Forced into a Secret Marriage with the Villain, We Now Have a Child - Chapter 19

Ever since Yu Siyi’s visit to the school, Jian Chun had issued repeated warnings.

Yu Siyi was naturally a low-profile person, but the more she shied away from the limelight, the more her fans craved details of her life, leading the media to stalk her relentlessly. As soon as her promotional tour ended and she returned to C-City, reporters camped out at every turn. Even without active public appearances, she dominated the trending topics on Weibo.

A recent hot topic was “Yu Siyi Returns to Her Alma Mater.” It had been nearly ten years since she graduated from middle school, but her fame from those days remained legendary. The media had dug up her old grades, a move that left countless fans “weeping” in awe of her brilliance.

In an industry of manufactured personas, Yu Siyi’s “Beauty Scholar” label was authentic. Her old college entrance exam scores were still worshipped by fans. Coupled with her drama-free personality, even her haters could only jealously speculate that she must have a mysterious “financial backer” behind her.

Jian Chun, who previously paid no mind to celebrity culture, had become acutely aware of these facts over the past few days. She strictly forbade Yu Siyi from flaunting herself at the school. Even if she was providing private tutoring, she was not allowed to wait at the school gates.

Despite her stern demands, Jian Chun felt a lack of confidence. Regardless of the process, the result was that Yu Siyi had actually listened to her.

Rumors in the Classroom

However, within just a few days, the gossip had reached a fever pitch. Even Jin Ziye, who was currently busy battling Physics problems, had heard the whispers.

It started with: “Yu Siyi was seen eating with someone who looks just like our Teacher Jian!” Then: “What? Teacher Jian and Yu Siyi are best friends!” Finally: “Our Teacher Jian and Goddess Yu were actually in the same school and the same class!”

By the time it reached Jin Ziye, his lackey ran up to him excitedly. “Boss, did you hear? Teacher Jian and Yu Siyi are childhood friends! My sister loves her—Boss, can you help me get an autographed photo?”

Jin Ziye: “…”

That afternoon, Jian Chun didn’t go out to “study.” She needed time to digest the intense lessons Yu Siyi had poured into her. When Jin Ziye knocked on her office door, he found her alone. Using the unique rapport they had built, he asked bluntly, “Do you know Yu Siyi?”

Jian Chun had been prepared to answer academic questions, but he opened with a bombshell. At the mention of that name, her heart skipped a beat. She kept her face as neutral as possible.

“Since when did a boy like you become such a gossip?” she asked, taking a sharp breath.

“Whatever,” Jin Ziye muttered. “Everyone says they saw you two having lunch.”

Seeing his skeptical look, Jian Chun retorted sharply, “I am your teacher; what’s so strange about me having lunch with her?”

As expected, Jin Ziye rolled his eyes at her “shameless” non-denial. Jian Chun remained calm. It was better this way—oddly enough, in this day and age, no one believed you when you told the truth anyway.

A Mother’s Guilt

Saturday arrived. Since the tenth-grade students were dismissed at noon, Jian Chun headed home early for lunch. The moment she walked in, Jian Niannian charged at her like a little cannonball.

“Mama, thank you for your hard work!” Niannian chirped.

Jian Chun leaned down, picked the girl up, and bounced her slightly. “Niannian, what did you do at home today?”

“Homework!” Niannian replied in a soft, milky voice. Jian Chun patted her head, feeling a pang of heartache at how sensible the child was.

“Do you want to go somewhere to play this afternoon?” Yu Siyi’s voice came from behind. She had just dropped her keys and taken off her coat. The spring sunlight was warm and inviting.

Jian Chun’s first instinct was to refuse so she could study, but seeing the expectation in Niannian’s eyes, the words died in her throat. She had no experience raising kids; she usually just bumped heads with them. She realized she had been so focused on herself that she’d forgotten Niannian was just a child who needed love and attention.

“You guys decide. Anywhere is fine,” Jian Chun said, sitting down with the child. Niannian let out a victorious “Yay!”

The Outing

They decided to go flower-watching. The amusement parks were too crowded and the mountains too cold, so they settled on a rural garden nearby where peach and plum blossoms were in full bloom alongside vast fields of rapeseed flowers.

Thinking they would be alone, they were surprised to find quite a few tourists. Fortunately, everyone was busy looking at the flowers, and no one paid much attention to the family of three.

