Yu Qian’s eighteenth birthday could be described as quite thrilling.

After seeing off Lin Niannian and the four members of the Jiang family, Wang Hui called Yu Qian into her room with a serious expression and began her interrogation.

If Yu Qian had been shocked and delighted when Jiang Zheng confessed in front of everyone earlier, now she just wanted to drag him over and beat him up!

For the umpteenth time, Yu Qian recounted their past to her mother in detail, swearing to the heavens that she absolutely had not been in a romantic relationship with Jiang Zheng during her senior year of high school, that she had not chosen to attend Peking University because of him, and that the two of them had never crossed any boundaries.

Her mouth was practically dry from talking before Wang Hui finally let her go.

“Qianqian, I know you’ve never liked me restricting you, and I won’t oppose you dating Jiang Zheng. But there are some things that absolutely cannot happen before marriage. Do you understand?” Wang Hui looked at Yu Qian sternly.

Yu Qian had never discussed private matters with her mother before and felt a bit shy, but she still answered firmly, “I understand, Mom. I won’t.”

Even though Yu Qian reassured her repeatedly, Wang Hui remained anxious. However, seeing how her daughter was clearly already head over heels in love, she could only suppress her worries.

As soon as Wang Hui left the room, Yu Qian buried herself under the covers. She was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions and desperately needed an outlet to vent.

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Downstairs, Wang Hui walked into the living room, where Bai Jin noticed her troubled expression and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

No longer forcing herself to stay composed, Wang Hui sighed in exhaustion and frustration. “Tell me, Qianqian is still so young, what is she doing falling in love already?”

Bai Jin refrained from commenting too much on the matter, but when it came to Jiang Zheng, whom he had watched grow up, he did hold a favorable impression.

“They’re growing up, and it’s natural for them to develop feelings at this age.” Bai Jin said as he led Wang Hui to sit down and poured her a glass of water.

But Wang Hui was still filled with worry. “A daughter is different from a son. If they act impulsively and cross the line, Qianqian’s life would be ruined.”

Her mind spiraled further. What if, one day, Yu Qian suddenly told her she was pregnant? As a mother, what would she do then?

Even if they didn’t cross any boundaries, the two of them were still so young, far from mature. Right now, they might believe they were each other’s one and only, but what about the future? What if Jiang Zheng fell for someone else? What would happen to Yu Qian then?

Until today, Wang Hui had never even considered the possibility of her daughter dating. In her mind, Yu Qian wouldn’t start exploring relationships until at least after graduating from university. Young love was far too unpredictable.

Men and women viewed things differently. While Wang Hui focused on the worst-case scenarios, Bai Jin saw the positives.

Not only did he think highly of Jiang Zheng’s character and habits, but he also believed that their young age gave them time to nurture a deep relationship. A long-lasting romance like theirs was far better than arranged marriages or blind dates.

Besides, the Bai and Jiang families had been long-term business partners, and their families were well-matched. Their parents knew each other well, so Yu Qian wouldn’t have to adapt to an unfamiliar family in the future, which was advantageous for her.

Still, seeing Wang Hui lost in her own thoughts, Bai Jin chose not to voice his reasoning. He simply sat beside her, quietly listening to her vent.

His wife wasn’t irrational, she was just overly concerned. She needed time to come to terms with this matter.

────ρя


Yu Qian desperately wanted to confide in someone. She pulled out her phone and opened the [Fairy Squad] group chat. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a long time before she ultimately backed out.

With only six months left until the college entrance exams, she didn’t want Qi Yu and the others to be distracted because of her. She knew they would all perform well, but…… accidents could happen!

Forget it. She would hold it in. She could tell them in person after the exams.

Giving up on WeChat, Yu Qian instead switched to Weibo, gleefully writing about her eventful birthday.

But…… what about her gift?

As she typed, she suddenly realized that Jiang Zheng hadn’t given her a present!

Could it be that his idea of a gift was giving her a boyfriend, so he didn’t think anything else was necessary?

That didn’t seem right.

Unable to figure it out, she decided to ask directly. Without hesitation, she reopened WeChat, found the pinned contact, and sent a message.

【Did you forget something today?】

Jiang Zheng replied almost instantly, as if he had been waiting.

【Jiang Zheng: I forgot to say goodnight to you. Let me make up for it now. [Goodnight.jpg]】

Yu Qian felt like he was playing dumb and decided to stop hinting.

【I don’t think I’ve received your gift.】

The status showed that he was typing……

Yu Qian stared at the screen, barely blinking as she waited for his reply.

A few seconds passed and no message came, but there was an incoming call.

Without thinking, Yu Qian answered.

Jiang Zheng’s voice came through with a playful lilt. “Little Fish~”

Yu Qian got straight to the point. “Did you forget to buy me a gift?”

She wouldn’t mind if he had. She would just be a little…… disappointed.

On the other end, Jiang Zheng chuckled, his voice warm and full of affection, “How could I forget?”

Then why hadn’t he given it to her yet?

Jiang Zheng teased, “Little Fish is so proactive today.” She even asked for a gift. Before, whenever he gave Yu Qian something, she would always find a way to return the favor, never wanting to owe him anything.

Yu Qian’s face burned. It did seem like she was being a bit greedy. Before, she had kept clear boundaries, but now that Jiang Zheng was her boyfriend, someone dear to her heart, she couldn’t help but act spoiled— like a child craving love.

When she didn’t respond, Jiang Zheng chuckled again. “Little Fish, open your curtains.”

Yu Qian grinned, jumped off her bed, and swiftly pulled them open.

Across from her, Jiang Zheng stood by his room’s window, beaming as he waved at her.

Yu Qian instinctively leaned out slightly.

Jiang Zheng, still holding his phone, continued, “Step back a little. I’m about to send your gift over.”

Yu Qian glanced at the distance between them. It was at least ten meters. How was he going to deliver the gift? Was he planning to fly over? Or just throw it over?

A moment later, Jiang Zheng provided the answer.

He disappeared briefly, then returned holding something in his hand.

Placing his phone on the windowsill, he fiddled with the object. Moments later, a dark figure slowly rose from his window.

A drone?!

Yu Qian watched in awe as the small drone hovered toward her, a tiny gift box swaying beneath it. Her heart clenched. What if it fell?

Eyes fixed on the airborne gift, she held her breath, her emotions rising and falling with the drone’s movements.

Thankfully, a few minutes later, the drone safely arrived at her window.

Yu Qian wiped away her nervous sweat, grabbed her phone in one hand and the tiny box in the other, and carefully opened it……

A ring?!

She stared at the delicate ring in stunned silence.

“Little Fish, do you see it?”

Crouching on the floor where Jiang Zheng couldn’t see her, Yu Qian hesitated before responding, “I see it…… but why…… why is it a ring?”

Her voice was dry, unsure if she dared to guess his answer.