100: Transformation

He gazed out at the torrential rain, the howling wind echoing outside the window. That scene surfaced in his mind. Because he had gone out searching for his father—his father had been away on a business trip for several days and hadn't returned. So, as a child, Yi Chen recklessly ran outside, determined to find his father. His mother chased after him. Suddenly, a thunderstorm broke out, making the road ahead impossible to see clearly. A car rushed toward him; Yi Chen felt a piercing flash of light, and before he could react, a powerful force pushed him aside. He heard a loud “bang.” Looking back, his vision blurred in the rain, but he saw it clearly—his mother collapsed right before his eyes. Because of him, his mother died. That day was the 30th. And today... seemed to be the 30th as well. “Mom, I’m sorry!” He spoke each word as if biting down on them, engraving the apology deeply in his heart—each syllable filled with bitter regret. Held tightly in his arms, Xi Yang seemed to hear him speaking, but the wind outside was too loud, and she couldn’t catch his words. “What did you just say?” “Nothing. Are you still cold?” Xi Yang nestled in his embrace, feeling warm and comfortable. “Not cold. You’re so warm and cozy; I feel like dozing off.” “Alright then, close your eyes. I’ll stay with you.” He hadn’t responded when she said she wasn’t Ye Xi Yang just now—did he not hear or didn’t believe her? Should she say it again? Yet it seemed she no longer had the courage. Besides, nestled in his arms was so comfortable and reassuring, this rare, quiet, and tender atmosphere was something Xiao Qi was reluctant to break. Ugh, so sleepy—better get some rest first and think later. Yi Chen held her tightly. Xi Yang, I’ve always been waiting for someone I would never forget, and that person is you. And now, you are waiting for someone who will never let you feel cold again—that person is me. From now on, don’t ever think about leaving me again. I will never allow you to run away from me. In this lifetime, you will only stay by my side. Meanwhile, elsewhere, the screen of a laptop displayed “Decryption 100%.” The decryption was successful. Li Cheng immediately called Joanna. “Miss Qiao, today is the 30th, and I’ve already cracked General Lin’s memory database.” On the other side, Joanna gazed out at the pouring rain through the floor-to-ceiling window. His father had told her that Yi Chen’s mother had the accident on the 30th, and naturally, she knew the reason. That’s why he suffered amnesia—he simply couldn’t accept that his mother had collapsed right before him, and it was because of him. Back then, he was only seven years old. A seven-year-old watching his own mother fall before his eyes, and it was because of himself—any ordinary person would likely go mad. Today was the 30th again, and it was raining; even the heavens seemed to be in sympathy. Yi Chen, in your future life, there will no longer be a Ye Xi Yang. But Joanna was still somewhat uneasy. “If Ye Xi Yang is deleted from the memory database, will Yi Chen forget her 100%?” “I said, I’m not sure if this memory database is fully developed, so I can’t guarantee 100%. After all, forgetting someone depends on the brain’s neural pathways, and this database only assists. So I can’t be absolutely sure.” Regardless, trying was better than doing nothing... Xiao Qi slept soundly in Yi Chen’s arms. But the one holding her... Yi Chen was covered in cold sweat, sleeping restlessly. His eyelids twitched incessantly, and the cry in his ears haunted him like a nightmare. “Mom, please don’t die...” “Mom, I’m sorry. It’s all because of me that you died. I’m sorry...” “Mom, I’m the one who killed you. I’m a murderer...” *** The morning after the rain was clear. Soft sunlight streamed through the window, scattering across the floor. Xiao Qi’s eyelids fluttered, and her mouth moved slightly. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw a pair of sleep-laden silver-white eyes. The morning light cast mottled shadows on the curtains, inadvertently shining on his fair and handsome face. His slightly tousled brown hair shimmered golden in the sunlight, his thin lips pursed attractively. Wow, even asleep, he was so handsome. Seemingly remembering something... Xiao Qi suddenly sat up. Last night... Things slowly became clear in her mind. Last night, she seemed to have said she wasn’t Ye Xi Yang. How did he react? He seemed not to have heard at all. Did he not believe her or really not hear? Should she say it again now? But they had slept together another night... Although it was just sleep, Xiao Qi still felt embarrassed. Better “digest” it first before saying anything. She immediately got out of bed and ran to the bathroom. Her cheeks were flushed. Oh dear, how did she just fall asleep so cluelessly last night? This rare chance to sleep together should have been seized to touch him properly... Xiao Qi’s infatuation suddenly snapped back. What am I thinking? I’m not Ye Xi Yang after all. She then thought of the signal device, and Xi Yang’s two words came to mind. Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind. She immediately opened the door and heard a “bang.” What was that sound? Xiao Qi rushed out. The person who had been on the bed was nowhere to be seen. He had gone out? Xiao Qi ran outside. Xi Yang saw her come out and hurried forward, hesitating to speak. “Xi Yang, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you last night...” “It’s in the past,” Xiao Qi said awkwardly. “By the way, the samples have been ordered. Should we head back today?” “Yeah.” Xi Yang thought of seeing his brother leave the room with a blank expression just now. “Xi Yang, my brother stayed in your room all night yesterday. You two...” “He didn’t take advantage of me. I was just...” “Oh! Not like that,” Xiao Qi almost slipped. “I was feeling unwell last night, and your brother took care of me. By the way, where is he?” “He just went out, but I don’t know where.” Went out? Where did he go? Xi Yang noticed her distraction. “Xi Yang, if you want to find my brother, you can call him.” “Right, right.” Xiao Qi took out her phone. Dr. Chen came out and said bluntly, “Yi Chen went back. He said goodbye to me and left. Oh, and Xi Yang, your brother also asked you to come back early.” Xiao Qi sat stunned in the passenger seat, unable to process that Lin Yi Chen had gone back alone. Could it be that he heard her say she wasn’t Ye Xi Yang last night? If he did, wouldn’t he have asked her clearly? At the very least, she hadn’t told him who she really was yet. Yet after she said she wasn’t Ye Xi Yang, he still gently asked if she was cold and held her tight... Xiao Qi was dazed all the way. When Xi Yang spoke to her, she barely listened. Soon, the car stopped before a towering skyscraper dominating City A’s economy. Xiao Qi looked up at the towering building, bathed in golden sunlight, dazzling and magnificent. Suddenly, a champagne-colored stretch Bentley pulled up outside the building’s entrance. The gleaming glass facade reflected a tall, cold figure of a man. The stern man got out of the car, lifted his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings with indifference. His deep-set eyes were like bottomless ancient wells—cool, distant, devoid of any trace of worldly warmth. Fang Li watched his figure intently—he was so cold, it was intimidating. Why did General Lin suddenly seem so aloof and arrogant? Not inclined to engage; was he angry or just reserved? But somehow it felt like... heartbreak. Sunshine shone on General Lin’s figure, warm to the eye, yet it seemed not a ray could penetrate his heart. Only a few days apart, yet he seemed like a different person. This feeling was like... the old General Lin. Since Miss Ye returned, General Lin had changed a lot. Suddenly, a thought struck. Right, Miss Ye was on that island too, but General Lin came back alone? So they had another fight. No, no, it must be Miss Ye who upset General Lin again. No wonder he ignored me when I tried talking to him just now. It made me afraid to ask about Miss Ye. Seriously, why did Miss Ye upset General Lin again? “General Lin!” An urgent voice called softly from behind him. Yi Chen stopped and looked toward the caller. Xiao Qi ran up to him, complaining a little, “Why are you like this? You come back and don’t say a word. Very rude!” Yi Chen cast her a cold glance and nodded politely, but... “Excuse me, do we know each other?” “...” What was going on? Had he heard that she wasn’t Ye Xi Yang and was now treating her like a stranger? Fang Li and Xi Yang were also surprised. Fang Li thought, See? Seems Miss Ye really made General Lin angry this time. Xi Yang thought, Sigh, probably my kissing Xi Yang upset my brother a lot. The two exchanged meaningful looks and turned to Xiao Qi. She stared blankly at General Lin, looking utterly dazed and clearly crushed. But in truth, Xiao Qi was oblivious to their glances and didn’t realize she had been staring at Yi Chen for quite some time. From the moment he spoke, she was stunned. Because she never expected that after she said she wasn’t Ye Xi Yang, General Lin would treat her like a stranger. But why was he so gentle with her last night after she said that? Could it be that he couldn’t accept it at first, so he pretended not to hear and then spent the night coming to terms with it? So now... Xiao Qi suddenly felt uneasy, her heart pounding wildly as if something inside her had shattered. Ah! No, no! She hurriedly tried to hold the broken pieces together. She looked at the handsome man before her, feeling her head grow heavy. Maybe it was best to leave quickly! If she kept facing him like this, she’d go mad. “Xi Yang, I’ll come to work tomorrow,” she said, turning and running off. “Xi Yang!” Xi Yang called after her, but she was already far away. Yi Chen frowned but showed no other expression, turning to walk into the company. Fang Li and Xi Yang both felt something was off.