Coming out of the bathroom, Su Ci enjoyed a comfortable hot bath.
Her fair face was flushed pink from the steam, her dark eyes glistening with moisture. Her wet hair clung to the sides of her face, making her small face appear even more pristinely fair and radiant.
Su Ci was wearing new pajamas prepared by Su's Mother.
Su's Mother doted on her daughter, typically buying her a new batch of clothes every month, never letting her wear the same style twice. The clothes were all tailored to her previous body's measurements, but now, Su Ci felt the upper part was a bit tight - the old size no longer fit.
Su Ci walked to the bed and lit up her phone screen, but there were still no messages.
Annoyed, she bit her lip and sat on the edge of the bed with her phone, turning on the bedside lamp.
After finding the most flattering angle, Su Ci initiated a video call with Lu Zhe.
For some inexplicable reason, Su Ci felt nervous. She grabbed the small mirror from the nearby cabinet and checked her reflection. Seeing her bright eyes and white teeth in the mirror, she put it down, satisfied.
After a while, the video call connected.
On the phone screen, Lu Zhe's handsome face appeared enlarged before Su Ci.
"Lu Zhe," Su Ci's eyes lit up.
On the other end of the screen, Lu Zhe's expression froze momentarily.
Having just finished exercising, Lu Zhe's forehead was covered in sweat. He had answered when he heard the phone ring, not expecting the girl's face to suddenly appear on screen - only then realizing it was a video call.
"Why did it take you so long to answer?" Su Ci asked him.
"I was exercising," Lu Zhe, experiencing his first video call, felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing the girl's enlarged face on screen. "You're home?"
"I've been home for ages," Su Ci glared at him. "I waited so long without receiving any messages or calls from you. Don't you care about my safety at all?"
Having just completed two hundred push-ups, Lu Zhe was slightly out of breath. He sat down on the bed and looked at the girl on screen. The coldness in his eyes melted away, and instead of answering her question, he asked, "Are they treating you well?"
It must be good, he thought. She was so delicate, obviously pampered since childhood. Her family must have cherished her like a precious jewel.
"Yes, they are," Though she didn't have the original owner's memories, she could feel the genuine love from the Su family. Her only worry was that they would die one after another, and so far, she didn't know the cause.
Su Ci felt dejected. She could only wait until three days before their deaths to try to prevent the accidents from happening.
This also meant she wouldn't be able to see Lu Zhe for a long time.
Su Ci gazed longingly at the young man on her phone screen. "You have two months until the college entrance exam. Have you decided which university you want to attend?"
If Lu Zhe applied to universities in City B, with his grades, it wouldn't be a problem. That way, it would be convenient for her to meet him.
Lu Zhe's eyes paused for a moment. "Haven't thought about it yet."
"You haven't decided?" Su Ci's dark eyes sparkled under the soft light. She looked at Lu Zhe expectantly. "Will you apply to B University? Then we could see each other often."
Just thinking about Lu Zhe coming to City B in two months made Su Ci's mood instantly better.
Lu Zhe asked, "You want me to go to B University?"
"Of course!" Su Ci responded immediately.
Then, Lu Zhe watched as the girl on screen furrowed her pretty brows and said worriedly, "If you don't go to B University, I could apply to universities near you instead."
Su Ci felt somewhat frustrated. Before transmigrating into the book, her family had gone bankrupt, and she had given up on the college entrance exam to enter the entertainment industry. She hadn't expected that after transmigrating, she still couldn't escape the fate of taking the exam - she was still a high school senior now.
Lu Zhe felt scalded by the light in the girl's eyes. "You don't need to come here." Their city only had two universities, neither of which ranked well nationally.
"So does that mean you'll apply to B University?" Su Ci smiled.
The soft light fell into the girl's eyes, sparkling like gentle starlight. Initially angry about his lack of messages, now she only hoped he would come to City B to find her.
The ice shell cracked, and his sealed heart suddenly skipped a beat. Lu Zhe's thin lips curved slightly upward.
"Mm." Lu Zhe gave a soft affirmative.
Perhaps he could go see where she lived.
