Chapter 13: A Bombshell Revelation and a Daring Proposition

After their meal, Bai Mengqi and Zi Yanran bid farewell to the couple, leaving them in a state of utter bewilderment.

Standing at the doorway, they watched the two figures gradually disappear into the distance. Su Xiaoshi couldn’t help but murmur, “I can’t understand it, I truly can’t.”

A slight furrow appeared between her brows, her eyes reflecting profound confusion.

Zi Ye also sighed, his breath laden with a multitude of emotions. “Indeed,” he said, “if that girl weren’t female, I would have thought she was the ability user who got Yanran pregnant all those years ago. Otherwise, nothing makes sense.”

His words carried a hint of teasing, an attempt to alleviate the bewilderment and confusion swirling within him.

He simply could not fathom why his daughter would suddenly display such intense goodwill, or perhaps even affection, towards a girl with a somewhat mysterious background.

As experienced adults, they recognized the look in their daughter’s eyes when she regarded Bai Mengqi—a gaze as amorous as rippling spring waters, as profound as flowing affection. It was unmistakably the look of someone deeply in love.

Zi Yanran, while withholding Bai Mengqi’s true identity from her parents, had made no attempt to hide her profound feelings for her.

A woman’s heart is a peculiar thing. Four years prior, after their encounter, Zi Yanran’s heart had been inadvertently captivated by Bai Mengqi’s presence.

After the children were born, this emotional attachment intensified. It might not have been love, but it was certainly a woman’s deep concern for another man.

The couple exchanged glances, and in the fleeting moment their eyes met, a silent understanding seemed to flow between them.

Finally, their gaze shifted to their grandchildren.

Perhaps, through these two innocent children, they might uncover some clues to unravel the perplexing mystery.

Zi Ye gently patted Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yi, who were beside him, and asked with a voice that was both tender and tinged with eagerness, “Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yi, do you know Aunt Mengqi’s true identity?”

Xiao Xuan blurted out without a moment’s hesitation, his clear childish voice ringing exceptionally loud in the somewhat subdued room. “Identity? Grandpa, Mom told us to call her Aunt Mengqi in public, but privately, we’re supposed to call her Mama Mengqi!”

These words struck them like a bombshell, instantly detonating in the couple’s minds.

They simultaneously turned to each other. Both naturally understood that their daughter’s pregnancy hadn’t been normal, but they had always assumed that even with an abnormal pregnancy, the other parent would undoubtedly be a man.

Now, however, the couple was forced to confront a far less conventional possibility.

What if the ability user who had gotten their daughter pregnant all those years ago was, in fact, a woman? Their initial focus on finding a male culprit had been a mistake from the very beginning.

****

Meanwhile, Bai Mengqi and Zi Yanran had already departed from the Zi family estate.

Sitting in the car, they were already deep in conversation about moving in together.

“When you said ‘move out,’ did you mean move in with me? Please, my place is tiny. More importantly, I share it with my university classmate, and he still doesn’t know I’m a woman.”

Bai Mengqi was startled by Zi Yanran’s suggestion. ‘Has it really escalated to cohabitation so quickly?’ she thought.

She had assumed Zi Yanran merely wanted a change of scenery, a more comfortable place to live independently, but it seemed this unexpected trouble was now falling directly onto her.

Her cramped rental apartment immediately flashed through her mind, with its sparse furnishings and extremely limited space.

And if Zi Yanran were to move in, how would she explain it to her roommate? This was truly a monumental headache.

Zi Yanran, however, dismissed her concerns. “What does that matter?” she said. “Couldn’t you just say I’m your girlfriend? Besides, for boys your age, having a girlfriend—wouldn’t your friends be incredibly envious?”

A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes, and a faint smile played on her lips.

She, for one, thought her idea was quite brilliant.

As for Bai Mengqi’s roommate, in Zi Yanran’s view, it was a trivial issue that could be easily resolved with a bit of cleverness.

