As Xu Meng’s condition gradually improved, Jiang Yi finally felt at ease and enrolled in university under Jiang Sixian’s arrangements.
At first, Jiang Sixian struggled with Jiang Yi’s absence, sometimes even abandoning work to accompany her to classes. But as her psychological therapy progressed, she gradually learned to let go, restraining herself from following Jiang Yi everywhere and allowing both of them their personal space.
Even so, Jiang Sixian would still regularly text Jiang Yi to confirm her existence. Jiang Yi didn’t mind this at all, readily accepting that her girlfriend was a bit obsessive about checking in, and diligently reported her whereabouts every day.
Despite this constant communication, Jiang Sixian would still cling to her desperately every night upon returning home. Especially after Jiang Sixian developed some new “hobbies,” Jiang Yi found herself constantly teetering between pain and pleasure.
Sometimes, Jiang Yi even questioned her life choices, wondering if Jiang Sixian might actually be the alpha and she the omega. After all, for an alpha to be this submissive was practically a disgrace to their kind.
Perhaps because of this mindset, their intimate life became more balanced, with both taking and giving, making their relationship even more harmonious than before.
In late December, coinciding with Jin Duolai’s birthday, the old group of friends who hadn’t gathered in a while decided to throw a birthday party at Lin Yinxi’s suggestion.
That evening, Jiang Sixian happened to have a banquet to attend, so Jiang Yi went alone to meet her friends.
Jiang Yi had expected their monitor to arrange another high-end club venue, but surprisingly it was a barbecue restaurant. Though just a barbecue joint, they’d booked the entire place, making it rather special.
Five alphas took over the restaurant, ordering piles of meat while catching up on each other’s lives.
When Jin Duolai mentioned she’d recently won a modest award, everyone raised their thumbs in approval, praising their accomplished friend. Their exaggerated compliments made Jin Duolai blush furiously.
After the birthday girl’s update, Zhang Tiantian complained about how current students were becoming increasingly lazy, with many failing basic fitness tests—some alphas were just bone-idle.
Lin Yinxi pretended to be profound: “Young people these days have no stamina!”
Chen Wanzhou shot her a meaningful glance: “You’re one to talk. Weren’t you the one who fainted from low blood sugar while covering that event last year?”
Lin Yinxi quickly retorted: “That was because I skipped breakfast! I’m usually perfectly capable!”
Chen Wanzhou scoffed skeptically. Seeing this, Lin Yinxi grew indignant: “Chen Wanzhou, what’s that supposed to mean? As if you’re any better! You always finish too—”
Jiang Yi, sensing something amiss, paused mid-bite of her lamb skewer and asked suspiciously: “Finish too what?”
Having been influenced by Jiang Sixian for so long, Jiang Yi’s intuition immediately suggested “premature ejaculation.”
Narrowing her eyes, Jiang Yi probed: “Premature? Really? How would you know that, Monitor?” She gestured between the two of them: “Wait, are you two dating?”
The entire table turned to stare at Jiang Yi with strange expressions.
Under their collective gaze, Jiang Yi grew uneasy: “What? Did I guess wrong?”
Chen Wanzhou smirked: “Huh, hasn’t Sixian told you yet?”
Jiang Yi was puzzled: “Told me what?”
Seeing Jiang Yi’s clueless expression, Jin Duolai sighed. Munching on a skewer, she said: “They’ve been dating for ages, got together not long after starting university.”
Jiang Yi was stunned. What the hell? She thought this was recent news, but they’d been together all along?
Zhang Tiantian added: “Yeah, you weren’t around then. Wanzhou and our monitor happened to be at the same university as Sixian. Since Sixian wasn’t doing well emotionally, they kept her company for a while.”
Jin Duolai continued between bites: “The monitor thought Wanzhou might have feelings for Sixian, so to protect your relationship, she sacrificed herself.”
At this point, Lin Yinxi spread her hands helplessly: “Basically. If there’d been any other way, I wouldn’t have ended up with her.”
Jiang Yi looked at Lin Yinxi’s expression—regretful yet fond—and suddenly understood.
Thinking back to their teenage years, all the subtle signs of affection between Chen Wanzhou and Lin Yinxi became clear.
Jiang Yi nodded: “No wonder she was always hanging around you back then—she had her eye on you from the start.”
Lin Yinxi agreed: “Exactly!” Then she looked at Jiang Yi in surprise: “Jiang Yi, have you remembered?”
Jiang Yi nodded: “More or less. I mainly recall you bawling your eyes out in her arms during our final year’s sports meet.” She even pulled out her phone: “Actually, I have a video. Want to see?”
“Show us! Show us now!”
Under everyone’s urging, Jiang Yi played the clip—a younger, tear-streaked Lin Yinxi sobbing dramatically in Chen Wanzhou’s arms, looking utterly ridiculous.
Unable to help themselves, everyone burst out laughing. Only Lin Yinxi covered her face in despair: “Why would you record this, Jiang Yi? Can’t you just lose your memory again?”
