Forced into a Secret Marriage with the Villain, We Now Have a Child - Chapter 17

A spring rain had fallen last night, leaving the air crisp and fresh, with water droplets still clinging to the greenery in the courtyard.

It was the season where people dressed in a chaotic mix of layers. Jian Chun wore a thin sweater paired with jeans and a light-colored overcoat—a simple ensemble that made her look slender and fashionable. She came downstairs yawning, her face wearing its usual sleep-deprived, expressionless mask.

Yu Siyi was just coming in from outside, dressed in sportswear. As she entered, she slid her headphones down to hang around her neck. Jian Chun caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of her eye but quickly looked away, focusing instead on the breakfast Auntie Wang was setting out.

The meal consisted of preserved egg and lean meat congee, pickled mustard greens with diced radish, and a bowl of dry-tossed noodles with soy-braised meat. Jian Chun stirred her noodles with her chopsticks and poured a generous amount of vinegar into the bowl.

Seeing Yu Siyi enter, Auntie Wang brought out another breakfast set—one that was light and notably less oily. Yu Siyi sat down beside Jian Chun and asked, “Why didn’t you sleep a bit longer?”

Jian Chun simply slurped her noodles in response. Yu Siyi watched her, unfazed by the intentional noise.

“Your arm hasn’t healed yet. Take the day off today; I’ll accompany you to see a doctor,” Yu Siyi said, looking at Jian Chun’s hand with concern.

Jian Chun ignored her, scooped a spoonful of pickled greens into her congee, and stirred it until the pale porridge changed color. Yu Siyi could only watch helplessly. Ignoring the presence of the person beside her, Jian Chun ate happily; eating at home was the thing she looked forward to most every day.

The Morning Routine

Jian Chun didn’t have classes this morning, so she could afford to arrive late, which also meant she could take Jian Niannian to school. However, now that Yu Siyi was back, she suspected the task would be taken over.

As she was debating this, Auntie Li came downstairs carrying Niannian. The little girl was yawning, still a bit groggy, but the moment she saw the two women at the table, she began calling for “Mama” with joy.

She hadn’t seen Jian Chun for several days. Compared to Yu Siyi, who was often away for work, Niannian was closer to Jian Chun. In the past, Jian Chun had to work, but she could always find time to spend with her. Recently, however, Niannian would wake up to find Jian Chun already gone and fall asleep before she returned.

Auntie Li set her down, and the child ran to them, being scooped up into Yu Siyi’s arms. Niannian leaned against Yu Siyi and gave each of them a sweet kiss on the cheek. Smelling the food, she peeked at Jian Chun’s bowl. “I want noodles.”

“Mama’s noodles are too spicy for you,” Jian Chun said, moving the bowl away.

“Wait a moment, Niannian, I’ll go get yours,” Auntie Li said.

Jian Chun finished her noodles and wanted to talk to the child, but Yu Siyi was already deep in a lively conversation with her. Feeling sidelined, Jian Chun wiped her mouth and pulled out her phone to review her PowerPoint slides.

Children talk a lot. Fortunately, Niannian’s noodles arrived quickly—a small bowl seasoned with sesame oil and sweet bean sauce. By the time the child finished, it was time to leave.

The Guilt of the “Pretense”

Jian Chun took the school bag and watched Yu Siyi and Niannian walk ahead. She hesitated to follow. Just as she was thinking this, Yu Siyi turned back. “Let’s go, or we’ll be late for school.”

“Mama?” Niannian called, peeking over Yu Siyi’s shoulder.

Looking at the child’s clear, innocent eyes, Jian Chun felt a sudden surge of guilt. It felt as if they were a couple on the verge of divorce, deceiving their child. With a cluttered mind, she followed them.

She stared at Yu Siyi’s back, wondering why she had returned so suddenly. Was it because of what she had said earlier? Jian Chun felt like the legendary Bao Si, the concubine for whom the King of Zhou lit the beacon fires just to see her smile—a total disaster. She hadn’t said those things to make her come back. This was truly “shooting oneself in the foot.”

Ten minutes later, the car stopped near the kindergarten. Thinking of Yu Siyi’s status as a superstar, Jian Chun got out first. When she reached for Niannian’s bag, the little girl lunged to grab it herself. Standing straight, she looked at Jian Chun seriously. “Mother said Mama isn’t feeling well. I have to carry my own bag.”

Seeing how earnest the child was, Jian Chun took her hand and walked to the gate. She gave the teacher a few instructions, kissed the child’s cheek, and watched as Niannian waved a happy goodbye.

The “Pursuit”

Back in the car, Yu Siyi drove Jian Chun toward the middle school. The atmosphere turned icy. Yu Siyi glanced at her occasionally, which Jian Chun found irritating.

Seeing that Jian Chun was ignoring her, Yu Siyi sighed. “Go to the hospital and have it checked.”

Jian Chun didn’t respond.