Getting his response, Su Ci's eyes curved into crescents with her smile.
Then, she earnestly reminded Lu Zhe, "There are only two months left. You need to study hard. Don't worry about other people's troubles, just focus on studying. Remember to test into B University to find me."
"Mm." Lu Zhe agreed to everything.
Su Ci was in a great mood. The corners of her eyes lifted, and her small beauty mark appeared somewhat alluring under the lamplight. Her dark eyes held the mischievousness that Lu Zhe was familiar with. "You kissed me too hard tonight. My lips still hurt."
Lu Zhe's gaze fell on the girl's small mouth, which gleamed with a glossy sheen, beautifully red.
His dark eyes darkened further as he said softly, "I'm sorry."
He didn't know how he had lost control at the end either.
After a moment of silence, Lu Zhe's lips pressed together slightly as he said, "It won't happen again."
Remembering Lu Zhe's forceful kisses and swallowing earlier, Su Ci's face grew warm for once. She didn't continue teasing him, just gave a light huff before ending the video call.
Su Ci patted her warm cheeks, then found Shen Xue in her contacts. Her tool person could be put to use now.
In the old residential complex.
Lu Zhe still held his phone, though the screen had gone dark. He sat on the folding bed, head lowered.
Moonlight fell on the treetops outside the window, and everything was quiet.
In Lu Zhe's pitch-black eyes, emotions rose and fell - indulgence, intoxication, before finally settling into calmness.
The night deepened.
Lu Zhe's neck was embraced by the girl's jade-like arms as she pressed against him like a boneless creature, constantly trying to get closer to his embrace.
Her waist was extremely slim and soft.
He turned his head away, but the girl was quite naughty. Her bare feet stepped directly onto his feet, and her pretty little mouth sought his lips, about to bite down.
Her sweet fragrance invaded his nose.
His hands tightened, supporting the powerless girl who clung to him.
He heard the girl laugh like a temptress by his ear, "Lu Zhe, kiss me."
His hands tightened, and he finally snapped, directly pressing down the bad and teasing girl in his arms.
He saw her smiling, watery eyes.
Lu Zhe suddenly opened his eyes.
He sat up on the folding bed, feeling the wetness below, his dark eyes terrifyingly deep.
......
Early morning, golden sunlight filtered through the white curtains into the room.
Su Ci was awakened by the sound of incoming messages on her phone.
She lazily opened her eyes, heavy with drowsiness.
Groggily picking up her phone, Su Ci half-squinted at it and saw it was a message from Shen Xue.
Only then did she become interested in opening it.
Shen Xue had sent a video. Su Ci clicked on it and immediately saw the young man standing on the flag-raising platform.
The sleepiness in Su Ci's eyes disappeared.
She sat up, letting her hair fall to both sides as she watched Lu Zhe on screen giving a speech.
The young man wore a white and blue school uniform, tall and slender. His rigid face bore a faint expression as the morning sunlight fell on his hair, coating it with a soft glow.
Su Ci's heart melted.
She leaned against the headboard and watched the young man in the video intently.
Ah ah ah, how could Lu Zhe be so handsome!
After sending the video, Shen Xue sent several more messages to Su Ci, saying she almost had her phone confiscated by the teacher while trying to film Lu Zhe.
Su Ci watched it twice before replying to Shen Xue: Why is the video so short?
Shen Xue, upon receiving the message: ......
Lu Zhe had won first place in the National Hope Cup Mathematics Competition, and the school had him give an acceptance speech. The break between classes was only twenty minutes - did Su Ci expect to hear Lu Zhe's entire speech?
Su Ci sent another message: Whenever you see Lu Zhe at school and have a chance to take videos, send them all to me!
Tool person Shen Xue: You like Lu Zhe?
Su Ci replied quickly: Never mind that, if anyone gives Lu Zhe trouble, or if other girls confess to him, you need to tell me immediately.
Shen Xue finally realized why Su Ci wanted her to repay the favor - she needed someone to keep watch!
Tool person Shen Xue: Don't worry, no one at school would confess to Lu Zhe.
