63
Any college student hearing such words would think the other person was crazy.
Ning Ye couldn't recover her senses for quite a while. Before falling asleep last night, she had secretly wondered what kind of opening line Bian Xun would use to start their relationship.
But no matter how much she thought about it, she never expected it to be a sentence like this.
However, the young man in front of her stood with a straight back, his dark eyes clear, and his expression showing no signs of joking.
When these words blurted out, Bian Xun had already determined that she was the only one.
His heart was beating hot and powerfully.
Ning Ye's pupils were also trembling.
She was currently 19 years old, single since birth, had never been in a relationship, and had never had any intimate contact with the opposite sex.
It was impossible for her to have a child.
Let alone have a child with Bian Xun.
They hadn't even held hands. No one ever said that sharing a desk would result in reproduction, right?
Ning Ye's eyes widened in shock. She suddenly remembered her roommate vaguely telling her last night to learn more about Bian Xun—was this the reason?
So Bian Xun was so famous in school... because of a brain problem?
Handsome but absurd?
Her wildly racing heart immediately retreated to a safe zone. She calmly looked at the overly handsome face in front of her, even feeling a bit of anger at being teased.
If he didn't want to be together, there was no need to make such a joke.
If he did want to be together, this wasn't the kind of relationship college couples should have.
Having a daughter, how could that be possible?
Bian Xun seemed to read the meaning in her expression. He had originally wanted to wait until they reached the restaurant to say it, but he didn't want this misunderstanding to ferment along the way, so he spoke in a low, clear voice.
"I'm not joking. Tonight, I will show you my paternity test."
Of course, he chose the most expensive expedited test; the results would be out in a day.
"I also need a few strands of your hair. We'll have the conclusion by tomorrow."
Ning Ye was stunned.
For some reason, looking into his clear, deep dark eyes that seemed to absorb light from the pupils to the corners, and hearing his methodical tone, Ning Ye's feeling of being teased faded a little. Her heart suddenly skipped a very light beat.
Yeah, why would he make such a joke...?
Ning Ye suddenly panicked too.
N-No way.
She subconsciously looked at the little girl beside him, who barely reached his knees. A round little face was turned toward her like a sunflower. Seeing Ning Ye looking at her, the little chubby hands immediately wanted to reach out.
But Mommy looked very surprised.
Mommy's eyes were gentle, but unfamiliar.
Ning Zhitao had just recovered from the grief of her mother suffering, only to realize a true bolt from the blue.
Mommy didn't remember her!
Ning Zhitao began to truly realize that this was not the place where she lived. With mixed feelings of sorrow and joy, she finally burst into tears.
But at this moment, Ning Zhitao kept her father's request in mind and didn't dare to call out "Mommy" loudly. She could only tightly cover her mouth with her chubby little hands, preventing such a huge sorrow from leaking through her fingers.
"Wuu wuu waahhhh—"
Ning Ye was at a loss for what to do.
When she looked at the child from afar just now, she inexplicably felt very familiar. Now with the context, looking at her again...
These eyes, nose, mouth... how come they look exactly like her childhood photos?!
Could it be... this really is their future child?
Bian Xun pinched the bridge of his nose and spoke, "Ning Zhitao."
The little girl's crying subsided a bit, and she hugged herself.
She tried her best to cry softly.
Ning Ye's heart skipped another light beat. And she even had her last name.
Bian Xun sighed. "Anyway, let's eat first."
They went to a restaurant near the school. Ning Ye was in such a daze that she didn't even look at the name of the place. It wasn't until she was led into a private room by the waiter and sat down that she realized this place was very expensive. But thinking that this was their first "date" and might be Bian Xun's sense of ceremony, Ning Ye didn't want to be a wet blanket, only secretly deciding to split the bill with him.
Even though this date was truly... unconventional.
Ning Zhitao climbed onto the seat, sobbing. She wanted to sit on the same side as Mommy, but now Mommy didn't recognize her.
How could things be like this!
Did Daddy do this?
Bian Xun had already had a whole night to prepare himself, so he was very calm now, though his breath inevitably grew a little hot when explaining to Ning Ye. "Last night... after you left, I found this child. She was born in 2026, and she is 4 years old this year."
His fingertips curled slightly under the table, clenching tightly, his dark eyes fixed steadily on Ning Ye's pale, bewildered face. "This is our child from 12 years in the future."
...Yeah.
After saying these words, Bian Xun's heart was burning hot.
Ning Ye's heart jumped, her almond eyes looking helplessly at the little girl in front of her.