She also didn’t care about Bai Mengqi’s cramped rental. As long as they were together, living conditions could always be improved; after all, she wasn’t short on money.

Bai Mengqi quickly retorted, “Those are two entirely different things! Besides, you’re a big boss; why would you insist on living a hard life with me?”

She truly couldn’t grasp Zi Yanran’s reasoning, finding the entire idea utterly impractical.

Her own living situation was worlds apart from Zi Yanran’s; she toiled daily for rent, utilities, and various expenses, while Zi Yanran enjoyed a life of abundant comfort, free from material worries.

She truly couldn’t comprehend what reason Zi Yanran could possibly have to abandon such a comfortable environment and squeeze into her cramped rental apartment.

Could it be that simply because she was the children’s father, Zi Yanran had adopted a mindset of utter devotion, willing to adapt to her partner’s life no matter what?

Zi Yanran, with an unconcerned expression, replied, “My family used to be quite poor too; just consider this my return to simplicity. You yourself said we lack a foundation of love and need to adapt. How can we adapt if we don’t live together? You’re unwilling to move into my home, so I can only reluctantly move in with you.”

Her tone carried an undeniable resolve; she seemed to have already decided to live with Bai Mengqi.

In her view, if they were to build a true relationship with Bai Mengqi, they needed to adapt to each other in the minutiae of daily life, and living together was undoubtedly the best approach.

“But…” Bai Mengqi tried to interject, attempting once more to persuade Zi Yanran to change her mind.

Her lips trembled slightly as her mind raced, churning out reasons to make Zi Yanran understand the inappropriateness of the situation.

She certainly didn’t want Zi Yanran’s impulsive decision to bring too much trouble and distress into her life. She was far from ready to reveal her true identity to her friends and family.

“No more ‘buts’!” Zi Yanran interrupted Bai Mengqi. “Have you become a woman and completely lost your male way of thinking? Or are you saying you find me too old? Do you think I’m an old cow trying to eat young grass?”

These words struck Bai Mengqi’s sore spot, causing her to swallow back the protests she was about to utter.

She recalled her current awkward identity: though outwardly a woman, deep down, she still possessed a man’s thoughts and habits.

With Zi Yanran’s challenge, she found herself momentarily at a loss for a retort.

“I—I didn’t say that!” Bai Mengqi stammered, immediately caving in at Zi Yanran’s displeased expression. “Alright, fine, it’s not like I’m losing anything. But let’s get one thing straight: when we’re back at my place, I’ll be in my male form. You absolutely cannot expose my identity; I don’t want to ruin my friendships.”

She knew she couldn’t win an argument against Zi Yanran, so she could only agree for now, albeit with her own conditions.

What life would become once they lived together—this was the true source of Bai Mengqi’s internal conflict and confusion.

Upon hearing Bai Mengqi’s words, Zi Yanran merely smiled faintly. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I won’t cause you any trouble. I know my limits.”

Her eyes shone with confidence, as though she had already planned everything down to the last detail.

She eagerly anticipated the days they would spend living together, believing that during that time, they would come to understand each other better and their relationship would grow even more intimate.

“Hmph! I certainly hope so,” Bai Mengqi sighed deeply.

As for Zi Yanran, her gaze sparkled with both curiosity and mischief, as a truly incredible image kept replaying in her mind.

It was the thought of Bai Mengqi living with her university friends, all while disguised as a man.

Zi Yanran simply couldn’t fathom what methods Bai Mengqi employed to deceive those around her for such an extended period.

The smile at the corner of her mouth grew more pronounced as she secretly pondered the scene: if Bai Mengqi’s friends and family ever discovered her true identity, their expressions would surely be a spectacular show—a myriad of shock, bewilderment, and disbelief instantly painting their faces.

She suddenly found herself looking forward to that day. Of course, this was purely her curiosity at play.

More importantly, she felt that day wouldn’t be far off; Bai Mengqi’s true identity would eventually be known to all.