Before Going on a Variety Show, the Actress Lost Her Memory - Chapter 29

In recent years, global warming has affected even Yun City, a region known for its lush vegetation. Though it was late spring, the midday heat was still intense.

While tourists flocked to Yun City in summer to escape the heat, locals found the current temperatures already stifling.

Under the blazing sun, with no clouds to offer respite, the ultraviolet radiation was fierce. The scorching sunlight made the cool interior of the restaurant feel even more refreshing.

Spring isn’t the typical season for wild mushrooms, but with advanced preservation techniques, storing last year’s harvest was no problem. A must-try in Yun City is the mushroom soup, renowned for its umami so intense it could make you swoon.

The soup’s color isn’t particularly appealing—yellowish, even slightly brownish—but those who’ve tasted it know that the broth made from porcini and red boletus mushrooms is unparalleled in flavor.

The soup is simmered to a thick, viscous consistency, with crisp mushroom pieces and local ham added for extra depth. Stirred into rice, it’s an absolute delight.

In Yun City, people don’t chase after matsutake mushrooms or black truffles. Instead, they cherish the local delicacies: Jianshouqing (blue-staining bolete), porcini, Jizong (termite mushroom), and red boletus—these are the true treasures of the palate.

The staff brought out the dishes one by one, while the employee monitoring the mushroom hotpot felt immense pressure. Not only were some wild mushrooms poisonous, but individual sensitivities required extra caution.

Yet the ethereal beauty before him, Yu Wenyu, stared at the simmering pot with bright, glistening eyes, her wet gaze seeming to reproach him for not letting her eat sooner.

The employee, a woman in her fifties with a daughter about Yu Wenyu’s age, couldn’t help but feel fond of the young woman’s striking looks.

The restaurant only hired experienced older women to manage the mushroom hotpots, ensuring meticulous preparation to minimize the risk of poisoning.

“Hahahaha, this auntie looks at Yu Zai like she’s her own daughter. Yun City people really don’t chase celebrities.”

“Yun City residents be like: ‘Why chase stars when you can hunt mushrooms?’ If Yu Zai weren’t so pretty, the auntie wouldn’t even glance at her.”

“Beefsteak mushrooms! And even Jian Shou Qing! Yun City students studying abroad are drooling with envy.”

“I’m planning a trip to Yun City this summer. I absolutely have to try these mushrooms that Yun City people would risk seeing little people for!”

“I told you, the mushrooms aren’t poisonous! Not at all! We just didn’t cook them properly! Why blame the mushrooms?!”

“There it is—the stubborn Yun City attitude.”

“Yu Zai, let’s try some other dishes, okay? Don’t look so pitiful. You might get poisoned later.”

“……”

Xi Xiuyun smiled faintly, glancing at Yu Wenyu. Yu Wenyu was staring intently at the mushroom hotpot, her expression practically begging, “Mushrooms, oh mushrooms, when will you be ready? Hurry up and jump into my mouth!”

Seeing this, Xi Xiuyun didn’t interrupt Yu Wenyu. Instead, she took a lettuce leaf, dipped a piece of grilled fish from the table into the special dipping sauce, wrapped it in the lettuce, folded it into a small, bite-sized bundle, and held it out to Yu Wenyu’s lips.

Without hesitation, Yu Wenyu opened her mouth and accepted Xi Xiuyun’s offering. After chewing twice, she looked at Xi Xiuyun with wide-eyed astonishment, chewed a few more times, swallowed, and then gazed at Xi Xiuyun with delight.

“This is so delicious! Why didn’t I get to try this last time? That sauce inside is so tangy and spicy—it’s magical!” Yu Wenyu exclaimed.

Seeing that Yu Wenyu could handle the spice, Xi Xiuyun continued wrapping the lettuce wraps while explaining, “This is the ethnic dish you’ve been craving—Dai-style fish lettuce wraps. The dipping sauce is called lemon dipping sauce.”

“There are more dishes coming later. The mushroom soup will take a while, and Auntie doesn’t want to give it to you too soon. If you keep staring, she’ll think you’re being a nuisance.”

