495: 8.95 Zeke's Memory*

8.95 Zeke's Memory*

Ella pursed her lips tight and her originally ruddy face paled a degree further as if merely recalling it was enough to frighten her so. Her hands were shaking so badly that the hot cocoa nearly splashed out so Lu Yizhou plucked the cup out first before he clasped Ella's clammy hands in his. Their hands, one rough and calloused while the other fair and slender, intertwined like vines.1

"It's okay," he said with a soft and reassuring tone. "With me here, nobody can hurt you."

The rims of her eyes reddened even more. She parted her lips and started to speak, choking and stuttering on her words. "...There are a lot of scary people. I don't know where I am… but I don't like it. I don't like that place…" 

Upon seeing how shaken she was, Lu Yizhou made a split second decision and hauled Ella into his arms again. Ella's arms immediately went around his shoulders and face tucked into the crook of his neck, sniffling. Lu Yizhou stepped into her space, his large hand slipping into her hair, gently kneading the back of her neck. He did not say anything, but his solid warmth and powerful presence was enough to pull Ella out of the trance she was in. 

Dazed, she blinked her moist eyes. 

As long as she could remember, Ella had never received such a strong sense of security from others. She had been dependent on her sister for the majority part of her life, but as much as she admired her, there was also a sliver of fear and respect that compelled her not to act out of line. But with this big brother… Ella felt like she could tell him anything and everything. How strange…

Ella could not help but hug the man tighter, relishing in the heat of his body as well as the cold, sweet and familiar fragrance he exuded. Her fear dissipated faster than the thin morning mist under the sweltering sun. Her ten fingers clasped onto his shirt tightly, afraid to let go. "T–There are many people… in white coats. I don't really understand what they are saying, but I know they are talking about me. A failure… Someone they should give up on…" Ella's lips wobbled but she forced herself to say it because big brother wanted to know. "I want to run away, but my whole body feels so heavy. Nobody hears me no matter how loud I cry. I can't find Sister either. And then… they surround me, put me in a strange capsule and poke me with needles…" Tears pooled in the corner of Ella's eyes and her voice cracked in the end. "I don't want to return to that place anymore…"

Lu Yizhou did not stop soothing and comforting Ella albeit his mind was currently in chaos. 

People in white coats… she must be referring to doctors. However, the batch of doctors that arrived in the Knox Family had only worn ordinary dresses, not white coats. For some reason, Ella's description reminded Lu Yizhou of Dr. Feng instead; the man had always been in a white coat every time he appeared on the screen. Not to mention, the 'failure' she was talking about… 

The report that had almost been cleared in the recycle bin flashed through his mind. Project SSS: Zachary. Lu Yizhou still had it archived in the system's private library and he had re-read it so many times that he could recite it backwards. 

Failure. That was the word that was written in bold characters and circled at the end of the report.

An absurd guess popped up in Lu Yizhou's mind. The dream Ella had… could it be Zeke's real memory? 

Lu Yizhou was startled by the realization. That's right, Dr. Feng had said that Lu Yizhou's mission this time was to retrieve Zeke's memory so it was no wonder that a part of it resided inside Ella, which in turn became the nightmare that haunted her dream!

Lu Yizhou swallowed heavily and tried to ask, "Is it… the first time you have dreamed of something like this?"

"En…" Ella nodded with a small sniffle. 

A thoughtful frown appeared on Lu Yizhou's forehead. Was it because the three personalities finally merged into one body that they resonated stronger with each other? It was the most likely possibility. If that was the case, then not only Ella, but Ellie and Ellen would start to recall some pieces of their lost memory.

Lu Yizhou could not help but hug her tighter and dropped a kiss on her temple, heart aching. 

He had always known that his lover did not have a good childhood — no, he might not even live a good life if he was really related to 'Aelius' aka the former Royal Family that had fallen from grace. Those people were cruel even to their own offspring, it was unknown what kind of life Zeke had led until he got to the simulator in the end.

