Jiang Yi was choked up by these words.
To be honest, she did have such intentions. She could act as a counterfeit “daughter” to comfort Jiang Qionghua, but she absolutely couldn’t take over the identity of “Jiang Yi.”
These past six years, she had built a new life with a new identity, and there was really no need to get entangled with this body’s original past.
Since Jiang Qionghua had said so, Jiang Yi took the opportunity to respond: “That’s not what I meant, but I do think my current life is quite good.”
“I’ve lost my memory and remember nothing, so I believe my former identity isn’t that important to me.”
“Of course, after learning you’re my mother, I did feel somewhat happy. But I don’t want to reclaim my previous identity—I think my current life is fine as it is.”
“Legally, whether we’re related or not doesn’t change our blood ties. If you’d like, I can visit you often.”
Jiang Yi thought this would at least comfort a grieving mother who had lost her child in middle age.
Jiang Qionghua stared blankly at Jiang Yi, momentarily at a loss for words.
After some thought, Jiang Yi added, “I hope you’ll respect my decision.”
Seeing Jiang Yi like this, Jiang Qionghua inexplicably recalled the first time she met Jiang Yi—back then, Jiang Yi stood by the hospital bed, looking up at her with determined eyes and saying, “I can go home with you, to give us both a chance to bond. But if we don’t click, I hope you won’t interfere with my life after I turn twenty.”
“I don’t covet your wealth or ask for anything else. If you can provide me a place to stay and let me finish my education, I’ll be endlessly grateful.”
In the blink of an eye, eight years had passed. The Jiang Yi who had once been shorter than her now sat taller and more striking than her.
Whether eight years ago or now, Jiang Yi’s attitude toward her, her wealth, and her background remained unchanged. She didn’t care about this lineage in the slightest, nor did she lust after Jiang Qionghua’s money—she only wanted her own freedom.
Jiang Qionghua found her thoughts eerily similar to eight years ago: if only Jiang Yi were a greedy child.
But back then, she had thought this out of guilt, a desire to make amends, and a trace of fear toward this child.
Now, she wished she could use this method to bring Jiang Yi home.
Jiang Yi had, in the end, left this household just as she had resolved to do in her youth.
Jiang Qionghua felt inexplicably melancholic. She placed a hand on Jiang Yi’s shoulder and gave it a light pat. “You’ve grown up…”
Children grew up, developed more thoughts, and had more considerations. Jiang Qionghua suddenly understood the feeling of a child slipping from a mother’s grasp, and it ached so much she wanted to cry.
She sighed and said, “Let’s not talk about this for now. Today’s your first day home—let’s focus on happier things. We can discuss the rest later.”
After all, she and Jiang Sixian were only dating—they didn’t necessarily have to marry, and whether they would last was another matter. What if they broke up midway?
Jiang Qionghua scratched her head bald, feeling rather unhappy the entire way.
Ning Wenying, aware of her inner conflict, took the initiative to change the subject, asking about Jiang Yi’s living situation—where she lived, what she did now, and so on.
Jiang Yi didn’t mention how not attending university had made job-hunting difficult. Instead, she explained her current work: “People from the military are better suited for special professions. I was previously employed as a bodyguard—the pay was decent.”
Jiang Qionghua’s voice rose sharply at this. “Bodyguard?”
Jiang Yi turned her head, puzzled by her shocked expression. “Do you have any objections to this profession?”
Her repeated use of “you” sounded respectful toward an elder, but it was actually quite distant. Jiang Qionghua couldn’t stand it—she even felt that the rebellious teenage Jiang Yi who used to argue with her daily might have harbored more mother-daughter affection.
Jiang Qionghua replied awkwardly, “I don’t discriminate against any profession, but I just think this one isn’t very safe.”
Jiang Yi paused before answering, “Compared to before, being a bodyguard is much safer.” Mainly because she worked as a private bodyguard, not responsible for the safety of politicians or tycoons, so the risks were relatively low.
