256 For Herself

"I have tried helping bro to recover his memories but..."

Ru interrupted him as she abruptly spoke, "No, you can't do that." Ji Syaoran looked at her strangely as she added, "Do you even know the consequences of recklessly trying to push reality at him?"

Ji Syaoran looked dejected as he replied, "Yes, I do. The doctor said I can lose my brother for life. Why do you think I'm living as a half-brother? Why do you think my father is willing to be the villain for bro? Why do you think that my whole family is a mess?"

Ru could understand his feelings and that made it worse for her. He alone had to go through everything and not only that, he even had to call Ji Caihong as his sister even though he knew that it was Ji Caihong's mother that ruined his own family. Apparently, Ji Syaoran wasn't as carefree as he seemed to the world. He was carrying the burden of secrets too heavy for his age.

"Aren't you well-versed in hypnosis? Can't you help my brother?" Ji Syaoran looked at Ru hopefully but the latter shook her head.

"It's not that simple anymore. It has been 13 years since his memories have altered. At this point, I believe that deep hypnosis had been used which means, if I tried messing with his memories again, it will have consequences." Ru replied in a calm manner without showing the distress she was feeling inside. "Brain had always been the most complicated part of our body. It's almost impossible to understand the neural system. However, what I can tell you is that I'll look for a way to help him."

Ji Syaoran looked relaxed to hear that. It meant a lot to him when she said that she was willing to help. "Actually, my dad wanted to look for the Xia family to help my brother. It's a widely known legend that Xia Clan had always been the masters of hypnosis. But our only connection with the Xia Clan was my mother who doesn't even recognize herself 7 out of 10 times."

Ru heard his words but stayed quiet. It wasn't like she was gonna tell him that she was from Xia Clan herself. "But later I heard that my grandfather did contact someone from the Xia Clan, however, their answer was the same as you. Messing with bro's brain can do more harm than good."

Ru wasn't surprised to hear his words at all. She was taught by the same people, obviously, her answer was aligned with theirs. However, she was a bit surprised to know that Ji Rusheng, Ji Syaoran's grandfather actually managed to contact someone from her family. But she didn't voice her surprise out at all.

"Syaoran, I recall hearing something about your father's second wife. Even the Ji Family servants think that Ling Qiaolian was Ji Yifeng's wife. What's the story behind that?" Ru asked after she briefly thought about this whole matter again.

"That's because back then my grandmother really suggested dad to marry her. Seeing how she was obedient and a perfect daughter-in-law material, my grandmother wanted dad to have a happy family. Since mom wasn't in good condition anyway. But it was dad's stubbornness that he would rather spend his whole life alone but he won't give mom's status, identity or kids to another woman."

Ru smiled feeling proud of herself that she didn't judge Ji Yifeng wrongly. That man was truly worth respecting. Poor him, even he had to spend his whole life with a lot of burdens. He was already worried and distressed because of his wife and then his own son added misery to his life.

"Because of that one time, Ji Family servants really assumed that Ling Qiaolian as the second mistress of the home. Besides, grandmother never told anyone who Ling Qiaolian was because if anyone else in the side branch knew that grandmother brought Uncle Lie's wife and kid back home even after what he did, no one would have agreed." He sighed out heavily and added, "Because of her that mistake, she still has no way to repent. Since then even my dad stopped talking to my grandmother like he used to. For dad, grandmother is just like any distant relative whom he'll be only polite with. For him, grandmother is the reason why his family broke. Dad doesn't say it but almost everyone knows that dad still blames grandmother for everything."

Ru whispered to herself, "I'd be angry with him myself if he wasn't blaming someone."

According to Ru, we as humans always need a thing or person to blame. To let out our pent up frustration otherwise, it ends up eating us inside. She also knew that Ji Yifeng wasn't just blaming his mother, he was blaming himself mostly. And that self-blame was making him distant from his own mother.

"Syaoran, I'd like to see your mother's reports," said Ru after something came to her mind.

"Why?"

"Because I need to know her condition in detail," replied Ru.

Ji Syaoran agreed to give her the reports after going back. As for Ru, she had already started planning what to do. She had to recover Xiao Zhiren's memories not only for him but also for herself. It was an insult to her that someone forgot her so easily.

As she came out of the room with Ji Syaoran, she saw Ji Caihong crying at the side while Ji Yifeng sat beside her with a complicated look. "Xiao Hong, I told you not to go to Zhi'er' room."

"But dad, she's my mother as well," Ji Caihong sounded emotional.

"I told you already that she can't remember you. Please, stop worsening her condition. I can understand that you also want a mother but try to understand."

"Why does no one tries to understand me?" Ji Caihong questioned angrily before she wiped her tears and stormed off.

Ji Yifeng was left sitting all alone with a dejected look. Ru was really shocked to see that even though Ji Caihong wasn't his daughter, Ji Yifeng was trying his best to be a father to her. That needed some real hardcore strength.