Chapter 8

After I finished loading up the supplies into my car, I realized that my tiny sedan wasn't going to be enough for what I needed. I was going to have three babies, and I couldn't just rely on a small car. I needed something bigger—something that could carry me, my friends, and the little ones once they were born. So, I made my way to a dealership that was known for having spacious vehicles.

Walking through the lot, I scanned the available cars, my eyes landing on a large van. It looked like it could comfortably fit twelve people. Perfect. It wasn't exactly sleek or stylish, but it had the space and practicality I needed. I made my way inside the dealership, feeling a sense of urgency in my chest. Time was ticking, and I had so much to prepare.

I was greeted by a salesman almost immediately. "Good afternoon, miss! Looking for something with plenty of space?" he asked, a practiced smile on his face.

I nodded. "Yeah, I need something that can fit twelve people, preferably with good safety features and enough room for some supplies."

"Perfect, we've got just the thing," he said, leading me toward the van I had spotted earlier. He started listing off the features as I pretended to listen, my mind more focused on the logistics of what I was doing than on the car itself.

But then, just as I was about to step inside the van, I felt a strange shift in the air. It was subtle at first, like a crackle of energy. Then, I heard footsteps approaching, slow and deliberate, as if someone was walking with a sense of purpose.

I turned my head instinctively, my eyes landing on a man who seemed to almost glow in the sunlight. He was tall—well over six feet, at least 2 meters. His build was lean but powerful, exuding an undeniable confidence. He had sharp, aristocratic features, but what really caught my attention were his eyes. They were a striking golden hue, like molten gold, glowing with a strange intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

I couldn't look away.

He was stunning. His sharp jawline, strong nose, and full lips made him seem like something out of a dream. His black hair was slightly messy, like he had just stepped out of a windstorm, and his posture was so relaxed, yet regal, that it almost felt like he was above everyone around him.

As he drew closer, I noticed a strange, magnetic pull toward him. It was as if something deep within me was reacting to his presence, though I couldn't figure out why. 

"Excuse me," the salesman said, clearly flustered as the man approached. "Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

The tall man's golden eyes flicked to the salesman, then landed on me. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. His gaze was unwavering, almost as if he was studying me. I felt my breath hitch in my throat.

The man's lips curled into a slight smile, though it was more mysterious than welcoming. "I'm just here to look," he said in a low, rich voice that sent a shiver down my spine.

His gaze never left me. It was intense, but there was something familiar about it. Something that made my chest tighten.

I quickly turned my attention back to the van, hoping to shake the strange feeling that had come over me. I could hear the man's footsteps as he passed by, but I could feel his presence lingering in the air like a storm waiting to break.

I tried to ignore the growing sense of discomfort mixed with fascination. What was it about him? Why did he feel so... important?

Shaking my head, I refocused on the task at hand. I wasn't here for distractions. I needed to buy the van, get back home, and finish preparing.

But just as I was about to step into the van, I felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to turn around. Slowly, I did, and found the man still standing just a few feet away, watching me with that intense golden stare.

"Do I know you?" I asked before I could stop myself, my voice slightly raspy from the unease stirring inside me.

For a moment, he didn't answer. He just kept looking at me with that unnervingly deep gaze, as if he was searching for something.

Then, finally, his lips parted, and he said, "Not yet. But you will."

The air between us seemed to crackle with energy, and I couldn't quite place why, but everything in me screamed that this man—this stranger—was somehow connected to my future. Connected to everything that was coming, whether I was ready for it or not.

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd with effortless grace, leaving me standing there, heart racing, trying to make sense of the brief interaction.

What did he mean by that? And why did I feel like he was someone I needed to remember?

After the revelation at the restaurant, life took on a whirlwind of changes. Jian Ren, true to his word, became a steady presence in my life. He wasn't overbearing but made it clear he intended to be involved. It was hard to reconcile his demeanor—firm yet surprisingly gentle—with the fact that he was part of one of the strongest Chinese mafia families.

