Chapter Forty-Five: Beautiful Memories of a Past Life

Seeing the expression on Xiao Fei’s face, everyone was astonished.

“Husband, what’s wrong?” Qin Tianxiang hurried over to ask.

Liu Ruyan, gravely wounded and barely conscious, slowly opened her eyes. In her haze, she caught sight of a familiar face. Overcome with emotion, she fainted once more.

“Doctor, I beg you, please save her, I’m begging you!” Xiao Fei pleaded desperately with the physician.

“Don’t worry, young sir,” the doctor replied. “A healer’s heart is as a parent’s; how could we turn our backs on someone in need? Besides, you’ve just brought honor to all your fellow countrymen. I will do everything in my power to save this young lady. You may rest assured—she is fortunate, her life is not in danger.”

“Feifei… Feifei… you mustn’t die…” Xiao Fei murmured Ouyang Feifei’s name, lost in memories of a previous life.

Li Shishi and Qin Tianxiang exchanged bewildered glances. “Feifei? Isn’t she called Liu Ruyan?”

This young woman, Liu Ruyan, was in truth Ouyang Feifei, Xiao Fei’s beloved teacher from his previous life.

In Xiao Fei’s recollection, it was during his former life, when he first entered university. Having endured the intense and repressive years of high school, he yearned for a different existence. Thus, he took to the internet, played games, chased after girls—nearly everything but studying. As one might expect, his grades at the end of term were dismal.

Ouyang Feifei, his counselor for his first two years of college, grew deeply concerned. She was a newcomer to the faculty, fiercely competitive and unwilling to let any student fall behind. So she gave Xiao Fei one-on-one tutoring many times. Knowing his English was weak, she used her spare time to help him improve.

To create a good environment for learning, Ouyang Feifei invited Xiao Fei to her home for tutoring every weekend.

In time, Ouyang Feifei and Xiao Fei developed a forbidden romance—a relationship between teacher and student, though Ouyang Feifei never dared to admit it.

One weekend, Xiao Fei, keeping the visit secret from Lin Siyu, arrived at Ouyang Feifei’s home as promised. Unfortunately, this coincided with the outbreak of a major international epidemic—Type A pneumonia. The government took various measures to halt its spread, including imposing 24-hour quarantines on neighborhoods with suspected or confirmed cases. Just before Xiao Fei arrived, three residents in Ouyang Feifei’s community were diagnosed and rushed to the hospital, resulting in a sudden lockdown. Xiao Fei and Ouyang Feifei found themselves quarantined together.

Upon learning of their isolation, Ouyang Feifei was so angry her face flushed red, her chest heaving with agitation. Xiao Fei feigned composure, thinking to himself: “A man and a woman alone in a room, unable to leave, with no one else coming in—doesn’t this sound just like those legendary tales of forbidden love? So many classic romances begin this way!”

Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu lived in seclusion in an ancient tomb and grew close over time; Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan’s love blossomed in a deserted well; Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu, trapped in a cave on Ice and Fire Island, sparked the flame that led to Zhang Wuji’s birth. And now, what about me and Ouyang Feifei? Xiao Fei thought mischievously.

He couldn’t help but laugh aloud at the idea.

Furious, Ouyang Feifei kicked at him and retorted, “How can you laugh at a time like this? Why am I so unlucky? It’s all your fault, Xiao Fei! Since I met you, nothing good has happened to me! You’re such a scoundrel!”

Xiao Fei dodged with a grin. “What’s the use in blaming me? I didn’t bring the disease. I’m quarantined too, you know—I’m a victim here!”

Ouyang Feifei, both angry and helpless, could only stamp her feet in frustration.

She immediately tried to contact her family and reached out to friends for help, hoping someone could get her out, but no one dared to make a decision over something so serious.

Frustrated, she set down her phone. Seeing Xiao Fei’s sly smile, her anger flared again and she snapped, “What are you grinning at? Feeling pleased with yourself, are you?”

Xiao Fei could barely contain his laughter. “Am I laughing? I don’t think so.”

Ouyang Feifei was so exasperated she nearly pounced on him, grinding her teeth. “Still denying it? Hmph!”

Gradually, Ouyang Feifei came to accept this bitter reality, consoling herself with the thought, “Since I’m here, I might as well make the best of it.” Still, the idea of living under the same roof with Xiao Fei for days on end left her uneasy. She was sure he harbored no good intentions.

