I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 6

“I’ve imagined countless times her kneeling before me on one knee, but in every scenario, it was to propose, not to apply some ointment.”

“In my mind, if she were sincere enough and the proposal ceremony grand enough, I might reluctantly agree, it’s not like there’s no room for negotiation.”

“She’s right in front of me, yet she doesn’t recognize me… Well, at least it’s better than not seeing her at all.”

Nan Xi rambled on dejectedly, while Dr. Zhang, sitting across from her, furrowed his brows in deep thought, as if facing some great dilemma.

Nan Xi spoke rapidly, as though pouring out all the grievances she had bottled up inside.

He didn’t dare interrupt or interject casually, waiting until she paused to drink water before tentatively asking:

“So, Miss Nan, this… friend you’ve recently reunited with, could she be suffering from amnesia?”

The two of them were still seated in the Nan family’s greenhouse garden, facing each other alone.

Mu Xi had arranged for a table and two chairs to be placed in the center of the garden before leaving with the others, leaving the space to the doctor and his client.

“Yes.” Nan Xi took a sip from her cup. The water was still warm; Mu Xi had made sure it was prepared for her earlier. “She doesn’t remember anything at all.”

Her tone carried a hint of sorrow, but it quickly sharpened again. “Doctor, why do people lose their memories?”

“Well, that’s not my area of expertise, but I can offer some possible explanations.” Dr. Zhang wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. “Brain injury, that’s the most common cause. Besides that, memory loss can also result from other illnesses or severe emotional distress.”

Nan Xi chewed over his words, mentally comparing them to the situation.

Soon, her palms began to sweat, and she grew visibly uneasy.

Dr. Zhang immediately noticed her discomfort and encouraged her: “Is there something worrying you?”

“If… just if.” Nan Xi lifted her gaze to meet the doctor’s eyes. “If she really wanted to forget, then…”

“The human mind is a strange thing. If her desire to forget was strong enough, strong enough to affect her well-being, then yes, it’s possible.”

After hearing this, Nan Xi’s mood shifted again, sinking even deeper than before, as though his answer had struck a heavy blow.

Dr. Zhang was well aware that he was the Nan family’s psychologist, and his primary duty today was to serve Nan Xi, not the amnesiac she had mentioned.

His task was to guide Nan Xi in releasing her negative emotions and improving her mental state through this conversation.

He studied the young lady sitting across from him, privileged, well-groomed, living a life of comfort, physically and mentally healthy. The simple psychological tests he had conducted earlier showed that, though Nan Xi was troubled by some negative emotions, overall, she remained optimistic and full of promise.

Her current frown and gloomy expression were just temporary. Guiding someone like her was actually quite simple.

“Miss Nan, you don’t need to dwell on this too much. What matters most is that you’ve found each other again.”

A hint of confusion flickered in Nan Xi’s tired eyes as her hair gently brushed against her neck with the motion of her lifting her head, then cascaded down her shoulders.

“What?”

“When a patient suffers from amnesia, aside from the patient themselves, the ones who suffer the most are their loved ones. In such times, they usually provide careful companionship and nurturing, waiting for the spark of memory to reappear.”

Dr. Zhang smiled kindly. “But even if the treatment results aren’t ideal, many patients can still form new connections with those around them, after all, they were people who loved each other to begin with.”

People who loved each other to begin with…

Nan Xi was struck by these words, her red lips parting slightly as if suddenly enlightened.

“You’re right,” she murmured. “What’s done is done, and the opportunity is right in front of me. I should find a way…”

Dr. Zhang nodded in relief.

It seemed their counseling session would soon come to an end.

“Find a way to make her fall hopelessly in love with me again. Then ruthlessly cast her aside, so she can experience the pain I went through…”

“Yes, she has to suffer just as much as I did…”

Dr. Zhang: “?”

“Wait. Miss Nan. That’s not what I meant, the point is…”

Dr. Zhang, momentarily stunned, tried to reason with her, but Nan Xi had already risen from her chair, walked around the desk, and grasped his hand sincerely.

“I completely understand what you’re saying. Thank you, Dr. Zhang.”

With that, Nan Xi swished her skirt and strode out of the greenhouse, leaving Dr. Zhang sitting there in disarray.

She understood?

That didn’t seem quite right, hadn’t the earlier tests screened for dark tendencies?

Or was she just joking?

…If Nan Xi really did something unethical or irrational, she’d better not mention his name!

Dr. Zhang remained frozen in place until soon after, the butler Mu Xi entered with a document and took a seat in the spot Nan Xi had just vacated.

Mu Xi’s professional smile was as impeccable as ever, a stark contrast in Dr. Zhang’s eyes to the gloomy Nan Xi from moments ago, like a bright, cheerful sun in the sky.

But her purpose here wasn’t quite so bright and cheerful.

“Dr. Zhang, there’s a contract here that requires your signature,” Mu Xi said considerately, placing a pen beside his hand with the tip facing herself. “You must guarantee not to disclose any details about your counseling sessions with Miss Nan Xi. Otherwise, the consequences are outlined here, please review them carefully.”

Dr. Zhang understood perfectly, wealthy people were always the most paranoid about privacy leaks.