Jiang Qionghua still seemed uncomfortable. The thought of Jiang Yi—who was supposed to become a police officer—now working as a bodyguard pained her deeply.
Perhaps this was just fate playing tricks. Her perfectly good daughter could have at least finished university as a useless rich second-generation heiress. She wouldn’t have ended up like this, living a life on the edge of a knife.
Jiang Qionghua felt rather sorrowful. She looked at Jiang Yi and said awkwardly, “But you can’t be a bodyguard forever. You have to think about your future…”
“Jiang Yi, have you considered what you’ll do later?”
What to do in the future? Jiang Yi truly hadn’t thought about it.
Before Sister Xu died in the line of duty, she had once told Jiang Yi that her hometown was great for raising geese. After learning Jiang Yi was an orphan, she even encouraged her to start a goose farm together after leaving the military and develop some agritourism.
After Sister Xu’s death, Jiang Yi’s desire to do this grew stronger. She hesitated before answering Jiang Qionghua, “I’ll do this for a few more years, save up some money first.”
Without money now, any plans would just be empty talk.
Jiang Qionghua became visibly agitated at this. “I have money! Mom has money!”
“Whatever you want, I’ll support you!”
Jiang Yi looked at Jiang Qionghua’s expression—one that practically screamed “Mom has money, Mom can support you, hurry up and ask Mom for money”—and choked up, sighing internally at how nice it was to be rich.
But she knew that money didn’t belong to her.
Jiang Yi smiled and tactfully refused, “No need. That’s your money—I can’t take it for nothing.”
At this point, Jiang Sixian, who had been silent beside them, spoke up. She looked at Jiang Yi and said, “I have money too. If you need any, you can borrow from me.”
She smiled at Jiang Yi, who inexplicably had her first thought be: borrowing money from Jiang Sixian would definitely require repayment in flesh.
Jiang Qionghua looked at Jiang Sixian in surprise.
Seeing that her daughter and her lover were about to clash over competing for Jiang Yi, Ning Wenying smoothly mediated. Smiling, she said to Jiang Yi, “Alright, you two. Xiao Yi, if you need anything, you can borrow from Auntie Ning. Auntie Ning has plenty of money and would love to invest in your ventures.”
Jiang Yi sighed in relief and thanked Ning Wenying.
Jiang Sixian didn’t seem too pleased. She glanced at Jiang Yi, her gaze somewhat resentful.
Jiang Yi felt guilty under her stare. She coughed lightly and averted her eyes, pretending not to notice.
The car soon arrived at the Jiang residence. When Jiang Yi stepped out, she looked up at the massive villa before her and couldn’t help but think: Damn capitalists!
This villa was so huge it looked familiar.
Jiang Yi followed Jiang Sixian into the Jiang household. After the long journey, both Ning Wenying and Jiang Qionghua were exhausted. Having stayed up all night, they now felt somewhat at ease after seeing Jiang Yi and headed inside to freshen up.
Jiang Sixian led Jiang Yi at a leisurely pace behind them. As she climbed the steps to the front door, Jiang Sixian suddenly turned to look at Jiang Yi and called out, “Jiang Yi…”
Jiang Yi looked up at her, puzzled. “Hmm?”
Jiang Sixian smiled, her gaze tender. “Welcome home.”
Jiang Yi was stunned, feeling like Jiang Sixian might actually be trying to summon a spirit. She looked up at Jiang Sixian and said, “I’ll answer on behalf of your Jiang Yi…”
She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and then humored Jiang Sixian by saying, “I’m home, Jiang Sixian?”
Jiang Sixian’s eyes lit up, as if she wanted nothing more than to leap down the steps and throw herself into Jiang Yi’s arms for a tight hug.
But she didn’t. She simply stood there, waiting for Jiang Yi to walk toward her.
As Jiang Yi approached, Jiang Sixian reached out and took her hand. For some reason, Jiang Yi glanced at her but didn’t reject this intimate gesture, allowing herself to be led inside.