She thought Su Ci was worrying unnecessarily. Everyone knew that Lu Zhe had a terminal illness and was an orphan, so no girls would be interested in him. Most of the girls at school were infatuated with Fu Baili now.
Even though she had now come to her senses and didn't like Fu Baili as much anymore, her heart still raced whenever he walked past her.
As for Lu Zhe, he was well-known in school as an invisible person who excelled in his studies.
Su Ci: "No, you need to keep watch. Someone else might have good taste like me."
Shen Xue (the helper): "Alright!"
After Su Ci left the chat, she watched the video again and saved it.
When she woke up, Su Ci couldn't fall back asleep, so she freshened up and went downstairs wearing a new dress.
"Ci Ci, why are you up so early? Did you sleep well?" Su's Mother had been waiting downstairs with her husband. Since their daughter had returned, the two were so excited they hadn't slept all night, afraid that if they closed their eyes, it would all turn out to be a dream.
"Good morning, Dad and Mom," Su Ci walked over to them, "I slept very well."
The bed had its familiar softness, and after video chatting with Lu Zhe last night, she had slept until being woken up by messages.
Su's Mother's face and eyes were filled with joy, "That's good. I've prepared your favorite breakfast, let's go eat."
"Thank you, Mom." Su Ci felt warmth in her heart, truly feeling a mother's love for her child.
As Su Ci walked with her mother to the dining area, she asked, "Where are brother and Little Ning?"
Su's Father spoke up beside them: "Your brother is out running, and Little Ning just woke up, he'll be down soon."
Just as he finished speaking, Su ZhiYuan walked in from outside.
He was wearing white sportswear and looked incredibly handsome. Su Ci had to admit that her brother perfectly fit the image of a dominant CEO from novels.
Compared to the male leads in books, Su ZhiYuan's appearance and aura could put Fu Baili to shame.
Of course, Su Ci's heart belonged to Lu Zhe, and she felt that no matter how handsome her brother was, he couldn't compare to Lu Zhe.
Unaware that his sister's heart had already drifted so far away, Su ZhiYuan smiled at Su Ci and said, "Little Ci is awake."
Su Ci greeted him, "Good morning, brother."
"Good morning, you look energetic," Su ZhiYuan smiled.
"I slept well last night." Perhaps it was because this body was sleeping in its own bed, but she didn't feel any discomfort at all.
"That's good. Dad, Mom, I'll go up and change clothes." Su ZhiYuan had a habit of morning runs. Unless the weather was bad, he would insist on running even in winter, showing great self-discipline.
"Go ahead, go ahead." Su's Mother had the breakfast brought out, "Ci Ci, you should eat more." Even though her daughter said she had gained weight, as a mother, she always hoped her children would eat more and put on some weight.
Su Ci obediently replied, "Okay."
Soon after, Little Su Ning came down as well.
He was wearing overalls with a white T-shirt decorated with dinosaur patterns underneath. His face was fair and tender, making people want to pinch his adorable cheeks.
He automatically walked to the other side of Su's Mother, where his special high chair was located.
Su Ci glanced at the little one's wrist, noticing that his life value had decreased by nearly half a day.
Little Su Ning looked healthy and showed no signs of illness, so it must have been an accident, a sudden incident that caused it.
As for Su's Father, Su's Mother, and Su ZhiYuan, they probably didn't have any illnesses either, and since Su's Father and Su's Mother had the same life value and would die at the same time, it further confirmed it was due to external causes.
Su Ci suppressed her complicated thoughts and joined her family for breakfast.
It was worth noting that although the Su family was a top-tier wealthy family, their family atmosphere wasn't stern or cold, but rather warm and cozy.
Even though Su Ci had also grown up in a wealthy family before and was similarly pampered, her parents had always been busy and didn't have much time to accompany her. Instead, they compensated by providing material things, giving her everything she wanted.
She rarely experienced this kind of gentle warmth.
After breakfast, Su's Father and Su ZhiYuan left for work.
Su Ci stayed with her mother to drink tea and chat, while Little Su Ning played by himself nearby.
Su's Mother asked about Su Ci's life during the past period.
Yesterday, she had asked her son and learned that her daughter had been taken in by a young man. Her son had told her about his situation.
