Ch 71: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Jing Li was completely in a daze.

He… he was pregnant?

Wasn’t that something they joked about before?

How did it turn into reality???

The little koi slowly sank to the bottom of the water, his soft fins folding as they touched his now noticeably rounder belly.

Round and soft.

When he was in human form, his body showed no signs of change, and since nothing unusual showed up in his pulse, neither he nor Qin Zhao had ever suspected this.

Was there really… a little fish baby inside him?

Even Qin Zhao was momentarily stunned, more so than when he’d learned about the little koi’s mysterious origins. This news had him genuinely shaken.

Qin Zhao took a deep breath and gently asked, “Are you sure there’s no mistake, Master?”

“A monk does not speak falsehoods; there is no mistake,” Jing Chen responded calmly. “The fish’s belly is round, and when pressed, you can feel a smooth, firm object. This suggests it is indeed pregnant, likely for about two months.”

“Two months already…”

That meant it must have happened not long after they arrived in the county.

Qin Zhao recalled that during that time, Jing Li’s body had been behaving strangely. After doing some research, he had concluded it was likely a reproductive phase specific to fish. The books mentioned that this phase could last anywhere from half a month to a full month, yet Jing Lei had only taken a few days to get through it.

At the time, he thought it was because Jing Li, having transformed into human form, had a unique physiology. But he hadn’t considered another reason the books mentioned for a shortened reproductive phase — pregnancy.

So, Jing Li had been carrying their little fish baby ever since then…

Qin Zhao muttered to himself, “I never even realized…”

“Do not worry,” Jing Chen said with a gentle smile. “The little fish seems to be in good spirits. With proper care in the coming days, the fry will be born healthy.”

Qin Zhao nodded. “Thank you, Master.”

After seeing Jingchen out, Qin Zhao returned to find the little koi still at the bottom of the tank, dazed and motionless.

He chuckled softly. “Stop spacing out. Come on, time to eat. Aren’t you hungry?”

…

A little later, Jing Li, now fully dressed, sat at the table while Qin Zhao helped dry his hair. Jing Li absentmindedly rubbed his flat stomach, still in a bit of a daze. “I swear, I’ll never joke about these things again.”

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

“It’s all because I kept joking about pregnancy,” Jing Li sighed. “Now it’s really happening.”

Qin Zhao couldn’t hold back his laughter.

After finishing with Jing Li’s hair, Qin Zhao tied it back with a dark red ribbon, then wrapped his arms around him from behind. “You don’t want to take care of it?”

“Of course not, it’s just that…”

Everything had happened so suddenly, and he wasn’t prepared for any of it.

But oddly enough, perhaps because they had joked about it so much back in the county, Jing Li didn’t react as intensely as he thought he would upon learning that he was actually pregnant. Instead of feeling any rejection, he felt… amazed.

Maybe it was human nature, the instinct to reproduce. Knowing that he and Qin Zhao were going to have a child together filled him with an unexpected sense of contentment and joy that dispelled any anxiety.

Leaning against Qin Zhao’s chest, Jing Li felt his restless emotions gradually calm down. “I’m just… really surprised, and also really happy.”

Qin Zhao kissed the top of Jing Li’s head, slowly trailing his hand down Jing Li’s arm until it rested on top of his hand, which was gently caressing his abdomen.

“Xiao Yu, I’m really happy too,” Qin Zhao said softly. “You don’t even know how happy I am right now.”

It wasn’t just because of Jing Li’s pregnancy; it was also because the truth had come to light, and they had reconnected with a piece of their past. Qin Zhao had never believed in fate or divine intervention, but after today, seeing how everything had come together so miraculously, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of wonder.

He even thought that perhaps all the hardships he had endured in the past were leading up to this very moment.

“Alright, let’s eat,” Jing Li said, smiling. “I need to focus on nourishing this baby now!”

Qin Zhao chuckled. “Okay.”

He let go of Jing Li and opened the food box that Jingchen had brought, taking out the simple vegetarian dishes one by one.

The food box had three layers. The top layer held three small dishes—light and fresh vegetables. The middle layer contained a steaming hot cabbage and tofu soup. The bottom layer held a bowl of rice and… two sets of chopsticks.

Qin Zhao hesitated.

He had thought that Jing Chen’s earlier “congratulations” carried an extra meaning, and now it made sense.

Jing Li, having barely eaten anything since they got on the boat, was starving. He didn’t even notice anything odd about the vegetarian dishes as he eagerly dug in.

Qin Zhao just smiled and shook his head, saying nothing.

The next morning, as the sky just began to lighten, Jing Chen came to escort Qin Zhao to the mountain gate.

Each day, the monks sent disciples down the mountain to purchase supplies. The path was too narrow for carts, so they walked to the nearest town, which took about an hour on foot. The disciples usually left early to make the trip.