Yu Siyi lowered her voice, her tone becoming increasingly aggrieved. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that last night.”

Jian Chun had intended to continue the cold war, but hearing the mention of last night, she let out a cold snort. What does she have to feel aggrieved about? Am I not the one who suffered?

“Yu Siyi, I’ve told you before…”

Yu Siyi let out a breath of relief when Jian Chun finally spoke. Realizing that playing the victim worked, she leaned into the act. “I know. You said you forgot, so let it be forgotten.”

Jian Chun: “…” What do you mean ‘let it be forgotten’?

Jian Chun decided it was best if Yu Siyi didn’t speak; every word was like lighting a fuse. Unaware of this, Yu Siyi added, “Since you’ve forgotten, then this time, it’s my turn to pursue you.”

“?” “??”

Confusion filled Jian Chun’s eyes as she stared at the woman’s profile. Yu Siyi curled her lips into a faint, charming smile. Jian Chun looked away at the scenery outside, her mind a mess.

Could it be that I was the one who pursued her originally? Was I blind? Jian Chun could guarantee she wouldn’t fall for this woman now, but… she couldn’t imagine Yu Siyi ever falling for her first. Thus, the probability of her being the original pursuer seemed much higher.

The Classroom Change

The middle school years are the most grueling stage for students. Most wake up around 6:00 AM, and the diligent ones are in the classroom by 7:00 AM to study before morning self-study begins at 7:30.

Jin Ziye arrived just as the class representatives were collecting homework. The group leader, who sat in the first row for easy management, saw Jin Ziye and didn’t even bother asking him for his work; he simply walked around him to the student in front.

The boy in front was Ma Xiaoming, one of the class’s notorious slackers. “Ma Xiaoming, you’re the only one left. Hand over today’s homework,” the group leader said.

“Brother Jin didn’t turn his in either! Why are you always picking on me? Do I look that easy to bully?” Ma Xiaoming grumbled.

Being called out, Jin Ziye looked back at the two of them. Ma Xiaoming smiled at him, only to watch in shock as Jin Ziye pulled out a book and smacked him over the head with it.

Ma Xiaoming’s eyes widened. “?? Boss?”

Jin Ziye looked at him with disdain. “Go do your homework.”

“Boss, you don’t do yours either! How can you lecture me?”

Jin Ziye snorted. “I am me, and you are you. You can’t fight, and you can’t pick up girls. If you don’t work hard, you’re just waiting to be naturally selected for elimination.”

“Holy sh—” Ma Xiaoming stopped mid-curse, terrified by the change in Jin Ziye’s expression. The group leader looked on in horror. When did the Boss get so sharp-tongued?

As the group leader was about to head back, Jin Ziye stopped him. The student trembled. “What… what is it?”

Jin Ziye coughed awkwardly, sounding impatient. “The Physics homework. Let me copy it.”

“??!” The group leader almost swore in shock.

“You’re not giving it to me?” Jin Ziye asked, displeased.

“No, no! Just wait a second! Do you want the homework from a top student, a poor student, or someone average?”

The Meeting Request

When Jian Chun reached her office, morning self-study had been underway for a while. A thick stack of workbooks sat on her desk. The class representatives were very responsible, noting down who hadn’t turned in their work.

Jian Chun scanned the list, then paused and looked a second time. Strange. Jin Ziye’s name wasn’t on the “Missing” list today. She didn’t think he could change overnight, and yet he had! Of course, as she graded the papers, she realized his work was identical to another student’s—from the steps to the punctuation, even the mistakes were the same.

She began reviewing her lesson plans, feeling a deep wave of regret for her rebellious high school years. She had thought failing would gain her the attention of certain people, but they had simply assumed she was a waste of time and money.

As she stared blankly at her computer, her phone chimed.

Someone: “Lunch together? I’ll come wait for you.”

Jian Chun’s numb brain took a moment to remember who “Someone” was—it was her contact name for Yu Siyi. She cursed her own habit of renaming contacts so cryptically. They had been apart for less than an hour, and she was already planning lunch.

Jian Chun: “I need to prepare for my lessons.”

Someone: “Are there problems with the upcoming material? If so, you can ask me. I’m available anytime.”

Jian Chun was practically laughed with rage. She was so stupid to have given Yu Siyi this leverage over her. Was it too late to buy an online course?

She sighed. It was too late. And an online teacher wouldn’t be as convenient as Yu Siyi.

Jian Chun: “Fine.”

Someone: “What time should I arrive? Eleven or twelve? I’ll book a restaurant near the school.”

Jian Chun felt a wave of social exhaustion. There was no need to go to such lengths for a physics explanation.

Jian Chun: “Let’s just eat at the cafeteria.”

Someone: “No. I’m pursuing you; eating at a cafeteria wouldn’t be right. #Smile”

Jian Chun glared at the screen, cursing under her breath. Pursuing my foot. But seeing the situation, she could only reply with a “smile” emoji. After all, she was the one who needed help.