3

The smile faded from Lu Huan’s face. She spoke softly, almost in a whisper, “I don’t like your brother anymore.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“I’m not. I mean it.”

“But… you suddenly stop liking my brother? You’ve got to have a reason, don’t you?” Chu Han shot her a glance. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for someone else?”

She grabbed Lu Huan’s shoulders and gave her a firm shake. “Snap out of it! My brother is the most handsome man on the planet!”

She had only been abroad for a few days—just a few days—and Lu Huan already didn’t like her brother anymore?!

Chu Han looked completely dumbfounded. Lu Huan’s lips twitched subtly. Was there really a need to brag about her brother like that?

Chu Han had been close friends with the original Lu Huan for years, always going out of her way to play matchmaker between her and her brother.

Even after the original Lu Huan had done some terrible things, Chu Han never gave up on her. She even paid out of pocket to rent her a small apartment when she had nowhere else to go.

But that didn’t last long. Once Chu Han’s efforts were exposed, Chu Jun had flown into a rage. He cut off all her credit cards and sent her overseas.

Thinking about that, Lu Huan let out a quiet sigh. She glanced sideways at Chu Han—who was practically glowing with excitement—and said with complete seriousness,
“I lost my memory.”

“What? Amnesia?!”

Startled by her words, Chu Han’s eyes widened in shock. She scanned Lu Huan’s pale, delicate face up and down, murmuring, “No way. You…”

Lu Huan calmly explained what happened—how she had drowned, and when she woke up, she couldn’t remember anyone.

Chu Han gasped. Her pupils trembled, even more stunned than before. “Drowned? That can’t be right. My brother never mentioned anything like that!”

She had just returned from a short vacation abroad. Yesterday she got back, and today she was already dragging Lu Huan out to hang.

But while she was overseas, her brother hadn’t said a word about anything happening to Lu Huan.

The Lu and Chu families had been close for years. If Lu Huan had nearly drowned and ended up in the hospital, there was no way Chu Jun wouldn’t have known.

And Chu Jun had always made it clear—he didn’t want any unnecessary entanglements with the original Lu Huan. That included keeping his own sister out of it.

That Chu Han hadn’t been told? Totally expected. Lu Huan wasn’t surprised in the least.

She sighed, putting on a pitiful expression. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask my parents. Or anyone else who’s been around me.”

Chu Han stood frozen, speechless.

Lu Huan went on, “I don’t remember anyone. That includes your brother.”

“I don’t even have the faintest memory of what he looks like, let alone any feelings for him.”

Her expression was unreadable, her tone flat—like she was talking about a stranger. There was no trace of affection when she mentioned Chu Jun.

Chu Han took a long moment to process everything. “But…”

“There’s no ‘but.’ Don’t say it,” Lu Huan cut her off. “Whatever feelings I had for your brother were one-sided. So much so that it probably disgusted him. Otherwise, how could he not even bother to visit when I nearly died?”

Chu Han flinched. She couldn’t argue. She had seen firsthand how much Lu Huan had once done to chase after her brother—and how harshly her brother had treated her in return. There had been countless moments when Lu Huan had been left heartbroken because of him.

There was a time she had tried to talk Lu Huan out of it, to stop liking Chu Jun. But she wouldn’t listen.

Now that Lu Huan had finally let go, Chu Han felt… a little sad. She bit her lip. “But what if—what if someday you remember everything? Won’t you regret it?”

After all these years, she knew exactly how deep Lu Huan’s feelings for her brother had once run.

But that Lu Huan was gone. The girl standing here now was someone else entirely—someone who could never truly love Chu Jun.

Still, she had to keep pretending. Dropping the act would only invite trouble.

Lu Huan forced a bitter smile, her voice tinged with fake sorrow. “Even if I hadn’t lost my memory, I still wouldn’t love your brother anymore. I don’t want to keep throwing my youth and emotions at someone who’ll never love me back. That kind of pain only gets worse with time.”

Pfft. If she had that much time, she’d rather focus on building her career and making money!

What’s a man compared to the joy of raking in cash?

Once she became a rich little queen, she could have any kind of eye candy she wanted—boy-next-door types, puppy-eyed cuties, take your pick!

Lu Huan grabbed Chu Han’s hand. “Chu Han, you’re my best girl. You’ll support my decision, right?”

“…”

Chu Han: I’d still rather she became my sister-in-law.

No. She needed to help Lu Huan get her memories back. And the best way to jog someone’s memory? Recreate the past.

Back then, they used to skip class all the time just to hang out. Chu Han tugged her toward the bar, but Lu Huan refused, dead serious. “No. I still have two more classes this afternoon!”

“But you never went to class before!”

“That was before.” Lu Huan looked completely sincere. “Since I lost my memory and forgot everything, it means heaven gave me a second chance. I’m turning over a new leaf. Starting today, I’m going to take school seriously.”

