In the quiet room, the aunt slowly retreated as Jiang Cheng softly blew the steam coming from the bowl of soup. While Lan Jinyao watched his movements, her heart beat like a drum.
âJiang Cheng!â
She rolled her eyes nimbly before calling out his name.
Jiang Cheng stopped what he was doing and looked up at her with a trace of doubt in his eyes as he asked, âYes? Whatâs wrong?â
Lan Jinyao took a deep breath before saying, âIn fact, you already know that I am me and Chen Meimei is Chen Meimei. My thoughts, memories, and character are all different from Chen Meimeiâs. Iâm just myself, but the person you used to like was Chen Meimei, right?!â
Jiang Cheng was stunned for a moment before nodding his head. âThatâs right!â
Lan Jinyao then added, âBut, the person you like now is me, right?â
This time, he didnât hesitate at all as he nodded and replied, âCorrect!â
So, Lan Jinyao went on and said, âIn that case, the main question I want to ask you is: How much do you love Chen Meimei, and how much do you love me? Weâre not the same person to begin with; aside from this body, we are two completely different people. So, tell me, with you being so fickle, how can you make others believe that youâre actually an affectionate person?â
In the past, when she was filming a case-solving suspense drama, she came into contact with this kind of brainwashing tactic. Though she wasnât a professional in this field, she was able to apply the technique into practice. After sheâd finished asking this, Jiang Cheng opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.
âLook, youâre actually a very sentimental person. To be precise, a so-called womaniser. You have money, authority, and a powerful background. You can have whatever you want, so I donât understand why you have to pretend to be so infatuated. You expect me to believe that you are? No, thereâs no way Iâd believe that and Chen Meimei, who is currently watching us from above, wonât believe it either.â
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengâs expression suddenly dimmed.
âYouâve talked so much until now, but whatâs your purpose? To brainwash me? Iâm telling you, itâs of no use, so donât waste your time. I liked the former you, but I love the current you even more. If you donât want to stay, you can go; just leave this body behind for me.â
Initially, when Lan Jinyao had heard him say âyou can goâ, sheâd started to feel a rush of joy in her heart. However, Jiang Chengâs latter words made her stare at him in shock.
She could go, but her body had to stay. Didnât this mean that heâd wanted her to die one more time? How could she give up so easily when the Heavens had given her a second chance?
âI-Iâm not leaving!â Lan Jinyao stammered for a long time before she finally managed to squeeze out these words.
Jiang Cheng then smiled and said, âNow, this is how you ought to behave! Drink this chicken soup; werenât you very hungry?â
Lan Jinyaoâs eyes widened as she stared at the cup of chicken soup. A trace of fear flashed in her eyes as she refused, âNo, I donât want to drink this. Jiang Cheng, are you trying to kill me?"
âWhy would I kill you? This tonic soup is very nutritious. Youâre truly too thin now like you could be blown away by the wind any minute, so you have to make up for it.â Jiang Cheng said as he approached her with a spoonful of soup.
Lan Jinyao turned her face to the other side and coldly uttered, âHavenât you ever heard of the saying that a weak person canât handle strong tonic like this soup? I canât handle a soup smelling so strongly of medicine.â
There was a mix of medicinal herbs in this! How could she know whether there were abortion herbs included or not? She insisted on not drinking. Even if she were to starve to death, she wouldnât drink it.
âA weak person canât handle strong tonic? Haha, youâre right, I was careless. In that case, letâs just eat rice!â
Lan Jinyao took advantage of this opportunity and requested, âYou have to untie my hands and feet. I want to sit at the table and eat.â
Upon hearing this, there was a slight change in Jiang Chengâs expression. As soon as Lan Jinyao saw that, she immediately added, âIâm famished. Besides, thereâs no one else on this island, so even if I wanted to, I wouldnât be able to flee. Canât you just sit beside me and let me eat at the table?â
âYouâre much craftier than Chen Meimei, so I donât believe you.â
Lan Jinyao couldnât take it anymore and angrily stated, âYouâre a man! Donât tell me that you canât even stop a weak woman like me?â
Jiang Cheng indifferently said, âYour psychological tactics are useless against me.â
At this point, Lan Jinyao gave up. She merely stared at the window and ignored him.
A moment later, a faint âokayâ sounded in her ear, and she immediately turned her head around. âThen what are you still waiting for? Quickly untie me!â
Then, when Lan Jinyao saw the food on the table, she forgot all about the impending danger and started to wolf down the food. She was ravenous since she hadnât eaten anything up until now. Sheâd also started to feel a bit dizzy due to hunger. Whatâs more, she was pregnant.
After breakfast, Jiang Cheng had to leave. He changed from his casual clothes to formal attire; he must be going to work. Before he left, he gently smiled towards Lan Jinyao and said, âRemember to wait for me, and donât try to escape from here.â
Lan Jinyao acknowledged him and naturally nodded. Sheâd be stupid if she didnât flee. She didnât want to remain even a minute longer at this eerie place. Besides, she had to wait until he was in a good mood for him to take her out of here? Who knows when that would happen?
This time, Lan Jinyaoâs hands and feet werenât tied up, but the door was locked with a fingerprint lock and could only be unlocked with the ownerâs fingerprint.
Then, Lan Jinyaoâs gaze suddenly fell on the maidâs hand.
Since Jiang Cheng had hired this aunt to take care of her, she should be able to come and leave freely, right? Would her fingerprint work?
The aunt was currently cleaning the table quietly with a very serious look on her face. From the first moment they met until now, Lan Jinyao hadnât heard her say a word.
Thus, she decided to test the waters.
âAuntie, doing this every day must be exhausting, right?â
The aunt only lifted her head and glanced at her once before her gaze fell on the table again. She didnât utter a single word.
âCould it be that sheâs mute?â Lan Jinyao murmured. But, Jiang Cheng wouldnât hire someone whoâs mute to accompany her, right? If that was the case, wouldnât she suffocate to death from boredom?
In the next second, the aunt finally spoke, âIâm not mute!â
She finally spoke! Lan Jinyaoâs eyes suddenly lit up, and she thought: Since she wasnât mute, then things would be a lot easier to handle.
âIâm really sorry about that. Itâs because I hadnât heard you speak before. Have you worked here for a long time? Or were you hired by Jiang Cheng not long ago?â
âIâve worked here for a long time already, so I know very well how things work here. Miss Chen, donât attempt to escape from here. Iâm absolutely loyal to our Young Master.â
Already mentioning loyalty? She hadnât even said anything yet! Lan Jinyao lamented in her heart.
No matter if the aunt were truly loyal or not, sheâd break through her defences.
âI wonât run away; Iâm just asking because I wanted to learn more about Jiang Chengâs preferences. He said that once heâs happy, heâd take me along with him.â
After she said these words, Lan Jinyao noticed that the auntâs expression had relaxed.
Sheâd found an opening!