After so many years, Jiang Yi had returned to the Jiang household. The long-quiet home now hosted a lavish dinner.
At the table, both Jiang Qionghua and Ning Wenying eagerly served Jiang Yi dishes. Jiang Qionghua sighed repeatedly, saying things like “military rations must not be great” and urging Jiang Yi to eat more since she had gotten so thin.
In reality, military rations were excellent. Compared to her slender teenage frame, the current Jiang Yi was much more toned—it was just that her figure was so well-proportioned that no one could tell where her muscles were unless she undressed.
Jiang Yi couldn’t refuse and nearly overate. After dinner, she checked the time and, worried she wouldn’t be able to hail a cab if she left any later, suggested heading home.
Jiang Qionghua was shocked. “You’re already home! Why would you leave? Can’t you stay the night?”
Seeing her “you just don’t want to acknowledge me as your mom” expression, Jiang Yi felt speechless. “I have a canine companion at home. It’s been locked up all day—I’m worried it’s hungry. I need to go check on it.”
Jiang Qionghua was even more stunned. What, a dog is more important than your own mother?
She hesitated, not daring to say anything too harsh. “Stay the night. It’s been six years since you’ve been home. As for your companion, I’ll have my assistant go feed it.”
Jiang Yi tried to decline, but under Jiang Qionghua’s relentless pestering, she eventually handed over her house keys and stayed at the Jiang residence.
After dinner, Jiang Qionghua chatted with Jiang Yi for a while longer before exhaustion overtook her, and she retired to rest with Ning Wenying.
Jiang Sixian stood and led Jiang Yi to where she would be staying that night.
She guided Jiang Yi through the long corridor and the backyard, arriving at Jiang Yi’s former Panda House.
When Jiang Yi stepped inside, she was suddenly struck by an intense sense of familiarity.
Jiang Sixian led her upstairs to the bedroom door, turned the knob, and gently pushed it open.
With a click, the lights inside turned on. Jiang Yi took a few steps forward and suddenly saw a giant panda plushie—human-sized and black-and-white—lying on the bed.
Startled, Jiang Yi took a step back. Who would be so bored as to leave such a huge plushie on the bed to scare people?
Jiang Sixian quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Yi patted her chest. “Nothing, nothing. Just thought having a giant panda on the bed was kind of creepy.”
Jiang Sixian looked at her quietly and said nothing.
Jiang Yi turned to her and asked, “Are there pajamas I can change into? I’m going to shower first.”
Jiang Sixian pointed to the wardrobe. “They’re all in there. You’re a bit taller now, but the clothes should still fit.”
Jiang Yi’s eyes widened. Clothes from back then? Hadn’t they been washed?
Jiang Sixian seemed to read her mind and said helplessly, “I’ve been washing them regularly. They’re clean—don’t worry.”
Jiang Yi nodded. She walked straight to the wardrobe and pulled it open, only to see a photo placed between the clothes hanging on either side.
It was a very heartwarming picture—a youthful, bright-eyed Jiang Yi sat on a sunlit lawn, arms wrapped around a gentle-looking woman, smiling radiantly.
Jiang Yi couldn’t stop herself from reaching out, her fingertips brushing the woman’s face as she unconsciously murmured, “Mom…”
At that moment, a tear rolled down her left cheek. A memory that didn’t belong to her suddenly surfaced in her mind, so vivid it felt like she had lived it:
A sunny afternoon, a frail woman sitting on the grass as a grinning Jiang Yi hugged her from behind, looking up at Ning Wenying—who held a camera—and saying, “Auntie Ning, take a photo of me and Mom.”
Then she leaned down and kissed the woman’s cheek, smiling as she said, “Mom looks so beautiful like this—I want to take lots and lots of pictures to remember…”
In that moment, Jiang Yi couldn’t tell whether this was “Jiang Yi’s” memory or her own.
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