When We Meet Again, She's Pregnant - Chapter 1

…

Late at night, the crackling sound of a blazing bonfire filled the air, its faint red glow illuminating the delicate and beautiful face of a woman. With slender, pale fingers, she picked up dry branches and tossed them into the roaring flames, rotating the skewered meat over the fire.

“Who are you, really?”

“Mmm, smells amazing.”

The meat sizzled and popped, releasing a mouthwatering aroma. Liu Ying shook her head and glared coldly at the black-clad woman before her. “You’re not going to answer?”

“Just a little longer, and it’ll be ready to eat.”

“Stop playing dumb.”

“…I’m not playing dumb. Take a look at my face, then look at yours. I’m sure you’ve already figured it out.” The woman in black slowly raised her head, her dark eyes locking onto the school-uniformed girl in front of her.

Liu Ying frowned slightly, scrutinizing the black-clad woman. Her skin was somewhat pale, and she carried two guns strapped to her thighs. In her twenties, she was undeniably beautiful. But what caught Liu Ying’s attention wasn’t her strange attire. It was the fact that she had the exact same face as her.

Just slightly more mature, like an older twin sister.

Liu Ying was certain she didn’t have a twin. She replied coolly, “Sorry, but I still don’t understand.”

The black-clad woman handed her the roasted meat, her expression complicated. “I used some unconventional means to open a passage. I need your help.”

Liu Ying took the offered meat and sat on a nearby rock, narrowing her eyes. “You’ll have to explain more clearly. I don’t see why I should help you.”

The woman in black said calmly, “My name is also Liu Ying.”

Liu Ying: “!!!”

“Don’t be shocked. I’m Liu Ying. You’re Liu Ying. We’re both Liu Ying,” she added.

Liu Ying’s mind reeled in shock. She tried to stay calm but failed. What kind of international joke was this? Suddenly meeting someone who looked exactly like her and who claimed to be Liu Ying?

“I’m 23 years old. I’m… you, but from several years in the future. Or rather, another version of you from a parallel world. I believe you’re the only one in this world who can help me.”

“Liu, I just turned 19.” Liu Ying inhaled sharply. Though her thoughts were in turmoil, she quickly steadied herself. “So, what you’re saying is… I’m you, and you’re me?”

“No,” the other Liu Ying replied. “We may be the same person, but we’re completely separate individuals. You are you, and I am me. After this encounter, our paths will diverge even more.”

Liu Ying fell silent. The jungle at night was eerily quiet, with only the chirping of insects and the sound of them chewing their food. A cold breeze swept through, lifting their identical strands of hair.

Liu Ying studied the woman before her. At first, she hadn’t believed her, but now she was starting to. She could sense that this place was different from her own world perhaps this woman had summoned her here. There were others in the jungle nearby, though they kept their distance.

“If we’re different individuals, then we should have some way to distinguish ourselves,” Liu Ying said calmly. “But first, I’d like to verify the truth. When is our weak period each month? And who survived in the Black Capital Laboratory?”

The black-clad Liu Ying slowly closed her eyes: “When the Purple Moon descends, weakness follows. The only ones who survived were me and… Yan, but now I’m the only one left. I believe your situation is no different from mine. Since you want to distinguish between us, you can call me Future Ying, or you can call me sister.”

“I have a sister.”

“So do I.”

“Enough with the nonsense. You summoned me here. What do you need me to do?” Liu Ying calmly stared at her, sensing the other’s extreme weakness. There must be a reason for calling her here.

“You are me at my peak, but all I need is for you to borrow a book for me.”

“Borrow a book?”

“The Twelve-Star Orb.”

“Sister’s book?”

“Yes!”

“That’s unnecessary. If you’re me, don’t you remember?”

“I do, but it’s been so long I’m not sure of the specifics.”

“But Sister has been missing for years. I don’t know where she went. Her collection is impossible to find.”

“Then help me confirm it.”

“…Fine.”

“……”

They began to act.

About half an hour later, in the dark forest where they stood, a glowing sphere resembling a globe suddenly appeared. Liu Ying wiped her sweat and pushed the orb toward Future Ying, who gently touched it before storing it in her spatial inventory.

Having solved Future Ying’s problem, it was time to address her own confusion.

Liu Ying sat cross-legged on a rock, staring intently at her. Tonight’s moonlight was exceptionally bright, illuminating their figures along with a fiery red glow.

Liu Ying said, “Though we’re different individuals, our experiences are identical. The future me might end up just like you, so I want to ask—how did you become like this?”

“Sealed away.”

“By whom?”

Future Ying averted her gaze. “Unfortunately, I can’t tell you. It’s more complicated than you imagine. Even now, I can’t fully grasp what happened. Telling you prematurely wouldn’t do you any good.”

“I helped you a great deal,” Liu Ying raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t it be unfair for me to return without answers? Though perhaps it’s not so bad. If I ever face trouble, I can just summon another version of myself like you did.”

“I don’t understand, and I don’t quite believe it either, so I can’t tell you. Even if I did, you wouldn’t believe me.” Future Ying sighed. “However, I can give you three pieces of advice to avoid misfortune. Remember them well.”

The sky suddenly darkened as black clouds obscured the moon. The wind howled fiercer than usual, making the bonfire crackle mournfully, casting light on two identical faces as if trying to stop them.

Liu Ying took a sip of water and listened quietly.

Future Ying added firewood and spoke slowly: “First, maintain independent thinking. Don’t be easily swayed by others. Don’t trust friends completely. Think thrice before acting. Follow your heart above all.”

Liu Ying arched an eyebrow.

