Wait how did this become a Mother's Rebirth story!?

As I walked through the sweets section of the store, my eyes locked onto a pack of cheap brownies, and just as my hand reached for them, something caught my attention—a magazine misplaced near the brownies. The cover was eye-catching, featuring a pregnant woman smiling, with bold, striking text above her: "15 Reasons to NOT Eat Processed Food While Pregnant!"

Curiosity piqued, I picked up the magazine, flipping through the pages quickly. The article was filled with studies detailing the effects processed food could have on unborn children, all of them warnings about how such food could harm a developing baby. I skimmed through three pages of research and facts before reaching the last page. There, I found a small section with three alternative recipes for healthy, pregnancy-friendly meals. The first one that caught my eye was a dessert—Cinnamon Sugar Apple Turnovers.

Pulling out Miss Xui's phone, I snapped a picture of the recipe's ingredients list. I had no idea what the future held for me, but I figured that starting with something healthy might be a good step forward. With the ingredients saved on my phone, I made my way to the checkout.

As I reached the counter, I ran into Chen Na, who took one look at the pile of items in my basket and froze in surprise. "I thought you were just going to grab some cheap cookies or cake?" she asked, her voice full of amusement.

I blushed, explaining the article I'd read and how it had inspired me to try something a little healthier. Chen Na laughed softly. "You're becoming such a responsible mom already."

Her playful tone made me smile, but when she started digging through her own basket, I felt a touch of warmth in my chest. She pulled out a bottle of prenatal gummies. "On my way to get drinks, I passed the baby section and thought it wouldn't hurt to get these," she said, her face turning slightly red as she glanced away.

I couldn't help but appreciate how thoughtful Xui Bai's friends were. They didn't hesitate to support me, even when things were complicated. As we were about to check out, we spotted Zu Mu approaching with a basket full of baby items. "I got a little distracted," she said sheepishly. "I don't know if you're having a boy or a girl yet, so I just got two of everything."

Chen Na and I both burst into laughter at her well-meaning but over-the-top gesture. "Tomorrow morning, I'm going in for a screening," I said. "If you want, you can come with me."

They both eagerly agreed, their expressions lighting up. I felt a sense of relief knowing I wouldn't have to face the screening alone.

After checking out, we piled into the car. Zu Mu suggested we spend the night at her parents' house since it would be closer to the clinic for the morning. I agreed without hesitation, and soon we found ourselves pulling into the driveway of the Mu household. Mr. Mu was already waiting outside to greet us, a wide smile on his face. He ushered us all inside warmly.

"Hello, Mr. Mu," I said, my voice a little quieter than I intended.

"Oh, little Bai," he said, his tone gentle and kind. "Just call me Father, like Chen Na does."

I blinked in surprise but nodded. "I don't know if I've ever thanked you for stepping into that whole dorm mess. If it wasn't for you, I don't know how things would've turned out."

As I thought back to Xui Bai's memories, I recalled the beginning of her college life, when no one wanted to share a dorm room with Mu Zu and Chen Na because they were a couple. Some students had created a fuss, saying things like, "What if they go after me?" and turning the whole situation into a dramatic mess.

"There's no need to thank me," Mr. Mu said, smiling warmly. "It wasn't a big deal. Plus, they helped me too. My assigned roommates and I didn't get along at all."

His words were reassuring, and I felt a sense of gratitude for how kind and understanding he was. While he and Zu Mu went to bring in the groceries, I excused myself to use the bathroom, feeling the weight of everything settle in my chest.

I still couldn't quite process how my life had changed so dramatically, but for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel completely alone. I was surrounded by people who cared, and for the first time, I felt a small flicker of hope that things might be okay after all.

Walking out of the bathroom, I could hear voices coming from the kitchen. Chen Na and Zu Mu were explaining everything to Mr. Mu, and I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was visibly shaken.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether I should walk in and interrupt, but then decided to join them. Slowly, I walked into the kitchen, my heart pounding. Mr. Mu was sitting at the table, his hands clenched tightly around a cup of tea as he listened intently to the two women.

"Mr. Mu," I said softly, stepping into the room. The words felt foreign in my mouth, but I said them with more confidence than I felt.

He looked up at me, his expression a mixture of concern and disbelief. "Xui Bai..." he said, his voice tentative. "What you've been through... it's unimaginable. I don't even know where to begin."

I took a deep breath, walking over to the table and sitting down. "I don't really know either," I said quietly. "Everything feels... overwhelming. I'm still trying to piece it all together myself."

Zu Mu and Chen Na exchanged a glance, and Chen Na sat down beside me, her eyes full of understanding. "We're here for you, Xui Bai," she said, her voice firm. "We'll help you get through this, no matter what."

Mr. Mu nodded slowly, his face still tense. "You're not alone in this. You're family now. Whatever happens, we'll find a way to make sure you're safe—and the babies."

His words were comforting, but there was an underlying worry that lingered in the air. I couldn't help but feel it too—the uncertainty of this strange situation, the confusion over what had happened to me. But despite that, a small sense of relief washed over me. At least I wasn't facing this alone. The people around me cared.

I glanced at the clock. The screening for tomorrow was fast approaching, and though I was terrified, I knew I had to face it head-on. I had no choice but to keep moving forward.

"I appreciate everything," I said, turning to Mr. Mu. "I don't know what I'd do without you all. I never expected to find myself in this situation, but... it feels better to know I'm not completely on my own."

Mr. Mu smiled warmly, his earlier anxiety giving way to a more reassuring expression. "You have our support, Xui Bai. Always."

Just then, Zu Mu and Chen Na started talking again, discussing the plans for the screening tomorrow, what we'd do afterward, and how they would help with any preparations. Their chatter was comforting in its own way, like a normalcy I hadn't felt in a long time.

I zoned out for a moment, lost in thought. How had I ended up here? This wasn't just a different body—it was a different life, in a different world. I hadn't signed up for any of this, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't have a choice but to keep going.

"You look a little lost in thought," Chen Na remarked, nudging me gently.

I snapped back to reality and smiled faintly. "Just thinking about everything. Trying to figure out what to do next."

Zu Mu leaned forward, her playful grin in place. "Well, tomorrow's screening is the first step. After that, who knows what'll happen? But no matter what, we'll be here to help you out."

Her confidence made me feel a little lighter, even though the weight of everything still lingered in my chest. Tomorrow was going to be a huge step, but with them by my side, maybe it wouldn't feel so daunting.

As we sat there, talking and planning for the next few days, I realized something—I might not have all the answers yet, but for the first timescince I got here, I felt like I could face the unknown.