Chapter 71 Start Over

Chapter 71: Starting Over

Lin Juangui sat in a spacious rehabilitation chair, his gaze vacant as he stared out the window.

This was a meticulously designed healing garden—sunlight, lush greenery, flowing water—everything was perfect, yet it exuded an artificial, almost fabricated quality. The cold, clinical light of the hospital room had been replaced by a more natural, therapeutic glow, though the lingering scent of disinfectant still permeated the air. Lin Juangui’s new limbs were connected to complex neural feedback and physical rehabilitation devices. Under the guidance of his therapist, the cold metallic finger joints slowly and clumsily attempted to bend and extend.

Every subtle movement was accompanied by a strange, unfamiliar numbness—not painful, but utterly foreign. It didn't feel like he was controlling his own body, but rather struggling to operate a cumbersome exosuit.

“Excellent, once more. Imagine it’s your own finger—gently make a fist…”

The therapist’s voice was full of encouragement.

Lin Juangui blankly followed the instructions, his movements stiff. There was no joy in learning a new skill in his eyes—only profound disorientation and a near-numb apathy.

His black hair had grown somewhat long, falling softly over his shoulders, adding to his fragile appearance. The once cool, detached, always-in-control aura was completely gone, replaced by a sense of disconnected fragility, as if he had been utterly shattered.

Just then, a tall figure swept in like a gust of wind. In stark contrast to Lin Juangui’s listlessness, Mu Zhang seemed to have been infused with new life.

He had shaved off his beard, changed into neat clothes, and even dyed his graying temples black again, making him look noticeably younger. Though a deep, lingering weariness remained in his eyes, Mu Zhang’s mental state was clearly revitalized. Holding a cup of nutrition shake at just the right temperature, he quickly crossed over to Lin Juangui’s side and smiled at him with profound devotion.

Mu Zhang ignored the therapist, naturally kneeling down to meet Lin Juangui at eye level, his gaze intense and fixed on him. “If you’re tired, just stop. There’s no rush—we have all the time in the world.”

The therapist tactfully stepped aside, and Mu Zhang effortlessly took charge of guiding the rehabilitation.

He stayed by Lin Juangui’s side without fail—whether in the rehab room, the hallway, or the garden—like an ever-present shadow, his eyes always fixed on Lin Juangui.

Every time Lin Juangui completed even the simplest action, Mu Zhang responded with the most enthusiastic praise.

“Amazing, Juangui!”

“Just like that—you’re learning so quickly!”

“You can pick up the cup by yourself! Incredible!”

Mu Zhang’s encouragement was nonstop, almost as if he were hypnotizing Lin Juangui.

Yet Lin Juangui’s reactions remained consistently muted. Occasionally, he would frown at Mu Zhang’s overly loud voice or tilt his head away slightly, uncomfortable with the other’s proximity.

Most of the time, Lin Juangui simply performed the rehab movements in silence before zoning out even more deeply.

His mental state was visibly poor, as if part of his soul had been utterly blown to bits in the explosion, leaving only an empty shell struggling to adapt to this unfamiliar world and strange new body.

Even when Lin Juangui did nothing, a deep exhaustion clung to him like a shadow.

Mu Zhang was deeply concerned about this, yet somewhere in his heart, he felt a dark satisfaction at being needed by Lin Juangui.

He summoned top neurologists and psychiatrists to conduct thorough and in-depth examinations of Lin Juangui again and again. Each time, the results came back positive.

Lin Juangui’s physiological indicators were steadily improving, the integration rate between his mechanical limbs and nervous system had exceeded 90%, and no structural brain damage was detected.

As for his memory loss and mental state, it could only be attributed to PTSD and deep psychological defense. As long as Mu Zhang was willing to spend time with him, Lin Juangui was bound to get better.

This conclusion, to some extent, played right into Mu Zhang's wishes.

If possible, he hoped Lin Juangui would never regain his memories. They finally had a fresh start; those painful past events had drifted away like faint wisps of smoke, never to be mentioned again.

Mu Zhang would cherish Lin Juangui, and they could be very happy together.

On the day of discharge, Mu Zhang held Lin Juangui and discreetly left the Federal Central Star on a starship. During this period, Mu Zhang had been blocking outside news, not wanting anyone to disturb their time alone together.

When they arrived at Luochen Manor, Mu Zhang carefully supported Lin Juangui out of the vehicle. The heavy gate slowly swung shut behind them, shutting out the outside world entirely.

The interior of the manor was warm and bright, furnished with every comfort and luxury. The servants were strictly confined to specific areas and were not allowed to approach the core sections of the main residence without being summoned.

