Bringing Chi-Chi Back

Jiang Ling leaned against the headboard, one arm around Bulma's slender waist. He relished the feel of her soft, smooth skin.

Bulma rested against Jiang Ling's strong chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. For no reason she could explain, a sense of peace settled over her.

"You're amazing."

"I know. I can tell from your expression."

"You're awful."

Bulma shot him an annoyed look with her beautiful eyes.

In that moment, her mature, alluring charm bloomed like a flower.

Jiang Ling held her even tighter.

His gaze seemed ready to devour her.

Bulma grew a little nervous and caught his hand. "Ling, you can't. I won't be able to get out of bed."

"Ah..."

Jiang Ling sighed, disappointed.

Feeling his disappointment, Bulma couldn't bear to turn him down.

So...

The next day.

Jiang Ling got dressed.

He ran a hand over Bulma's blue hair and kissed her forehead.

Since Jiang Ling had arrived, Bulma's peaceful sleeping face seemed more radiant than ever.

He had no idea why.

Jiang Ling left the room and gently closed the door behind him.

He didn't go looking for Trunks. Instead, he went alone to the Temple of the Gods.

He entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

He planned to train for another day—in other words, a year inside.

There were all sorts of powerful enemies waiting in the future. He had to make the most of his time and keep training.

Of course, balancing work and rest was essential.

Training without a break wouldn't get him very far.

Jiang Ling knew that well.

After the android crisis, things should remain peaceful for quite some time.

The next crisis would come when Babidi revived Majin Buu.

But with Trunks's strength, Jiang Ling believed he could handle it.

A day later.

Jiang Ling returned to the Underground Base.

Bulma was seated in front of a computer, her fingers flying as she worked on her research...

The light from the computer screen reflected across her focused face.

At that moment, Bulma wasn't showing the tender side of a woman. Instead, she radiated the confidence of a strong, capable woman.

When she saw Jiang Ling, she smiled, her eyes soft and alluring.

Jiang Ling stepped forward and squeezed her shoulders.

"My Bulma, the Time Machine's energy is fully charged now, right?" he asked softly.

Bulma's fingers stilled, and she relaxed.

She sighed.

"Ling, do you really have to go? Can't you stay here with me?"

She had to admit, the time since Jiang Ling arrived had been the happiest she'd had in many years.

Jiang Ling fell silent for a moment, then smiled. "What are you talking about? It's not like I said I wouldn't come back."

"Now that the android crisis is over, just imagine the future: I'll be in bed, the food will be in the pot, and you can do whatever you like with me."

Tender affection shone in Bulma's eyes.

"You know I have to go back. Besides, you wouldn't want me to let down the younger you, would you? Don't worry. I'll come back."

Jiang Ling pulled her into his arms and spoke gently.

"Mm."

Bulma closed her eyes, savoring their closeness.

She'd already come to terms with it.

She couldn't expect Jiang Ling to stay by her side forever.

After all, the age difference between them was undeniable.

She felt incredibly lucky just to have had him in her life.

Now, all she hoped was that Jiang Ling would come visit her from time to time.

That night.

Bulma let herself go and enjoyed the night to the fullest.

The next day.

Jiang Ling headed out.

He went to Mount Paozu.

Chi-Chi had already packed up.

She had brought just one Capsule.

It held some clothes and a few other things.

Jiang Ling understood what she had decided.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Mm. I have. Instead of wasting my life here, I'd rather go back to the past and be with him. Even if there's another me there."

"Then let's go."

Among the ruins of West City.

Bulma was surprised to see Jiang Ling arrive with Chi-Chi.

After Jiang Ling explained, she understood.

She went over and took Chi-Chi's hand.

"Chi-Chi, congratulations. I hope you have a good life back there. Don't get lost in sad memories."

"I will, Bulma. What about you? Why aren't you coming with me?" Chi-Chi asked.

"Me? What would I even do over there? I was only with Vegeta for a year. More than ten years have passed since then. I stopped having feelings for him ages ago."

Bulma watched as Jiang Ling and Chi-Chi climbed into the Time Machine.

A gentle breeze brushed past.

Her clothes fluttered softly in the wind.

Through the clear canopy, Jiang Ling smiled at her.

He waved and called out, "Wait for me!"

Whoosh—

The Time Machine vanished.

Bulma stood where she was.

The breeze stirred the ends of her blue hair.

Her red lips parted.

"I'll wait for you."

Back in Jiang Ling's original timeline.

On Mount Paozu.

"All you ever do is train! Don't you know you need to go out and earn money?"

"It's bad enough that you're training Gohan, but why are you taking away his study time too?"

Chi-Chi shouted at Goku.

After Jiang Ling had talked some sense into her last time, she no longer objected to Gohan training. But he still had to keep up with his studies.

Now Goku was training Gohan all day and leaving him no time to study. That was what made her the angriest!

Goku scratched his head and explained, "Come on, Chi-Chi, these are special circumstances. It's only for one year. Once we beat the androids, I'll let Gohan go back to studying."

Chi-Chi stamped her foot and took a deep breath.

She really couldn't deal with Goku.

He never argued with her, but once he made up his mind, not even ten oxen could drag him away from it.

There was nothing she could do.

"Fine, fine. You're his father, so I'll let you have your way this time. Take Gohan out to hunt some animals, then chop some firewood. Otherwise, we won't have anything for dinner," Chi-Chi said with a long sigh.

"Sure thing!"

Goku grinned.

Just then,

he suddenly looked up at the sky.

His expression turned serious!

Whoosh—

A machine appeared in the sky and slowly descended...

It was the Time Machine!

"The Time Machine?" Goku murmured. "It hasn't been long. Is Trunks back already?"

Chi-Chi stared at the Time Machine, not knowing what it was.

Gohan ran over too.

Together, they watched as it touched down.

Click.

As the whole family looked on, the Time Machine's canopy opened.

Jiang Ling poked his head out.

"Hey! Long time no see. How are you all?"

"Oh, it's Jiang Ling," Goku said, letting out a breath. He picked up his cup and took a drink of water.

"Where's Trunks?"

Jiang Ling smiled. "He didn't come back."

Then he gave them a mysterious smile.

"Guess what I brought with me?"

"What?"

The family of three stared at him, puzzled.

Another head appeared from the Time Machine.

It was Future Chi-Chi, dressed in a Qipao, her hair pinned up and wrinkles faintly visible on her face.

Goku stared in shock. "Huh?! Chi-Chi?!"

Gohan jumped. "Two... two moms?!"

Chi-Chi was stunned. She covered her slightly open mouth. "How can there be another me?!"

Future Chi-Chi looked at the familiar faces, and tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

These were the faces she dreamed of seeing every day!

Now she was finally seeing them again, standing right in front of her. How could she not burst into tears of joy?