Fairview City is very close to Newport City, so close that the two cities are practically neighbors.
Driving from downtown Newport City to Fairview City takes just over two hours.
So, the two of them decided not to take a bus—they drove themselves instead.
To get their hands on the secret formula for the skincare product, they were fully prepared for a tough negotiation—the trunk and backseat were packed with their things.
They were determined not to come back unless they got the formula.
On the way there, Cici was driving, while Rona Muir was poring over a stack of yellowed newspapers.
"Cici, your Grant Family is famous for pharmaceutics—have you ever thought about trying the cosmetics industry?" Rona asked, carefully studying the papers.
"It's not that we haven't thought about it, but we can't," Cici replied. "You know, the Grant Family's pharmaceutics are watched worldwide. If we actually developed cosmetics and skincare products, it would mean revealing our family secrets. And that's absolutely forbidden. It's part of an agreement the Grant Family made with the government back when the country was founded."
Rona pinched her chin and nodded thoughtfully. "True, if you did that, your family would become a target. All those treasures hidden in the Grant Family would be eyed by everyone. Ugh, sitting on a mountain of treasure you can't use—it's torture! Hey, Cici, I heard the formula we're after supposedly comes from the royal court. Do you think that's possible?"
"There are always hidden talents among the people. If we don't check it out, I can't say for sure," Cici answered calmly. "But if it's real, then spending a fortune would be worth it."
Rona nodded in agreement.
"Also, when we get there, we really need to show some attitude and not rush things," Cici continued. "I heard the person we're dealing with is a bit eccentric. Plenty of people have tried to buy their secret formula before, but no one succeeded. So we have to be fully prepared."
Rona put down the newspaper and gave Cici a confident slap on the shoulder. "With you here, we've got this!" she said, full of bravado.
Cici shook her head. "I can't make any promises," she replied.
"Relax! The two of us together—we're unstoppable," Rona laughed, brimming with confidence.
As they chatted, moving forward, Cici spotted someone collapsed on the road ahead.
Cici tapped the brakes. "Someone fainted on the road. Let's go check it out."
With that, Cici hopped out of the car.
"Hey, hey, wait for me!" Rona called, seeing Cici get out. She hurried after her. "Seriously, what if it's a scam? If two women get accused, we can't explain ourselves!"
Cici was already at the person's side, checking their eyes and complexion. "This isn't a scam. He's really sick! Looks like dehydration. Rona, grab our water bottle and call an ambulance."
Rona hadn't planned to get involved, but since Cici already was, she could only sigh and go fetch the water.
Cici straightened the man's body and realized he wasn't young—probably around sixty. His skin showed signs of age, but his bearing was unmistakable.
Even unconscious, the man's refined features couldn't hide his air of nobility.
Seeing such a distinguished man in a place like this—it was just plain odd.
Rona brought over the water bottle, and Cici carefully helped the man drink some.
Rona squatted down and frowned. "He looks so familiar, like I've seen him somewhere before."
After giving him some water, Cici saw he was still unconscious. "You always say that about good-looking people," she teased. "This guy might be older, but you can tell from his face he must've been impressive when he was young."
"Yeah, he really is a handsome uncle."
Rona pulled out her phone, ready to call for an ambulance.
Just then, the unconscious man slowly woke up and, opening his eyes, saw the two women in front of him.
One was like an orchid in a secluded valley, the other alluring and charming.
"Well, he's awake. Saved me a dime on the phone bill," Rona squatted nearby, not bothering to hide her lack of sincerity. "Hey, handsome uncle, we saved you! You owe us one!"
Cici couldn't help but roll her eyes. This girl was hopeless.
How did she end up best friends with this bold, big-hearted woman, both before and after her memory loss?
Sure enough, the handsome uncle slowly sat up, holding his head as if fighting off a headache. "Thank you! What... what happened to me?" he asked softly.
Cici shrugged and handed the water bottle to the handsome uncle. "You're dehydrated. If I'm not wrong, you must've felt sick today—lots of vomiting and diarrhea, and didn't take your meds in time, right? If you keep this up, you'll collapse from lack of water and salt. Want me to call an ambulance?"
The handsome uncle quickly replied, "No, no! I... I don't have any money..."
Cici was about to pull out her wallet, but Rona stopped her. "Uncle, can you get home on your own?" she asked.
Cici looked at Rona in surprise. Rona shook her head firmly at Cici.
In such a remote area, a handsome uncle suddenly showing up—who wouldn't think it was suspicious?
When you're out and about, never show your wealth.
Rona was more experienced in this than Cici.
The handsome uncle thought for a moment and said, "I can go home myself. I live in a nearby village—I can manage on my own."
When she heard he lived nearby, Rona immediately asked, "Uncle, can I ask you something? Is there a Chen Village around here? And is there someone named May Chen living there?"
The handsome uncle froze. "How did you know I live in Chen Village? May Chen is my wife."
Whoa... Could it really be such a coincidence?
What? This is way too much of a coincidence!
Are we on a lucky streak these days or what?
It's like someone hands you a pillow when you're sleepy, and a cup when you're thirsty!
Cici and Rona exchanged glances. Rona spread her hands, as if to say she had no idea why their luck was off the charts.
Cici shook her head, "Uncle, we're actually here to find May Chen. Let us drive you home. If you try to walk, you'll probably collapse again soon."
The handsome uncle thought it over, then nodded in agreement.
Rona and Cici turned back to the car. Cici noticed the handsome uncle expertly fastening his seatbelt and adjusting the seat.
"Uncle, do you know how to drive?" Cici couldn't help but ask.
The handsome uncle looked blank. "No... I don't."
"Does your family have a car?" Cici asked again.
"No..." the handsome uncle replied.
Rona noticed something odd at that moment.
How could someone who can't drive and doesn't own a car be so skilled at fastening a seatbelt and adjusting the seat?
Rona's car wasn't just any ordinary car.
Only someone who's driven this model would know where the seat adjustment button is.
Cici and Rona exchanged glances. Cici's gentle, soothing manner always helped people let down their guard.
So Cici kept the conversation light. "Uncle, may I ask your name?"
"My name is Martin," the uncle replied, his bearing so impressive it made people stare. But his answer nearly made Cici lose control of the steering wheel.
Martin...
Honestly, giving this name to such a handsome uncle—it's just unreal!
"What's your last name, Uncle? Is it Chen too?" Cici kept the chat going. "My name's Yun Xi, but you can call me Cici."
Martin seemed completely at ease around Cici, smiling as he said, "I don't know my last name. When I showed up here nine years ago, I didn't have one."
He can't remember his last name...
Maybe it was because they'd both lost their memories, but Cici's gaze softened as she looked at Martin. "It's okay. Even if we forget some things, it doesn't matter. As long as we're happy now, that's enough."
Martin looked at Cici with admiration. "You're a good kid."
Cici drove, and soon they arrived at Chen Village.
With Martin giving directions, Cici quickly reached his doorstep.
As soon as the car stopped, plenty of villagers peeked out to see what was going on.
When the villagers saw Martin step out of such a luxurious car, someone shouted, "Martin, are your family here to pick you up? Are you leaving Chen Village?"
Before Martin could answer, a woman's voice rang out from the yard, cursing, "You think his family came for him? Martin is part of Chen Village—now and always!"
Cici looked up and saw a middle-aged woman, probably in her forties, storming out of the yard, still muttering curses.
The woman was stunned when she saw Cici and Rona.
She hadn't expected her husband to come home with two beautiful young women.
Martin smiled as soon as he saw the woman. "May, these two are here to see you."