I Got A Girlfriend After Losing My Memory (Transmigration) - Chapter 41

Since Tang Fuzhi had come all the way to H City, Tao Ran felt it was necessary to formally introduce the girl to Old Master Huo.

Tang Fuzhi, who was applying makeup in front of the mirror, glared at her. “It’s all your fault! How am I supposed to cover this up?”

Even when angry, the girl’s voice remained soft and gentle, lacking any real force.

Tao Ran lowered her gaze, studying the slender nape beneath the little girl’s coiled hair. It was still marked with the red traces of their encounter from the previous afternoon.

Though the marks had faded considerably overnight, thanks to the ointment applied yesterday, faint remnants lingered.

The marks on Tang Fuzhi’s body would have been more conspicuous, but thankfully, clothing could conceal them. Only her neck remained exposed.

After all, it was still August, and wearing a high-collared shirt would look utterly bizarre, like burying one’s head in the sand.

Left with no other choice, Tao Ran selected a foundation with strong concealing power, barely managing to cover the faint marks.

Tao Ran lowered her head, placed a hand on Tang Fuzhi’s shoulder, and kissed her hair. She chuckled, “Grandpa Huo is a very kind person. He won’t mind if we visit him a few days later.”

Tang Fuzhi shot Tao Ran a playful glance, laced with a hint of reproach. “How can we do that? Since Grandpa Huo has been good to you, it’s even more important for us to go soon.” Otherwise, it would make her look quite rude.

Tao Ran let out a low laugh, her voice colored with a touch of indulgence. “Mmm, my Tang Tang is the most polite of all.”

Tang Fuzhi instantly recalled what had happened the night before, and a blush crept onto her cheeks. “I am not ‘yours’ yet!”

She hadn’t forgotten Tao Ran’s rather basic proposal the previous night. While sincerity was the most important thing in a proposal, there still

needed to be some sense of ceremony, not just that forceful way of tying one’s girlfriend to the bed. It wasn’t romantic at all.

Tao Ran had already confirmed Tang Fuzhi’s feelings last night. Now that she was rational and sober, she naturally knew that even though the girl was saying no, she was truly hers in her heart. She wasn’t going to lose control again.

Her lips moved intimately to Tang Fuzhi’s earlobe. Her sharp teeth gently grazed the pale, tender skin, watching it turn from white to red before her eyes. She chuckled softly, “Mmm, not yet, but you will be very soon.”

Her words piqued Tang Fuzhi’s curiosity. She wondered how Tao Ran would propose to her. But no matter the setting, as long as Tao Ran had put her heart into preparing it, she would love it. Just thinking about the moment made Tang Fuzhi feel like her heart was dipped in honey—sweet and blissful.

Before leaving, Tang Fuzhi carefully checked herself in the mirror, reaching up to push her long hair over a few of the marks. This was mainly to hide the tooth mark; the red marks could be somewhat covered with foundation, but the blatant bite mark was impossible to hide and had to be covered by her hair. She grabbed Tao Ran’s hand and anxiously asked, “Take a look, are they all covered?”

Tao Ran studied the girl’s flustered, adorable expression. She took Tang Fuzhi’s hand and said gently, “Relax, no one can see a thing.”

Only then did Tang Fuzhi squeeze Tao Ran’s hand in return, close her eyes, and take a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, she had managed to calm her nerves. “Let’s go.”

******

The Huo residence was quite vast. The main hall was bright and spacious, with imported marble flooring. Most of the furniture followed a minimalist white aesthetic, and in various corners were several thriving green plants that Tang Fuzhi didn’t recognize.

Grandpa Huo was sitting on the sofa. Hearing the sound, he turned his head and saw Tao Ran walking in, holding Tang Fuzhi’s hand. Even though they hadn’t exchanged a single word, just the sight of them walking hand-in-hand conveyed a closeness and intimate atmosphere that no one could intrude upon.

“Tao, my girl, you’ve finally brought your girlfriend over,” Grandpa Huo said with a hearty laugh.

As she got closer, Tang Fuzhi noticed that Huo Yuxin was also there. Perhaps Huo Yuan or Grandpa Huo had spoken to her, but Huo Yuxin’s gaze toward Tang Fuzhi was filled with deep apology.

“Grandpa Huo.”

“Hello, Grandpa Huo.”

“Yuxin told me about yesterday. It was her fault for not checking her facts before running over and talking nonsense to you.” Grandpa Huo immediately took responsibility and glared at Huo Yuxin.

Huo Yuxin quickly lowered her head to apologize. Her voice was muffled, showing genuine remorse rather than resentment. “I’m sorry…”

Tang Fuzhi waved her hand, smiling. “It’s alright, really.”

