After Losing My Memory, I Became My Adoptive Brother’s Caged Bird - Chapter 3

The Academy of Arts was set to open in mid-September.

When Meng Jin handed over the exquisitely packaged admission notice, Chen Jiaojiao’s heart felt as though it had been soaked in a jar of honey, both warm and sweet. He accepted the document with great care. He felt that the future this man had planned for him was stable and bright, and that Meng Jin was truly looking out for him.

If happiness had a physical form, it would surely look like this moment.

“Meng Jin,” Chen Jiaojiao looked up, his voice carrying an unconscious reliance and a hint of a plea. “I want to enroll in a bridging course before school starts. Is that okay? I am afraid I will not be able to keep up.”

Due to his amnesia, he lacked self-confidence and feared falling behind in his studies. A few days ago, while searching the computer for things to note before starting university, he had accidentally seen an advertisement for a bridging class. His eyes had flashed with pleasant surprise, and he had immediately taken note of it.

Meng Jin looked at him with a soft gaze but slowly shook his head. His tone allowed no room for doubt. While he truly cared for Jiaojiao’s health, he also harbored selfish motives. “No.”

After saying this, his hand gently moved to the back of Chen Jiaojiao’s neck, giving it a soft squeeze. It was a gesture that seemed comforting, yet it contained a level of control that Chen Jiaojiao did not yet understand. “Your body has not fully recovered. You need quiet rest. Those bridging classes are too chaotic and disorganized, and they are far from home. I am not at ease with it.”

Seeing disappointment cloud those expectant eyes, Meng Jin timely offered an alternative. “Jiaojiao’s private tutors will arrive tomorrow.”

The matter was settled. Two tutors quickly filled Chen Jiaojiao’s schedule. He studied diligently and became fully immersed, enjoying the feeling of his mind being filled with knowledge. It made him feel as though he was improving bit by bit, moving closer to the excellent version of his past self that Meng Jin had described.

One afternoon, the specialized subject teacher took a sudden leave of absence. Chen Jiaojiao took his thick German textbook and curled up in the hammock in the garden. As the sunlight filtered down, the German grammar rules began to feel more like a lullaby. Holding the book to his chest, his consciousness gradually blurred.

He slept lightly and vaguely sensed someone approaching, carrying a familiar and reassuring scent.

Meng Jin was back.

Chen Jiaojiao wanted to open his eyes and greet him, but for some reason, his body froze and he did not move. He suddenly remembered the awkward scene in the hospital when Meng Jin helped him change his clothes. Today was also the last day of his one-week adjustment period. Over the past few days, he had poured all his focus into his studies partly because he wanted to stay away from Meng Jin and clear his head.

Meng Jin noticed he was asleep but did not wake him. Instead, he sat down casually on the grass beside the hammock.

Chen Jiaojiao could feel Meng Jin’s gaze resting on his face like something tangible, intense and thick. This made him even more afraid to wake up, so he kept his breathing light and slow.

Then, he heard a very faint sound of a zipper, followed by a small, soft sound.

“Woof!”

Chen Jiaojiao’s heart skipped a beat. It was that puppy! The yellow-brown Maltese that had always sneaked into his room to stay by his side when he was hospitalized.

He almost broke his act. He wanted to open his eyes, pull the furry little creature into his arms, and give it a kiss. But in the next second, he heard Meng Jin emit a very soft, commanding sound. The puppy, which had just made a noise, immediately became quiet and obedient.

Closing his eyes, a slight, untraceable sense of unease flickered through Chen Jiaojiao’s heart. Was it because Meng Jin was afraid of waking him? The thought passed quickly, and he decided it was time to wake up.

Chen Jiaojiao pretended to be startled. His eyelashes fluttered several times before he moved the book from his face. What met his eyes was Meng Jin’s face, close by and wearing a gentle smile, and the puppy in his arms that was trying hard to wag its tail without being too forceful.

“Are you awake?” Meng Jin’s voice was low and warm. He held the puppy out toward him. “Look, I brought him here to keep you company.”

Chen Jiaojiao sat up and took the warm little body, burying his face in its soft, fluffy fur. He used the gesture to hide his guilt for faking sleep and that inexplicable sense of awkwardness.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice muffled by the puppy’s fur.

With the puppy’s company, Chen Jiaojiao became much more lively. This brought some relief to Meng Jin, who had been brooding. As for why he was brooding, only he knew.

“Nian Gao” was the name Chen Jiaojiao gave the puppy because he was truly so clingy.

Sitting on the lawn, Chen Jiaojiao held Nian Gao in his arms. The puppy stuck out its tongue to lick his chin. Chen Jiaojiao’s usually cold and distant features gradually melted under Nian Gao’s enthusiastic attack.

“No, Nian Gao,” Chen Jiaojiao leaned back to avoid the puppy’s kisses, laughing out loud. “You are getting saliva everywhere!”

Meng Jin, who had changed his clothes and returned, saw this scene. His eyes darkened, and his heart felt incredibly sour with jealousy. Expressionless, he took Nian Gao from Chen Jiaojiao’s arms and handed the dog to a servant. His voice was devoid of emotion. “He has not had a bath.”

Nian Gao let out a pitiful whimper. Chen Jiaojiao watched longingly and was about to say he could wash the dog himself when Meng Jin cut him off. “Go to the study. I will check your schoolwork.”

He watched Meng Jin’s retreating back and had no choice but to follow. However, Meng Jin walked faster and faster, and soon a large distance grew between them.

Huh? Meng Jin is a bit strange today. He did not even wait for me! He always used to.

