Chapter 429 - Memory Lapses

It was a quiet evening at the Lu mansion. Lu Shanshan and her husband, Francis Lu were at an old family friend's birthday party while Anna Lu was fast asleep in her room. And Aunt Zhou was accompanying her. The old lady has been under the weather these few days thanks to Elder Lu's death anniversary. Her heart aching due to the loss. She loved her husband dearly, just as he adored her to bits. More than their own children.

Every year, around this time Anna Lu would either shut herself in or go visit the old man's grave. She'd also visit their family's farmhouse where the old couple had spent most of their fab time together. Aunt Zhou would also follow Anna Lu to take care of the latter's health.

And Lu Jinan was at a 'business trip' to A Country.

Inside her bedroom, Sera was sprawled on her bed. She dozed off after reading a book to ward off boredom. The book on Sera's heaving bosom moved along with each of her erratic breaths. Her eyelashes quivered lightly while her pale knuckles clutched the bedspread underneath, tightly. Her supple lips were lightly parted as a barely audible sob escaped through them. Her forehead drenched in cold sweat, even her straight brows crossed agitatedly.

"Hello, I'm Mia Chung.. Pleased to meet you!"

"Hello, I'm Mia Chung.. Pleased to meet you!"

"Hello.."

"I'm Mia Chung.."

"Mia Chung!!"

"Mia Chung!!"

"Pleased to meet you!"

"Meet you!"

"Pleased.. Pleased to meet you!!"

A distant voice incessantly boomed in her ears, the sound making Sera's heart twist in immense agony. The sweet tone, along with the blurry images of a young blonde girl smiling surfaced through making Sera uncomfortable. Her heart rate ricocheting.

Shuddering, Sera bit her tongue in her state of delirium. The salty iron taste of blood in Sera's mouth, permeating her senses, over-ridind her subconscious mind and pushing her into an abyss. The darkness pulling her deeper and deeper.

The only sound echoing in the air was the crickets chirping outside and Sera's ragged breathing inside.

- - -

A Country.

Perusing the thick file in his hand, Lu Jinan heaved a heavy sigh. The file contained all the necessary information about Sera, her current health condition, her mental state and other critical issues. It was compiled by Dr Frank.

The open file was suddenly placed on the wooden desk across. Lu Jinan's bleak eyes squeezed shut as he frowned, replaying the conversation with Dr Frank.

"To be honest, Jinan, I think.. Sera is now remembering things that you don't want her to remember!"

Forming a steeple with his pale fingers, Dr Frank stared straight into the nervous Lu Jinan's obsidian-dark eyes. His voice crisp and professional. There was no traces of deceit on his face or his tone.

The doctor's leg tapping noiselessly under the table was the only sign that he was as anxious as Lu Jinan. He'd seen those eyes, the dullness, the pain in them as he uttered those words was hugely familiar to Doctor Frank. He reached to adjust his spectacles, waiting awkwardly for the restless Lu Jinan to speak. You can see his mouth open and close. He was really trying hard to restrain his emotions.

"I know! I know that Sera is.. She's.. I don't want her to go through the same pain again!!"

After a good few seconds, Lu Jinan finally found his voice albeit a little throaty, heavy with emotions as he said with great difficulty.

"..It's been more than five years, Jinan. I really don't want to hide anything from you. But the treatment's effects are wearing off, that's also the reason why Sera is having these memory lapses.."

Leaning forward, Dr Frank let go of his usual stance as he vocalized, trying his best to let Lu Jinan percieve the gravity of the situation. They couldn't risk Sera's life, not at this point.

A frown formed on Lu Jinan's face making him look aggrieved. He was about to say something when he was interrupted by Dr Frank.

"And I truly don't recommend to repeat the same process again as it will lead to Sera's brain damage...!"

With a grave voice, Dr Frank glared at Lu Jinan. He emphasized clearly so that his words can be engraved in Lu Jinan's mind lest he tries something funny.

All of a sudden, Lu Jinan woke up from his stupor and sat up straight. When his gaze flitted through the stack of papers on the desk, his expression distorted.

The two words glaring at Lu Jinan made his heart wrench like anything.

"Psychogenic Amnesia"

"Repressed Memory Syndrome"

The dimness in Lu Jinan's darkened gaze flickered to light.

- - -

On the other side of the city.

Furrowing his handsome brows, Lucifer suspiciously eyed Adrian chugging alcohol like it's spring water. His face flushed.

"Did something happen?"

Peering at the blood red liquid in his own glass, Lucifer turned his gaze to Adrian as he asked. One of his dark brows raised up questioningly while his magnetic voice was tinged with genuine concern for his elder brother.

"Uh!?"

Withdrawn from the hustle bustle of the party, Adrian was busy drowning himself, his sorrows in the demon drink. His blue eyes laced with confusion hazily stared at Lucifer like he was an alien from another planet.

"You're drinking like a fish.. If you're going to continue, I'll throw you into the sea!"

Hardening his expression, Lucifer shot Adrian a glare as he low-key threatened him, sternly.

"Heh! I want.. I want to drink myself numb.. This pain I feel right here, it's.."

Chuckling with a mocking tone, Adrian put his fist on his chest as he mumbled in his inebriated state. His expression that of pain.

"Okay, I understand.. Go back, go home!"

Unable to see the wretched state Adrian was in, Lucifer patted his shoulder as he said, snatching the half-filled glass from him. His tone unrelenting.

"But.."

Pouting his thin lips, Adrian darted a look at his empty palm as he uttered.

"No buts.. Get your ass out of here!"

Pulling Adrian by his shoulders, Lucifer very quickly intercepted him before he can spout anymore nonsense.

"Xiao He.. Go, help your boss!"

Just as he supported Adrian's body, Lucifer immediately called out loud.

"Boss!"

Xiao Bo's brother, Xiao He appeared before the duo with a flabbergasted expression as he held Adrian. His eyes wide in surprise.

"Xiao.. Xiao He? Hah.."

Turning his head, Adrian narrowed his gaze to make out the person handling his drunk self as he laughed.

Soon, the loyal subordinate managed to successfully drag his boss out of the hotel's premises.