At midday, Xiao Fei and Ouyang Feifei cheerfully cooked together, and for the first time she smiled as brightly as she used to. She insisted on competing with Xiao Fei to see who could make the better dish.

Xiao Fei had never cooked before, but now, whatever he tried, he picked up instantly. In no time, he made a braised carp. When it came time to eat, he deliberately praised Ouyang Feifei’s cooking as far superior, and indeed, her food was delicious.

That evening, Ouyang Feifei called her parents and friends to share her woes, but reassured them she was safe and they needn’t worry. Afterwards, she went to the bathroom to take a shower.

A long time later, from the bathroom, she called out, “I’m done!”

“All right, I heard you,” Xiao Fei replied absently.

“Hurry up and turn away, I’m coming out,” she called again.

“I know, just come out. Unless you’re planning to come out naked?” Xiao Fei teased.

“Nonsense! I’m wrapped in a towel,” she replied, flustered.

“Then what’s the problem? Why should I turn away?” Xiao Fei said, feigning innocence.

“Even so, you have to! Men’s minds always go astray—I know exactly what you’re thinking,” she protested.

“Then just stay inside,” Xiao Fei retorted, not giving an inch.

“You—hmph! Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you can bully me!” Ouyang Feifei fumed. But after waiting ages and seeing Xiao Fei hadn’t left the living room, she dashed from the bathroom, feet bare, and rushed into her bedroom.

Xiao Fei shook his head, smiling.

Soon after, Ouyang Feifei emerged fully dressed, her cheeks flushed—whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to say.

Xiao Fei wanted to visit her room, but she promptly shoved him out.

“I’m going to sleep. Get out!” she said, mortified, pushing him away.

Xiao Fei returned to the living room and watched TV, bored. Before long, a wild storm raged outside, thunder and lightning crashing, and soon heavy rain pelted down, even mixed with hail.

A thunderclap shook the house, followed by a scream as Ouyang Feifei emerged from her room, clearly terrified.

“Xiao Fei, I’m scared,” she whimpered, hiding behind the sofa.

Just then, another deafening boom sounded. The lights flickered out, the TV snapped off, and Ouyang Feifei shrieked, leaping onto the sofa in search of Xiao Fei’s protection.

She curled up, hugging her knees, pressing close to Xiao Fei, her wide, dark eyes full of fear.

Her body trembled, her voice shaky. “Xiao Fei… I’m scared…”

No sooner had she spoken than another peal of thunder exploded outside. With a cry, she forgot all pretense and dove into Xiao Fei’s arms.

She shivered uncontrollably, burying her face in his chest, her body cold with terror. Xiao Fei spread the quilt over them both, wrapping her up. One arm encircled her waist, the other gently stroked her head, holding her close.

He didn’t know how much time passed, but the storm outside gradually faded. Lulled by his embrace, the woman in his arms soon breathed softly in sleep. Glancing down, Xiao Fei saw a slight smile grace her lovely, delicate face—perhaps she was dreaming something sweet.

Xiao Fei smiled with happiness. He knew Ouyang Feifei loved him, though the boundaries of teacher and student made her feelings complicated. He would give her all the time she needed to overcome her inner doubts; only then could she truly be happy.

Lost in his thoughts, Xiao Fei drifted off as well.

At dawn, Xiao Fei woke to find Ouyang Feifei lifting her sleepy head from his shoulder.

Still half asleep, she groaned, “What is this? It’s pressing against me and so uncomfortable!”

She reached down to move whatever it was aside.

Only then did Xiao Fei realize that, like all men in the morning, his body had reacted as nature dictated—and was now pressed against her lower abdomen.

He was about to tell her to stop, but it was too late. Frowning, Ouyang Feifei pushed at it with her palm, once, then again, failing to move it.

Since it was already too late, Xiao Fei grinned wickedly and let her do as she pleased.

Gradually, Ouyang Feifei became fully awake, and as realization dawned, her eyes widened in shock. Her beautiful face lost all color; mortified and furious, she scrambled off Xiao Fei, crying, “You… you pervert!” Without waiting to put on her slippers, she dashed into her room and slammed the door in a rage.

Xiao Fei stared after her, dumbstruck, the taste of wanting but being denied more agonizing than ever.