Ahhh!
Inside the house, shielded from the rain and wind, a woman's screams echoed, mixed with the midwife's urgent instructions and other soothing voices.
"Just a little more, and this will be over! Push harder, you can do it!"
"I can see the head!"
"Alright, good, one last push!"
Ahhh!!
The room filled with the sound of crying babies as three new lives entered the world on that stormy night.
One Year Later...
On a cold, rainy day, without thunder, in Dachang City, Red Country.
Inside a cozy house, Bao Xiao lay in his crib. Next to him was another crib, where two adorable little girls, about his age, were sleeping.
He had been reborn as a baby in a modern world, one that felt similar to his past life. No, it was more accurate to say he was reborn into the future—five years after his previous life had ended.
When he first opened his eyes, feeling the pain of someone forcing him to cry, he was shocked. He thought he was in a world of giants because everyone looked three times his size.
But after a while, he realized it wasn't that everyone had gotten bigger; it was he who had become smaller.
He was excited to live again, to do the things he hadn't done but wanted to in his previous life. This time, he would make different choices. This time, he wouldn't waste his opportunities.
As for the twin baby next to him, who was mumbling vague words, she was the daughter of his mother's cousin's husband's younger sister. Their families were close, so the babies were being raised together like siblings.
"Bla... blu... Bai... Xiao..."
The little baby mumbled his name, looking in his direction with big, innocent eyes and a happy expression. Her chubby cheeks were rosy, and her tiny hands reached out toward him.
Bai Xiao—that was his new name. His father was half Chinese, while his mother was white. They had chosen a name that honored both cultures.
Supporting himself against the railings of his crib, Bai Xiao stretched his tiny hands to give the twin girl, who was now crawling, a soft toy—a small stuffed rabbit with floppy ears.
"He he~ moa~ toy toy~"
The cute child giggled and played with the toy Bai Xiao gave her. She hugged it tight against her chest and rolled around happily.
Meanwhile, the other twin, a little farther away, was trying to stand up to join the fun.
"Oh, the kids are playing... How cute."
Two women with graceful figures walked into the room, chatting softly. One was Bai Xiao's mother, a kind woman with gentle eyes and blonde hair tied back in a simple bun. The other was the twin girls' mother, who had dark hair and a warm smile.
"They get along so well," Bai Xiao's mother said, watching the babies play. "It's like they were meant to be together."
"Maybe they'll be best friends growing up," replied the other woman, picking up her daughter, who immediately started babbling excitedly.
Bai Xiao listened to their conversation, pretending to be just a normal baby. Inside his mind, he was already planning his future. His biggest regret in his past life was wasting his potential. If he had possessed his current knowledge back then, perhaps his life would have been different. Fortunately, he was reborn, and though not with any world-changing talent or ideas, his goal was simply to achieve financial freedom and live a life he wouldn't regret.
As the mothers continued talking about their daily lives, Bai Xiao felt a soft touch on his arm.
It was the other baby, now standing up, grinning at him and stretching her baby hands out for a reward.
"Hehe~ Bai Xiao! Toy! Toy!"
"Sooo~ cute~!"
Bai Xiao, surprised, felt an urge to playfully pinch her face—and he did.
"Ow!"
"Bai Xiao! Bad!"
The little baby stumbled back, touching her pinched face as crystal tears welled in her eyes.
The sound attracted the mothers.
"What happened, honey?"
The mother of the twin girls handed the one in her arms to Bao Xiao's mother.
"Bai Xiao! Bad! Bad!"
Bai Xiao picked up another toy from his crib and offered it to her, which quickly stopped her crying and brought a smile to her face.
She opened her arms and caught the toys with both hands, giggling and wiggling to get back into the crib.
Her mother, seeing that everything was okay, gently put her down.
"What a naughty kid, bullying my daughter."
Her mother wasn't angry; instead, she laughed.
Bai Xiao tilted his head cutely, pretending to be innocent.
Her mother playfully pinched his face, then let go, leaving the room to buy some educational books.