[Chapter Eleven] Investigating Annie’s True Identity
At noon, Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua chose a quiet small restaurant to have lunch together. Sunlight streamed through the windows into the restaurant, and the air was filled with the aroma of coffee and toasted bread. The two sat by the window, with a broad view, able to see the lively streets outside.
After ordering from the menu, Xiaoyang handed the menu to the waiter. Huang Minhua looked at him somewhat impatiently and asked, “Which hotel did you stay at last night? Give me a phone number, and I’ll come find you when I have time.”
Xiaoyang lowered his head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, rubbed his fingers, and replied with some unease, “I stayed at a friend’s place last night.”
Huang Minhua furrowed her brows, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes, “Give me the address.”
Xiaoyang paused briefly, looked up at her, his heart tightening, and said, “I didn’t inform my friend in advance, so it’s not very convenient…”
Huang Minhua looked at him, confused, her tone slightly provocative, “I’m your girlfriend; what’s inconvenient about me coming to see you?”
Her tone was somewhat urgent, as if she did not want to miss any detail. Suddenly, she had a flash of inspiration, her tone turning teasing, “Unless that friend of yours is a pretty girl, right?”
Xiaoyang looked at her, a little embarrassed, but still answered honestly, “Yes, the person is indeed a girl, from Shanghai. We only met two months ago. She came to Paris on a business trip and happened to meet me.”
Upon hearing this, Huang Minhua’s expression darkened suddenly, and she frowned, asking, “Then… did you two… live together?”
Xiaoyang hurriedly waved his hand, his tone panicked, “Not living together, just temporarily staying at her apartment.”
At that moment, the waiter brought over the dishes, interrupting their conversation. Xiaoyang let out a soft sigh and began to adjust his mood. After the waiter left, Huang Minhua stared at him, her tone sharp, “A man and a woman alone in the same room—if that’s not living together, then what is it?”
Xiaoyang, slightly irritated, took a photo out of his wallet and handed it to Huang Minhua, “The person in this photo is my missing girlfriend.”
Huang Minhua looked at the photo, her eyes lighting up, her tone quickly turning inquisitive, “You found her?”
Xiaoyang opened his phone and showed her another photo, “This is a photo of the friend whose apartment I stayed at.”
Huang Minhua carefully compared the two photos, suddenly frowning, “Except for the hair color, it’s basically the same person, isn’t it?”
Xiaoyang was silent for a moment, sighed, “At first, I thought the same, but you know, there really are people in this world who look this similar. This girl is called Annie; she didn’t tell me her real name, only that she came from Shanghai and studied fashion design.”
Huang Minhua’s curiosity was completely aroused; she tapped the table lightly with her fingertips and softly reasoned, “Could this Annie be your girlfriend’s twin sister?”
Xiaoyang’s eyes were firm, his tone unhesitant, “Impossible! I’ve never heard of her having a sister.”
Huang Minhua thought for a moment, then suddenly slapped the table, her eyes lighting up, “Wait! There’s only one possibility: that Annie is actually your missing girlfriend. Something must have happened to her—she lost her memory!”
Xiaoyang was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, “Saying it that way does remind me, but she is completely unfamiliar with me, no sense of recognition at all…”
Huang Minhua raised an eyebrow, flicked her fingertips, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, “I have a way to verify Annie’s identity!”
A trace of curiosity flashed in Xiaoyang’s eyes, “What way?”
Huang Minhua looked him straight in the eye, her tone serious, “Does your girlfriend have any birthmarks or dark moles?”
Xiaoyang pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Yes, a birthmark. But it’s in a private area.”
Huang Minhua glanced at him, grinning mischievously, “Then it’s simple—just install a hidden camera in the bathroom; it should be visible, right?”
Xiaoyang’s face instantly turned red, and he hurriedly waved his hands, “I… I can’t do that.”
Huang Minhua laughed lightly, her tone teasing, “Can’t do it? Then all your previous intimate interactions must have been fake, right?”
Xiaoyang looked a little embarrassed, lowering his head, “Huijun is a Catholic; we’ve never done that kind of thing.”
Huang Minhua raised her eyebrow, curious, “But didn’t you say you talked about marriage?”
