Chapter 3

The night passed in a haze of chatter and laughter, the three of them offering me more comfort than I ever could have imagined in such a strange and overwhelming situation. As we prepared for the morning's screening, there was an undercurrent of nervousness that lingered, but we all tried to push it aside for the time being.

The next morning came too quickly. The sunlight filtered softly through the windows, casting a warm glow on the room. I had barely slept, my thoughts too tangled and my mind too restless. I couldn't help but think about the future—the future that had suddenly become so much more complicated with my new reality. My heart fluttered with anxiety as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. The body staring back at me wasn't mine, but it was now my responsibility.

As I brushed my hair and tried to steady my hands, I couldn't shake the feeling that the moment I stepped out of this house and into the world, everything would change. My life—no, Xui Bai's life—was in limbo, and there was no guarantee that I could ever go back to who I was, or that I even wanted to.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and walked out of the bathroom, where Zu Mu and Chen Na were waiting. 

"We ready?" Zu Mu asked, her energy already high, despite the early hour.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Let's go."

We made our way to the clinic, with Mr. Mu joining us in the car. The drive was filled with light conversation, but it didn't take away the knot of tension in my stomach. The closer we got, the heavier the air felt. This screening—this test—could reveal so much. What if the babies weren't healthy? What if something was wrong?

But I couldn't dwell on those thoughts, not with the steady support of my friends beside me. The drive seemed to take forever, but soon enough, we arrived at the clinic. The building was modern, clean, and full of busy people going about their day. My nerves spiked as we entered, the sterile smell of the place reminding me of every doctor's office I'd ever been to, only this time, the stakes were far higher.

We checked in, and after a short wait, a nurse led us to a private room. The examination table was daunting, a simple white sheet covering it, and I couldn't help but feel a bit vulnerable. As I sat down on the edge of the bed, I glanced at Zu Mu and Chen Na, who had sat in chairs next to me, giving me reassuring smiles.

"Everything will be fine," Zu Mu said, her voice calm, but there was an edge to it, as though she was trying to convince herself just as much as she was trying to convince me.

I nodded, my lips pressed into a thin line. "I hope so."

A few moments later, the doctor came in—an older woman with kind eyes and a no-nonsense attitude. She introduced herself, and after a few routine questions, she started the examination. I tried my best to relax as she moved about, checking the usual things. The ultrasound was next, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of nervousness. What would the scan reveal?

As the doctor moved the wand across my stomach, I felt a slight pressure, followed by a soft humming sound. I stared at the screen, watching as the blurry shapes began to take form. There, in front of me, were the babies. Three of them—tiny, but so real.

The doctor looked up, a smile crossing her face. "It's looking very good. All three are healthy. And you're around four months along, just like you thought."

Relief flooded through me, but the overwhelming sensation of reality hit me all at once. I wasn't just taking care of myself anymore. There were lives inside of me—three little souls I had to protect, no matter the circumstances.

After a few more checks and reassurances, the doctor left the room, giving us time to digest the news. The tension that had been choking me started to ease, but a sense of responsibility settled into my chest. These babies, these lives, were depending on me.

I turned to my friends, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice shaky. "I don't know how I would've gotten through this without you."

Chen Na smiled softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "We're with you, Xui Bai. Always."

As we left the clinic, the world outside seemed both the same and yet entirely different. I felt a shift, a transformation I couldn't quite put into words. I wasn't just living in someone else's life anymore—I was part of it, for better or worse.

The next few days passed in a blur of doctor visits and preparations. Mr. Mu kept his promise and arranged for Xui Bai's living situation, finding her a small house that was within the budget and private enough for what she needed. I started to settle into this life, though the nagging thought in the back of my mind—about my own life, the one I had left behind—never quite left me.

But for now, there was a new world in front of me, and three little lives that were depending on me to get it right. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough to keep me going.

As the days moved forward, I found myself trying to juggle multiple responsibilities, though everything seemed to revolve around a single, undeniable truth: I was carrying three lives, and I had to do everything in my power to ensure their future. But there was something else that tugged at me—something I had to face soon, something that had been hanging over my head since the day I had woken up in Xui Bai's body.

I had to talk to Jia Du's father.

