After the wedding, their careers gradually settled into a steady rhythm. Season Yu, riding the prestige of his Olympic championship, regained his previous endorsements.

 

Shi Xing, thanks to her excellent performance over the past months, was promoted once again by Yu Jing.

 

Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction.

 

Even faster than their progress was Ying Xiaoxiao and Xie He’s. One quiet morning, the two suddenly handed them a wedding invitation, without giving much explanation.

 

Shi Xing froze, and Season Yu, glancing casually, finally asked, “You two?”

 

Xie He twitched his lips, then coughed lightly and announced, “Our wedding will be on the 3rd of next month at Maple Hall.”

 

Before Shi Xing or Season Yu could react further, the pair quickly left, leaving no room for follow-up questions. Shi Xing picked up the invitation and stared at it in disbelief. “That’s… really fast!”

 

Season Yu smiled faintly, saying nothing further.

 

Even more surprising, not long after their wedding, Ying Xiaoxiao soon became pregnant.

 

The sudden news shocked not only the public and netizens but Shi Xing and Season Yu as well.

 

On the day Ying Xiaoxiao went into labor, Shi Xing took a few days off to accompany her. Late at night, when the room was empty, Ying Xiaoxiao suddenly grasped her hand and murmured, “I never thought… I’d be the first of us to have a child.”

 

Shi Xing patted her shoulder, memories of their late-night college dorm chats coming to mind, when both had resisted the idea of having kids. She laughed softly.

 

“At first, I didn’t think much about it either,” Ying Xiaoxiao admitted. “But after finding out… feeling the little heartbeat in my belly, it gave me this strange, wonderful feeling.”

 

“I’m still a bit scared for tomorrow,” she said, voice trembling slightly.

 

Shi Xing listened quietly in the darkness. Though Ying Xiaoxiao appeared carefree on the surface, Shi Xing realized there was a sensitive side deep within her.

 

After a pause, Shi Xing reassured her: “It’s okay. I’ll be here with you all the way.”

 

The next day, when Ying Xiaoxiao was pushed into the delivery room, Xie He stood by her side, having coordinated his training schedule just to be present.

 

Perhaps because of marriage, Shi Xing noticed that Xie He seemed more composed and responsible than before.

 

When the surgery room doors opened, the doctor emerged holding a crying newborn. Shi Xing hurried forward, while Xie He went to talk with Ying Xiaoxiao.

 

Seeing the family of three together, Shi Xing felt a wave of warmth. Later, when Season Yu came to pick her up, they walked silently through the summer night. The humid air clung to them like syrup, street lamps cast dappled shadows through the leaves, forming a soft, fragmented pattern on the ground.

 

Shi Xing tugged on his sleeve and said suddenly, “Xiaoxiao had a boy.”

 

Season Yu’s gaze fell slightly, and he replied softly.

 

She looked up at him. Over the past year of marriage, family elders had subtly hinted at having children, especially Wei Shufen, who often mentioned other families welcoming grandchildren.

 

Season Yu had always deflected such comments, joking that they were too busy with training and not ready yet.

 

At first, Shi Xing had been hesitant about having children, but over time, seeing peers start families, her perspective changed. However, she hadn’t yet brought it up with Season Yu, especially since early in their marriage she had requested to wait. Season Yu had been indifferent, even believing life together without children could be happy. Now that her feelings had changed, she felt an inexplicable warmth—and a faint sting on her cheeks.

 

Back home, the couple was greeted by Ji Yu, eager for attention after their busy day. Shi Xing gently patted him, while Season Yu closed the door and went to the kitchen.

 

Since marrying, he had been attentive and thoughtful in ways that often made her forget he was younger. Watching him in the kitchen, Shi Xing hesitated, wondering if she should bring up her idea—but his earlier reaction suggested he hadn’t understood her hint.

 

She bit her lip nervously, face flushing at the thought of initiating the conversation.

 

When Season Yu returned, noticing her expression, he raised an eyebrow, thinking she was just hot. “Should I turn the AC down?”

 

Her blush deepened from her ears to her cheeks.

 

Later, while watching TV together on the sofa, a family scene of a father, mother, and child played on the screen. Shi Xing glanced at Season Yu, who stared silently at the screen, thoughts unreadable.

 

Seizing the moment, she leaned on his shoulder. “Do you… want to try tonight?”

 

Her words faltered, and she lowered her head, embarrassed. Season Yu, understanding immediately, smiled darkly. “Why the sudden thought?”

 

Shi Xing froze, misreading his expression as reluctance. Before she could dwell on it, Season Yu lifted her into his arms.

 

In the dim light of the bedroom, he placed her on the table, bringing them inches apart. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting shadows that highlighted his sharp features. He lowered his gaze, breath warm against her skin. “You haven’t told me why yet.”

 

His deep, magnetic voice carried heat as it whispered by her ear.

 

The quiet room seemed charged with unspoken tension. Shi Xing shivered and whispered, “I just… thought of it suddenly.”

 

Her voice grew softer and uncertain. Season Yu looked at her seriously, teasing lightly, “Did they start nagging you again?”

 

She shook her head firmly. “I thought of it myself.”

 

Season Yu smiled faintly. Thinking she was trying to move, she attempted to step off the table, but he caught her.

 

Next, he kissed her. Shi Xing hesitated briefly, then clung to him, returning the kiss. The world seemed to melt away, and his touch rained over her like gentle droplets.

 

She let out a soft “mm,” allowing him to carry her to the bed. Moonlight filtered through the window, the warmth in the room rising, casting their intertwined figures onto the wall.