Xiaoyang nodded, his tone firm, “Yes, we did talk about marriage, but we never did that kind of thing.”
Huang Minhua asked provocatively, “Then how do you know she has a birthmark in a private area?”
Xiaoyang’s eyes were slightly dazed, and he softly replied, “When we went to play in the water at Baisha Bay in Kenting, I accidentally saw it, below her navel.”
Huang Minhua couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Wow! Below the navel doesn’t count as a private area! But now verifying her identity will be much easier!”
Xiaoyang’s eyes brightened, “Oh? You have a method?”
Huang Minhua smiled proudly, “The old method! Give her a chance to wear a two-piece bikini.”
Xiaoyang frowned, worried, “But what if she wears a one-piece, and the bikini material is see-through in water? Then you won’t see clearly.”
Huang Minhua smiled slightly, teasing, “Then you take the initiative! Find an excuse to give her a two-piece bikini!”
Xiaoyang was stunned for a moment, dumbly asking, “What excuse can I give to give her such an intimate gift? Besides, we aren’t very close.”
Huang Minhua laughed proudly, “Valentine’s Day in a few days—just use that as the excuse!”
Xiaoyang frowned, feeling uneasy, “Would giving such a gift seem too strange? Annie wouldn’t feel uncomfortable?”
Huang Minhua said confidently, “No. When a girl receives an intimate gift from a boy, she usually thinks ‘He’s interested in me,’ unless she has no feelings for you at all. Otherwise, this trick will definitely work!”
Xiaoyang looked at her deeply and finally sighed, “Alright, let’s give it a try.”
Huang Minhua raised her hand, pointing at the soup on the table, “Then let’s eat first; the soup has gone cold.”
At this moment, Huang Minhua actually felt somewhat uneasy in her heart. She worried that if Annie really was the missing girlfriend Xiaoyang was searching for, and only looked completely different because of amnesia, then once Annie’s identity was confirmed, Xiaoyang would surely do everything he could to help her recover her memory. At that time, she might become the truly “third person” in this relationship. What should she do then?
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart was also wavering: “If Annie really is the missing Xie Huijun, should I really take this gamble? Wait for Huijun to regain her memory and eventually let Minhua go? But if Annie isn’t Huijun, why do her voice and eyes resemble hers so much?”
In the evening, on the Champs-Élysées, the sunset’s afterglow bathed the tall buildings and cafés along the street, adding a layer of warm gold to the avenue. The air was filled with the aroma of coffee and desserts, and the bustling crowd, footsteps, and traffic blended into a symphony of the city. Lin Xiaoyang and Annie stood in front of a small café; a gentle breeze brushed past, making Annie’s long hair flutter slightly. She wore a pink dress, its form-fitting cut perfectly outlining her delicate, shapely figure, radiating the energy and vitality of youth. Her smile was bright, and her eyes sparkled with a unique charm, as if she were a part of the city itself.
Lin Xiaoyang stood beside her, looking a little shy, holding a delicate handbag in his hand. The coolness in the air made him slightly nervous, but his heartbeat was surprisingly steady.
He took a deep breath, leaned slightly toward Annie, and whispered, “Annie, Valentine’s Day is in a few days; this is a gift for you.” Saying this, he handed the handbag to her, his gaze both expectant and slightly uneasy.
Annie took the bag, her eyes showing a trace of curiosity. She glanced down at the contents inside, then looked up with a slight smile and teasingly asked, “Oh? We’ve only known each other for a short time, just started dating, and you’re already in such a hurry to give me a gift?”
Lin Xiaoyang nervously scratched the back of his head, a blush appearing on his face. He cleared his throat and mustered courage, “I… I just want to know, would you… like to spend Valentine’s Day with me?”
Annie froze for a moment, her eyes softening, and the corners of her mouth curved into a warm smile. She blinked gently and asked teasingly, “Brother Lin, is this considered a confession to me?”
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart suddenly raced. His face was red as if painted with rouge, but he still nodded firmly, with a shy smile, his gaze slightly avoiding hers, “Yes, I guess it is.”
Annie laughed, her eyes reflecting a kind of admiration. She whispered, “Alright! But let’s first be friends, date for a while, and see if we’re compatible before deciding whether to be a couple. Is that okay?”