The vast space was so quiet that you could hear the dust settling.

Lin Juangui sat on the sofa in the center of the living room, his eyes still vacant, like an exquisitely crafted but soulless doll.

Until a soft "meow" came from beside him. Lin Juangui slowly turned his head, and the Colorful Cat came trotting over, rubbing its cheek against his pant leg.

"This is our cat. It likes you the most. Would you like to hold it?"

Mu Zhang stood a few steps away from Lin Juangui, watching as he bent down and slowly picked up the Colorful Cat, cradling it in his arms.

It was the same gesture as before, but Lin Juangui's eyes were clouded with confusion and incomprehension. He had lost all his memories, yet many things held memories of him.

"What is its name?" Lin Juangui, still largely silent since waking, rarely asked Mu Zhang anything, as Mu Zhang was usually the one doing all the talking.

Mu Zhang explained, "This is a stray cat I brought back from the nursing home where my grandmother lived. You used to feed it often when you visited her there, and it's very attached to you. You never gave it a name, but you most often called it Colorful Cat."

"Colorful Cat," Lin Juangui called out to the cat in his arms. The Colorful Cat let out a sweet "meow," and a faint curve appeared at the corner of Lin Juangui's lips.

This smile made Mu Zhang stare intently. He paused for a moment before exhaling deeply and saying, "I'm glad you still like it."

Mu Zhang had endless patience and dedication to fill the gaps in Lin Juangui's memories and to mold Lin Juangui into his own.

He wrapped his arm around Lin Juangui's shoulder, and the two leaned against each other. The affection in Mu Zhang's eyes was so intense it seemed to overflow. "You've just returned home. The most important thing now is to focus on recovering your health and continuing your rehabilitation. We have many stories from the past—I'll tell them to you slowly, okay?"

Lin Juangui unhurriedly stroked the cat in his arms. He nodded and murmured "mm," his expression neither resistant nor particularly interested.

For Mu Zhang, this was enough.

In the past, Mu Zhang never understood why most Blade members yearned for a peaceful and cozy life. Having been a space pirate for so many years, he still preferred the thrill of conquest.

But after spending a few days with the amnesiac Lin Juangui, Mu Zhang felt he had been putting on an act before.

Lin Juangui had been interesting even before losing his memory—often bickering with Mu Zhang, sometimes sharp-tongued enough to leave Mu Zhang frustrated and helpless, and occasionally doing things beyond Mu Zhang's understanding.

At first, Mu Zhang had indeed been distressed, but over time, he found this kind of life quite thrilling and to his taste.

Lin Juangui was truly someone he adored, always capable of startling him in so many ways.

But now, Mu Zhang found this kind of peaceful, ordinary life exceptionally precious.

In the manor's dining room, beyond the large floor-to-ceiling windows, a sea of clouds glowed in the morning light. The long dining table was set with an exquisite breakfast.

Lin Juangui, dressed in comfortable cotton loungewear, sat in a chair, clumsily trying to hold the smooth handle of a ceramic spoon.

The spoon slipped from his fingers several times, the soft clinks echoing clearly in the quiet dining room.

Lin Juangui frowned. This time, it wasn't out of frustration but confusion—he couldn't understand why his hand was so disobedient.

Mu Zhang, sitting beside him, had barely touched his own food. He observed every subtle expression on Lin Juangui's face, wearing a look mixed with heartache, encouragement, and an inexplicable satisfaction.

"Take it slow, it's always like this at the beginning. You'll get used to it and use it smoothly soon."

Lin Juangui did not respond, only tried again, slowly scooping up a bit of oatmeal and shakily bringing it to his mouth.

Mu Zhang immediately broke into a broad smile, "Well done! Soon you'll be able to try using chopsticks."

Lin Juangui looked up at Mu Zhang, seeming not to understand why he was so enthusiastic, then lowered his head and continued eating slowly and silently, soon feeling a bit sleepy.

Every time Lin Juangui wanted to do something, he had to focus intensely, which was undoubtedly a challenge for his unfocused mind.

Mu Zhang knew this was inevitable. Simply put, after body modification, the use of limbs relies on one's own mental strength, similar to piloting a mech.

Previously, the military hospital had tested Lin Juangui's pheromone level linked to mental strength to ensure he could withstand the modification before proceeding with the surgery. Otherwise, without the ability to control his limbs after the surgery, he would remain paralyzed and motionless, rendering it meaningless.

"Let's stop here for today. Clear your mind for a while; don't think about anything."

Mu Zhang picked up the bowl and fed Lin Juangui the oatmeal. His movements were meticulous, patiently, and after feeding him, he gently wiped Lin Juangui's mouth.