By the time he entered the study, Meng Jin was already seated. Before him lay a book and a smooth wooden ferule.

Chen Jiaojiao shivered for no reason. He stole a glance at that frost-cold face. No matter how slow he was, he could feel the low pressure in the study. He knew Meng Jin was in a very bad mood. He quickly reviewed his actions for the day and confirmed he had done nothing wrong.

It must be work then, Chen Jiaojiao thought, frowning slightly. He did not like it when Meng Jin brought his work frustrations home.

Seeing the shifting expressions on Chen Jiaojiao’s face, Meng Jin rolled up his sleeves. He slowly picked up the ferule and tapped it against his palm, testing the weight and force. Simultaneously, his deep voice echoed in the silent study. “Come here.”

Chen Jiaojiao straightened his back and walked over to him. Amnesia had not erased the innate pride and aloofness in his bones. He was still that cold, jade-like youth. Facing Meng Jin’s questions, he answered fluently. The small, suppressed sparkle of pride in his eyes was exceptionally moving.

Meng Jin let out an imperceptible chuckle. He used the tip of the ferule to flip a page and then, with a sharp smack, he closed the book. He looked up, locking eyes with Chen Jiaojiao, and asked a simple question. “How do you say ‘I love you’ in German?”

Chen Jiaojiao froze. That sentence was not in the grammar book. Usually, they studied rules, vocabulary, and rigorous expressions. He knew clearly that this was a study assessment, but hearing those words from Meng Jin’s mouth, with his unique vocal quality, made Chen Jiaojiao’s heart feel as if it had been gently squeezed. He was thrown into total disarray.

He did not know the answer, nor did he know how to say those words to Meng Jin.

Meng Jin stood up and approached him step by step. His tall silhouette carried an invisible pressure, forcing Chen Jiaojiao back against the edge of the desk until there was nowhere left to retreat. Their breaths nearly mingled. He spoke again, his voice lower, the end of the sentence sounding like a hook. “Do you know it?”

Chen Jiaojiao’s long eyelashes quivered violently. He kept his eyes down and said nothing, only silently holding out his palm.

Meng Jin’s warm palm wrapped around his fingertips. The ferule in his other hand tapped twice against Chen Jiaojiao’s palm, as if finding the right position and force, carrying an inexplicable meaning.

Suddenly, a crisp smack rang out.

The force was well-controlled and did not hurt, but a huge wave of grievance surged in Chen Jiaojiao’s heart. His nose felt sour, and he struggled to hold back his tears.

At that moment, Meng Jin spoke the sentence in German clearly and slowly. His tone was far more lingering and solemn than when he usually taught. “Ich liebe dich.”

After speaking, he looked at Chen Jiaojiao with a calm gaze, returning to his composed, teacher-like demeanor. “Since Jiaojiao does not know it, you shall learn it from me.”

Chen Jiaojiao lowered his head and bit his lower lip tightly, stubbornly refusing to repeat the words. His inexplicable awkwardness was fully visible.

Meng Jin raised an eyebrow. The hand he held in his palm showed no intention of pulling away, which felt like a silent form of resistance. Having lived in comfort for so long, Meng Jin had almost forgotten that Chen Jiaojiao was, at his core, a cold and stubborn person. Usually, when he acted like this, it meant he was angry.

His eyes swept over Chen Jiaojiao’s slightly reddened palm and moist eyelashes. With a clatter, he tossed the ferule onto the desk.

Meng Jin took a step forward, closing the distance between them until they were almost pressed together. He cupped Chen Jiaojiao’s face, seeing the eyes that were red and misty, yet still stubbornly refusing to look at him.

Shamefully, he thought the boy looked beautiful while crying.

Had he really bullied him to this extent?

“It is my fault,” Meng Jin cursed himself inwardly. After cursing himself, he began to coax the boy. “If you do not want to learn it, you do not have to. Jiaojiao, stop being angry, okay?”

Chen Jiaojiao refused to look at him. He sniffled, his voice muffled and full of grievance. “You clearly used me as a vent for your anger. Do not bring your work emotions home.”

The word “home” brushed against Meng Jin’s heart like a feather. He chuckled and could not resist leaning down to take a gentle, playful bite of that puffed-up cheek. “You little ingrate. I was merely jealous that you spent more time with Nian Gao than with me.”

Chen Jiaojiao realized what was happening and looked at Meng Jin with a bit of anger. He raised a hand to cover his cheek and said in disbelief, “Nian Gao is a puppy!”

Meng Jin said nothing. He just looked at him silently. That gaze seemed to say: I can be your puppy too.

Realizing what he was thinking, Chen Jiaojiao suddenly pushed Meng Jin away and ran out.

That night, Chen Jiaojiao lay on the large double bed. Although they maintained a proper distance, Meng Jin’s arm wrapped around him from behind. Warm body heat traveled through the fabric of their clothes as they pressed close together. His body stiffened slightly, but he did not pull away.

Once the breathing behind him became steady and deep, Chen Jiaojiao gently moved the arm away from his waist. He let out a breath, feeling as though he had come back to life.

He turned his back and looked out the window. Using only a whisper, he recited the sentence he had practiced in his heart all night.

“Ich liebe dich.”

He was a fast learner. His pronunciation was perfect. It carried his usual cold tone but lacked the lingering quality of Meng Jin’s voice.

In the darkness, Meng Jin’s lips curled into a silent smile.

Just as Chen Jiaojiao finally drifted into sleep, Meng Jin opened his eyes. He looked at the person beside him. The emotions he had suppressed poured out, thick and inseparable. Finally, with great restraint, he left a kiss on the corner of Chen Jiaojiao’s mouth.