Inside the Peach Garden Number One villa, Chen Shan stood beside the butler Uncle Li, facing the neatly lined-up household staff.
“Tomorrow, the young master and young madam will be returning. Not a single mistake is allowed. Have you all memorized the materials given to you these past few days?” Chen Shan asked sternly.
“Yes, we have.”
Chen Shan began spot-checking: “What is the young madam’s name?”
“Song Yinxi.”
Chen Shan nodded, “How long have they been married?”
“Three months!”
Chen Shan: “What does the young madam usually like to eat?”
“Premium roast goose pastry!”
“Stir-fried yellow beef!”
“Matsutake and bamboo fungus soup!”
“French pan-seared foie gras!”
“Braised pork ribs!”
“Poached sliced pork in chili oil!”
“Hot pot!”
Chen Shan rubbed his forehead, “If you’re not the chef, don’t shout out answers. Those who can’t remember clearly should return to the old residence now. Additionally, after completing your duties, return to your rooms and stay there. Don’t come out unless called, and absolutely don’t speak out of turn in front of the young madam!”
“Yes!”
Everyone answered in unison.
Chen Shan still wasn’t entirely reassured, feeling that what Duan Jinchi was doing…
Was too difficult to handle.
What if Song Yinxi regained her memory? Had he considered how to explain things?
He heard that Duan Jinchi was the one who first claimed to be Song Yinxi’s husband!
In Jingzhou, everyone knew that the person Song Yinxi disliked most was Duan Jinchi.
Duan Jinchi had consistently ranked No.1 on Song Yinxi’s most disliked list for eight consecutive years.
“This is the young master’s first time bringing a girl home. He’s been single for 27 years. Whether it’s a love game or something else, none of you can give it away! Otherwise, your bonuses will be deducted! Is that clear?” Chen Shan emphasized again.
“Understood, understood.”
“Assistant Chen, I’m just a bit curious – why Miss Song? Everyone in Jingzhou knows Miss Song and our young master don’t get along!” Auntie Su couldn’t help but voice the question on everyone’s minds.
This was something Chen Shan wanted to know too.
That day, he and Duan Jinchi were going to meet a client when they encountered Song Yinxi’s car ahead.
As luck would have it, the car behind crashed into hers.
Song Yinxi immediately fainted.
Duan Jinchi sent him to meet the client while he went to the hospital to accompany Song Yinxi.
Then he took advantage of Song Yinxi’s amnesia to impersonate her husband!!
Simply shameless.
Tsk tsk.
What a dog!
“Matters of the heart, I don’t understand either. Just focus on your own tasks. Is the young madam’s walk-in closet organized? Clothes, bags, shoes, and jewelry should be categorized and neatly arranged. Hurry up, hurry up, get moving, get moving!” Chen Shan was at his wit’s end.
Fortunately, he didn’t live here.
He would only need to see Duan Jinchi at the company daily from now on.
The next day.
At dusk, the villa’s lights cast a warm orange glow, blending with the orange-red sunset on the horizon, spilling into the courtyard.
Well-trained servants filed out in an orderly manner, male servants in crisp attire, female servants in neat skirts, all standing with hands at their sides, heads slightly bowed in respectful postures.
A black Maybach drove in, slowly stopping in front of the villa.
The servants were all eagerly anticipating, having heard that Song Yinxi and Duan Jinchi were arch-rivals.
But they had only seen Song Yinxi in the news; this was their first time seeing her in person.
Uncle Li stepped forward to open the car door.
Polished leather shoes emerged first, followed by Duan Jinchi who hadn’t returned for a week.
He reached into the car, and a pale, slender hand gently rested in his palm.
Black high heels lightly tapped the ground as Song Yinxi appeared before everyone, elegant in a satin white dress.
When she straightened up, the last blazing rays of the sunset skimmed past the diamond earrings swaying at her ears, refracting into fragmented yet dazzling glimmers, as if outlining her entire figure with a hazy glow.
The servants were momentarily stunned.
She was even more beautiful and gentler in person than in the news.
Standing next to the young master… they somehow looked perfectly matched.
Song Yinxi and Duan Jinchi stood side by side, her gaze calmly sweeping over the villa. The steadfast new Chinese style and lush courtyard were complemented by massive floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting the brilliantly colorful evening clouds, like a burning scroll painting.
Song Yinxi asked softly, “Husband, is this our home?”
“Yes.” Duan Jinchi paused, actually feeling somewhat nervous. “Do… you like it?”
What was he even nervous about?!
They weren’t a real married couple!
Oh~
He was afraid she’d expose him right after being discharged from the hospital.
Being exposed wasn’t the real concern – what would be truly terrifying was when she regained her memories.
“I love it. I can’t wait to start living here… There must be so many beautiful memories here. Perhaps I’ll remember everything soon.” Song Yinxi linked her arm through his, blooming into a radiant smile. “Right, husband?”
“Mhm.” Duan Jinchi forced himself to respond.
There were no beautiful memories from before, but they could create beautiful memories going forward.
Everyone chorused: “Welcome home, Young Master and Young Madam!”
“After all this time apart, the Young Master remains as dashing and handsome as ever!”
Uncle Li launched into praise without hesitation.
Duan Jinchi shot him a meaningful look.
What was the point of only complimenting him?
“Young Madam also remains as radiant and beautiful as always! We were all so worried after your car accident.” Uncle Li’s face clouded with concern. “That driver had no eyes, daring to hit our Young Madam! Don’t worry, from now on you’ll be driven by the family chauffeur whenever you go out.”
Song Yinxi was somewhat surprised – was this a real butler or an actor?
Not bad acting!
Had they received special training?
“Thanks to my husband’s constant care day and night, I’ve recovered so quickly. But…” she deliberately paused, “although my body has healed, the doctor said there’s residual blood in my brain causing temporary amnesia. Don’t worry – returning to such a familiar home, I should remember everything soon.”
“That’s truly wonderful…” Uncle Li smiled in agreement.
“Husband, let’s go inside!” Song Yinxi smiled.
Arm in arm, they walked calmly side by side through the bright entrance of Peach Garden Number One.
As she walked, Song Yinxi looked around – was this Duan Jinchi’s home?
A Song dynasty meiping vase, Ming dynasty moonflask, Qing dynasty flower-and-bird painting, Tang dynasty sancai pottery.
He… was actually quite the traditionalist.
So fond of Chinese style.
“Does anything look familiar?” Duan Jinchi asked casually, noticing her close observation.
“Not really.”
Of course not – this was Song Yinxi’s first time here.
“Shall we go upstairs and look around?” Duan Jinchi suggested.
“Sure!”
They exchanged smiles and went upstairs together.
Duan Jinchi brought Song Yinxi into the master bedroom.
After entering, Duan Jinchi could hardly believe this was his room.
His gray bed, gray curtains, black floor lamp, black sofa and coffee table – all had disappeared?!
He’d only mentioned once that “Song Yinxi likes green”…
Now, the curtains and bedding had all been replaced with a fresh green, the sofa and coffee table had become cream-colored, and beside the bed and sofa, snow-white wool carpets had been laid.
What was this all about??
Song Yinxi suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist, looked up with a sweet smile, and said, “Honey, is this our room?”