When We Meet Again, She's Pregnant - Chapter 9

The night was ablaze with starlight.

The Wind God Tower on Monster Island, one of the ten wonders of the world, was renowned for its unique architectural style and its ability to attract wind elements. It was also the tallest structure on the island.

At this moment, Liu Ying stood atop the tower’s pinnacle, gazing down at the brightly lit city below. Starlight spilled onto the magic circle beneath her feet, casting an eerie blue glow. Perhaps due to the altitude, the fierce wind whipped her long hair into wild disarray.

Her eyes flickered with hesitation as she stared at the silver-white greatsword floating before her.

Should she really do this?

Two days ago, she had promised City Lord Yuan to use her magic artifact to stabilize Monster Island’s safe zone until the security barrier system was successfully constructed. But a magic artifact was a mage’s second life. Losing it would halve her strength.

In the past, Liu Ying wouldn’t have hesitated to leave it behind. After all, she was bold and confident in her skills. But among the three warnings from her future self, one was clear: “Never weaken your own power.” If she used her magic artifact to help, she would be treading the same path her future self had once taken.

But if she didn’t help, what else could secure the safe zone?

Liu Ying was torn.

A few days ago, she had been absolutely confident in changing her fate as long as she avoided the path her future self had walked.

Yet reality had slapped her hard. The moment she met that beautiful girl named “Yang Xiyan,” she found herself inexplicably fixated. Now, she was about to weaken her own strength, aligning with another of her future self’s warnings. Two out of three admonitions had nearly come to pass, as if some irresistible force of fate was pushing her toward the same tragic end.

City Lord Yuan’s expulsion of Zhou Fengyue from the family had also served as a stark reminder. One moment, you could be at the height of glory, and the next, you could lose everything. No one could predict what the future held.

“Sorry.” In the end, Liu Ying absorbed the sword back into her body and placed 81 monster cores onto the enormous magic circle. With a flash, she descended back to the ground.

A massive transparent barrier began to envelop the entire safe zone. Flying monsters in the sky veered away, though the people within the safe zone remained oblivious to what was happening.

As Liu Ying sensed the fluctuations of the barrier, she slowly walked away from the tower. The moment she stepped beyond its range, a fashionable woman in knee-high boots and sunglasses suddenly approached her, followed by several assistants.

“What’s wrong, Yingying? Why didn’t you use your magic artifact to secure the barrier? Eighty-one high-grade monster cores are way too extravagant; they’ll vanish after use. The cost is a bit steep, don’t you think?”

“Sis, you’re here.”

“Of course! How could I not come for something this serious?” Liu Zhao giggled and immediately looped her arm around her sister’s. “It’s been so long, Yingying! Did you miss me?”

Liu Ying’s lips twitched as she glanced at the brightly lit surroundings. The city’s streetlights illuminated them clearly, leaving their affectionate display in full view.

“Alright, alright, you’re the CEO of a company now. Must you still cling like sticky candy?” Liu Ying tried to push her away, but to little effect.

Liu Zhao pouted pitifully. “Do you hate your sister now?”

Liu Ying looked at the teary-eyed woman leaning on her shoulder, then at the shocked assistants beside them covering their mouths. Her brow twitched, but she still planted a kiss on Liu Zhao’s cheek and took her hand. “Let’s talk about this at the hotel. Did you bring the company’s magic department with you?”

“No problem, I brought everything except for the unnecessary stuff.” She gave a light hum, tightly gripping her younger sister’s delicate hand and giving it a little shake.

The assistants and secretaries nearby exchanged wide-eyed glances. Was this really their company’s CEO? She seemed just like an ordinary young girl, completely devoid of any authority. And that girl beside her must be the CEO’s younger sister, right? But why did it feel like the roles were reversed? The younger sister acted more like the older one, while the older sister seemed like the younger.

After settling into a quiet spot in the hotel, the two sisters began discussing the matter of the barrier. Only then did Liu Zhao return to her usual serious work mode, fully immersed in strategizing how to construct a new magical barrier system.

