1.29

The room was bustling when we entered, the banquet hall was split over two floors, with a balcony overlooking the dance floor.

Through the large windows, I could see a large patio outside with stunning views of the nighttime city skyline.

"You told me we wouldn't be late," I leaned towards Jianyu to quietly complain, whilst trying to maintain a smile.

I'd woken up already dressed, to Jianyu letting in the makeup and hair people, who looked as if they'd already been waiting a while. It should have been still light outside still, yet it was pitch black.

"We're not late," he remained completely relaxed despite almost the entire room glancing at us as we walked towards the banquet tables.

"Then why is the room so full?" I gulped, each gaze burning away at my bare skin. I felt self-conscious of the mark Lex had left, even though I knew the makeup artist had skillfully covered it.

They even eyed Jianyu with amusement, joking about the bliss of a newly wedded couple, making my heart itch with grief and guilt at the knowledge he hadn't been the one to leave it there.

Luckily my dress was modest covering most of my skin, as well as leaving plenty of places to store hidden weapons.

"They were early," his smile widened as Dr. Wu walked toward us.

I elbowed him in the hip playfully, then walked ahead to greet Dr. Wu. "Brother-in-law," I gave him a warm hug.

He gave me a brief hug back then stepped back, hands up as if innocent, "Luna bug, don't put me in that monster's crossfire."

I giggled and rolled my eyes. This was good, my heart finally felt lighter. This was a life I could claim and enjoy. I even felt eager to see the chubby baby in Meilin's stomach some more.

The lights suddenly dimmed, drawing attention to the brightly lit stage where the elders now stood. We swiftly took our seats at the table Meilin and her parents sat at.

Grandpa Mo stepped forward to the podium leaning against it as if he would fall without it.

"Welcome to the fiftieth anniversary of the clan's unification, it is my privilege to be your host," he paused to catch his breath, he looked so weak and frail, so why did he always put the fear of God into me?

"In the spirit of unification I want to take this moment to announce that there will be a wedding very soon to which you will all receive invites soon."

The crowd glanced at both Jianyu and Meilin. Before my arrival, the elders had been pushing the two to marry to achieve their goals of complete unification. Jianyu was both the Fu and Wu clan heir, and before I arrived Meilin was the Mo clan heir.

"It gives me great pleasure to say yes, the person you all know as Wei Zhiyue is in fact my granddaughter and the heiress of the Mo clan, Mo Zhiyue."

I gulped, feeling the gazes shift to myself.

"Turns out through sheer luck young master Fu found our Xiao Yue and kept her hidden," he chuckled awkwardly, "you know how young lovebirds can be, they eloped and held a private ceremony in secret last year, so we hope to see you again when we hold the public ceremony."

"Last year?" I spoke through gritted teeth. Jianyu only shrugged, then smiled and nodded his head thanking the many claps of congratulations.

What was the point of lying like this? Were the elders ashamed that I was pregnant before the formal wedding? I glanced at Meilin, feeling pity for the future she was going to face.

The elders took turns to give speeches, addressing issues relevant to each clan whilst I drank my water slowly, wishing it was something alcoholic. Unfortunately, everybody thought I was pregnant and none of the servers passed me anything.

After the speeches, the elders joined us at the table and the banquet began. I remained quiet, picking at my food as everybody excitedly chatted around me.

Jianyu's hand rested on my thigh under the table, rubbing it softly trying to comfort me. My waist ached. Fucking men.

Somberly I wandered to one of the private patios on the upper floor after the meal, taking a moment to lean against the fence and breathe in the crisp autumn air.

Feeling my feet ache in the high heels I kicked them off and sat down on the small loveseat. The air caressing my bare feet was heavenly.

"Want a rub?" An eerily familiar voice asked. I glanced up with wide eyes, to see Lixin closing and locking the door behind him, then he joined me on the loveseat. He sat down and lifted my feet onto his lap, ignoring my frown.

"Where the fuck did you come from?" My voice was harsh as I felt my ribs crush against my lungs and erratically beating heart. Was he here to take revenge on me or Jianyu? I felt a little reassured knowing that Jianyu was also immortal like us, my previous worries had all been in vain.

He laughed and squeezed my left foot, keeping it in his strong grip as I tried to sit up more straight and pull it away.

"Did you forget about me?" He tutted and gave me a playful smirk that only made me feel more on edge.

I had actually.

My hand rested on my thigh, feeling the blade strapped to it.

"What do you want?"

"Well I recall asking you to meet me not so long ago," he shrugged, "you've given me quite the run around to find you."

"I already know everything, I know who Jianyu is, he is one of us. So what do you hope to gain?" I asked, slightly nervous.

"Not only can I help you remember Zhiyue's entire past, but I'm also able to help you recall your own," he winked.

My heart skipped a beat. "Please?" I begged with tears in the corner of my eyes.

"Kiss me," he smirked.

"E-excuse me?"

"You heard…" my foot was suddenly lifted to his shoulder as he pinned me to the small loveseat, "kiss me and tell your System to cooperate, that would help too."

Why did recovering my memory require a kiss?

I sighed, knowing he was trying to mess around with my head. It was just a kiss. I could explain it Jianyu that I was bitten by a dog.

Anything would be worth it if I could recall my past life. I wanted nothing more than to know who I was, what I had done, and why all these men were surrounding me.

I gulped feeling his hungry eyes looking down on me.

I leaned up slightly to kiss softly. I felt his lips curve as he kissed back, then bit at my lip, drawing blood.

I tried to pull back, but a sharp pain hit my temple, making me freeze as I helplessly watched Zhiyue's life play out finally through her eyes, not like before from afar. Each memory brought with it all five senses, all her emotions, thoughts, and feelings as if I'd lived through it myself.

Sweet childhood of a spoiled little madame, where she remained ignorant of the world around her. Parents who had loved her more than life itself, trying to shield her from the darker side of their life.

There was a blurry moment whilst Zhiyue was under her grandparent's care, something she was refusing to show me.

I watched with dread as their inevitable deaths played out. Watched the moment Wang Lei turned into someone new, whilst Zhiyue remained oh-so ignorant.

Relived the years of time at the orphanage where Wang Lei's new soul played big brother, then lover. Meeting Su Meng, after losing Wang Lei. Her time building up her skills and career, following Su Meng's wishes just as she had done with Wang Lei. Living her life like the perfect marionette.

Only for it all to end when threats began creeping up at work, a surprise present here, an accident there. All threatening her to leave the entertainment industry.

Then Jianyu came back into her life, slowly he tried to heal and help her, their relationship remaining completely innocent.

When she found Wang Lei in her hotel room she had been so happy, and so in love. The stupid girl forgot that he had abandoned her, and had no idea that he had been tormenting her, trying to force her to quit her career.

Only after they had sex did he confess, leading to a complete and utter mental breakdown and a very ugly fight, which ended with Zhiyue taking the dagger from his pile of clothes and sticking it in her gut. Finally taking a bittersweet stand against his control.