---
The air in the house was thick with silence.
Lin Yue had managed to guide Ah Yan to the sofa.
She'd rushed to get a pillow and gently placed it under his head, then brought a cool wet towel, dabbing his forehead gently.
Now, she sat quietly by his side, watching his chest rise and fall in slow, steady breaths.
His expression had calmed into a peaceful one, the creases on his brows softened.
Her eyes trailed his features—his long lashes, his defined jawline, the faint mole near the corner of his lips.
He looked like someone important.
Someone out of her class.
Out of her league.
Although she'd never asked, she'd always wondered who he truly was.
He wasn't just a random guy.
She could see it.
She remembered the day she was kidnapped vividly.
Her heart still raced when she thought about it.
Those men had been cruel and dangerous.
Although they were goons, they were strong too.
Knocking them unconscious was not something an ordinary person could do.
Not without them knowing.
And yet, Ah Yan—he had snuck behind them like a shadow, knocking each one unconscious without a single sound.
The precision.
The silence.
Not something a regular man could do.
She thought back to how he held chopsticks.
Every movement was graceful, elegant—too polished, like he was born and bred in high society.
And the watch…
That sleek, custom-made design.
It had shimmered in the dim light when she found it between the sofa cushions.
It wasn't just expensive.
It was exclusive.
A piece designed for someone of status.
Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Who exactly are you, Ah Yan?"
---
Nearly two hours passed.
The sun had long dipped beyond the horizon, casting a golden glow on the edges of the windowpane.
Just as Lin Yue leaned back, exhausted, she felt him shift.
His fingers twitched.
Then, with a soft groan, Ah Yan slowly opened his eyes.
Lin Yue straightened immediately, leaning forward. "Ah Yan? Are you okay? How do you feel?"
"Careful," she whispered, helping him sit. Her hand remained gently on his back for support.
He looked around, dazed. "Yue...yue?"
"I'm here," she said, offering a soft smile. "How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Should I get you water?"
He shook his head slightly, rubbing his temple. "I'm okay... Just a bit dizzy."
She hesitated. Her heart thudded in her chest.
She bit her lip, then asked. "Did you... remember anything?"
She didn't want to ask… But she had to know.
Her throat felt dry.
She hated to admit it, but a tiny part of her hoped the answer was no.
Part of her felt terrible for wishing he wouldn't remember—wasn't that selfish?
Because if he remembered… would he leave?
She'd grown so used to him being by her side.
His quiet presence, his steady hands, his simple words that always made her feel safe.
What if… he had a family waiting for him somewhere?
A life?
A world that didn't include her?
She couldn't imagine coming home and not seeing him there.
He paused, his body tensing.
For a long moment, he was silent.
Then, slowly, he said, rubbing his temples weakly, "No... not really. Just flashes. Darkness. Voices I can't place... images I can't make sense of."
Lin Yue let out a silent breath of relief secretly.
She smiled softly. "That's okay. It'll come back. Maybe slowly… but it will."
He looked down at the watch still clenched in his hand.
There was something about it—something that made his chest ache.
He didn't say anything, but deep inside, he yearned to know who he was.
Who was he before this?
Who was waiting for him… if anyone?
But right now, he had Yueyue.
He turned to look at her, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. "Thanks… for finding this."
Lin Yue waved her hand dismissively, but her cheeks flushed. "It was stuck between the cushions. I think it fell off when we got home the first time."
She hesitated again, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.
"Ah Yan… About last night. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to… I was just drunk and stupid… I—"
He held up a hand gently, stopping her.
He smiled softly, though his ears turned a little red.
He remembered that kiss.
Even if it had been brief, and even if he had pulled away quickly…
It was sweet.
Her lips were soft, trembling, laced with tears and sorrow.
It hadn't been a kiss of lust or desire.
It had been a cry for warmth.
For someone to just stay.
He cleared his throat. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean to. Don't worry about it."
She smiled faintly but lowered her eyes.
The awkwardness hung between them for a moment before she stood up.
"I'll get you some water."
He watched her disappear into the kitchen, and something in his chest clenched.
He didn't want her to apologize.
In fact…
A part of him had wanted to hold her longer.
But now wasn't the time.
He didn't even know who he was yet.
How could he offer her anything when he wasn't whole himself?
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