The First Love of The Male Lead’s Deadly Rival – Chapter 119 (END)

Afterwards 6

In the cold winter of the twelfth lunar month, Duan Ye received the twelfth postcard from Jiang Yumo.

As he closed the shop door, he looked at the postcard. The familiar handwriting read:

[Surprised, aren’t you? This is from the snowy mountains, I can’t describe it, but I really like it, just like how I like you. This is the twelfth postcard, and I find it very meaningful.

So, Mr. Duan Ye, I’m going to work some magic here. Collecting twelve postcards can summon me and grant you a wish!

Think carefully about what you want; as long as it’s something I can do, I’ll make it come true.

Thank you for your unwavering love all these years.]

Does she like the number 12?

He was contemplating it when suddenly he heard a horn honking. Looking over, he saw her car parked by the roadside.

It was another unexpected visit, or you could say, a surprise.

Jiang Yumo had to admit, this was a surprise inspection.

Ever since she discovered that the owner of the noodle shop on this street always gave Duan Ye an extra spoonful of shredded pork, she had been paying special attention.

Duan Ye explained that one time the owner couldn’t park her car properly, so he helped her park it, and that was it.

Jiang Yumo stood with her hands on her hips, not caring about the details.

Duan Ye laughed happily, as if he had won a big prize.

The owner of the noodle shop was really kind. After learning that she was Duan Ye’s fiancée, she also enjoyed this treatment. Every time they went to buy noodles, the owner would smile and give her an extra spoonful of fried sauce. It was so delicious!

“Didn’t you say you’re coming tomorrow?”

When Duan Ye came over, Jiang Yumo wanted to slack off.

She opened the car door, got out, walked around to the other side, and sat in the passenger seat. Her intention was obvious : she wanted him to be the driver so she could rest.

“Today was supposed to be a gathering, but the captain’s wife started labor, so we had to postpone it. I figured there’s nothing for me to do alone over there, so I might as well come back,” Jiang Yumo explained, catching a glimpse of a postcard peeking out of his pocket and smiled. “Did you receive it? Anything you wish, I can fulfill it.”

Duan Ye remained silent.

Jiang Yumo made speculations on her own, “Is it new mobile phone?”

Duan Ye shook his head, “It still works, I don’t want to change it.”

“The screen is cracked, though.”

“An old classmate opened a shop to repair phones. I inquired, and it’ll only cost a few hundred yuan to replace the screen.”

Jiang Yumo didn’t know what else to say.

Duan Ye was very thrifty and hardly spent any money. Last summer, they spent almost two months searching for a house before finally settling on one, which they bought with her housing provident fund loan. However, it couldn’t cover everything, so they still had to pay a portion each month. They bought a pre-owned house, already received the keys, but weren’t completely satisfied with the interior. Since it was going to be their home for a very long time, they didn’t want to compromise and decided to renovate it after tearing down what they could. They planned to hire a professional designer and redo the entire interior.

In reality, with their incomes, paying the mortgage and for the renovation didn’t put much pressure on them.

He probably had his own persistence, like wanting to provide her with a better life. That’s why he worked so hard and spent so little money. Aside from the working capital for his shop, he gave all his money to her.

“What about car?” Jiang Yumo asked.

She had also saved some money, and her parents had given her a sum of money for her wedding, making her a wealthy woman with a considerable savings account.

Duan Ye looked at her in surprise, “Don’t you already have one?”

Jiang Yumo : “…”

When she bought this car at that time, she thought it was cute and suitable for her.

But Duan Ye, who was tall and big, always had to adjust the seat when driving her car, which felt very cramped.

There were also cars in Duan Ye’s shop, a used domestic SUV that he bought with a customer at the time. The on-road price of a new car wouldn’t exceed 140,000.

When they got their marriage certificate, her parents gave her a card, meaning that since Duan Ye had spent a lot on buying the house, their family could buy a slightly better car.

Duan Ye said, “No need to buy, let’s think about it in a few years.”

Jiang Yumo understood his meaning. If they were to change the car again, it would definitely be… after having a child.

Uh.

In the eyes of their parents, the two of them were definitely not young anymore, but they still wanted to enjoy their time as a couple. As for having children, they would wait a few more years.

