After informing both sets of parents, Jiang Yi finally felt at ease. She purchased two plane tickets for their return flight the next day, then set aside her phone and dragged her exhausted body back to bed, lying down beside Jiang Sixian.
Jiang Sixian lay curled on her side, already fast asleep. Jiang Yi reached out, tracing the contours of her face with her fingertips before finally smoothing out the slight furrow between her brows.
Jiang Yi smiled softly and whispered, “Jiang Sixian…”
As if responding, Jiang Sixian shifted closer to her. Jiang Yi slid down under the covers, pressing her face against Jiang Sixian’s abdomen as she murmured secretly, “Because of this, I’ll be reborn anew.”
Because this child was her miracle.
They rested through the morning. At noon, Jiang Yi got up to prepare a simple lunch, coaxing Jiang Sixian to eat before holding her as they napped together.
By the time they fully regained their energy, evening had fallen. Finally well-rested, Jiang Sixian remembered the mess they needed to sort out and nestled obediently in Jiang Yi’s arms to ask, “How should we explain things to our mothers? Should we tell them tonight?”
Jiang Yi yawned, tightening her embrace as she answered lazily, “I already told them this morning. Your mom wants us to fly back tomorrow to explain. I’ve already bought our tickets—we’ll go back together tomorrow.”
Jiang Sixian looked up at her in surprise. “You already told them? What was their reaction?”
Jiang Yi grinned. “My mom said she wants to kill me. Your mom probably isn’t too happy either.”
Jiang Sixian bit her lip lightly, her expression troubled. Jiang Yi leaned down and asked teasingly, “What’s wrong? Are you scared of them?”
Jiang Sixian shook her head and hugged Jiang Yi tighter. “Not that. I just feel bad that you had to face them alone.”
Jiang Yi patted her back reassuringly. “It would’ve been the same either way. We’d still get lectured tomorrow when we go home. But I did tell them we’re getting married. So even if my mom tries to kill me tomorrow, I’m still going to marry you.”
With that, Jiang Yi planted a loud kiss on Jiang Sixian’s forehead. “Don’t worry. Just remember—I’ve got you.”
Jiang Sixian nodded, nuzzling against her chest as she whispered, “Okay.”
The next day, Jiang Sixian took time off, and the two returned home together.
As expected, Ning Wenying and Jiang Qionghua didn’t seem to be in the best moods. But neither Jiang Yi nor Jiang Sixian was intimidated. They handled the barrage of questions from both mothers with ease.
After confirming that they were truly serious about marriage, Ning Wenying asked again, “Are you absolutely certain you want to get married?”
Jiang Yi held Jiang Sixian’s hand firmly. “I’m certain.”
Jiang Sixian also looked up at her mother with unwavering determination. “There’s no one else I’d ever want to marry besides Jiang Yi.”
Well, these were two young women clearly head over heels in love.
Ning Wenying paused before saying, “Marriage is full of uncertainties. You’re in love now, but what about the future?”
Jiang Yi smiled and squeezed Jiang Sixian’s hand. “The future is too far away for me to predict. But right now, I want to marry Sixian. Auntie Ning, I’m willing to sign a prenup. I won’t mark Sixian either, and after the baby is born, I’ll take a year off school to raise them. I won’t burden you with it.”
“I’ll take responsibility—and I can handle it. So please, give us your blessing.”
Well, she said “blessing,” not “please allow me to marry your daughter.” It was clear that even if their parents objected, it wouldn’t make a difference.
What could Ning Wenying do? She pinched the bridge of her nose and turned to Jiang Sixian. “And Sixian, are you ready to be a mother?”
Jiang Sixian thought for a moment before answering seriously, “I’m still learning, but I’ll do my absolute best. From the moment I decided to keep this child, I vowed to raise them with love.”
Well, the two had already said everything there was to say. What else could Ning Wenying do?
She sighed, both exasperated and amused, before nodding. “Fine. Get married, then.”
Over the following week, with their mothers’ help, Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian prepared their new home, arranged the dowry, settled financial matters, signed the prenup, picked out wedding dresses and rings, set a date, and privately sent invitations to their closest friends.
