Forced into a Contract Flash Marriage with the Ice-Cold Beauty - Chapter 3

In the pitch-black bedroom, Ji Nanchan’s eyes were wide as saucers as she listened to the woman’s faint breathing.

She had been busy all day, so why was she tossing and turning, unable to sleep?

Forget it. She might as well take this chance to think about how to break the ice with this unconscious “white swan” once day broke.

Turning to face the woman on the sofa, Ji Nanchan began rehearsing her opening lines like a drama queen.

“Last night, I picked you up from the garbage dump. What happened? Are you okay?” Feeling it lacked impact, she quickly stopped herself. “No, no, that’s way too weak.”

Clearing her throat and lowering her voice, she put on a haughty expression: “Hey! This is the third time I’ve helped you. Is a ‘thank you’ too much to ask?”

Still unsatisfied, she muttered under her breath, “Hmm… isn’t that a bit too rude?”

She tried another approach, this time feigning seriousness: “What’s your name? Where do you live? If you’re fine, you should leave now.”

It still felt off. Nothing felt right.

Ji Nanchan buried her head in the pillow, kicking her legs in frustration. “So annoying. I should’ve just left her there.”

After rehearsing for half the night without finding a satisfactory approach, she finally drifted off to sleep.

Ji Nanchan had a heartwarming dream.

A little lamb, fluffy as a cloud, bounded into her arms.

She hugged the lamb, excitedly ruffling its soft, curly wool. Its plump, squishy feel made her reluctant to let go.

Then another lamb appeared, then a second, a third more and more until she was submerged in a blissful ocean of lambs.

This sense of fulfillment was like having her mouth stuffed with cotton candy, so satisfying it made her squint with delight.

Wait, why did this little lamb look so familiar?

Ji Nanchan lifted one up to her eyes and realized it looked exactly like the tattoo on that woman’s waist.

Just as countless question marks popped into her mind, the lamb transformed into the woman’s form and bleated at her.

Kicking the lamb away, she scrambled frantically out of the dream, only to find something even more terrifying waiting for her in reality.

Ji Nanchan smacked her lips, instinctively tightening her arms. A fragrant, soft warmth filled her embrace, so intoxicating it felt just like her dream.

Slowly lowering her drowsy gaze, she felt the woman’s tousled long curls tickling her neck. The woman was pressed against her chest, quietly admiring her sleeping face.

Her moist, lively eyes sparkled like grapes, shimmering with confusion yet brimming with an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

Compared to the day before, her aura was completely different, as if she were another person.

Perhaps feeling awkward about disturbing her, the woman waited until the person holding her finally opened her eyes before offering a sweet smile: “You’re awake?”

The air froze. Breathing tightened.

Thump, thump! Her adrenaline surged, her heart pounding so violently it felt like it would leap out of her throat. Ji Nanchan swallowed hard, forcing it back down.

The palm of her hand registered a soft, springy smoothness. Only then did she realize her hand had slipped inside the woman’s T-shirt, resting naturally on her waist.

So, the plump, squishy sensation from the lamb in her dream. She didn’t dare dwell on it further.

Snapping back to reality, Ji Nanchan bolted upright and put distance between them. Flustered, she covered her face, rubbing it repeatedly, thinking she had crossed a line.

The woman sat up as well. Being overly thin, her loose T-shirt couldn’t stay in place, and one shoulder slipped down to her arm.

Even Juewei couldn’t find collarbones this stunning such an unobstructed view of splendid scenery.

Ji Nanchan glanced up and was immediately captivated by the temptation of fragrant shoulders. She tried to pull the collar up with her fingertips, but it slipped back down the moment she let go.

Inwardly, she wailed: This won’t do, this won’t do! May the Buddha have mercy, don’t punish my integrity with such allure.

The woman tilted her head, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze, revealing a pair of sweet dimples. Yesterday, she had kept a stern face, making it impossible to notice.

Ji Nanchan’s soul was gone utterly gone. This situation was beyond her comprehension.