Jiang Yumo sighed, “You, who wants nothing, what is your wish? Just tell me.”

Duan Ye kept his attention on the road ahead. After merging into traffic, he spoke softly, “Actually, there’s only one thing.”

“What?”

“Your happiness and safety.”

Jiang Yumo held back her tears, turned her head to look out the car window pretending to admire the scenery, her voice sounding a bit strange due to suppressing her emotions, “Why are you being so sentimental? Alright, whatever you want, just save it for when you think of it. I’ll fulfill your wish.”

Duan Ye gripped the steering wheel and replied with a soft hum.

As they returned home, Mother Jiang had already prepared dinner. It was almost the Lunar New Year, and Ningcheng had become lively with all the young people who had gone to work elsewhere returning home. Walking into the residential area, you could see sausages and cured meats hanging on the balconies of every household, giving off a rustic atmosphere. Jiang Yumo held Duan Ye’s hand and suddenly slowed down her steps. She tiptoed, and he instinctively bent down. Her warm breath sprayed into his ear, “Do you see the elderly couple up ahead? I remember when our family just moved here, they were already living here. Their relationship is very good. Their son and daughter have both settled in the provincial capital, and they come back during holidays. My Mom told me they’ve been married for sixty years, sixty years…”

Both elderly people were not young anymore, and they walked very slowly, step by step.

Duan Ye seemed distracted as well.

Is this how a couple who has been married for sixty years is?

Just as they were talking, the old lady seemed to sense something and turned around.

Jiang Yumo only then noticed that the grandma was holding a pot of flowers. She quickly approached and politely greeted her, “Grandma Wang, is this heavy? Should we help you carry it back?”

Next to Grandma Wang, Grandpa Liu was also carrying something.

Grandma Wang’s eyesight was not very good, and she squinted for a while. Grandpa Liu coughed, “You still can’t recognize her? It’s the girl with the sweetest voice in the whole neighborhood, Little Jasmine¹.”

“Little Jasmine?” Grandma Wang laughed, “I’m sorry, my eyesight isn’t very good.”

“It’s alright!” Jiang Yumo said, “Can we help you?”

Duan Ye had already approached and was about to take the cardboard box from Grandpa Liu’s hand. Grandpa Liu playfully moved aside, avoiding him, “This is my treasure. Young man, you really don’t need to help, it’s not that heavy.”

Jiang Yumo had already taken the flowers from Grandma Wang’s hand.

Grandma Wang carefully looked at Duan Ye and said with a smile, “Little Jasmine, is this your boyfriend? Not long ago, your parents bought a lot of wedding candies and distributed them door to door. We all know you’re getting married.”

Jiang Yumo nodded shyly, “Yes, we’ve already registered.”

“That’s good. This young man is quite tall,” Grandma Wang remembered something and patted Jiang Yumo’s hand, “I can’t take care of these flowers anymore. My grandson is coming back tomorrow, and my great-grandson is very mischievous. He might destroy these flowers. So, I’ll give them to you as a token of my affection, dear.”

Jiang Yumo reluctantly accepted this ‘wedding gift.’

Or more accurately, it was the most sincere blessing from the couple who had been married for sixty years.

---

After dropping off Grandma Wang and Grandpa Liu, Jiang Yumo and Duan Ye walked in the direction of their home, with Duan Ye still holding the potted plant, looking like it was very precious.

“Sixty years of marriage, I can’t even imagine it. My parents have been married for more than thirty years, and it feels like my Mom is almost fed up with my Dad.

“What are you thinking…?”

Jiang Yumo asked.

Duan Ye, holding the potted plant, said, “I’m thinking about researching how to take care of this plant properly later.”

After all, it’s a blessing.

---

During the Lunar New Year, the Western restaurant and coffee shop in Ningcheng are always packed, and many people come back to gather.

The six of them found a time when everyone was available to go out for dinner.

After entering the private dining room, Guo Shichao counted the chairs and said, “This private room is the smallest one. If it weren’t for my connections, we wouldn’t have been able to book it. Look, there are eight chairs in this private room, and the six of us can’t even fill them. If there were eight people, it would be just right.”

“Easy,” Yan Qing took off her coat. “Mengting, call your boyfriend, and Guo Shichao, call your wife.”

