“No!” Fan Jia instinctively objected.

Chen Zhaoci paused for a few seconds, then surprisingly laughed: “Scared?”

Fan Jia: “Um… I can’t, that’s too…” She was at a loss for words.

Chen Zhaoci said: “Think it over and let me know your decision. It’s nothing, just collateral.”

Fan Jia said softly: “You want me to record something like that and send it to your company? Apple Bro, I…”

Beside her, Xu Mengshan lifted an eyelid, thinking he might be sick.

On the other end, Chen Zhaoci seemed somewhat moved by the woman’s hesitant, dependent vulnerability, calling out: “Linlin! I won’t hurt you. I promise no one else will see it. I won’t look at it either.”

After hanging up, Fan Jia shuddered theatrically and sighed: “Scumbag.”

Xu Mengshan asked: “Do you think Liu Yisha and Zhao Fei’er recorded nude loan videos for him?”

Fan Jia replied: “Their loan amounts were higher than mine, and they could not repay. Following their process, they must have recorded videos.”

They exchanged glances, and Xu Mengshan said: “I’ll report this to the team. Of course, you won’t record any video. If you did, they probably wouldn’t lend money once they saw who you are. Let’s see how we should handle them next.”

Fan Jia grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. Xu Mengshan caught it easily with one hand, tucked it behind his back, and called You Mingxu to report.

—

VIP Ward, City Hospital.

Yin Feng was sitting up, still receiving an IV drip. After waking, his head felt exhausted and empty following waves of intense pain, leaving him completely drained.

Head injuries were the most troublesome. Chen Feng sat beside the bed, holding various medical examination reports that showed no apparent problems.

Yin Feng said: “Get me all the files about my brother.”

Chen Feng was startled, answering: “No problem. Did you remember something?”

Yin Feng glanced at him: “What should I remember?”

Chen Feng showed a slightly pitying expression and said: “Teacher Yin, you used to… admire and love your brother Yin Chen, so his untimely death has always been a wound in your heart. I think that’s partly why you’ve been lenient with Su Ziyi, allowing her to stay by your side.”

Yin Feng stroked his chin thoughtfully and asked: “When did he die? How?”

Chen Feng answered: “Thirteen years ago, car accident.”

Yin Feng asked further: “The body?”

Chen Feng: “Cremated.”

Yin Feng seemed disappointed: “Then there’s no way to verify if the deceased was him.” Seeing Chen Feng’s hesitant expression, Yin Feng commanded: “Speak.”

Chen Feng’s expression turned strange: “You had this doubt several years ago and personally conducted a series of investigative tests. You finally confirmed that the deceased was indeed Yin Chen. Your brother is truly gone.”

Yin Feng remained silent for a moment, muttering to himself: “If not him, then who could be so…”

Chen Feng: “Is something wrong?”

Yin Feng met his eyes, shook his head, and said rather profoundly: “I think this isn’t a problem you can solve.”

When You Mingxu received Xu Mengshan’s call, she had just gotten out of a taxi at the hospital. Work had been too busy – she’d brought Yin Feng to the hospital at noon but couldn’t stay long. Now it was dark when she finally found time to return. Chen Feng had told her Yin Feng was awake.

You Mingxu agreed with Xu Mengshan’s approach – let Apple Bro stew for a while, see what moves they make next, and then find an opportunity to dig deeper for clues. There was no way they’d let Fan Jia record any compromising videos.

Still on the phone, she reached Yin Feng’s hospital room. The door was ajar, and You Mingxu hung up, about to push it open when she froze.

Suddenly she remembered Yin Feng’s painful, struggling expression before he passed out, and his delirious mumblings.

Recovered memories.

These two words appeared in her mind, and You Mingxu felt a surge of agitation. The feeling was like a vast expanse of water silently surging toward her. A subtle chill ran through her, leaving her unable to grasp its limits.

She pushed open the door.

Both people inside looked up.

You Mingxu’s gaze fixed only on the man in bed. He wore a hospital gown, his face pale, hair characteristically messy, his clear eyes staring at her without blinking.

You Mingxu’s heart settled with a “thump.” She walked to the bedside, and Chen Feng immediately withdrew.

“How are you?” You Mingxu asked.

He slowly extended both arms toward her.

His usual request for a hug, which normally annoyed her greatly, now made her smile. She said: “Put those down, I told you I won’t hug you.”

Yin Feng said: “But my head hurt earlier, felt like it would explode.”

You Mingxu’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure and asked: “Then did you… remember anything?”

Yin Feng immediately answered: “No, I didn’t remember anything.”

You Mingxu felt surprised but inexplicably relieved. This complex, indescribable feeling made her somewhat irritated, though she didn’t show it. She pulled up a chair and sat down solemnly beside the bed.

Yin Feng tugged at her hand: “The doctor said I can leave the hospital soon.”

“So quickly?”

Yin Feng answered lightly: “Well, they can’t cure me anyway, I’m hopeless!”

You Mingxu didn’t know whether to be happy or exasperated: “You’re not worried at all about being incurable?”

But Yin Feng said: “Do you want me to get better soon? But if I recover, I’ll become smart and mature. I feel like my former self was similar to Gu Tiancheng and Luo Yu – though of course a hundred times more upright and excellent than them. But… I feel like that’s always been Ah Xu’s type.” The last sentence came out in a whisper.

You Mingxu never expected him to say something like this. Now she couldn’t keep her composure and snorted coldly: “What do you know, talking nonsense. I may have met a few scumbags, but I would never fall for one.”

Yin Feng: “Oh…”

You Mingxu said: “Who are you to talk about me? Your former self was the fighter jet of scumbags. I heard you especially liked internet celebrities, young models, and minor actresses – big chests, long legs, pointed faces. When you recover your memories, are you planning to go back to your old ways? Hm?”

Yin Feng blushed and said: “Ah Xu, why are you bringing this up? I promise I won’t be a scumbag anymore and won’t pay any attention to them. I swear!”

You Mingxu said coldly: “Whatever, it’s none of my business.”

—

The next day, Fan Jia received another call.

It was from a very polite and refined-sounding lady who introduced herself as Zhang Wei, Apple Bro’s colleague and head of the finance department. Fan Jia once again played the role of an inexperienced, nervous female student.

Zhang Wei said: “I heard from Xiao Chen that you need another loan?”

Fan Jia: “Yes, yes. But…”

Zhang Wei kindly interrupted her: “Xiao Chen told me about your concerns. He’s an upright young man and felt awkward explaining this company policy to you. So he specially asked me to explain and put your mind at ease. Look, I’m in charge of the finance department, handling millions every day. Your loan amount is just a drop in the ocean. As a woman, I completely understand your concerns. But rest assured, the video you record will only be used as loan collateral. With this, you’ll have credit with our company and can borrow more in the future. Only I can see this video, not even the company president has access. So you don’t need to worry. We want to help you get through this difficult time.”