After sleeping at the hotel, Jiang Yi woke in the evening to Chen Wanzhou’s call.
Chen Wanzhou, who had just finished class, teased upon hearing Jiang Yi’s hoarse voice: “Damn, Jiang Yi, you really went at it, huh? So, are we still having dinner tonight or not?”
The room was dim, and Jiang Yi’s head felt heavy with drowsiness. She lowered her voice and replied, “Yeah, we’re going. Set a time and text me the details.”
After hanging up, Jiang Yi turned to find Jiang Sixian already awake, nuzzling against her chest with a sleepy murmur: “Was that Chen Wanzhou?”
Jiang Yi shifted, wrapping an arm around her and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “We’re meeting them for dinner later. Any preferences? I’ll coordinate with Chen Wanzhou on the place.”
Jiang Sixian rubbed her face against Jiang Yi’s chest lazily. “I don’t care. You decide.”
Jiang Yi ruffled her hair. “Want to get up now, or sleep a little longer?”
Jiang Sixian wrapped her arms around Jiang Yi’s waist, nuzzling like a cat. “Hold me a bit more.”
Fine. Jiang Yi pulled her closer, flipping them over so Jiang Sixian lay atop her.
Jiang Sixian nestled against her, docile as a kitten. Jiang Yi’s fingers unconsciously drifted to the back of her neck, tracing the smooth skin there. “Half an hour, then,” she murmured.
Jiang Sixian closed her eyes, resting her head on Jiang Yi’s shoulder with a soft “Okay.”
They lingered like that for another half hour before finally getting up to wash and dress, heading out to meet Chen Wanzhou.
Winter was perfect for hot pot, and Chen Wanzhou had reserved a table. Once Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian arrived, they placed their orders together.
After settling in, Jiang Yi leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table as she grinned at Chen Wanzhou and Lin Yinxi across from her. “Alright, spill. What’s going on with you two?”
“When did it start? Who made the first move? And most importantly—”
Jiang Yi stood, looming over the two alphas with a smirk. “Who’s topping who?”
Little Monitor’s face flushed instantly. “Jiang Yi, since when are you so nosy?”
Chen Wanzhou, however, was unfazed. She slung an arm around Lin Yinxi’s shoulders and shot Jiang Yi a challenging look. “What do you think?”
Jiang Yi flopped back onto the couch, crossing her arms with a scoff. “Eh, whatever. These things go both ways—I’ve been on the bottom too. No point obsessing over it.”
“Besides, you’re both alphas. Taking turns is just natural.”
Lin Yinxi’s eyes lit up at that. She gave Jiang Yi a thumbs-up. “Exactly!”
She was already mentally preparing to pin Chen Wanzhou down next time.
Jiang Yi winked at her. “So, Little Monitor, you better step up your game.”
Chen Wanzhou chuckled dryly. “Thanks for the encouragement.”
She then turned to Jiang Sixian with a teasing glint. “Xianxian, you should work hard too.”
Jiang Sixian merely smiled without responding. Jiang Yi, however, lifted her hand to her lips and kissed it. “She already puts in plenty of effort. No need for reminders.”
Jiang Sixian’s ears turned pink, but she maintained her composure with a soft “Mm.”
Chen Wanzhou rolled her eyes at Jiang Yi’s smugness. Just then, the server arrived with their ingredients, and the pot began boiling. “Alright, enough chatter,” Chen Wanzhou said, waving a hand. “Let’s eat—I’m starving.”
As they ate, Chen Wanzhou and Lin Yinxi first asked about Jiang Yi’s health, which she answered honestly.
Then, circling back to their relationship, Jiang Yi said seriously, “You two better tell Tiantian and Duolai.”
Chen Wanzhou shrugged. “We were planning to tell everyone during winter break. You just happened to find out early.”
Jiang Yi scoffed. “Oh, so it’s my fault now? If you’re sneaking around, don’t complain when people catch you.”
Chen Wanzhou shot back, “Same goes for you.”
After their bickering, Chen Wanzhou asked, “How long are you staying? When are you heading back?”
At this, Jiang Sixian paused, glancing at Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi met her gaze, and in that moment, both felt the reluctance of parting so soon after reuniting.
Jiang Yi tapped her chopsticks absently. “Haven’t decided.”
Chen Wanzhou pressed, “What about next year? You’ve got another half-year leave—traveling?”
Jiang Yi hesitated. “Haven’t thought about it.”
Before, she would’ve jumped at the chance to travel once recovered. But now, with Jiang Sixian, she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving.
