Xia Yaojin rarely spoke about her family.
In her original world, she had two mothers. Professor Lin and Dr. Xia. Both women were survivors and elites in the fields of academia and medicine, respectively, and they had her through IVF technology.
They loved each other, accompanied each other, and provided Xia Yaojin with the most stable material support and the freest space for development.
However, they also left Xia Yaojin with a cognitive blind spot: in her world, “family” had never been linked to gender.
Two women could love and stay together, a child could grow up to be a “hexagonal warrior” (all-rounder) under the upbringing of two mothers.
So, when people asked her, “Do you like boys or girls?” she truly couldn’t understand the question itself, why would liking someone be tied to their gender?
She inherited Professor Lin’s rational mind and Dr. Xia’s focused persistence, but she did not inherit their emotional sensitivity.
To her, love was the light shining in Professor Lin’s study late at night, it was Dr. Xia’s tired but satisfied smile after a successful surgery, it was the unspoken understanding when they looked at each other, stable, lasting, and as reliable as a mathematical theorem.
She didn’t know that was called “romance”; she only knew it was called “home.”
The original owner of this body after her transmigration had a family of a different sort, her father was a construction worker who died in a site accident when Xia Yaojin was in middle school, her mother was a textile factory worker who wept daily after her husband’s passing.
That was until her father’s high school classmate, a woman who was now a corporate executive appeared. She meticulously cared for the mother and daughter and eventually entered into a relationship with the mother.
This reconstituted family gave the original owner financial support, allowing her to get into Beijing A University, but it also placed a heavy psychological burden on her. Her mother always said, “We must repay Auntie Xu’s kindness,” while Auntie Xu always said, “I treat you like my own biological daughter.”
The original owner studied desperately for scholarships not just for herself, but to become independent as soon as possible so she would no longer be in debt.
Thus, when Xia Yaojin arrived, the first thing she did was cancel all inefficient part time jobs and instead aim for high-value scholarships and competition prizes, she wanted total economic independence, she wanted pure freedom to learn.
She never talked about family because the family in her original world and the family in this world were both too complex, and her best skill was simplifying complex problems into solvable mathematical models.
But people are always curious.
Student Psychological Counseling Center, Friday Afternoon
Xia Yaojin was “suggested” to come by her counselor, the reason being that in a psychological health survey, she filled in “N/A” for “Family Relationship Satisfaction” and “None” for “Sexual Orientation Self-Cognition.”
The counselor was a gentle middle-aged woman named Ms. Wang.
“Student Xia, can we talk about why you filled in ‘N/A’ and ‘None’?” Ms. Wang’s voice was soft.
Xia Yaojin sat upright, as if participating in an academic defense: “‘Family Relationship Satisfaction’ requires a definition of ‘family’ first. If referring to the biological and legal definition, my current relationship with Auntie Xu and my mother meets the social expectations of harmony.
If referring to family in the sense of emotional bonding, I lack sufficient data to make an assessment.”
Ms. Wang noted the address: “You call your stepmother ‘Auntie Xu’?”
“She prefers it that way,” Xia Yaojin said. “She says the title ‘Mom’ only belongs to my biological mother.”
Ms. Wang nodded. “And ‘sexual orientation’?”
“Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s enduring pattern of emotional and sexual attraction to a specific gender,” Xia Yaojin recited fluently as if from a textbook. “I have not observed any enduring preference for any gender in myself emotionally or sexually, hence ‘None’.”
“In other words, you neither like boys nor girls?”
Xia Yaojin thought for a moment. “To be precise, I have not developed a cognitive framework that categorizes others as ‘potential romantic or sexual partners.’ My interest in everyone remains at the level of academics, friendship, or basic social interaction.”
Ms. Wang took notes, her gaze complex. “How long has this state lasted?”
“As long as I can remember.”
“Your family… what was the emotional education from your parents like?”
Xia Yaojin fell silent for a moment.
She thought of her two mothers from her original world, they never intentionally “educated” her on love or orientation, they simply let her see how two people who love each other coexist.
She also thought of the mother and Auntie Xu in this world, their relationship began with gratitude and dependence and gradually evolved into companionship. As a bystander, what she saw was more of a steady, flowing warmth rather than intense, surging passion.
“My family told me,” she finally chose a safe expression, “that the connections between people take many forms. The quality of the emotion is more important than the label. Gender is just an attribute of a person, it shouldn’t be an obstacle or a prerequisite for emotion.”
Ms. Wang’s eyes flickered. “So you hold an open attitude toward both homosexuality and heterosexuality?”
