Upon hearing this, Li Xin’s body stiffened slightly, a flicker of hesitation and struggle flashing across her eyes.
She knew how strong Ye Lan’s desire for control over Mu Xi was, and she also knew that Ye Lan absolutely would not allow anyone to interfere with her “discipline” Mu Xi.
Helping Mu Xi regain her memory was undoubtedly challenging Ye Lan’s bottom line, and it might even be considered a betrayal.
Mu Xi noticed Li Xin’s hesitation, and her heart sank a little, but she did not give up.
She sat up, took Li Xin’s hand, and coquettishly pleaded in a soft voice, “Please, Li Xin, help me. I really want to know about the past. I keep feeling like I’ve forgotten something very important. I beg you…”
Mu Xi’s voice was gentle, tinged with a hint of grievance and longing.
Her eyes were pitiful and pleading, like a wounded kitten, impossible to refuse.
Li Xin looked at Mu Xi, and the defenses in her heart slowly crumbled until she finally gave in.
She sighed and said helplessly, “Alright, Miss Mu Xi, I’ll try. But I can’t guarantee I’ll find anything. And… if the Master finds out, I don’t know what will happen.”
“That’s okay. As long as you’re willing to help me, I’ll be grateful.”
Mu Xi’s face brightened with a delighted smile.
She held Li Xin’s hand tightly, her eyes full of gratitude and dependence.
Li Xin hugged Mu Xi briefly, signaling that she would handle it.
After Mu Xi fell asleep, Li Xin immediately headed to the Manor’s Pharmacy.
The Pharmacy was located in the basement of the Manor’s main building, requiring passage through two dimly lit corridors before reaching a heavy iron door.
This place had originally been the Manor’s earliest Storage Room but was later converted into a Pharmacy, dedicated to storing various medicines and medical instruments.
Pushing open the heavy iron door, a strong medicinal smell hit her face, mixed with the sharp sting of disinfectant, somewhat uncomfortable.
The Pharmacy was spacious but felt rather cold and gloomy.
Tall Medicine Cabinets lined the walls neatly.
The deep brown wooden cabinets exuded an aged atmosphere, densely covered with labels marked in various scripts detailing the names and uses of the medicines.
Between the cabinets were several Operating Tables placed at uneven intervals, with bottles, jars, and mortars scattered across the surfaces.
Li Xin skillfully flipped on the wall switch, and instantly, several incandescent lights on the ceiling lit up, dispelling the dimness in the Pharmacy and illuminating the labels on the cabinets more clearly.
She took a deep breath and began weaving through the cabinets, her gaze quickly scanning row after row of labels.
The medicines inside were diverse, from common cold remedies and anti-inflammatories to rare Biological Preparations and Neuropharmaceuticals—everything was there.
Li Xin had heard that Ye Lan, to satisfy her various needs, collected rare medicines from around the world.
The amount of medicine stored here could even rival that of a small hospital.
She patiently searched according to the label classifications, going from the Neurology Medicine section to the Psychotropic Drugs area, and then to the section marked for “special uses,” scrutinizing everything carefully.
Cabinet drawers opened and closed, emitting faint rubbing sounds that were especially clear in the silent basement.
Minutes ticked by, beads of sweat forming on Li Xin’s forehead, her heart sinking deeper as time passed.
She had nearly searched the entire Pharmacy, checking every medicine labeled with “memory,” “cognition,” or “brain,” but she never found any drug directly related to “memory restoration.”
Instead, the cabinets contained an abundance of sedatives, hypnotic drugs, and various medicines used for mental control.
The names of these medicines sent chills through Li Xin’s heart.
Suddenly, she realized that Ye Lan’s “discipline” of Mu Xi was perhaps even deeper and more terrifying than she had imagined.
Li Xin stopped in her tracks, leaning against the cold cabinet, feeling utterly powerless.
Was there truly no way?
She refused to give up.
The longing and trust in Mu Xi’s eyes remained etched in her mind.
She glanced around once more, her gaze falling on an inconspicuous small cabinet tucked in a corner of the Pharmacy.
That cabinet had no obvious label, seeming out of place.
Li Xin hesitated but then walked over.
She stopped before the small cabinet.
It was old, its color faded, distinctly different from the deep brown wooden Medicine Cabinets—it looked somewhat grayish.
There were no labels on its surface, making it feel abrupt and mysterious.
Upon close inspection, she found the cabinet was locked.
The lock was small but exquisitely crafted, like some kind of special mechanism.
Forcibly breaking the lock would certainly leave traces, and with Ye Lan’s sharp senses, it would be noticed easily.
Li Xin furrowed her brow, fingers rubbing over the lock as she rapidly calculated.
Such a hidden cabinet, locked so specially, likely contained extraordinary medicines.
Perhaps the memory restoration drug Mu Xi needed was inside.
‘But now was not the time to open it.’
Li Xin warned herself against impulsiveness.
She needed a more thorough plan or the right tools to open it without alerting anyone.
Finally, she cast one last glance at the small cabinet, suppressing the restless urge in her heart, then turned and left the Pharmacy.
Exiting the Pharmacy and returning to the dim corridor, the medicinal smell gradually faded, replaced by the basement’s distinct cold and damp atmosphere.
Li Xin felt a wave of frustration—after searching almost the entire Pharmacy, she had found nothing.
Mu Xi’s hopeful eyes were still vividly imprinted in her mind.
She sighed and quickened her pace, leaving the basement.
***
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, flooding the room.
Li Xin entered Mu Xi’s room carrying breakfast; Mu Xi was already awake, sitting propped against the headboard.
Her silver-white long hair spilled over the pillow, framing her doll-like delicate face, making her appear especially fragile.
“Good morning, Miss Mu Xi,” Li Xin greeted softly, placing the breakfast on the bedside table.
Mu Xi looked up at Li Xin, her eyes carrying a trace of questioning.
Li Xin knew what she was waiting for.
She walked to the bedside and spoke quietly, “I carefully searched the Pharmacy but didn’t find any drugs directly related to memory restoration.”
Mu Xi’s gaze dimmed briefly but quickly returned to calm.
She softly said, “It’s alright, Li Xin. I’m already very grateful to you. I know this isn’t easy.”
Seeing how sensible Mu Xi was, Li Xin felt even more guilty.
She should have done more for Mu Xi, but instead, she felt so powerless.
“Miss Mu Xi, although I didn’t find any memory restoration drugs, I discovered a very strange cabinet. It’s locked, and I suspect it might contain some special medicines.”
Li Xin told Mu Xi about her discovery in the Pharmacy.
Mu Xi’s eyes brightened, “Really? Then let’s find a way to open it and take a look.”
“Yes, I’ll figure something out,” Li Xin nodded firmly.
After washing up and finishing breakfast, Mu Xi expressed a desire to take a walk in the Garden.
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