Jiang Yi gripped her dagger as she climbed up the mountain path.
The night was pitch black, with shadowy figures looming ahead. She felt as though she had wandered into a maze with no way out.
But she knew Jiang Sixian was waiting for her at the crossroads. She had to make it out—no matter what!
Gritting her teeth, Jiang Yi pushed through her exhaustion, forcing herself forward step by step. The extreme fatigue made her vision blur, and finally, her foot slipped, sending her stumbling backward.
Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed a nearby sapling, but her body still collapsed onto the damp earth, completely drained of strength.
Ah… she didn’t want to move anymore. Maybe she should just rest for a bit.
The thought flashed through her mind, but it was quickly overwhelmed by the urgent need to see Jiang Sixian.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yi pushed herself up and staggered forward again.
She remembered that Jiang Sixian was an Omega—one in heat, at that. Even though she had given her a temporary mark, she couldn’t just leave her alone.
She had to go back. No matter what, she had to go back.
This conviction kept Jiang Yi moving through the darkness for what felt like an eternity. She stumbled forward blindly until suddenly, a beam of light pierced through the night.
The glare momentarily blinded her, but she immediately raised her dagger, ready to attack in case this was one of the kidnappers.
But it wasn’t. After the flashlight swept over her a few times, she heard a stranger call her name: “Jiang Yi? Is that Jiang Yi?”
“Captain, we found the kid!”
Jiang Yi remained wary. The person holding the flashlight approached cautiously, saying, “Don’t be afraid. We’re the police. You’re safe now. Where are the two kidnappers?”
After a night of being held captive, Jiang Yi was like a startled bird, suspicious of everyone. “Show me your badge first. How do I know you’re really the police?”
The officer who found her turned to her partner with a wry smile. “This kid’s pretty sharp.”
She walked closer and handed Jiang Yi her badge. “Your family’s waiting outside. Let’s get you back first.”
Only then did Jiang Yi relax, her body going limp as she nearly collapsed forward.
With a clatter, her dagger fell to the ground. The nearest officer quickly caught her. Jiang Yi slumped into the officer’s arms and, like a child, sobbed, “Officer… I can’t walk anymore…”
In the end, two officers took turns carrying Jiang Yi back.
Along the way, Jiang Yi asked if they had found Jiang Sixian. When she learned that Jiang Sixian was safe, she completely relaxed, lying limply on the officer’s back.
Though they knew the kid had been through a lot, the officers still had to ask about the kidnappers’ whereabouts for official procedures.
Jiang Yi briefly recounted what had happened. Remembering that she had stabbed one of them, she hesitated before asking, “Officer… will I go to jail? I stabbed that kidnapper a few times…”
The officer reassured her, “That counts as self-defense, though the specifics will need to be analyzed. Don’t worry—you were kidnapped. The important thing is that you’re okay…”
Jiang Yi let out a quiet “Oh,” but quickly perked up. After all, surviving this was already a miracle. As for the rest… she’d deal with it later.
She wasn’t even afraid of death—why would she worry about something like her future?
Thinking optimistically, Jiang Yi was carried out of the woods. Soon, they reached the crossroads. Under the bright streetlights, a row of police cars was parked along the road.
Seeing them, Jiang Yi finally felt at ease. From a distance, she spotted Jiang Sixian rushing out of one of the cars, sprinting toward her while calling, “Jiang Yi!”
Still on the officer’s back, Jiang Yi’s eyes lit up. She responded hoarsely, “Here.”
She asked to be set down, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, Jiang Sixian crashed into her, sobbing, “Jiang Yi, I was so worried!”
Already weak, Jiang Yi staggered back several steps from the impact before her legs gave out, sending her tumbling onto her back.
As she fell, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Jiang Sixian, cushioning her against her own body before they both hit the ground.
The collision left Jiang Yi dazed, groaning in pain.
Jiang Sixian immediately scrambled up, straddling her waist as she frantically checked her head. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
Her voice quickly cracked with tears. “I’m sorry… it’s all my fault…”
The moment Jiang Sixian cried, Jiang Yi’s heart ached. She hurriedly sat up, clumsily wiping Jiang Sixian’s tears. “Don’t cry… I’m fine…”
“Shh, don’t cry…”
Jiang Sixian sniffled, watching as Jiang Yi—covered in dirt—awkwardly tried to comfort her. The sight only made her cry harder. After a few shaky breaths, she suddenly cupped Jiang Yi’s face and kissed her fiercely.
The moment their lips touched, Jiang Yi froze. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Jiang Sixian’s waist, tentatively licking her lips—only to be met with an even more passionate kiss.
Their tongues tangled, completely oblivious to their surroundings.
The adults nearby awkwardly averted their eyes, staring up at the moon instead.
Ah… youth.
Ning Wenying had stepped out of the car earlier and witnessed the entire scene from a distance. Her emotions were complicated.
Even though she knew her daughter well, she hadn’t expected her to be dating Jiang Yi. Sure, this explained all of Jiang Sixian’s recent odd behavior, but the realization that her daughter was in an early relationship was still a bit of a shock.
After the series of intense events today, Ning Wenying needed a moment to process. She sighed, leaning against the car as she rubbed her temples, then chuckled helplessly.
Well… kids would be kids. She might as well let them figure things out on their own.
After all, she had no reason to stop her daughter from liking someone so brave and responsible.
Having made up her mind, Ning Wenying walked toward the two girls.
Jiang Yi was dazed from the kiss, her mind filled with nothing but how soft Jiang Sixian was. When she vaguely heard the click of heels approaching, she looked up and saw Ning Wenying emerging from the darkness.