“I hold an open attitude toward all emotions based on respect and sincerity,” Xia Yaojin corrected. “But personally, I have never experienced the emotional state known as ‘love’.”
Ms. Wang nodded. “Last question. If one day you meet someone you want to be particularly close to, someone you care about deeply, would you allow yourself to explore that feeling? Regardless of their gender.”
Xia Yaojin considered the question seriously.
“If that feeling does not interfere with my study plans and life goals,” she said, “and the other person is willing to interact in a way I find comfortable, then theoretically, I do not rule out exploration. Gender is not a consideration factor.”
Ms. Wang smiled. “Thank you, Student Xia. You may go back.”
After Xia Yaojin left, Ms. Wang wrote a line in her notebook:
Visitor’s cognitive function is extraordinary, emotional development is lagging, but possesses a healthy understanding of diverse emotional models. Family background involves same-sex partners, which may influence her open attitude toward orientation. Suggestion: Let nature take its course, avoid pressure from labeling.
That same afternoon, an anonymous post quietly appeared on the forum and was quickly pushed to the “Hot” section.
[Deep Dive: The Mystery of Xia Yaojin’s Original Family and Orientation]
OP (Anonymous, claiming to be an “insider”): I’m a high school alum of Xia Yaojin, and I know a bit about her family. Her biological father passed away early, and her mother later got together with his high school classmate (a female corporate exec). The family looks harmonious on the surface, but Xia Yaojin has always been very independent. Since high school, she’s lived on scholarships and prize money, rarely asking for a cent from home. There are rumors that President Xu (the exec) wanted her to join her company after graduation, but she’s clearly not interested.
As for orientation even in high school, many boys and girls expressed interest, but she politely rejected everyone with the excuse “I need to study.” So those guessing she’s straight or closeted can save it. She might just be… asexual? Or perhaps, she just hasn’t “awakened” yet?
Zhu Yawen is really in for a long wait unless a miracle happens and Xia Yaojin can be “bent” or “woken up.” But honestly, looking at her, it seems unlikely.
1L (Psychology Dept Observer): Based on OP’s description, Xia Yaojin might be “aromantic asexual,” meaning she lacks interest in both romantic and sexual relationships. This group accounts for about 1% of the population and usually has high intelligence and strong focus.
2L (Sociology Grad Student): But her family background is interesting, her biological mother formed a family with a female partner. This should theoretically make her more open to same-sex relationships, but she shows no interest in any romantic relationship. This proves that orientation and romantic inclination might be independent dimensions.
3L (CP Fan A): So… is our ship really sinking (BE)? Will Jinjin never love anyone?
4L (Foreign Language Dept Fanfic Writer): Not necessarily! Aromantic asexuals can still have deep emotional bonds! It’s just not called “romance”, it can be called “soulmates” or “the most important person in one’s life”!
5L (Arts Dept Lesbian): But what Zhu Yawen clearly wants is love… can she accept a “soulmate” instead of a “lover”?
6L (Frontline Reporter): Breaking news! This post was forwarded to Wenwen! She’s currently alone in the Arts Dept studio with the door locked!
7L (All CP Fans): It’s over, it’s over… Wenwen’s heart is going to break…
In the Arts Department studio, Zhu Yawen stared blankly at the canvas.
On her phone screen was a screenshot of that post, along with Ms. Wang’s comment (leaked by someone): “Visitor may be aromantic asexual…”
She had always known Xia Yaojin was special.
But she didn’t expect her to be this special.
Not straight, not closeted, but… potentially incapable of falling in love at all.
On the canvas was a half-finished portrait of Xia Yaojin, focused on a book, her eyes reflecting formulas and theorems.
Zhu Yawen picked up the paintbrush but didn’t know how to continue.
If Xia Yaojin would never love her, what was the point of her waiting?
If the option of “romance” simply didn’t exist in Xia Yaojin’s emotional world, was her pursuit destined to fail from the start?
A knock came at the door.
“Yawen, are you in there?” It was Ji Minmin’s voice.
Zhu Yawen did not respond.
“I know you’re in there,” Lin Weiwei continued. “Open the door. Let’s talk.”
After a long silence, Zhu Yawen finally stood up and opened the door.
Ji Minmin walked in, saw the canvas and the phone, and sighed: “So you’ve seen it all.”
“Yeah.”
“Then… what are you thinking?”
Zhu Yawen walked to the window, looking out at the night sky. “I don’t know.”
“Are you going to give up?”
Zhu Yawen didn’t answer immediately.
