Liu Nanfeng woke from his slumber, but instead of feeling refreshed, he felt groggy and mentally exhausted.
He sat up and shook his head, but the heaviness in his mind didn't dissipate. He looked around; Su Jinxiu was already up, the thin gauze curtains rustling in the breeze, casting a soft glow.
He got out of bed and went to the balcony. Glancing at the rolling river, his vision suddenly blurred, and a torrent of information flooded his mind, causing a sharp pain.
"What's wrong with me?" Liu Nanfeng wondered.
The pain came and went quickly, but he felt something was off, as if the world were shrouded in a thin veil, a hazy, oppressive feeling that made him uneasy.
Just then, he heard a faint sound from the living room. Jinxiu was making breakfast.
Thinking of this, a smile tugged at Liu Nanfeng's lips.
They had been married for over a year, and Su Jinxiu still woke up every day to make him breakfast. Where could he find a wife like her? His affection threatened to overflow from his chest.
He opened the bedroom door and walked out, indeed seeing Su Jinxiu busy in the kitchen.
Without disturbing her, he headed straight for the bathroom and pushed the door open.
And then—
He saw a graceful figure standing before the mirror, clad only in a sexy nightgown.
(╬▔皿▔)
"Sorry, sorry..."
Liu Nanfeng apologized quickly and shut the door with a click, his face a mask of panic.
He let out a sigh of relief, then turned his head to see Su Jinxiu standing at the kitchen doorway, looking at him.
"Wife, let me explain. I didn't mean to. I didn't know Huamei would come to my house..." Liu Nanfeng stammered nervously.
He then rubbed his temples, feeling his head ache even more.
Su Jinxiu, hearing him call her wife and mention Su Huamei's name, seemed surprised.
"You remember everything now?" Su Jinxiu asked, a hint of joy in her voice.
"What?" Liu Nanfeng had no idea what she was talking about.
Just then, the bedroom door behind him opened, and Su Huamei, wearing a sexy set of lingerie, walked out.
"What's all the commotion this early in the morning? What's wrong?" Su Huamei leaned in and examined Liu Nanfeng closely.
Her delicate collarbone, her full and fair cleavage, her shapely buttocks partially hidden by the seductive lingerie, her long, elegant legs…
Liu Nanfeng's eyes were nearly popping out. Was his sister-in-law this bold?
But what surprised him even more was Su Huamei leaning in to feel his forehead, her face etched with concern.
"Huamei, you—you can't do this. I'm your brother-in-law," Liu Nanfeng backed away, his face filled with dread.
"Huh? What are you doing? Playing dress-up? This is even more exciting?" Su Huamei asked with a smile.
Liu Nanfeng was somewhat dazed, feeling even more disoriented.
"Alright, Huamei, go get dressed. What are you doing dressed like this so early in the morning?"
At this point, Su Jinxiu walked over and stood between them.
"I was taking a shower and forgot to get my clothes. Besides, it's my own home, what's the big deal?" Su Huamei said dismissively.
Though Su Huamei said this, she still turned to go back to her room. But as she took a step, she felt something was wrong.
Turning back, she saw Liu Nanfeng's blushing face and his visibly anxious expression, which didn't seem faked. She frowned and asked Su Jinxiu, "What's wrong with brother-in-law? What happened?"
"Go get dressed first," Su Jinxiu said, covering her forehead with a sigh of exasperation.
Hearing this, Su Huamei returned to her room full of confusion.
Seeing her leave, Liu Nanfeng quickly explained to Su Jinxiu, "I really didn't mean to. Nothing happened between me and her. You have to believe me."
Su Jinxiu rolled her eyes at him. Nothing happened? Everything that should have happened had happened.
"Do you remember what day it is today?" Su Jinxiu asked.
"April 18th, I think? I remember yesterday was the 17th, and we went to pick up goods together. By the way, when did that Huamei arrive? I don't remember," he said.
Hearing this, Su Jinxiu immediately recalled the time. It was shortly after they had opened their coffee shop. They used to procure the coffee beans themselves before switching to delivery services.
Thus, Liu Nanfeng's memory had recovered significantly, much to Su Jinxiu's delight. She figured it wouldn't be long before Liu Nanfeng's memory was fully restored.
Seeing Su Jinxiu smile, Liu Nanfeng felt no relief, only more apprehension.
"Um..."
He was about to try to explain again when Su Jinxiu interrupted him, "Breakfast is ready. Go wash up quickly, then eat."
With that, she turned and went into the kitchen. Liu Nanfeng scratched his head in confusion. Was this matter just going to be let go?
But it was good that it was. He let out a sigh of relief and turned into the washroom.
Halfway through washing up, he saw Su Huamei standing at the doorway, looking at him strangely.
Liu Nanfeng quickly rinsed his mouth and said to her, "Huamei, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to just now. I didn't expect you were in there. But when did you arrive? I don't remember."
Liu Nanfeng frowned and tried to recall, but his mind felt as if a heavy stone were pressing down on it, making everything hazy and impossible to remember.
Su Huamei now realized that something was wrong with Liu Nanfeng. Without a word, she turned and went to the kitchen to ask Su Jinxiu.
When Liu Nanfeng finished washing his face and came out, Su Jinxiu and Su Huamei were already sitting at the dining table, waiting for him.
Liu Nanfeng walked over nervously and sat down next to Su Jinxiu.
"Let's eat," Su Jinxiu said.
Liu Nanfeng breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, Su Jinxiu continued, "After eating, I have something to tell you."
Liu Nanfeng, who had just picked up his rice bowl, froze. Then, with a dejected expression, he put the bowl down.
"Why don't you say it now? I have no appetite for eating right now. I already said it was an accident, and I'll be more careful next time..."
"No, you did it on purpose. You stood at the door and watched for a long time," Su Huamei interrupted him.
Liu Nanfeng: ∑(￣□￣*|||
"Don't talk nonsense. I didn't. Wife, let me explain," Liu Nanfeng panicked.
"Explain what? Explain why you were peeping at me this morning?" Su Huamei asked teasingly, fanning the flames.
"I didn't."
Liu Nanfeng was sweating profusely from anxiety, and then his head swam.
A multitude of lights erupted from his forehead and spread outwards, startling the two sisters, who quickly cast protective spells to prevent its spread.
Centered on Liu Nanfeng's head, a magnificent and grand landscape unfolded before them, with countless fragments of memories rotating rhythmically around a halo of light.
"What's happening?" Su Huamei asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
Su Jinxiu glared at her but then explained, "He's organizing his memories."
Upon closer inspection, interspersed among these majestic and wondrous scenes were many memories belonging to Liu Nanfeng, causing many of them to be incomplete and disconnected.
This was because Ren Yang's vast stream of memories had impacted Liu Nanfeng's original memories, resulting in a chaotic jumble.
This was not harmful to the soul, which was why the Soul Guard Grass had not worked.
But at this moment, a scene from Liu Nanfeng's memories caused Su Jinxiu to gasp in astonishment.
"How could this be?"
It was a towering, magnificent monument with three large characters inscribed on it.
"Nantianmen" (South Heaven Gate)