At that hour, Jing Li was still fast asleep. Since he was in his koi form around others, he simply transformed back into a fish and hid in the fish basket to continue his rest.

“Master Mingshan will guide you to the town at the foot of the mountain,” Jing Chen explained. “There, you’ll find a post station where you can rent a carriage to the capital. Though your journey seems smooth ahead, you must remain cautious.”

Qin Zhao paused mid-step, asking, “Has the master foreseen something?”

“Nothing specific,” Jing Chen replied. “The road ahead is treacherous, with bandits frequently causing trouble. It’s not as peaceful as the village or town you’ve grown accustomed to.”

Qin Zhao detected a hidden meaning in his words and calmly responded, “There’s only one path ahead, no matter how difficult. Even if there are bandits, I will deal with them. Fate is not something one can avoid.”

Jing Chen was momentarily stunned.

He glanced at Qin Zhao, as if seeing something deeper in him.

Time is the most unpredictable thing in this world, capable of changing everything—even a person’s fate, enough to pull them from the clouds or completely alter who they once were.

But some things never change.

After a moment, Jing Chen softly said, “You are insightful, and I have been overly cautious.”

The two had arrived at the mountain gate, where a young monk, around ten years old, was waiting at the foot of the stone steps.

Jing Chen stopped and said, “I will see you off here. Take care on your journey.”

Qin Zhao glanced at the fish basket, seeing the little one still fast asleep, and then said, “I have one last question.”

“…Yesterday, you mentioned you dreamed of an old acquaintance coming. That acquaintance… you weren’t referring to just one person, were you?”

Jing Chen didn’t respond. Instead, he clasped his hands together in a Buddhist gesture and softly chanted a Buddhist mantra.

Qin Zhao chuckled lightly, “Please keep the fish tank safe for me. I’ll come back to collect it in a few days.”

With that, he turned and descended the stone steps.

Jing Chen watched his retreating figure for a long time. The morning mountain breeze was cool, carrying away a faint sigh.

When Jing Li woke up, they were already seated in a carriage heading toward the capital city.

They had already covered half the journey by boat earlier. Now, from the town at the foot of Yun Guan Temple’s mountain, it would take another two days by carriage to reach the capital, Jiangling.

Given Jing Lei’s current condition, Qin Zhao had instructed the driver to travel slowly.

With several stops along the way, it wasn’t until the afternoon of the third day that they finally arrived at Jiangling, one of the most prosperous cities in the Central Plains due to its excellent geographical location and bustling commerce.

The city had many regulations, one of which prohibited non-local carriages from entering without special permission. After paying the fare and answering a few questions from the city guards, who checked their travel documents, Qin Zhao led Jing Li into the city.

Jing Li had never been here before, and with Qin Zhao having no memory of the place, they didn’t know their way around. Fortunately, among the five exam candidates they were traveling with, Yan Xiu had previously taken the exam here in Jiangling.

Yan Xiu had already discussed with them which inn to stay at and how to navigate the city.

Following Yan Xiu’s earlier directions, the two soon found the inn.

“Brother Qin, over here!”

Chen Yanan, whose room was on the second floor, was waving at them from a window overlooking the main street.

The two entered the inn, and Chen Yanan and He Zhixing quickly came downstairs to greet them.

Chen Yanan asked, “What took you so long? Did something happen on the road?”

He Zhixing added, “Yes, we heard there were bandits along the way. We’ve been worried these past few days. Chen even almost went to the authorities.”

Since the inn was a bit of a walk from the city gate, it had taken them about half an hour to get there. Qin Zhao helped Jing Li sit down before calmly saying, “We did run into some trouble.”

Chen Yanan immediately tensed up. “What happened? Were you robbed? Did anyone get hurt?”

“Nonsense.” Qin Zhao gave Chen Yanan a brief glance, speaking calmly, “Your sister-in-law is pregnant.”

Chen Yanan: “???”

Jing Li: “…”

He Zhixing, however, beamed with joy. “Congratulations, Doctor Qin!”

Jing Li was a bit exasperated.

Qin Zhao, despite his calm appearance, had been quietly eager about the news. Over the past few days, whenever he met someone, he couldn’t resist mentioning that Jing Li was pregnant, as if he wanted the whole world to know he was going to be a father.

Chen Yanan, however, didn’t share the enthusiasm. Instead, he sighed and shook his head. “Qin Zhao’s about to be a dad, and I don’t even have a wife. Heaven is so unfair…”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Chen Yanan grabbed his arm. “I don’t care, you’re treating us tonight. I want a good meal.”

Dining in the capital was far more expensive than in their county town, and Jing Li furrowed his brow, prepared to intervene, but Qin Zhao simply replied in his usual calm tone, “Sure. We’ll call them both too. Tonight, eat whatever you want—my treat.”