Xi Xiuyun handed over the wrapped lettuce wrap and poured Yu Wenyu a small bowl of Wa-style porridge to cool down.

Yu Wenyu accepted the fish lettuce wrap, the tips of her ears flushed pink with shyness.

“Auntie would never find me annoying,” Yu Wenyu muttered, swallowing her bite before realizing Xi Xiuyun had just suggested Auntie might dislike her.

“Auntie, do you find me annoying?” Yu Wenyu asked earnestly, blinking her eyes.

The elderly woman, whose own daughter rarely visited, suddenly saw a glimpse of her own child’s childhood, when she used to act so spoiled and clingy.

“Oh, you’re such a pretty thing! How could I ever find you annoying?” Auntie chuckled.

The live chat exploded with “hahahahahaha” messages.

Although the aunt spoke in a local dialect, Yu Wenyu understood that she was complimenting her looks. Feeling quite proud, she glanced at Xi Xiuyun.

Xi Xiuyun smiled and shook her head. “I was just teasing.” She then scooped up a spoonful of the porridge, cooked until it was soft and watery, and pretended to feed Yu Wenyu.

The black chicken had been simmered in an earthenware pot until tender, then shredded into strips. Rice was added, and each grain absorbed the rich chicken broth. Finally, fennel was stirred in.

This Wa porridge combined the savory aroma of chicken broth with the fresh fragrance of fennel, balancing the richness of the broth and making it irresistible.

Fortunately, Yu Wenyu’s rationality kicked in before her body could react. Remembering they weren’t at home, she didn’t open her mouth to accept Xi Xiuyun’s offer. Instead, she reached out and took the small bowl.

“I can manage myself. You must be hungry too. Eat something quickly.” With that, Yu Wenyu lowered her head and took a bite of the porridge, avoiding Xi Xiuyun’s disapproving gaze.

Xi Xiuyun sighed inwardly but didn’t insist further.

Yu Wenyu stole a glance at Xi Xiuyun’s expression. Seeing no anger, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Wenyu felt like Xi Xiuyun was spoiling her rotten, turning her into a giant baby who expected everything to be done for her.

But every time she refused, it only earned Xi Xiuyun’s displeasure, leaving Yu Wenyu no choice but to comply.

Though she had grown accustomed to it over time, she still felt deep down that this wasn’t right.

After a few bites, Yu Wenyu finished her porridge. Looking at the empty bowl, she suddenly realized Xi Xiuyun knew her appetite perfectly.

Yu Wenyu wanted to try everything, but she wasn’t particularly gluttonous. Xi Xiuyun always managed to control the portions perfectly.

But when had this started? After they got married?

No, Xi Xiuyun had been taking care of her since childhood. If this had been going on since her teens, Yu Wenyu couldn’t even imagine how much Xi Xiuyun had done for her.

Yu Wenyu looked at Xi Xiuyun, who was quietly eating her meal. Steam rose from the mushroom hotpot, blurring her vision. Yu Wenyu couldn’t tell if it was the steam or something else that was clouding her eyes.

Sensing Yu Wenyu’s gaze, Xi Xiuyun turned to her, thinking she wanted something. But when she looked, Yu Wenyu quickly averted her eyes.

Xi Xiuyun was stunned, almost unable to believe the tears she had glimpsed welling in Yu Wenyu’s eyes.

But Yu Wenyu remained silent. After a moment, Xi Xiuyun picked up a piece of Dai-style pounded eggplant and placed it in Yu Wenyu’s bowl, saying nothing.

Yu Wenyu saw the eggplant in her bowl, coated in chili peppers far beyond her tolerance, and felt her throat tighten even more.

She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of the eggplant, and put it in her mouth.

The live stream viewers hadn’t seen the earlier exchange between the two women. They only saw Yu Wenyu suddenly coughing violently, her face flushed crimson as she frantically grabbed water and gulped it down, large tears streaming down her cheeks.

Then they watched Xi Xiuyun lead Yu Wenyu out of the private room, presumably to the restroom.

“What’s wrong with Yu Zai?”

“She probably got burned by the spice. Some Yun City dishes are really spicy.”

