The most awkward situation for Tong Meng was Hu Jia's move.
"Lu Qingqing!" She blamed everything on Lu Qingqing. Seeing Tong Hua's teasing eyes, she gave a cold smile. Very well, Tong Hua also contributed to the mess. She'd remember this favor.
After the graduation ceremony, everyone either gathered or dispersed. Lu Qingqing played with them for a while before going home.
Before, when there were more people, she hadn't felt anything. Now, with only Lu Qingqing and Hu Jia left, Lu Qingqing's heart began to stir. She felt a little shy and a little embarrassed.
Hu Jia had shown interest in her before and said many sweet things. But each time, Hu Jia would say similar things in a detached, playful tone, and only in private. This time, Hu Jia expressed his affection in front of everyone, and Lu Qingqing almost couldn't handle it.
"Um..."
"This morning..."
They both spoke at the same time and then both fell silent.
Lu Qingqing glanced at Hu Jia. "Am I really your best choice?"
It wasn't that Lu Qingqing didn't understand Hu Jia's words; after all, Hu Jia only had seven days of memory. For Lu Qingqing, every time he woke up meant he was re-acquainting himself with a stranger who claimed to be his 'fiancée.'
Hu Jia naturally understood Lu Qingqing's concerns.
He looked at the woman in front of him very seriously. "My life only lasts for seven days. Believe it or not, you have to admit that in these seven days, I only have you. I rely on my memo to understand everything around me, but only you—I still have a trace of an image. I don't know why I remember you. Although in my world, your appearance is blurry, and your voice echoes, you still exist in my mind."
Hu Jia took a deep breath. "So, my current life is pieced together from my memo and images of you. You are accepting me, a person with a pieced-together life, and I am falling deeper for the you in that sole image."
Lu Qingqing's mind went blank. She could feel the fervor in Hu Jia's eyes.
"This is my memo. The inside cover is inscribed with 'I will not allow you to forget her.'" Hu Jia pointed to the photo on the inside cover. "Do you know? When I woke up this morning and saw your photo pasted in the book with your name, I was shocked, but my heart was always filled with anticipation for you."
"Only when I like you will I record every moment we spend together, only then will I take the time to take your photo and paste it in my book."
"So, I think, I like you," Hu Jia said softly.
It would be a lie to say Lu Qingqing wasn't moved. In fact, her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out.
He said he liked her.
Before, he only said she was his fiancée.
But now, he clearly said he liked her.
Lu Qingqing's hands and feet turned cold, and she felt as if her breathing had stopped. "But, what you say today, you might forget tomorrow."
"No, I will never forget." Hu Jia handed the memo to Lu Qingqing. "If my amnesia has caused you trouble and made you doubt, then you can tear up this memo. See if I forget you without it."
Lu Qingqing didn't dare to reach out. Hu Jia handed it a little closer. "Everything is in your hands, the present and the future."
The present represents whether you are willing to make this decision.
The future represents whether you are willing to accept this decision.
Because once this memo is torn, it's likely that there will be no future at all.
Looking at the memo Hu Jia handed over, Lu Qingqing became lost.
Should she tear it?
Tear it and take a gamble?
If she didn't tear it, she would still have doubts in her heart.
Lu Qingqing remembered that day in the sunshine, Hu Jia had said to her with great seriousness, "Perhaps when I wake up with amnesia, I won't have had time to discover your goodness yet. Please give me more time, more patience, and don't leave because I forgot you that time. My life only lasts for seven days. I know it's unfair to you. But in these seven days, I only have you."
Tear it?
Lu Qingqing gently stroked the cover of the memo, slowly flipped it open, and looked at the photo of her smiling face, along with those few small words.
She had her answer.
One could gamble on life, but not on feelings.
It wasn't a lack of confidence, but a lack of necessity.
No matter if the ending of every love story was joyous or sorrowful, it had its meaning. If one could find love by simply waiting, the phrase "crossing mountains and rivers" would not exist in this world.
There are so many noodle shops, why did you happen to walk into that one?
It's because it appeared before you at the right time. That's the answer.
"Keep it! This is our past. I look forward to the day when we can reminisce together." Lu Qingqing returned the memo to Hu Jia, her tone firm and certain.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Hu Jia's eyes. Reminisce together?
Haha!
Then let's create more memories!
...
Tong Meng threw a tantrum after returning, then tidied herself up, put on some makeup, and went out with her small bag.
"Sixth Master, has the position you promised me been confirmed?" Tong Meng's soft body rubbed against Sixth Master's chest.
"Don't worry, I've already given my word." Sixth Master smiled, very pleased with Tong Meng's service.
"I want it announced on the first day."
"Okay, okay, it will definitely be announced on the first day."
...
After a day or two of rest, Lu Qingqing returned to the Special Operations Team to report. Everyone even prepared a welcome ceremony for her.
After the playful banter, Hu Jia began to discuss business.
During this period, Li Yang and Luo Wenwu had been monitoring the restaurant and bookstore. Although they hadn't found any new suspicious individuals, they noticed a phenomenon: the number of people entering and leaving had significantly increased.
Li Yang speculated that these people might be carrying out some mission, so he tracked several of them for several days and finally discovered that they were looking for a group of people.
"People? What kind of people?" Lu Qingqing asked.
"Literary teachers, fruit farmers, feng shui masters," Hu Jia said.
Uh...
Lu Qingqing was puzzled. What were they trying to learn? Were they learning to write or to farm?
It felt like these three professions had nothing to do with each other.
"We initially thought about asking the fruit farmers why these people were looking for them, but we were afraid of tipping them off," Li Yang said, looking at Lu Qingqing. "But it so happened that we discovered that Master Xie Hong was also among the people being questioned, so..."
Lu Qingqing immediately understood. Xie Hong was an old scholar at a private school, highly educated and well-liked by everyone. And Lu Duobao was his student.
If Lu Qingqing approached Xie Hong as Duobao's older sister, she wouldn't arouse any suspicion.
"Alright, I'll go tonight." Lu Qingqing didn't hesitate. If they didn't figure out what the opponent was doing, they would be like headless flies, always unable to find their direction.
After the meeting, Hu Jia went out.
Lu Qingqing made two chirping sounds, signaling everyone to gather around. "He still hasn't asked about the key incident?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"That's strange. Even with his amnesia, he would have recorded this matter in his memo before losing his memory." Lu Qingqing was very surprised by Hu Jia's lack of reaction to the stolen key.
"Could it be that the boss doesn't have a memo at all?" Seeing everyone looking at him like an idiot, Li Yang chuckled awkwardly. "I was just trying to lighten the mood."
They couldn't be bothered with him.
Would Hu Jia not look at his memo?
Not only would he look at it, but he would also record unfinished tasks and continue them.
But why was he so indifferent to the key?