Past Memory

When Tang Qing left the office, everyone else greeted her respectfully, following Yanyan's instructions. Yanyan had told everyone to treat Tang Qing with deference, as she would be his new secretary. This surprised many, as Yanyan had never had a personal secretary - Zhang Tezhu had always handled all the big and small tasks.

Tang Qing felt unaccustomed to this sudden change in status. Just a day ago, she had been a mere newcomer, and now she had been elevated to the position of Yanyan's secretary - a remarkable leap that left her puzzled.

"Why me?" Tang Qing couldn't help but wonder.

She had first encountered Yanyan on a rainy day. At the time, Tang Qing did not fully understand the concept of love, but she had found herself inexplicably drawn to him. Only later did she learn about his family's prestigious status as the top aristocratic dynasty and about Yanyan's position as the heir, born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

"Why me?" Tang Qing had asked him repeatedly, unable to fathom why she had been chosen. She was perplexed and reluctant to give up on understanding the reason.

Yet, Yanyan had sat before her, wearing a serene smile that betrayed no hint of turmoil. Despite being a mere middle school student, his demeanor was remarkably composed, starkly contrasting Tang Qing's state of bewilderment.

"Be my English teacher," Yanyan had said, his words with undeniable authority. Somehow, he had discovered that Tang Qing was one of the best English students in her middle school - a fact that surprised her, as her school vastly differed from Yanyan's prestigious institution. Only later, Tang Qing realized Yanyan's exceptional English command, surpassing her own.

When Tang Qing tried to protest, citing her lack of experience and the need to continue her studies, Yanyan firmly interrupted her.

"I don't need anyone else," he had stated, his gaze unwavering. "I want you."

His words carried a sense of command and attachment, like a potent spell that left Tang Qing powerless to resist.

————————————————————

Whenever Tang Qing thinks about it, she still gets chills. Tang Qing tries to get rid of those memory fragments in her mind.

Yes, she decided to compromise. She compromised so early and with such a lack of skill. He made her temperament so simple. He made her face the world more straight. He made her lose her complete self.

She also tried to change and escape but failed, and Tang Qing found that she had him in her heart; otherwise, how could she allow him to behave ridiculously again and again? Tang Qing lied to herself that she didn't like him, especially since he was already standing behind her.

Remember that on Christmas six years ago, Yan Yan was also jealous because she was too close to a girl who was even just a classmate of Tang Qing's school, so Yan Yan ordered Tang Qing to be locked up in the mansion for a whole week. Otherwise, she would go out. Although Yanyan came every day this week, things seemed to be different. It was at this time that Tang Qing had the idea of ​​​​escape. That day, the housekeeper and some maids were worried that she would get sick after not going out for a long time. So he kindly took her out of the house but unexpectedly encountered an ambush set by Yanyan's mother, and she was almost robbed.

It was that day that she saw the vast empire of power behind him for the first time and saw him murder for the first time. It was also that day that she subconsciously wanted to escape from him, but in the end, she thoroughly angered him.

Fierce, violent, and punitive, he was always cold, but she had never seen his furious side. That time, he was angry.

She heard his voice in her ear, deep with anger, hopelessly sexy. "Why don't you listen to me?"

She wanted to say, I didn't.

At that moment, she was terrified, and Yanyan was angry, but it was too beautiful, like the moment a glass was broken, the fragments were scattered in every corner.

He finally defeated her and called out his name, "Yanyan," in fear.

Her panic and compromise finally made him lose his remaining anger.

Then, there was their first time.

Besides taking away Tang Qing's freedom, Yanyan was surprisingly considerate towards her. He provided Tang Qing with the best of everything, leaving nothing lacking. He would pay attention to her most personal needs, and his thoughtfulness often unsettled her.

Recalling when Tang Qing's father came to her house due to financial troubles. At the time, Yanyan was in the middle of a company meeting, but he rushed to Tang Qing's home without a word. He promptly sent her father away and stayed the night at Tang Qing's place, keeping her company.

The next day, Yanyan accompanied Tang Qing to meet the creditor. Curiously, the creditor seemed unusually respectful towards him. Tang Qing now suspected that Yanyan must have done something behind the scenes.

Yanyan ended up paying off her father's over two million yuan debt. Tang Qing could hardly fathom the significance of this sum to her - she would never have been able to repay it on her own. Yet, Yanyan said, "I don't want you to pay me back; I just want you to stay with me forever."

However, Tang Qing realized that when it was time for people to part ways, words became meaningless. She learned this during the five years they spent separated.

To her surprise, even after clearing her father's debt, Yanyan continued to be by her side. He bought her an apartment, provided her a permanent home, and even visited her family.

As "Yanyan" approached the front door, Tang Qing stopped him and expressed her deep gratitude in an extended manner.

He smiled faintly, lowered his head, and tenderly kissed her lips. Under the setting sun, his handsome features radiated an endless allure.

Then, she heard him respond flatly, "I should do this."