Chapter 33: Day 33 of Transmigrating into an Object

Blocking her sense of touch was wonderful. She couldn’t feel a thing. Whether it was Shen Wenyi squeezing her fingers, or Shen Wenyi’s skin and body heat, it all disappeared as if it had never existed. If she hadn’t still had her senses of smell and hearing, she would have had the illusion that she was the only one left in the world.

It was pitch black under the covers. She couldn’t see anything, but she could focus intently on the audio drama.

In the drama, Shen Wenyi had made up her mind to kill her several times, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to do it. Shen Wenyi was in agony, so much so that she didn’t want to live anymore, yet she feared her threats so much she didn’t even dare to die.

Colliding spoon and bowl sounds, breathing, hair rustling, her chin being pinched, the faint sound of chains.

Jiang CV’s cold voice said: “Refusing to eat again? Do you think your brother’s leg is better and want him to have another broken one?”

“How much longer… until you get tired of me?”

Shen CV’s voice was hollow, as if she had lost her soul.

Jiang CV said: “If you keep acting half-dead like this and challenging my desire to conquer, then it will probably be a while.”

Shen CV said: “If I obediently do as I’m told, will you tire of me faster?”

Jiang CV said: “Maybe.”

Chain sounds, the rustle of clothes, the passing of the bowl and spoon, swallowing sounds, one spoonful, two, three spoonfuls… an entire bowl finished.

Shen CV said softly: “I’ll be good. I’ll never run away again.”

Jiang CV said nothing, only a faint breath passing by.

In the days that followed, Shen Wenyi was extremely obedient. Whatever she told Shen Wenyi to do, Shen Wenyi did. In bed or out, she was as docile as a puppet doll.

Her own temper, however, grew worse and worse, smashing bowls and chopsticks at the slightest provocation, or pushing Shen Wenyi down in the kitchen, the dining table, the balcony, the bathroom, the staircase… any random place in the villa.

But Shen Wenyi never resisted again, nor showed any sign of displeasure. She cried when told to cry, laughed when told to laugh, and stayed still when told to stay still. Even on the balcony, a place Shen Wenyi would have rather died than be before, she obediently submitted to every command.

The balcony was open-air. Leaning over the railing, one could see the light from the security booth and the shadows of people moving around.

Shen Wenyi was too compliant. Even when she deliberately gave Shen Wenyi several chances to escape, Shen Wenyi turned a blind eye to them all.

“I’m already this submissive. When will she finally get tired of me?”

In the empty villa, Shen Wenyi murmured to herself.

She was irritable for a time, but soon controlled her emotions. She started bringing Shen Wenyi along to various occasions. It wasn’t long before everyone in both the underworld and legitimate circles knew she was keeping a beautiful canary.

Another banquet, glasses clinking, guests chatting merrily, laughter, conversations, melodious music.

Someone greeted her with a smile: “This must be Miss Shen? I’ve long heard of your great name. Meeting you today, your extraordinary presence is indeed remarkable.”

Shen Wenyi exchanged polite words, thanked her.

She said: “The person I’ve set my sights on is naturally extraordinary.”

As they spoke, a sudden commotion erupted at the banquet. Someone complained, asking why the power went out?

The banquet manager burst through the heavy doors, panting: “Apologies, there’s a sudden electrical fault. Emergency repairs are underway. Please wait a moment, it will be back on soon.”

In that instant, a red dot aimed at the center of her forehead. The rustle of clothes, Shen Wenyi lunged at her. Bang! A gunshot rang out. The noise vanished, an electric current carrying Jiang CV’s sharp intake of breath, a heart-wrenching scream: “Shen Wenyi!”

Ambulance sirens, the rolling wheels of a stretcher, rapid gasps, footsteps rushing alongside the bed. She kept calling Shen Wenyi’s name, threatening between sobs that if Shen Wenyi dared to die, she would kill her entire family.

Dripping blood, the operating room light switching on, a nurse stopping her outside.

The sound of a back sliding against a wall. She gasped in agony, taking out her phone to order her subordinates to hunt down the culprit.

A boss who dominated both worlds, too many people wanted her dead, but no one had ever been so bold.

