Dr. Ha did not show any expression of "Are you joking with me?" but he truly remained silent for a long moment.
About ten minutes passed in complete silence in the clinic.
Giai Moc Vi lowered her head obediently, waiting for the doctor to review all her test reports. Finally, the doctor's gaze stopped on a brain CT scan, and he suddenly uttered, "Oh."
"What is it?" Ve Dinh Tieu looked even more tense than she did.
Dr. Ha looked up at Giai Moc Vi. "I reviewed the medication history for Giai Moc Vi. When she was ten years old, she was given Oryzanol and other similar neuro-regulating medications."
Ve Dinh Tieu widened his eyes slightly. "So, what does that mean…?"
Dr. Ha continued, "Oryzanol is commonly used to regulate the nervous system after a cerebral concussion or other serious brain trauma. Therefore, I can confirm that Giai Moc Vi must have suffered a head injury at age ten."
"So, is it possible that a childhood head injury led to memory loss many years later?" Ve Dinh Tieu suddenly realized, bowing his head to Giai Moc Vi with a chuckle. "Your aftereffects are a bit… far-reaching, aren't they?"
"…" Giai Moc Vi remained silent.
Dr. Ha nodded. "The probability is high, but normally, if a brain injury occurred years ago, a blood clot could form in the brain. If the clot accumulates over the years and then a violent explosion happens, it could trigger memory loss even many years later. However, in Giai Moc Vi's skull, there are no wounds or clots, which is a bit puzzling."
At least now the cause of the memory loss is known, and treatment can be targeted.
Dr. Ha prescribed some medication for Giai Moc Vi and set up a periodic treatment plan at the hospital. After leaving his contact information, Ve Dinh Tieu advanced the payment for the first three treatment cycles.
Giai Moc Vi followed behind him, looking at the box of medicine in his hand. "I'll repay you as soon as I withdraw money from the bank later."
Ve Dinh Tieu didn't turn back, walking straight ahead. His soft voice reached her ears, "Forget the money for now. First, please think about my stomach it's very important to me."
Dr. Ha, walking beside them, smiled. "Giai Moc Vi, your boyfriend is really good to you."
"…" Giai Moc Vi stayed silent.
At that moment, Ve Dinh Tieu suddenly stopped and turned back. "Oh right, Dr. Ha, I'm curious does memory loss affect personality?"
Dr. Ha smiled. "Complete memory loss only erases memories. It has some influence, though. After total memory loss, patients are like blank sheets regarding everything around them. They are easily affected by external factors and may feel insecure, becoming relatively sensitive and fragile."
"So, Officer Ve needs to pay more attention to the emotional state of the patient."
Ve Dinh Tieu nodded.
But… he felt that while Giai Moc Vi was somewhat sensitive, she didn't seem fragile at all.
Dr. Ha continued, "In addition, interact more with the patient's previous environment. Patients with complete memory loss need to remain socially engaged. Within your ability, frequent interaction with society also aids memory recovery. Of course, the accompaniment of family or close persons is crucial."
Giai Moc Vi frowned. "This accompaniment is…"
Dr. Ha cleared his throat and laughed softly. "It means repeating the experiences that were deeply ingrained to trigger memory recall. The patient certainly won't remember, but if someone beside them remembers the events clearly and guides the patient through them again, it's best. This also has a very small probability of stimulating memory recovery."
So according to this… she really… temporarily has no way to be away from Ve Dinh Tieu.
Could it be that she must reenact the 'Ferris wheel explosion' scene all over again?
Ve Dinh Tieu nodded. "I understand."
Giai Moc Vi nodded slightly. "Then I'll trouble you, Officer Ve."
Her way of addressing him had changed from "scam cop" to Officer Ve.
Ve Dinh Tieu didn't know if it was the result of his influence, but he was quite satisfied.
This hospital visit had not been in vain.
Giai Moc Vi sat in the passenger seat, reviewing the medication instructions.
When she looked up, she saw Ve Dinh Tieu also looking at her, with a rather meaningful expression.
"What's wrong?" Giai Moc Vi put the prescription down and placed the medicine bag in the trunk.
He smiled, lit a cigarette, and turned the steering wheel.
His voice, as if turning a corner, reached Giai Moc Vi.
"Nothing. Just remembered that you were also adopted by Kumoi Lotus Temple when you were eight."
Before age eight.
Giai Moc Vi's background was very blank.
She reacted, sitting up a bit straighter. "Did you investigate my past?"