Lin Juangui sat there watching Mu Zhang devour the remaining food like a whirlwind. Suddenly, he raised his hand and lightly patted Mu Zhang's back, saying, "Eat more slowly."

The sudden concern instantly made Mu Zhang's eyes well up. He stared blankly at Lin Juangui, showing a flattered smile, "Okay, I'll eat slowly."

After Mu Zhang's persistent encouragement and Lin Juangui's unwavering perseverance, over half a month passed, and Lin Juangui finally became proficient in using his mechanical arm. At the very least, he could manage daily self-care without issue.

However, walking smoothly was still not so easy. At first, when Lin Juangui stood up, he felt a dull ache where his abdomen meets his thighs. It was only after the doctor's explanation that he understood he had survived a massive explosion and would not have lived without the body modification.

Everyone said Mu Zhang had sacrificed a lot for Lin Juangui. In the past six months, while guarding Lin Juangui, Mu Zhang's hair had turned white from stress.

Although Lin Juangui had lost his relevant memories, he understood that when someone treated him well, he could not let them down.

So, even with many things he didn't understand and limited energy, Lin Juangui remained highly focused during rehabilitation.

On a garden path in Luochen Manor, Lin Juangui, wearing loose sportswear, walked slowly with Mu Zhang by his side.

His gait was still stiff, as if carefully moving two heavy tools.

Mu Zhang always stayed half a step beside Lin Juangui, one hand hovering protectively behind his waist, ready to support him at any moment. He patiently matched Lin Juangui's movements and pauses, his gaze almost never leaving him.

Sometimes, when Lin Juangui grew tired, he would stare at a flower in full bloom by the path or a peculiarly shaped leaf.

He listened as Mu Zhang recounted their past, explaining that they had come together through an arranged marriage. At the time, Mu Zhang did not understand his own feelings and did many things that hurt Lin Juangui. But later, Mu Zhang had a sudden awakening, and Lin Juangui was willing to forgive him. In many people's eyes, they were a model couple.

"It's my fault for not protecting you properly, which led to you getting so badly injured. I've always blamed myself."

Since waking up, Lin Juangui had often seen the grief and self-reproach in Mu Zhang's eyes. Perhaps this man truly loved him, and they had once shared a sweet and warm past, but Lin Juangui felt only confusion.

However, he noticed the man's companionship and care, and most of the time, he felt a sense of guilt.

He couldn't explain why he felt this way, perhaps because he thought Mu Zhang's efforts were not worth it.

One afternoon, Lin Juangui curled up in a spacious lounge chair reading a book. Warm light streamed through the glass, spilling over him. Unconsciously, he rubbed the edge of the book page with his fingertips, producing a faint rustling sound.

Recently, Lin Juangui had asked Mu Zhang many questions, such as the composition of this world, what ABO meant, and why he had become the way he was now.

Like a newborn, he was full of curiosity about everything around him, and Mu Zhang patiently answered his questions.

To avoid embarrassing Lin Juangui, Mu Zhang took him directly to the media room for questions related to physiological structure, letting documentaries provide the answers.

This documentary, released last year, covered part of the Federation's history and the social and environmental factors that led to humanity's transition into an ABO structure.

When the topic of transition came up, Lin Juangui saw his own face on the holographic screen.

Lin Juangui's eyes widened slightly in surprise as he heard Mu Zhang say beside him, "You are a well-known philanthropist and entrepreneur in the Federation. This was discovered not long after we married, when you led an exploration team to a planet that had become a bad debt. Later, you donated all the artifacts obtained from that planet. Even now, charity auctions are held annually to sell the items you donated, and the funds are used to support children displaced by war."

Afterward, Mu Zhang showed Lin Juangui many reports about him on the StarNet. Lin Juangui seemed to understand himself from a different perspective, and the look of confusion on his face slowly faded.

"Then, can I still do the same things as before?" Although Lin Juangui wasn't sure if he was up to the task, having something to do was better than not knowing what to do.

"Of course you can. It's not like you've become foolish. Once you've recovered, I'll gradually reintroduce you to your old friends and subordinates."

Mu Zhang's eyes were so tender they seemed to drip with warmth. He knew that fabricating lies was useless—even amnesiac, Lin Juangui was still himself. If he was curious about something, he would find out through his own methods. So, there was no need to hide what everyone knew; it was better to give Lin Juangui an impression of honesty.

For Mu Zhang, as long as the prenuptial contract no longer existed between him and Lin Juangui, there were no cracks in their relationship. Feelings could always be cultivated over time. He would treat Lin Juangui as before—whatever Lin Juangui wanted to do, Mu Zhang would support him.