The weight of this meeting loomed large in my mind. Not just because of the financial conversation that awaited me—though that was important—but because I had no idea how Jia Du's father would react to the reality of my pregnancy. I had been avoiding thinking too much about the situation, but now, with the babies growing inside me and the reality of my situation solidifying with each passing day, I knew I couldn't delay it any longer. 

"Have you thought about what you're going to say?" Zu Mu asked, her voice steady as we sat in the living room. She had insisted we take a moment to talk before I had to meet with Jia Du's father. Her eyes searched mine, the intensity of her gaze making it clear that she wasn't just concerned for me; she was concerned for everyone involved.

I nodded, though I wasn't as confident as I sounded. "I have. I'll just be honest with him. The babies need stability, and I don't know if I can provide for them on my own, at least not with what little Xui Bai has left." I paused, trying to steady the tremble in my voice. "He's going to want to know about the financial situation, about the future."

"You don't have to carry this burden alone," Zu Mu said softly. "We'll help you, Xui Bai. But you should go in there strong. You need to show him that you're not just a scared girl. You're a mother now, and you've got your life to think about. Don't let him think you're some naïve little thing."

Her words resonated deep within me. I had to shed whatever remnants of weakness Xui Bai's body carried. The girl I was now had to be someone stronger—someone who could stand her ground, someone who could protect her children, and someone who could demand what was necessary for their future.

I stood up, determination washing over me like a wave. "I can do this. I have to."

Zu Mu gave me a knowing smile, then stood to follow me. "Good. You've got this."

The meeting with Jia Du's father was set for that afternoon. When we arrived at his office, I felt the weight of the world settle on my shoulders. The room was immaculate, filled with expensive furniture and polished wood, giving off a sense of power and control that made my stomach churn. Jia Du's father, a man who radiated confidence and authority, sat behind a large desk, his expression unreadable.

"Xui Bai," he greeted me with a nod, his voice low and commanding. "It's good that you came. Let's discuss this situation."

I felt a knot tighten in my throat but pushed it aside, forcing myself to focus. This was my chance to secure the future I wanted—not just for myself, but for the babies. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, sitting down across from him.

"I know this is a lot to take in," I began, my voice firm but not too cold, "but I'm carrying three of your grandson's children, and I need help."

The words felt strange leaving my mouth, but they had to be said. Jia Du's father raised an eyebrow, his expression sharp as he studied me. He was quiet for a moment, clearly processing what I had just said, and it was in that silence that I realized just how strong he was—how collected he remained despite the circumstances. His eyes were calculating, assessing everything—me, the situation, the future.

"I understand," he said finally, his voice clipped but not unkind. "What do you need, Xui Bai?"

I exhaled, my chest tightening as I fought to maintain control. "I need financial stability for myself and the children. I want to ensure their futures, and that means I need a secure home, funds to support them, and the resources to raise them without relying on anyone else. I'm willing to take what you offer, but it has to be enough to guarantee that I can provide for them properly."

Jia Du's father's gaze softened slightly, but there was no sense of pity in his eyes. Just practicality.

"I'll give you what you need," he said calmly, "but you will have to prove that you are capable of raising them on your own. This is not a handout—it is an investment."

I nodded, fully aware of what he meant. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure they grow up strong and healthy. I don't want anyone to think I'm incapable just because of my age or the situation I'm in."

Jia Du's father leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought he might turn me away, but then he spoke again.

"I'll provide you with a house, within reason," he said, his tone final. "And I will give you enough money to get by. But you will be responsible for your own choices moving forward."

His offer wasn't as generous as I had hoped, but it was enough to get me started. And for that, I would be grateful. I wasn't going to let this moment slip through my fingers, not when my children's futures depended on it.

"Thank you," I said, my voice sincere. "I won't let you down."

He gave me a curt nod, signaling the end of our conversation. As I left his office, I felt the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders. But this time, it felt manageable. I wasn't doing this alone.

As I walked out, Zu Mu caught my eye, giving me a small, supportive smile. "You handled that well," she said quietly. "I'm proud of you."

I felt a small flutter of pride in my chest. I had done it. I had stood my ground.

But I couldn't forget one thing. 

In this strange new world, in this body that was not mine, I had to be someone stronger. Someone unshakeable. I had to be the mother my children deserved.

And with that, I walked forward—stronger than I had ever been before.