LOVING AGAIN

BURIED SCARS

“Her condition is rather complicated.”

The doctor placed the reports on his desk and removed his glasses before looking at Si Tianxiao.

“It’s less of a physical problem and more of a psychological one.”

Tianxiao remained silent.

“I studied psychology for a while that is why I can deduce this,” the doctor continued. “From her reactions, I’d say she has severe trauma connected to alcohol. When my nurses tried to examine her, she began shivering and crying despite being unconscious. That isn’t a normal response.”

He paused for a moment.

“My guess is that something terrible happened to her while she was intoxicated. Her mind now associates drunkenness with danger, and it wouldn't just be once occurrence.”

His gaze sharpened.

“You said you’re her husband. Has anything like this happened before?”

Si Tianxiao’s jaw tightened. He had only just found Chen Qianci again after years of searching. He knew almost nothing about the life she had lived without him.

The doctor sighed softly.

“Whatever the truth is, don’t let her drink alcohol again. Today she cut her own hand to be in control. If this repeats, the consequences may be much worse.”

He slid another report across the table.

“People she truly trusts may calm her down. And if possible… arrange a long therapy for her. She needs professional help more than medicine.”

Si Tianxiao lowered his eyes, his heart feeling strangely heavy.

Qianci… what have you been through.

...Inside the Ward

Si Yue carefully pushed open the hospital door.

The room was quiet except for the steady rhythm of the heart monitor.

Chen Qianci lay asleep, her complexion frighteningly pale. Even in that fragile state, she was still beautiful.

As Si Yue drew closer, she noticed the dried tear stains at the corners of Qianci’s eyes.

Her own tears fell instantly.

She dropped to her knees beside the bed.

“I’m sorry…” The guilt she had carried for years finally broke free.

...

Even unconscious, Nie Lingxi couldn’t escape.

Sleep had never been peaceful. It was simply another place where her memories hunted her.

Today, the nightmare returned her to the Chen family.

Back then, Chen Qianci had lived like a princess. Born into wealth, she never worried about money or status. She was mischievous, forever skipping classes, sneaking out to parties and earning endless punishments.

Madam Chen demanded perfection.

Etiquette teachers came and went one after another, while her father merely smiled helplessly.

“Listen to your mother.”

“Your mother is right.”

Those words became the soundtrack of her childhood. She didn't have a perfect life, but everything was alright. Nevertheless everything changed the day the truth surfaced.

She wasn’t their daughter.

Chen Qianci secretly repeated the DNA test in several hospitals, hoping one of them would prove everyone wrong.

None did.

Madam Chen’s disappointment cut deeper than any slap.

“I should have realised earlier,” she had said coldly. “My daughter could never be so disobedient.”

Soon, the Chen family found their real daughter.

Chen Meiling.

She was elegant, gentle and effortlessly lovable—the perfect daughter Madam Chen had always imagined. At every banquet, Chen Meiling stood proudly beside Madam Chen while Qianci slowly disappeared into the background.

Her friends accused her of stealing someone else’s life for eighteen years.

The rich young ladies abandoned her overnight.

But what was her fault? She wasn't the one that exchanged herself.

Even her arranged fiancé chose Chen Meiling. By the time Chen Qianci finally stopped caring about him, Chen Meiling was already wearing the engagement ring that had once been meant for her.

The Chen mansion became a prison she desperately wanted to escape.

This time her dream took a different turn.

Si Yue appeared.

Fashion had always brought them together. Although Qianci constantly failed practical classes because of her carefree attitude, she had a remarkable gift for design. She secretly drew dress sketches for Si Yue’s boutique, asking only one favour.

“Don’t put my name on them.”

But after the Chen family scandal, even Si Yue disappeared.

Her calls never connected.

The boutique was suddenly managed by strangers.

The Si family estate remained tightly sealed, refusing visitors day and night.

Eventually, Chen Qianci convinced herself that Si Yue had abandoned her like everyone else.

And so had Si Tianxiao. The man who had once confessed his feelings, had looked at her with nothing but indifference the last time they met.

That memory had stayed with her longer than she cared to admit.

...

Beside the hospital bed, Si Yue held Qianci’s hand tightly.

“Qianci… I’m so sorry.”

Her voice trembled uncontrollably.

“My grandfather took me overseas to expand the family’s fashion business.

She broke into sobs.

“There was no signal there. It was like the whole place had been cut off from the world. My grandfather had it all f*****g planned out. I thought my brother had returned… I thought he was protecting you.”

She lowered her head.

“I tried to come back. I swear I did. But my Grandfather wouldn’t let me leave. I was trapped.”

Tears soaked the hospital blanket.

“Please believe me. I would never leave you when you needed me the most.”

For the briefest moment, the corners of Qianci’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Deep inside her unconscious mind, Lingxi felt warmth spread through her heart. If this was true she'd forgive her willingly.

Because no matter how many years had passed, Si Yue had always been the only friend she truly cherished.

...

Slowly, Nie Lingxi's eyelids fluttered open.

The harsh light stabbed at her eyes, forcing her to squeeze them shut again. She lay still for a few seconds until the burning eased, then slowly looked around.

A hospital room.

Oddly enough, the pounding headache she always suffered after drinking was gone. Relieved, she tried to push herself upright, but a sharp pain tore through her left hand. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying out.

Only then did she notice the thick white bandage wrapped around her wrist.