At twenty-seven, Jian Ren was the second in line for leadership, his older sister, Jian Li, being the first. Despite the dangerous reputation of their family, they seemed surprisingly...normal. Jian Ren informed his family about the babies shortly after our meeting, and their reactions were not what I had expected.

The first time I met his mother, Madam Jian, I was bracing for judgment, skepticism, or outright rejection. Instead, I was met with warmth and enthusiasm.

"I never thought I'd have grandchildren from this stubborn boy!" Madam Jian exclaimed, clasping my hands in hers as soon as she saw me. She was an elegant woman in her late fifties, her demeanor refined but her excitement barely contained. "And triplets, no less. You've given me a gift I could never repay."

Her sincerity left me speechless. Beside her, Jian Ren's sister, Jian Li, grinned, her arm around her seven-year-old daughter, Jian Xin.

"You've done the impossible," Jian Li said, her tone light but genuine. "He's been so focused on work and the family business that we all thought he'd never settle down. But now, not only do I get a sister-in-law, but nieces and nephews too."

The casual use of "sister-in-law" made me nearly choke on my tea, but Jian Ren didn't react, calmly sipping his drink as if it were a foregone conclusion.

Jian Xin, her sharp, inquisitive eyes a mirror of her mother's, beamed at me. "I can't wait to meet the babies! I'll help take care of them!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and despite my initial reservations, I found myself relaxing around the Jian family. They weren't what I expected from a mafia family, though their sharp intellect and commanding presence were unmistakable.

Jian Ren began visiting regularly, often bringing his mother or sister along. Madam Jian would dote on me, bringing health supplements, traditional tonics, and hearty meals she insisted I eat for the sake of the babies. Jian Ren was a consistent, calming presence, his quiet confidence reassuring even when I felt overwhelmed.

One day, while we were sitting in the living room after dinner, Jian Ren handed me a sleek black card.

"What's this?" I asked, holding it gingerly as if it might bite.

"A black card," he said simply. "From my father. He's busy as the CEO of Jian Conglomerate, but he asked me to pass this on to ensure you and the babies have everything you need."

I hesitated, my pride warring with practicality. "I don't need—"

"It's not for you," Jian Ren interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. "It's for the children. Think of it as their inheritance. Use it as you see fit."

Madam Jian nodded approvingly. "He's right. My husband may not say much, but this is his way of showing his support. You're family now, and the children's well-being comes first."

The word "family" struck a chord, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. Eventually, I nodded, tucking the card into my wallet. "Thank you."

As the weeks passed, Jian Ren's involvement grew. He accompanied me to doctor's appointments, where the obstetrician confirmed the babies were developing perfectly. Knowing I was having two boys and a girl made everything feel more real. Jian Ren listened intently as the doctor explained milestones and preparations, his focus unwavering.

In quieter moments, I found myself learning more about him. Despite his intimidating title, Jian Ren was thoughtful and incredibly organized. His life had been a constant balance between the expectations of his family's empire and his personal ambitions. The revelation that I had a man's soul in a woman's body didn't seem to faze him in the slightest.

"You're strong," he told me one evening, his golden eyes holding mine. "Stronger than most people I know. You've handled all of this with more grace than I've seen from anyone. That's why I know you'll be an incredible mother."

His words left me speechless, a warmth spreading through my chest that I wasn't ready to confront.

Jian Li and Madam Jian became regular visitors, helping me prepare the nursery and giving me advice. Jian Li's daughter, Jian Xin, took her role as "big cousin" seriously, drawing pictures for the babies and talking to my belly as if they could already hear her.

The house, now fully furnished and cozy, became a hub of activity. Despite everything, I felt a sense of stability I hadn't expected. Even as I quietly prepared for the apocalypse, filling my spatial storage with supplies and necessities, I found myself relying more on the Jian family.

And Jian Ren, with his quiet strength and unwavering support, was becoming someone I could trust—not just as the father of my children, but as a partner in the chaos that life had become.