Lin Xiaoyang let out a slight breath of relief, revealing a relaxed smile, “Of course, I’m very willing.”
They walked side by side on the sidewalk; occasionally a car passed by, and the wind it brought lightly brushed Annie’s hair. In the shop windows of the boutiques lining the street, lights sparkled in all colors, creating the allure of a city that never sleeps. As they walked, they arrived in front of a high-end men’s boutique. Annie suddenly stopped, turned to Lin Xiaoyang, and smiled, “Let’s go in and take a look! Pick something you like, and I’ll give it to you.”
Lin Xiaoyang looked into her expectant eyes, a warmth rising in his heart, nodding with a mixture of surprise and emotion, “You really want to give me a gift?”
Annie gently tapped his shoulder, her gaze full of playfulness, “You should show some intention too, it’s Valentine’s Day.” Saying that, she stepped lightly into the store, her posture graceful and confident, as if the center of the world’s attention was on her.
Lin Xiaoyang was momentarily stunned, following closely behind her, but a warm feeling rose in his heart. He had never imagined being attracted so easily to a woman, especially one as independent and mysteriously captivating as Annie. The moment they entered the boutique, the calm of the space and the luxurious atmosphere inside slightly relaxed him. Watching Annie select clothes, he suddenly felt that her kindness toward him seemed more moving than any lavish gift could be.
“Do you like this style?” Annie turned to look at him, her brows and eyes revealing a kind of consideration for his preference.
Lin Xiaoyang smiled and gently shook his head, “I prefer something simpler. Whatever you pick is fine.”
Annie said nothing more and turned toward a row of suits. Her fingers lightly brushed over each piece of clothing, as if she were not merely selecting garments, but also a future with Lin Xiaoyang. She knew that this man’s heart had already been captured by her—only time would tell whether it could truly lead them together.
Lin Xiaoyang stood aside, watching Annie skillfully choose clothes, thinking silently to himself that perhaps their story was only just beginning.
At night, in Annie’s apartment, the dim yellow light from a table lamp scattered beautifully across the white sofa and wooden floor, and the air was filled with a faint scent of aromatherapy, quiet and warm. Lin Xiaoyang sat on the edge of the sofa, his gaze locked tightly on Annie before him. She wore a blue-and-white two-piece bikini; her figure looked graceful and curvaceous in the mirror. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft glow on her skin. Lin Xiaoyang’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened; in front of him, she seemed like the missing Huijun from many years ago. Every detail made his heart throb in waves.
Annie turned to face him, slightly smiling, with a teasing tone in her voice: “How is it? Fits well, right? And this is my favorite color.”
Lin Xiaoyang’s gaze was gentle and affectionate; his voice was low, carrying a slight tremor: “Annie, you’ve always liked pink, haven’t you? You once said that pink represents gentle happiness.”
Annie froze for a moment, a flicker of doubt passing through her eyes. Tilting her head slightly, she asked, “Brother Lin, how do you know I like pink so much?”
Lin Xiaoyang’s gaze did not leave her; a faint smile appeared on his face, but in his eyes was a profound emotion: “Of course I know, because you are my girlfriend, Huijun. You always have been.”
Annie’s eyes instantly became complicated; her brows slightly furrowed, and she shook her head, trying to pull this emotion back into reason: “Brother, you might have mistaken me… I am not called Huijun.”
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart sank. His voice became even more firm, almost pleading: “Huijun, I don’t care if you remember me or not, because I still love you deeply.” Saying this, he unconsciously reached out, as if wanting to embrace her. Yet at that moment, Annie stepped back; her body tensed slightly, and a trace of caution flashed in her eyes.
Annie whispered, “Brother, don’t… we already agreed to be friends first.” Her tone carried no pretension, only sincere refusal, and her expression was complex and hard to read.
Lin Xiaoyang’s complexion changed slightly; he realized that his action had made her uneasy. He stopped moving, his eyes carrying a trace of regret and deep pain: “Huijun, I don’t know what happened before you lost your memory, but I am willing to start over with you, no matter from where we begin.”
Annie frowned, her eyes flickering with confusion and struggle: “Why do you insist on treating me as your missing girlfriend? Do you just see me as a substitute for her?” Her voice was low, carrying an indescribable emotion, part hurt, part anger.