Jiang Yi suppressed a laugh: “Afraid not. I originally saved it to tease you at our graduation party—you rarely cried, after all. But I never got the chance…”
Because after exams, Jiang Yi had disappeared, not returning even by the time university started.
Though the Jiang family never held a funeral, everyone understood Jiang Yi wasn’t coming back. So on the eve of the new semester, Lin Yinxi had cried again.
Perhaps she’d cried too hard, making Chen Wanzhou mistakenly believe Lin Yinxi had feelings for Jiang Yi, leading to several attempts to test her using Jiang Sixian.
Lin Yinxi also thought Chen Wanzhou liked Jiang Sixian, viewing her as a relationship saboteur. It wasn’t until an exhausted Jiang Sixian intervened, pushing Chen Wanzhou to confess, that this misunderstanding was resolved.
The mention of that dark summer cast a somber mood over the group.
Quick to lighten the atmosphere, Jiang Yi said: “But it’s not too late now. Good things are worth waiting for.”
Jin Duolai patted her shoulder: “Exactly.”
Chen Wanzhou wrapped an arm around Lin Yinxi, leaning against her as she changed the subject: “By the way, when I signed a contract with Sixian recently and asked where you were, she said you’d gone back to school.”
“Jiang Yi, what are you studying?”
All eyes turned to Jiang Yi, who saw no reason to hide it: “Animal husbandry at the agricultural university.”
“Having just left the military half a year ago without any qualifications, I needed to gain some knowledge. I plan to learn the basics, borrow some money from my mom, and start a goose farm.”
Lin Yinxi perked up immediately: “A goose farm? Want to partner with me to open a roast goose restaurant? The food industry is booming right now. I know plenty of influencers—if the roast goose is good and we get the right promotion, business will explode!”
Jiang Yi smiled: “Sure, let’s discuss specifics once I’m set up.”
Jin Duolai nodded: “No wonder you asked me for information before. Feel free to ask again if you need more.”
Zhang Tiantian offered: “My family knows people in construction. I can help find builders for your farm.”
Their enthusiastic support touched Jiang Yi: “Once it’s running, I’ll open it as an agritourism spot—you can all eat for free!”
They raised their glasses to toast Jiang Yi’s new venture before shifting focus back to Jin Duolai, urging her to find a partner.
Jin Duolai smiled shyly: “I’m in no hurry.”
As conversation turned to relationships, Jiang Yi hesitated before asking: “Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask… what exactly does one need for a marriage proposal?”
All eyes snapped to Jiang Yi in surprise.
Lin Yinxi was the first to react: “You’re proposing? You and Sixian are getting married?” This was amazing—her ship was sailing for real!
Jin Duolai beamed: “That’s wonderful, Jiang Yi! Perfect timing—settle down before building your career!”
Zhang Tiantian agreed: “After everything you’ve been through, starting a family is ideal!”
Even Chen Wanzhou mused: “Marriage sounds perfect. Your Sixian has too many admirers—when she first took over the company, all those second-generation heirs came chasing after her. She used me as a shield so often people thought I was her fiancée.”
Jiang Yi frowned: “Fiancée? Wasn’t that your own claim?”
Chen Wanzhou realized she was still hung up on the equestrian center incident: “Not me—Sixian. Actually, that day at the center, Sixian asked me to help get rid of some pest. I had no idea it was you… and then you said you’d lost your memory…”
“I think Sixian was trying to provoke you.”
“Worked like a charm, judging by your reaction.”
Jiang Yi thought—of course it had. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have done all those things to Jiang Sixian at the center that day.
She chuckled dryly: “Well, thanks for that.”
Chen Wanzhou winked: “What are friends for? Sixian’s yours—we had to protect your girl. No need to thank us.”
At a loss for words, Jiang Yi turned back to her friends: “Anyway, back to my question—what are your thoughts on proposals? Any advice?”
The table fell silent.
Even Lin Yinxi frowned seriously: “That’s beyond my expertise.”
Chen Wanzhou rubbed her temples: “It’s about sincerity—you’ll have to figure this one out yourself.”
Great, so much for help. Jiang Yi turned to Jin Duolai: “What about you, Duolai? Any case studies?”
After some hesitation, Jin Duolai said: “I could… look up some references for you?”
References? Seriously?
Eliminating that option, Jiang Yi turned hopeful eyes to Zhang Tiantian.
As Zhang Tiantian chewed her beef, everyone’s gaze settled on her, making her uneasy: “Why are you all looking at me? I’ve never proposed either.”
Jin Duolai quickly said: “But so many omegas like you—you must have received proposals before.”
“Right, wasn’t there that omega who proposed, saying she wanted to have your babies?”
“And that other time…”
Among their group, Zhang Tiantian’s exceptional physique made her the most popular alpha with omegas.
Under everyone’s expectant stares, Zhang Tiantian slowly put down her skewer: “Well… Jiang Yi… if you’re proposing… you’ll at least need a ring, right?”
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