“Second, the future world is dangerous. Never allow yourself to fall into a weakened state. Don’t recklessly disperse your power, or the consequences will be dire.”

Liu Ying touched her lips with slender fingers, pondering.

“Third, beauty is a double-edged sword. To win someone’s heart, you must respect them. Don’t act like a creep that disgusts people, not everyone is your fan. Don’t go around flirting with everyone.”

Liu Ying was taken aback, then suddenly laughed. “I won’t flirt around, you can rest assured about that. This might be the fundamental difference between you and me. The first two points make sense, but why the last one?”

“Yang Xiyan was one of the indirect factors that led to my sealing. A stunningly beautiful yet icy woman. I fell completely for her and even ended up sleeping with her,” Future Ying said with closed eyes. “But I don’t regret it.”

“Oh? You fell for her?”

“Don’t tease me. If you met her, you’d fall for her too. She’s incredibly beautiful.”

“Pfft, no matter how pretty she is, I wouldn’t be moved. I’ve seen beautiful women before, and icy beauties aren’t my type,” Liu Ying couldn’t help but laugh. She never expected her future self would become like this because of emotions, how bizarre.

In all her years, she’d never had her heart stirred.

“Don’t celebrate too soon. The heart can’t deceive itself in the end,” Future Ying smiled at her, then added regretfully, “In my world, Yang Xiyan and I have completely missed our chance. I hope you and the Yang Xiyan in your world can make it work.”

“Oh, and I have no idea if the Yang Xiyan in your world is the icy type. She might be cute or silly, or even a villain. Every world’s Yang Xiyan might be different, but no matter which one, you’ll fall for her and end up sleeping with her within a month.”

“And if you do sleep with her, make sure to run away first thing in the morning.”

“Stop joking around. I wouldn’t just sleep with someone casually. I’m a girl who values my self-respect, and I wouldn’t just fall for anyone that’s where we differ. Hurry up and give me more details; we’re almost out of time,” Liu Ying’s lips twitched. “I don’t want to end up like you.”

Future Ying checked the time. The magic’s power was nearly exhausted, lasting at most two or three more minutes. She quickly organized her thoughts, condensed them to the essentials, and told Liu Ying what to watch out for in the future.

Liu Ying listened carefully.

By the time she returned, it would be like being reborn; remembering the general course of future events, allowing her to plan and act accordingly.

Liu Ying bid farewell to Future Ying as she disappeared, encouraging her before leaving: “Hang in there, Future Ying. Hurry up and reconcile with your Yang Xiyan. When I get back to school, I’ll find a way to summon you both over so we can all hang out. As for me, I won’t go through those trials. That way, I won’t meet that Yang Xiyan, fall for her, and get sealed.”

Future Ying’s lips twitched. “It’s no use.”

“…”

The night gradually faded, and the morning sun slowly climbed into the sky. Liu Ying stretched wearily, hugging the blanket tightly as she lingered in the darkness of the room.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when the crystal chandelier on the ceiling suddenly lit up, revealing the room’s layout.

It was an elegantly simple and bright space, with two landscape paintings hanging on the walls. Beside them stood an air conditioner, though it wasn’t turned on.

Liu Ying hugged her pillow with mixed emotions, gazing at the wall clock with her dark eyes carrying a trace of heaviness. But she quickly composed herself, yawned, and sat up from the bed. She picked up her charging phone from the nightstand to check the time, then washed up, brushed her teeth, and changed clothes.

There was still a fan signing event today. She’d check out first before heading there. Then she needed to report to the others. If she suddenly skipped training, everyone would surely worry.

After confirming everything was in order, Liu Ying went downstairs to check out.

The receptionist kept stealing glances at her while processing the paperwork. When their eyes met repeatedly, the girl blushed instantly and lowered her head in a fluster. “P-please wait a moment, we need to inspect the room first.”

So beautiful! And so dashing too!

What a unique woman; she seemed gentle yet powerful. The key was those fox-like eyes of hers that always appeared to be smiling. Meeting her gaze felt like being teased, making one’s heart race.

“But that name could she be that Lady Liu Ying?” As the checkout concluded, the receptionist couldn’t help watching her departing back, exhaling deeply.

Even if she wasn’t that Sister Liu Ying, she was still a stunning beauty exceptionally pretty yet somehow cool. If only I could get her contact information.

While daydreaming, the receptionist suddenly noticed the air grow quiet, punctuated by the click of high heels, followed by snippets of conversation.

“Miss, let’s explore the city properly today. The cities on Monster Island are quite different from the outside world full of interesting things.”

“Interesting things?”

“Yes! Like dragon racing, monster theme parks, and treasure forest adventures. But the most exciting is Sister Ying’s signing event today.”

“Signing event!!!”

“Don’t get too excited, miss. It seems to be a last-minute arrangement. I heard she’ll be signing in person this time.”

“It’ll definitely be packed. Sister Ying’s popularity is insane. Xiyan, don’t waste your effort. You have that ball tonight and need to prepare,” chimed in another woman nearby.

“But I want to see.” A soft voice suddenly spoke up. The receptionist looked toward the sound and gasped.

Walking through the crowd was an extraordinarily beautiful girl in an elegant school dress, her jet-black hair flowing like a celestial maiden descended to earth—her radiance almost too dazzling to behold. Though young, she already possessed beauty that could topple cities.

Even more stunning than the previous woman, yet somehow lacking that heart-fluttering quality. Hmm, is it because she doesn’t have that dominant aura? Or am I just too submissive? No no, I’m definitely dominant. It must be that this pretty girl is too soft to be exciting.

So, she confidently told herself.