Seeing her react this way, Lin Xiaoyang felt a pang of pain. He took a deep breath, stepped closer to her, and spoke softly yet apologetically: “Annie, I’m sorry, I lost control just now. Please forgive me. I just want to find her so badly, and I’m also so afraid of losing you.” He stopped in place, quietly looking at her, his eyes full of remorse.
Annie shook her head lightly, remained silent for a moment, then spoke: “I understand how you feel, Brother Lin, but you must understand, I am not her.” Her tone was gentle yet firm.
The two of them silently faced each other; the air seemed full of words left unspoken and knots left unresolved.
Late at night, Annie quietly and lightly walked into Lin Xiaoyang’s bedroom. The room was lit only by the faint light emitted from a table lamp, and a layer of tranquility enveloped the surroundings. On the tabletop were scattered several books, the most conspicuous being a thick diary and a photo album. Annie, curious, approached and sat on the chair by the table.
She gently opened the photo album and saw inside the graduation photos of Lin Xiaoyang and Xie Huijun, as well as several photos showing the two of them closely intimate during trips together. Every photo appeared warm and real, and an indescribable emotion welled up in her eyes.
She let out a soft sigh, then opened the diary. Between the lines, Lin Xiaoyang’s deep feelings were revealed. She read a passage: “From the birthmark below the navel, it is finally confirmed that Annie is the missing Huijun. What exactly happened to Huijun that she completely lost her memory and feels nothing for me? What should I do? God! Why have You given me such a difficult problem?”
Annie’s gaze lingered on these words, and waves of emotion surged in her heart. She gently placed the diary back on the table and looked at Lin Xiaoyang, who was soundly asleep, her eyes filled with complexity. Looking at his quiet face, she was slightly moved in her heart. She lightly walked to the window and whispered to herself, “It seems that Brother Lin still carries concern in his heart for the girl called Xie Huijun, the girl who is exactly like me. Brother Lin is so deeply devoted—even if I were truly the amnesiac Huijun, now that human and ghost paths are separate, how could I use his deep affection for Huijun?”
She stood by the window, gazing at the distant night sky, took a deep breath, and made her decision. She returned to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote a note on the last page of the diary. Her handwriting was clear and firm: “Brother Lin, I accidentally looked through your photo album and diary. The missing girlfriend you have been searching for—if Annie is not the person with amnesia, Annie wants to tell you: thank you for your deep love for Huijun! But Annie’s true identity is actually a vampire assigned with a mission. I cannot bring myself to use you or harm you. Please completely forget Annie! Annie has gone. Brother, take care of your health.”
After finishing writing, Annie gently closed the diary, took a deep breath, and quietly walked out of the room, slowly closing the door. The air was filled with a heaviness that could not be put into words.
The next morning, Lin Xiaoyang woke from sleep, stretched, and prepared to begin tidying the tabletop. His gaze fell on the diary, and he slightly furrowed his brows, as if realizing something was wrong. He opened the diary, turned to the last page, and quickly scanned the handwriting left by Annie. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
His fingers lingered on the writing, as if he were stunned. Then, he suddenly stood up, his face pale, his eyes flashing with pain and incomprehension. He quickly rushed out of the bedroom and headed toward the living room, only to find that everything had been arranged neatly by Annie. Not a trace of disorder remained, as if she had never been there.
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart sank sharply, and he could hardly breathe. He dashed into Annie’s bedroom, his eyes quickly scanning the bed and dressing table, only to find that those familiar items were already gone, as if she had never lived there. The bed was empty, and the dressing table held only silent emptiness.
A gust of cool wind blew past, and Lin Xiaoyang suddenly fell to his knees, hands pressing the floor, his pain and helplessness erupting instantly. A low sob escaped his throat, his voice trembling: “Huijun! Huijun…” He shouted toward the sky, tears unconsciously welling in his eyes, yet he could not produce any more sound.
The entire room fell into dead silence, with only Lin Xiaoyang’s breathing and heartbeat echoing in the empty space. He tightly held the tears on his face and murmured softly: “Where are you? Why won’t you tell me everything anymore?”
