"Hanxi!" Without a moment's hesitation, Mu Yanfeng leaped off the cliff, plunging down with lightning speed to catch me tightly in his arms, as if guarding me with his very life.
"Why did you jump down with me?" I looked at him, my eyes filled with doubt and shock.
"I couldn't let anything happen to you." Enduring the agonizing, tearing pain throughout his body, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, he still managed to squeeze out a warm smile. His affectionate gaze locked onto me, overflowing with concern and unreserved love, as if I were his entire world.
"Am I really that important to you?" I asked, filled with doubt, trying to find an answer in his response, my voice carrying a trace of imperceptible tremor.
"Of course you are," Mu Yanfeng replied without a moment's hesitation, his arms instinctively tightening around me as if trying to embed me deep within his soul. "You are the most important person in my life. No exceptions."
"You... you... don't be like this..." I appeared somewhat flustered, my cheeks flushing involuntarily, my heart pounding like a startled deer.
"Junior Sister, you don't need to be afraid. I will protect you." He gently pressed a deep kiss to my forehead—a kiss as soft as a spring breeze—then pulled me even closer, cherishing me like the most precious treasure in the world, gently patting my back to comfort me. His embrace was warm and solid, bringing peace to the heart.
Startled by this sudden kiss, I instinctively tried to push him away, but my hands stopped mid-air when I met his burning gaze.
Seeing me pull away, a sudden wave of bitterness washed over Mu Yanfeng's heart, a flash of disappointment crossing his eyes, though it was quickly replaced by determination. Not daring to show even a hint of it, he awkwardly let go of me. "Apologies, I startled Junior Sister."
"Am I really your junior sister?" I asked, completely bewildered, doubt and helplessness in my eyes.
"Of course. You are the Junior Sister of the Lanjian Sect, and my Junior Sister in Mu Yanfeng's heart." His gaze was tender and sincere, staring straight at me as if carving my image deep into the recesses of his soul, never to be forgotten for all eternity.
"Then tell me about my past." I looked at him with eager anticipation, a trace of longing in my gaze.
"Junior Sister grew up in the Lanjian Sect since childhood. You are Master's final disciple, and also my... beloved." By the end, his voice was barely a whisper, so low only he could hear it, yet his heart hammered like a drum.
"What?" I didn't catch it clearly, my brow furrowing slightly.
"N—nothing." Flustered by my reaction, he quickly averted his gaze, terrified I might discover the secret hidden deep in his heart. "I said, you are my Junior Sister, and I am your Senior Brother. We grew up together, as close as siblings."
"Then what do I like the most?"
"You like..." Mu Yanfeng hesitated for a moment, answering cautiously, "You love eating candied hawthorns. Every time you see them, your eyes light up. You love playing and fooling around with Second Senior Brother; the two of you were always laughing endlessly. And you love... teasing me, watching me make a fool of myself, which always brings you the brightest smile." Memories filled his eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
"Second Junior Brother? Second Senior Brother... Second Senior Brother!" Tears suddenly burst from my eyes as I clutched my head and cried out in agony, "Why does my heart hurt so much? My head hurts!"
"Hanxi!" Panicked and at a loss, he looked at me with immense anxiety and helplessness, his hands scrambling to wipe away the tears streaming down my face before pulling me tightly into his arms. With a trembling voice, he asked, "What's wrong with you? Don't scare me."
"My chest hurts so much." I sobbed uncontrollably, feeling as though a giant boulder were crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Junior Sister, calm down first," he said, frantic with worry as he held me tight, one hand gently patting my back in a soft, soothing motion to calm my nearly collapsing emotions. "Don't get too excited. I'm taking you back to the sect right now to see Master; he will definitely be able to cure you."
With that, he picked me up horizontally without hesitation, his pace brisk yet steady. All the way, a fine layer of sweat covered his forehead, but his gaze remained locked on me, full of worry and care. The wind roared past his ears, and burning with anxiety, he wished he could return to the sect instantly.