A magical barrier alone wasn’t particularly difficult, but adding a “system” to it complicated things. This involved highly advanced alchemical formulas that required professional alchemists to assemble, forming a super-intelligent barrier computer.

Only then could the city lord’s residence monitor potential threats in real time.

Liu Ying wasn’t particularly skilled in mechanical alchemy, but she excelled at constructing magic. So, the task of building the super-intelligent system was handed over to her sister’s team of mage engineers. She could technically do it herself, but it would take much longer.

For safety’s sake, Liu Ying decided it was better not to work alone and called her sister over to collaborate.

“I’m going to the restroom.” Midway through the discussion, Liu Ying made her escape. After all, the rest wasn’t her responsibility; she just had to ensure security. Better to hurry and take a bath before bed.

Her sister could only sigh in resignation.

Passing through a clean, elegant hallway and stepping out of the elevator, Liu Ying suddenly collided with a hurried young girl while turning a corner. The girl fell flat on her backside, but Liu Ying remained steady, extending a hand with a smile. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” The girl rubbed her bottom, then suddenly gasped. “It’s you!”

Liu Ying froze for a moment before the girl huffed, “Sorry, but I’ve got good news to deliver to my lady. I’ll apologize properly later!” With that, she dashed off, beaming with excitement.

What a whirlwind of energy.

Liu Ying chuckled and shook her head. This was the same girl she’d met a few days ago at the magical beast theme park. Her “lady” being that “Yang Xiyan” who had caught her attention. Who would’ve thought they were staying here too?

“Young Master Yichen, my lady misses you dearly! She’ll be overjoyed to see you. I never expected you’d come to the Beast Island too!” A sycophantic voice echoed down the hallway.

Liu Ying looked up curiously and saw a group of young men approaching. The most striking among them was the one in the middle, dressed in a student uniform with a moon emblem on his shoulder—tall, broad-shouldered, and quite handsome.

The fawning man beside him wore a standard bodyguard outfit, trailed by a group of other uniformed students.

“I won’t be seeing Xiyan. All of you, stop following me. I’m tired and need to rest.” The man quickened his pace, slipping into his room and shutting the door, leaving everyone outside.

Liu Ying stood just two meters away, noting that the man’s room was directly across from hers. But what truly caught her attention was the name he’d just mentioned Xiyan.

Such a simple name, yet it tugged at her heartstrings.

Keeping her composure, Liu Ying swiped her card to enter her own room. The group left outside the other door noticed her, their expressions turning to astonishment.

“What an elegant young lady,” the men murmured in admiration as Liu Ying closed her door behind her.

“Top-tier beauty, but it’s the temperament that truly matters.”

“What do you mean ‘top-tier beauty’? You’ve got Yang Xiyan syndrome. She’s already stunning, okay? And her beauty is completely different from Yang Xiyan’s. She gives off a sense of security, like she could protect someone.”

“Pfft, ‘sense of security.'”

“Hahaha, can’t help it. Anyone who’s seen Yang Xiyan would think everyone else is just average. That girl has both elegance and beauty, like a classical beauty from ancient times so pure. Tuoba Yichen is one lucky guy.”

“That guy hit the jackpot. To have a fiancée as gorgeous as Yang Xiyan and still be unfaithful. If I were him, I’d gladly trade ten years of my life for her. Yet he’s out there keeping a mistress and trying to break off the engagement. Unbelievable.”

“Same here, totally baffled. Last year, he was flaunting his girlfriend in front of us, and this year he wants to call off the engagement. Now he’s even dragging us into his mess to patch things up. Ridiculous.”

“Men always want what they can’t have. Some guys are just like that once they get bored, they move on, even if it’s someone as breathtaking as Yang Xiyan.”

“Bullshit! A young lady from a prestigious family like Yang Xiyan wouldn’t let you touch her before marriage. That guy would be lucky just to hold her hand. If it were that easy, why would we need this ‘cook the rice before it’s ready’ plan?”