Chu Han and Lu Huan had known each other since elementary school. They’d been inseparable ever since.

In nearly twenty years of friendship, this was the first time she had ever heard Lu Huan say anything about studying seriously.

Was the sun rising in the west today?

Chu Han instinctively reached out and touched Lu Huan’s forehead. “Huan dear, are you sure you’re okay?”

Lu Huan rolled her eyes and batted her hand away. “I’m fine. I’m serious!”

Lu Huan had afternoon classes to attend, and since Chu Han didn’t feel like going out alone, she ended up tagging along.

The moment they stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned to Lu Huan.

Everything the school forum said was true—Lu Huan really had gotten prettier!

With her arm looped through Lu Huan’s, Chu Han led them to a seat in the back row.

After taking attendance, the teacher began the lecture.

Bored out of her mind, Chu Han slouched over the desk, glancing left and right before her gaze finally settled on the girl beside her.

Post-amnesia Lu Huan really was different from before.

She looked better now—way better. Chu Han was convinced that if her brother saw her like this, he’d definitely fall for her.

Not one for lectures, Chu Han started texting Lu Huan to mess with her.

One message after another popped up on Lu Huan’s screen. She glanced down, then shot Chu Han a warning look, silently mouthing: Be quiet. We’re in class.

In front of her sat a brand-new accounting textbook, and she was trying to follow along with the PowerPoint as the professor lectured.

Truth be told, she was really struggling.

She hadn’t attended a single class before this, and now the material felt like a foreign language. Her head was swimming, and all she wanted to do was take a nap.

She lasted barely twenty minutes before giving up completely.

Forget it—finance just wasn’t her thing.

She picked up her phone and opened WeChat, only to be greeted by a flood of stickers and memes from Chu Han.

[What do you want?]

[Why aren’t you paying attention anymore?]

[I don’t understand a single word. I give up!]

[Ugh, I told you to come hang out with me, but nooo—you insisted on torturing yourself in class. And now you’re stuck! Serves you right.]

[I’m thinking about changing my major.]

[Wait, what???]

Lu Huan already had a clear plan in mind. Finance really wasn’t for her.

Back then, Lu Zhong had picked this major for her, probably thinking she’d work for the Lu Group after graduation. But she wasn’t the Lu family’s precious daughter anymore. The Lu Group had nothing to do with her now.

She rubbed her temples and glanced at the PPT again. Her head throbbed even harder.

Yeah. The sooner she switched majors, the better.

Finally, the class ended. Lu Huan packed up her things and left with Chu Han.

Chu Han, who had spent half the class goofing off and the other half napping, stretched lazily and groaned, “Yep, learning’s just not your thing. Come party with me instead!”

She lit up with excitement. “Yang Zi and the guys booked a place for tonight—come with me! Let’s go have some fun and blow off some steam!”

“I’m not in the mood.”

“Why not? Are you even my bestie anymore?” Chu Han clung to Lu Huan’s arm. “No way—if you don’t come, I’ll be so heartbroken!”

“Come on, let’s go! We haven’t hung out in forever!”

Unable to resist Chu Han’s pleading, Lu Huan finally gave in and agreed to go with her.

By the time their two classes ended, it was already evening.

Outside the school gates, a driver had been waiting patiently by the curb for quite some time.

Ye Sangsang said goodbye to her friends and glanced at the empty backseat of the car before asking politely, “My sister’s not back yet?”

The driver figured the eldest miss probably skipped class, as she often used to, but he had strict orders from the madam: make sure the young lady gets home safely, no matter what.

He replied honestly, “The young miss hasn’t come out yet.”

Most likely skipped class again, he thought silently.

They waited at the gate for about ten minutes. Just as Ye Sangsang was about to pull out her phone and call Lu Huan, she spotted her walking toward them—arm-in-arm with Chu Han.

All day long, the school’s forum and students around campus had been buzzing about her.

Everyone said Lu Huan seemed like a completely different person—transformed, radiant, and impossible to ignore.

Ye Sangsang called out softly, “Sister.”

Lu Huan barely reacted, but Chu Han, standing beside her, startled and shot Sangsang a sharp glare. “Who are you calling ‘Sister’?” she snapped. “Don’t act so familiar. We wouldn’t dare claim a connection with someone like you!”

Chu Han had always disliked Ye Sangsang, convinced her sweet, gentle demeanor was just an act. She’d even complained to Lu Huan before, calling Sangsang a scheming “green tea girl” who put on an innocent front around guys.

Straightforward and blunt, Chu Han was no match for someone as cunning as Ye Sangsang—no wonder she’d later end up sent abroad by Chu Jun.

Lu Huan interjected calmly, “Sangsang is my sister.”

Then, turning to Sangsang, she added, “Go home first. I’m going out with my friends for a while.”

Ye Sangsang hesitated. “But what about Mom…?”

“Don’t worry,” Lu Huan reassured her. “I’ll call Mom later.”

=^_^=