Lin Juangui gave a faint smile at Mu Zhang, "Thank you."

When dealing with Lin Juangui, Mu Zhang acted as if guarding a rare treasure that had been lost and regained, yet was extremely fragile. Mu Zhang gently pulled him into an embrace, "Don't be so polite with me. We are partners; this is what I should do."

In the dead of night, Lin Juangui, asleep, suddenly convulsed violently, emitting muffled whimpers from his throat.

Sweat dampened his forehead, and he breathed rapidly, gripping the bedsheet tightly. Mu Zhang woke almost instantly beside him, without hesitation, turning to open his arms and holding the trembling Lin Juangui close.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. It's okay, it's okay..." Mu Zhang whispered soothingly while gently patting Lin Juangui's back with his palm, his movements incredibly tender.

He buried his face in the crook of Lin Juangui's neck, greedily inhaling the scent of medicine mixed with faint pheromones.

Lin Juangui was still sobbing. He couldn't remember what he had dreamed, only an overwhelming sense of fear remained.

Lin Juangui placed his hand on Mu Zhang's face, stroking it carefully. In the dim light, his gaze was fragile and persistent but gradually turned flat and empty.

He did not seek deeper closeness, only hoarsely said to Mu Zhang, "Sorry for waking you."

Mu Zhang pressed a reverent kiss to Lin Juangui's smooth forehead, "You didn't wake me. Call my name whenever you need me; I'll always be by your side."

Lin Juangui turned his head away, a clear tear falling as he lowered his eyes.

Mu Zhang didn't know what Lin Juangui was sad about. Like many times before, he thought he could see through Lin Juangui, but in reality, he had never truly understood him.

After nearly two months of rehabilitation training, Lin Juangui could now walk and run smoothly, even engaging in basic physical training.

His complexion was much rosier than before, and his eyes clearer. Although his appetite wasn't great and his sleep wasn't restful, it was already a miracle that he had recovered from that terrible disaster.

During this time, Lin Juangui's mood remained stable. Whatever he needed, Mu Zhang could fulfill it immediately.

Lin Juangui thought this was the tacit understanding between him and Mu Zhang from the past, but he didn't notice the small sensor patch on the inside of Mu Zhang's wrist, connected to a dedicated application on his light brain, centered around a real-time fluctuating emotion graph.

Anyone who underwent modification in the military was connected to an emotion monitor to prevent excessive emotional fluctuations from causing the body to overheat and damage.

After connecting his personal terminal to the military database, Mu Zhang could clearly understand Lin Juangui's current emotional state.

He precisely mastered Lin Juangui's schedule and habits, this meticulous care carrying a hint of imperceptible control.

Lin Juangui didn't want to rely too much on Mu Zhang, but every time he showed such inclination, Mu Zhang would look utterly pitiful.

For Lin Juangui to recover smoothly, Mu Zhang had exhausted himself mentally and physically. If Lin Juangui were to say he didn't need Mu Zhang's care anymore, Mu Zhang would likely be so upset he might do something drastic.

Lin Juangui was stuck in an awkward position, unable to advance or retreat. Finally, he asked Mu Zhang if he had any friends—since he had mostly recovered, it was time to resume normal social interactions, right?

To avoid raising suspicion, Mu Zhang helped Lin Juangui set up his optical brain and told him that he had already invited a friend of Lin Juangui’s to the estate. Soon, Lin Juangui would be able to meet him.

Lin Juangui seemed quite pleased and asked Mu Zhang, "Will you join us?"

Mu Zhang’s constant presence often confused Lin Juangui. Mu Zhang’s life seemed to revolve entirely around him, yet Lin Juangui wasn’t the type to enjoy having someone by his side at all times.

His invitation for Mu Zhang to join him in meeting his friend was merely to see if Mu Zhang really had separation anxiety.

Originally, Mu Zhang wanted to ask if Lin Juangui minded his presence, but remembering Song Jie’s advice, he took a deep breath, shook his head, and said, "I’ll just say hello to him. I won’t disturb your conversation. We both need our own personal space, right?"

Lin Juangui nodded in agreement. "You said it yourself—we have plenty of time. Aside from work, we’ll have lots of opportunities to spend time together."

Mu Zhang gently held Lin Juangui’s cold hand and nodded. "Hearing you say that is enough for me."

Around Lin Juangui, Mu Zhang always felt insecure. Lin Juangui seldom spoke kindly to Mu Zhang before; mentioning contracts and benefits to keep Mu Zhang aware of reality had become routine.

Lin Juangui had never envisioned a future with Mu Zhang, so after Lin Juangui lost his memory, Mu Zhang felt as though these warm, peaceful days were something he had stolen.