While feeling sympathy, Su's Mother was also grateful to this young man for taking care of her daughter for such a long time.
She could tell from her daughter's face and smile that she hadn't suffered.
"The young man who took you in is called Lu Zhe?" Su's Mother asked her daughter.
"Did brother tell you?" Su Ci was a bit surprised.
Su's Mother smiled, "Yes, your brother told me. He took you in and cared for you, so he's our Su family's benefactor. I want to properly thank him. Is there anything he needs?"
Su Ci's eyes lit up, "Mom, if you want to thank him, just give him some money. He needs money."
She didn't want Lu Zhe to take so many outdoor jobs to earn money. The weather was hot and sunny now, and it would be exhausting for him to do computer repair house calls.
Su's Mother also knew that the young man was an orphan with a terminal illness, so he indeed needed money, "Alright, I understand."
Su Ci planned to send Lu Zhe a message telling him that if her family gave him money, he must accept it and not be polite about it.
At this moment, Hua's Wife came over and said to Su's Mother, "Madam, Miss Qin is here."
In the past, when Qin Shiyan's father was just a driver for the Su family, she wouldn't have been able to freely come and go from the Su family home like this.
But now, with the Su family's support, she had not only become known as Miss Qin to others, but she had also entered the entertainment industry, using her connection as the Su family's adopted daughter.
Anyone who had any connection to the Su family seemed to be touched by gold. The fact that Qin Shiyan could freely enter and exit the Su family home and carry the title of their adopted daughter made everyone look at her differently.
Especially in the entertainment industry, knowing that she had the Su family as her backing, no one dared to cause her trouble. Even her company gave her many good resources, which was why she had become famous in less than half a year since her debut.
Having found her daughter, Su's Mother was in a good mood, "Little Qin is here? Let her in."
Su's Mother's complexion was rosy, and thanks to good maintenance and excellent genes, even in middle age, she maintained her beautiful appearance. Sitting next to her daughter, she looked more like an older sister.
Su's Father had been known as a noble young master in his youth, and Su ZhiYuan looked like him. Su Ci resembled Su's Mother, and Little Su Ning's features also favored Su's Mother more. The whole family was blessed with superior looks.
When Qin Shiyan debuted, she was dubbed a once-in-a-century beauty. While her looks were considered top-tier in the entertainment industry, when compared to the Su family's appearance, she immediately lost her luster and became ordinary.
This was also something that bothered her internally.
Qin Shiyan's parents were average-looking, and she often thought that if Su's Father and Su's Mother were her parents, she would have inherited better genes and been even more beautiful.
When Qin Shiyan walked into the room, the smile on her face froze when she saw the person on the sofa, her pupils slightly contracting.
Su Ci?
How was Su Ci here?
When did she return to the Su family?
"Little Qin, you must be shocked too." Su's Mother saw her stunned expression and smiled, "We found Ci Ci, and she's doing well."
Qin Shiyan forcefully suppressed her shock, and the next moment, her eyes turned red with tears, "Ci Ci really isn't dead."
She quickly walked to Su Ci's side, opening her arms to hug her, "Ci Ci, I've missed you so much."
"Ci Ci?" Qin Shiyan's expression froze when Su Ci held her back with her hand.
"Don't hug me, I don't know you." The Su family members were one thing, but who was this person crying so ugly and trying to hug her?
Except for the Su family, she only allowed Lu Zhe to hug her!
"You don't know me?" Qin Shiyan awkwardly withdrew her hands and looked at Su's Mother in confusion, "Auntie Su, what's wrong with Ci Ci?"
"Little Qin, sit down first. Ci Ci has lost her memory and temporarily doesn't remember us," Su's Mother sighed. Although she was sad that her daughter didn't remember her, she was content just having her daughter back.
Qin Shiyan was even more surprised. Su Ci had lost her memory?
No wonder Su Ci hadn't returned to the Su family; her previous speculation was correct.
Qin Shiyan sat down on the opposite sofa, her face showing anxiety, "How did she lose her memory? She even forgot all of us. How could Ci Ci possibly forget us? Unless..."