 

Despite the intensity of that night, Shi Xing returned to her routine the next day. But while guiding another athlete in rehab, she suddenly felt dizzy, lost her appetite for lunch, and even experienced nausea.

 

Season Yu noticed her symptoms after training and asked thoughtfully, “Has your period come this month?”

 

Shi Xing immediately understood. The day had arrived suddenly.

 

Pregnancy brought subtle changes throughout her body, especially emotionally. Season Yu even hired a professional caregiver to look after her.

 

Everything progressed smoothly until the day before her delivery, when sudden nervousness gripped her. Opening her eyes, she found Season Yu silently sitting beside her.

 

“Tomorrow, I’ll be here,” he said firmly, giving her courage.

 

The next day, the delivery room lights shone, and Season Yu stood quietly in the corner. Xie He teased him, “Never thought I’d see you like this.”

 

When the doctor opened the door, Season Yu rushed toward Shi Xing without even glancing at the baby.

 

Ying Xiaoxiao and Xie He examined the newborn, whose faintly flushed face still revealed refined features.

 

“Why not arrange a future match for the kid with Xie Cheng’en?” Xie He suggested jokingly.

 

Ying Xiaoxiao smacked him lightly. “If Season Yu knew you were thinking about it this early, he’d come after you.”

 

Shi Xing listened to the playful chatter outside, squinting to see who was approaching. As Season Yu’s figure drew closer, she recognized him.

 

“Our baby,” she whispered hoarsely.

 

Season Yu took her hand. “Safely born.”

 

She frowned. “You didn’t tell me if it’s a boy or girl, or if they’re cute?”

 

He smiled faintly. “I haven’t looked yet.”

 

Shi Xing frowned. He whispered, “But I’m sure they’ll be beautiful… their parents are quite good-looking.”

 

Shi Xing laughed. Season Yu pressed her hand against his cheek softly. “Let’s give her a name.”

 

After pondering, Shi Xing said, “Ji Zhiyi.”

 

Over time, little Moonlight learned to speak and charmed everyone with her cleverness. Her clingy nature emerged, often leaving Shi Xing and Season Yu without private moments.

 

One day, Season Yu picked her up from kindergarten. She bounded out with her little backpack, and seeing the familiar Maybach, instantly behaved obediently.

 

She tilted her head and sweetly said, “Mom, Dad, why are you here so early?”

 

Season Yu glanced at her, low laughter escaping. “Did Xie Cheng’en say you hit him again?”

 

She pouted. “That brat, tattling again!” Then, smiling, she added, “No, we were just playing.”

 

Her quick expression changes amazed Shi Xing, who wouldn’t have believed it without seeing it herself.

 

Season Yu remained silent, then seriously asked, “Let’s set that aside. Tell me about your exams.”

 

“The teacher said your grades dropped quite a bit. What happened?”

 

Moonlight couldn’t respond properly. Shi Xing tried to mediate, but Moonlight suddenly cried, saying, “You’re mad at me! I’m already stressed, and you blame me?”

 

Season Yu didn’t stop. “Then tonight, we’ll take you to your grandmother’s to relax. They miss you anyway.”

 

Moonlight stopped crying immediately, but before refusing, Season Yu drove to Lin Jue’s, quickly explained a few things, and then pulled Shi Xing away.

 

Hearing Moonlight calling behind them, Shi Xing frowned. “Is this okay?”

 

Season Yu shook his head. “You spoil her too much. We haven’t had our time together in years.”

 

Shi Xing laughed, remembering how Moonlight always appeared at the worst moments, clinging to them.

 

At the restaurant, they quickly found their seats thanks to a prior reservation.

 

Looking around at the New Year decorations, Shi Xing sighed. “A new year has begun.”

 

Season Yu smiled and handed her a gift he had prepared for a long time. Expecting an expensive necklace or bracelet, Shi Xing froze when she opened it.

 

“What do you think? Like it?” he asked.

 

She stared at the land purchase contract. “You…?”

 

He met her gaze. “Watching you work over the years, I thought… if I hadn’t been so selfish, tricking you into the Sports Bureau, you might have already been pursuing your studies in Chinese medicine.”

 

Guilt and helplessness flickered in his eyes.

 

Shi Xing shook her head. He continued, “So I bought this plot of land to help you fulfill your childhood dream—owning your own Chinese medicine clinic.”

 

Her eyes welled up. “But opening a clinic now… it could be risky.”

 

“Profit is yours, loss is mine,” he said confidently, lips curling.

 

Shi Xing smiled faintly, then quickly kissed him before he could react.

 

After dinner, stepping outside, the New Year bell rang, and cheers filled the air. She looked at the countless balloons in the sky and asked curiously, “If we hadn’t reconciled, what would you have done?”

 

He paused, then replied slowly, “I’d be alone.”

 

“Not even consider seeing someone else?”

 

He shook his head firmly. “From start to finish, only you.”

 

Shi Xing felt a soft place in her heart stirred. She smiled faintly, nodding.

 

The next night, Moonlight insisted on going out again, eyelashes long and eyes glistening, endearing as ever.

 

Shi Xing agreed, and Moonlight used the opportunity to buy all her favorite toys.

 

Walking home, Season Yu carried two large bags, then pointed across the street.

 

Shi Xing looked up. The familiar convenience store sign brought back memories. Moonlight called out behind them, “Mom, Dad, wait for me!”

 

Laughing, Shi Xing said, “Remember the wish we made here during that winter solstice?”

 

Season Yu nodded.

 

“I wished that one day we could have a stable life in Jinggang City. Now, it’s come true.”

 

“What about you?” she asked curiously.

 

He squinted slightly, a faint smile on his lips. “I hope to be with you.”

 

—The End—