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If someone else was going to tell him, it would have been better for her to tell him herself.

"Do you want to know the truth?" Gu Xiaoxi suddenly raised her head, her bright eyes filled with scorn.

Quan Shaoqing didn’t speak, only silently waiting for her answer.

"Do you know why you’re missing memories? It’s because I fed you Oblivion Grass, a kind of divine grass that can make one forget love. That’s why you’ve forgotten me," Gu Xiaoxi said expressionlessly. Even her tone was devoid of any ripples, as if narrating something trivial.

"Continue..." Quan Shaoqing pretended to be indifferent.

But Gu Xiaoxi clearly saw his fingers clenched beneath his sleeve, growing tighter and tighter.

"I’ve told you, I don’t like you. I married you for money. But you liked me, and I couldn’t leave, so I gave it to you, so I could break free completely," Gu Xiaoxi remained expressionless.

"So, you used this method to leave me. Just to be with the man you love. Who is he?" Quan Shaoqing stepped forward, pinning Gu Xiaoxi against the desk beside him.

He looked down at her from his height, his cold aura bearing down like the bitter cold of late winter.

Gu Xiaoxi suddenly felt an oppressing discomfort, knowing he was angry, and it was an unprecedented fury.

Because his dignity, his pride, had been challenged.

"Superior officer, I’m merely a small soldier. If you keep pestering me like this, it will make you look bad," Gu Xiaoxi gripped the desk behind her, her body tilting backward, trying to keep her distance from him.

"You think too highly of yourself. Forget the fact that I’ve forgotten you now, even if I remembered you, knowing you’re this kind of woman, I wouldn’t like you anymore."

As he spoke, Quan Shaoqing, as if to prove his point, bent down and fiercely grabbed the back of her head, kissing her lips.

He mercilessly pried open her teeth, conquered territory in her mouth, and finally, released her with no compassion, his face furious as he said, "Even while kissing you, I feel nothing. Gu Xiaoxi, you can get lost, I never want to see you again."

Gu Xiaoxi hurriedly pushed him away, then covering her lips, she ran out of his office.

Before leaving, Gu Xiaoxi halted her steps, turned her back to him, and said, "I hope you keep your word. I’ll stay far away from you in the future, and I hope you’ll stay far away from me as well."

She couldn’t tell him the truth, nor could she continue to deceive him.

So, her words were half true, half false.

Only such words could truly fool someone.

With Quan Shaoqing’s prideful nature, having been manipulated by a woman like this.

He surely wouldn’t seek verification from anyone else.

Sometimes, the most effective aren’t the true words, nor the false ones, but those that are a mix of both.

Standing at the command center of Department Z, Gu Xiaoxi halted her steps, turning to look back at the office building behind her.

If they were doomed to part ways, why bother with the reluctance of the moment?

...

Gu Xiaoxi left the military.

Alone, with a bag on her back, she returned to City A.

In Yearn Residence, Ai Xiang did a delicate disguise for her.

Sitting in front of the dressing mirror, the person in the mirror was a breathtaking beauty.

Compared with Gu Xiaoxi’s former appearance, she now had more enchantment and charm.

This was the role she was to play, and her name would be Ye Yuwei.

Moreover, this carefully arranged undercover operation was decided upon after discussions with Lin Mi and after scrutiny from multiple factors.

Especially since her figure resembled that of Ye Yuwei, making her the best impersonator.

"This hairstyle won’t do, you know Sunshine Group’s annual recruitment requires long hair from its employees. Especially, it cannot be a wig. Also, Ye Yuwei herself had long hair," Ai Xiang reminded her.

"That strict?" Gu Xiaoxi touched her own ear-length black hair, thinking that changing to long hair was not impossible.

Ever since meeting Little Phoenix, Gu Xiaoxi discovered that when she invoked her Spiritual Power, her hair could grow as needed.

"Sunshine Group often encounters undercovers from the International Alliance when abroad, so they are very wary of strangers, and your identity card too. I think, it’s necessary for you to meet your current parents and get acquainted with each other first. To avoid complications if someone investigates your identity later," advised Ai Xiang, referring to the parents of Ye Yuwei.

"I know, I will go to the place where Ye Yuwei used to live, to familiarize myself with her living environment and the people she knew," Gu Xiaoxi definitely had her plans. With half a month before the Sunshine Group’s recruitment, she had plenty of time to prepare.

During her undercover period, Ye Yuwei would be sent abroad to study.

"Your disguise will last at most two months, so if you don’t complete the mission within two months, you’ll have to come back here for another disguise," Ai Xiang reminded her.

"Okay!" Gu Xiaoxi nodded.

Just as they were talking.

The butler rushed up to Ai Xiang and said, "Young Master Quan is here. Sir, he has arrived downstairs."

Upon hearing this, Ai Xiang instinctively looked towards Gu Xiaoxi.

Gu Xiaoxi touched her cheek and smiled, "You go entertain him!"

