Memory was a palace. Before losing her memories, her thoughts had neatly filled every little room.
After amnesia set in, the memories weren’t sealed away but scattered everywhere, each one building its own new little room.
Thus, as she recalled parts of them, her thoughts grew even more colorful and diverse. Emotions that didn’t originally belong to her, combined with closer contact with people she cared about, subtly influenced her. These rooms connected one after another, constructing a grander, more magnificent palace.
“Did you hear that? Apologize! Swear you’ll never harass this lady again, then get out of my sight.”
Lin Xu wasn’t kind—in fact, calling her a playboy heir would be an understatement.
The male Beta pinned under her foot trembled in fear. Of course, he’d witnessed Lin Xu’s methods before: scheming behind the scenes or resorting straight to violence. If problems couldn’t be solved, people would be “handled.”
She never dragged her feet.
He didn’t want to be the one “handled.” His branch of the family was just a side line.
His grandmother and Old Lady Lin were cousins. If it weren’t for Old Lady Lin’s line being so sparse—only two daughters—his father, Lin Hai, wouldn’t have had any chance of getting benefits from the group.
Modern people claimed not to care about bloodlines, mocking it as something only relevant when buying pets, but that wasn’t true. The more power one held, the more they obsessed over direct descendants.
Lin Shi no longer held his head high or acted arrogantly. He looked like a defeated dog, not daring to breathe loudly.
He bent his waist subserviently. “Yes, yes, as you say, Cousin.”
After apologizing to the beaten woman, Lin Shi forced a difficult smile. “Sis, you see…”
They were about the same height, but Lin Xu’s presence completely crushed the scene. She swept her gaze around, and even those who briefly met her eyes didn’t dare look longer, quickly lowering their heads to eat.
The dishes were getting cold.
Normal conversation slowly resumed around them. Though everyone was still shaken, eating was the main priority.
Lin Xu’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she tugged at the corner of her mouth mockingly. “How did that go again? Get lost.”
Damn her. Lin Shi lowered his head, a flash of vicious hatred in his eyes. How had this woman survived the car accident? She shouldn’t have—that car had been tampered with. It was impossible!
“Alright, alright, Sis. I’m going.”
Lin Shi was unwilling but knew better than to clash with Lin Xu over some irrelevant woman. He tucked his tail between his legs and quickly vanished from her sight.
As soon as Lin Xu turned her head, the beaten woman bowed deeply to thank her.
The swelling on the woman’s face wouldn’t fade anytime soon. Lin Xu comforted her a few words and learned from her complaints that she’d been fooled by Lin Shi’s initial facade. Once he had her, his true vicious nature emerged.
He treated her like nothing, beating and cursing her constantly. That’s why she wanted to break up.
“Why not call the police?” Lin Xu asked, puzzled. In this day and age of rule of law, she would have gotten a restraining order immediately.
The woman hesitated, her eyes fearful. Thinking of Lin Xu’s heroic intervention, she stepped closer and whispered with downcast eyes, “Your family has people over there.”
Lin Xu couldn’t back down now. Her family had people? Who? She didn’t press, just frowned and shelved the mystery for now.
In a knightly spirit, she personally escorted the woman to her car. The woman thanked her profusely. Lin Xu felt good about doing the good deed and repeatedly assured her that Lin Shi wouldn’t dare act out again.
Her phone suddenly vibrated against her thigh. Puzzled, she opened it to see: Message withdrawn.
She’d been in a great mood—it was from Shu-jie—but now she didn’t know the content. What a shame. Probably sent to the wrong person.
Unexpectedly, as she entered, the lobby manager nodded and bowed to her. “President Lin, we weren’t prepared for your visit. We didn’t have time to ready our top-tier service.”
President Lin… This restaurant was hers?
Lin Xu kept a straight face, glancing sideways at him with a huff from her nose. “No need for service. Just make sure unrelated dogs don’t wander in from now on.”
The lobby manager agreed profusely, sweat beading on his forehead and back. “Lin Dong, us workers can’t afford to offend him either.”
Fair enough—wage slaves had it tough. She should be understanding. Lin Xu thought for a moment. “I’ll handle it.”
With that, she glanced toward the private room. Why wasn’t Shu Qingyou thinking of her? She wanted praise for her mighty display.
She wasn’t young, but who didn’t want head pats and compliments from the person they liked?
After a few steps, Lin Xu stopped and turned back coldly. “Still following? Go do what you need to.”
“Right away!” The manager had thought she had more instructions or was inspecting. No business from him? Better—he bolted like a rabbit.
Passing service staff all lowered their heads, addressing her as President Lin. It made Lin Xu uncomfortable, including the earlier server who’d spoken to her.
Lin Xu didn’t want to seem like a stern ice queen in front of others. She smiled at the girl. “Is there any more of today’s limited whole chicken?”
The girl was quick on the uptake. President Lin was gorgeous and a good person. Limited chicken? If not, make it happen. Lin Xu patted her shoulder approvingly, earnestly advising, “Young lady, keep up the good work.”
She’d nailed the act. Lin Xu returned to the private room unfazed.
Shu Qingyou saw her enter but silently picked up a vegetable with her chopsticks, chewing it slowly without sparing Lin Xu a glance of longing.
Shu Rong obediently gripped her ceramic spoon, sipping soup in tiny mouthfuls. Her eyes were fixed on the strawberry daifuku in front of her—Mom said she could have one only after finishing her meal.