"Unless I'm not Su Ci," Su Ci leaned back against the sofa, tilting her chin up with a curved glance at the corner of her eyes. "Is that what you mean?"
Qin Shiyan froze, quickly shaking her head, "That's not what I meant."
The amnesiac Su Ci was even more irritating than before.
"ZhiYuan has already taken Ci Ci for a DNA test, but even without it, would I mistake my own daughter?" Su's Mother, usually gentle from being pampered by Su's Father, could be forceful when needed. "Little Qin, whether Ci Ci is my daughter or not isn't something you have the right to question. Remember your place."
Qin Shiyan's face turned pale. She hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, Auntie Su, sorry Ci Ci. I misspoke. I was just too excited. I'm truly happy that Ci Ci is back. Ci Ci, I'm Qin Shiyan, your childhood playmate."
This was the true face of wealthy families - they could turn on her the moment she said something wrong.
Her father had become lame saving Su's Father, and they had only given them a few hundred thousand to dismiss them. If her father hadn't suggested making her Su Ci's playmate, the Su family would have likely forgotten their life-saving debt entirely.
"Is that so?" Su Ci responded coldly, feeling no fondness for this supposed playmate.
Having spent time in the entertainment industry and being naturally perceptive, Su Ci could easily distinguish between sincere words and lies.
Clearly, everything Qin Shiyan said was lies.
"I know you're concerned about Ci Ci, but even if she has amnesia, she is my daughter - that's an indisputable fact. As Ci Ci's friend, you should be caring for her in this situation, not immediately questioning her identity," Su's Mother wouldn't allow anyone to speak ill of her daughter.
Her daughter was her heart and soul.
Qin Shiyan's face grew increasingly pale. "Auntie Su, I understand. I was wrong. Ci Ci, I'm sorry." Her hands clenched at her sides, knuckles turning white.
"Sister Yan, have this." At that moment, Little Su Ning ran to Qin Shiyan's side, offering her his favorite pudding.
"Little Ning is so sweet. Thank you for giving Sister Yan a gift, but Sister Yan isn't hungry. You eat it, Little Ning. It's your favorite pudding." Qin Shiyan softened her gaze, patting Su Ning's head.
Across from them, Su Ci watched as her brother clung to Qin Shiyan, clearly fond of her.
Su Ci remembered that last night, the little one had been shy and somewhat afraid when he saw her, showing none of the closeness he displayed with Qin Shiyan now.
Su Ci's eyes curved upward as she suddenly wanted to throw away her brother's pudding to let him experience the harshness of society!
Afterward, Qin Shiyan played with Little Su Ning while chatting with Su's Mother.
Though she had made a mistake earlier, she recovered quickly, getting back up where she had fallen. She continuously discussed Su Ci with Su's Mother, her eyes reddening with emotion when hearing about Su Ci's past hardships.
As for Su Ci's cold stares, Qin Shiyan not only pretended not to notice but also warmly showed concern for Su Ci, maintaining just the right amount of attention that felt comfortable.
Su Ci's red lips curled into a smile - this playmate of hers was quite something.
.....
After school, Shen Xue passed by Lu Zhe's classroom and casually glanced inside, catching him on cleaning duty.
She quickly took out her phone to message Su Ci: Lu Zhe is on cleaning duty, want to see?
Su Ci replied instantly: Yes, hurry!
Then she sent a video call request.
When Shen Xue answered, she was momentarily stunned by the stunning beauty that appeared on screen.
"Point the camera at Lu Zhe, I want to see him," Su Ci urged from the other end of the phone.
Once again, Shen Xue had the impression that Su Ci was just Lu Zhe's fangirl. She stood outside the window, secretly extending her phone through it to point at Lu Zhe.
Su Ci watched Lu Zhe holding the broom on screen and sighed: "Poor Lu Zhe has to clean the classroom."
Shen Xue: I just finished cleaning my classroom too.
Su Ci bluntly replied: I only care about Lu Zhe.
Shen Xue felt she was clearly just being used as a tool.
