After Losing My Memory, I Became Sweet - Chapter 23
A month ago, Qin Huaichu would never have thought that, outside of work, there could be someone who needed his company.
Moreover, Zhuyun had never expressed such a need before.
Later, after Zhuyun lost his memory, everyone warned Qin Huaichu that Zhuyun needed him and that he must stay by Zhuyun’s side.
He still didn’t believe that his presence could make a difference, and he even tried to substitute others for himself.
During that time, it seemed that neither his life nor Zhuyun’s was affected.
But now, seeing familiar and close friends around Zhuyun, he felt uneasy, even wanting to push those people away.
He wanted to replace all of them with himself.
Especially earlier, when Huo Siming awkwardly showed a photo of him and Zhuyun together, deliberately provoking him.
Of course, he wasn’t truly angered, but his mood was slightly affected.
Back at home, after taking a shower and tucking Beibei back into bed, the two lay under the same blanket.
In the quiet of the night, with only the two of them close together, Zhuyun felt a little nervous.
He deliberately started a topic: “Gege, when you were at the bar talking to that person, what did he show you? I noticed he suddenly raised his voice—did you two have a quarrel?”
Qin Huaichu frowned—Zhuyun was still asking about Huo Siming even in bed.
“Nothing, just a photo,” he replied coolly.
“Go to sleep. You’ve been out too long today.”
Qin Huaichu reached to cover Zhuyun’s eyes, hoping to help him sleep faster.
But his hand misjudged the distance and brushed Zhuyun’s face instead.
Qin Huaichu: “……”
Zhuyun: “……”
Zhuyun quickly ducked his head and pulled the blanket up to his nose.
“I’m asleep,” he mumbled.
As for the photo he had asked about earlier, he no longer cared.
Qin Huaichu spent some rare moments staring blankly in bed before finally falling asleep.
This feeling was unfamiliar to him; for a moment, he even wanted to pull Zhuyun out of the blanket and…
But his imagination was limited, and his experience sparse, so it ended there.
After all, Qin Huaichu couldn’t truly let his emotions take over.
The next morning, he woke up, adjusted himself, and decided that during his upcoming five-day business trip, he would take time to carefully examine these sudden feelings.
Early that morning, he told Zhuyun he would be traveling to Paris for Fashion Week.
This blatantly evasive strategy was obvious to Zhuyun, yet he remained calm inside.
Last night, Qin Huaichu had been somewhat unusual, but now he appeared normal.
If it had been the old Zhuyun a month ago, he wouldn’t have batted an eye at Qin Huaichu leaving for several days.
He would focus on his own designs, or go out with friends, and wouldn’t send a single message to Qin Huaichu until he returned.
But now, having lost his memory, if he behaved exactly the same, he would be wasting the time he had at home to “perform.”
So, upon hearing Qin Huaichu’s announcement of leaving the country, Zhuyun let out a slightly disappointed “Ah.”
Qin Huaichu frowned at that single sound.
Later, while Zhuyun ate the breakfast Qin Huaichu had prepared, he watched Qin Huaichu walk out of the closet and stand in front of the mirror to tie his tie.
He stared silently, saying nothing, which unsettled Qin Huaichu.
Qin Huaichu loosened his tie and sat back at the dining table.
“Yunyun, do you feel lonely when you’re home alone?” he finally asked.
Zhuyun put down his spoon, eyes lowered, and countered, “Gege, why would I be unhappy?”
Qin Huaichu said, “Because I’m often not at home.”
“But Gege, it’s for work,” Zhuyun replied.
“Yes, but I also have family responsibilities,” Qin Huaichu paused, “I said last night I’d spend more time with you, yet now I leave for a few days—my promise might seem insincere.”
His words carried a hint of self-reflection, though his tone remained calm, only his repeatedly moving Adam’s apple betraying his emotion.
Zhuyun blinked and softly said, “It’s okay. I know adults have many things they cannot control.”
“Though I do care a little, because being alone at home is truly hard,” he admitted.
Qin Huaichu asked, “Doesn’t Song Xiang visit you every day? Don’t you get along well?”
“No,” Zhuyun blinked and said, “Gege, I forgot to tell you, Song Xiang played basketball with me yesterday and didn’t seem well. I want to give him a few days off to rest—is that okay?”
“Of course,” Qin Huaichu replied.
Zhuyun smiled, “Thanks, Gege.”
“No need to thank me. If Song Xiang also rests while I’m away, you can have your other friends over,” Qin Huaichu said with a sigh, standing up. “After this busy period, I’ll keep my promise.”
Qin Huaichu returned to the mirror to straighten his outfit.
Zhuyun finally finished his noodles and leaned against a cabinet, staring unblinkingly at Qin Huaichu.
Qin Huaichu kept stealing glances at him, doubting if something was off with his clothes.
Zhuyun also silently counted: Qin Huaichu had buttoned the top button of his shirt three times, looking distracted.
Qin Huaichu picked up his briefcase and calmly asked while changing shoes, “Did you want me to bring anything from Paris?”
This was a question he often asked in the past.
Even though their relationship used to be distant, he still had the habit of bringing back a small gift.
