Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 14

Bai Hansui’s smile froze instantly on her face. “Wh-what?”

Pei Jingyan’s voice was calm and indifferent. “Since you’re so considerate of others, I assume you wouldn’t want to trouble the other guests either, right?”

Bai Hansui’s expression flickered between red and pale. “B-but I can’t move all these suitcases alone…”

Pei Jingyan raised an eyebrow in mock surprise. “So, Miss Bai, you don’t want to put in any effort but still want to play the good person and earn a reputation?”

Shen Lai struggled to hold back her laughter.

She used to despise Pei Jingyan’s sharp tongue the most, sometimes she even wondered if a single lick from him could poison her to death.

But now that it was directed at someone else, it didn’t seem so bad.

“Miss Bai, my wife is pregnant. At home, I can’t even bear to let her do chores.” Pei Jingyan leaned back casually, hands in his pockets, speaking as if it were the absolute truth. “And I didn’t accompany her to this variety show just to turn her into a laborer.”

At the word “wife,” Shen Lai’s ears inexplicably burned, the heat creeping up her cheeks.

She knew full well that Pei Jingyan was deliberately saying this for the cameras.

Initially, the live-stream audience had been criticizing Pei Jingyan for lacking manners and failing to be chivalrous, mocking a woman in public.

But after hearing his words, the viewers belatedly realized, wasn’t this supposed to be Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling’s punishment? How had it become everyone’s task?

[Exactly! The punishment was for those who didn’t answer the questions. If everyone has to carry the luggage, what’s the point of the game?]

[I don’t like Shen Lai, but this time, I’m on Team Pei.]

[Besides, Shen Lai is pregnant. This isn’t even her task… it’s not right to make her move luggage.]

[Even Shen Lai has fans now? Did Pei buy a bunch of paid supporters?]

Huo Chilin frowned, his expression displeased. “President Pei, we’re all here as guests on the show. Do you really have to be so petty?”

“If Young Master Huo isn’t petty,” Pei Jingyan curled his lips, “then you can do the moving.”

Huo Chilin choked. He glanced around and realized all the staff and guests were staring at him.

Not wanting to lose face, he clenched his fists. “Fine, I’ll do it. I’m not as calculating as you.”

Huo Chilin rolled up his sleeves and began helping Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling with their luggage.

Yan Rui and Wu Qi exchanged a glance. Aware of the cameras, they wisely decided to carry their own suitcases.

Only Pei Jingyan and Shen Lai stood empty-handed.

Noticing Shen Lai’s hesitation, Pei Jingyan smirked, his smile devoid of warmth… almost cold. “What, feeling sorry for your ex-boyfriend?”

Shen Lai had no idea where he got that idea. “No,” she said helplessly. “I just thought, since the cameras are rolling and even Yan Rui and Wu Qi are carrying their own luggage, won’t this look bad for us?”

This was how the entertainment industry worked, no matter how much you disliked someone, you had to pretend otherwise in public.

Though she was already thoroughly blacklisted, with little left to lose.

“What’s there to fear?” Pei Jingyan replied nonchalantly. “Even if you can’t make it in the entertainment industry, the Pei family can afford to support you.”

Shen Lai laughed self-deprecatingly. “The Pei family won’t support me forever.”

They both knew the truth, their marriage was just a means for Pei Jingyan to secure his inheritance. Once his position was solidified, their relationship would end.

By then, Shen Lai would still have to rely on herself.

Pei Jingyan narrowed his eyes slightly, his pupils an inscrutable black, as he drawled, “If you’re so afraid of the Pei family kicking you out, then you’d better learn to please me. Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I can keep you and your mother off the streets.”

Shen Lai shook her head. “No thanks. Once my career takes off, I won’t need to rely on the Pei family anymore.”

A cold glint flashed in Pei Jingyan’s eyes at her words, and he let out an ambiguous, mocking laugh.

After the other guests had left, Bai Hansui looked remorseful. “Chilin, I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

Huo Chilin’s expression was grave. “Don’t say that. You were just thinking of Mr. Yan and Miss Tong.”

Biting her lip, Bai Hansui wore a slightly aggrieved expression. “But it seems like President Pei misunderstood me. We’ve never even met before, I don’t know why he’d have such hostility toward me. Could it be that Lai Lai…?”

Huo Chilin frowned slightly. Though Shen Lai had a bit of a spoiled temper, she had never been one to badmouth others behind their backs.

“It’s probably not her. She’s not that kind of person.”

Bai Hansui’s expression stiffened, her lips twitching slightly. “I think so too. Even if Lai Lai is upset with me, she wouldn’t do something like this.”

Unnoticed by Huo Chilin, a flicker of resentment flashed in her eyes as he turned to glance at Shen Lai’s retreating figure.

How had he never realized before how selfish Shen Lai was? She wouldn’t even lend a hand for such a small favor.

Good thing he’d broken up with her in advance.

When they arrived at the villa, Dai Jingxuan patted Huo Chilin on the shoulder. “Thanks for your hard work.”

“No need for formalities, Mr. Dai. We’re all here for the show, no need to keep score.”

As he said this, Huo Chilin cast a meaningful glance at Pei Jingyan.

Dai Jingxuan followed his gaze and snorted. “Well, he is a businessman. It’s only natural to be profit-driven.”

His tone carried clear dissatisfaction.

Huo Chilin responded perfunctorily, unable to fathom how Shen Lai had gotten involved with someone like Pei Jingyan.

Her taste had really gone downhill after leaving him.

Just to get his attention, she’d even teamed up with an old rival like Pei Jingyan.

Just then, one of the guests noticed four differently colored envelopes placed on the coffee table in the living room.

“What’s this?” Wu Qi leaned in curiously for a closer look.

Director Miao appeared with a megaphone. “In front of you are the room assignments for tonight. The number you draw will determine where you stay.”

The guests buzzed with excitement, everyone eager to land the biggest and best room.

As the longest-standing duo in the group, Dai Tong’s team picked the purple envelope first, followed by Yan Wu’s team with green, Huo Bai’s team with blue, and Pei Shen’s team with red.

Pei Jingyan opened the envelope and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Curious, Shen Lai leaned in to look.

Written inside was: “The Biscuit Game: Participants must hold opposite ends of a chocolate biscuit stick with their mouths and compete to see who can maintain the shortest remaining distance. The winning guest will receive the top-floor luxury suite with a rooftop garden.”

[Ahhhhhhh this is so intense!!!]

[I was wondering why Director Miao was being so nice this time, turns out he was setting us up.]

[Even dogs aren’t as ruthless as Director Miao!]

[Does this mean we’ll get to see Suisui and Young Master Huo kiss today? Yay!]

The sudden task caught all the guests off guard. Pei Jingyan plucked the chocolate biscuit from the envelope and glanced at Shen Lai before him, raising an eyebrow slightly. “Miss Shen, would you like to stay in the best room?”