Sad music played. She knew it was just a doujin drama, that Shen Wenyi hadn’t been shot, wouldn’t die—not even in the drama. Yet she couldn’t help her soul tensing, her heart suspended with the plot.

The doctor came out. The surgery was successful, the person saved. But the gunshot wound was in a bad location, potentially damaging the brain nerves.

In the hospital room, someone pushed the door open and entered. Click. The sound of a lunchbox being set down.

“Boss Jiang, rest a bit and let me take over.”

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: “No need.”

The subordinate left, and the ward fell silent again. Only the faint sound of bedding being adjusted, she was tucking Shen Wenyi in.

A crisp bell chime sounded in the score. Her breathing in the drama hitched sharply. Her own breathing, as she wore the Bluetooth earbuds, also hitched sharply.

“Shen… Wenyi?”

Bedding rustling, Shen CV’s gasping breaths sounded, weak and muffled: “Head… hurts so much.”

Jiang CV’s voice was gentle for the first time: “It’s okay. I’ll get the doctor now.”

Shen Wenyi breathed weakly and said softly: “You… who are you?”

Shen Wenyi had amnesia, after recklessly taking a bullet for her.

The version of her in the drama didn’t believe it at first. She tested Shen Wenyi several times, but Shen Wenyi truly remembered nothing. She didn’t even react when she saw her own biological brother had been in a car accident.

The version of her in the drama gradually believed it. From the very beginning, she told Shen Wenyi they were lovers. Shen Wenyi went from being distant to slowly getting closer, until, finally, they were like real lovers.

Jiang CV said: “I said we’re lovers. You never doubted it?”

Shen CV said: “Why should I doubt it? You care about me so much. And I have a very familiar feeling about you. The longer we’re together, the more familiar it feels. Sometimes, looking at you, it even hurts here.”

Jiang CV said: “Here? A heartache?”

Shen CV nodded: “Right. I think I must love you very much, very, very much, right?”

The rustle of clothes. Jiang CV hugged Shen CV and said: “Right. You love me very much, so much you didn’t care about your own life, even took a bullet for me.”

Shen CV said: “Aren’t you just the boss of a small company? Not exactly high and powerful. Why would someone want to kill you? And a gun… our country has strict gun control. Anyone who can get a gun must be no simple character. Do you… do you know who wanted to harm you? I’m so scared. Scared something like this will happen again.”

The sound of a kiss on the forehead.

Jiang CV said: “Rest assured, the culprit has been caught. Nothing will happen.”

The version of her in the drama finally believed Shen Wenyi truly had amnesia and even consulted a doctor.

Jiang CV said: “When will she recover her memories?”

The doctor said: “Hard to say. It could happen anytime, or she might never recover. But you don’t need to worry too much. As long as Miss Shen’s emotions are stable, she will slowly remember.”

Jiang CV’s voice turned cold: “I don’t want her to recover. I want her to never recover.”

The doctor said, surprised: “Ah?”

Jiang CV said: “I don’t care what method you use. Do not let her recover her memories.”

The doctor hesitated for a moment, then prescribed medication.

The doctor said: “This medicine has significant side effects. It’s best not to take it unless absolutely necessary.”

Jiang CV let out a low chuckle, her voice flat: “What side effect could be greater than her recovering her memories?”

The version of her in the drama and Shen Wenyi finally lived sweet days. Shen Wenyi cooked for her and left a lamp on for her late returns home.

Shen Wenyi smiled at her sincerely, gentle as a cloud.

On Shen Wenyi’s birthday, she asked Shen Wenyi to teach her how to bake a cake. The result was unsatisfactory, but Shen Wenyi ate it happily. They played until late, kissing and embracing amidst romantic music.

Shen Wenyi was bored at home and wanted to work, so she arranged for Shen Wenyi to join the most legitimate company under her name. A nine-to-five job, light workload, able to take leave whenever she wanted, no salary deductions.

With a social life, Shen Wenyi became even more vibrant, just like when she first saw her—beautiful and proud, like an unreachable cliff flower, yet willing to fall off the cliff for her.

They walked through autumn together, into winter, celebrated New Year’s Day, stayed up for New Year’s Eve, and spent the New Year together.

