Mingze stood by the giant glass window in the Lu family's high-rise penthouse, phone still pressed to his ear, face pale.
"She… what?" he whispered.
Lu Chen's voice on the other end was calm—too calm. "She doesn't remember me, Mingze."
"You're joking."
"She looked me in the eye like I was some walking Forbes cover. She literally called me her role model."
Silence stretched.
Then a quiet, stunned, "What the hell?"
Lu Chen didn't reply. He didn't have to. Mingze knew his brother better than anyone—this wasn't just pain. This was devastation dressed in a well-ironed suit.
"You told her?" Mingze finally asked.
"No," Lu Chen said. "And don't tell her either."
Mingze's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? You're not going to tell her she was in love with you?"
"I can't. It would confuse her. Right now, she's living in a world where I'm a stranger. I'd rather she come to me on her own than feel forced."
"…Damn."
Mingze ended the call and grabbed his jacket.
This wasn't something he could just sit with.
---
> Later – Shen Yinyin's Apartment
Shen Yinyin was in the middle of slicing apples with surgical precision, a blanket thrown loosely over her legs, a drama paused on her screen.
The door buzzed.
She opened it to see Mingze standing there, looking like he just saw a ghost.
"Why do you look like the stock market just crashed?" she asked dryly, stepping aside.
"She's back," he said as he walked in.
Yinyin blinked. "Who?"
"Your bestie. Yuyin."
She stood straighter. "WHAT?"
"She met Lu Chen at the airport."
"Wait, what?? What—how? Did they talk?"
He nodded slowly. "She didn't recognize him."
"…Excuse me?"
"She's lost ten years of her memory."
The knife clattered onto the cutting board. "Ten?"
"Ten."
"She doesn't remember Lu Chen at all?"
"She literally fan-girled him. Like, 'OMG nice to meet you Mr. Trillionaire CEO,' complete with sparkles."
Yinyin stared at him in disbelief. "No, wait. Hold up. They dated. For years. They were obsessed with each other."
"I know."
"Is this a prank? Are you pranking me?"
"Nope."
"…And Lu Chen didn't tell her?"
"Nope."
Yinyin blinked. Slowly. "So I… shouldn't tell her?"
"Lu Chen asked that you don't."
"Damn." She sank onto the couch, head in hands. "This is a mess."
"You're telling me."
She shook her head. "I mean, I get it. He's trying to give her space. But the emotional damage this is going to cause later? When the truth comes out? She's gonna scream."
Mingze raised a brow. "And yet… you're going to listen to him?"
Yinyin sighed. "Unfortunately… yes. Because if there's one thing I know about Yuyin, it's that she hates feeling pressured. She'll remember on her own—or fall again. Either way… it'll be hers."
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
They both froze.
Yinyin shot him a look. "Showtime."
---
> Five Minutes Later – Living Room
The door swung open with a loud "YINYINNNNN!"
Yuyin burst in, arms spread like she was announcing herself on a runway.
Her best friend stood slowly from the couch, still unsure how to act. But before she could say anything, Yuyin flew into her arms, giggling.
"I missed you! Ugh! Your apartment still smells like overpriced essential oil!"
Yinyin managed a soft chuckle. "Still dramatic, I see."
"I know, right?" Yuyin grinned. Then her eyes caught sight of Mingze.
She pointed. "Wait… who's that cutie?"
Mingze blinked. "Um. Mingze. Lu Chen's younger brother."
Yuyin's eyes widened. "Lu Chen?! Speaking of—guess who I met today!"
Yinyin exchanged a tense glance with Mingze. "Who?"
"Lu Chen!"
Her hands flew dramatically as she bounced to the couch. "Bro. I met THE Lu Chen. THE trillionaire, CEO, mogul—like, I swear, the guy practically floats when he walks. He's so quiet, and intense, and cold. Ugh, it's hot."
Mingze choked.
Yuyin continued, unfazed. "He actually talked to me. Like, asked if I remembered him or something. Weird, right? Like, why would he think I knew him?"
Yinyin smiled tightly. "Maybe he mistook you for someone."
"Yeah, maybe." She laughed, reaching for the apples Yinyin had cut. "Anyway, I told him I lost my memory, so I probably forgot all my crazy adventures. Who knows? Maybe I used to stalk him." She winked.
Silence.
Yinyin smiled and said, "Maybe."
But inside, her brain was SCREAMING.
> This is insane.
They were literally in love.
And she thinks she used to stalk him??!
Mingze cleared his throat. "So, uh, how are you feeling now that you're back?"
Yuyin shrugged. "Honestly? Weird. Everything feels… kinda familiar but kinda off. Like I've been here before but not really."
She turned to Yinyin with soft eyes. "I'm glad you're here, though. Maybe with you around… I'll figure it all out."
Yinyin gave her a real smile this time. "Of course. We've got you."
Mingze just stared, still unable to believe what he was seeing.
---
> Meanwhile – Lu Chen's Office
Alone now, Lu Chen sat behind his massive desk.
He stared at the photo in his hand.
Yuyin—smiling, arms around his neck. The old Yuyin. The one who used to run barefoot through his marble hallway and steal snacks from his drawer.
Now?
She didn't even remember touching him.
He closed his eyes.
"If you don't remember us…" he whispered, "then I'll wait until you fall again."