Su Ci sat at her desk, resting her chin on one hand, seriously watching Lu Zhe on screen. She thought it must be distance making him more attractive - why else would she find him even more handsome now?
Just then, an annoying figure suddenly appeared on screen.
"Brother, today is your birthday," Zhao Youyou pulled out a small gift box from her backpack. "This is my birthday gift for you. Brother, happy birthday."
Zhao Youyou wore her school uniform with her hair down, looking pretty and pure. It would be hard for anyone not to be moved by such a girl giving a birthday gift.
Su Ci straightened up angrily, her eyes narrowing as she coldly stared at the gift in Zhao Youyou's hands.
If Lu Zhe dared to accept it...
"Su Ci, should I go interrupt them?" Shen Xue, being the dutiful tool she was, remembered that Su Ci had asked her to keep watch and prevent other girls from approaching Lu Zhe.
Su Ci's tone was light, "No need!"
Lu Zhe lowered his gaze without reaching for the gift. "Move aside, you're in my way while I'm sweeping."
Zhao Youyou: ......
She instinctively stepped aside as Lu Zhe continued sweeping the floor's trash, completely ignoring her.
"Su Ci, Lu Zhe didn't accept the gift," Shen Xue reported in real-time.
"I saw," Su Ci rested her chin on her hand, all traces of her earlier fierce expression gone. She murmured, "Poor thing has to clean on his birthday, so pitiful."
Shen Xue was amazed at how quickly Su Ci could change her attitude.
When Lu Zhe arrived at the computer store, he saw Boss Fang had hung up a "temporarily closed" sign at the entrance and prepared a table full of dishes.
"Little Zhe, today is your birthday. Call Little Ci over too, let's celebrate properly," Boss Fang patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Find Sister Ci to celebrate Brother Zhe's birthday!" Little Kuaile had received his prosthetic limb but needed to learn to walk at the rehabilitation center, so he was still in his wheelchair.
Lu Zhe: "Her family found her. She's gone back."
Boss Fang was shocked, "Gone back where?"
"City B." Lu Zhe looked at Boss Fang, "Uncle Fang, Su Ci is the Su family's daughter."
This time, Boss Fang was even more shocked. The Su family in City B was so famous that everyone in the country knew about them.
No wonder Su Ci had such a noble air about her - ordinary families couldn't raise someone like that.
Boss Fang remained silent for a while before letting out a deep sigh.
He had originally fantasized about something developing between Su Ci and Lu Zhe, but now, Su Ci was the Su family's daughter. No matter how excellent Lu Zhe was or how capable he might be, he was still an orphan - and one with a terminal illness at that.
One in heaven, one on earth.
How could they be together?
"It's okay if Little Ci isn't here. Kuaile and I will celebrate with you." Boss Fang hid the sadness on his face.
"Thank you, Uncle Fang." Lu Zhe knew what Boss Fang was thinking.
But what Boss Fang was thinking about, Lu Zhe had never considered.
Boss Fang drove Lu Zhe back to his place. He had drunk some alcohol and was slightly dizzy.
Lying on the folding bed, Lu Zhe closed his eyes to ease the waves of dizziness.
At this moment, his phone rang.
Lu Zhe fumbled for his phone and answered it. A girl's clear voice filled the room, "Lu Zhe."
Lu Zhe opened his eyes, his dark pupils moist as if with alcohol, "Mm."
"Lu Zhe, happy birthday." Su Ci's face came close to the screen.
Lu Zhe then noticed the pair of rabbit ears on the girl's head and immediately sat up, asking in a deep voice, "Your rabbit ears appeared again?"
"No, these are hair accessories I bought. It's your birthday, so I wanted to show you my rabbit ears. Though they're not real, they're the most similar-looking ones."
She knew Lu Zhe liked her rabbit ears, so she had specially gone out tonight to buy these accessories, spending a long time choosing until she found these headband rabbit ears that looked most like her real ones.
Su Ci looked at Lu Zhe with sparkling eyes and said mischievously, "If you were beside me right now, I'd let you touch my rabbit ears."
Lu Zhe's dark eyes deepened, and he said in a low voice, "Tuantuan, don't tempt me."
He might become greedy.
