Chen Wanzhou was taken aback: “A peacock?” She couldn’t help but laugh. “You used to say the same thing about me—hearing it now feels rather nostalgic.”
Chen Wanzhou walked over to Jiang Yi and patted her shoulder. “Alright, I won’t disturb you any further. Since you’re so henpecked, I’ll just have to notify you through Xianxian for any future gatherings.”
“Bye~”
With a flirtatious wave, Chen Wanzhou sauntered off toward the equestrian center’s lounge.
Jiang Yi was momentarily speechless at the “henpecked” remark. She opened and closed her mouth several times, at a loss for words until Chen Wanzhou’s figure had completely disappeared into the distance. Only then did she grit her teeth and mutter, “You’re the one who’s henpecked! Your whole family’s henpecked!”
The childish retort drew an amused glance from Jiang Sixian, who stood beside her with eyes brimming with mirth. “Jiang Yi…”
Hearing her name, Jiang Yi turned. The teasing from earlier still fresh in her mind, she responded gruffly, “What?”
Jiang Sixian beckoned her closer. When Jiang Yi stepped forward, Sixian tilted her head up, her bright eyes locking onto Jiang Yi’s. “What did you mean earlier when you said you ‘didn’t like me before’?”
Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t ready to confess that she’d been gradually recovering fragments of “Jiang Yi’s” memories. What if she wasn’t the real Jiang Yi? Even if she possessed all of Jiang Yi’s physical memories, she might still not be Sixian’s Jiang Yi.
But if she was, there was no need to rush this revelation.
Clearing her throat, Jiang Yi deflected, “Exactly what it sounds like. I didn’t know you before, so of course I didn’t like you.”
The light in Jiang Sixian’s eyes dimmed briefly before reigniting with understanding. “Oh… so you didn’t like me because we hadn’t met. But now that we have…” She tilted her head up, eyes sparkling as she smiled. “Do you like me now?”
Jiang Yi’s pulse quickened. Saying “I don’t like you” would be an obvious lie, but she wasn’t ready to confess under such shallow circumstances either. She remained silent.
Jiang Sixian didn’t need a verbal answer—the silence spoke volumes. She knew exactly how contradictory Jiang Yi could be. Sometimes, silence was the most honest reply.
With a playful pout, Sixian feigned distress. “But… the one I like is the Jiang Yi from before. What should we do about that?”
The words sent a pang of jealousy through Jiang Yi, souring her expression. “What can we do? I never said I liked you anyway, so why overthink it?”
Her tone was sharper than intended. Jiang Sixian’s lips pressed together as she studied Jiang Yi in silence.
She didn’t argue. She didn’t refute. She just looked at Jiang Yi with an intensity that felt drowning.
For a fleeting moment, Jiang Yi regretted her harsh words. If Sixian had pressed further, she might have even caved and admitted the truth.
How could anyone not like someone as wonderful as Jiang Sixian?
After a long hesitation, Jiang Yi finally managed, “I—”
A sudden thunder of hooves cut her off. Jiang Yi’s head snapped up to see a novice rider barreling toward them on an out-of-control horse.
Instinct took over. Jiang Yi yanked Jiang Sixian into her arms, shielding her against the inner fence of the field with her own back turned toward the charging horse.
As the beast rushed past in a blur of motion, a memory flashed through Jiang Yi’s mind—another accident at this very equestrian center, another moment where she’d thrown herself over Jiang Sixian for protection.
The realization struck her: the way “Jiang Yi” had shielded Sixian in that memory was identical to how she’d once saved a child before crossing into this world.
A profound understanding settled in her chest. The similarities were too uncanny—the naming habits, the protective instincts, the overwhelming sense of familiarity. It was getting harder to deny the possibility that she truly was “Jiang Yi.”
And if she was… wouldn’t that mean she and Jiang Sixian could finally have their happy ending?
The thought lingered as she looked down at the woman cradled in her arms. The moment their eyes met, Jiang Yi froze.
Those eyes—clear as a stream yet deep as a pool, lively and captivating as a deer’s—held her spellbound. For a heartbeat, she saw the sixteen-year-old Jiang Sixian gazing up at her from the past, vulnerable and pleading.
The memory sent her pulse racing. It took her a moment to find her voice. “Are… are you okay?”
Jiang Sixian clutched at Jiang Yi’s shirt, sensing the familiar protectiveness of her younger self. Without hesitation, she rose onto her toes, fisted her hands in Jiang Yi’s collar, and pressed their lips together.