“Who are you?” the woman asked blankly, but then added with contradiction, “Who am I?”

Something felt off. Finally pinpointing the root of the issue, Ji Nanchan had a sudden realization could she have lost her memory?

Gurgle! A hungry growl sounded. The woman patted her stomach, pursed her lips, and stared at her with pleading eyes.

Ji Nanchan’s heart screamed like a cat scratching: Don’t look at me like that! But she’s so adorable!

She had imagined countless ice-breaking conversations, yet the plot had taken a turn straight out of a novel.

“Come with me,” Ji Nanchan said, rolling out of bed. The woman trailed behind her like a little tail, pattering along.

Entering the bathroom, she handed over a new toothbrush and kindly instructed, “I’ll make breakfast. You freshen up first, and we’ll talk over the meal.”

“Okay!” The woman cheerfully waved the toothbrush, her smile brighter than the Milky Way.

Outwardly calm, Ji Nanchan’s heart was in turmoil: If I’ve done something wrong, don’t punish me with cuteness.

She quickly retreated to the kitchen, pressing a hand to her chest as she caught her breath. What to do? What to do? What if she’s lost her memory?

Deal with it!

While waiting for the meal, she leaned against the counter, propping her chin as she sorted through her chaotic thoughts.

Judging by her aura and demeanor, the woman did seem to have amnesia, but there wasn’t a single injury on her. Could it be a problem inside her head?

Send her to the hospital? The police station? Dump her on the street? The same old options resurfaced.

Ding! A fourth answer popped into her mind.

Recalling how the woman had repeatedly provoked and snubbed her yesterday, leaving her fuming with unresolved anger, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity?

A mischievous grin spread across Ji Nanchan’s face.

Why not keep her at home as a maid while she’s amnesiac? An extra pair of hands for laundry, cooking and cleaning free labor. It was like manna from heaven.

She smacked her fist into her palm, making a unilateral decision: “You arrogant goose, it’s time to repay your debt.”

The woman popped her head in, energetically waving her arm. “I’m all freshened up.”

Interrupted, Ji Nanchan pointed toward the dining table, trying to shoo her away. “Breakfast is almost ready. Go wait over there.”

“Okay.”

How could she be so obedient? Ji Nanchan suddenly felt like a demon, guilty of swiping candy from a child.

.

Carrying breakfast to the table.

The woman sat with her hands on her knees, her obedient waiting expression searing into Ji Nanchan’s eyes.

She pulled out a chair and sat down, inwardly scolding herself: Deceiving an amnesiac girl in distress, I’m utterly wicked!

The woman proactively helped serve the porridge, but her movements were clumsy. Seeing her struggle, Ji Nanchan took the spoon. “Let me do it.”

The breakfast was simple: steamed buns, plain congee, and boiled eggs so bland it was almost criminal.

The woman eyed the pitiful spread and remarked with a hint of disappointment, “Is this all we’re having?”

“What else did you expect?”

“So tasteless.”

Ji Nanchan tore off a piece of steamed bun and stuffed it into her mouth, muttering under her breath, “You should be grateful there’s food to eat.”

“Why am I here?” Finally getting to the main point, the woman awaited a satisfactory answer.

Without batting an eye, Ji Nanchan launched into her fabricated tale. “Yesterday, you fell out of my car and hit your head on a utility pole. You have a mild concussion.”

“Can a concussion make someone forget who they are?” Clearly, the woman wasn’t buying it.

As expected, one lie required ten more to cover it up. Ji Nanchan spoke with even more conviction, “The brain is a tricky thing. Anyway, you’ve lost your memory.”

“Then who are you?” Entering the Q&A phase, the woman became a walking encyclopedia of questions.

“My name is Ji Nanchan and yours is Leng Bingqin. You’re my girlfriend, and this is my home.” The name was something Ji Nanchan made up on the spot she had a fondness for cold weapons and couldn’t resist a pun.

Besides, before losing her memory, the woman had been as cold and piercing as ice, a fitting description.

