“Cough…cough cough…” Jiang Qionghua covered her mouth, coughing violently.
Jiang Yi hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and hurriedly grabbed tissues to hand over.
Jiang Qionghua accepted them, covering her mouth as she coughed for a while longer before finally catching her breath. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, took several deep breaths, and only after regaining her composure did she look at Jiang Yi: “Why are you suddenly asking about this?”
Jiang Yi was somewhat speechless: “Weren’t you the one who said Auntie Ning would be moving in with us? Of course I’d need to clarify this matter.”
Thinking of her own plans, Jiang Yi steered the conversation toward Jiang Sixian: “Moreover, since Auntie Ning’s daughter has presented as an Omega, if you’re going to live with both of them, shouldn’t you have a proper status?”
Jiang Qionghua looked surprised: “How did you know Xianxian presented as an Omega? Who told you?” She was certain she hadn’t mentioned this to Jiang Yi!
Jiang Yi resisted the urge to roll her eyes, thinking how unreliable this nominal mother of hers was. She sighed and said, “You do realize Jiang Sixian attends the same school as me, right?”
Jiang Qionghua was shocked: “You actually know Xianxian’s name!”
Jiang Yi sighed again: “Of course I know! She’s in the class next to mine. Today during PE, she even came over to say hello!”
Jiang Qionghua completely missed the point: “Xianxian initiated the greeting? How did you respond? Did you greet her properly? You didn’t have any conflict, did you? You didn’t give her the cold shoulder? You didn’t bully her, right?”
Jiang Yi knew she was just an afterthought in Jiang Qionghua’s eyes, but she hadn’t realized it was to this extent. Hearing her say “Xianxian” over and over like some living embodiment of doting motherhood made Jiang Yi unable to bear it.
Somewhat helpless, she replied coolly: “It was just a normal greeting. It’s not like I was going to eat her or something. Back to the main point—what exactly are your thoughts about marrying Auntie Ning?”
“Look, now that Jiang Sixian is also an Omega, logically speaking you should marry Auntie Ning first to establish legal status before cohabiting with an Omega who has an underage Omega daughter.”
This was an aspect Jiang Qionghua hadn’t considered. She poked at her bowl, frowning: “Marriage is…an adult matter. You’re just a child, don’t think too much about it.”
Jiang Yi made an acknowledging sound and poked at her own bowl. She glanced up at Jiang Qionghua, narrowing her eyes as she tempted: “That may be so, but don’t you want Xianxian to call you ‘Mom’?”
Given how Jiang Qionghua kept saying “Xianxian” with such daughter-obsessed fervor, she must really wish the girl was her own daughter.
Jiang Qionghua blurted out: “Of course I want—”
Before she could finish, she met Jiang Yi’s knowing look and choked on her words. Somehow, she’d suddenly remembered she already had a nominal daughter—one she’d neglected for nearly sixteen years. As a conscientious entrepreneur, Jiang Qionghua couldn’t help feeling guilty.
She cleared her throat and said evasively: “Wanting or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re just a child, don’t think too much.”
What Jiang Qionghua really wanted to say was that she already had a child, and what she truly longed for now was for Jiang Yi to call her “Mom.” But such sentimental words stuck in her throat when facing Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi pretended not to notice Jiang Qionghua’s awkwardness and said calmly: “If you want to, then just marry Auntie Ning.”
Jiang Qionghua found modern children’s thought processes incomprehensible. She decided to ask directly: “Why do I get the feeling you really want me to marry your Auntie Ning? Do you…want a mother?”
Jiang Yi thought Jiang Qionghua’s logic was utterly toxic—she wasn’t some motherless child desperately craving maternal love. Picking up a spare rib, she sighed in resignation: “I have a mother. I don’t need a new one. Besides, Auntie Ning is someone else’s mother. I’m only asking because I think you should take responsibility and formally commit to Auntie Ning. Under current marriage laws, it would provide better protection for an Omega like her.”
Jiang Yi looked straight at Jiang Qionghua: “As an Alpha, don’t you think you should take responsibility?”
Hurry up and get married! Then she and Jiang Sixian would become stepsisters, nipping any forbidden romance in the bud.
Clearly, Jiang Qionghua couldn’t grasp Jiang Yi’s perspective. In fact, the word “responsibility” made her thoughts veer in a completely different direction.
After dinner, Jiang Yi rested awhile before heading to the gym, while Jiang Qionghua went to her study to call Ning Wenying.
Having only recently become a mother, Jiang Qionghua had no experience dealing with a nearly sixteen-year-old. She could only seek Ning Wenying’s advice: “Wenying-jie, what do you think she meant by suddenly bringing this up? Before her mother passed, she barely communicated with me. Even after moving in, she hasn’t gotten close.”
“Today she actually called me back for dinner—only to ask about this. Is she…blaming me for not fulfilling my parental duties?”