He signed the contract without hesitation, yet even afterward, his mind was still elsewhere, troubled by the not-entirely-successful counseling session.

After a long pause, Dr. Zhang finally steeled himself and said to Mu Xi, “Butler Mu, please also relay to Miss Nan’s family that they should show her more care and affection, preferably spending more time with her.”

Mu Xi was taken aback. “Is the young lady’s psychological condition that severe?”

If so, she’d have to revise the plan for addressing Nan Xi’s mental health, which might involve adjustments to her schedule, diet, social interactions…

“Not exactly.” It was more that the safety of those around her was somewhat concerning.

After mysteriously dropping that line, Dr. Zhang refused to say anything more. He stood up from his chair, tucked his briefcase under his arm, and left the greenhouse before departing the Nan residence.

Mu Xi escorted him all the way to the gate. As she walked back home, she pondered how much Nan Xi’s psychological issues might have to do with her.

…She had a feeling she might be biting off more than she could chew, but she was genuinely satisfied with this job, though demanding, the pay was exceptionally good. How could she ensure she kept it?

Dr. Zhang mentioned he needed to communicate with Nan Xi’s family as well. Of course, a professional’s advice had to be followed.

Mu Xi looked up at the setting sun in the western sky. Nan Xi’s physical exam and psychological consultation had easily consumed the entire afternoon. Soon, Nan Zhiya and Nan Nan would return home.

Nan Lian was currently away on a business trip, and Guan Yan was out of town gathering inspiration. That left her to relay the information to the two family members who were home on Nan Xi’s behalf.

Recalling the look Nan Xi had given her when she saw her in the living room after leaving the greenhouse, that strange mix of calmness and intensity, persistence and struggle… Maybe there really were some psychological issues at play.

Ten minutes later, Nan Nan arrived home, and thirty minutes after that, Nan Zhiya returned as well.

As the head of the household, Nan Zhiya was warmly greeted by the butler and all the servants the moment she stepped through the door. From the instant her car entered the Nan family garden, Mu Xi began directing everyone to bring the dishes to the table and arrange them, waiting for Nan Zhiya to personally unveil what lay beneath the covers.

As Nan Zhiya passed by Mu Xi, she casually asked, “How was today?”

She was the kind of alpha woman who exuded an overwhelming presence, walking with an air of authority. After decades of a life where she commanded the wind and rain, she had only grown more formidable. Her insight and intuition were qualities Mu Xi deeply admired.

Mu Xi replied, “Everything at home is fine, no issues. Except… after dinner, I have some matters regarding the young miss to report to you.”

Nan Zhiya immediately stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Mu Xi, silent.

Though she was actually shorter than Mu Xi, her commanding presence made even an upward glance equally intimidating.

Her features were sharp and well-maintained, with only a few fine lines that did nothing to diminish her noble aura. Yet Mu Xi believed her beauty didn’t stem solely from her appearance but rather from the striking self-respect and confidence in her eyes.

“Understood.”

With that, Nan Zhiya turned and continued forward.

Upon seeing her children seated in the living room, the sharpness of her features visibly softened. She draped an arm over their shoulders as they headed to the dining table together, casually sharing amusing anecdotes from the day.

Nan Xi lounged casually, exchanging playful banter with Nan Nan several times. Though the siblings hadn’t seen each other in five years, they quickly rekindled their closeness upon reuniting, appearing to have a very good relationship.

Mu Xi followed behind them, thinking to herself: How could siblings like these end up locked in a life-and-death struggle, tearing their family apart?

Could the real conflict in the Nan family lie with the eldest sister, Nan Lian?

She didn’t remember much of the novel’s plot, otherwise, she wouldn’t be so utterly perplexed right now.

As the three of them dined, Mu Xi stood behind Nan Zhiya, ready to refill their wine glasses or clear their plates while listening in on their conversation.

The Nan family had no rule against talking at the table. Nan Xi brought up the afternoon’s physical exam herself: “The doctor said I’m healthy, though a bit on the weaker side.”

“That’s great,” Nan Nan said excitedly. “Now I can rest easy. Once I have some time off, I’ll take you out to have some fun.”

Nan Xi elegantly rolled her eyes. “I have experiments to do. No time for outings with you.”

Nan Zhiya said calmly, “Experiments are important, but you should also get out more.”

As Nan Zhiya methodically sliced the meat, her demeanor with her family was entirely different from how she usually acted toward Mu Xi and the other employees. Her usual sharpness softened into a rare gentleness, marked by patience and understanding.

Her demanding nature was reserved solely for her subordinates, she’d pile a full day’s work onto Mu Xi but wouldn’t dream of letting Nan Xi stay an extra hour in the lab.

Mu Xi, who had no parents of his own, quietly basked in the warmth of this harmonious family atmosphere. Even carrying plates felt lighter, unaware of the storm about to hit him.

Nan Xi nodded thoughtfully, conceding that Nan Zhiya had a point.

But she still said, “Even so, I don’t want to go out with Nan Nan.”

“Then who do you want to go with?”

Nan Xi smiled faintly and pointed in the direction behind Nan Zhiya:

“I want Butler Mu to take me out.”