The wedding was grand, with many distinguished guests. Numerous fans, upon learning of the couple's marriage, couldn't help but shed tears in the comment sections, lamenting, "Our youth is ending!" They had savored so much sweetness online, rooted for so many pairings, and finally, one of them had come true. They had received their official marriage certificates, stamped by the state! It was truly a feat!
Ji Meina and Lin Yirou, who had participated in the dating reality show with Xia Qingtian, were now being urged online to get married. Xia Qingtian, who had been single on the show, was now married. What were they waiting for, having been together for so long! Hurry up! Get married on the spot! Should they move the civil affairs bureau for you?
"Huh?"
"Well, I never expected you to overtake me!" Tong Nianze, compared to his competitive demeanor on the dating show where he seemed ready to argue with everyone, had become much gentler and more polished. It appeared he had reined in his sharp edges for Ji Meina. He had thought that as long as he got married before Ji Jun, he wouldn't lose, but he hadn't anticipated Xia Qingtian's swift move.
"Congratulations, Qingtian," Ji Meina, petite as ever, threw herself into Xia Qingtian's arms. "You look incredibly beautiful today! Our Qingtian is beautiful every day!"
"Thank you, Meina~" Xia Qingtian affectionately ruffled Meina's cheek. She was so soft and adorable.
"Congratulations," Ji Jun said to Xia Qingtian. "Yirou asked me to convey her well wishes."
"Thank you, it's okay that she couldn't make it," Xia Qingtian smiled sweetly.
"It's not exactly that she couldn't make it..." Ji Jun said with a slight smile. "She really wanted to come, but her morning sickness has worsened with her pregnancy, and the doctor advised her to rest more and avoid going out."
"What!" Tong Nianze was stunned. One was married, the other was pregnant. So, he had lost so completely?
"Meina, we'll start trying for a baby tonight and get married tomorrow!" Tong Nianze immediately grabbed Ji Meina's hand.
"Are you out of your mind!" Ji Meina, blushing, delivered a playful punch to Tong Nianze, urging him to shut up and stop embarrassing himself.
"Hahahaha." Seeing this, everyone burst into laughter.
Dr. Li's entire family was present, including Gaia, who had recently recovered her health. She had now resumed her original name – Li Xiaoshu. Li Xiaoxiao, as a bridesmaid, was having a blast, showing off her long-lost elder sister to everyone. Now she, too, had a sister and no longer had to envy the sisters Xia Qingtian and Xia Qingyu.
Li Xiaoshu's cheeks were flushed with a hint of shyness, but at least she had Li Xiaozhong by her side. However, Li Xiaozhong wasn't as happy. He had to keep an eye on his second sister to ensure she didn't get too out of hand and protect his elder sister from any unease. Naturally, he had no extra energy to seek out Xia Qingyu.
This created an opportunity for Nie Qingkong, who was unburdened, to find Xia Qingyu, who had discreetly moved away from the crowd.
"People are usually reluctant to part with their daughters when they get married. Why do you, marrying off your sister, look so down?" Nie Qingkong approached her with two drinks, handing one to Xia Qingyu. "It's non-alcoholic, want to try?"
"You wouldn't understand," Xia Qingyu accepted the drink from Nie Qingkong. "I know Mr. Lu is the most suitable person for my sister, but..." Xia Qingyu still felt uncomfortable. That was her sister, soon to be someone else's wife. She would start her own family, and as her sister, Xia Qingyu would gradually exit her life's main stage. Their interactions would become less frequent... this feeling of loneliness was truly difficult to bear.
"Could it be that you're..." Nie Qingkong looked at Xia Qingyu, then thought for a moment before asking, "a sis-con?"
"What does it have to do with you?" Xia Qingyu shot Nie Qingkong a glare.
"Actually, it has a little to do with it," Nie Qingkong sat beside Xia Qingyu, shoulder to shoulder with her. "If you could, would you perhaps share some of the attention you give to Qingtian-jie with me? Just a little bit?"
"What do you mean?" Xia Qingyu blinked at Nie Qingkong.
"Exactly what you're thinking," Nie Qingkong didn't avert his gaze from Xia Qingyu. Instead, he met her eyes with even greater intensity. Xia Qingyu felt her cheeks burn. This time, she was the one who averted her gaze. Touching her cheek lightly, Xia Qingyu felt a flutter of panic: Didn't he say it was non-alcoholic? Why were her cheeks so hot?
Seeing Xia Qingyu's evasion, Nie Qingkong wasn't in a hurry. There was still plenty of time; he had ample time to make Xia Qingyu see him for who he was.
"Qingyu, it's time for photos," Lei Xirui had been looking for Xia Qingyu for quite some time. "Your sister is looking for you!"
"Oh, coming." Xia Qingyu felt as if she had been granted a reprieve. She immediately got up and followed Lei Xirui into the crowd, occasionally glancing back at Nie Qingkong as if by chance, feeling her heart race with his gaze.
"Indeed, that non-alcoholic drink must have been a lie..." Xia Qingyu forced a smile for the camera, murmuring to herself, "It's all... a lie, isn't it..."
...
The following summer was rainy. Xia Qingtian's labor began on a rainy night, with thunder rumbling and lightning illuminating half the sky.
"Push! The head is already visible!" the assisting nurse urged. "Breathe! Don't forget to breathe! Pace your breathing!"
Xia Qingtian was drenched in sweat from the pain. Lu Yaoyang, accompanying her, watched with heartache.
"It's out! It's out!" the medical staff nearby cheered.
Xia Qingtian finally breathed a sigh of relief and then weakly asked, "Why isn't the baby crying?"
"Some babies choke on amniotic fluid or for other reasons, they don't cry immediately. The doctor just needs to tap them," the assisting nurse comforted her. "It's alright."
At the same time, the infant in the doctor's arms had a wrinkled face, looking displeased. The system was furious and felt like cursing. After so long, why was its tribulation so arduous! However, it had finally succeeded this time and was about to welcome a brand new beginning. This moment should have been recorded in history! As the system prepared to throw its head back and laugh, it realized someone was filming it! Who! Who dared to be so bold! Were they tired of living! The system wanted to curse, but found it could only emit a loud cry: "Wah~ uwah~ wah~"
What the heck! What's going on! Before the system could react, it found its abilities rapidly disappearing, and its memories began to fade. This wasn't right! This was very wrong! What was happening! In its blurry vision, it saw a somewhat familiar face. The smell of blood mixed with disinfectant filled the air, and the system finally realized.
[Damn Heavenly Dao! You screwed me over!] This was the system's last thought. Then, everything was as if formatted, becoming unfamiliar. The crying grew louder.
"What a robust little fellow," the medical staff smiled, handing the baby to Xia Qingtian. Xia Qingtian looked at the baby she had painstakingly given birth to, and the cry sounded somewhat familiar. In a daze, Xia Qingtian remembered the SSS-grade beginner's gift package. When she opened it, she seemed to have heard a similar crying sound. Exactly the same.
"Child of Destiny?" Xia Qingtian murmured, reaching out and tapping the baby's forehead. "Your life... will likely be more brilliant and colorful than mine..." Who could say for sure what the future held? Right?
Thus.
The entire story concludes with no extra chapters.
Chu Qi has something to say: Thank you to the readers who have accompanied me this past year, and thank you to the protagonist group who have grown with me along the way. Sunny days with Yaoyang, and clear skies after the rain.
The road of life is long. We will meet again.