There should be something you like at this auction. Should I buy something for you?”

 

In fact, he had asked this a few days ago, but he believed his mindset had changed since then, and his tone was gentler this time.

 

Zhu Yun looked up at him. As expected, his reaction was slightly different from before.

 

He stared at him for a long moment, then a faint smile curved his lips as he softly said, “Brother, do you know what I like?”

 

Qin Huaichu was momentarily stunned.

 

If this question had come half a month ago, he wouldn’t have been able to answer.

 

His knowledge of Zhu Yun had been limited to the designs he made and the occasional snippets of information from others.

 

But over the past half month, he believed he had gained some understanding of Zhu Yun.

 

Even if the version of Zhu Yun now was only the one from before he turned eighteen, it was still a part of his true self.

 

“You like dolls, robots, and some real-life games,” Qin Huaichu answered carefully, “These were probably your interests before adulthood. Later, you studied design and developed exceptional talent in jewelry design. I think you must like jewelry as well.”

 

Zhu Yun quietly listened and nodded, softly repeating, “Jewelry, huh…”

 

Qin Huaichu said, “At this charity auction, some vintage jewelry pieces will be up for bidding. I think you might like them.”

 

Zhu Yun remained silent for a while before replying, “Alright. I’d also like to regain some memories about jewelry design.”

 

He looked at Qin Huaichu: “You said I’m the company’s chief designer. If I never get my design memories back, you’d probably be worried, right?”

 

Qin Huaichu smiled and said, “You haven’t regained your memories yet, so don’t think about work. I’ll handle it. Just treat it as taking a little personal vacation.”

 

Qin Huaichu’s calm voice was indeed reassuring.

 

Zhu Yun seemed convinced and no longer brought up work.

 

After Qin Huaichu left, Zhu Yun stepped out of the house.

 

Since Qin Huaichu wasn’t home and he had forgotten to have Song Xiang look after him, he finally had plenty of free time.

 

He took the elevator down to the B2 parking lot and found his Maybach.

 

He didn’t come to the Yunshan residence often, but while Qin Huaichu was away on business, he had visited a few times and stored some of his belongings in the garage.

 

Among them was this car.

 

Zhu Yun drove the car out of the parking lot, seeing the bright sunlight at the exit, and took out a pair of sunglasses from the storage box to put on.

 

The security guards at Yunshan had often seen him getting into Qin Huaichu’s car recently, so they didn’t immediately recognize him.

 

Zhu Yun rolled down the window and nodded at the guard.

 

The guard realized and said, “Oh, it’s President Zhu! Long time no see.”

 

Zhu Yun waited until the parking barrier opened and drove out.

 

The guard watched the car leave and muttered to himself, “Strange. I’ve seen Mr. Zhu around a lot recently, so why did I say ‘long time no see’?”

 

Zhu Yun drove straight to his studio in the west of the city.

 

This past week, he had been working on design sketches both at the QZ design department and at home, but progress had been slow.

 

He realized that during the design phase, he had always been too obsessive and emotional, which made his inspiration easily influenced by his surroundings.

 

Now, wanting a change of environment, he could only make small adjustments.

 

For instance, he could move some items from his studio to his study at home, making his inspiration think he was still in a familiar space.

 

Zhu Yun parked in the garage and went up to the third floor, where his independent studio was located.

 

He had initially insisted on not working at the group office and not staying long in the design building. Qin Huaichu had unhesitatingly bought this three-story building for him and decorated it exactly as he wished.

 

Zhu Yun had always been willful and reclusive in his artistic process, but he had been given maximum freedom at QZ Group.

 

Qin Huaichu had always been the one to give him that freedom.

 

Zhu Yun dismantled some equipment, packed it into boxes, and loaded them into his car.

 

Sitting in the driver’s seat, he unconsciously took out his phone and glanced at the chat window with Qin Huaichu.

 

Since Qin Huaichu had neither the time nor interest for idle chats, he naturally hadn’t sent any messages to check in.

 

Thus, their chat remained sparse, with barely any interaction.

 

Zhu Yun stared at the dark screen, then reopened it.

 

Through this repetitive, meaningless action, his thoughts gradually unfolded, looping through scenes from yesterday.

 

If Qin Huaichu holding him while sliding through the hidden passage in the escape room was out of gentlemanly concern, then what did Qin Huaichu’s attempt to hold him last night signify?

 

Zhu Yun couldn’t figure it out, which was why he instinctively dodged.

 

He didn’t believe Qin Huaichu had suddenly developed a desire to get closer to him, nor that he could have suddenly developed feelings for him.

 

Even if he had, it would only be for the eighteen-year-old version of him that Qin Huaichu was pretending to see.

 

Zhu Yun looked at the dark screen and decided to temporarily push Qin Huaichu out of his mind.

 

He hadn’t run out while Qin Huaichu was away just to sit there with his thoughts dominated by someone far away in Wucheng.

 

He opened his contacts on WeChat and sent Jiang Chengqi a message: “I’m at the studio now.”

 

Less than a minute later, Jiang Chengqi called.

 

Jiang Chengqi was the department manager directly under Zhu Yun in the design team.

 

Zhu Yun didn’t like management work, but his team couldn’t be leaderless, so he had selected Jiang Chengqi from his trusted subordinates.

 

His elite design team had over twenty people, all personally chosen by him, so he knew each of them well.

 

While other members had higher design talent, Jiang Chengqi’s skills were more in interpersonal relations and communication.

