Chen Feng only walked in with his usual expression after seeing You Mingxu leave. He knew that Yin Feng would have many questions.

Chen Feng had somewhat expected Yin Feng’s recovery, as the blood clot in his brain had been gradually dissipating. He had regained consciousness several times before and remembered quite a few fragments.

However, Chen Feng had always thought he was looking forward to Yin Feng’s recovery because the former Yin Feng had been like a god in Chen Feng’s eyes. That initial You Yingjun had seemed almost like a joke.

But imperceptibly, a year had passed. Chen Feng had found himself amused many times by You Yingjun’s innocence and simplicity; he had worried for him while secretly plotting strategies as he watched him pine hopelessly for You Mingxu. Chen Feng had even grown accustomed to Yin Feng wearing rainbow colors seven days a week, flitting about before him, and had even started to find it rather pleasing to the eye.

And now, Yin Feng was back. While Chen Feng felt relieved of a great burden, his feelings were quite complicated. Especially seeing now that You Mingxu and Yin Feng seemed to have parted on bad terms, he felt trouble brewing. You Mingxu was proud by nature – before, it was You Yingjun who had coaxed and begged her, completely dependent, humble, and lowly in his admiration, which had finally won the policewoman’s affection. But who was the original Yin Feng? Even more arrogant and domineering than You Mingxu, with a somewhat wicked nature – those who submitted would prosper, and those who resisted would perish. Now with the two of them together, and Yin Feng conveniently remembering nothing, how could they return to their former harmony?

All along, Chen Feng had viewed You Mingxu as one of You Yingjun’s needs, like his desire for toys or pretty clothes. Just satisfy it and be done. But after a year had passed, Chen Feng had watched from the sidelines as the two grew closer, sharing joy and sorrow, their feelings deepening. In the end, they had even reached the point of pledging their lives to each other. He still remembered the day You Mingxu agreed to be with You Yingjun – You Yingjun had smiled all day and all night, the whole person seeming somewhat dazed and foolish. But if they were to fall out now, to break up, it would truly be heaven’s cruel joke.

Chen Feng could only tell himself that the past You Yingjun was Yin Feng’s younger self manifesting during his period of cognitive impairment. Since they were the same person at different times, their essential nature must be the same. Perhaps there was still room for reconciliation.

Upon entering, he saw Yin Feng sitting up in bed, one hand resting on his knee, head slightly lowered, his eyes dark and deep. In Chen Feng’s mind flashed images from a few days ago, when he had still been sprawled out in bed like a starfish, or sleeping in a frog-like pose. But Chen Feng’s expression revealed nothing as he smiled and asked, “How are you feeling now?”

Yin Feng studied him without speaking.

Chen Feng’s quick wit gradually retreated, his expression growing serious. He wasn’t sure if Yin Feng’s gaze held some distrust, or if he was displeased about letting You Mingxu in. His face stiffened slightly.

Then, Yin Feng finally spoke: “You’ve had it rough during my time of trouble. You’re the only one around me I can trust one hundred percent.”

A wave of warmth flooded Chen Feng’s heart, feeling that this version of Teacher Yin was indeed better. He always clearly knew what he wanted, and could subtly perceive what others wanted too. Resolute, clear, and in control of the situation. Even in just an ordinary conversation.

“It wasn’t difficult, it was my duty,” Chen Feng’s voice trembled slightly. That familiar feeling of being valued, of being utilized, of willing and unwavering devotion, had returned.

Yin Feng smiled and said, “I know what it means to take care of ten-year-old me. During my teenage years, I gave my parents and teachers quite a headache. Not many people know that now.”

Chen Feng said, “It wasn’t bad. Over the past year, although you lost your memories and emotional intelligence, you were generally easy to deal with. Besides, most of the time, it was You Mingxu taking care…”

Before he could finish, he saw Yin Feng give him a look, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Chen Feng wisely fell silent.

“Tell me everything, starting from after I attended the press conference,” Yin Feng said.

According to Chen Feng, the months before Yin Feng’s accident in Tibet were actually unremarkable. If anything unusual happened, it was that Yin Feng had suddenly decided to rent a house on some mountain in Guizhou to write in seclusion, and hadn’t let Chen Feng accompany him. He only had Chen Feng stay in Beijing to remotely manage his daily needs.

But since this kind of thing had happened two or three times before, it was quite normal.

“So you’re saying…” Yin Feng pondered, “For four months before my accident, I was actually out of contact with the outside world. Including you?”

Chen Feng answered, “Not exactly. We often communicated by phone, and we had installed surveillance cameras in the house you were staying in, so others and I could check on you and respond to your needs at any time.”

Yin Feng nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “What happened with my accident in Tibet?”

Chen Feng answered, “You flew there directly from Guizhou. I remember it was June 8th last year. You wouldn’t let us follow, so I just booked your flight and arranged a rental car. After that, you lost contact, until…” Until meeting You Mingxu and Gu Tiancheng – this time Chen Feng was more tactful and swallowed the rest of his words.

“Get me all the materials on the Gu Tiancheng case, whether detailed or brief, everything you can get your hands on,” Yin Feng said.

“Yes.”

Yin Feng fell silent for a few seconds because he noticed the bed carried a slight scent of cigarette smoke, and he didn’t smoke. It must have been from that woman earlier. Yin Feng despised women who smoked more than anything; he wouldn’t even look at a woman who smoked. He stared at the wrinkled bedsheets for several seconds. Surprisingly, the first image that came to his mind was the woman’s retreating as she jumped off the bed and left without looking back after delivering her final words.

Suppressing the inexplicable irritation rising in his heart again, he said, “Tell me about what happened after I lost my cognition.”

Chen Feng hesitated for a moment, looking again at Teacher Yin’s now mature and decisive demeanor. He found himself unsure where to begin. Finally, his gaze fell on a bag of colorful clothes he had brought yesterday at the foot of the bed. Perhaps, he thought, this was the place to start.

—

After leaving the hospital, You Mingxu walked in the light rain that had started falling again. She walked a long way before realizing her whole body was wet, and she had walked in the opposite direction from home.

Feeling as agitated as if she were covered in dry grass, she hailed a taxi. Reaching her building, she remembered she hadn’t eaten since leaving work to go straight to the hospital, and now it was dark. After working all day, her stomach was growling. So she found a small restaurant and ordered fried rice.

However, the policewoman who could normally wolf down any food found herself unable to taste the steaming winter meal. After eating barely half, she lost her appetite. She paid and headed home.

She took a shower to wash away the day’s fatigue, changed into her pajamas, and curled up on the couch to watch TV shows. But looking up, she could still see that room with its blue prince castle bunk bed still standing there. Including his wardrobe full of clothes, his soccer ball, and several pairs of white sneakers. And of course, the few men’s jackets, suits, and dress shirts she had insisted he wear when accompanying her on missions.

You Mingxu stared for a long while before returning her gaze to the television.

After a while, she buried her face in her arms. She thought to herself: it’s over, he’s finally left.