“Good point. But why does he want to break it off then?”

“Who knows?”

“Actually, I’ve heard some rumors. A few days ago, I saw Tuoba going to a urology clinic. Lately, he’s been in touch with a lot of doctors. Could it be…?”

“Gentlemen, let’s not jump to conclusions. Most of these rumors are baseless. If there were really health issues, why would the family push this ‘cook the rice’ plan? Even though you’ve set up a soundproof barrier, Tuoba Yichen might still overhear your discussion.” A bodyguard coldly cut off the students’ chatter.

The group fell silent instantly, reluctantly dispersing.

“……”

The soundproofing in high-end hotels was impeccable. Once the door was closed, outside noise was inaudible. But Liu Ying, who was pouring tea on the sofa, could still hear the commotion outside.

The moment she heard the name “Yang Xiyan,” she had already decided to eavesdrop.

As the discussion outside gradually faded, Liu Ying’s expression grew increasingly serious. She stopped drinking her tea, her slender, snow-white legs crossed and fidgeting restlessly.

Click-clack! The sound of high heels.

Knock-knock! This time, it was a knock at the door, followed by a sweet voice. “Brother Yichen, it’s me, Yan Yan.”

Inside the room, Liu Ying’s brows furrowed.

It really was that Yang Xiyan, the one she cared about!

At first, she thought it might just be someone with the same name. But now, she had no doubts. It was indeed the Yang Xiyan she knew.

Since when did that girl have a fiancé?

Liu Ying’s mind was in turmoil.

“It’s you. I told you there was no need to come.” Tuoba Yichen’s voice carried a hint of resignation. “I’ll visit you when I have time. Coming here so late at night will only invite gossip.”

“I heard you want to call off the engagement?” Her voice was soft and fragile, utterly disarming, with none of her usual aloofness.

“Yes. Let’s talk about this another time. I’m not feeling well and need to rest.”

“But…” Yang Xiyan didn’t get to finish her sentence before the door closed. Left standing outside, she bit her lip in frustration. No wonder her mother had insisted she attend that ball. Though she didn’t like Tuoba as much as she’d imagined, what was the reason for this?

Liu Ying had heard everything inside the room. Now, she needed some calm reflection.

She made herself a cup of tea, took a small sip, and leaned back on the sofa. Based on the conversation she had just overheard, Yang Xiyan had a fiancé, and judging by her gentle tone, she didn’t seem to dislike him much.

Tuoba Yichen, was it? Those jealousy-ridden individuals earlier were clearly Tuoba Yichen’s classmates, along with one of Yang Xiyan’s bodyguards. It seemed they were secretly carrying out a plan behind Tuoba Yichen and Yang Xiyan’s backs something about “forcing the rice to cook,” so to speak.

Despite the barriers of the room’s enchantment and their own protective spells, her strength allowed her to hear everything clearly.

Tuoba Yichen’s tone when speaking to Yang Xiyan was noticeably softer, completely different from how he spoke to others. Yet, he seemed to be deliberately keeping his distance from her. Was it because he had someone else he liked and wanted to break off the engagement? Or was it some issue related to his work as a urologist?

At this thought, Liu Ying felt a faint discomfort, even irritation, as if a treasure she had her eyes on had been snatched away. They had only met twice, and she was certain she hadn’t fallen for him.

But stumbling upon this situation finally made her understand why Future Ying had succumbed to temptation. She must have accidentally walked into this scheme, been drugged with an aphrodisiac, and ended up taking advantage of Yang Xiyan. There was no other explanation she could think of.

Now that the entire plan had come to light, she no longer had to grope in the dark like a blind man feeling an elephant.

Resting against the sofa, Liu Ying stroked her chin with slender, jade-like fingers and murmured, “Suppose I was drugged and left alone in a room with that innocent girl, and we ended up getting intimate. Then, waking up the next morning to find her lying naked beside me, teary-eyed—that would indeed be quite the mess to handle.”