Niannian, rarely having seen the countryside, found everything fascinating—from the rows of identical folk houses to the seas of flowers. Dressed in a hat with rabbit ears, she ran back and forth, dragging Jian Chun and Yu Siyi along.

Eventually, Jian Chun grew exhausted. Carrying the snacks Niannian had bought, she followed behind, panting. Yu Siyi, however, was still carrying the tired Niannian and even had the energy to look back with a smirk.

“You have to walk on your own, you know,” Yu Siyi teased, her eyes full of mirth.

Jian Chun rolled her eyes. “I know.” She wasn’t a child; she didn’t need to be carried.

Yu Siyi wore a wide sun hat and large sunglasses, her hair draped over her shoulders. Her aura and fashion sense still drew a few wandering eyes. No one expected a superstar who had just trended on social media to be so “down-to-earth” as to visit a rural village.

At first, Jian Chun was on edge, instinctively trying to shield Yu Siyi from the gaze of others.

“What are you looking at? If you get lost, we’ll have to find a radio station to call for you,” Yu Siyi teased. “Mama, don’t get lost,” Niannian added, sounding like a worried little adult.

The Feeding

As they walked, Jian Chun fed Niannian snacks. Niannian was squirming happily in Yu Siyi’s arms. Jian Chun watched with a trace of admiration—she knew how much Niannian weighed, yet Yu Siyi had been carrying her for a long time without complaint.

Yu Siyi suddenly turned her head, mimicking Niannian’s behavior. She parted her red lips and made a soft sound: “Ah.”

Jian Chun blinked, confused. Niannian joined in: “Ah—!”

Fine, they’re waiting to be fed. Reluctantly, Jian Chun popped a piece of fried chicken into Yu Siyi’s mouth. Street food was fast, fragrant, and unhealthy, but they loved it nonetheless.

The Breaking Point

On the drive back, Niannian fell asleep on Jian Chun’s lap. Yu Siyi watched them in the rearview mirror, a smile playing on her lips.

“I’ll take you to eat with some friends tomorrow,” Yu Siyi said suddenly. “You haven’t seen them in a long time.” “Who?” Jian Chun asked groggily. “Feifei and the others. You know them.”

Jian Chun snapped awake. Her social circle consisted of Yi Xueyang and a few old lackeys. How did Zhu Feifei get in there? Jian Chun and Zhu Feifei had never gotten along.

“I want to stay home and read,” Jian Chun refused. “You need to balance work and rest,” Yu Siyi countered. “Tomorrow morning you’re coming running with me, or we can start tonight.” “I’m tired. I don’t want to go out.”

Yu Siyi saw through her resistance. “Then I’ll just invite them to the house.” “Fine… I’ll go out,” Jian Chun grumbled.

Yu Siyi let out a light, melodious laugh that sounded as rich as aged wine. “Why didn’t you persist a little longer?” Jian Chun shot her a look. As if persisting works with you.

“Whenever you reject me,” Yu Siyi said, her voice filling the small space of the car, “I really want to kiss you.”

Jian Chun’s face flushed crimson. She glanced at the sleeping child. “Pervert,” she whispered. “If you say so,” Yu Siyi replied nonchalantly. “Watch the road and stop talking,” Jian Chun snapped. “As you command, my dear wife,” Yu Siyi replied.

Jian Chun looked out the window at the passing greenery, her mind drifting. Her career was on track, and she was financially independent. It was time to cut the “Gordian knot” of this relationship. She didn’t want to rely on Yu Siyi’s influence anymore.

Suddenly, Yu Siyi asked, “Do you know when I first started liking you?” “I don’t know, and I don’t want to know,” Jian Chun replied. “From the very first moment I saw you.”

Jian Chun didn’t say a word. Is this woman a living encyclopedia of pickup lines? She closed her eyes and pretended to sleep, eventually drifting off for real.

Yu Siyi’s smile lingered until her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and put on her Bluetooth headset.

“Boss,” a voice said from the other end. “Feng Xue is back.”

Yu Siyi’s expression turned icy. The warmth from the afternoon vanished instantly. “How?” “It seems someone is helping her. I’m sorry, Boss.”

Yu Siyi exhaled, her voice dropping to a freezing temperature. “Keep a close eye on her.