Evergreen Cemetery.
A calico cat with a crescent-shaped mark sat before a gravestone, its round eyes brimming with tears. The woman in the photo on the tombstone had a gentle smile and determined eyes.
The cat stood up, lightly brushing its tiny paw over the woman’s picture before nuzzling its head against it. Then, with great effort, it opened its mouth and called out—
“Mama…”
This was the surprise Yaya had practiced for so long, just for Shen Zhiqiu.
But now that she could finally, as a little cat, call her “Mama”—Shen Zhiqiu could no longer hear her.
Exhausted, Yaya curled up at the foot of the tombstone, her consciousness fading.
Mama, if there’s a next life… I still want to be your daughter.
Mama, if only time could turn back—to the moment I was born.
This time, I’ll protect you. I’ll make sure you see the truth about our family, so no one can hurt you again.
And I’ll fix the misunderstandings between you and Dad… so you know how much he loves you.
A sudden gust of wind howled, dark clouds rolled in, and then—
A golden lightning bolt struck.
…
1987, People’s Hospital Delivery Room.
“It’s a girl!”
Shen Zhiqiu, weak but relieved, struggled to lift her head as the baby’s loud cries filled the room.
“Ersao (Second Sister-in-law), how is she?” she asked urgently.
“She looks perfectly healthy,” Meng Fang replied, cradling the newborn. “I’ll take her to Pediatrics for a full checkup soon.”
She brought the baby closer, her face lighting up. “Zhiqiu, look—she’s beautiful! In all my years as a midwife, I’ve never seen a baby this lovely. She’s got the best of you and Mingyuan!”
But Shen Zhiqiu wasn’t listening. Her entire world had narrowed to the tiny life in Meng Fang’s arms.
The baby had thick black hair, plump pink cheeks, and wide, curious eyes that darted around the room—until they locked onto Shen Zhiqiu.
For a moment, the baby’s lips trembled as if she might cry. But then, as if holding back, she hiccuped… and suddenly broke into a toothless, dimpled grin.
So… cute.
Shen Zhiqiu’s heart melted. Gently, as if touching porcelain, she brushed a fingertip against the baby’s cheek.
[Mama! It’s really you!]
She’d actually been reborn!
Overjoyed, Yaya grabbed Shen Zhiqiu’s finger.
“Look, she’s smiling at you!” Meng Fang laughed, bouncing the baby lightly. “Do you like Mama, little one?”
Yaya waved a tiny fist in response, making Meng Fang gasp. “Heavens, this child is brilliant!”
But when Shen Zhiqiu didn’t react, Meng Fang frowned. “Zhiqiu? Are you—”
She froze.
Shen Zhiqiu was staring at the baby with an expression Meng Fang couldn’t decipher—somewhere between shock, suspicion, and… disgust?
…Oh no.
Meng Fang’s heart sank. She’d hoped motherhood would soften Shen Zhiqiu, but it seemed even a child couldn’t change her.
Was she really as cold-hearted as they said?
Or worse—had her sister been right? That after the incident, Shen Zhiqiu had lost her mind? That she’d deliberately induced early labor because she never wanted this baby?
Protectively, Meng Fang tightened her grip on the infant and turned away.
The movement tugged at Shen Zhiqiu’s finger, still clutched in Yaya’s tiny hand, snapping her out of her daze.
She had no idea Meng Fang had misunderstood her. She was too busy reeling from the voice she’d just heard—a child’s voice, clear as day, inside her head.
Was she hallucinating?
There were no other babies here. No children at all.
Unless…
[Mama’s so pretty… I wanna hug her! I wanna snuggle!]
As if answering her thoughts, the voice chirped again.
Yaya pulled Shen Zhiqiu’s finger toward her face, nuzzling against it like a kitten.
Shen Zhiqiu’s breath caught. Without thinking, she murmured, “Ersao… let me hold her.”
“You’re too weak right now,” Meng Fang said firmly. “You might drop her.”
She didn’t dare hand the baby over. In fact, she was starting to think it’d be safer if Shen Zhiqiu never held her.
“I’ll take her to Pediatrics now,” she said briskly. “If everything checks out, she’ll go to the nursery.”
[NO!]
Yaya’s joy vanished.
She remembered now—last time, on the way to Pediatrics, Meng Fang had run into that witch (her so-called “grandmother”). The old woman had insisted on carrying her… and when no one was looking, she’d driven a cursed silver needle into Yaya’s fontanelle, stealing her luck.
That was why she’d died before her first month.
Why her family had fallen apart.
And why that witch had climbed to wealth and power—using Yaya’s stolen fortune.
[Mama, don’t let her take me! Grandma will kill me!]
[MAMA, SAVE ME!]
She burst into tears, tiny fists flailing. But what could a swaddled newborn do?
Nothing.
Except cry.
And hope her mother would listen.
Because if she didn’t—
Game over. Again.
…
Shen Zhiqiu’s chest tightened at the baby’s wails. Before she could think, her hand shot out, gripping Meng Fang’s arm.
“Wait!”
“What are you—?!” Meng Fang scolded, shoving her back onto the bed. “You’ll hurt yourself!”
“Ersao, please…” Shen Zhiqiu panted. “Wait for Mingyuan. Let him see her first. And… I’ve heard there are child traffickers in hospitals lately. I’m scared.”
To her surprise, Meng Fang’s expression softened. “Alright,” she conceded. “We’ll wait for Mingyuan.”
Just then, a nurse rushed in, flustered.
“Doctor Meng! There are—there are soldiers outside! They’re asking about the mother and child!”