She thought of Xia Yaojin’s patience when teaching her math, her earnestness when watching her paint, and her frankness when she said, “I feel very comfortable with you.”
To her, those moments were the entire meaning of love.
“If,” she said softly, “if she never uses the word ‘love’ to define our relationship, but she’s willing to let me be the most special person in her life… don’t you think that’s also a form of happiness?”
Ji Minmin looked at her. “Can you accept that? Forever being just ‘special friends’ and never ‘lovers’?”
Zhu Yawen smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness, but also with a sense of release. “I used to think love was about possession, about a title, about getting the exact same response in return. But now I feel… love can also be companionship, understanding, and letting her become a better version of herself while I become a better version of mine.”
She paused. “If she is destined never to fall in love with anyone, then I haven’t lost to someone else; I’ve only lost to her nature. But if she’s willing to let me close, to let me share her world, then I’ve already won. I’ve won a position that is one of a kind.”
Ji Minmin was silent for a long time before patting her on the shoulder. “You’re more mature than I imagined.”
Someone who has died once will always understand what’s truly important, Zhu Yawen thought to herself.
In the library, Xia Yaojin received a call from her mother.
“Yaojin, are you coming home this weekend? Auntie Xu made your favorite braised pork ribs.”
“I have to prepare for a competition this weekend, so I won’t be coming back.”
There was a silence on the other end. “Yaojin… are you still bothered by me and Auntie Xu…?”
“No,” Xia Yaojin interrupted. “I’m just very busy.”
That was the truth.
She felt no resentment toward this reconstituted family, only a faint sense of detachment. She was grateful to Auntie Xu for taking care of her mother and for the financial support they gave her, but she had long since decided to live independently once she became an adult.
“Then… Auntie Xu said that after you graduate, you could come to her company…”
“Mom,” Xia Yaojin said calmly, “I have my own plans.”
After a bit more small talk, she hung up. Looking at her phone, Xia Yaojin suddenly recalled the psychological counseling session.
Ms. Wang had asked her: “If you met someone you wanted to be particularly close to, someone you cared about deeply…”
Zhu Yawen’s face surfaced in her mind.
The girl who always waited for her patiently, who always tried her best to understand her, and who always looked at her with such gentle eyes.
Xia Yaojin didn’t think that was “love.”
But she admitted, it was “special.”
Special enough that she was willing to carve out time for her, willing to teach her math, and willing to… let her into her world.
What did that count as?
She didn’t know.
But she knew she didn’t dislike the feeling. In fact… she liked it a little.
The phone vibrated. It was a message from Zhu Yawen: “Still in the library? It’s about to close.”
Xia Yaojin checked the time, it was indeed quite late.
She replied: “Yeah, leaving now.”
“I’ll wait for you at the entrance.”
Xia Yaojin packed her things and walked out of the library. Sure enough, Zhu Yawen was waiting at the door, holding a cup of hot milk.
“For you,” she handed it over. “Drink something warm at night, it helps with sleep.”
Xia Yaojin took it. “Thank you.”
The two walked side by side on the way back to the dormitory, their shadows stretched long by the streetlights.
“Zhu Yawen,” Xia Yaojin suddenly spoke.
“Yeah?”
“If… if I can never respond to you with ‘love,’ will you still stay by my side?”
Zhu Yawen’s footsteps faltered for a moment, then she smiled. “I will.”
“Why?”
“Because being by your side isn’t just about obtaining ‘love’,” Zhu Yawen said earnestly. “I stay by your side because I become a better version of myself when I’m with you. That’s enough.”
Xia Yaojin walked in silence for a long time before saying, “I see.”
They reached the dormitory building.
“Goodnight,” Zhu Yawen said.
“Goodnight,” Xia Yaojin paused, then added, “The milk was delicious.”
She turned to go upstairs. As she reached the landing of the staircase, she glanced back.
Zhu Yawen was still standing there, looking up toward her window as she always did.
But this time, Xia Yaojin didn’t look away immediately.
She stood by the window for a long time until Zhu Yawen’s figure disappeared into the night.
Then, she took out her phone and sent a message to Zhu Yawen:
“Do you want to come watch the competition this weekend?”
The reply was almost instantaneous: “YES!”
Looking at that exclamation mark, the corners of Xia Yaojin’s mouth curved up slightly, unconsciously.
Perhaps she would never understand what love was.
But she knew there was one person she was willing to share her world with.
That was enough.
On the forum, the post was still being hotly discussed.
But the two protagonists had already found their own answers.
No labels, no definitions.
Just two souls, in their own unique way, slowly drawing closer.
That was enough.
It was more than enough.