Two days later.
Today, a senior from university was holding an art exhibition in the capital, and Tan Qinyin went to show her support. Afterward, they had a meal together.
After driving her senior to the airport, with nothing else to do, she decided to head back and continue packing.
Having lived in the capital for a year, she had accumulated quite a few belongings, and sorting through them was proving to be quite a hassle.
She planned to return to Nan City after having a proper talk with Lu Yanzhi when he returned tomorrow.
Tan Qinyin gripped the steering wheel as soft music played from the car radio, the roadside scenery steadily receding behind her.
Suddenly, a small dog darted out from the roadside in a panic, heading straight for the front of her car.
Startled, she instinctively jerked the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes.
The car instantly lost control, skidding sideways and crashing into the roadside guardrail.
A loud crash pierced the sky, and Tan Qinyin lost consciousness.
**
Chu Nanyu had just finished a nearly two-hour meeting and stepped out of the conference room when his phone vibrated.
Seeing the caller ID from First Hospital, he frowned slightly and answered.
As soon as he put the phone to his ear, he heard the voice on the other end say, “Mr. Chu, your wife Tan Qinyin has been in a car accident. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible.”
…
Less than half an hour later, Chu Nanyu arrived at the hospital.
Pushing open the door to the hospital room, he saw Tan Qinyin sitting on the bed with her knees hugged to her chest, a bandage wrapped around her head. Her complexion was pale, and she looked like a wounded little rabbit.
Hearing the noise, she looked up.
The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air as the man strode toward her, stopping at the foot of the bed.
Tan Qinyin blinked in confusion, her eyes lighting up as she recognized the small mole at the corner of his eye.
“Qinyin,” Chu Nanyu asked with a frown, “what happened?”
A nurse who had followed him in quickly explained, “Sir, your wife suffered a head injury from the car accident, resulting in a mild concussion. Currently…”
“Husband.”
A soft voice suddenly called out.
Chu Nanyu’s sleeve was gently tugged.
“What’s your name?”
Chu Nanyu froze, lifting his gaze. Just as he was about to speak, Tan Qinyin grabbed his wrist, her lips pursed in frustration.
“I’m sorry, ever since I woke up, I couldn’t remember your name.”
“She’s currently experiencing some confusion,” the nurse beside them continued. “When she woke up earlier, we asked for her family’s contact information. She said she only remembered her husband’s surname is Chu but couldn’t recall his full name. It’s likely due to the head injury. Fortunately, she still remembered your number.”
Chu Nanyu’s expression turned complicated as he listened, his gaze falling on the hand holding his wrist.
Tan Qinyin looked at him with wide, pleading eyes. “Husband, are you angry with me?”
“No,” the man replied in a flat, slightly tense voice.
“Then why won’t you tell me your name?”
After a moment of silence.
“Chu Nanyu.”
“Chu Nanyu,” Tan Qinyin repeated softly, a light laugh escaping her lips. “It sounds so nice!”
Chu Nanyu lowered his gaze slightly, not responding.
Tan Qinyin’s other hand reached out to hold the man’s palm. “Oh, by the way, my phone broke during the crash, and I didn’t bring any cards with me, so I can’t pay the medical bills.”
The warmth in his palm made Chu Nanyu momentarily dazed. “I’ve already arranged for someone to handle it.”
After a pause, he asked, “Does Lu Yanzhi know you’re in the hospital?”
“Lu Yanzhi?” Tan Qinyin blinked in confusion. “Who’s that?”
The room fell silent for two or three seconds.
Chu Nanyu’s phone rang.
His right hand was still held by the woman, so he answered the call with his left.
“How is my sister?” came Tan Yan’s anxious inquiry through the receiver.
Having not seen his sister for several months, he had come to the capital on a business trip this time, intending to surprise her. But as soon as he got off the plane, he saw Chu Nanyu’s message saying something had happened to her.
“She has a mild concussion,” Chu Nanyu glanced at Tan Qinyin, “and there’s another issue.”
Tan Qinyin seemed to recognize her brother’s voice: “Husband, is that my brother calling?”
Tan Yan also heard her question: “Yinyin is with you, right? Put her on… wait!”
He suddenly reacted, “What did Yinyin just call you?”
…
After hanging up, Chu Nanyu made another call to He Wenzhou, brief and to the point, asking him to come examine a patient.
He Wenzhou was a German-trained PhD specially hired by First Hospital and considered a rising star in the psychiatric field among the younger generation.
Over the phone, he sounded quite surprised: “Brother Chu actually needs my help? Who’s having mental issues?”
Chu Nanyu didn’t waste words: “Room 712, hurry up.”
Without waiting for He Wenzhou’s response, he hung up directly.
Tan Qinyin had been quietly listening to Chu Nanyu’s phone call. The nurse had been called away temporarily by the intercom for an urgent matter, leaving only the two of them in the room.
“Do you want some water?” Chu Nanyu asked.
“Not really.”
Her headache was becoming unbearable. Tan Qinyin naturally leaned against Chu Nanyu, her voice weak and slightly cooing: “Husband, my head really hurts.”
Chu Nanyu’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t move, letting her lean against him, his voice softening: “Close your eyes and rest for a while.”
Tan Qinyin tightened her grip on his arm, closed her eyes, and softly hummed in agreement.
Chu Nanyu looked down at her, his pale eyelids lowering slightly, his amber eyes momentarily unfocused.
…
He Wenzhou had just reached the hospital parking lot after work when he received Chu Nanyu’s call.
Ten minutes later, he rushed over in casual clothes, looking flustered.
As soon as he entered the room and saw the scene before him, he froze.
The patient was that fairy from the other day?
What was going on?
Wasn’t Tan Qinyin Lu Yanzhi’s wife? Why was she clinging so intimately to Brother Chu?
His eyebrows shot up as he looked at Chu Nanyu: “This is…”
Hearing the door open, Tan Qinyin slowly looked up.
It was a young man with a roguish appearance. She searched her memory but didn’t seem to recognize him.
Chu Nanyu gently patted the back of her hand: “Wait for me a moment.”
Tan Qinyin slowly released her grip and obediently replied: “Okay.”
Chu Nanyu stood up and motioned for He Wenzhou to speak outside the room.
In the corridor, He Wenzhou stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking at him with leisurely curiosity.
Ignoring his idle gaze, Chu Nanyu stated seriously: “After her car accident, her memory seems to have developed some issues.”
He Wenzhou temporarily set aside his casual demeanor and listened as he continued.
“She mistakes me for her husband but doesn’t remember who Lu Yanzhi is.”
He Wenzhou looked up in surprise, resting his chin in thought for a moment: “This could be a case of retrograde amnesia, but further examination is needed to confirm.”
“However, retrograde amnesia usually involves patients forgetting events from a period before the injury. Her case is a bit unusual.”
He asked playfully: “Brother Chu, be honest with me—have you and that fairy sister been secretly involved? Otherwise, why would she mistake only you for her husband?”
Chu Nanyu glanced at him coolly. “Stop spreading rumors.”
“This isn’t a rumor,” He Wenzhou said. “It’s a very important diagnostic basis. If there’s something between you two, then her memory confusion could very likely stem from subconscious attachment to you.”
Chu Nanyu let out a faint laugh. “There’s no such possibility.”
He Wenzhou shrugged. “Alright then, let’s do the examination first and see how her other memories are holding up.”
After their conversation, He Wenzhou went to review Tan Qinyin’s medical records.
Returning to the ward, Chu Nanyu found Tan Qinyin asleep.
Gently tucking the blanket around her, the man lowered his gaze, his eyes lingering on her slightly pale face for a long time.