Even if Cheng Jin was ignorant about many things, he knew very well that “amnesia” and “second personality” were entirely different concepts. “Amnesia” merely meant the temporary loss of some memories, whereas a “second personality,” biologically speaking, could very well be considered “another person” sharing the same body.

Seeing Cheng Jin’s overwhelmed reaction, General Mosi knew the news had hit hard. He was about to offer some words of comfort when he saw one of his subordinates enter, prompting him to stand up quickly with a smile, “Lu Tao, you should explain things to Cheng Jin. I’ll leave you to it.”

After giving a military salute to Mosi as he left, Lu Tao turned his gaze to Cheng Jin.

Cheng Jin happened to look his way.

The affection previously visible in his eyes had faded, replaced by panic, shock, and disbelief. The sliver of hope Cheng Jin held shattered upon hearing the truth. As he had once asked his brother, he believed that his husband, having amnesia, could fall in love with him and be so kind to him, all because they were fundamentally the same person. Cheng Jin had thought that once Lu Tao recovered, he could perhaps have a chance to make things work.

He had always been half-hearted about leaving.

The sweet moments they shared had given him a deep illusion, making him believe that they could continue to get along harmoniously even after these few months. But now, he understood that this was impossible.

The reason the amnesiac Lu Tao loved and doted on him was simply because he was not the real Lu Tao.

A heart-wrenching pain surged through him, causing Cheng Jin to instinctively clutch at his chest, covering it tightly, yet the intangible agony continued to spread, turning his face pale. Cheng Jin’s lips trembled, and he finally couldn’t hold back, “You… are the original one…”

“I don’t have any memories of our time together.” Lu Tao suddenly spoke, his voice as cold and detached as ever, his expression unreadable—a stark contrast to the bright smiles he could have shown. “So, don’t attribute his actions to me.”

With the familiar feeling returning, Cheng Jin no longer had any doubts. He slowly withdrew his gaze, feeling a bit hollow inside, and after a long silence, whispered, “I won’t…”

“Let’s go back,” said Lu Tao.

Cheng Jin steadied himself with the help of a table, walking slowly behind Lu Tao, the illusory pain in his heart fading. He felt weak, unsure if it was from the fear earlier or the truth that followed, so he walked very slowly. Lu Tao, without looking back, slowed his pace but always stayed about three meters ahead.

It was noon by the time they reached the military department’s parking lot, one of the most secure places on the Imperial Planet. Cheng Jin had felt scared when he first arrived, but now his emotions were numbed, listlessly following Lu Tao forward. At the parking lot, Fei Li was already waiting, and the General’s spacecraft had its hatch open. Cheng Jin thought Fei Li would send him back as usual and was indifferent to it, but unexpectedly, Lu Tao boarded first. As Cheng Jin stepped up, he missed a step and stumbled forward, about to fall flat on the ground when a firm arm caught him by the waist and pulled him into an embrace.

The familiar scent and warm breath softened Cheng Jin’s rigid heart a bit, and he instinctively tried to smile as he looked up, but upon seeing Lu Tao’s indifferent expression, his smile froze. Before Lu Tao could let go, Cheng Jin stepped back, freeing himself from the embrace, and quickly lowered his head, murmuring a soft, “Thank you.”

Lu Tao’s outstretched fingers curled slightly, his eyes resting on Cheng Jin’s pale cheeks, “Watch your step,” he said, not sternly.

“Okay…” Cheng Jin sat down in the spacecraft, with Lu Tao sitting beside him. Although they were next to each other, there was no physical contact, as distant as strangers. It had always been like this; Lu Tao always coldly rejected any closeness, no matter how Cheng Jin tried, using charm or force, to no avail. Back then, he felt terribly wronged but dared not irritate Lu Tao, so he had to comply with Lu Tao’s moods.

But now, he no longer felt that grievance.

Having tasted sweetness, he couldn’t stand the coldness, but once he knew that the sweetness hadn’t come from the original person, Cheng Jin didn’t know what to do.

He just knew that he now longed for the Lu Tao who had been sweet to him.

The spacecraft started, and Fei Li did not follow. With autopilot engaged, no one went to the front cabin, and Cheng Jin leaned against the window, watching the landscape while Lu Tao seemed busy checking something on a light screen. When the spacecraft landed in their home’s courtyard, Lu Tao turned off the screen and was the first to exit. He hesitated on the ground before turning around and extending a hand to Cheng Jin, who was still looking down.

Offering a hand to help his partner was something Lu Tao had never done before; he felt it was entirely unnecessary, given their five years of marriage during which he preferred not to see much of his partner.

