Tears welled up in Jiang Sixian’s eyes as she clutched her own arms, suppressing her anguish while saying sorrowfully, “But…you…because of me…”
“Lost your memories, couldn’t attend university, struggled through six difficult years, and even got injured…”
“If it weren’t for me, you would have had a bright future, better prospects, a better life…”
Jiang Sixian’s expression looked utterly helpless. In that moment, Jiang Yi could deeply feel the pain that had tormented Jiang Sixian all these years.
Perhaps throughout these six years—until the day they reunited—Jiang Sixian had never once had a peaceful dream.
Jiang Yi’s heart ached. She stepped forward and pulled Jiang Sixian into her arms, pressing the other woman’s head against her shoulder while tightly wrapping an arm around her waist.
“Don’t say such foolish things,” Jiang Yi murmured, gently stroking Jiang Sixian’s long hair to comfort her. “There are no ‘what ifs,’ no hypotheticals like that.”
“What happened is already done, and it’s all in the past now.”
“I couldn’t become a police officer, but I joined the military. I spent four years defending our country’s borders—I’m proud of that.”
“Not attending university isn’t some irreparable loss either. University is just a place to gain knowledge, and even without going, I could still learn new things.”
“As for that ‘bright future’ and ‘wonderful prospects’ you mentioned—those are things I can still achieve for myself now.”
“I don’t consider these six years a waste. I lived well—I had comrades who looked out for me, an elder sister who took a bullet for me, and two family members I needed to care for.”
“Oh right, I also have a dog.”
“These six years weren’t as terrible as you imagine. They’re part of my life, a remarkably vivid chapter where I actually gained so much.”
Jiang Yi reached up to pinch the nape of Jiang Sixian’s neck, gazing down at the tear tracks on her face as she gently wiped them away with her thumb. “Believe me, what I’ve gained far outweighs what I’ve lost.”
Jiang Sixian looked up at her through tear-blurred eyes. Jiang Yi leaned down, using her tongue to lick away the tears before whispering tenderly, “I protected you, fulfilled another one of my dreams, and now I’ll make my life even better.”
“Everything is getting better, Jiang Sixian.”
“So from now on, don’t cry for me anymore.”
How could she possibly stop crying? To Jiang Sixian, this was the lover she could never fully atone to, no matter how guilt-ridden her heart. Even if Jiang Yi claimed to have gained more than she lost, Jiang Sixian’s heart would always ache for her.
Jiang Sixian clutched at Jiang Yi’s sleeve, weeping as she said, “I’m sorry…Jiang Yi…I’m so sorry…”
Jiang Yi had heard this apology countless times before. Yet whenever Jiang Sixian’s emotional wounds resurfaced, she would repeat it over and over.
Jiang Yi cupped her face and kissed her, murmuring softly, “No more apologies…tell me you love me instead…”
“I love you, Jiang Sixian.”
She bent down, sweeping Jiang Sixian into a bridal carry before heading straight for the bedroom. She settled Jiang Sixian in her lap for a long while until the other woman finally calmed down.
After crying, Jiang Sixian felt somewhat embarrassed. She looped her arms around Jiang Yi’s neck, burying her face against Jiang Yi’s shoulder as she said shyly, “Am I…really useless? The better you treat me, the less I can control my emotions.”
Jiang Yi wrapped one arm around her waist while using her other hand to gently stroke Jiang Sixian’s hair, coaxing her quietly, “How could you be useless? You’re already amazing—so much better than before.”
“Remember what I told you? You have to be happy every day, Jiang Sixian.”
The praise made Jiang Sixian let out a soft “aww” before playfully biting Jiang Yi’s shoulder. When Jiang Yi felt a lick follow the bite, she could clearly sense Jiang Sixian’s mood lifting.
She leaned down to kiss Jiang Sixian’s earlobe. “Feeling better now? Want to go shower?”
“After that, I’ll give you your medicine so we can sleep early, okay?”
Jiang Sixian rested her chin on Jiang Yi’s shoulder, giving a small nod as she obediently replied, “Okay.”
Then she nibbled Jiang Yi’s earlobe again, adding somewhat bashfully, “But you have to help me wash.”
