It was a close call.
When she was shown back to her room after bathing and changing her clothes, as her Uncle promised she was visited by a doctor shortly afterwards.
As soon as he left Fei Guiying took a moment to think. The doctor's expression was strange when interacting.
How should she behave from this point on?
As she stressed over the matter the doors to her room flew open.
"Xiao Ying, are you alright?" An elderly man with a familiar face made Fei Guiying's mind blank.
"G-grandpa?"
An elderly man who didn't seem like an elderly man. Many who didn't know him might mistake him to still be in his forties with his mustache and stubble, and peppered hair. Even though he had aged he had the face that could bulldoze a whole block of women. Old and young alike.
Those green eyes of his were still the same. The exact same.
Teary-eyed, the old man rushed forward and held her hands, he lowered himself, eyes filled with worry and concern. He asked:
"Xiao Ying do you still remember me?"
Unbeknownst to her, the doctor had reported she lost her memory after realizing she didn't recognize him.
It felt like an object was lodged in her heart.
She had agreed to the goddess' request, but she didn't ask for this. Nor did she want it. She didn't need a second life. Just her mission.
After all, it doesn't matter if they looked alike she only had one Grandpa in the entire universe, as she did one brother.
Fei Guiying closed her eyes to calm her stirring heart as memories flickered by.
This old man would constantly check up on his emotionless granddaughter, a man full of smiles and laughter. That celebrated every little thing she did as if she were a newborn babe.
Just like in her previous life, the host's Mother had a falling out with her father, so when she died unjustly, she was taken in by him...
The affection he could never give his daughter was poured out onto her.
He's the same.
Fei Guiying's eyes watered as she held in the doppelganger.
Why? Even in this world, you're still...
"Xiao Ying? Why are you crying?! Do you not remember me? Xiao Ying! Don't be like this ah? Say something!"
Fei Guiying's vision blurred, a distressed sound escaped her.
"Xiao Ying? What's wrong?! Speak! Grandpa can't help if you don't say where it hurts!"
Seeing the old man shake her, Fang Euren watched on in disapproval. She thought it might be out of jealousy but he said: "Calm down Father, you're scaring her."
Tears trickled down Fei Guiying's cheeks.
She had steeled herself when the bullet tore through her body, steeled herself at the thought she would never see her Grandfather again...because it was for her brother. The good of her poor dearest brother.
Seeing his face now made her think of so many things. It felt like her resolve was shat on. Like she had gone back on her word. Nothing but regrets bubbled up to the surface.
She wished they could have been a proper family, wished she could share the love she had for them both without feeling guilty every time her Grandfather smiled at her but raised his voice at her older brother.
If she needed to die for him to achieve that wish, for her brother to be loved she would be willing to die a thousand times for her brother.
Fei Guiying's knees gave in. She felt sick. Her chest felt like it was about to drown from the pressure of it all. If only everyone could love each other without deep reason or obsession.
Why is she still so loved in this life? If the goddess gave her her Father back why not her brother too? She shook her head. Don't think such delicious thoughts, you'll only be left yearning!
Tried as they might, Fang Landan and Fang Euren failed to console her. She became unresponsive.
The girl had folded in on herself on the floor, where snot and tears created a pool, like that she continued crying until she fainted.