The wedding took place in Yuncheng. When Chen Wanzhou and the others received their invitations, they were stunned, immediately asking Jiang Yi why she was marrying so young—had she gotten someone pregnant?
Jiang Yi just grinned. “Nah, it’s just that Jiang Sixian has too many admirers. I have to lock her down while she’s still lovesick for me. What if she wakes up one day and realizes how ordinary I am, then dumps me?”
Her shameless humblebragging earned a round of jeers from her friends, but they still gave their heartfelt blessings.
Jiang Qionghua took their wedding seriously, inviting numerous business associates and making it a grand, lively affair. Many of their high school classmates attended upon hearing Jiang Sixian was getting married, along with all of Jiang Sixian’s college roommates.
The sheer scale of the wedding helped reinforce the rumor that Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian had been childhood sweethearts in an arranged marriage, minimizing negative speculation.
Even though the pregnancy had been unexpected, their open, unashamed celebration dispelled much of the gossip. On the wedding night, most of Jiang Sixian’s heartbroken admirers were too busy scheming ways to torment Jiang Yi to dwell on why the two were marrying so young.
Even with Chen Wanzhou and the others helping, Jiang Yi still ended up completely wasted. In the end, Jiang Sixian couldn’t bear to watch any longer and simply hauled her bride away, ending the farce.
Emerging from the rowdy banquet hall, Jiang Sixian—still in her wedding dress—carried Jiang Yi into a car bound for their new villa.
On the way back, Jiang Yi lay sprawled across Jiang Sixian’s lap, groaning miserably and mumbling, “Never getting married again… no more drinking…”
Jiang Sixian listened to her slurred muttering, torn between laughter and exasperation. She poked Jiang Yi’s forehead and chided softly, “Never again? How many times did you plan to get married?”
Jiang Yi lifted a single finger from her position on Jiang Sixian’s lap. “Once!” She tilted her head back, her face flushed, and gazed up at Jiang Sixian. “Just once is enough. In this lifetime, only once.”
“No one but you.”
Jiang Sixian smiled, tapping the tip of Jiang Yi’s nose as if soothing a child. “I know, I know. Be good now.”
After that, Jiang Yi obediently stayed curled on her lap, dozing off for the rest of the ride.
The rest of the night became a blur in Jiang Yi’s memory. Whenever she recalled their wedding day, everything seemed hazy, beautiful—like a dream.
After the wedding, Jiang Sixian returned to school. Once all risks were ruled out, the doctor confirmed that the baby in her womb was perfectly healthy, easing Jiang Yi’s worries and allowing them to focus on preparing for parenthood.
With no familial opposition, Jiang Yi was spared financial concerns and could devote herself entirely to supporting Jiang Sixian. She split her time between her studies and learning how to be a mother.
Beyond mastering nutritious meals for Jiang Sixian, she also attended parenting classes with her every weekend, practicing childcare techniques.
Practice makes perfect—Jiang Yi grew increasingly adept at holding and soothing babies in class, quickly becoming the star student.
As days passed, their child continued to thrive. However, because Jiang Sixian was naturally slender, even by July, her pregnancy barely showed beneath loose blouses. Aside from those closest to them, few knew she was expecting.
Summer arrived swiftly. Concerned for Jiang Sixian’s health, Jiang Yi decided against returning to Yuncheng, opting to stay in the capital for her pregnancy.
The capital’s summer heat was brutal, but Jiang Yi, worried Jiang Sixian might catch a chill, kept the air conditioning at a temperature comfortable for her.
This, however, left Jiang Yi—who ran warm—feeling slightly overheated. During lazy afternoons, the two would lounge on their spacious living room sofa, giving their unborn child prenatal lessons.
Seeking relief from the heat, Jiang Yi sprawled on the cool floor with a storybook, a fan blowing directly on her as she read aloud to the baby.
Her voice was bright and gentle when storytelling, utterly endearing. Jiang Sixian, seated on the couch behind her, would watch her back, an itch growing in her heart.