Beside the bed, a girl had fallen asleep with her head resting on the mattress. Her long wavy hair spilled across the sheets, and one hand clung tightly to Lingxi's as though she feared letting go.

Nie Lingxi froze.

Si Yue...?

Her heart lurched before she immediately shook her head. No. It couldn't be.

Carefully, she tried to slide her hand free. The sleeping girl's fingers instinctively tightened around hers. The movement woke her.

Si Yue lifted her head, her swollen eyes meeting Lingxi's blue ones. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Yue...?" Lingxi whispered uncertainly. "Si Yue?"

Tears instantly filled Si Yue's eyes.

"Yes, Qianqian. It's me."

The next second, Lingxi threw her arms around her. Si Yue stiffened in surprise before hugging her back just as tightly, as if afraid this reunion would disappear the moment she loosened her grip.

Outside the ward, Si Tiangxiao stood with his hand hovering over the doorknob.

He had visited in the middle of the night and found both girls asleep. Now that Chen Qianci was awake, he found himself unable to enter.

For the first time in years, the man everyone feared hesitated.

After a long silence, he withdrew his hand and went downstairs to buy breakfast.

When the two women finally pulled apart, they spoke at exactly the same time.

"I've missed you."

A brief silence followed before both burst into laughter. Si Yue's laugh was bright and musical, while Lingxi's was softer—softer than it had been in years.

Once they settled down, Si Yue lowered her head.

"I... I...I"

Lingxi smiled gently.

"Calm down, Yue. You don't have to explain. I heard everything while I was unconscious."

Si Yue looked up in disbelief.

"Qianqian..."

"It's Lingxi now," she corrected softly. "Nie Lingxi."

Understanding flashed across Si Yue's face. That name carried too many painful memories.

Trying to lighten the mood, Nie Lingxi shrugged.

"Nothing much happened. After I left the Chen family, it took me a while to adjust. I met a woman who helped me when I was pregnant, and later I reunited with my biological parents. That's all."

Si Yue almost sighed.

The wandering eyes. The forced smile.

Lingxi was lying.

Not because she wanted to deceive her—but because the truth hurt too much to say aloud.

After a pause, Si Yue asked quietly,

"What about the baby?"

Nie Lingxi instinctively lowered her eyes to her stomach.

"The child..." she whispered. "She died during childbirth."

The room fell silent.

Si Yue simply reached over and hugged her again.

Lingxi blinked rapidly before forcing herself to smile.

"Let's talk about something else." She looked up suddenly.

"I didn't... hurt anyone yesterday, did I?"

Si Yue scratched the tip of her nose awkwardly.

"Well... you injured someone."

Lingxi's expression changed.

"Who?"

"My brother."

"...Your brother?" She took a moment to recall.

Then the colour drained from her face.

At that exact moment, the ward door opened.

A tall man walked in carrying several breakfast bags. His ash-grey suit fitted him flawlessly, diamond cufflinks catching the morning light. Everything about him radiated elegance—and an untouchable coldness.

Si Tiangxiao.

Nie Lingxi's eyes immediately landed on the bandage wrapped around his right hand.

Great job, Lingxi.

For one dangerous second, she forgot everything else and simply stared at him.

Then the memories returned.

"Excuse me... do I know you?"

Those cruel words echoed inside her head.

Sensing the tension, Si Yue hurried over.

"Brother, let me take those."

Lingxi lowered her gaze. "I... I'll use the washroom."

She climbed off the bed, refusing to look at him.

Years ago, Si Tiangxiao had jokingly nicknamed her Blind Cat because of her clumsy nature but fate played a joke on her when it became true.

Back then, they had been inseparable childhood sweethearts.

Turned out some of the Si corporation rivals had found out about her.

They had used her as leverage to force Si Tiangxiao—already the largest shareholder of the Si Corporation—to sign a contract. His grandfather had raged. A girl like Chen Qianci wasn't worth sacrificing the company's interests for.

Only after the kidnappers released a video showing her injured eyes did Si Tiangxiao finally give in despite his grandfather being reluctant.

The damage had left her with temporary weakened eyesight. Surgery had been impossible while she was still growing, so she survived with glasses and contact lenses.

Now though, she could do surgery but the finance was not available. Therefore her vision was blurry. It was always worse whenever she was stressed.

Lost in those memories, Lingxi failed to notice the uneven floor.

She stumbled.

Before she hit the ground, a strong arm caught her waist.

His grip tightened instinctively as he steadied her, surprised by how frighteningly light she had become because she crashed straight into his chest.

For several seconds, neither moved.

Lingxi looked up into his dark eyes, while he found himself drowning in the same ocean-blue eyes he had searched for over countless years.

"You've been avoiding me?" he asked quietly.

Her expression turned glacial.

A bitter smile touched her lips.

She had once asked him that exact question.

His answer had destroyed her.

Now she returned it word for word.

"Excuse me..." she said coldly, "...do I know you?"

She pushed him away.

"Let me go."

Without waiting for a response, she walked into the washroom and slammed the door shut.

The silence that followed was heavy.

Si Yue sighed.

"She hasn't forgiven you."

Si Tiangxiao said nothing.

"If I were her," Si Yue continued, "I'd have strangled you the moment I saw you. You're lucky she only walked away."

He stared out of the window, his voice unusually quiet.

"Do you think... she'll ever believe me?"

Before Si Yue could answer, the washroom door clicked open.

Nie Lingxi stepped out with her hair tied into a neat ponytail.

Her face was calm.

Si Yue was startled...