Chapter 156

Chapter 156: Violets on the Heart

"Grandfathers, why are you squatting here? Are you practicing horse stance?" At this moment, a melodious female voice tinged with a faint smile rang in the ears of Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing and the other two. Instantly, the three figures beneath the Roman pillars froze completely. Silence descended around them, yet Ying Yue was in no hurry to speak.

"I suppose they are. After all, now that someone is here, some strenuous activities are out of the question, but they still cannot let their bodies slack off. And since a horse stance exercises the body without requiring too much effort, the three of you must have arranged to exercise together here!" A smiling, slightly teasing male voice came from behind the teaser, and within a moment, he walked up to them.

The teaser turned around to look at the newcomer and said with a smile, "Brother, you're back."

"Yes, I'm back." Shi Lei smiled and gently patted the top of Ying Yue's head.

"You brat, where did you learn your manners? Is that any way to talk to your elders?" Hearing this, Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing immediately sprang to his feet, turned around, and once again shifted his target, firing a barrage of verbal machine gun fire at Shi Lei! The other two men followed suit and stood up, snapping out of their daze, though they remained silent.

Shi Lei, however, raised his alluring brows, a glint of amusement flashing through his purple eyes. He feigned surprise and said, "Oh my, Grandfather, could it be that you weren't exercising just now? In that case..."

Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing uncomfortably glanced at Ying Yue out of the corner of his eye and wisely said no more.

"Hahahaha..." Seeing this, Shi Lei burst into hearty laughter. Sensing that his grandfather was about to change his expression, he immediately grabbed Ying Yue's hand and pulled her away, ignoring the self-righteous scolding echoing behind them.

As Shi Lei and Ying Yue gradually walked away, a faint smile still lingered on Ying Yue's lips. Such adorable grandfathers! However, Shi Lei spoke up at that moment, the smile completely vanishing from his tone, replaced by solemnity, "Xiao Xiao, Arthur has woken up."

Hearing this, Ying Yue abruptly halted her steps. Yet it was only for a fleeting second before she resumed walking as if nothing was the matter. Only where Shi Lei could not see, a brilliant flash of light crossed her purple eyes!

"Yes, I know." Ying Yue's tone was extremely calm—so calm that Shi Lei could not fathom what was going on in her mind at that moment.

"Xiao Xiao?" Unable to suppress the curiosity gnawing at his heart, Shi Lei called out in confusion, looking at Ying Yue with a questioning gaze.

Ying Yue turned to Shi Lei, understanding the doubt in his heart, and smiled, "Brother, what's wrong with you? I'm fine."

"But Xiao Xiao, Arthur is not fine!" Shi Lei looked at Ying Yue, then thought of Arthur's current state, and could not help feeling a pang of heartache. Why must these two people always make others feel so distressed?

"What is wrong with him?" Hearing this, Ying Yue's heart tightened instantly. Could it be that he...?

"He has lost his memory!" Shi Lei's words struck like a heavy hammer upon Ying Yue's heart, causing it to quiver violently.

"Brother, you must be joking. How could he possibly lose his memory?" Ying Yue told herself inwardly that this was a lie. How could he lose his memory? How could he possibly lose his memory? This must be another one of his苦肉计 (act of self-torture to win sympathy)!

"I am not lying to you. He really has lost his memory!" Shi Lei said with utmost gravity.

"He... has forgotten everything?" Ying Yue's lips trembled slightly, though she was completely unaware of it herself, causing yet another pang of pain in Shi Lei's heart.

"No, he still retains some memories, but his memories are completely frozen from five years ago!" Shi Lei's tone was somewhat strange, yet a thousand layers of waves surged instantly within Ying Yue's heart!

Five years ago—what did that mean? His memory was frozen from five years ago, which meant he had erased all the mutual torment and hurt they had inflicted upon each other over the past five years from his mind, leaving only the beautiful memories between the two of them!

How could he? How could he be so cruel as to obliterate everything between them? Or was he faking amnesia just so she would return to his side once more?

Watching Ying Yue's expression, Shi Lei knew precisely what she was thinking. He lowered his gaze, his eyes flickering slightly, and then said, "Xiao Xiao, think this through carefully on your own. I'll take my leave first." Knowing that Ying Yue needed time to sort out her chaotic thoughts and understand what truly lay within her heart, he quietly walked away, leaving a quiet space for her!

Meanwhile, at the hospital:

Xiahou Yu accompanied Arthur almost every day. Therefore, when Arthur finally woke up, he was overjoyed. However, the moment he met Arthur's unfamiliar gaze, his heart gave a fierce jolt. What... was going on here?

"Arthur, what's wrong with you?" Xiahou Yu asked with trembling anxiety, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Arthur.

"Who... are you?" Because of his prolonged coma, Arthur's voice was unusually hoarse. Yet the gaze he directed at Xiahou Yu was filled entirely with alienation!

The apple Xiahou Yu had been holding slipped abruptly from his hand, tumbling into the corner of the room. His mouth fell wide open in sheer bewilderment as he stammered, "Ar... Arthur, what did you just... say?"