When she couldn’t resist any longer, Jiang Sixian would press her bare foot against Jiang Yi’s hip, toes teasing beneath her shirt until her sole rested flush against Jiang Yi’s bare waist.
The cool touch creeping up her spine sent shivers through Jiang Yi. Finishing the story, she set the book aside and turned, clutching Jiang Sixian’s delicate foot as she looked up. “Why are you stepping on me again?”
Jiang Sixian cradled her slightly rounded belly, gazing down at her silently. “What do you think?”
Jiang Yi made a soft sound of understanding before kneeling up and shifting closer. She began massaging Jiang Sixian’s calf. “Then… let me take care of you?”
Jiang Sixian bit her lip, watching her for a long moment before nodding. “Mm.”
Only then did Jiang Yi kneel before her properly, lifting her leg to attend to her thoroughly.
September arrived in the blink of an eye. Jiang Sixian went into early labor, prompting Jiang Qionghua and Ning Wenying to rush from Yuncheng, joining Jiang Yi in tense anticipation.
On the night of September 17th, Jiang Sixian woke to sharp contractions. Hearing her pained gasps, Jiang Yi tumbled out of bed in panic, scooping her up and rushing her to the hospital. Both mothers flurried into action, and the four of them burst into the maternity ward.
Without hesitation, Jiang Yi signed for an epidural. After changing into scrubs, she stayed by Jiang Sixian’s side throughout labor, clutching her hand and staring at her sweat-drenched face, her own heart pounding wildly. Her vision blurred at the edges as her mind grew hazy.
The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, soon mingling with the metallic tang of blood. Jiang Yi gripped Jiang Sixian’s hand, suddenly recalling her own birth—the cramped darkness of the birth canal, the muffled shouts of doctors and nurses, a woman’s faint groans.
Just like now. Everything indistinct, flickering at the edges.
Jiang Yi’s head grew heavier. She clung to Jiang Sixian’s hand until, at last, dawn broke—and with it, a sharp, piercing cry.
Jiang Yi swayed, her ears ringing, all sound fading into white noise. Distantly, she thought she heard Jiang Sixian calling, “Jiang Yi… Jiang Yi…”
She tried to stand, but her knees buckled, sending her crashing to the floor.
Jiang Sixian turned her head sharply, struggling to rise. “Jiang Yi!”
Jiang Yi waved weakly, signaling she was fine. Still kneeling by the delivery bed, she looked up as doctors and nurses crowded around, one carrying a newborn toward them. “Look how emotional you are… The baby’s here, safe and sound, perfectly healthy…”
“Have you decided on a name? We’ll need it for registration.”
Jiang Yi glanced at Jiang Sixian. Somehow, her face had blurred in Jiang Yi’s vision. She lifted her gaze to the child in the doctor’s arms, tears streaming down her cheeks as she choked out, “We… we have. Her name is… Qiji. Jiang Qiji.”
Her miracle. The miracle of her rebirth.
She had no idea how wrecked she looked. Jiang Sixian, ignoring the baby entirely, reached for her instead, her own voice thick as she scolded, “Why are you crying? Everything’s fine…”
Jiang Yi blinked at her, dazed. “I’m crying?”
Jiang Sixian lifted a hand, wiping at Jiang Yi’s flood of tears with her own damp face. “Yes… You’re crying harder than the baby.”
Jiang Yi stared at her blankly for a long moment before suddenly collapsing against the bed, burying her face in Jiang Sixian as she burst into loud, messy sobs—outcrying the newborn.
Jiang Sixian froze, then wrapped her arms around her, torn between laughter and tears as she soothed, “There, there… Why are you like this…”
Jiang Yi clung to her, weeping uncontrollably, her words drowned in tears. In that delivery room—so similar to the one where she’d been born—she poured out everything she’d held back.
Now, she was certain. Nothing would ever separate her from Jiang Sixian again.
Outside, the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. The doctor holding the newborn glanced at the young couple embracing tearfully beside her and sighed wistfully.
Ah, child… Your mothers love each other so much. You’re going to be the third wheel in this family.
With that thought, she handed the baby to a nurse and filled out the birth certificate with the newborn’s official name: Jiang Qiji.