"It's okay…" he said hoarsely, resting his chin on top of Ella's head. "If you have this kind of nightmare in the future, then tell me. I will always be here for you. Remember, you're not a failure." He drew away to cup Ella's face and stared straight into her teary eyes. "You will never be a failure. You're a miracle." He dropped a kiss on each of her swollen eyelids. "My miracle…"

Ella's lashes fluttered and a soft giggle escaped from her lips. Her hands that were clasping his shirt pulled him closer and Lu Yizhou let himself be moved as she wished until she could snuggle into his arms like a satisfied kitten. "Brother, I really, really like you…"

Lu Yizhou chuckled. "I like you too."

Ella's head tilted heavier onto him and Lu Yizhou looked down to see her eyelids fluttering shut, her breathing slowly turning even. Now that her worry had been dispelled, she had gone back to sleep, even smacking her lips in satisfaction. However, the grip she had on Lu Yizhou did not lessen a bit as if afraid that Lu Yizhou would go away if she did. Lu Yizhou could not help the fondness that gushed out of his heart. 

Once again, he grabbed the wet cloth to dab the chocolate smearing the corner of her lips, then gently wiped the tears away from her eyes. After that, he carefully lifted her into his arms, turned off the light and entered the bedroom to place her down to the bed.

Ella subconsciously let out a sound of protest when Lu Yizhou pulled himself away, her brows furrowing as if she was going to cry again. "Sssh…" Lu Yizhou immediately laid down beside her and patted her back like how he always did with Ren Zexi when the young boy had a nightmare and snuck into his bed in the middle of the night. "I am here."

Ella's expression smoothed out and she snuggled closer into Lu Yizhou like a sticky, well-behaved cat. "Mmm… big brother…" came her satisfied sigh. "I like you…"

Amidst the dark, Lu Yizhou's silver eyes gleamed like a streak of lightning as he vowed in a quiet voice only both of them could hear. "Even if the whole world gives up on you… I won't. I will never give up on you."

On the buoying cruise ship, the sky outside the window was pitch black. Multiple murders and savagery were happening beyond the door and many people were dying in succession, yet at the moment, the atmosphere around them was totally serene and peaceful. Lu Yizhou stayed awake until 3 am, his mind circulating wildly around the things Ella had said and also the knowledge he had of his lover prior to this world. In the end, he closed his eyes just as golden and purple hues started to color the horizon.

.

.

A strained cry jolted Lu Yizhou awake from his sleep and his feet touched the ground before his mind could even go online. He snapped his eyes open to see no one in the bed aside from himself. And almost in an instant, his drowsiness evaporated and in its place was a mind-boggling nausea and dizziness.

Lu Yizhou smoothly gulped down the daily dose of health potion as he rushed to the direction where he had heard the voice coming from. He slammed the bathroom door open, his eyes panicked and wild on the edges. Had something happened to his lover again?!

Ellen was standing in front of the mirror, a perfect duplication of last night's event. His long hair was flying all over the place and his sleeping robe was creased. His face was so pale it was quite terrifying to see. 

Lu Yizhou's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. However, before he could open his mouth and ask if he had just had another nightmare, Ellen's horrified eyes met him through the mirror. "Lu Yizhou!" He swiveled around to grab Lu Yizhou's collar, hissing as he gestured at his own face. "What the hell is this?!"

Lu Yizhou's mind crashed down for a second, unable to comprehend why Ellen showed such a livid look. "...Huh?"

"My face!" Ellen tugged on his own hair, howling like it was the end of the world. "It's bloated! I look like a water balloon! A pale and ghostly water balloon!"

Lu Yizhou stared at him blankly for a second before he burst out into hearty laughter. Tension evaporated from his body at knowing that his lover was safe and sound. Last night, he had wondered if Ellen would get angry when he was cleaning Ella's face. It turned out he was right. 

Ellen gaped at him, speechless. In a blink of an eye, his face turned beet red and he shook Lu Yizhou hard to vent his anger. "You're laughing…? You still dare to laugh?!"

The previously obedient and sweet cat had morphed into a leopard that was bearing his teeth. How maddeningly adorable. Lu Yizhou merely gathered him into his embrace, taking advantage of his long arms to trap Ellen in place despite the other's vehement protest. He hummed and tucked his face into the crook of Ellen's neck, the shadow of laughter lingered in his raspy voice. "...Welcome back."

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