Along the way, as I trembled in his arms from the pain, he tightened his grip around me even further, continuously whispering comfort, "Junior Sister, don't be afraid. We'll be there soon, you'll be well in no time." His voice held a slight tremor, clearly revealing his extreme tension and unease.
Finally, after a hurried journey, we returned to the sect.
"Junior Sister, rest in the room for a bit," he said, gently and carefully laying me down on the bed, pulling the blanket over me with tender care and a look of heartache. Turning to leave, he added, "I'll go fetch Master right away."
His hurried footsteps stirred a breeze, and his anxious figure quickly vanished from my sight.
The room grew quiet. Lying on the soft bed, tears still slid uncontrollably down my face, and the pain in my heart had not diminished at all. I could only hope Master would arrive quickly to relieve this inexplicable torment.
Before long, Mu Yanfeng returned in a rush, accompanied by Master. Sitting down at the bedside with a solemn and focused expression, Master took my pulse and then carefully examined me further.
Frowning, Master stroked his beard and said, "This child has suffered severe memory damage, likely due to immense shock. Wanting to recover will not be easy; it must be done slowly."
Mu Yanfeng watched anxiously from the side, his gaze never leaving me for even a second.
"Junior Sister, Master said your memory is damaged and it will take some time to recover. Don't be impatient," Mu Yanfeng said softly, his tone full of care and comfort.
I remained silent, simply lying there quietly, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Junior Sister, don't worry, I will stay with you until your memory recovers." He slowly sat down by the bedside and gently took my hand, his gaze looking at me with tenderness and determination—a warmth like the spring sun, seeming to pass endless strength to me.
I closed my eyes and said nothing, my heart seemingly shrouded in a layer of gloom.
"Master said you need a good rest, so I won't disturb you." With that, he carefully tucked in the corners of my blanket and cast one last lingering, deeply reluctant and worried look at me before slowly rising to leave. Reaching the doorway, he couldn't help turning back to look at me once more, whispering, "Hanxi, I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."
After that, he kept a quiet vigil outside the door, never leaving for even half a step. His thin lips were pressed tightly together, his expression grave, and his jawline taut as if pondering something of great importance.
"Why must you force me to remember?" My voice suddenly rang out from inside the room.
"Hanxi..." Hearing my words, Mu Yanfeng froze mid-step, as if struck by a binding spell. After a long silence, he slowly turned around, his expression murky and obscure, like a sky covered by dark clouds. His thin lips parted as if to speak, but stopping short, he ultimately let out a deep sigh.
"I just don't want to lose you." His voice was low and hoarse, as if coming from a distant place.
"Wouldn't it be better if I forgot everything? Then my heart wouldn't ache." A trace of a sob laced my voice.
"No, it wouldn't." Mu Yanfeng's voice was low and muffled, carrying an imperceptible tremor. His eye rims turned slightly red, and his gaze revealed a hint of pain and helplessness. "If you forget, my heart will ache."
At that moment, Master stood up and slowly walked toward the door. Reaching the threshold, he paused, his back to us, his voice low yet full of concern.
"Child, memory is sometimes a blessing, and sometimes a curse. But regardless, running away is never the solution." His words swept across my heart like a gentle breeze, plunging me into deep thought.
I looked at them in confusion, a myriad of questions surging in my heart. Taking in the heavy atmosphere between the two of us, Master let out a slight sigh and said, "Very well, the two of you must untie this knot yourselves." With that, he turned and left, leaving us in our stalemate.
I stared at Mu Yanfeng, a storm of mixed emotions churning in my chest.
Mu Yanfeng returned to the bedside, sat down, and slowly began, "Junior Sister, do you really not remember?" He struggled to rein in the surging emotions within him—emotions like towering waves threatening to swallow his reason.
His thin lips were pressed into a tight line, his voice low and hoarse as if exercising extreme restraint, as though every single word was being squeezed out from between his teeth. "We grew up together, cultivated together, and went through so much together. I love you, and you love me."