Hearing this, Arthur frowned slightly. Looking at Xiahou Yu, he asked, "Who are you? I don't know you. Do you know me?"

"Arthur, do you really not remember me?" Xiahou Yu still found it hard to believe and asked once more.

Observing Xiahou Yu's foolish expression, Arthur's good upbringing prevented him from showing open displeasure. However, the twitching of his raised eyebrows betrayed his growing impatience. "Yes, I truly don't know you. Where is Lan Lan? Why isn't she here?" As he spoke, Arthur's gaze swept across the ward. His eyes dimmed momentarily before he said with a hint of melancholy, "Why hasn't Lan Lan come to see me? Is she angry with me?"

Xiahou Yu's gaze dimmed as well. He sighed inwardly, thinking: Even if you have lost your memory, even if you have forgotten everyone else, you still have never forgotten her in your heart!

"She has been busy with some matters these past few days, which is why she hasn't been able to come. In a few days, once her health improves, she will naturally come to see you." Though Xiahou Yu said this aloud, a trace of bitterness lingered in his heart. Immediately afterwards, however, he smiled and added, "Don't worry, she will come to see you very soon. You must focus on recovering from your injuries; otherwise, if she sees you hurt so badly, she will surely be heartbroken!"

Upon hearing this, Arthur's previously dim eyes instantly lit up with a dazzling brilliance. He nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, you're right. Lan Lan will definitely be angry if she sees me hurt like this, so I must heal my injuries quickly and not give Lan Lan cause to worry."

Watching Arthur's demeanor, Xiahou Yu's eyes flashed. It seemed Arthur had not only lost a portion of his memory, but had also regressed into a somewhat childlike state. What on earth was happening here?

What was the meaning of all this?

Despite his lingering suspicions, Xiahou Yu managed to suppress his doubts, reasoning that the most urgent task now was to fetch Ying Yue. Given how complicated the situation had become, it was best for her to handle it in person.

As for Ying Yue, after Shi Lei finished speaking, ripples had formed within her heart. Upon returning to her room and wrestling with her thoughts for a while, she ultimately found herself unable to abandon him to his fate. Even if nothing had happened to him, she might not have been able to let him go—let alone now! Therefore, after careful consideration, Ying Yue picked up her coat, slung her bag over her shoulder, and stepped out of the Shui Lian Yuan. This time, however, her expression was remarkably relaxed, and a faint smile even played on her lips!

The three elderly men huddled in a corner of the Shui Lian Yuan's living room, alongside Shi Lei, all wore expressions of sheer astonishment as they watched Ying Yue step out with a smile. What was the meaning of this?

"What has gotten into this lass?" Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing asked in puzzlement, staring at Ying Yue's retreating figure.

Shi Lei watched Ying Yue as well, equally surprised. But after the surprise, a smile broke across his face, and he said cheerfully, "Grandfather, I think we no longer need to worry about Ying Yue. Before long, we might just be able to start preparing for Ying Yue's wedding!"

"What? A wedding?!" Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing gasped, his eyes wide with astonishment. Just as he was about to press for details, Ying Yue, who had already stepped out the door, suddenly turned back around and announced to the people in the living room, "Grandfathers, Brother, I'm heading out. I might not be back tonight, so don't worry about me. I'm off, bye-bye!" With a beaming smile, she ignored the stunned expressions of the crowd behind her and dashingly departed from the Shui Lian Yuan.

A long moment passed before Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing finally shrieked, "What? The lass isn't coming back tonight? Where is she planning to stay?"

"Grandfather, rest assured. I believe Xiao Xiao has gone to see Arthur. Don't worry, she will be in no danger," Shi Lei reassured him with a smile.

"What? She went to see that brat? How could that be safe? What if that brat has a relapse of his beastly nature and pounces on our precious darling?" Far from being reassured by Arthur's condition, Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing became even more alarmed, shouting and pacing about.

The others exchanged looks of utter contempt, staring at Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing as if he were an idiot. Ignoring him, they calmly filed out of the living room one by one, leaving him to 'rave' on his own.

Those who remained outside the living room inwardly sneered at Xuan Yuan Xuan Jing while thinking: That brat's car accident left him wrapped up like a mummy; how could he possibly get up to any mischief? Probably only an impure-minded old man like him would have such thoughts!

By this time, Ying Yue had already arrived at the hospital. Standing at the entrance, she paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and walked inside with firm and resolute steps.

Before long, Ying Yue reached the door of the hospital room. She stood there, gently patted her cheeks to psyche herself up, and pushed the door open.

The room was decorated entirely in shades of azure blue and pure white. It looked nothing like a hospital room and far more like a private bedroom. Last time she had visited at night and hadn't observed it carefully, but looking at it now, she couldn't help curling her lip in silent disdain at Arthur's extravagance and wastefulness. Despite these thoughts, the moment Ying Yue caught sight of Arthur's sleeping face, she softened her footsteps, walked quietly to his bedside, and sat down. Her enchanting purple eyes gazed tenderly upon his alluring sleeping countenance as a soothing smile bloomed at the corners of her lips!