She Lost Memory Before the Divorce

Chapter 89: Chapter 0089: Hurting Each Other, Who’s Afraid of Whom!

Mu Lan hadn’t intended to eavesdrop; it was just that the duo’s act downstairs was giving her a headache. Dinner happened to be ready, so she volunteered to go up to call everyone down.

But she hadn’t expected…

That sentence from Huo Tingxiao’s lips struck her like a dull hammer to the chest, making her limbs ache with the impact.

Instinctively clutching her chest and frowning, Mu Lan didn’t understand what was happening to her.

Whether Huo Tingxiao loved her or not, what did it matter? After all, she also…

Mu Lan froze, realizing she couldn’t outright deny it.

...

Could it be that after her amnesia, she couldn’t escape the curse of falling in love with him?

Otherwise, why did she feel so heartbroken when she heard him deny it so firmly? It was like someone had carved a hole right through her heart.

But soon, Mu Lan found an excellent rationale for her reaction.

Emotional memory.

Just like muscle memory, even if she had forgotten everything in the past seven years, her heart must still remember loving Huo Tingxiao. It was just an involuntary emotional reaction, beyond the control of her brain, and it didn’t prove anything.

After taking several deep breaths, Mu Lan pretended as if nothing had happened and waited until they had moved on to other topics before she gently knocked and interrupted the conversation inside the room.

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“Grandpa, dinner is ready.”

Huo Tingxiao turned around. Although Mu Lan was smiling, there was something off about her that he sensed but couldn’t quite place.

At the dining table, Sheng Xueqian truly acted as if she were at home, not showing a hint of politeness as she sat smilingly next to old Mr. Huo, occasionally serving him dishes while chatting sweetly.

To those aware, she was the granddaughter of the Sheng Family, but to those unaware, she might as well have been mistaken for the Huo Family’s own daughter.

Mu Lan wasn’t in a good mood. It took all her energy just to maintain a façade of calm, leaving her with no interest in feuding with the younger girl.

Huo Tingxiao placed a piece of steamed pork rib into her bowl, an act so ordinary but which surprised everyone else at the table.

“Since when did Tingxiao become so considerate?”

“Recently,” he replied in an indifferent tone that seemed unremarkable.

But everyone knew that the relationship between this husband and wife was usually cold. How did it suddenly change?

When had Huo Tingxiao ever served food to anyone at the dining table? Even old Mr. Huo might not enjoy such a treat.

“Xueqian, you’ll need to find a considerate boyfriend as well, someone who treasures you,” Qitang said rightly, but to Sheng Xueqian, it implied something else.

Does it mean that Huo Tingxiao is now treasuring Mu Lan? What about her sister then?

“Auntie’s right, when choosing a man, you have to find someone who treats you well and is devoted, not one whose affections change upon seeing someone new.”

She emphasized those last few words quite deliberately, as Qitang’s eyes mischievously roved, hoping to see Mu Lan embarrassed. But Mu Lan acted as if she hadn’t heard a word.

“Tingxiao, last time you mentioned you were planning for children, right? Any news yet?”

Before Huo Tingxiao could reply, the old man cut in.

“How can you say such things without any sense of propriety? Xueqian isn’t even married yet, and you’re talking about this?”

The truth was, the old man didn’t want to discuss private matters in front of outsiders. Last time at the Sheng Family, it hadn’t been by choice.

“Dad, Xueqian is not an outsider, and I was just concerned about Tingxiao, so… so I was just asking.”

“That’s right, Grandpa Huo, I’m not an outsider. If there’s good news, I’d be happy for you too.”

“We’re letting nature take its course, no rush,” Huo Tingxiao skillfully deflected the conversation, seeing that Mu Lan didn’t seem much interested in talking.

Mu Lan’s dinner felt stifling, yet she had to keep a smiling face. After dinner, Sheng Xueqian left the Huo Mansion.

Qitang seemed to harbor some sort of intention when he suddenly suggested.

“Why don’t you stay at the mansion tonight? It’s been a long time since you returned; consider it keeping the old man company.”

“What’s so good about this old man that you need to keep me company? If you have to go back, then go back. Tingxiao, don’t forget what I’ve entrusted you with.”

Upon hearing the elder Huo’s words, Huo Qitang couldn’t help but prick up his ears, wondering what was going on this time.

Mu Lan subconsciously lowered her eyelids and eagerly grasped the hem of her dress, trying to appear as usual. She quietly took deep breaths and, lifting her head, a smile appeared on her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Grandpa, we’ll come to see you again when we have time.”

On the way back to Maple Forest Garden, Huo Tingxiao watched her unusually quiet manner and felt as if he were seeing the once reticent Mu Lan again.

In the past, Huo Tingxiao would have hoped for Mu Lan to be like this, but for some reason, he had grown quite unaccustomed to it if she wasn’t causing a stir or laughing.

“Still thinking about what just happened?”

Mu Lan came back to her senses and shook her head.

“No, what’s past is past. I won’t make things difficult for myself.”

However, Huo Tingxiao didn’t believe her; her dejected mood was all too clear.

Although she tried hard to disguise it during dinner, it had little effect. He could sense it even without looking.

“Did you hear what I talked about with Grandpa?”

Mu Lan’s stiff movements lasted only a moment, but Huo Tingxiao caught it.

It seems he was right.

“What conversation? What did you and Grandpa talk about?”

Looking out the window with a guilty conscience, Mu Lan struggled to keep her voice steady.

Huo Tingxiao hooked a smile, showing rare patience.

“Oh? You don’t know?”

“How would I know what you were talking about.”

Mu Lan muttered, clearly becoming irritated.

“Mu Lan, how do you feel I’ve treated you since your amnesia?”

Caught off guard by Huo Tingxiao’s question, Mu Lan pursed her lips and honestly said:

“Not bad.”

“And what if I said I’ll always treat you this way, what then?”

Mu Lan was a bit bewildered and turned to look at Huo Tingxiao.

“Huo Tingxiao, what are you trying to say?”

“I want to say that I’ll treat you very well.”

“…”

Mu Lan looked at Huo Tingxiao as if he were an alien, her mind flashing back to the words he had said in the study.

“You mean to say, you’ll treat me well, even pamper me, but you won’t love me.”

Huo Tingxiao gazed deeply at her; indeed, she had heard those words.

“Yes, that’s the idea.”

Mu Lan felt as if she had a lump in her chest with nowhere to release it. She didn’t know where this anger came from, but she felt annoyed!

It was stated so clearly, wasn’t it? Treat you well, spoil you, but not love you.

“What, you think I’m really longing for your love? Huo Tingxiao, can you not be so narcissistic? Do you need me to remind you? The person in front of you named Mu Lan, who had amnesia, and served as your loyal dog for seven years, has completely forgotten all about it.

I don’t know where I gave you the impression that I’m desperate for love. I’m sorry to tell you, but I truly do not love you! You don’t have to be so scared to make things clear.

What’s the matter? Are you afraid I’m going to cling to you or what?”

One sentence after another, the more she spoke, the angrier she became. Bring it on, mutual harm—who’s afraid of whom!