Chapter 3 : A House Without Memories
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The car slowed.
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Feng Ruanxi did not realize she had been holding her breath until it stopped completely.
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"Here," Feng Chen said.
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She looked up.
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And froze.
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The gates in front of them were tall, black, and silent. They opened slowly, as if responding to something unseen.
Beyond them—
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The house.
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No.
Not a house.
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A mansion.
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It stood like something untouched by time. Wide, elegant, and impossibly grand. The structure was clean and modern, yet there was something cold beneath its beauty.
Glass. Stone. Shadows.
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Ruanxi's eyes widened slightly.
She leaned forward without realizing it.
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"…This is…?"
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"Home," Feng Chen replied.
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The car moved again, driving through the long path lined with perfectly arranged trees and soft lights.
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Ruanxi watched everything.
The distance.
The scale.
The silence.
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It felt unreal.
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"…It's big," she said quietly.
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Beside her, Feng Chen let out a small, low chuckle.
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Ruanxi turned to look at him.
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"You're surprised," he said.
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She hesitated.
"…Shouldn't I be?"
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His gaze rested on her for a moment.
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"You're an heiress, Ruanxi," he said. "You've seen worse."
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Worse.
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She looked back at the mansion.
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"…Have I?"
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There was no answer.
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The car came to a stop in front of the entrance.
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Before she could react, Feng Chen stepped out and walked around to her side. He opened the door for her.
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Ruanxi paused for a second.
Then stepped out.
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The air outside felt different.
Quieter.
Heavier.
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She looked up again.
The mansion seemed even larger now that she stood in front of it.
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For a moment—
She felt small.
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You weren't.
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Her breath caught.
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The voice again.
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She ignored it.
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Feng Chen stood beside her.
Watching.
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"…Do you always stare at your own house like this?" he asked.
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There was a faint hint of amusement in his tone.
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Ruanxi looked at him.
"…I don't remember it being mine."
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He held her gaze for a second longer than necessary.
Then turned and walked toward the entrance.
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"Then take your time."
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She followed him.
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The doors opened before they reached them.
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Staff stood inside.
Perfectly aligned.
Silent.
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"Welcome back, sir. Madam."
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The word hit her unexpectedly.
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Madam.
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Ruanxi slowed slightly.
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Feng Chen did not.
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She stepped inside.
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And stopped.
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The interior was just as grand as the outside.
High ceilings.
Soft lighting.
Elegant furniture.
Everything perfectly placed.
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It was beautiful.
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But—
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Something was wrong.
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Her brows furrowed.
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"…Why does it feel empty?"
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The words slipped out before she could stop them.
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Feng Chen paused.
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Ruanxi looked around again.
More carefully this time.
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No photos.
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No personal traces.
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Nothing that said someone actually lived here.
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Her frown deepened.
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"…Where are they?"
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Feng Chen turned slightly.
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"Where are what?"
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"…The pictures," she said. "Memories. Anything."
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Silence.
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The staff did not move.
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The entire space felt still.
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Feng Chen studied her.
Carefully.
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Then he walked past her.
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"Come," he said.
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Ruanxi hesitated, then followed.
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He led her into a quieter part of the house.
A private sitting area.
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He stopped.
She stood across from him.
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"…You noticed quickly," he said.
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Ruanxi crossed her arms slightly.
"…It's obvious."
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A faint pause.
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Then—
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"We didn't have a wedding," he said.
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The words landed heavily.
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Ruanxi blinked.
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"…What?"
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"There was no ceremony," he continued calmly. "No photos. No celebration."
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Her mind struggled to process it.
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"…Why?"
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Feng Chen looked at her.
Really looked at her this time.
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"You had an accident," he said. "Three days before the wedding."
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Her chest tightened.
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"The families decided not to delay the agreement."
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Agreement.
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Not marriage.
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"…So they still went through with it," she said slowly.
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"Yes."
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Her fingers curled slightly.
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"…Even when I was like that?"
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Feng Chen did not answer immediately.
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"They believed it was… necessary," he said.
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Necessary.
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Ruanxi let out a quiet breath.
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"I don't remember agreeing to this."
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"No," he said. "You don't."
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Silence filled the room.
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"…And you?" she asked suddenly.
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His gaze shifted to her.
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"Did you want this?"
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A simple question.
But it carried weight.
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Feng Chen did not answer right away.
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Instead, he stepped closer.
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Not too close.
Just enough.
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"It was a beneficial decision," he said.
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Ruanxi frowned slightly.
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"That's not what I asked."
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A pause.
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Something flickered in his eyes.
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Then disappeared.
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"…I didn't refuse," he said.
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Her chest tightened again.
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That wasn't an answer either.
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But it was honest.
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Ruanxi looked away.
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"…So this is just a deal."
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"No," Feng Chen said.
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She looked back at him.
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"For you, it might feel that way," he continued. "But it's already done."
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His voice was calm.
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"Whether you remember it or not… you're here now."
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The words settled heavily between them.
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Ruanxi felt it.
The weight.
The finality.
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She turned slightly, looking around the room again.
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Still no memories.
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Still no proof.
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Just space.
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"…Then I guess I'll have to start from here," she said quietly.
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Feng Chen watched her.
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For a moment—
He almost said something.
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But didn't.
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Instead, he turned away.
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"Your room is upstairs," he said.
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Ruanxi followed.
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As she walked, her fingers brushed lightly against the wall.
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Smooth.
Cold.
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Unfamiliar.
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This place isn't empty.
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Her steps slowed slightly.
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The voice again.
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You just don't remember what filled it.
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Ruanxi's hand stilled.
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She did not respond.
But her heart beat just a little faster.
End of Chapter 3.