The longer Lin Juangui was kept from outside contact, the longer these days seemed to stretch.

Zhuang Xi arrived quickly. The moment he saw Lin Juangui, his eyes reddened, and he rushed forward to embrace him, crying bitterly. "When I heard the news, I thought I’d never see you again. Thankfully, you’re blessed with great fortune. All that charity work over the years really paid off."

"Sorry, I don’t remember who you are. Mu Zhang has been helping me with rehabilitation all this time. It’s only recently that I’ve improved enough to tell him I wanted to meet some of my old friends."

Zhuang Xi looked at Mu Zhang in surprise. Mu Zhang nodded and said, "Juangui suffered severe brain trauma, possibly related to his modifications. In any case, he’s forgotten everything from the past. Take your time chatting with him—it’ll save him from getting tired of seeing me every day."

Lin Juangui mumbled with a smile, "I don’t."

Mu Zhang gently touched Lin Juangui’s cheek, then reluctantly stood up and left.

Only Zhuang Xi and Lin Juangui remained in the courtyard, with the servants standing at a distance. Zhuang Xi’s eyelashes were still wet with tears as he sighed regretfully, "How did this happen? I remember you saying you planned to move to the Federal Capital Star with Mu Zhang. I was looking forward to being your neighbor. Who knew such an accident would occur so suddenly…"

Lin Juangui offered an apologetic smile and handed Zhuang Xi a tissue. "It shouldn’t hold me back, right? The doctor said I only lost my memory—my intelligence hasn’t declined. I should still be able to take on many tasks, right? I just don’t remember what kind of charity work we did. Would you mind telling me about it?"

Zhuang Xi took the tissue and wiped his tears vigorously. "Of course, I don’t mind! You’re right—amnesia doesn’t make you stupid. If you slowly reconnect with your past, you’ll remember everything eventually!"

For some reason, Zhuang Xi felt that Lin Juangui’s demeanor and manner of speaking were no different from before. He was still patient in listening and offering emotional responses.

While they were happily conversing, Mu Zhang returned to his study and, unusually, initiated a video call with Mu Yuanqing.

Mu Zhang nodded. "Aside from his memory loss, he’s fine."

"—A fresh start?" Mu Yuanqing knew what Mu Zhang was thinking. With Lin Juangui’s memory loss, it seemed as though many things had come to an end, while others were just beginning.

"Tu Yuan claimed that Lin Juangui instructed him to carry out the attack, but according to my investigation, Lin Juangui never sent him any related messages, nor did he receive any of Lin Juangui’s schedules. I had people dismantle the starship he used for the attack. He’d been tracking Lin Juangui’s location for a year. If Lin Juangui wanted to leave me, would he really go so far as to risk his life?"

To Mu Zhang, Tu Yuan was the true culprit—no amount of excuses could change that.

Lin Juangui was simply a victim. It was all an accident, a gift from fate to Mu Zhang.

Even if seizing this opportunity meant giving up many advantages to the military, as long as Lin Juangui was alive, nothing else mattered.

"We’ve already started over. He cares about me much more than before."

Mu Yuanqing seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "That’s good."

Mu Zhang walked to the window of his study and looked down at the moth orchid on the windowsill. It hadn’t bloomed in years, but this year, it had sprouted tiny buds.

In the courtyard, Zhuang Xi was still chatting with Lin Juangui. When interacting with others, Lin Juangui always wore that same considerate and appropriate demeanor.

Mu Zhang’s expression darkened. He had never let his guard down, and though he had many doubts, he chose to turn a blind eye.

His stance remained the same: as long as Lin Juangui stayed by his side, in any way, he was willing to overlook everything.

Zhuang Xi’s attention shifted to Lin Juangui’s gland. During his recovery at the estate, Lin Juangui had never used an inhibitor patch.

Noticing that Lin Juangui’s gland showed no signs of marking, Zhuang Xi looked puzzled. Meanwhile, Mu Zhang by the window frowned deeply.

How could he have forgotten? Even if Lin Juangui was willing to continue their relationship, the asphalt-like scent of his pheromones would inevitably drive Lin Juangui away.

Mu Zhang couldn’t keep lying to himself indefinitely. Sooner or later, people around Lin Juangui would find ways to point out the distance between him and Mu Zhang.

When Lin Juangui heard Zhuang Xi’s explanation about bonds, his confusion was unmistakable. Yet, in the end, he simply touched his gland and smiled. "It’s fine. Worst case, we can just apply another mark."

Mu Zhang instinctively glanced at the emotion monitor on his wrist.

Lin Juangui’s emotions were stable.

He—was telling the truth.