Guo Shichao was speechless, “Is that what I meant? I mean, if there were two more people to join us back then, now we wouldn’t have a private room that’s not full. You know my wife has social anxiety; she likes staying at home.”

Sun Mengting raised her head and rubbed her neck, “My boyfriend is even busier than me. I have to bring him food later. By the way, Guo Shichao, it’s on your way, could you give me a ride later?”

Guo Shichao : “No problem~”

The six of them sat down, ordered their food, and chatted.

Zhao Zheng washed the utensils for Yan Qing while saying, “Hey, do you all still remember Zhou Ji? He was in our Class 10.”

Guo Shichao smirked, “How could we forget? That guy was always trying to compete with Brother Duan for the boss’ posistion.”

Yan Qing chuckled, “Ah, thinking about it now, doesn’t it feel embarrassing? What did kids in their teens know? They were acting like school boss. Brother Duan, isn’t that right?”

Duan Ye lightly laughed, “It was definitely embarrassing.”

Jiang Yumao, the Husband-Protecting-Baby, said, “Was it more embarrassing than mine? How did you all used to address me back then? I was speechless.”

“But now it’s all come true,” Yan Qing blinked, “Aren’t you…”

What the heck!

What’s going on?

When they were in their teens, they casually talked about ‘Brother Duan’s woman’ without feeling awkward.

Now, in their thirties, those three words couldn’t come out of their mouths.

Too embarrassing.

Jiang Yumo quickly raised her hands in surrender, “Alright, let’s not mention those three words. Back then, I was just embarrassed when I heard it. Now, if I hear it, I want to go back to Mars.”

Sun Mengting burst into laughter and tactfully changed the subject for Jiang Yumo, “Zhao Zheng, continue with your story. What happened to Zhou Ji? I remember he wasn’t from our city, right?”

“No,” Zhao Zheng sounded nostalgic, “He’s from Yanjing. He went back to Yanjing at the start of the second semester of our third year. We haven’t seen him since, and he didn’t even attend our graduation reunion. I wanted to mention that a while ago, someone in our class group shared his photo. He’s really something. You know the Zhou’s Group, right? It turns out it’s his family’s business. He’s been featured in financial magazines, but he looks so different now. He wears glasses. The magazine said he went to college in the United States and only returned a couple of years ago.”

“Rich kid,” Guo Shichao teased, “He was born in Rome, while we’re just ordinary folks.”

“Hahaha!”

“I did hear a bit about it,” Sun Mengting said. “Just a while ago, I ran into a former classmate from Class 2 at the hospital. She was admitted, and she really went to great lengths to find me through our connections, asking me to say hello… She told me that Ning Zhiyu married into a wealthy family. Do you remember Ning Zhiyu? She was the top student in our high school, the smartest one of us. She seemed to have dated Zhou Ji at the time, but they broke up, and I didn’t expect them to get back together.”

Sun Mengting looked at Jiang Yumo, “Our Yumo can rival them.”

Yan Qing mocked loudly, “They definitely can’t beat Yumo and Brother Duan. They broke up once and got married, while our Yumo, who is she? Without breaking up three or five times, they can’t compete with our Yumo.”

Jiang Yumo looked at Duan Ye with a grievance, “See what they’re like!”

Duan Ye wouldn’t warn Yan Qing, because Yan Qing was Jiang Yumo’s closest friend.

But he could warn Zhao Zheng.

Duan Ye glanced at Zhao Zheng with a warning look.

Zhao Zheng hurriedly got up to cover Yan Qing’s mouth, “Kids say the darnedest things, kids say the darnedest things. Our Yan Qing just turned eighteen this year, please forgive her.”

Yan Qing : “Mmm mmm mmm!”

—Zhao Zheng, you’re asking for trouble!

“Alright, let’s continue with the story,” Sun Mengting smiled. “They got back together and then got married. Their wedding was a few months ago. Everyone from Class 2 envies Ning Zhiyu during their class reunions. She had the best grades, and later, she did well in her career, very capable, and bought a house in Yanjing on her own. Zhou Ji’s family approved of her too, and she’s really impressive on her own. Of course, there were some sour comments too, like ‘achieving well in life is not as good as marrying well,’ hmm.”

Jiang Yumo also remembered Ning Zhiyu.

