Long Liu Bao wanted to hit her head against the wall. Sometimes talking to Yuan Gun Gun was like talking to a hot dog.

‘Bao Bao, what’s wrong?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Gun Gun, do you love Na Liu Ting Du?’ Long Liu Bao asked.

‘I… I think I love big brother Du,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I must have loved him. He’s my husband, and Hao Hao’s daddy. If I didn’t love him in the past then I wouldn’t have a baby with him.’

In that moment Long Liu Bao didn’t know if she should tell Yuan Gun Gun the truth.

‘Bao Bao, can you imagine how you would feel if you lost your memory like me?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked. ‘I’m lucky to wake up and see big brother Du. He’s gentle and caring. Apart from asking me to stay at home, he gives me freedom. He loves me, and he loves Hao Hao. I think he is the most caring husband in the world. I should love him. But losing my memory makes me anxious. I always feel like I lost something important to me like how I carve DOVE on the pots I make. Not knowing what that something important to me is makes me anxious. Bao Bao, every day I feel anxious.’

Long Liu Bao hugged Yuan Gun Gun.

‘Ling Ling, I believe one day you’ll remember,’ Long Liu Bao said.

Yuan Gun Gun cried on Long Liu Bao’s shoulder. Yuan Gun Gun didn’t show how scared she was in front of Ba Liu Ting Du.

Long Liu Bao cried too. She was sad to see Yuan Gun Gun hurting because Yuan Gun Gun couldn’t remember Hao Yan Che.

In the evening, Yuan Gun Gun massaged Na Liu Ting Du’s shoulders. Suddenly he pulled her onto his lap.

‘Ling Ling, it’s over a year now,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘Do you want to meet your parents?’

Yuan Gun Gun was scared to meet her parents.

‘Ling Ling, are you still not prepared to meet your parents?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked.

‘I don’t remember my parents,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘I don’t want them to be sad because I can’t remember them.’

‘Your parents will be sad you can’t remember them,’ Na Liu Ting Du said. ‘But they love you unconditionally.’

‘I don’t know,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘If you avoid them for the rest of your life, it’ll make your parents really sad,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘I don’t want them to be sad,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Then come with me to see your parents this weekend,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘OK,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘The truth is the person who doesn’t want you to visit your parents’ home the most is me,’ Na Liu Ting Du said.

‘Why?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Because I’m scared after you meet your parents then you won’t need me anymore,’ Na Liu Ting Du lied.

‘I’ll always need big brother Du,’ Yuan Gun Gun said.

‘Really?’ Na Liu Ting Du asked.

Na Liu Ting Du closed his eyes. The real reason he didn’t want Yuan Gun Gun to visit the Yuan Mansion was that she would remember Hao Yan Che. He knew he had to take a gamble. If Yuan Gun Gun didn’t regain her memory after visiting the Yuan Mansion then he wouldn’t need to worry anymore, and he could be with Yuan Gun Gun for the rest of her life. He didn’t mind if Hao Yan Che was important in Yuan Gun Gun’s subconscious as long as she didn’t remember Hao Yan Che.

The following afternoon, Yuan Gun Gun told Long Liu Bao about her weekend plans.

‘Do you remember your parents?’ Long Liu Bao asked.

‘No,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘But big brother Du said my parents miss me.’

Long Liu Bao didn’t know if it was the right time to tell Hao Yan Che the truth.

‘Bao Bao, I won’t be gone long,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘You’re my only friend. You can stay here, and wait for me to come back.’

‘Ling Ling, the truth is I’m in Paris on a holiday,’ Long Liu Bao said. ‘My home is near your parents’ home.’

‘What?’ Yuan Gun Gun asked.

‘Ling Ling, you don’t need to worry that you’ll be separated from me,’ Long Liu Bao said.

‘What a coincidence,’ Yuan Gun Gun said. ‘We’re born to be friends.’

***

End of Chapter 174