In the private room, Ning Zhitao could finally let go of her little paws and cried out aggrievedly, "Mommy."
This address startled Ning Ye.
Just a few weeks ago, she had just lost her own mother.
And now, a little girl was calling her this with such attachment.
Looking at this little face with a red nose and eyes, tears hanging under two black grape-like eyes, Ning Ye inexplicably felt bad.
A soft little dumpling, regardless of whether she looked like her or not, it was hard to be cold to her.
Although the current situation was still completely impossible to sort out, she lowered her head and apologized to the strange little girl, "I'm sorry, I'm still a bit confused right now, but if I did anything to make you sad, can you forgive me?"
Bian Xun lowered his eyes and saw her earlobes and the tip of her nose, flushed red from the morning wind, standing out starkly against her porcelain-like skin. Her eyes were panicked, yet she was trying hard to hold herself together with clear logic. Even though she was just a pitiful student struggling alone through life's hardships like a little deer, she could still release warmth and kindness without hesitation.
Some people seemed to be born with this ability.
Despite facing such an unbelievable situation, her communication skills and the way she spoke to the child were far superior to Bian Xun's attempt at playing the father role last night.
Ning Zhitao blinked her eyes, and her crying stopped.
Forget it, Mommy was still Mommy anyway, and Mommy would always love her.
So Ning Zhitao nodded, aggrievedly wiped her snot, reached out her small hand, and tilted her round head. "Can you hold my hand?"
Bian Xun frowned at her little paw, but Ning Ye nodded, not minding at all, and reached out her slender fingers to hold Ning Zhitao's hand.
"Of course."
Ning Ye didn't know what was going on either, but if holding her hand could stop this little girl from crying, she was certainly willing to do so.
Bian Xun indifferently withdrew his gaze.
He hadn't even held her hand yet.
With Mommy holding her hand, Ning Zhitao's chubby cheeks visibly brightened with joy.
She was still Mommy's little baby!
Ning Zhitao's mood recovered, and her appetite returned, ordering food very naturally.
"I want to eat purple sweet potato egg tarts, Daddy, and I also want a big lobster."
In one private room, there appeared a Mommy and a Daddy at the same time. The child's address was innocent, but it was hard for the adults being called not to let their imaginations run wild.
Only when parents unite can there be a child.
But in reality, they hadn't even had any physical contact. The most intimate interaction they had so far was walking side by side, their sleeves brushing against each other.
Ning Ye's cheeks were flushed red, and sweat beaded on her forehead. Beneath her sweater, her slender back felt as if it were being pricked by tiny thorns.
That bit of sweat was like morning dew on a pure white jasmine flower; without needing to taste it, one could almost sense its fragrance. Bian Xun didn't deliberately turn his head, but he took it all in through his peripheral vision.
The corners of his lips lifted inch by inch.
Raising a child didn't seem like a big deal after all.
"I want more scampi, Daddy!"
"Alright." Bian Xun casually called the waiter over.
The sweat on Ning Ye's forehead became even more noticeable. She pressed a hand against Bian Xun, and seeing the waiter already pushing the door open, she leaned in and whispered, "Send me the bill later."
Bian Xun didn't move. He only felt her sweet breath brush past him—so gentle, like a handful of sheer gauze covering his face, making his heart race to the point of breathlessness.
In his early twenties, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice tight. "Mm."
His mind went blank for a second, completely failing to register why she wanted the bill.
But Ning Ye ate the rest of the meal absentmindedly.
After it ended, she had to rush off to her part-time job. She and Bian Xun agreed to meet at the school gates tonight. Once they had the paternity test results, they would figure out a detailed plan.
Ning Ye had quickly calmed down. There were too many unexpected changes in life to face, and she had already learned to be strong.
The young woman's eyes were clear and bright as she looked up at Bian Xun. "See you tonight."
Bian Xun held the child, his soul feeling somewhat as if it were floating. His dark eyes surged with emotion. "Okay."
See you tonight.
From now on, he would take responsibility for everything about her.
His current abilities were enough to afford all this, but from now on, he needed to do even better and climb to a higher position.
...
What should they do? Neither of them had any money. What were they going to do?
Ning Ye kept thinking about this question during her afternoon part-time job.
After organizing the bookshelves in the library, Ning Ye went to a corner of the cafeteria, opened her mobile banking app, and checked her balance.
Dating was originally an expense that exceeded her budget, but she could still manage it. They wouldn't have any luxurious expenses anyway; just simply taking walks together felt wonderful to Ning Ye.