 

Exactly the type of manager Zhu Yun needed, he had promoted Jiang Chengqi to department manager.

 

When his design team separated from QZ Group and needed a new manager, Zhu Yun had consulted Qin Huaichu.

 

Back then, they rarely met in person, so the discussion had taken place over WeChat.

 

Qin Huaichu had simply replied, “Your people, you decide.”

 

After that, Zhu Yun hadn’t proactively contacted Qin Huaichu for a long time.

 

So why had his thoughts drifted back to Qin Huaichu now?

 

Zhu Yun lightly smiled and continued talking to Jiang Chengqi on the phone: “Recently, the department hasn’t updated me on progress or personnel. It seems you haven’t sent me emails in a while.”

 

“President Yun, I heard from President Qin that you’ve been unwell recently. I didn’t want to disturb your rest,” Jiang Chengqi quickly explained. “But I’ve prepared the work report files and can send them to you anytime.”

 

Zhu Yun thought for a moment and asked, “Are you at the office?”

 

“Yes, I am,” Jiang Chengqi replied.

 

“Come down to the café and give me the report in person,” Zhu Yun said, then got out of the car.

 

Though Jiang Chengqi was the department manager of over twenty designers, he had no airs and always showed respect to Zhu Yun.

 

Even though he was busy, he immediately gathered his files and went downstairs without hesitation.

 

It was only ten in the morning, work hours, so the café had few customers and many empty tables.

 

Zhu Yun chose a spot by the floor-to-ceiling window, letting a winter ray of sunlight fall on him.

 

Seeing him approach, Jiang Chengqi felt as though Zhu Yun was glowing.

 

Zhu Yun looked up at him, lips curved slightly in a faint smile.

 

Jiang Chengqi immediately relaxed and waved: “President Yun! Long time no see. I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

 

Zhu Yun gave a slight nod. When Jiang Chengqi sat down, he casually asked, “Did President Qin contact you? What did he say?”

 

“Yes. Half a month ago, President Qin suddenly called. He said you had some minor health issues and advised not to let work disturb you. If there were any difficult decisions, I could go straight to him.”

 

“President Qin also gave me his personal phone number. Here’s the call log from last time,” Jiang Chengqi said, placing the phone on the table in front of Zhu Yun.

 

Zhu Yun lowered his dense lashes and glanced at Qin Huaichu’s personal number.

 

It really was his private number, usually not shared with regular employees.

 

He softly said, “I came here today without him knowing.”

 

This simple statement carried a lot of information. Jiang Chengqi, a smart man, immediately said, “Don’t worry, President Yun. I won’t tell President Qin you came.”

 

Zhu Yun said nothing, simply lifting his head slightly, expression calm.

 

Jiang Chengqi quickly added, “I’ll tell President Qin that your health hasn’t recovered, and I haven’t seen you since half a month ago.”

 

Zhu Yun didn’t respond and looked at the folder he brought: “Report the work.”

 

“Yes,” Jiang Chengqi nodded repeatedly, secretly wiping sweat from his palms.

 

Zhu Yun rarely listened to his subordinates report in person.

 

Except for his apprentice Lu Xunyi, the others rarely met him face-to-face.

 

Most communication was through emails, and the drawings were far more appealing than meaningless verbal exchanges.

 

Listening to Jiang Chengqi’s cautious report, Zhu Yun occasionally thought of Qin Huaichu attending a video meeting.

 

Did Qin Huaichu ever get distracted during work reports?

 

Zhu Yun found himself thinking of Qin Huaichu again, slightly annoyed, and pressed the tip of his pen on the glass table.

 

Jiang Chengqi, like a startled bird, widened his eyes: “President Yun, are you dissatisfied with this project?”

 

“No,” Zhu Yun said calmly, putting the pen away, fingers resting on a page of the folder. “Reject this design plan for now. Have the designer focus on the upcoming G Brand launch.”

 

Jiang Chengqi immediately understood: “Did it clash with the G Brand design?”

 

“Yes,” Zhu Yun replied.

 

“Clashing of inspiration is common in design. I’m no expert, but from my perspective, the differences are obvious, so it shouldn’t count as plagiarism,” Jiang Chengqi said.

 

“You know you’re an outsider,” Zhu Yun glanced at him. “Send him to see the launch. He’ll understand without extra explanation or pressure.”

 

Jiang Chengqi quickly nodded: “Understood. I’ll start the process for the other plans immediately. Is that okay?”

 

Zhu Yun gave a slight nod.

 

After reporting, Jiang Chengqi left.

 

Zhu Yun returned to his car, planning to bring the items home and set up his “secret base.”

 

While driving, his phone lit up. He turned into a roadside parking spot.

 

The message was from Qin Huaichu.

 

He had sent a photo of a light blue butterfly-shaped ring with the text: “What do you think of the gemstone on this butterfly?”

 

The two, who rarely chatted, were now seriously discussing a gemstone in a photo while apart.

 

The situation felt strangely awkward.

 

Zhu Yun, unsure of Qin Huaichu’s intentions, restrained his critical thoughts and replied with the mindset of his eighteen-year-old self: “It’s beautiful, Brother. Did you see it at the auction?”

 

Qin Huaichu typed back:

 

• • Yes, I want to buy it for you.

 

• • Do you want it, Yun Yun?

 

Zhu Yun’s hand shook, accidentally deleting the last sentence.