In the sunny March spring, with willow catkins flying, Shen Wenyi went to work as usual. But on her way, she ran into her younger brother.

His leg, broken by her after his car accident, had suffered a relapse of an old injury, leaving him permanently disabled, able to move only with a cane.

Seeing her, the brother ran over excitedly. The cane fell, and the brother also fell at Shen Wenyi’s feet.

The brother grabbed Shen Wenyi’s pant leg, his eyes brimming with tears: “Sis, I finally found you! I didn’t dare tell Mom and Dad, I was afraid they couldn’t take it! I reported it to the police station, but the police wouldn’t accept the case. I begged everyone, it was useless. I could only search for you myself. How are you? Did that female pervert hurt you?!”

Shen Wenyi said, surprised: “You know me?”

The brother said: “What’s wrong, Sis? I’m Wentao!”

Shen Wenyi said: “I never heard that I had any younger brother. Besides, we don’t look alike. You couldn’t be a scammer, could you?”

The brother said urgently: “How could I be scamming you? You’re my sister Shen Wenyi, and I’m your brother Shen Wentao. You’re still on our family register. If you don’t believe me, come home with me and see!”

Shen Wenyi shook off his hand and said: “Don’t move. I’ll take a photo. I’ll go back and ask Yangyang. I don’t need to follow you home to look at some family register. Just being on the same register doesn’t make a loving family. Too many bloodsucking families of origin.”

The click of high heels sounded. Shen Wenyi was about to leave. The brother hurriedly chased after her on his cane: “Sis, who is this Yangyang you mentioned? Is it that female pervert who imprisoned you?!”

Slap!

Shen Wenyi suddenly turned around and slapped her brother, saying sharply: “Don’t talk nonsense! Yangyang is my lover, not some pervert! Is your leg not crippled enough? If you want to die, keep spouting nonsense! If not, behave yourself. Don’t say a single word that shouldn’t be said.”

The brother was stunned by the slap. The high heels clicked again. The brother then murmured: “Sis… you… you haven’t lost your memory, have you? You… you’re protecting us, aren’t you? You’re afraid the cameras will catch it, afraid that female pervert will see, right?”

She had never read the second part of “Impossible to Escape Even with Wings”. Hearing this, she was also taken aback. After all this fuss, Shen Wenyi never had amnesia?!

She was just thinking, how did Abnormal Heartbeat come up with such a cliché amnesia plot? So it was a pretense?

But why did Shen Wenyi pretend to have amnesia? Why maintain a superficial harmony with her? Was it to truly gain her trust and then kill her?

No. If Shen Wenyi could bring herself to kill, she would have done it long ago. Especially that night, Shen Wenyi saving her had been pure instinct. There was no time for thought in that split second; all reactions were instinctual.

Shen Wenyi had truly fallen in love with her… uh… the version of her in the drama. She couldn’t kill her.

So why did Shen Wenyi pretend to have amnesia?

She was completely immersed in the audio drama. Losing her sense of touch also meant she lost all perception of Shen Wenyi’s condition. She didn’t even know if Shen Wenyi was lying horizontally or on her side right now, or if she was asleep.

Under the covers, it was pitch black. Her sight was essentially gone.

Whatever, it was better that Shen Wenyi was asleep. Battery was at 19%, victory in sight!

Moreover, although the second part had a lot of mature content, the plot was tighter. It wasn’t as stimulating as the first part. After experiencing the baptism of the first part, she felt she could handle the second part. She was quite interested in the following plot and wanted to keep listening.

She stopped paying attention to Shen Wenyi. Mainly, without touch and sight, she couldn’t focus on her even if she wanted to. She simply poured all her concentration into the plot.

If the Shen Wenyi in the drama wasn’t trying to gain her trust to kill her and gain freedom, why else would she fake amnesia?

Could it be…

Shen Wenyi planned to reform her, to completely gloss over everything? To live a good life with her, while also protecting her family and suffering less herself?

The plot continued. Shen Wenyi went home and asked her if the man in the photo was her brother.

She was silent for a moment, then said: “Yes, he’s your brother. However…”

Shen Wenyi said: “However, he’s from a bloodsucking family of origin, right?”

She paused, then said: “Right.”