Chi Jia was the only lively one, her almond eyes fluttering as she waved. “Miss Lin, you’re finally back. We were just talking about you.”
So that’s it—they were gossiping about me behind my back, Lin Xu thought.
“Really? What about?”
As she spoke, Lin Xu looked at Shu Qingyou, but even her warm, fiery gaze couldn’t draw a response.
“We were saying, with your figure and looks, I really want you to be a live signboard at my shop for a day.”
Lin Xu didn’t quite get it. She took a sip of tea. “Signboard? You want to hire me?”
Of course not. Chi Jia denied it immediately, seriously explaining, “The market’s competitive now. Without some promo events to grab attention, it’s hard to survive in this business. I even invited several influencers for opening day.”
Lin Xu agreed but didn’t commit outright. She shifted her gaze to Shu Qingyou, her tone softening. “If Qingyou agrees, I have no objections.”
Promising. Chi Jia hadn’t held out hope. Someone like Lin Xu just sitting in her shop for a bit, sipping coffee, would drive massive traffic—not inferior to regular influencers.
“Qingyou, you thought it was a good idea earlier. Talk to your little girlfriend about it.”
Little girlfriend? They’d joked before that Lin Xu was her uncontrollable dangerous lover.
Shu Qingyou lifted her eyelids. “I’m not hers. She can decide for herself.”
Chi Jia was baffled. Pushing it back and forth like this? She grumbled, “You two playing hot potato?”
Sunshine bloomed on Lin Xu’s face. She curved her lips. “I accept, Miss Chi.”
“But I don’t like the term ‘little girlfriend.'”
“Then…”
Chi Jia glanced between them. “What’s your relationship?”
A soft chuckle entered her ears. Chi Jia shivered, her back turning ice-cold with goosebumps.
The room was fully heated, yet she glimpsed the cold menace swirling in Lin Xu’s eyes.
Lin Xu’s smile lingered as she enunciated slowly, “Fiancée.”
Shu Qingyou’s heart jolted. She raised her eyes, meeting Lin Xu’s unwavering stare.
Even on the drive home, Shu Qingyou couldn’t shake it—that fleeting sinister glint in Lin Xu’s eyes had vanished.
Lin Xu was in high spirits. The restaurant had packed her the limited whole chicken and promised daily delivery whenever she wanted.
Finally, she could properly nourish Shu Qingyou’s slender frame.
Holding Shu Rong, she chatted idly. “Rongrong, when you learn to talk, do you know what to call me?”
Not Big Sis? Shu Rong’s big eyes sparkled as she nodded—she was smart!
“Good girl. Call me Mommy.”
Shu Rong tilted her head. Mom was right there—why call Lin Xu Mommy?
Shu Qingyou’s heart raced with unease. Was Lin Xu pretending now, or just teasing? Fiancée wasn’t her… Had her memories gotten mixed up?
After a moment’s thought, Shu Qingyou gripped the steering wheel tightly. “I’m not your fiancée.”
Lin Xu would never tell Shu Qingyou that she’d recalled part of it: years ago, she’d prepared rings to propose, but now she didn’t know where they were.
She found another excuse, grinning. “You called me your little girlfriend, so how far can fiancée be?”
Things felt off. Lin Xu figured if she’d planned to propose, their relationship must’ve been great. So why had she done such awful things to Shu Qingyou?
And could it be that Shu Qingyou, utterly disappointed in her, had just found some random female Alpha to have Shu Rong?
Lin Xu’s heart ached. The missed past now tormented her in an irreparable way.
Plainly put, her possessiveness was too strong. She couldn’t bear imagining Shu Qingyou laughing and loving with another woman. The deeper she thought, the crueler the suffocation.
Maybe Lin Xu was just used to looking down on others from on high. After disciplining her cousin, she hadn’t switched mindsets yet.
Irritated, she brushed it off.
“Mm, not far.”
Shu Qingyou’s perfunctory response was huge encouragement to Lin Xu. Her marking fangs and gland twitched restlessly. She had to hold back.
Haste makes waste—don’t scare her.
Once home, Shu Rong looked around frantically, not seeing the Dragon Cat.
Panicking, she tugged Lin Xu’s arm.
They had perfect rapport now. Lin Xu understood she was looking for her pet and helped search.
They found the Dragon Cat in the backyard, lying under the ginkgo tree in a bizarre pose, eyes closed in breathing meditation.
Its sleek fur fluttered in the wind, smoother than silk.
Even weirder, golden leaves circled it.
Is it… cultivating?
No, no—it was just a harmless Dragon Cat.
Even better. Lin Xu grabbed it by the scruff and lifted it, pretending to coax Shu Rong. “Rongrong, look! Your baby Dragon Cat’s waiting for you!”
This mortal spouts nonsense!
The Dragon Cat suffered in silence. It just wanted to meditate properly—such disturbance!
After settling Shu Rong and the Dragon Cat in the guest room, Lin Xu eagerly sought Shu Qingyou.
Shu Qingyou was about to shower. Seeing Lin Xu’s heaving chest and unsteady breathing, she slowly advanced on her step by step.
That expression from before…
Memories flashed by. Shu Qingyou’s eyes widened slightly.
She forced her throat to work. “Aren’t you going to play with Shu Rong?”
Lin Xu’s shoes scraped lightly on the floor—faint, but in the not-so-large house, every sound stood out.
Lin Xu recalled her own house: vast, empty…
