Chapter 80: Has He Truly Lost His Memory?

Du Bin released Zhou Kuan’s hand and gave him a look akin to one reserved for garbage, then turned to Li Mingyi and said, “Mr. Li, perhaps you didn’t catch on just now, but Chairman Zhou and indeed the entire Zhou family know exactly what you’re after. If you want something, be upfront about it—put your cards on the table, discuss terms with the capital you hold. Even without a marriage alliance, cooperation between our groups is not out of the question. But you not only failed to pick up on this, you went and stirred up conflict within the Zhou family. What exactly are you trying to do?”

Zhou Huai glanced at Du Bin, rarely having paid much attention to Zhou Lichuan’s staff before. He hadn’t expected this young man to be so capable.

Zhou Jiayan snapped back to her senses. Of course—Li Mingyi was implying she was immature, even bringing up the Li family, making it clear to Zhou Kuan that the entire Li family was aware and ready: as long as he agreed, the marriage could be settled. If she refuted it now, Zhou Kuan would be forced into a corner; even if he didn’t get physical, the Zhou household would certainly descend into chaos.

Zhou Lichuan let a smile slip across his face.

No wonder this man was one of his own.

No wonder she had chosen him.

Du Bin reached out to comfort Zhou Jiayan, his expression gentle as he addressed Zhou Huai, “Chairman Zhou, I am Zhou’s assistant, Du Bin. I graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Jingdu University, joined the military in my sophomore year, spent four years as a special forces soldier domestically, followed by two years in peacekeeping abroad. After a year of driving for Zhou, I took over all duties from the former special assistant, Lin Rui. My father has passed away. My mother is a high school teacher. My elder sister is married with children, and her husband is a police officer. I am formally requesting your permission to marry the Zhou family’s only daughter, Zhou Jiayan. I do not make lifelong promises lightly, but I will hold fast to my principles—never betray, never evade, always face hardship directly, and never fear adversity.”

A stifled laugh escaped Zhou Jiayan, who had been feeling somewhat aggrieved. Unable to contain herself, she pressed her hand to her mouth, her shoulders shaking. This self-introduction was nearly as solemn as a party membership oath.

Zhou Huai looked at the tall young man. “You made it into Jingdu University—what was your entrance exam score?”

Du Bin immediately stood at attention. “Six hundred seventy-eight.”

Zhou Huai nodded. “Other people’s children—always so accomplished.”

Zhou Lichuan remained silent; Zhou Jiayan covered her face.

Li Mingyi, now agitated, sprang to his feet. “Du Bin! Don’t overstep your bounds! Do you even realize Jiayan’s status? What’s yours? How dare you propose marriage to the Zhou family?”

Zhou Jiayan yanked Du Bin behind her, instantly bristling. “What’s wrong with his status? He’s an honorable soldier of the People’s Army! A volunteer who has defended the nation and upheld peace! People like you, who only know how to manipulate from the safety of your ivory tower—what right do you have to compare yourself to him?”

Du Bin gently placed his hand on Zhou Jiayan’s head, smoothing her hair.

He hadn’t even gotten involved yet, and already she was baring her fangs.

Zhou Huai surveyed those facing off before him and said, “It seems you all have known about one another for some time. Xiao Li, you knew she already had a boyfriend and yet you came to propose? Are you disregarding Du Bin, or are you disregarding the Zhou family?”

Li Mingyi was momentarily stunned. If it was put like that, this was a serious matter. He hurriedly replied, “Chairman Zhou, you misunderstand. I truly like Zhou Jiayan—there’s nothing else to it. Mr. Du is indeed a fine man, but Jiayan can’t just marry any ordinary person. This is for her future’s sake.”

Zhou Lichuan secretly shook his head. Just what kind of accomplice had Jiang Zao found to brainwash Li Mingyi into such a state? Others were all but tugging his ear, telling him not to fixate on emotions and marriage; Du Bin had even bluntly called him out. And yet, he still hadn’t caught on.

Jiang Zao really was something.

Zhou Kuan, standing to the side, was about to put in a word for Li Mingyi when Zhou Huai suddenly stood up.

“Xiao Kuan, Jiayan is your daughter—her marriage is not my affair. The Li family has come to you with a proposal, so you handle it as you see fit. But I rather like this young Du. Since he’s come before me to seek Jiayan’s hand, as the eldest in the Zhou family, I give my consent. Do you have any objections?”

Zhou Kuan’s expression changed at once. This wasn’t a question; it was an order to keep any objections to himself.

Seeing everyone on their feet, Zhou Lichuan stood as well, bringing the farce to an end. “Somebody, show the guests out. Zhou Jiayan, you and Du Bin come upstairs with me.”

The Zhou family’s attendants politely ushered Li Mingyi out. Though it was called “showing him out,” it was little more than expulsion.

Zhou Jiayan followed Zhou Lichuan upstairs to the study. Du Bin trailed at a distance, waiting outside the study door, ready for any instructions. Zhou Huai returned to his own room.

The vast living room was left with only Zhou Kuan, his anger and resentment having nowhere to go.

...

In the study, Zhou Jiayan slumped into the executive chair at the desk, unwilling to acknowledge Zhou Lichuan.

Since Jiang Zao had left, she’d barely spoken to him.

Zhou Lichuan rummaged through a corner of the study, his back to her. “I’ve just returned from Changzhou.”

Zhou Jiayan froze, sitting up with a start. “You went to see Jiang Zao? You actually have a conscience?”

Zhou Lichuan continued searching. “I didn’t see her. Actually, it wasn’t my first trip to Changzhou. But yesterday, I sat outside her apartment all night and thought through many things.”

Zhou Jiayan rolled her eyes. “Now you regret it? Too late! She’s long since forgotten you and is living her life in peace.”

At last, Zhou Lichuan found what he was searching for and turned to face Zhou Jiayan. “Jiang Zao is pregnant. You should visit her more often; she’ll be bored during her pregnancy. Take this book and keep her company.”

Zhou Jiayan glanced at the book he placed before her. “How do you know she’s pregnant? Did Du Bin tell you? That can’t be—Du Bin doesn’t know, either. And what book is this? ‘Anne of Green Gables’? She’s not a schoolgirl.”

Zhou Lichuan lowered his head. “All this business with Li Mingyi—wasn’t that Jiang Zao’s arrangement? You probably have some loose ends to tie up. Go on. Du Bin is waiting outside.”

Zhou Jiayan picked up the book and stood. “You’re not against me and Du Bin, then?”

Zhou Lichuan replied, “Du Bin knows where he stands. You two can talk it over yourselves.”

At the door, Zhou Jiayan paused in surprise and looked back. “Your memory’s come back?”

Zhou Lichuan glanced at her but said nothing.

A shiver ran through Zhou Jiayan. “Zhou Lichuan, did you… really lose your memory?”

Lifting his gaze, Zhou Lichuan looked at her, his eyes shadowed.

Du Bin, sensing something was wrong, reached in and pulled Zhou Jiayan from the study.

It couldn’t be called amnesia; he simply couldn’t access his memories with precision—it wasn’t true forgetting.

The neurosurgical consultation had concluded that a brain tumor was pressing on the memory region, causing damage. He retained impressions of the past, but couldn’t retrieve the details.

It was as if he’d watched a film about someone else’s life: he understood the general plot, but felt no sense of participation.

And perhaps for this reason, he couldn’t understand why he had once felt such burning, passionate love for Jiang Zao. Instinctively, he wanted to wait—to wait for his mind to settle, or perhaps… to remember how to love her.