I was still seated on the soft bed when Wei Xiaotian returned, carrying a peach-pink hanfu in his arms. It was stunning—delicate, elegant, and unlike anything I had ever seen before. The fabric shimmered in the light, and a faint, sweet fragrance of peaches lingered around it. It was beautiful, yet so different from the rugged, imposing presence of the man holding it.
He stepped closer, holding the hanfu out to me with the same care one would give a precious treasure.
"Do you need help putting this on? It's quite heavy," he said, his tone gentle, yet laced with the same commanding authority that seemed to define him.
I reached out and snatched it from his hands, startling even myself with the abruptness of the motion. "No, I don't—" I hesitated, my words faltering. "I... I can do it."
Wei Xiaotian raised an eyebrow but nodded. "As you wish," he replied calmly, though his sharp eyes lingered on me, as if gauging whether I truly meant it. "But be careful. The bath is ready, and the hanfu can be difficult to manage alone."
He stepped closer, his large hands gently cupping my face. His touch was warm, steady, and I couldn't help but notice the golden ring on his finger—a symbol of status, perhaps? My thoughts scrambled as his piercing gaze held mine.
"All of the arrangements were carefully handled by the maidens themselves," he continued. "If anything is wrong, tell me. I'll fix it immediately."
I blinked up at him, words caught in my throat. Before I could even muster a response, I stood abruptly, breaking the contact. "You can leave,"
He paused, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight smile, he stepped back. "Are you certain you don't need help?" he asked again. Before I could answer, he glanced toward the doorway and gestured. A servant entered the room, bowing deeply before standing at attention.
"I cannot help you myself," Wei Xiaotian said, his tone shifting back to one of authority, "but the servant will assist you if needed. I'll be waiting outside the sauna for you."
He turned and walked toward the door but paused briefly to glance back at me, his smile soft yet enigmatic.
I forced a confused smile in return, still stunned by the whirlwind of events. "Sure... okay," I stammered.
His way of speaking was so respectful yet commanding, every word carrying weight and intention. Compared to him, I felt small, lost, and entirely out of place.
Yet, as I glanced down at the beautiful hanfu in my hands, the reality of my situation hit me once more. What is going on? Why am I here? But for now, I decided to go with the flow until I could make sense of it all.
As soon as Wei Xiaotian stepped out, the servant approached cautiously, his steps light but filled with a nervous energy. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Master... do you know how much I've missed you?" His eyes glistened as he looked at me, his expression a mix of relief and sorrow. "After your soul was stolen, Master Wei Xiaotian... he..."
The servant's voice broke, and he swallowed hard before continuing. "He used to cry every night, lying beside you and caressing your feet, praying for your return. Even after a year, he never stopped searching for ways to bring your soul back. He visited countless great healers and sages from every sect, sparing no effort. You are truly fortunate to have him, Master Yu Hengtian."
I blinked, my mind racing to process his words. Soul stolen? Searching for me? Crying every night? None of it made sense. I clutched the peach-pink hanfu tighter, feeling its soft fabric against my fingers, grounding me in the surreal reality I had been thrust into.
"I..." I hesitated, unsure of what to say. "Do I... know you?"
At my words, the servant's eyes widened, tears spilling over. He fell to his knees, bowing so low that his forehead touched the floor. "Master! You've forgotten me too?" His voice cracked, and his shoulders shook with sobs.
I froze, the sight of him prostrating before me filling me with unease. "Don't—don't do that!" I stammered, stepping forward awkwardly. "Get up. Please, just get up!"
But he didn't move. "How can I rise when my master has forgotten me? How can I face this world knowing you don't remember?"
I crouched down, placing a hesitant hand on his trembling shoulder. "Seriously, stop this. I... bowing like this—crying like this—won't help anything."
The servant slowly lifted his head, his tear-streaked face looking up at me with an expression of hope mixed with despair. "Master, even if you've forgotten, it doesn't matter. You're here now. You've returned. That's all that matters."
I straightened up, taking a step back as I tried to steady my breath. What kind of life had this Yu Hengtian lived? And why does everyone seem to think I'm him?
The servant rose slowly, his watery eyes meeting mine, brimming with a strange combination of joy and sorrow. Despite the tear tracks on his cheeks, his lips curled into a soft smile.
"You're just as pretty and kind as before, Master," he murmured. "Even though you've forgotten who I am, you still care. Your heart... it's still the same."
Before I could react, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. I stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden display of affection. His warmth, his trembling grip—it felt so genuine that I couldn't bring myself to push him away. I let him hug me, standing awkwardly as his emotions poured out in silence.
Kind? Pretty? I thought to myself, baffled. This is not the way anyone would describe me. What kind of person was Yu Hengtian?As his hold on me loosened, an idea struck me. If they believed I had simply forgotten everything, then maybe... maybe I could use that to my advantage. I could ask questions, try to piece together what had happened, and figure out how I ended up in this world.