Wu Xiufang paused for a second and said, "Jiaxi isn't just any man; you've been childhood friends. It's good to have a close friend to talk to and spend time with. I certainly approve."
Meng Yao recalled photos of her and Hong Jiaxi playing together when they were little. She reluctantly accepted the reason and, with a soft "oh," got out of bed.
As soon as Hong Jiaxi saw Meng Yao emerge from her room, he beamed and said, "I'm sorry, I took you too far yesterday and tired you out. Today, I've planned something relaxing: shopping and a movie."
Meng Yao offered him a polite smile, though she really didn't feel like going out.
Wu Xiufang subtly nudged her from behind.
She had no choice but to say, "Okay."
Wu Xiufang chimed in, "That's right, shopping and movies are the most relaxing. Our Yao Yao used to love them."
But Meng Yao felt as though she were being pestered by Hong Jiaxi.
After lunch, she perfunctorily accompanied Hong Jiaxi out.
Hong Jiaxi took her to Lan City's most upscale, large-scale mall, where world-renowned brands were gathered. He told her to pick whatever she liked.
Meng Yao browsed through the clothing and jewelry, feeling listless. There was nothing she particularly wanted to buy.
Seeing her lack of shopping interest, Hong Jiaxi was about to suggest finding a place to sit, have a drink, and then go to the movies.
However, Meng Yao's gaze became fixed on a pair of deep green combat boots in an international sports brand store.
Hong Jiaxi quickly asked the sales associate to wrap them up according to her foot size.
"I don't want them," Meng Yao waved her hand, refusing.
She had merely seen the boots and been reminded of scenes from her dreams.
In her dreams, Song Jiaping had walked towards her wearing a pair of such boots, reaching out his hand to her against the sunlight…
Hong Jiaxi insisted, "I told you, just buy whatever you like."
The sales associate, however, said with some difficulty, "Sir, I'm afraid these boots are only available in men's sizes, the smallest being a size forty-one."
"Jiaxi, Meng Yao, what are you two doing here?" Huangfu Shaohua asked as soon as he entered the store.
Meng Yao also saw Huangfu Shaohua and called out, "Second Brother."
Hong Jiaxi echoed her greeting and asked, "Are you here to shop too?"
"Oh, I didn't have much to do this afternoon, so I came out for a stroll." Huangfu Shaohua was actually looking for a gift for Daisy and was considering his options as he browsed.
He thought that Daisy was an athletic woman, so perhaps buying something sports-related would be to her liking.
Seeing Meng Yao and Jiaxi approaching, he smiled and asked, "What about you two?"
Before Jiaxi could speak, Meng Yao interjected, "We're just friends, out for some fresh air. I can't talk to you now; we're going to see a movie."
Huangfu Shaohua said "oh" and smiled, "Don't stay cooped up at home all the time; it's good to get out for some air."
Meng Yao nodded repeatedly, waved goodbye to him, and left the store, not wanting Huangfu Shaohua to misunderstand their situation.
Hearing her say they were just friends, Hong Jiaxi's heart sank.
In her heart, she still had no feelings for him. How could he make her remember that they were the most loving couple?
It was still early before the movie started, so they found a place to sit and ordered drinks.
Meng Yao absently sipped her drink, still wondering when Song Jiaping would return and pick her up.
"Meng Yao, have you remembered anything about our past these last two days?" Hong Jiaxi asked.
Meng Yao shook her head and said, "I still can't recall anything."
Hong Jiaxi asked, unwilling to give up, "What about in your dreams? Have you dreamt of me?"
Meng Yao didn't answer him. Instead, she said, "Jiaxi, I don't want to watch the movie anymore. Please take me home. What if Song Jiaping comes to pick me up and I'm not here?"
"Jiaping, Jiaping! Why are you so obsessed with him now?" Hong Jiaxi couldn't control himself and blurted out, "He's a liar! He's deceiving you! He's deliberately trying to break us up!"
Meng Yao was startled by his angry outburst and stared at him blankly. "But he and I are husband and wife. We have a marriage certificate…"
"Just because you got a certificate with him doesn't mean he won't lie to you!" Hong Jiaxi said angrily. "Why didn't you tell me when you returned to Lan City? Why didn't you come to find me? Otherwise, it should have been me you got married to!"
"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," Meng Yao said, hastily standing up, wanting only to leave.
Hong Jiaxi then realized his loss of composure and hurried after her, "Meng Yao, Meng Yao, don't go!"
"I want to go back by myself…"
Hong Jiaxi grabbed her arm, holding her tightly. "I'm sorry, my attitude was bad just now, but those words have been weighing on my heart for a long time. I don't know why you left without a word back then, without leaving me a note or a letter! Do you know how much pain I've been in all these years?"
Meng Yao just wanted to break free from him. She couldn't answer his questions, as she still couldn't remember anything about what happened back then.
"Okay, okay," Hong Jiaxi tried to calm himself down. "I know it's not your fault; you've lost your past memories. I won't say anything more, and I won't force you to recall anything. For now, we're just friends, yes, just friends."
Seeing him gradually regain his composure, Meng Yao said, "Let go of me. I want to go home."
Hong Jiaxi released her arm, having to accept the fact that he was still a stranger in her heart.
"Whatever you say. I'll take you back now."
Meng Yao went with him to the mall's underground parking lot. Along the way, she deliberately kept her distance, afraid he might lose control of his emotions again.
As they just stepped out of the elevator, they saw a car starting to drive away.
Meng Yao caught a glimpse of the driver in the departing car and thought it looked like Song Jiaping. She quickly took a couple of steps forward but was pulled back by Hong Jiaxi.
"Don't do that. I promise I won't get angry with you again." Hong Jiaxi thought she was trying to leave on her own again.
Since he had brought her out, he felt obligated to see her home; he did have some gentlemanly manners.
Meng Yao shook him off and turned to tell him she had seen Song Jiaping.
But remembering his resentful demeanor just moments ago, she forcefully suppressed the words she was about to say and changed her tune to, "The car that just left looked very familiar."
"Oh, that was your second brother's Bentley. It's normal for it to look familiar."
Meng Yao, with no memory at all, asked, "My second brother's car? Then who was his driver?"
"I don't know about that. Let's go; my car is parked over there." Hong Jiaxi tried to make himself feel better, thinking that looking at Meng Yao like this, she didn't just forget him but also had no memory of her own family.
Meng Yao, even after returning home, kept thinking about the driver she had glimpsed.
Could it be that her intense longing for Song Jiaping was causing her to hallucinate?
Wu Xiufang saw her return so early and followed her, asking, "Didn't you watch the movie? Why did you come back so soon?"
Meng Yao replied distractedly, "No." She then walked into her room, closing the door with a bang.
She shut Wu Xiufang out and locked the door, not wanting anyone to disturb her any further.