Flame War Anthem: Beyond the Galactic River (GL) - Chapter 1

Dongling City, late July morning.

An Jingxi was curled up in her bedroom under a thin blanket, enjoying the cool breeze from the air conditioner, sound asleep.

Just as she was drifting in drowsiness, someone suddenly burst into her room and pounced onto her bed like an exuberant little gazelle.

The cheerful voice jolted her awake from her dreams.

“Xiao Xi, get up! My aunt had her baby—I have a little brother now! Let’s go to the hospital to see them!”

The voice was slightly breathless, and the joy on her face was unmistakable.

An Jingxi groaned, rolling over and stretching lazily, her eyes still heavy with sleep. “Let me sleep a little longer… I’ll go with you later.”

Yan Yu couldn’t wait. She immediately started shaking her. “Come on, hurry up! I got the call and rushed straight here to tell you. Xiao Xi, get up!”

“Alright, alright, I’m up, I’m up…”

Unable to resist her persistence, An Jingxi finally sat up, rubbing her messy hair as she looked at the girl sitting beside her bed.

Far from being annoyed at being woken up, she couldn’t help but smile brightly. Who could stay mad when greeted by such an adorable Yan Yu first thing in the morning?

Grinning, she murmured, “Yan Yu, good morning…”

“Good morning! Hurry up and get ready—I’ll wait for you downstairs!”

Filled with excitement, Yan Yu couldn’t wait to share the good news with the rest of the An family. In a flash, she was gone.

An Jingxi quickly got up to dress and wash up—she couldn’t keep Yan Yu waiting too long.

The safe arrival of the baby brought genuine happiness to the An family, all of whom were overjoyed for Xiao Ya.

After breakfast, since An Guohua had to return to his military duties and Zhao Jinying had to go to work at the hospital, it was left to An Jinnan—who had just returned from Italy and was temporarily free—to take the children to the hospital to visit and offer their congratulations.

However, before leaving, Zhao Jinying pulled An Jinnan into the kitchen for a long talk.

When they emerged, An Jinnan’s face had turned noticeably pale, her eyes darker and more somber.

Zhao Jinying noticed the subtle change but could only respond with a deep sigh.

The place where He Xiaoya had given birth was a well-known private maternity hospital in the city, renowned for its excellent privacy and impeccable environment—quiet, clean, and comfortable.

By the time An Jinnan, carrying a backpack, led Yan Yu, An Jingxi, and An Jingxia to the hospital entrance, the morning sun had already risen above the eastern horizon.

As they were about to enter, a security guard stopped them. Only after a thorough inquiry and registration of their IDs were they allowed inside.

The hospital’s interior was pleasantly cool, free of the sharp antiseptic smell common in larger hospitals, with flowers and potted plants placed throughout.

Pink walls were adorned with beautiful mother-and-baby photos, and the hallway seating consisted of plush sofas, exuding warmth everywhere.

When they reached the designated floor and room number, An Jinnan hesitated at the door, but the three girls couldn’t contain their excitement and pushed it open first.

Inside, they saw He Xiaojing sitting on a sofa by the window, while He Xiaoya reclined on the hospital bed, looking slightly exhausted as she received an IV drip.

Beside the bed was a bassinet where the newborn, just a few hours old, slept peacefully.

Their sudden appearance startled both He Xiaojing and He Xiaoya.

Yan Yu exclaimed excitedly, “Mom! Auntie!”

An Jingxi and An Jingxia called out in unison, “Aunt Jing, Auntie…”

He Xiaojing stood up, “What brings you here?”

“We came to see the baby Auntie just had… Auntie, is this our little brother? Why is he so tiny?”

Yan Yu, along with the An sisters, leaned over the crib, blinking their beautiful eyes as they curiously stared at the delicate little infant.

He Xiaoya smiled gently, her eyes filled with tenderness, “Newborns are always this small. You were just as tiny when you were born, though much cuter than him. He’s quite ugly right now.”

“He’s not ugly at all! He’s adorable,” Yan Yu shook her head, her heart brimming with joy as she gazed at the soft, tiny bundle.

An Jingxi, standing beside her, said earnestly, “He is well-behaved, but still not as pretty as Yan Yu.”

Hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

Yan Yu giggled especially brightly before looking up and asking, “Mom, where’s Dad?”

“Your dad, your uncle, and your grandparents went downstairs for breakfast. Have you eaten yet?”

She had received a call from her brother-in-law at three in the morning and rushed to the hospital with her husband, leaving their daughter alone at home. After all, Yan Yu was already thirteen—they believed she could take care of herself and didn’t worry too much.

He Xiaoya’s due date was still over a month away, and no one had expected her to go into labor early. Her in-laws were far away in Fujian and couldn’t make it in time. Her parents had helped gather some essentials from their home, and the family had waited anxiously outside the delivery room for over three hours before the little one finally arrived safely.

Yan Yu replied honestly, “I had breakfast at Jingxi’s place, and then Auntie brought us to the hospital.”

He Xiaojing’s expression darkened slightly at this. “Auntie?”

“Yeah, Jingxi’s aunt. Huh, where is she?” Yan Yu turned around, scanning the room, but there was no sign of An Jinnan.

He Xiaoya, lying on the hospital bed, also tensed, her eyes darting toward the door.

An Jingxi hurried outside and spotted her aunt standing alone in the distance. She ran over and said, “Auntie, aren’t you coming in to see Aunt Xiaoya?”

They used to be so close, just like her and Yan Yu.

An Jinnan turned to look at her, her expression unusually solemn. After a long silence, she finally took a step forward.

Her slender figure moved with heavy steps as she slowly entered the room. The previously joyful atmosphere instantly became tinged with an indescribable gloom.

“Auntie, come look! This is Aunt Xiaoya’s baby. He’s so cute!” An Jingxi eagerly pulled An Jinnan over, wanting her to see.

“Yes, he is adorable,” An Jinnan murmured, her gaze resting lightly on the infant. Somehow, in that moment, she suddenly understood.

Perhaps this was the root of why no one could accept them—she could never rightfully have a child with her.

She should have been genuinely happy for her, but the crushing sense of helplessness once again dragged her into an abyss of despair, leaving her powerless to resist.

Seeing the sorrow pooling in He Xiaoya’s eyes, He Xiaojing understood her sister’s feelings. Despite her own grievances toward An Jinnan, she could only sigh helplessly and find an excuse to usher the children out of the room.

After they left, the hospital room instantly became eerily quiet, so silent you could hear a pin drop.

“When… when did you come back?”

He Xiaoya’s voice was already noticeably choked with emotion as she spoke.

An Jinnan quietly sat by the hospital bed, gazing at her with undisguised tenderness in his eyes.