In fact, they almost became friends back then.

Just a little bit was missing.

Ning Zhiyu was really nice; she still remembered when Ning Zhiyu gave her a sanitary pad. Why didn’t they become friends? She thought for a moment and realized it was probably due to a lack of fate and opportunity.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways.

At the end of the year, everyone was busy. Sun Mengting had to deliver food to her boyfriend, Guo Shichao had to go home to play games with his wife.

Zhao Zheng and Yan Qing were even busier.

Parking was difficult on this side, so Jiang Yumo and Duan Ye didn’t drive when they came out.

There were visibly more vehicles on the streets of Ningcheng, and there was even traffic congestion.

Jiang Yumo once again felt fortunate that she had made the right decision. She had eaten too much, and walking home with Duan Ye was a good way to aid digestion.

Halfway there, Jiang Yumo remembered that there was a barbecue street in that direction, which triggered her cravings. Winter was the season for fattening up, and every cell in her body was screaming, “I want meat, I want grilled meat.” She even wondered if she had gained so much weight recently because she was pregnant. She instructed Duan Ye to buy several brands of pregnancy tests from the pharmacy, and the two of them nervously watched… in the end, there was only one line.

The chances of her being pregnant was very, very low.

Despite their on-and-off relationship, when they were together, it happened quite frequently, and in all those times, there was never a pregnancy. It was all thanks to Duan Ye’s extreme caution; he never relied on luck.

If getting pregnant was possible in this way, Jiang Yumo would truly be amazed.

Just as Jiang Yumo was preparing to go to the hospital for a blood test, her period arrived on schedule.

The crisis was resolved.

Originally, there was no particular reason. She was just craving, simply wanted to eat.

Jiang Yumo glanced at Duan Ye.

Duan Ye immediately understood what she meant. “You want to eat barbecue?”

“Just a little bit,” Jiang Yumo said. “I really want some pork belly. Just buy me a few skewers. I won’t go over there; it’s too smoky, and it’s easy to pick up the smell.”

“Alright, just pork belly?”

Jiang Yumo thought for a moment. “Get me a skewer of chicken wings too.”

Duan Ye couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay. You wait here for me, and call me if you need anything.”

“Okay, got it!”

It’s only a few minutes’ walk from here to that street. Can she really get lost?

Duan Ye took three steps and looked back before heading to the barbecue street.

Jiang Yumo felt bored and, after counting a few pieces of pavement without much patience, she took out her phone to check her friends’ Moments.

Just then, a car pulled over by the roadside, right next to her. She couldn’t ignore it, thinking that she might be blocking someone’s way. As she was about to move aside, a gentle female voice reached her ears, “Jiang Yumo, is that really you?”

Jiang Yumo looked toward the source of the voice.

In almost an instant, she remembered who this person was.

It was strange. It had been over ten years since high school graduation, and she recognized her at a glance.

“Ning Zhiyu?” Jiang Yumo was slightly surprised.

Ning Zhiyu sat in the passenger seat of the car, rolled down all the windows, and leaned out. “It’s really you. I thought I was seeing things. It’s so strange; I recognized you from a distance.”

“Long time no see,” Jiang Yumo smiled at her.

She naturally noticed the man driving the car.

It should be Zhou Ji, although she didn’t remember what Zhou Ji looked like, but since they were married, it must be him.

Zhou Ji was wearing a black overcoat and had on gold-rimmed glasses. He no longer had the rebelliousness he had in high school, but his overall demeanor remained cold and stern.

The wedding ring on his left ring finger diluted his arrogance.

Jiang Yumo’s gaze subtly swept over him, her attention focused on Ning Zhiyu.

Ning Zhiyu had changed, yet remained the same.

She still had the gentle and reserved appearance from memory, but she seemed happy, and her smile was even brighter than before.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is Zhou Ji,” Ning Zhiyu smiled, “What a coincidence, we just returned to Ningcheng from the airport, and you’re the first familiar face we’ve seen.”

She looked around, seeing Jiang Yumo alone, and then glanced at Zhou Ji.

The two of them understood each other well. Zhou Ji subtly nodded in response to her unspoken request.

He didn’t mind.

