Chapter Three: Yang Xiaoran

Jiang Yang was equally stunned. How could his colleague not even recognize his own wife?

But he quickly caught on and said, “We had a quick marriage before my accident. It’s normal that you wouldn’t know.”

Chen Hao frowned and glanced at him, his small eyes darting around.

Then he quickly put on a smile again. “You’re so popular with the ladies, it’s normal no matter who you marry. But not telling everyone? That’s a bit unfair. You owe us a meal after work today.”

Jiang Yang waved his hand. “I already promised my wife I’d go straight home after work. I’ll treat everyone another day.”

Chen Hao punched him in the chest. “Hey, man, haven’t seen you in days and you’ve turned into a henpecked husband?”

Jiang Yang smiled gently. “Of course. You couldn’t envy the kind of luck I have with women.”

“Look at you, so smug. Your wife must be really beautiful. You should bring her around for everyone to see someday.”

“Definitely.” Jiang Yang suddenly recalled that apart from the hospital and abroad, he and Wang Ruolan hadn’t met each other’s family or friends. Since they were married, it was only right to introduce them.

Chen Hao suddenly seemed to remember something. “By the way, your psychologist came looking for me. Maybe you should go see her sometime?”

“Psychologist?” Jiang Yang had no recollection. When did he ever see a psychologist? Did he have psychological issues before the accident?

Seeing Chen Hao’s strange look, he quickly explained, “You know, I had a concussion from the accident and forgot some things. Do you have my psychologist’s contact info?”

“Yeah, she said she couldn’t reach you or find you, but left a number. I’ll send it to you.” Chen Hao searched his phone and sent Jiang Yang the psychologist’s phone number and address.

Jiang Yang glanced at it: “Yang Xiaoran Psychological Clinic.” The name seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t recall any interaction with Dr. Yang.

He thought to himself, since he kept having those strange recurring dreams, maybe the psychologist could help answer some questions.

The clinic was conveniently located not far from the company, so he decided to visit during lunch break today.

Back at the office, his colleagues warmly welcomed his return.

Though Jiang Yang said he was fine, Manager Zhao from the design department was still considerate.

They didn’t assign him any work that day; instead, he was asked to reacquaint himself with the company’s current design projects, with specific tasks to be arranged in a few days.

After reviewing the materials Manager Zhao handed him, Jiang Yang took a moment before lunch to call Yang Xiaoran.

From the other end came a woman’s voice, rich and magnetic: “Hello, may I ask who’s calling?”

“Hi, my name is Jiang Yang…”

“Jiang Yang! Where have you been these past few days?” The woman’s voice rose a few degrees, tinged with excitement and eagerness.

Jiang Yang hadn’t expected the doctor to be so animated. She seemed like a good doctor who really cared for her patient. He replied, “Dr. Yang, sorry, I was just traveling abroad for a few days.”

Sensing a lapse in her own composure, Yang Xiaoran cleared her throat softly. “Oh, I see. I heard about your accident and memory loss. How are you doing now?”

“It’s complicated. I’m still experiencing memory gaps. Are you free at noon today? I want to come by and ask you some questions.”

“I’m free. I’ll come find you. We’ll have lunch together.”

Jiang Yang thought, this doctor even offers home visits? Just as he was about to agree, another woman’s voice interrupted from the background: “Dr. Yang, didn’t you have an appointment with Director Zhang at noon?”

Judging by their conversation, it sounded like her assistant, but what Yang Xiaoran said next left Jiang Yang dumbfounded.

“I’m not available today. Tell him to come tomorrow,” Yang Xiaoran replied without hesitation.

Jiang Yang was stunned. Was he some kind of VIP patient? She was willing to cancel other appointments for him? But he was just a junior designer at an advertising firm.

Still, his memory was the priority now. He agreed, “Okay, then where shall we eat?”

Yang Xiaoran again without hesitation said, “The usual place.”

Jiang Yang was taken aback. “The usual place? We often eat together? I really have forgotten…”

Now he was utterly bewildered. Clearly, his relationship with Dr. Yang was not just that of an ordinary patient and doctor.

After a brief silence, Yang Xiaoran did not explain but said, “I’ll send you the address.”

…

The restaurant was a private establishment specializing in Zhejiang cuisine.

It was adorned with elegant lanterns, antique sandalwood furnishings, and jade screens — all signaling a high-class dining experience.

As a corporate drone who usually had simple meals in the company cafeteria, sometimes just rice without the pork knuckles, Jiang Yang couldn’t understand why this was considered Dr. Yang’s “usual place.”

However, he did seem to have been here before.

Not because he recalled anything in particular, but because the waitress in a cheongsam greeted him at the door, saying, “Miss Yang is waiting for you in the Jingzhe room.”

Jingzhe?

Indeed, recent life had been full of jolts and surprises.

He had thought that returning to the office routine would restore normalcy, but strange things were just beginning again.

As the waitress opened the door to the Jingzhe room, Jiang Yang immediately saw Dr. Yang Xiaoran already waiting.

She wore a fitted pale blue dress that accentuated her alluring figure.

Her chestnut hair was pinned up, with two strands naturally framing her face, highlighting her refined features with an air of sophisticated radiance.

From the side, her snow-white, long legs were wrapped in ultra-thin nude stockings, with delicate veins visible — like a freshly bathed beauty, every subtle movement irresistibly enticing.

When she saw Jiang Yang, her amber eyes suddenly shone with a peculiar light, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly in a natural smile.

“You’re finally back.”

Just those few words, spoken in her magnetic voice, stirred a flutter in any man’s heart.

Jiang Yang sat down opposite her, feeling a bit awkward. After all, he was now a married man; meeting alone with another woman right after returning seemed somewhat unfaithful.

Better to explain his purpose clearly.

So he began, “Sorry, Dr. Yang. I came to see you today to ask about something from before my accident.”

Yang Xiaoran propped her chin on one hand, a playful smile appearing on her delicate face. “No rush. As usual, I’ll ask you a question first.”

Jiang Yang’s expression stiffened again. “The usual place,” then “the usual procedure”—what exactly was his relationship with Dr. Yang?

And why was she now rubbing her high-heeled shoe against his foot under the table?