Jing Li: “…”

Does this guy have too much money to spend?

Since it was still early before dinner, Qin Zhao went to the counter, booked a private room, and took Jing Li upstairs to rest.

The inn was considered affordable by capital standards. A single bed private room cost 280 wen per night. Chen Yanan and the others were sharing a double room at 180 wen per night, meaning each person only had to pay 90 wen.

Both room types provided free charcoal braziers, but the double rooms were smaller, lacked a bath, and had two simple wooden beds.

Qin Zhao, of course, would never let Jing Li stay in such a room.

In contrast, the private room Qin Zhao rented had a bath tub and a bed with a soft mat. Although it was more expensive, at least his little fish could sleep comfortably.

Qin Zhao warmed up a hot water bottle, heating the bedding for Jing Li, and then gently lifted him onto the bed, leaning down to help take off his outer clothes and shoes.

“You don’t have to…” Jing Li felt uncomfortable being attended to this way, pulling his feet back, but Qin Zhao grasped his ankle firmly. “Don’t move.”

Qin Zhao removed his shoes and socks, then pulled the quilt over him, asking softly, “Still cold?”

Jing Li locked eyes with Qin Zhao and said seriously, “Yes.”

Qin Zhao replied, “I’ll go ask the innkeeper for another blanket.”

“Don’t.” Jing Li tugged on his sleeve, moving to the side of the bed and patting the space beside him. “If you get in, I won’t be cold anymore.”

Qin Zhao chuckled softly.

He took off his outer clothing, climbed into bed, and pulled Jing Li into his arms. “Like this?”

“Mm!” Jing Li snuggled into Qin Zhao, finding a comfortable spot. Sensing Qin Zhao’s cautious movements, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Why are you being so careful?”

Qin Zhao asked, “Am I really that tense?”

“Yeah, you’ve been like this since three days ago.” Jing Li turned over in his arms, nonchalantly saying, “I feel perfectly fine—eating well, drinking well, not uncomfortable at all. You don’t have to be like this.”

“I…” Qin Zhao lowered his gaze, softly apologizing, “Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” Jing Li snuggled into Qin Zhao’s shoulder. “I know you’re worried about me, but I’m really okay. I promise, the moment I feel uncomfortable, I’ll tell you immediately. Alright? Don’t worry.”

Qin Zhao stroked his hair gently, answering, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

They came to the capital just to register, and now Jing Li had to endure all the traveling with him.

“Why not bring me? Didn’t you say you wanted to show me around the capital?” Jing Li replied. “Besides, if I hadn’t come, you wouldn’t have known about your son.”

Pausing for a moment, Jing Li added, “Speaking of which, how many will I give birth to?”

He vaguely remembered that in the real world, koi fish could lay tens of thousands of eggs at a time, with hundreds or even thousands hatching successfully.

Would he… really give birth to that many?

Jing Li rubbed his flat belly and shuddered.

Qin Zhao, guessing what he was thinking, reassured him softly, “Don’t overthink it, and even if that’s the case… it’s fine.”

They were all his children, and he wouldn’t abandon a single one.

“I’d rather not. Just when we’re starting to live comfortably, they’d eat us into poverty,” Jing Li muttered softly. “But the abbot did say that before I was born, there was only one fish egg. Maybe I’ll only have one. After all, I’m a koi, quality over quantity.”

Qin Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle.

He’d never heard anyone talk about themselves this way before. His little fish’s way of thinking was truly one of a kind.

Jing Li had felt tired earlier, but now that he was lying down, he wasn’t sleepy at all. They chatted for a while longer until Qin Zhao suddenly asked, “How much do you remember from before?”

“Before?” Jing Li asked. “Do you mean the time at Yun Guan Temple?”

Ever since parts of his memory were awakened at Yun Guan Temple, Jing Li had a sense that the koi that hatched there was him.

But if he was really just a koi, why did he live a modern life?

And due to the young age of that koi, even the memories that had been awakened were still very blurry—so blurry that Jing Li couldn’t find any real evidence.

He shook his head. “I can’t remember clearly…”

It seemed that Qin Zhao was particularly interested in this part of his past. Stroking Jing Li’s back, he asked slowly, “You don’t remember anything? Not even the… Prince Rong? The abbot said you used to be quite fond of him.”

Jing Li looked up at him, blinking, starting to catch on.

Was this man jealous again?

“I wasn’t fond of that Prince Rong at all!”

Jing Li replied righteously, “That’s just what the abbot said; you can’t trust it. And you heard what Chen Yanan said, that prince’s reputation was terrible among the people. He was probably hideous, with a vile heart, an ugly monster. My taste could never be that bad—absolutely impossible!”

Qin Zhao: “…”