Shen Wenyi let out a breath and said: “I thought as much. If they were family who treated me well, why wouldn’t you tell me? You not mentioning it must be because you don’t want me getting hurt by them again, right?”

She said: “Right.”

Shen Wenyi added: “Still, they are my family. When you have time, will you come home with me to see them?”

She really did take Shen Wenyi home. After the slap Shen Wenyi gave him, her brother probably understood he couldn’t fight city hall. Seeing that Shen Wenyi seemed to be doing well, he didn’t dare say anything reckless.

Their parents, being city dwellers who had seen the world, were more open-minded. Although they were somewhat surprised their daughter suddenly brought another woman home after being away so long, they ultimately accepted it.

The parents didn’t know she was the chief culprit behind their son’s disability. They were reasonably warm hosts. The family actually shared a harmonious meal together.

Shen Wenyi had always lied to her parents, saying she was on a business trip abroad. The parents didn’t suspect anything.

Her soul sighed in comfort. She had guessed right. Shen Wenyi, for the sake of her parents and brother, planned to swallow her past pain. Besides, Shen Wenyi had truly fallen in love with her… the version of her in the drama. She decided to muddle through like this, which might actually be a kind of happiness.

For this kind of Little Black Room Stockholm Syndrome story, only this way could it have a happy ending. Otherwise, it would be hard to wrap up.

Not bad. She was quite satisfied. The rest should be sweet daily life, the two inseparable, either going abroad for a marriage certificate or a blissful trip for two.

After all the mature content and prolonged torment earlier, it was time for some sweetness to shift the mood.

What followed was indeed very sweet. The two were affectionate and deeply in love. Shen Wenyi’s family accepted her too. The two often went home for meals, gradually becoming like real family, their relationship improving more and more.

Even the brother let go of his grudge. He even asked to speak with her alone, saying he would let the past be, hoping she would treat his sister well. Otherwise, even if it meant death, he would protect his sister.

Another March came. She and Shen Wenyi had been together in the drama for a full five years.

That day, Shen Wenyi took out a ring and proposed to her. She accepted the ring and brought Shen Wenyi abroad to get their marriage certificate.

A freshly issued, warm marriage certificate. Though invalid in their own country, it was a witness to them becoming partners.

That evening at the hotel, Shen Wenyi said she had a surprise for her and asked her to wait at the hotel.

She waited at the hotel for a long time, but Shen Wenyi didn’t come. She left the hotel to search and saw traces of a car accident not far away. She walked past it as if she hadn’t seen it, calling Shen Wenyi as she walked.

The phone couldn’t connect.

Just as she hung up, a ringtone suddenly sounded.

She answered the phone. It was a string of formulaic English, crackling and garbled. Only the word “car accident” in English was exceptionally clear.

Clatter.

The phone fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

Shen Wenyi was dead.

No, the Shen Wenyi in the drama was dead. Run over by a truck, crushed to pieces, dead on the scene.

How could this be? How could she be dead? How could it be so sudden?!

The sound of running, rapid gasps, the pounding of a heart in agony. She ran madly toward the hospital.

Sad music played. The hospital morgue, the ice-cold body, her in extreme pain, unable to utter a single word.

Just the simple sounds of running to a halt, slow footsteps, heavy panting, a door being pushed open, a body bag being unzipped—it was enough to conjure the grey tableau.

“Shen… Shen Wenyi!”

The soul-tearing call with its echo could no longer wake the deceased.

The police came. The belongings were handed to her. Among them was a water bottle. The bottle had been crushed. The inside was carved with a dense layer of tiny characters.

【Jiang Shiyang, I love you. Not because of amnesia, but because I remember everything. I hate myself for knowing something is impossible yet not being able to let go. You will never know how much I love you. No words can ever express this love. So I carved it into this water bottle, a gift for you, hoping for the day you’d discover it.】

She hugged the water bottle, unable to breathe from the pain. The narration was Shen Wenyi’s ethereal voice.

“I love you, but I am tired. Five years, and there’s no more time. It’s time for it to end. Let me say my final goodbye to you here.”

Music swelled, grief like a death dirge, as if mourning not the dead, but these five years—times of sorrow and joy—a memorial to the true feelings that could never be spoken aloud.