Without saying much, Ai Xiang turned around and left with the butler.

Gu Xiaoxi sat in front of the mirror and activated her Spiritual Power, rushing the growth of her hair.

Now that she was Ai Xiang’s sister, there was nothing shameful to hide.

She thought, even if she ran into Quan Shaoqing here, it wouldn’t matter!

...

In the living room, the servants had already prepared tea.

Quan Shaoqing and Ai Xiang were sitting on the couch, savoring the tea.

It was clear that Quan Shaoqing was preoccupied with heavy thoughts. He pulled out a cigarette and offered one to Ai Xiang before lighting one for himself, asking, "I heard from Lin Mi that Gu Xiaoxi came to see you in disguise?"

"What? Is the superior officer interested in her?" Ai Xiang fiddled with the cigarette, replying indifferently.

Quan Shaoqing took a drag on his cigarette, his gaze heavy as he said, "A newcomer, actually thinking of going undercover voluntarily. I’m just afraid she won’t cope, so help her out more when you can."

Upon hearing this, Ai Xiang’s lips curved into a smile, "I’m not going to lie to you, Gu Xiaoxi is my sister. Of course, I will take care of her, but it seems like the superior officer cares a little too much."

Quan Shaoqing tapped the ash from his cigarette and suddenly his fingers stiffened in mid-air.

He looked up, puzzled, "How could she be your sister?"

"I met her on the boat to Dream Island last time and took a liking to her. She was all alone, so I adopted her as my sister. Shaoqing, she’s one of your soldiers and also the wife you’re married to on paper. If she doesn’t like you, please don’t persist!" Ai Xiang kindly advised.

Quan Shaoqing looked down and stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, then looked at Ai Xiang with a gaze full of questions, saying, "So, you knew her from before. Why don’t I remember?"

"I’ve told you that you have partial memory loss!"

"Is it just the matter with Gu Xiaoxi that I’ve forgotten?" Quan Shaoqing asked indifferently.

Ai Xiang’s palms were sweaty. This man was too sensitive; deceiving him was really not an easy task.

"You should know, Oblivion Grass is the divine grass that erases memories of affection. The deeper the affection, the cleaner the forgetfulness," Ai Xiang said.

Quan Shaoqing crushed the remaining half of his cigarette in the ashtray, uncertain of what he was feeling, but it was uncomfortable.

Even if he had forgotten the past, the thought of being treated this way by the woman he liked was as painful as a stab to the heart.

"Did you help her? Without you, she wouldn’t have found the Oblivion Grass!" Quan Shaoqing looked up at Ai Xiang, his tone heavier than it had ever been, "Why would you help someone you haven’t known for even a year, yet betray me?"

"I did it for your own good! Shaoqing, she doesn’t like you. Why can’t you let go?" Ai Xiang said, word by word. In the end, she turned her head away, unable to meet Quan Shaoqing’s eyes.

Ai Xiang didn’t know... Would Quan Shaoqing still feel sad and heartbroken even if he remembered nothing?

"Heh..." Quan Shaoqing suddenly chuckled sarcastically, "You said so too; it seems everything she said was true. If you really wanted to do what’s best for me, you shouldn’t have taken her in. Because I never want to see her again!"

"Shaoqing, if you dislike her, I’ll let her leave. Also, I’ve examined your condition and found you’re under a Love-Forbidding Curse. Remember, you must not have feelings for anyone again." Ai Xiang put down the unlit cigarette in her hand, stood up with her hands in her pockets, and said.

Quan Shaoqing turned away, his back to Ai Xiang, his tone low and hoarse with sadness, "I feel like you’ve changed."

Ai Xiang hung her head, looking at her toes, and sighed, "Shaoqing! The person you like doesn’t like you back, and you’re under a spell, unable to love again. So, I did this for your own good. Whether you accept it or not, I’ve done all that is humane and righteous."

With that, Ai Xiang turned and left.

Quan Shaoqing did not say a word either and strode out of the villa.

Gu Xiaoxi stood at the top of the stairs, hands over her chest, tears swirling in her eyes.

She didn’t want to upset him either.

But what else could she do without doing this?

If she told him, they loved each other! To ask him not to love her anymore?

That would make him even less able to forget her.

No matter how long this situation could continue, she had to persist so he could stay alive.

Alive until they had the power to break the curse.

"Am I doing the right thing?" Ai Xiang walked upstairs, stood by the window, and watched Quan Shaoqing’s departing car, with a voice full of heartache.

Gu Xiaoxi bit her lip, pushed back the tears, and nodded, "Yes! You understand him, and you did the right thing. Even if he’s acting out of spite, he won’t like me anymore. Give him some time; he’ll come around. Aren’t you guys best friends?"

"Gu Xiaoxi, some things are destined, and I fear I can’t avoid them! Now he’s getting close to the truth, I’m afraid the lies won’t hold up much longer."

"Then let it last as long as it can. I just want him to live well!" Gu Xiaoxi said firmly.