[Chapter Eleven] Investigating Annie’s True Identity
At noon, Lin Xiaoyang and Huang Minhua chose a quiet small restaurant to have lunch together. Sunlight streamed through the windows into the restaurant, and the air was filled with the aroma of coffee and toasted bread. The two sat by the window, with a broad view, able to see the lively streets outside.
After ordering from the menu, Xiaoyang handed the menu to the waiter. Huang Minhua looked at him somewhat impatiently and asked, “Which hotel did you stay at last night? Give me a phone number, and I’ll come find you when I have time.”
Xiaoyang lowered his head slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, rubbed his fingers, and replied with some unease, “I stayed at a friend’s place last night.”
Huang Minhua furrowed her brows, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes, “Give me the address.”
Xiaoyang paused briefly, looked up at her, his heart tightening, and said, “I didn’t inform my friend in advance, so it’s not very convenient…”
Huang Minhua looked at him, confused, her tone slightly provocative, “I’m your girlfriend; what’s inconvenient about me coming to see you?”
Her tone was somewhat urgent, as if she did not want to miss any detail. Suddenly, she had a flash of inspiration, her tone turning teasing, “Unless that friend of yours is a pretty girl, right?”
Xiaoyang looked at her, a little embarrassed, but still answered honestly, “Yes, the person is indeed a girl, from Shanghai. We only met two months ago. She came to Paris on a business trip and happened to meet me.”
Upon hearing this, Huang Minhua’s expression darkened suddenly, and she frowned, asking, “Then… did you two… live together?”
Xiaoyang hurriedly waved his hand, his tone panicked, “Not living together, just temporarily staying at her apartment.”
At that moment, the waiter brought over the dishes, interrupting their conversation. Xiaoyang let out a soft sigh and began to adjust his mood. After the waiter left, Huang Minhua stared at him, her tone sharp, “A man and a woman alone in the same room—if that’s not living together, then what is it?”
Xiaoyang, slightly irritated, took a photo out of his wallet and handed it to Huang Minhua, “The person in this photo is my missing girlfriend.”
Huang Minhua looked at the photo, her eyes lighting up, her tone quickly turning inquisitive, “You found her?”
Xiaoyang opened his phone and showed her another photo, “This is a photo of the friend whose apartment I stayed at.”
Huang Minhua carefully compared the two photos, suddenly frowning, “Except for the hair color, it’s basically the same person, isn’t it?”
Xiaoyang was silent for a moment, sighed, “At first, I thought the same, but you know, there really are people in this world who look this similar. This girl is called Annie; she didn’t tell me her real name, only that she came from Shanghai and studied fashion design.”
Huang Minhua’s curiosity was completely aroused; she tapped the table lightly with her fingertips and softly reasoned, “Could this Annie be your girlfriend’s twin sister?”
Xiaoyang’s eyes were firm, his tone unhesitant, “Impossible! I’ve never heard of her having a sister.”
Huang Minhua thought for a moment, then suddenly slapped the table, her eyes lighting up, “Wait! There’s only one possibility: that Annie is actually your missing girlfriend. Something must have happened to her—she lost her memory!”
Xiaoyang was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, “Saying it that way does remind me, but she is completely unfamiliar with me, no sense of recognition at all…”
Huang Minhua raised an eyebrow, flicked her fingertips, a mysterious smile appearing at the corner of her mouth, “I have a way to verify Annie’s identity!”
A trace of curiosity flashed in Xiaoyang’s eyes, “What way?”
Huang Minhua looked him straight in the eye, her tone serious, “Does your girlfriend have any birthmarks or dark moles?”
Xiaoyang pondered for a moment, then nodded, “Yes, a birthmark. But it’s in a private area.”
Huang Minhua glanced at him, grinning mischievously, “Then it’s simple—just install a hidden camera in the bathroom; it should be visible, right?”
Xiaoyang’s face instantly turned red, and he hurriedly waved his hands, “I… I can’t do that.”
Huang Minhua laughed lightly, her tone teasing, “Can’t do it? Then all your previous intimate interactions must have been fake, right?”
Xiaoyang looked a little embarrassed, lowering his head, “Huijun is a Catholic; we’ve never done that kind of thing.”
Huang Minhua raised her eyebrow, curious, “But didn’t you say you talked about marriage?”