Jiang Yi’s breath hitched as she stroked Jiang Sixian’s hair, asking softly, “You sure about that?”
If they both went into the bathroom together, things were bound to get messy again.
Jiang Sixian nodded firmly. “Mhm, I’m sure.” She lifted her head from Jiang Yi’s shoulder to face her directly, poking Jiang Yi’s nose as she said, “I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry—I won’t bite you tonight.”
Jiang Yi paused. There was something incredibly suggestive about how she emphasized the word “bite.” But unable to resist Jiang Sixian’s request, she ultimately carried her into the bathroom.
Exhausted from the day, Jiang Sixian behaved remarkably well during their shower, true to her word and refraining from any mischief.
After bathing, Jiang Yi carried her out and began blow-drying her hair.
Kneeling on the bed, Jiang Sixian tilted her head back to watch Jiang Yi standing beside the bed, intently focusing on the blow dryer as it roared. She couldn’t help smiling.
“Xiao Yi…” she called out.
The blow dryer’s noise drowned out her voice, and Jiang Yi remained absorbed in her task, completely missing it.
Undeterred, Jiang Sixian tried again, raising her voice slightly. “Xiao Yi!”
This time, Jiang Yi heard. She turned off the dryer, looking puzzled. “Why are you calling me that?”
Jiang Sixian smiled shyly. “Don’t you like it? Then…Xiao Yi-jie?”
Jiang Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She pinched Jiang Sixian’s cheek lightly. “That’s not the issue—why suddenly start calling me that out of nowhere? You’ve always used my name before.”
Jiang Sixian pressed her lips together, displeased. “But Sister-in-law called you Xiao Yi today, Xiao Meng calls you Xiao Yi, Mom calls you Xiao Yi, even your teachers and classmates call you Xiao Yi—why am I the only one who can’t?”
“Out of everyone—well, except my mom—I’m the closest to you. So why won’t you let me use an affectionate nickname too?”
Jiang Yi scratched her earlobe awkwardly. “But I think ‘Jiang Yi’ is already plenty intimate.”
Jiang Sixian frowned. “But back in school, Chen Wanzhou and your class monitor both called you Xiao Yi—that’s even more intimate than what I call you.”
“It’s just a nickname—why won’t you let me use it?”
Jiang Yi glanced at her sheepishly before finally relenting with a pout. “Fine, fine, it’s not that I won’t let you. It’s just that hearing you call me Xiao Yi makes me feel like I’m suddenly way younger than you.”
Jiang Sixian poked her stomach indignantly. “But you are younger than me. Xiao Yi, I’m your jiejie.”
Jiang Yi had always known that. But back then, with her mental age being at least eighteen, she’d refused to accept someone younger like Jiang Sixian as her elder sister.
Now, however, things were different. Jiang Sixian was twenty-four—older than Jiang Yi had been when she’d died in her past life.
She’d matured, grown even more enchantingly beautiful, and had truly become a jiejie in every sense.
Jiang Yi blinked before leaning down to kiss the corner of her lips. “Okay then, jiejie.”
After a pause, she added shyly, “My Xianxian.”
Jiang Sixian’s eyes widened in surprise. Embarrassed, Jiang Yi scratched her cheek but maintained a composed expression. “What? You get to call me Xiao Yi, but I can’t call you Xianxian?”
“I’m going to keep saying it…”
“Xianxian…”
“Xianxian…”
Jiang Yi grasped Jiang Sixian’s hand, pressing her down onto the bed with each murmured endearment.
Jiang Sixian sank into the soft mattress, her dark hair fanning out like a waterfall as she stared up at Jiang Yi in a daze. Watching the triumphant smile and spirited glow in Jiang Yi’s eyes, she couldn’t help reaching up to trace those beloved features.
Jiang Yi grinned down at her. “Xianxian, why aren’t answering me?”
She slid an arm around Jiang Sixian’s waist, nuzzling their foreheads together as she coaxed, “I’m calling you—why won’t you respond?”
Their breaths mingled, and Jiang Sixian felt scalding heat rush through her. It was a fiercer burn than even her heat cycles—one that made her entire body tremble and burn in response to Jiang Yi’s call.