Grandpa Huo seemed very amiable, but Tang Fuzhi couldn’t shake the feeling—whether it was her imagination or not—that during their subsequent conversation, his words felt like a test. She gripped Tao Ran’s hand tighter, her palm starting to sweat with nervousness.

Tao Ran naturally noticed the girl’s anxiety. Her soft, long hair clung to her sides, every muscle in her body was tense, and her fair, delicate hand was gripping hers tightly, her fingertips faintly white. She squeezed Tang Fuzhi’s hand back, her eyes soft, as if comforting her. “Grandpa Huo, I heard the garden was renovated last year. Let me take Tang Tang to see it.”

The question Grandpa Huo was about to ask was cut short. He glanced at Tao Ran, clearly seeing the determination in her eyes, and laughed heartily. “Just a few questions, and you’re already being so protective, you little rascal.”

“Alright, alright. I won’t interfere in you young people’s affairs. Go on now.” He waved his hand, his expression not showing any displeasure.

Tang Fuzhi, still feeling quite anxious, was led away by Tao Ran.

The Huo family’s garden was vast. The meticulously manicured green lawn spread out like a carpet, a scene of vibrant life. Large trees were lush with foliage, and a huge patch of pure white lilies grew, beautiful and pristine. In the center of the garden was a swing chair.

Tao Ran led Tang Fuzhi to sit on the swing chair, but Tang Fuzhi’s mind was still stuck on the conversation with Grandpa Huo. She looked up and asked, “Does Grandpa Huo dislike me?” Dislike was putting it mildly; Tang Fuzhi even felt that Grandpa Huo had a problem with her.

Tao Ran looked down at the girl’s clear eyes, her long lashes fluttering. She cupped Tang Fuzhi’s face with both hands, meeting her gaze, and smiled. “How could he? My Tang Tang is so sweet and lovely. Who could possibly dislike you?”

“I don’t believe that,” Tang Fuzhi replied. She wasn’t foolish; she might not know many things, but that didn’t mean she knew nothing. Grandpa Tao had also asked her many questions, but it felt like a senior showing concern for a junior. Grandpa Huo was different; to put it harshly, Tang Fuzhi felt like he was interrogating her.

Tao Ran sat down beside Tang Fuzhi, her hand resting on the girl’s shoulder, her fingers twirling a few loose strands of hair. Her whole body was close to Tang Fuzhi, and her nose was filled with the faint scent of white tea that clung to her. It was a lovely, soothing scent.

“It’s because of my mother.”

Tang Fuzhi paused, realizing that she had met Grandpa Tao, but she had never met Tao Ran’s parents, nor had Tao Ran ever mentioned them.

Tao Ran’s voice grew heavier. Tang Fuzhi’s intuition told her that Tao Ran’s mother might not be a pleasant memory. She turned to Tao Ran, reached out, and hugged her.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

The young girl’s voice was soft, yet it inexplicably gave Tao Ran a sense of strength.

Her mother’s story had always been a scar on her heart, but…

Tao Ran lowered her gaze to Tang Fuzhi, whose eyes were filled with nothing but her. The pure concern in those eyes was exactly the same as it had been before her amnesia.

There’s really nothing I can’t tell her, Tao Ran thought. If Tang Fuzhi knew before her amnesia, there’s no reason she shouldn’t know now.

Tao Ran’s fingers unconsciously played with the young girl’s hair as she seemed to sink into memories. “I was Grandpa’s only daughter.

I was spoiled rotten growing up, never faced any real hardship, except for my father.”

From Tao Ran’s words, Tang Fuzhi finally understood Old Master Huo’s hostility toward her. He was indeed testing her.

Tao Ran’s mother had fallen for the wrong man. After giving birth to Tao Ran, she grew increasingly despondent and ultimately took her own life.

No wonder Old Master Huo treats me this way, Tang Fuzhi thought. He’s afraid Tao Ran will repeat her mother’s mistakes.

Tao Ran spoke in a flat, detached tone, as if recounting someone else’s story. She glossed over many painful details with a single sentence.

Tang Fuzhi held Tao Ran tightly, her heart aching with sympathy.

Though Tao Ran didn’t say it, Tang Fuzhi knew that every pain she brushed aside had been personally endured.

“I’ll never be like your father,” Tang Fuzhi vowed, her soft voice ringing with unwavering conviction. “I’ll always treat you well.”

The little girl’s earnest tone, combined with her gentle voice, made her vow sound as sacred as an oath.