Xiaoyang nodded, his tone firm, “Yes, we did talk about marriage, but we never did that kind of thing.”
Huang Minhua asked provocatively, “Then how do you know she has a birthmark in a private area?”
Xiaoyang’s eyes were slightly dazed, and he softly replied, “When we went to play in the water at Baisha Bay in Kenting, I accidentally saw it, below her navel.”
Huang Minhua couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Wow! Below the navel doesn’t count as a private area! But now verifying her identity will be much easier!”
Xiaoyang’s eyes brightened, “Oh? You have a method?”
Huang Minhua smiled proudly, “The old method! Give her a chance to wear a two-piece bikini.”
Xiaoyang frowned, worried, “But what if she wears a one-piece, and the bikini material is see-through in water? Then you won’t see clearly.”
Huang Minhua smiled slightly, teasing, “Then you take the initiative! Find an excuse to give her a two-piece bikini!”
Xiaoyang was stunned for a moment, dumbly asking, “What excuse can I give to give her such an intimate gift? Besides, we aren’t very close.”
Huang Minhua laughed proudly, “Valentine’s Day in a few days—just use that as the excuse!”
Xiaoyang frowned, feeling uneasy, “Would giving such a gift seem too strange? Annie wouldn’t feel uncomfortable?”
Huang Minhua said confidently, “No. When a girl receives an intimate gift from a boy, she usually thinks ‘He’s interested in me,’ unless she has no feelings for you at all. Otherwise, this trick will definitely work!”
Xiaoyang looked at her deeply and finally sighed, “Alright, let’s give it a try.”
Huang Minhua raised her hand, pointing at the soup on the table, “Then let’s eat first; the soup has gone cold.”
At this moment, Huang Minhua actually felt somewhat uneasy in her heart. She worried that if Annie really was the missing girlfriend Xiaoyang was searching for, and only looked completely different because of amnesia, then once Annie’s identity was confirmed, Xiaoyang would surely do everything he could to help her recover her memory. At that time, she might become the truly “third person” in this relationship. What should she do then?
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart was also wavering: “If Annie really is the missing Xie Huijun, should I really take this gamble? Wait for Huijun to regain her memory and eventually let Minhua go? But if Annie isn’t Huijun, why do her voice and eyes resemble hers so much?”
In the evening, on the Champs-Élysées, the sunset’s afterglow bathed the tall buildings and cafés along the street, adding a layer of warm gold to the avenue. The air was filled with the aroma of coffee and desserts, and the bustling crowd, footsteps, and traffic blended into a symphony of the city. Lin Xiaoyang and Annie stood in front of a small café; a gentle breeze brushed past, making Annie’s long hair flutter slightly. She wore a pink dress, its form-fitting cut perfectly outlining her delicate, shapely figure, radiating the energy and vitality of youth. Her smile was bright, and her eyes sparkled with a unique charm, as if she were a part of the city itself.
Lin Xiaoyang stood beside her, looking a little shy, holding a delicate handbag in his hand. The coolness in the air made him slightly nervous, but his heartbeat was surprisingly steady.
He took a deep breath, leaned slightly toward Annie, and whispered, “Annie, Valentine’s Day is in a few days; this is a gift for you.” Saying this, he handed the handbag to her, his gaze both expectant and slightly uneasy.
Annie took the bag, her eyes showing a trace of curiosity. She glanced down at the contents inside, then looked up with a slight smile and teasingly asked, “Oh? We’ve only known each other for a short time, just started dating, and you’re already in such a hurry to give me a gift?”
Lin Xiaoyang nervously scratched the back of his head, a blush appearing on his face. He cleared his throat and mustered courage, “I… I just want to know, would you… like to spend Valentine’s Day with me?”
Annie froze for a moment, her eyes softening, and the corners of her mouth curved into a warm smile. She blinked gently and asked teasingly, “Brother Lin, is this considered a confession to me?”
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart suddenly raced. His face was red as if painted with rouge, but he still nodded firmly, with a shy smile, his gaze slightly avoiding hers, “Yes, I guess it is.”
Annie laughed, her eyes reflecting a kind of admiration. She whispered, “Alright! But let’s first be friends, date for a while, and see if we’re compatible before deciding whether to be a couple. Is that okay?”