Chen Wanzhou clicked her tongue. “You really rushed here just for Xianxian, huh? Well, since your birthday’s on Christmas, why not stay until after New Year’s? We’ll celebrate before you go back.”
Jiang Yi nodded. “Sounds good.”
After dinner, the four took a taxi back to campus. At the school gates, they parted ways, with Jiang Yi accompanying Jiang Sixian to her dorm to pick up some clothes.
As they walked, Jiang Yi mulled over Chen Wanzhou’s words, an idea forming in her mind.
Before she could voice it, Jiang Sixian stopped and called her name softly. “Jiang Yi…”
Jiang Yi turned. Under the dim streetlight, Jiang Sixian’s long lashes cast delicate shadows as she gazed up. “By New Year’s… I’ll be done with finals and starting winter break. Why don’t you stay until then? We can go back together.”
Jiang Yi reached out, brushing her thumb over Jiang Sixian’s fluttering lashes, heart swelling.
Her fingers trailed down to cup Jiang Sixian’s chin. “Actually,” she said, voice warm, “let’s go apartment hunting tomorrow.”
Jiang Sixian blinked, startled.
Jiang Yi smiled. “Let’s move in together.”
Her thumb stroked Jiang Sixian’s cheek. “We’ll pick a place, settle in… I’ll stay with you this year, next year, and every year after.”
Until she turned twenty.
Jiang Yi’s throat tightened. She forced a grin, suddenly nervous. “We agreed before, right? That if I came to study here, we’d live together.”
“Now… even though I’m not enrolled yet, I’m free.”
She met Jiang Sixian’s eyes firmly. “I want to be with you. Always.”
Jiang Sixian’s lashes trembled. She covered Jiang Yi’s hand with her own and whispered, “Okay.”
Jiang Yi exhaled, leaning in until their breaths mingled. “Then let me kiss you…”
It was slow, tender—Jiang Yi cradling Jiang Sixian’s face like something precious, savoring every touch.
In that quiet devotion, Jiang Sixian felt everything left unspoken.
That night, Jiang Yi never said “I love you,” but Jiang Sixian heard it in every heartbeat.
Over the next few days, Jiang Yi threw herself into apartment hunting. While Jiang Sixian attended classes, she scoured the area near campus and eventually rented a spacious two-bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows.
She signed a two-year lease.
On moving day, standing in the empty living room, sunlight streaming through the glass, Jiang Yi felt something settle inside her.
This was the home she’d always dreamed of.
She made the bed with fresh sheets, dressed the sofa in new covers, then headed to the supermarket for groceries. After preparing dinner—soup simmering, vegetables chopped—she went to pick up Jiang Sixian from campus.
By the time she arrived, Jiang Sixian was already waiting at the gates, suitcase in tow.
Jiang Yi took her cold hand, tucking it into her coat pocket. “Sorry for the wait. Had to stop by the store.”
Jiang Sixian shook her head, nestling closer. “What’s for dinner? Should we eat out first, then tidy up together?”
Jiang Yi grinned. “No need. I hired cleaners earlier—just had to put on the bedsheets. And…”
She ducked her head sheepishly. “Tonight’s my treat. You’ll have a home-cooked meal waiting.”
Jiang Sixian’s eyes lit up. “You can cook?”
Jiang Yi puffed out her chest. “Of course. Mom taught me a thing or two.” Then, deflating slightly, she added, “But it’s been a while. If it’s bad, we can always order takeout.”
Jiang Sixian smiled. “It won’t be. I’ll finish every bite.”
Jiang Yi laughed. “We’ll see.”
Giddy with the thrill of their first official night together, they walked hand-in-hand, fingers intertwined in Jiang Yi’s pocket.
At the apartment complex, they rode the elevator up in silence. Standing before their new door, Jiang Yi took a deep breath and keyed in the passcode.
She pushed it open, turning to Jiang Sixian with solemn warmth. “Welcome home.”
In that moment, Jiang Sixian felt it wasn’t just the apartment she was being welcomed into—but Jiang Yi’s heart.
She stepped inside, pulling Jiang Yi with her. “Our home,” she corrected, beaming.
Jiang Yi chuckled. “Right. Welcome to our home.”
She set down the suitcase and shut the door. As she turned, Jiang Sixian grabbed her collar, dragging her into a kiss.
Laughing against her lips, Jiang Yi stumbled forward, steering them toward the couch. She pinned Jiang Sixian down, deepening the kiss as they sank into the cushions.