Every encounter only brought disappointment.

It wasn’t until two years ago that he noticed changes in Cheng Jin—changes that he himself had hoped for. Thus, he had tried to ease their relationship a bit, offering more care, but due to his nature and heavy responsibilities, his efforts were limited.

This gesture of extending a hand was already a significant breakthrough for him.

Had it been before, Lu Tao could imagine how surprised and delighted his partner would have been at this gesture, probably causing ripples of joy in his eyes, and likely he would have taken the opportunity to get even closer to him.

But now, he was ignored.

Cheng Jin wasn’t intentionally ignoring him; his mind was just too cluttered. The “truth” had hit him hard, nearly rendering him unable to process any external information, even while disembarking the spacecraft. All he could think about was not to fall and embarrass himself in front of Lu Tao again.

So, he walked very slowly, his head down, gripping the handrail tightly. Once on the ground, he hadn’t even noticed Lu Tao’s attempt to help him. Cheng Jin took a couple of steps towards the house entrance, then suddenly remembered something and looked up at Lu Tao again.

When their eyes met, a sharp pain struck the General’s heart.

Something was wrong with Cheng Jin’s eyes; they lacked their usual sparkle.

Cheng Jin’s eyes were very beautiful, in fact, his entire face was attractive—fair and tender with excellent features, and his eyes were especially lively and charming. Lu Tao actually enjoyed looking into his eyes, especially when Cheng Jin looked at him, those eyes brimming with light, making one feel loved.

But now, that light was gone, replaced by a dullness, as if he were looking at a stranger.

Cheng Jin paused, then said, “Thank you for bringing me back.” He didn’t wait for a response and continued walking inside.

The real Lu Tao probably wouldn’t like to stay in this house; he always seemed reluctant every time he returned. Surely he wouldn’t want to live here now?

Cheng Jin thought this but had only taken a few steps when he heard footsteps following him. He was puzzled but didn’t look back, instead going straight into the house.

A little robot was standing at the entrance to greet them, its enthusiasm always greater for Lu Tao than for Cheng Jin. As Cheng Jin was hanging up his coat, he heard Lu Tao greet the robot, “Hello, Chengcheng.”

“Oh, welcome home, my dear master.”

Cheng Jin paused in his movements for a moment, then naturally hung up his coat and headed towards the bedroom.

He was tired and wanted to lie down.

But the footsteps followed him, and just as he was about to enter the bedroom, Lu Tao spoke, “Cheng Jin, we need to talk.”

Cheng Jin stopped in his tracks and turned around, “Okay, where shall we talk?”

Lu Tao paused for a moment before saying, “The bedroom.”

Cheng Jin accepted this rare consideration and opened the bedroom door. His bedroom was very spacious, and it was still dark in the morning as the blackout curtains hadn’t been opened, making a certain bright spot stand out. Lu Tao’s gaze involuntarily drifted there, immediately recognizing familiar items.

Cheng Jin, however, wasn’t paying attention to his expression. He instinctively sat on the bed and covered himself with a blanket. Seeing Lu Tao still standing, he felt a bit awkward and said, “You… sit wherever.” He gently pulled the blanket up to his nose, breathing in the familiar scent, which slowly calmed his heart a bit, though his eyes felt a bit sore.

Lu Tao found a single-seater sofa to sit on, and Cheng Jin couldn’t help but speak, “When… will he come back?”

No name was mentioned, but both knew whom he was referring to.

A subtle jealousy stirred in Lu Tao, but his tone wasn’t harsh, more like stating a fact, “I’m your partner.”

Cheng Jin was still quietly sniffing the blanket that held Lu Tao’s scent when he heard this and said, “I don’t understand, it started with amnesia, why has it now become about two personalities…”

Lu Tao said, “Haven’t you accepted it well? You can already distinguish between us, can’t you?”

Cheng Jin was stunned for a moment, feeling as if the words were an accusation, and even thought he detected a hint of jealousy, but he quickly dismissed this idea.

He was so foolish, any guess he made was surely wrong. His original husband didn’t love him, so why would he be jealous?

“It was supposed to be two more months… Why is there not much time left now?”

Detecting the loss in his tone, a jealousy almost too strong to contain surged in Lu Tao. He said coldly, “Because I have decided to erase the derivative personality.” He spread his hands as if explaining, “The current situation is bad for both of us, and humanity is about to face a major upheaval. I must fully recover before then.”

Cheng Jin stared at him in shock, “Erase?”

Lu Tao confirmed, “Yes, the surgery is scheduled for ten days from now.”