---
The world tilted slightly.
Lin Yue's mouth fell open.
Her eyes rounded as the words echoed in her mind.
Triplets.
She blinked.
"W-What?"
The doctor turned the monitor so she could see.
"Three heartbeats. Three sacs. Congratulations, young lady."
Lin Yue could only stare.
Her hands slowly moved to her belly.
There were three babies growing inside her.
Three.
And she hadn't even begun to figure out how to tell their father about one.
She swallowed.
What was she supposed to do now?
Lin Yue stared at the doctor, her eyes wide as her mind struggled to process the words.
"Triplets?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes. Three healthy gestational sacs, all showing strong heartbeats."
Lin Yue blinked. Her gaze shifted to the ultrasound monitor, then back to the doctor. "Are you sure? I mean… that's three… three babies."
The doctor chuckled softly. "Yes, I'm sure. I've been doing this for a while. And this," she pointed at the screen, "is very clear."
Lin Yue's shoulders sank against the soft pillow beneath her head as she stared up at the ceiling in disbelief.
What the heck…
Three tiny heartbeats growing inside her.
Three lives.
All at once.
"That's why your stomach is already showing a little earlier than expected," the doctor added kindly. "Carrying multiples tends to make you grow faster."
Lin Yue nodded numbly. "That's… that's actually why I came."
She placed a light hand on her belly.
Three. She still couldn't believe it.
The doctor looked at her a little more closely.
Her brows furrowed. "Miss Lin," she said softly. "Forgive me for asking, but… you came alone?"
Lin Yue blinked.
"Yes."
"Where is the father of the babies?" the doctor asked carefully. "You look very young… are you married?"
Lin Yue blinked, then gave a small smile.
"He's…" she paused. Her eyes dropped slightly.
The doctor misread her silence.
Her expression immediately shifted into sympathy. "Oh… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something painful. I shouldn't have asked."
Lin Yue blinked.
What?
Did she misunderstand something?
But before she could explain to her, the doctor was already helping her sit up.
"Let me write down a few important things," she said gently, guiding Lin Yue toward the desk. "With triplets, you'll need to be extra careful moving forward. But overall, you're healthy, and so are the babies."
She sat quietly on the seat, hand resting on her stomach, her eyes distant. Her heart thudded slowly as she thought about it all.
She needed to make Liang Yexuan remember her.
Before she started showing.
Before everything became irreversible.
The doctor then handed her a neatly folded piece of paper. "Here," she said, handing it over. "These are some precautions and reminders for early-stage multiple pregnancies. You'll need to come in for more regular checkups—at least once a month. But don't worry. You and the babies are doing well so far."
Lin Yue took the paper, smiling faintly. "Thank you, doctor."
The doctor gave her a small nod and watched her walk toward the door.
A faint murmur followed her out—
"Poor thing…"
—
Outside the hospital, Lin Yue stood on the edge of the sidewalk, her eyes scanning the ultrasound scan in her hands. Her fingers trembled slightly.
Three small sacs.
Three tiny dots.
Her heart fluttered. Her babies. Hers and Liang Yexuan's.
Her Ah Yan.
A wave of emotion rose in her chest—something too big to name.
Joy. Panic. Awe. Grief. Love.
What was she supposed to do now?
She pressed the paper gently to her chest, blinking against the sun.
'You three better behave in there,' she whispered silently. 'You already gave mommy the shock of her life.'
As she raised her hand to flag down a cab, a familiar voice called out behind her.
"Miss!"
She turned, slightly startled.
A young woman approached, dressed in a blue dress with her dark hair neatly tied in a soft bun.
Her expression was bright and gentle, her eyes widening with recognition.
"It really is you!" she exclaimed.
Lin Yue smiled in surprise. "Doctor?"
"You promised not to come again unless it was for a checkup," the woman teased lightly. "What happened this time? Don't tell me you fainted again."
Lin Yue laughed quietly. "No, no. Nothing like that. I'm just here for a checkup."
The doctor exhaled in relief. "Good. That's a relief." She stepped closer.
"So? How did it go? How's the baby?"
Lin Yue hesitated for a beat.
Then she smiled sheepishly and handed her the scan. "Well… babies."
The doctor blinked, then took the paper.
Her eyes widened.
"Triplets?!" she burst out, then laughed. "Wow. I guess you're aiming for a soccer team."
Lin Yue giggled.
"Have they given you a care sheet? Advice on how to handle it?"
"Yes," Lin Yue nodded. "They said I'm healthy and the babies are growing well."
"Good. Very good," the doctor said, nodding in approval. "If you ever have any worries, come find me. I'm also a gynecologist here. My office is two floors up."
Lin Yue's expression brightened. "Really? That's great to know. I'm Lin Yue, by the way."
The doctor smiled warmly. "I'm Chen Xiaoran. You can just call me Doctor Chen."
"Alright, Doctor Chen," Lin Yue said with a grateful smile.
Chen Xiaoran gave a small wave. "It's getting late. Take care of yourself, Lin Yue. Bye-bye."
"Bye, Doctor Chen."
"Take care of those little ones!"
Lin Yue waved as she turned back to the road.
She raised her hand and flagged down a cab.
---
On the other side of the street, a black Rolls Royce was parked by the curb.
Inside, Liang Yexuan sat in the backseat, his brows furrowed as he spoke coldly into the phone.
"I'm busy," he said flatly.
His grandfather's voice crackled through the speaker. "Busy? I told you to come home. Now."
Liang Yexuan leaned back, jaw tight.
"I'll come later," he said. "I have something to deal with first."
There was a scoff from the other end. "Always something to deal with. One day that temper of yours will—"
Liang Yexuan hung up.
The air inside the car turned icy.
In the front seat, Jin Shu turned his head to glance outside.
His eyes scanned casually.
Then they stopped.
He blinked.
"Sir…" he said cautiously. "Isn't that Miss Lin?"
Liang Yexuan's brows twitched.
He followed Jin Shu's gaze across the street.
---