Her entire body stiffened.
Oh no.
Ning Wenying had seen them. Was she about to get her legs broken?!
At that moment, Jiang Yi was like any other teenager caught in an early relationship—all exhaustion and joy forgotten, replaced by sheer panic.
She sucked in a sharp breath, pushing Jiang Sixian’s shoulders to separate them, whispering urgently, “Your mom… your mom… your mom’s here!”
Oh god, oh god—how could she have forgotten? Jiang Sixian was technically her mother’s girlfriend’s daughter. If they got together, wouldn’t Jiang Qionghua kill her?!
The kidnappers hadn’t managed to take her life, but she was pretty sure her mom would finish the job!
Jiang Sixian frowned slightly but quickly snapped back to reality, looking up at Ning Wenying. Under the moonlight, her lips were still glistening as she sat on Jiang Yi’s lap and called out, “Mom…”
Ning Wenying had always known her daughter was bold, but this was beyond her expectations. She almost wanted to facepalm but held back, not wanting to make Jiang Yi overthink. Instead, she smiled and walked over, calling softly, “Jiang Yi…”
Jiang Yi felt her legs go weak with fear. She looked up at Ning Wenying, stammering, “A-Auntie Ning… I… I…”
How was she supposed to explain this? I really like your daughter and want to date her and have kids with her someday? Ah—wouldn’t she get beaten to death?! She definitely would!
Just as Jiang Yi was about to scare herself to death, Ning Wenying chuckled and patted her head. “It’s good that you’re okay… that’s all that matters…”
“We can talk about everything else after you two get checked at the hospital.”
With that, she bent down and hugged both girls, her eyes glistening with tears. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
The worst was over. Now, she just needed to take her children back.
Jiang Yi gradually relaxed in Ning Wenying’s motherly embrace. Leaning against her, she choked out a quiet, “Okay.”
Ning Wenying then took the two girls to the hospital.
During the ride, Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian sat close, their hands tightly clasped as they braced for a scolding.
But Ning Wenying showed no intention of bringing it up. Instead, she asked about Jiang Yi’s experience during the kidnapping and her fight with the criminals, her mind focused on bringing the perpetrators to justice.
When she learned Jiang Yi might have fatally wounded one of them, Ning Wenying reassured her that she would hire the best lawyer for her defense.
Jiang Yi wasn’t comforted. Still holding Jiang Sixian’s hand, she hesitantly asked, “Auntie Ning… you… you’re not mad at us?”
Ning Wenying blinked, then smiled. “I thought you’d be more worried about the kidnappers. Why would I be mad?”
Jiang Yi glanced at Jiang Sixian before stammering, “I mean… about me and Jiang Sixian… don’t you think it’s… bad?”
Ning Wenying chuckled. “Would I?” She turned to her daughter, who was gazing at Jiang Yi with stars in her eyes, and asked, “Xianxian, do you think being with Jiang Yi is bad?”
Jiang Sixian shook her head firmly, squeezing Jiang Yi’s hand. “This is my choice. As long as I’m happy, that’s all that matters. You’ll understand, right, Mom?”
Ning Wenying nodded. “Of course. Whoever you like is your business. As long as you’re happy, I’ll always support you.”
Jiang Sixian beamed. “Thank you, Mom!”
Jiang Yi, watching this exchange, was stunned. Wait—their family was this open-minded? She looked back and forth between Jiang Sixian and Ning Wenying. “Auntie Ning, so… we’re just going to keep things separate?”
Ning Wenying winked at her. “What else? You and Xianxian are your own people. Even parents shouldn’t interfere. And don’t feel pressured to do something just because we’re your elders.”
“You’re both good kids. I just want you to be safe and happy, always doing what you believe is right.”
Jiang Yi’s heart warmed, but then she slumped. “You’re so understanding. I wish my mom was half as open-minded as you…”
“If she finds out Jiang Sixian and I are dating, she’ll murder me!”
Jiang Yi was distraught. Her early relationship had been exposed way too soon!
Ning Wenying couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not that bad. Qionghua isn’t that stubborn.”
Jiang Yi looked grave. “No, she is.” She could already imagine Jiang Qionghua’s meltdown if she found out.
Turning to Jiang Sixian, she suggested, “Maybe… we shouldn’t tell her yet?”
Then, she glanced nervously at Ning Wenying. “Auntie Ning… could you maybe… pretend you didn’t see anything today? At least until I’m older and can handle my mom’s wrath.”
Ning Wenying was thoroughly amused. She nodded. “Alright. But you two should still be careful not to let her find out.”
“Honestly, unless you’re obvious about it, I doubt she’ll figure it out before you tell her.”
At that, Jiang Yi’s ears turned red, and she instinctively looked at Jiang Sixian—who met her gaze and squeezed her hand.
Ning Wenying watched their interaction before adding, “That said, even though I’m open-minded, there’s one thing I need to make clear.”
“Especially for you, Xianxian.”
“I’m not ready to be a grandmother yet. So you two need to be careful about contraception.”
Jiang Yi’s entire face burned. She stammered, “N-No, Auntie Ning, we wouldn’t… we’re still young…”
God, this was mortifying! How could they possibly—?! Sure, she’d joked about early marriage and kids, but she hadn’t actually planned to do anything with Jiang Sixian! She was a pure-hearted kid!
But then Jiang Sixian nodded very seriously and said, “Understood, Mom. I’ll be careful.”
Jiang Yi whipped her head around to stare at her in disbelief.
Wait—careful about what?! Did she actually plan to—?!
Ahhh, she wanted to dig a hole and bury herself right then and there!