“Jiang Yumo, where are you heading? Otherwise, we can give you a ride. It doesn’t look easy to find a taxi here,” Ning Zhiyu said.

Jiang Yumo slightly bent over and waved her hand with a smile, “No need, my husband is coming soon.”

—Husband?

Ning Zhiyu was taken aback.

She had come back once before with Zhou Ji and had seen Duan Ye. She had also heard about the ups and downs in their relationship.

Jiang Yumo was married?

Then… who did she marry?

The confusion and curiosity in Ning Zhiyu’s eyes were evident, and Jiang Yumo could see it. She smiled, her eyes curved, “We just got married not long ago, actually.”

“He’s here.” Jiang Yumo seemed to have a premonition and turned her head to see Duan Ye approaching her.

Sitting in the car, Ning Zhiyu and Zhou Ji also saw him.

In an instant, Zhou Ji felt like he had returned to his high school days, and those memories he thought had faded away gradually resurfaced.

Duan Ye seemed to be the same as ever, still standing tall.

Still only able to see the girl he liked.

Before Duan Ye had even reached her, Jiang Yumo ran over to him, and he caught her. Even though there was some distance between them, Ning Zhiyu and Zhou Ji could still feel the sweetness between them.

Duan Ye held Jiang Yumo in his arms, and Jiang Yumo remembered something. She waved to Ning Zhiyu inside the car, bidding her farewell. “Goodbye~”

Ning Zhiyu sat there in a daze for a moment, then smiled and softly replied, “Goodbye.”

In the cold wind, Duan Ye was afraid that Jiang Yumo would get cold, so he held her even tighter as they faced the chilly winter together.

“It’s Ning Zhiyu, I was actually thinking of sending her our wedding invitation through WeChat just now, saying we should get together sometime, but then I realized I don’t have her WeChat, and it might seem abrupt to say that, like I’m asking for a gift or something… Well, forget it, we’re not that close anyway.”

Duan Ye comforted her, “It’s okay.”

Meanwhile, inside the car, Ning Zhiyu was still looking in that direction. The heavenly couple had already walked far away, and their figures were no longer visible.

Suddenly, a hand reached out in front of her, waved, and snapped its fingers.

Familiar and leisurely voice came, “Earth to you.”

Ning Zhiyu : “…”

She remembered that night many years ago, and a smile appeared in her eyes again. “Do you believe it? One night before our third year of high school, I watched a spectacular fireworks display, the most beautiful fireworks I’ve ever seen. I guess it must have been him who set them off for her.

“At that time, I felt like they would definitely be together forever. Just now, when I heard she got married, I was still thinking about who she would marry.

“It’s really nice. They really got married. It doesn’t even seem surprising. It always felt like this was supposed to happen and it was destined to happen.”

Zhou Ji clapped his hands and took off his gold-rimmed glasses.

In fact, his eyesight was remarkably good, but he heard that wearing glasses like these was trendy nowadays, so he had a pair custom-made.

Sure enough, he saw amazement in her eyes.

It suited him well.

“So, Fairy Ning, you answer me.”

Ning Zhiyu took a deep breath, closed her eyes, but couldn’t help it. How could there be someone so good at ruining the mood? “I already told you not to call me with that nickname!”

Zhou Ji nodded, “Oh, you find it old-fashioned, you don’t like being called old. Okay, Fairy Yu, then you answer me.”

He leaned in slightly, lowered his voice, “Did you calculate when you first saw me that I was your destined husband?”

Ning Zhiyu: “…”

---

They drove away.

On the same street, Duan Ye held Jiang Yumo as they walked.

The car drove past them.

Perhaps, if, on that summer day, the girl named Jiang Yumo had turned around to take another look and saw Ning Zhiyu waiting at the bus stop to escape the rain.

If, on that summer day, the young and spirited Duan Ye had bent down to pick up the basketball that rolled to his feet and joined the game.

What kind of story would that have been?

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rokumi’s note : it’s truly over now! Really glad that the original ‘Jiang Yumo’ and ‘Duan Ye’ also have their own happy ending!🥹🥹

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1. Jiang Yumo’s ‘Mo’ comes from the word jasmine (茉莉 mòlì), the elderly couple calls Jiang Yumo 小茉莉 (xiǎo mòlì) which literally means little jasmine ↩︎

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