Jiang Sixian guided Jiang Yi’s hand to her thigh, her eyes reddening as she whispered back, “I am responding… Xiao Yi, I love it when you call me that.”
Just how much she loved it became abundantly clear the moment Jiang Yi touched her.
Jiang Yi clasped her hand, leaning down to capture Jiang Sixian’s lips as she murmured between kisses, “Xianxian…”
“Xianxian…”
Her mouth traveled from Jiang Sixian’s lips to her ears, cheeks, earlobes, neck, collarbones…lower and lower, kissing every inch.
With each whispered endearment, Jiang Sixian tangled her fingers in Jiang Yi’s hair, shuddering as she gasped out, “I’m here… Xiao Yi…”
——
They drifted into sweet dreams, and when Jiang Sixian awoke, it was already noon. She opened her eyes to find Jiang Yi gone, so she slipped on a robe and left the bed.
As she walked out, she called, “Jiang Yi… Jiang Yi…”
Jiang Yi, who had been revising a proposal on the living room sofa, immediately stood and waved. “Here, over here—come quick.”
Only then did Jiang Sixian relax, making her way over.
She settled beside Jiang Yi on the sofa, leaning against her shoulder as she grumbled, “Why did you get up so early? Weren’t we supposed to buy nutritional supplements for Xiao Meng today? Why didn’t you wake me? It’ll be too late if we go now.”
Jiang Yi chuckled. “No rush—you needed the sleep.” Setting aside her laptop, she ruffled Jiang Sixian’s hair. “By the way, are you hungry? There’s mushroom chicken congee in the kitchen—want some?”
Jiang Sixian nodded. Jiang Yi got up to serve her, feeding her half a bowl with a spoon.
Once Jiang Sixian had eaten her fill, Jiang Yi cleared her throat. “Now that you’ve eaten my congee, as they say—’the hand that feeds rules the mouth.’ So…will you do me a favor?”
Jiang Sixian eyed her curiously. “What do you need?”
Jiang Yi smiled sheepishly before turning to grab her laptop, opening a document for Jiang Sixian to see. “You’re the business expert here—could you look over this proposal and tell me if it’s investment-worthy?”
Jiang Sixian skimmed the opening lines, her eyes widening. “You’re…”
Jiang Yi blinked at her, suppressing her embarrassment as she said, “I want to start with a goose farm, then expand into a livestock company. Think it’ll work?”
Of course it would work. Whatever Jiang Yi wanted to do, she would support her unconditionally.
Overjoyed, Jiang Sixian cupped Jiang Yi’s face and kissed her cheek. “Jiang Yi, you’re amazing!”
Jiang Yi didn’t feel amazing at all. “I spent half a month on this, did tons of research, but it still feels lacking. Please take a look.”
“Good jiejie, if you see any flaws, don’t hold back—scold me harshly so I can learn and improve. I’m serious about this!”
And serious she was—about raising geese, of all things.
Seeing her determination, Jiang Sixian adopted a solemn expression. She nodded firmly, taking the laptop to review the proposal thoroughly.
As Jiang Sixian’s frown deepened, Jiang Yi grew nervous. “Is it that bad?”
Jiang Sixian nodded absently before catching herself and hurriedly shaking her head. “No, no, it’s just…for a first attempt, it’s actually quite good.”
Which meant it was, in fact, rather terrible.
Jiang Yi deflated slightly but quickly rallied, gazing at Jiang Sixian hopefully. “Xianxian, will you teach me? I’ll study hard.”
Having an in-house business expert would not only increase their time together—helping resolve Jiang Sixian’s emotional knots—but also save a fortune on tuition. Jiang Yi considered this an excellent deal.
Jiang Sixian nibbled her lip hesitantly. “I can help revise the proposal, but livestock farming requires specialized knowledge I can’t teach you. However, if you’re serious about learning, I can arrange for proper training—I’ll even attend the classes with you.”
Classes? Like “Postpartum Care for Sows” and “Goose Rearing Methods”?
Jiang Yi supposed that would work too. She nodded. “Alright then, I’ll leave it to you.”
Well then—it seemed she’d be hitting the books after all.
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