But if they had to raise a child...
Ning Ye covered her face, worry washing over her heart.
People passing by in the cafeteria saw her and whispered to each other. "Is that the girl who's with Bian Xun?"
"I think so... She really is so pretty."
The young woman furrowed her brows slightly. Her almond eyes were like clear lakes, and the curve from the bridge of her nose to the peak of her lips was as elegant as a pavilion. Her unadorned face possessed a misty, rain-like beauty. She stood out clearly in a crowd—a natural beauty whose bone structure looked even more stunning without makeup.
"No wonder..."
Some people were sour about it. After all, that was the young master of the Beijing elite circle, a truly low-profile but incredibly wealthy family. Being with someone like that, would she ever have to worry about money again? Everyone here was a top achiever academically, but above education, family background, power, and resources were the true operating rules of society.
But even if the young master was just playing around with her, she'd still have plenty of money in her hands after a few months.
"Isn't the Study Abroad Foundation going to invite Bian Xun to give a speech on stage in a couple of years? Damn, he really seems like a future domineering CEO..."
The whispers drifted through the cafeteria, but Ning Ye, resting her worried face in her hands, didn't hear a thing.
Poverty—
Real life posed immense difficulties.
Wanting something simple and sweet didn't seem so easy.
She lowered her head, her gaze falling on her fingertips. It felt as if the sensation of the little child holding her was still lingering there—careful, warm, completely entrusting her little hand to this stranger of an adult. Such intense emotion didn't require words; it poured out right from those two windows to the soul.
Ning Ye took a deep breath. Thinking of Bian Xun's deep, dark eyes, she organized the notebooks and lists in front of her, the look in her eyes settling into a clear resolve.
There would always be a way.
In the cafeteria, a few boys shoved each other, trying to walk over to Ning Ye's table. They were guys from her college who just never had the chance to talk to her.
When the gossip broke out on New Year's Eve yesterday, it wasn't just the girls who were heartbroken; the boys in Ning Ye's college were devastated too. In the past, Ning Ye didn't know anyone and had never interacted with any boys, so the situation remained generally balanced.
But now, their goddess actually had a dating rumor. Did they even have a chance anymore??
A tall boy was pushed to her table, and Ning Ye finally looked up.
"Ning... Ning," the boy stammered, his face already flushed completely red.
The boy in front of her seemed to be a classmate from their department. The reason Ning Ye had an impression of him was that he seemed to be this year's top science scorer in Beijing.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Bian Xun's brow carried an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
He watched Ning Zhitao hugging a computer and watching cartoons, her round little head quieting down. Only then did he turn to answer his phone.
"Holy shit, bro, I heard you got a girlfriend?!"
Bian Yang's voice blasted from the receiver.
"No, I don't." Bian Xun held the phone a bit further away.
Bian Yang let out a very exaggerated, "Eh??"
His brother could be said to be the hope of the entire family. All the other descendants from the branch families were either useless or a mess—either out drinking, clubbing, and partying every day, or like him, sent into the company to gain experience only to ruin things completely. But Bian Xun was different. He had few desires, possessed superior intelligence, and seemed born to take the helm of this family. Therefore, as the top heir, Old Master Bian naturally paid extreme attention to his every move.
At the slightest sign of movement, the other side would know immediately.
"Didn't they say you got a girlfriend? Could Grandpa's information be wrong??"
Bian Xun calmly brought the phone back to his ear. "I found a wife."
After saying that, he closed his eyes and relished the feeling for a moment.
Bian Yang: "???"
When he dated, he would call his girlfriends "wife," so he thought his brother was being humorous and cooperatively laughed out loud for a good while.
But he didn't know the difference in what that definition meant to Bian Xun.
Bian Xun calmly hung up the phone and checked the time.
There were still a few hours until evening.
Time was passing so slowly.
The expedited paternity test had already been delivered to him, and Bian Xun had opened it to look.
Unsurprisingly—a 99.99% probability of a biological relationship.
He raised his eyes to look at the back of the little dumpling who was earnestly watching cartoons.
This was indeed his daughter.
And 99.99% likely to be her child too.
Bian Xun leaned back on the sofa. The Italian hand-stitched leather felt excellent to the touch, and its premium wrapping sensation allowed him to sink in and relax. His mood was buoyant too, floating like little bubbles.
Being with him, she wouldn't need to bear any pressure.
As long as she was by his side...