The woman took a sip of porridge and choked on her own name. “Cough, cough! Are you sure my name is Leng Bingqin? It sounds like an ice cream brand.”

“You can’t complain about the name your parents gave you. You are Leng Bingqin.” Ji Nanchan’s mouth was a devilish instrument of deception she could twist anything to sound reasonable.

Leng Bingqin nodded foolishly and didn’t press further. Stirring her porridge with a spoon, she suddenly blushed. “Are we really in a relationship? Why don’t I remember anything?”

“If we weren’t a couple, why were we hugging when you woke up? Why are you living in my home? And why do I know you so well?” Ji Nanchan countered questions with questions, effortlessly turning black into white.

To avoid raising suspicion, she casually added, “Besides, only I know about the little lamb tattoo on your lower back.”

Leng Bingqin’s eyes sparkled with naive curiosity. She immediately set down her spoon and began lifting her shirt.

Catching a glimpse of her fair, slender waist, Ji Nanchan’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly stopped her, “Hey, hey, hey! You can check in the mirror later. Finish your meal first.”

“Okay.”

This clueless little bunny was just too easy to fool!

Watching Leng Bingqin take small sips of her porridge, Ji Nanchan began another round of brainwashing. “In our life together, we have clear roles. I’m responsible for earning money and supporting the family, and you take care of the household chores.”

Leng Bingqin instinctively glanced at her fair, delicate hands, which didn’t seem suited for housework. “I don’t think I know how to do any life skills.”

“You’ve lost your memory. I’ll help you recover it bit by bit.” Ji Nanchan chuckled, deftly changing the subject. “It just so happens I’m off work today. After we eat, I’ll teach you everything, one step at a time.”

“Okay, I’ll definitely remember!” Leng Bingqin agreed eagerly, setting a small goal in her heart to become the best little housekeeper and take care of her girlfriend until she was plump and thriving.

After the meal, Ji Nanchan ordered her little housekeeper to carry the bowls and chopsticks into the kitchen.

She fetched a pair of rubber gloves and handed them over, explaining with flawless logic, “Do you know why your hands stay so beautiful even though you do housework every day? It’s because you always wear gloves.”

“So I’m really good at taking care of myself?” Leng Bingqin’s eyes curved into happy crescents as she deftly put on the gloves, ready to get to work.

Ji Nanchan then magically produced two small clips and fastened them to the collar of Leng Bingqin’s shirt, one on each side.

This way, the loose T-shirt wouldn’t slip off from time to time, giving off a strangely adorable vibe.

Leng Bingqin gave her a playful smile, her eyes sparkling with a hint of admiration. “Cen Cen, you’re so clever.”

Ji Nanchan wasn’t quite used to such an intimate nickname, but an indescribable joy surged in her heart. Though she hadn’t fully adjusted to having another person in the house, the liveliness was something she couldn’t help but cherish.

Leng Bingqin seemed smart, but she was surprisingly slow at learning household chores, often forgetting even the simplest steps.

Leaning against the counter, Ji Nanchan pondered. It wasn’t hard to guess from their encounter at the café yesterday that Leng Bingqin belonged to the “pampered rich flower” type.

But it wasn’t a big deal. With careful guidance, this “rich flower” was bound to become an all-around, high-quality little housekeeper.

Just as this firm conviction floated into her mind, a crash interrupted Ji Nanchan’s thoughts.

Looking at the shattered ceramic bowl scattered across the floor, the little housekeeper wore an innocent and helpless expression, her head drooping as she nervously fiddled with her fingers.

Seeing her so anxious and scared, Ji Nanchan couldn’t bring herself to get angry. Instead, she comforted her, “Breaking things brings peace. Let me clean it up.”

Not being scolded, Leng Bingqin immediately perked up, returning to her sunny self. “Cen Cen, you’re so good to me.”

How could this kid be so easily fooled and still think it’s great? Who wouldn’t sigh in disbelief? (Takes a deep drag of a cigarette.JPG)