Tao Ran’s heart softened. She returned Tang Fuzhi’s embrace, resting her chin lightly on her shoulder. A strand of hair brushed aside, revealing the faint bite mark on her pale neck.

A teasing smile curved her lips. “Hmm, how could my Tang Tang ever deceive me? It’s already impressive enough that she hasn’t been tricked by me yet. Grandpa Huo is worrying too much.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a playful thump against her chest.

The little girl’s strength was negligible, like a tickle rather than a blow.

“I’d never fall for your tricks! Hmph!” Tang Fuzhi pouted, her dissatisfaction clear. She was far too clever to be fooled. Tao Ran was clearly underestimating her.

When the little girl was angry, her eyes shone with a vibrant light, like sunflowers radiating vitality and dispelling the shadows in Tao Ran’s heart.

The two women swung on the garden swing for a while. During this time, Huo Yuan came to find Tao Ran.

Although Tang Fuzhi and Tao Ran had cleared up their misunderstanding yesterday, the incident from three months ago still lingered like a thorn in Tao Ran’s heart.

She looked down at the young woman and asked, “Would you like to go watch some TV in the living room?”

Tang Fuzhi didn’t call her out on it. Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she hopped off the swing. Right in front of Huo Yuan, she stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to Tao Ran’s lips.

The gesture seemed to say, I’m on your side.

Tao Ran understood the unspoken meaning behind the young woman’s actions. Her heart felt like it was soaking in a jar of honey, sweet and warm.

“I’m off now. Bye-bye!” Tang Fuzhi waved as she walked toward the living room.

Once Tao Ran was out of sight, the smile on Tang Fuzhi’s face faded slightly. When she returned to the living room, Old Master Huo was gone.

Only Huo Yuxin remained, watching SpongeBob and laughing so hard she nearly fell off the couch.

“Where’s Grandpa Huo?” Tang Fuzhi asked.

Huo Yuxin instinctively replied, “He’s in the study upstairs.”

Only after speaking did she realize her mistake. Huo Yuxin turned to see Tang Fuzhi alone and asked in surprise, “Isn’t Tao Ran with you?”

“Huo Yuan needs to see her about something. I’m going upstairs now.”

Watching Tang Fuzhi’s retreating figure, Huo Yuxin felt uneasy.

After Old Master Huo’s harsh treatment of Tang Fuzhi earlier, she should have been avoiding him like the plague. Yet, after a brief outing, she was now rushing to see him.

Still, Huo Yuxin dismissed her concerns. This was the Huo family estate, and Tang Fuzhi was Tao Ran’s girlfriend. She wouldn’t dare harm Old Master Huo.

Reaching the study door, Tang Fuzhi took a deep breath. Her fingertips, gripping the handle, turned slightly white. After a moment of mental preparation, she knocked.

“Come in,” Old Master Huo’s voice boomed.

The Huo family study was vast, more like a library than a study. Rows of shelves stretched to the ceiling, filled with books from ancient times to modern day, spanning Chinese and foreign literature.

Unlike the modern decor elsewhere in the estate, the study exuded an antique charm, its floors and shelves crafted from precious wood.

Old Master Huo was surprised to see Tang Fuzhi. Time had etched wrinkles onto his face, but his eyes retained a piercing intensity, gleaming with the wisdom of years.

Having grown accustomed to being in a position of authority, Old Master Huo’s voice carried an unspoken pressure. “What brings you here?”

It was only when Tang Fuzhi faced Old Master Huo alone that she realized how much more approachable he had seemed in the living room. A flicker of fear crossed her face, but the thought of Tao Ran spurred her forward.

“Grandpa Huo, I want to know about Tao Ran’s mother.”

Tao Ran’s room, where she had been staying for two days, was unnaturally clean. Combined with the dark circles under Tao Ran’s eyes the first night they met, it was clear she hadn’t been sleeping well.

Then there were the pills Tang Fuzhi had seen in the office trash can. Though she didn’t know what they were for, taking medication usually meant someone wasn’t feeling well.

Yet Tao Ran had never mentioned it, instead changing the subject whenever Tang Fuzhi asked.

And just now, when Tao Ran spoke of her mother, though she tried to keep her voice steady, her grip on Tang Fuzhi had tightened unconsciously.

Tang Fuzhi hadn’t given it much thought before, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t noticed.

Old Master Huo hadn’t expected Tang Fuzhi to seek him out about the past. “You want to know?”

Tang Fuzhi nodded, her round, oval face radiating determination. “I want to understand her past,” she said, her eyes filled with resolve.

She couldn’t bear to see Tao Ran with those dark circles under her eyes anymore. She needed to know what had happened to her.

She wanted to understand Tao Ran.

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