Thinking of the future, thinking of the birth of their child, thinking of their twelve-plus years of being deeply in love... Bian Xun sank deeper into the sofa, tilting his neck back slightly.
His phone lit up just then; it was a message from Ning Ye.
She had transferred him a sum of money.
Bian Xun's floating thoughts receded slightly. He sat up straight from the sofa and lowered his eyes to look at the number.
He had always been sensitive to these things and naturally saw that it was exactly half of the lunch bill.
Bian Xun immediately returned the transfer. What was she doing?
Was she dissatisfied with him?
Yet, amidst his buoyant and romantic mood, a few traces of subtle heartache seeped in.
Ning Ye's voice message followed. "I'm already heading towards the school gates."
She had just chatted with a male classmate from her department for a while and had already resolved the issue. She originally wanted to let Bian Xun know, but on second thought, they weren't even officially together yet, were they? It would be weird to bring it up, so Ning Ye swallowed the words back.
Upon receiving her message, Bian Xun stood up. He turned around, just about to call out, but the little one was already pitter-pattering over to grab his hand.
"Let's go, Daddy."
She had waited all day, and finally, she could see Mommy!
The two met up outside the school gates and walked toward Bian Xun's place. This time, Bian Xun walked a little closer to her.
There was a question Ning Ye had actually wanted to ask all day. "Where are you staying with the child?"
Bian Xun replied, "At my place."
Actually, they could move into a bigger apartment and live together, so she wouldn't have to make do in the dorms—but Bian Xun thought about it and decided not to bring it up.
It was too fast; he didn't want to scare her.
Ning Ye nodded, figuring he must be renting.
She couldn't help but feel even more worried. Letting a child live in a college dorm was definitely out of the question, but adding rent to the equation meant another big expense.
She really wanted to generously split the rent with him fifty-fifty to ease his burden, but after calculating her own expenses, Ning Ye realized she simply couldn't afford to pay for an apartment she wasn't living in, especially since she had already paid her dorm fees for the semester.
Bian Xun didn't mention asking her to split it either. Touched, Ning Ye decided she would make up for his expenses in other ways.
The two of them were in this together. They both had able hands and feet; they would manage somehow.
The moment Ning Zhitao saw Ning Ye, she let go of her dad's hand, pattered over, and wrapped both her small hands around her mom's hand.
Ning Ye lowered her eyes and saw a pair of round, smiling eyes looking up at her, like a round-faced kitten pawing at someone's clothes to climb up.
Hehe, Mommy!
Ning Ye couldn't help but smile too.
Although she hadn't seen the maternity test results between herself and the child yet, she could no longer treat this little girl as a complete stranger.
Ning Zhitao was happy for a moment, but then she suddenly noticed a few red, bruised spots on her mom's fair knuckles. They must have been from moving that big water jug earlier in the day.
Ning Ye had her head turned, saying something to Bian Xun, when she suddenly felt a gentle, warm breeze brush across her hand.
Looking down, she saw Ning Zhitao holding her hand, gently blowing on it.
Just like Mommy used to do for her.
Ning Ye froze for a moment.
On a January winter night, Beijing was freezing cold. This wisp of warm breath dissipated the moment it left her lips, barely able to linger on the surface of her skin.
Yet, it blew straight into her heart.
Ning Ye looked down at the little girl earnestly blowing on her hand.
After a long moment, she took a deep breath and looked up.
By now, they were standing downstairs at Bian Xun's apartment building. Ning Ye wasn't going up, but she already had a plan in mind.
Under the streetlights, her gaze was soft yet serious as she looked at Bian Xun, the man who might be her future husband.
Bian Xun also stood still, his fingertips curling slightly, finding it a bit hard to withstand such a look from her.
His dark eyes beneath his brow ridge were hidden in the shadows, tracing every inch of her features.
Her translucent white ears, cherry-pink lips, slightly red nose tip, and delicate, thin eyelids—everything came together to form her. As light as a snowflake, yet so easily melted away.
At Bian Xun's age.
His mind was racing with thoughts.
The two stood face to face, less than half a meter apart. This was the closest they had been so far.
He wanted to get even closer.
Just as they were meant to be.
Like a hug... or even a first kiss.
Bian Xun made his move.
He gently lowered his head toward her.
But at that very moment, Ning Ye grasped Ning Zhitao's soft little hand and spoke in a very serious tone.
"Bian Xun, let's not bother with dating."
"From today on, let's put all our money into raising the child!"
Ning: Forever the baby's good mommy.
CEO: ...???
CEO: !!!!