Lin Xiaoyang let out a slight breath of relief, revealing a relaxed smile, “Of course, I’m very willing.”
They walked side by side on the sidewalk; occasionally a car passed by, and the wind it brought lightly brushed Annie’s hair. In the shop windows of the boutiques lining the street, lights sparkled in all colors, creating the allure of a city that never sleeps. As they walked, they arrived in front of a high-end men’s boutique. Annie suddenly stopped, turned to Lin Xiaoyang, and smiled, “Let’s go in and take a look! Pick something you like, and I’ll give it to you.”
Lin Xiaoyang looked into her expectant eyes, a warmth rising in his heart, nodding with a mixture of surprise and emotion, “You really want to give me a gift?”
Annie gently tapped his shoulder, her gaze full of playfulness, “You should show some intention too, it’s Valentine’s Day.” Saying that, she stepped lightly into the store, her posture graceful and confident, as if the center of the world’s attention was on her.
Lin Xiaoyang was momentarily stunned, following closely behind her, but a warm feeling rose in his heart. He had never imagined being attracted so easily to a woman, especially one as independent and mysteriously captivating as Annie. The moment they entered the boutique, the calm of the space and the luxurious atmosphere inside slightly relaxed him. Watching Annie select clothes, he suddenly felt that her kindness toward him seemed more moving than any lavish gift could be.
“Do you like this style?” Annie turned to look at him, her brows and eyes revealing a kind of consideration for his preference.
Lin Xiaoyang smiled and gently shook his head, “I prefer something simpler. Whatever you pick is fine.”
Annie said nothing more and turned toward a row of suits. Her fingers lightly brushed over each piece of clothing, as if she were not merely selecting garments, but also a future with Lin Xiaoyang. She knew that this man’s heart had already been captured by her—only time would tell whether it could truly lead them together.
Lin Xiaoyang stood aside, watching Annie skillfully choose clothes, thinking silently to himself that perhaps their story was only just beginning.
At night, in Annie’s apartment, the dim yellow light from a table lamp scattered beautifully across the white sofa and wooden floor, and the air was filled with a faint scent of aromatherapy, quiet and warm. Lin Xiaoyang sat on the edge of the sofa, his gaze locked tightly on Annie before him. She wore a blue-and-white two-piece bikini; her figure looked graceful and curvaceous in the mirror. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft glow on her skin. Lin Xiaoyang’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened; in front of him, she seemed like the missing Huijun from many years ago. Every detail made his heart throb in waves.
Annie turned to face him, slightly smiling, with a teasing tone in her voice: “How is it? Fits well, right? And this is my favorite color.”
Lin Xiaoyang’s gaze was gentle and affectionate; his voice was low, carrying a slight tremor: “Annie, you’ve always liked pink, haven’t you? You once said that pink represents gentle happiness.”
Annie froze for a moment, a flicker of doubt passing through her eyes. Tilting her head slightly, she asked, “Brother Lin, how do you know I like pink so much?”
Lin Xiaoyang’s gaze did not leave her; a faint smile appeared on his face, but in his eyes was a profound emotion: “Of course I know, because you are my girlfriend, Huijun. You always have been.”
Annie’s eyes instantly became complicated; her brows slightly furrowed, and she shook her head, trying to pull this emotion back into reason: “Brother, you might have mistaken me… I am not called Huijun.”
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart sank. His voice became even more firm, almost pleading: “Huijun, I don’t care if you remember me or not, because I still love you deeply.” Saying this, he unconsciously reached out, as if wanting to embrace her. Yet at that moment, Annie stepped back; her body tensed slightly, and a trace of caution flashed in her eyes.
Annie whispered, “Brother, don’t… we already agreed to be friends first.” Her tone carried no pretension, only sincere refusal, and her expression was complex and hard to read.
Lin Xiaoyang’s complexion changed slightly; he realized that his action had made her uneasy. He stopped moving, his eyes carrying a trace of regret and deep pain: “Huijun, I don’t know what happened before you lost your memory, but I am willing to start over with you, no matter from where we begin.”
Annie frowned, her eyes flickering with confusion and struggle: “Why do you insist on treating me as your missing girlfriend? Do you just see me as a substitute for her?” Her voice was low, carrying an indescribable emotion, part hurt, part anger.