“Do you want perfume?” Seeing no response, he asked again.
Zhuyun hesitated: “I don’t usually wear perfume.”
“You do,” Qin Huaichu said. “You collect perfumes—you should see them in your usual residence.”
“Alright then, you can bring me a bottle. Consider it a compensation from you,” Zhuyun said, smiling slightly as if joking.
But the word “compensation” immediately eased Qin Huaichu’s frown. He nodded: “I should give you compensation.”
After Qin Huaichu left, Zhuyun lay on the sofa, expressionless, staring at the ceiling.
Qin Huaichu seemed to enjoy this eighteen-year-old “version” of him.
Whether it was pure, cute, or just the right amount of willfulness, it all fell within Qin Huaichu’s tolerance.
But it wasn’t truly him, and earning Qin Huaichu’s affection didn’t make him happy.
Moreover, if Qin Huaichu truly fell in love with this eighteen-year-old version, would he have to keep pretending forever?
Zhuyun realized he had no answer.
But he didn’t dwell on this confusion for long.
Qin Huaichu’s business trip meant he could use the next five days to advance his planned design work.
In front of his designs, emotions should take a back seat.
Zhuyun spent two days in the study, only leaving when Aunt Li called him for meals.
Aunt Li still worried about his previous collapse from overwork, pacing anxiously whenever he stepped out a few minutes late.
Sitting at the table, Zhuyun yawned lightly. Aunt Li immediately asked, “Zhuyun, did you not rest well again? You’ve been in the study every time—is it all work?”
Zhuyun paused, blinking nervously. He hadn’t expected Aunt Li to be the first to doubt him.
“No, Aunt Li, I was watching movies in the study. Sometimes I fall asleep when tired, that’s why I yawned,” he said with a smile.
Half-believing, Aunt Li still said with concern, “There’s no bed in the study—you still need to sleep in your room at night. Remember to sleep before ten.”
Zhuyun nodded: “I know. I don’t have work now, so I have plenty of time to sleep each day.”
Aunt Li served him soup, looking at him with some pity: “Zhuyun, your complexion has improved this month, but you’re still thin. No wonder Qin didn’t worry about you even while away, and even sent me some nutrition recipes.”
Zhuyun thanked her absentmindedly, sipping the soup.
Since Qin Huaichu left, he hadn’t sent any messages—but this wasn’t unusual. He had never liked meaningless phone chatter.
Zhuyun used the remaining three days to complete his design draft and called Lu Xunyi.
Upon learning Lu Xunyi had returned to Ming City, he asked him to come over immediately.
When Lu Xunyi arrived, he brought the raw stone worth over ten million, which Zhuyun carefully placed in the safe, holding it tightly all the way.
Fortunately, the private elevator meant no one else saw it; otherwise, the whole neighborhood would know he was bringing a treasure home.
Seeing Zhuyun relax, Lu Xunyi handed over the stone.
“Master, I carried it with me while eating and sleeping these past days. Finally, it’s safely here,” he said with a grim face.
“Good job,” Zhuyun glanced at it calmly, then placed the safe aside.
“That little fishing village has never seen such generous guests. This stone alone could ensure the whole village lives comfortably for several years. When I left, the whole village came to see me off—I almost felt embarrassed.”
Lu Xunyi scratched his head: “Master, luckily you visited before. Otherwise, going alone to that village, seeing their mining conditions, I’d really be at a loss.”
“You’ve been in this field for two years,” Zhuyun said mildly, “Did you survey the environment of the village?”
“Of course,” Lu Xunyi replied hastily, feeling guilty. “I also used instruments to verify—it really is a fine raw stone. Once cut and designed into QZ jewelry, its value will exceed hundreds of millions. So the 10 million we paid the village is nothing; you are truly wise.”
To show sincerity, he gave a thumbs-up.
“However, we only paid half so far. Why is the remaining five million scheduled over five years?” Lu Xunyi asked.
“The village doesn’t rely on diamond mining for a living. This stone was an unexpected gain. They may never understand why it is so valuable,” Zhuyun said calmly.
Lu Xunyi asked hesitantly: “You’re worried that sudden wealth might change their mindset and disrupt normal life?”
Zhuyun didn’t respond directly. “The remaining five million will cover the costs of renovating the village and building the Hope Elementary School. Once completed, not much of the five million will remain.”
Lu Xunyi understood: spreading the remaining payment over five years would only slightly improve their lives, without the village being corrupted by sudden wealth.
Having personally visited the coastal village, Lu Xunyi knew that despite its simple customs, there could be hidden complex interests.
Zhuyun smiled faintly: “Over the next five years, they’ll be comfortable and consider how to find the next precious stone, maximizing the village’s geographic value. This is also good for us.”
Lu Xunyi nodded, half-comprehending. Zhuyun’s foresight and careful planning were truly admirable.
“Master, will you cut the gem here?” Lu Xunyi asked, surveying the house where Zhuyun had set up a small workshop.
“No, I’ll take it to the factory,” Zhuyun said.
“Can I watch the cutting process?” Lu Xunyi looked eager.
“Maybe in a few days,” Zhuyun replied softly, “These two days I might be tied up.”