Jiang Sixian was a woman of her word. Having promised to introduce Jiang Yi to “Jiang Yi’s” former classmates, she quickly compiled a dossier and handed it over.
That evening, Jiang Yi sat on the bed in her pajamas, engrossed in reading the materials Jiang Sixian had provided. When Jiang Sixian emerged from the bathroom, she immediately nestled into Jiang Yi’s embrace. Jiang Yi made room for her to settle comfortably against her chest.
Finding her perfect spot, Jiang Sixian glanced down at the tablet in Jiang Yi’s hands and asked, “How far have you gotten?”
Jiang Yi smiled. “Just started.”
She deliberately flipped to Chen Wanzhou’s profile. Noticing they’d been classmates before, she asked, “Were Jiang Yi and her close? I see quite a few group photos of them at your family villa. When was this?”
Hearing her first question be about Chen Wanzhou displeased Jiang Sixian. Resting against Jiang Yi’s chest, she suppressed her jealousy to explain, “They were very close back then. She, along with Lin Yinxi, Jin Duolai, and Zhang Tiantian, were famously known as the Four Alphas of Class B.”
“Lin Yinxi was the class monitor. After Jiang Yi transferred during sophomore year, she somehow ended up constantly with these four. Since Jiang Yi hadn’t presented yet, students jokingly called them the ‘4A Plus One’ Scenic Spot, or the ‘Prospective 5A Scenic Spot.'”
Fragments of memory surfaced in Jiang Yi’s mind, but she looked down at Jiang Sixian in surprise. “How do you know all this so clearly? Were you in their class?”
Jiang Sixian smiled inwardly—of course it was because I’d been quietly watching you all along. Softly, she replied, “Because that group was far too conspicuous. During the first semester of sophomore year, they attracted the entire school’s attention. It would’ve been hard not to notice.”
Jiang Yi made an acknowledging sound, then asked, “But after Jiang Yi presented, didn’t they just become the ‘5A Scenic Spot’?”
Jiang Sixian chuckled. “No, because Jiang Yi took a leave of absence right after presenting.”
When Jiang Yi asked why, Jiang Sixian explained how Jiang Yi had presented during New Year’s, triggering a wave of ruts among the omegas, resulting in hospitalization and subsequent confinement in the glass room at home.
Jiang Yi nodded thoughtfully. “No wonder, during my first visit back, I wondered why Jiang Yi didn’t live with you all.”
Curious, she turned to Jiang Sixian. “But if she was trapped in that glass room as such a potent alpha, how did you two end up getting kidnapped?”
The question clearly discomforted Jiang Sixian. She looked up at Jiang Yi and blinked. “I’d rather not answer that right now. Is that alright?”
Jiang Yi didn’t press her. “Sure, whatever.”
She continued asking about others—what Lin Yinxi was like now (“slippery and mischievous, currently a host on a new variety show”), Jin Duolai (“the petite alpha still pursuing her master’s degree”), and Zhang Tiantian (“a PE teacher after graduating from sports university”).
Having gauged her old companions’ situations, Jiang Yi felt prepared for their inevitable reunion. Sure enough, a few days later during their commute home, Jiang Sixian relayed that Chen Wanzhou and the others had requested a meeting.
Jiang Yi wasn’t surprised. “When?”
“This Saturday. BBQ at Chen Wanzhou’s villa.”
Jiang Yi glanced at her. “Are you coming?”
Jiang Sixian smirked. “What do you think? Should I?”
The mention of “fiancée” from Chen Wanzhou still rankled Jiang Yi. Despite knowing Jiang Sixian’s feelings, she prickled. “I’ll go alone. Boss, I work for you, not the other way around. I can take leave without you shadowing me everywhere.”
Jiang Sixian narrowed her eyes. “Sometimes I think your habit of avoiding honesty and speaking harshly needs correction.”
The rare criticism stung. Jiang Yi scratched her cheek. “How am I not being honest? Fine, I’m taking the day off. Don’t come.”
Jiang Sixian sighed. Arguing was pointless—Jiang Yi had always been like this. Years of unrequited love had inured her. Now, just having Jiang Yi whole was enough.
“Alright, I wasn’t planning to anyway.”
Jiang Yi blinked. “Why not?”
Surprised by the question, Jiang Sixian answered, “I’ve never liked other alphas’ scents. Besides, you’re meeting alphas.” She patted Jiang Yi’s cheek. “As you said, we each have our own lives. Saturday, I’m meeting friends too. Fair?”
The arrangement seemed reasonable. Yet that night, Jiang Yi’s mind churned—who was Jiang Sixian meeting? Not an alpha, so a beta or omega? Business or pleasure?
Her restless tossing kept Jiang Sixian awake. Sensing her agitation through the pounding heartbeat beneath her ear, Jiang Sixian finally asked, “What’s troubling you?”
“Nothing,” Jiang Yi reflexively denied. She wouldn’t reveal her vulnerability until she understood her own feelings fully. In love as in war—never show weakness prematurely.
Jiang Sixian patiently guessed: homesick? Missing parents? Siblings? The old Jiang Yi’s mother?
At “thinking about me?” Jiang Yi’s pulse leapt. She couldn’t lie. “You talk too much. Why so curious about me?”
The lack of denial pleased Jiang Sixian. Perhaps memory loss wasn’t entirely bad—now Jiang Yi’s emotions were transparent, unlike the guarded teenager who’d hidden behind polite detachment.
When Jiang Yi needled, “You like Jiang Yi, right? So why care about me? Transferring your affections?” Jiang Sixian’s breath hitched. She could endure Jiang Yi’s amnesia, but not this doubt.
Coolly, she countered, “I haven’t changed. But you—are you worried I’ll love you, or do you want to be my Jiang Yi?”
Stung, Jiang Yi turned away. “I’m no substitute!”
The withdrawn warmth left Jiang Sixian hollow. Gazing at the ceiling, she murmured, “I know. You can never be sixteen-year-old Jiang Yi again.”
Yet she kept falling, whether for the memory or the woman—until she realized they were one. With a sigh, she embraced Jiang Yi’s waist. “Were you… wondering about my Saturday plans?”
The olive branch worked. Jiang Yi’s tension melted. Guilt-tinged, she pulled Jiang Sixian close, kissing her hair. “I wasn’t. But text me the location—I’ll pick you up.”
Jiang Sixian nestled against her chest, soothed by the steady heartbeat. “Okay.”
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