Ve Dinh Tieu answered with a simple "Yes."
"Because I was kidnapped, I wanted to know your connections, so I investigated a bit."
"So… besides Kumoi Lotus Temple, is there anything else?"
Ve Dinh Tieu shook his head. "Nothing else. Everything before that is blank. At that time, there was a peak surge in the number of homeless children in our country. Many children had vague backgrounds, and local offices in Kyoto didn't keep detailed records."
Waiting at a red light, he pulled out his phone to check his schedule. "After finishing the bomb terrorism case, there are two compensatory days off. We can use that time to go to Kyoto. Perhaps we can ask the temple about something important."
Giai Moc Vi nodded, because after today's doctor visit, it was still unclear when her memory would fully recover, but her gloom had lightened a bit.
"Thank you," she said.
These words were her sincere expression.
In reality, they had only known each other for two weeks, and their relationship had been established only for a few days… She really didn't need him to go this far for her.
Buying her a phone, covering her medicine costs, etc.
Giai Moc Vi decided that she could repay his kindness gradually, but the money must be settled immediately!
But… after dealing with resetting her bank card password, she looked inside the account and saw only a tiny amount. Her face turned as dark as coal.
Impossible.
Was she really that poor?
This is… too little!
Even the market-rate rent near Ve Dinh Tieu's house wasn't enough.
Plus the broken bed, the medicine…
What had she been doing before?
And she had already told him she would repay immediately…
Giai Moc Vi's legs stuck to the ATM, standing frozen like a statue.
Not right.
Not reasonable.
Every piece of clothing she brought from her rented apartment was brand-name.
Even her handbags were designer.
She had thought herself wealthy… Wait, could it be that buying these luxury items drained all her money?
Still doesn't add up.
As a professional often called a high-status social figure, and an intern lawyer with transparent income, her annual salary was over six million yen.
Those clothes at home could never have consumed her monthly salary entirely.
Could she ask Officer Ve to investigate her bank transactions?
But… that would be too embarrassing.
If Ve Dinh Tieu hadn't knocked on the glass, she might have become a petrified statue right there.
Giai Moc Vi was truly embarrassed to open the door and say she only had twenty thousand yen.
After thinking for half a day, she mustered all her strength, almost gritting her teeth, and said:
"I… I want to go back to the law office to work."
"…" Ve Dinh Tieu.
This request was a bit…
Ve Dinh Tieu recalled her posture at the ATM earlier and understood her intention. "But your professional knowledge…"
Giai Moc Vi clenched her fists. "I'll make up for it as soon as possible."
Ve Dinh Tieu remembered the mountain of law books and smiled helplessly. "Your stubborn persistence is really the same as before. I'll help you contact Lawyer Khuong."
Giai Moc Vi bowed deeply. "Thank you very much."
During law training, interns rarely get to handle cases directly under senior lawyers.
Ve Dinh Tieu took the opportunity, before going to the Urban Police Department, to bring Giai Moc Vi to the office.
As soon as they arrived,
Giai Moc Vi noticed the office was very close to Ve Dinh Tieu's house.
She leaned her hand against the glass of the car, looking at the bustling street outside.
When the law office sign appeared on the busiest street corner, Giai Moc Vi confirmed:
"Seems like just one street away."
Ve Dinh Tieu hadn't expected it to be so close.
He had recently purchased this house, decorated it, and only recently moved in from the police dormitory.
Giai Moc Vi was very satisfied.
Having her workplace right next to her home was truly a blessing for anyone working.
Ve Dinh Tieu found a parking spot in front. A black minibus was parked haphazardly, with several men in suits squatting and smoking.
They seemed to have been waiting there a long time. Empty cigarette packs were stacked thick on the roadside trash.
When the wind blew, white smoke wafted out in large amounts.
"Boss, why hasn't he come down yet?"
"Shall we go up and check?"
"Don't rush. Boss said not to act recklessly."
Their conversation became increasingly clear as Giai Moc Vi and Ve Dinh Tieu approached.
Giai Moc Vi noticed Ve Dinh Tieu's steps slowing slightly, as if to listen more carefully.
But the men gathered below quickly lowered their voices when they saw someone coming.
A man and a woman, one in front, one behind, came from the opposite sidewalk.
The bustling traffic on both sides
, a gentle breeze blowing through the woman's hair, highlighted her fair and striking figure under the sunlight.
Their eyes scanned Ve Dinh Tieu walking ahead, then simultaneously fixed on Giai Moc Vi.