“Is Yun City known for its spicy food?”

“Yun City isn’t usually on the list of spicy food capitals, but as someone who’s been brought to tears by their food, I’d say it’s definitely an underrated spicy region.”

“I hope Yu Zai’s okay. She looked really uncomfortable just now.”

“She’s with Best Actress Xi, she’ll be fine.”

“……”

In the restroom outside the private room, Yu Wenyu was still coughing. Xi Xiuyun gently patted her back. After a while, Yu Wenyu caught her breath and composed herself.

The woman in the mirror leaned against the sink, her face bare of makeup. Her eyes were rimmed with a faint redness from her recent coughing and crying, and her lips, stung by the spice, appeared even more vivid.

When Yu Wenyu was three years old, she had fallen down the stairs, injuring her cheekbone. Though the injury left no scar, it would flush red whenever she cried.

Despite the classic image of a beauty in tears, Xi Xiuyun had no interest in appreciating the scene. She was far more concerned about Yu Wenyu’s sudden emotional breakdown.

Seeing that Yu Wenyu had composed herself, Xi Xiuyun finally asked, “Why did you suddenly start crying just now? It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. You can tell me when you’re ready.”

Yu Wenyu sighed, looked up at Xi Xiuyun, and forced a smile that was more painful to see than her tears. Xi Xiuyun’s heart ached at the sight.

Xi Xiuyun felt a sudden wave of nervousness, even a hint of helplessness.

Seeing Xi Xiuyun’s anxious expression made Yu Wenyu uncomfortable as well. She decided to be honest. “Sister Xi, when did you develop this habit?”

Xi Xiuyun froze, completely unprepared for such a question. Her response was a long, heavy silence.

In truth, Xi Xiuyun didn’t know when she had developed this habit. It was as if a voice deep within her memory had always told her to do this.

Doing everything for Yu Wenyu felt natural.

Initially, it was because their parents were often away for work, leaving them feeling neglected. Sharing this common plight, they spent more time together.

Their families had been close for generations, knowing each other intimately. The elders agreed to let them stay at each other’s homes when their parents were away.

Gradually, the two became inseparable. When they were younger, they didn’t understand what “love” meant. But as they entered puberty, everything began to change.

The girl’s developing body pressed against Xiuyun’s own, stirring faint ripples in her heart.

She didn’t recognize this strange emotion as love, only knowing that each touch made her blush and her heart race, and that she eagerly anticipated the next, even more intimate encounter.

Perhaps even before she consciously realized her feelings for Yu Wenyu, Xi Xiuyun had already begun longing for their next moment of closeness.

Teenagers don’t need to be fed, don’t sit intimately on each other’s laps, don’t bathe together, and certainly don’t continue the innocent kisses of childhood.

Yet no one stopped them. No one told them they were growing up and needed privacy. Their parents’ neglect and irresponsibility only accelerated their mutual infatuation.

By the time they realized the emotion was love, it was already beyond control. Nearly a decade of companionship had made them inseparable.

When their parents noticed, they might have initially struggled to accept it. But ultimately, they were the ones who had created this situation, so they lacked both the right and the power to intervene.

Xi Xiuyun looked at Yu Wenyu, her usually calm black eyes now filled with confusion. “I don’t know… Ayu, I fell in love with you much earlier than you think. At first, I just wanted to be your sister forever.”

“Sister Wenxi didn’t have time for you, so I thought I should take good care of you. But later, I realized I wasn’t satisfied with just being your sister.”

Yu Wenyu met Xi Xiuyun’s gaze, and this time she clearly saw the madness in Xi Xiuyun’s eyes—a madness even Xi Xiuyun herself seemed unaware of.

“I always wanted to do inappropriate things to you. At first, I felt guilty. You trusted me as your sister, but I had ulterior motives.

I tried to let go, but I couldn’t. The thought of you being intimate with someone else… it just…”

Xi Xiuyun suddenly paused, as if realizing what she had said, her face turning deathly pale.

Yu Wenyu listened quietly, and seeing Xi Xiuyun’s reaction, she suddenly felt certain about a long-held suspicion.