The first kiss was fleeting. The second came deeper, hungrier. Sixian wound her arms around Jiang Yi’s neck, pouring everything into the embrace.
Jiang Yi melted into her, one arm securing Sixian’s waist while the other cradled her head, returning the passion with equal fervor.
The midday heat surged between them anew. Jiang Sixian was the first to notice Jiang Yi’s growing tension. Breaking the kiss, she whispered against Jiang Yi’s ear, “My changing room is private.”
Jiang Yi’s face burned. She pulled back, gaping at Sixian in shock. “Seriously, you—”
This was bold even for her.
Jiang Sixian took her hand, leading her forward with composed assurance. “I own this equestrian center. My changing room has no surveillance. If I say it’s fine, it’s fine.”
Her voice was steady, but this time, Jiang Yi noticed the pink tinge on her cheeks and the scarlet tips of her ears.
The sight eased the tension in Jiang Yi’s chest, replacing it with quiet delight.
So the ever-composed Jiang Sixian wasn’t entirely unflappable after all. She could blush too.
Yet despite the embarrassment, her honesty remained unwavering. It was clear just how much she cherished Jiang Yi.
Later, in the changing room, Jiang Yi wrapped her arms around Sixian from behind, lips brushing against her still-flushed ear. “I’m curious… what do you love about Jiang Yi?”
Jiang Sixian arched into her touch, breath uneven as she answered between gasps. “Her… bravery…”
“Her kindness…”
“Her integrity…”
“Her stubbornness…”
“How she shines… like the sun…”
Each fragmented praise resonated deeply with Jiang Yi. Wasn’t Sixian describing her? The realization spurred her on with renewed fervor.
By the time they finally collapsed together on the floor, wrapped in each other’s arms, hours had slipped away unnoticed.
After cleaning up and changing, they emerged from the changing room to find dusk had fallen.
Under the dimming sky, Jiang Yi helped a weary Jiang Sixian into the car driven by bodyguard A-Quan, heading home.
Exhausted, Sixian dozed off with her head pillowed on Jiang Yi’s lap during the ride. Jiang Yi gazed out the window, fingers idly combing through Sixian’s silken hair as the evening breeze drifted through the open window.
The scene felt familiar—as if there had been countless rides just like this, where they occupied opposite corners of the car in stubborn silence.
Or rather, the illusion of silence. Jiang Yi would steal glances at Sixian between rounds of mobile games, watching the way she sat primly in her white blouse and gray plaid skirt, tie perfectly knotted, backpack resting on her knees. Cool and untouchable as a flower on a high peak.
Now, looking down at the woman curled trustingly in her lap, Jiang Yi couldn’t help but marvel. Who knew such a proud creature could become so clingy?
The thought lingered. Perhaps she should try recovering more of “Jiang Yi’s” memories—or find proof that she truly was that Jiang Yi.
If not… how tragic would that be for Sixian? And how convoluted would their own story become?
The car soon arrived at their apartment building. Jiang Yi gently nudged Sixian awake. “Jiang Sixian… wake up…”
In truth, Sixian had roused earlier but had been savoring Jiang Yi’s rare tenderness. Feigning sleep, she covered her ears and mumbled, “Your Jiang Sixian is currently unavailable. Please try your call again later.”
Having already witnessed Jiang Sixian’s repertoire—from shameless flirt to bashful sweetheart—this childish version didn’t surprise Jiang Yi in the least.
If anything, she’d come to expect the unexpected from her.
When Sixian refused to budge, Jiang Yi carefully shifted her head aside and stepped out of the car. Leaning back in, she fixed Sixian with a look. “Are you getting up or not, my boss?”
Sixian nuzzled into the warmth Jiang Yi had left behind. “Your boss is still asleep. Doesn’t want to get up. Wants a hug.”
Fine. A hug it was.
Jiang Yi understood perfectly. She bent down, slid her arms under Sixian, and lifted her bridal-style from the car.
Thoroughly pleased, Sixian nestled into Jiang Yi’s embrace and pressed a sleepy kiss to her chin.
The affectionate gesture sent a shiver through Jiang Yi as she carried Sixian into the elevator. “Jiang Sixian…”
“Hmm?” Sixian murmured drowsily.
Jiang Yi hesitated before voicing her request. “Can we talk about something?”
“What is it?”
“Could you… introduce me to Jiang Yi’s friends? I don’t want to keep embarrassing myself by not recognizing people.”
Jiang Sixian’s eyes fluttered open. She studied Jiang Yi’s face for a long moment, finding no trace of deception. Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
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