Seeing her react this way, Lin Xiaoyang felt a pang of pain. He took a deep breath, stepped closer to her, and spoke softly yet apologetically: “Annie, I’m sorry, I lost control just now. Please forgive me. I just want to find her so badly, and I’m also so afraid of losing you.” He stopped in place, quietly looking at her, his eyes full of remorse.
Annie shook her head lightly, remained silent for a moment, then spoke: “I understand how you feel, Brother Lin, but you must understand, I am not her.” Her tone was gentle yet firm.
The two of them silently faced each other; the air seemed full of words left unspoken and knots left unresolved.
Late at night, Annie quietly and lightly walked into Lin Xiaoyang’s bedroom. The room was lit only by the faint light emitted from a table lamp, and a layer of tranquility enveloped the surroundings. On the tabletop were scattered several books, the most conspicuous being a thick diary and a photo album. Annie, curious, approached and sat on the chair by the table.
She gently opened the photo album and saw inside the graduation photos of Lin Xiaoyang and Xie Huijun, as well as several photos showing the two of them closely intimate during trips together. Every photo appeared warm and real, and an indescribable emotion welled up in her eyes.
She let out a soft sigh, then opened the diary. Between the lines, Lin Xiaoyang’s deep feelings were revealed. She read a passage: “From the birthmark below the navel, it is finally confirmed that Annie is the missing Huijun. What exactly happened to Huijun that she completely lost her memory and feels nothing for me? What should I do? God! Why have You given me such a difficult problem?”
Annie’s gaze lingered on these words, and waves of emotion surged in her heart. She gently placed the diary back on the table and looked at Lin Xiaoyang, who was soundly asleep, her eyes filled with complexity. Looking at his quiet face, she was slightly moved in her heart. She lightly walked to the window and whispered to herself, “It seems that Brother Lin still carries concern in his heart for the girl called Xie Huijun, the girl who is exactly like me. Brother Lin is so deeply devoted—even if I were truly the amnesiac Huijun, now that human and ghost paths are separate, how could I use his deep affection for Huijun?”
She stood by the window, gazing at the distant night sky, took a deep breath, and made her decision. She returned to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote a note on the last page of the diary. Her handwriting was clear and firm: “Brother Lin, I accidentally looked through your photo album and diary. The missing girlfriend you have been searching for—if Annie is not the person with amnesia, Annie wants to tell you: thank you for your deep love for Huijun! But Annie’s true identity is actually a vampire assigned with a mission. I cannot bring myself to use you or harm you. Please completely forget Annie! Annie has gone. Brother, take care of your health.”
After finishing writing, Annie gently closed the diary, took a deep breath, and quietly walked out of the room, slowly closing the door. The air was filled with a heaviness that could not be put into words.
The next morning, Lin Xiaoyang woke from sleep, stretched, and prepared to begin tidying the tabletop. His gaze fell on the diary, and he slightly furrowed his brows, as if realizing something was wrong. He opened the diary, turned to the last page, and quickly scanned the handwriting left by Annie. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
His fingers lingered on the writing, as if he were stunned. Then, he suddenly stood up, his face pale, his eyes flashing with pain and incomprehension. He quickly rushed out of the bedroom and headed toward the living room, only to find that everything had been arranged neatly by Annie. Not a trace of disorder remained, as if she had never been there.
Lin Xiaoyang’s heart sank sharply, and he could hardly breathe. He dashed into Annie’s bedroom, his eyes quickly scanning the bed and dressing table, only to find that those familiar items were already gone, as if she had never lived there. The bed was empty, and the dressing table held only silent emptiness.
A gust of cool wind blew past, and Lin Xiaoyang suddenly fell to his knees, hands pressing the floor, his pain and helplessness erupting instantly. A low sob escaped his throat, his voice trembling: “Huijun! Huijun…” He shouted toward the sky, tears unconsciously welling in his eyes, yet he could not produce any more sound.
The entire room fell into dead silence, with only Lin Xiaoyang’s breathing and heartbeat echoing in the empty space. He tightly held the tears on his face and murmured softly: “Where are you? Why won’t you tell me everything anymore?”