“Or does she think I…toward her mother…”
Jiang Qionghua racked her brains but couldn’t figure out Jiang Yi’s thoughts. Yet she desperately wanted to know, so she kept guessing wildly.
On the other end of the line, Ning Wenying in her pajamas lounged on the sofa, lazily swiping through her tablet as she responded with a laugh: “She probably isn’t blaming you. Teenagers can just be sensitive…”
After a thoughtful pause, she continued: “Xiao Yi seems like a very responsible child. Maybe she just thinks marriage would make the relationship more stable. Or perhaps she simply wants you to marry and have a steady family life.”
Jiang Qionghua disagreed, complaining: “No, I think she was testing me—seeing if I truly consider her my daughter.”
Sometimes Jiang Qionghua’s thought processes were truly bizarre. Having watched her grow up, Ning Wenying knew how prone she was to overthinking. She sighed: “Qionghua, you’re overcomplicating it.”
After a silence, Jiang Qionghua tightened her grip on the phone and tentatively asked: “Even if I am…Wenying-jie, have you ever thought about marrying me? Since Xiao Yi brought it up…if you’re willing…”
Ning Wenying’s fingers paused on the tablet, a faint smile in her eyes: “Qionghua, I think things are fine as they are. Marriage…you know what I said from the beginning—I won’t consider it again…”
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly: “If you feel this relationship is unfair to you, you’re welcome to end it. I wouldn’t mind.”
Having finally won this person over, Jiang Qionghua would never let go so easily. She quickly said: “No no no, that’s not what I meant at all! I don’t feel hard done by. I also think the current arrangement is good, it balances everything…”
Ning Wenying gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.
That lilting tone made Jiang Qionghua’s heart itch. Pressing her lips together, she asked quietly: “Wenying-jie…can we meet tomorrow? I miss you.”
Hearing the coaxing in her voice, Ning Wenying laughed: “Didn’t we just see each other the day before yesterday? Besides, I’ll be moving in with you soon—what’s the rush?”
Jiang Qionghua whispered: “I’m impatient. I want to see you—every moment, day and night.”
Such sweet words made Ning Wenying’s lips curve up involuntarily.
When the call ended, Ning Wenying’s entire demeanor radiated happiness.
Just then, the barely ajar study door creaked open. Jiang Sixian in her pajamas emerged holding an empty milk glass.
From the sofa, Ning Wenying looked up at her with gentle eyes: “Xianxian…finished all your milk?”
Jiang Sixian nodded and took the glass to the kitchen to wash it.
When she returned, Ning Wenying beckoned from the sofa. Jiang Sixian obediently went over and sat beside her.
Ning Wenying sat up, pulling her into an embrace as she stroked her hair tenderly: “Finished all your homework?”
Jiang Sixian nodded, then tilted her head to look at her mother: “Did you need something, Mom?”
“I do.” Ning Wenying released her, sitting up straight to regard her seriously: “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Jiang Sixian looked at her attentively, eyes curving slightly: “Go ahead, Mom.”
Ning Wenying smiled, then frowned thoughtfully: “Remember how I said we’d be moving in with your Auntie Qionghua? Well, she feels cohabiting isn’t formal enough.” Her eyes held a teasing glint as she added: “So today, your Auntie Qionghua proposed to me.”
Jiang Sixian froze, clear panic flashing across her face.
Seeing this, Ning Wenying patted her head and pretended to agonize: “I do like her very much, so I’m torn. Xianxian, do you think I should accept?”
Visible distress appeared on Jiang Sixian’s face. She pressed her lips together, steadying herself as if trying to sound convincing: “Auntie Qionghua is Mom’s partner…you’ve been together a long time, and she’s always been good to me…if you married, Mom would be happy too. I think…I think…”
Unable to bear her child’s conflicted expression any longer, Ning Wenying pinched Jiang Sixian’s cheek and laughed: “You think…you think…you clearly don’t want me to marry, yet you say such things…so dishonest…”
Having her thoughts exposed made Jiang Sixian blush. Shyly, she buried herself in her mother’s embrace, breathing in her scent as she murmured: “Even though I’d miss you…if marrying would make Mom happy, I’d always support you.”
Ning Wenying patted her shoulder comfortingly: “I’m already happy. Marriage isn’t important to me. Besides, I only want to be Xianxian’s mother…”
“Having such a wonderful child is enough.”
Secretly pleased, Jiang Sixian nuzzled deeper into the hug, almost cooing: “I also hope Mom only has me as her child.”
After this tender moment, Ning Wenying suddenly said while stroking her back: “Xianxian, do you think Xiao Yi was also testing your Auntie Qionghua because she didn’t want to share a mother’s love?”
Wait—why was Jiang Yi suddenly brought up?
Jiang Sixian lifted her head to look at Ning Wenying: “Why mention Jiang Yi? Did something happen to her?”
