The next morning, Chen Shanyi's eyelids felt heavy, as if she were trapped in a dream that hadn't quite allowed her to wake up. She lay in bed, barely opening her eyes, while the sunlight outside filtered through the thin curtains, casting soft rays across the room. The air was fresh, filled with a gentle scent.
Yesterday's events felt like an illusion, and Siska's words still echoed in her ears. She kept reflecting on what he had said—how their souls had been intertwined for centuries, never truly apart. Why had her memories been erased? Had she really shared such a deep bond with him? Or was it all just some manipulation on his part?
She got up and pushed open the window. A light breeze brushed against her face. She looked down at her empty room, suddenly feeling like everything was strangely unfamiliar. Her emotions were in turmoil, and Siska's face kept resurfacing in her mind, his deep and gentle gaze seeming to wait for her response.
Chen Shanyi decided to go for a walk, to leave the suffocating room behind and give herself some time to think. She put on her coat, stepped outside, and wandered aimlessly through the streets.
The air was crisp, the streets busy with people, but she felt an emptiness within herself, as if she were disconnected from the world around her. She walked on, her gaze drifting, but her thoughts still haunted by Siska's presence.
"Where exactly are our memories hidden?"
She entered a café and sat down, ordering her favorite latte. The aroma of the coffee brought her back to herself a little, but the unease within her remained. She began to ponder her past—what kind of person had she been? What had she once yearned for? What kind of love had she experienced, and what were her dreams?
Gradually, some vague images began to form in her mind. A warm embrace, a deep voice, a long vow—these images, like a watercolor painting, were sometimes clear and at other times blurred.
"Why did the memories disappear like this?"
At that moment, the café doorbell rang, and a familiar figure appeared at the entrance. Chen Shanyi looked up and saw a tall figure, dressed in a dark coat, walking slowly toward her.
It was Siska.
His steps were calm, his gaze still deep and resolute. When he reached her table, he stopped, a subtle emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Shanyi," his voice was low and gentle, like warm sunlight reaching into her heart, "Are you here alone?"
Chen Shanyi looked up and forced a small smile. "Yes, I just needed some time alone." She gestured to the empty chair in front of her. "Would you like to sit?"
Siska smiled slightly, sitting down gently without breaking the quiet atmosphere. His gaze remained soft, as if he could see through the complexities of her heart.
"Last night, you seemed uneasy," Siska's tone was warm but carried a hint of concern. "Were you thinking about those things?"
Chen Shanyi didn't respond, only lowering her gaze to the coffee cup in her hands. Her thoughts were like ripples, unsettled. "What you said about reincarnation..." Her voice was barely audible. "I'm starting to wonder if I'm going crazy."
Siska looked at her, a flash of pity in his eyes. "I understand you," he said gently. "I know you're struggling, I know you're questioning everything. The reason you're confused is that your memories haven't fully returned. But no matter what, I'll stay by your side until you remember everything between us."
Chen Shanyi lifted her head, meeting his eyes directly. "But why did I forget?" Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with confusion and pain. "If we truly made such a vow, why can't I remember anything?"
Siska's expression darkened, and he sighed softly, as if feeling reluctant. "This is the arrangement of fate, and it's a reality we cannot escape." He paused for a moment, his voice low and full of helplessness. "You lost your memories, perhaps because you couldn't bear the pain of the past. Those memories are a burden we both carry."
"A burden?" Chen Shanyi furrowed her brow. "Why do you say these memories are a burden?"
"Because our past is not simple," Siska said slowly, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "Our love has been through too many struggles and sacrifices. When we parted, there was endless pain and turmoil. You gave up so much to protect me, even your memories. You once said that if this love would ultimately hurt me, you were willing to lose everything, even all memories of me."
Chen Shanyi was stunned. Her heart skipped a beat, as if something inside her had been triggered. She wasn't sure if she could accept this truth, this inescapable fate.
"So, I lost my memories to protect you?" she asked softly, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Siska nodded. "Yes, Shanyi. You chose to sacrifice part of your memories for me. You've been living for me all this time, but you couldn't remember the vows we made."
Chen Shanyi felt a heavy pain in her chest, as though something was pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. Her eyes became misty, her heart full of countless questions and pain. She had sacrificed her memories to protect Siska, but now, could she ever recover the lost version of herself?
A silence filled the air. Siska didn't speak again. He simply watched her quietly, as if waiting for her to make a decision.
Chen Shanyi lowered her head, a heavy feeling settling in her heart. "I don't know what to do, Siska." Her voice cracked slightly. "All these years, I've lived peacefully and quietly, but now, everything is collapsing. I don't understand why I was dragged into this whirlwind of fate."
Siska gently reached out and touched her hair, tenderly pulling her into his embrace. "Shanyi, you don't have to rush into a decision. Whether or not you remember, the past doesn't matter. What's important is that from now on, we walk together."
Chen Shanyi closed her eyes, feeling his warm embrace. Although her heart was still full of doubt, she knew that this path was one she could no longer walk alone.