Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 24

[?? I just took a moment to fangirl over the Shen-Pei couple, what drama are these two stirring up now?]

[Weren’t the Best Actor and Best Actress pair always pretty stable? How did they mess up at a time like this?]

[Yeah, even Yan Wu’s team passed. How can this long-married couple fail? That doesn’t make sense.]

Noticing the strange looks from the crew around them, Dai Jingxuan’s expression darkened. He tried to cover it up by saying, “It’s been too long, I’ve kind of forgotten.”

Tong Miaoling smiled calmly. “We’ve been married for seven years. We’re not like those young couples with good memories.”

“Not just Jingxuan, I’ve forgotten a bit too.”

Even so, the two were famously known in the entertainment industry for their strong relationship. Forgetting the scene of their first meeting was hard to justify.

At this moment, Bai Hansui stepped forward and said gently, “Actually, this is pretty normal. If it weren’t for the fact that it was a birthday party when Chilin and I met, I wouldn’t remember either.”

Recognizing that Bai Hansui was helping them save face, Tong Miaoling gave her a grateful look.

Bai Hansui subtly returned the smile.

Tong Miaoling turned to Director Miao. “The time span is too long. We really don’t remember the details clearly. Why don’t we just take the loss for this round?”

Director Miao had been worried that if all four teams succeeded, the show would lose its appeal. Seeing Tong Miaoling concede willingly, he seized the opportunity. “Team Dai Tong fails the task and must accept punishment!”

Since the next task would take place at a different location, Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling had to walk there, while the other couples could take a designated car.

Once in the car, Shen Lai stretched comfortably. “Finally, we can rest a bit.”

“Oh?” Pei Jingyan raised an eyebrow. “Did I keep Miss Shen from sleeping well last night?”

[Such bold words!]

[Why didn’t she sleep well? Tell us more!]

[Could it be what I’m thinking? Hehehehe.]

[Isn’t it obvious? What else could keep Shen Lai up all night? Those who know, know!]

[Just look at the size difference between CEO Pei and her, he must be very capable.]

Unaware that the comments section had taken a steamy turn, Shen Lai thought to herself, With a man, especially a longtime rival, sleeping beside me, how could I possibly sleep well?

Her mind involuntarily replayed the scene of them embracing that morning, and her ears grew warm.

Even now, she still couldn’t figure out how she ended up in Pei Jingyan’s arms.

Huo Chilin sat behind them, their conversation reaching his ears word for word.

The photo he had seen on Weibo earlier that day flashed in his mind, and his heart felt as though it had been pricked by countless needles, his chest tight with an inexplicable weight.

Suddenly, Huo Chilin spoke in a low voice, “CEO Pei, Miss Shen, could you keep your voices down? You’re not the only ones in this car.”

[??? What’s gotten into Huo Chilin all of a sudden?]

[Seriously, Pei Jingyan and Shen Lai weren’t even talking that loudly.]

[Why is Huo Chilin acting so weird? The couple’s conversation isn’t bothering anyone.]

[Not to be rude, but don’t you think Huo Chilin has been acting strange all day? He was inexplicably targeting Pei Jingyan and Shen Lai during the cooking segment this morning, and now he’s telling them to quiet down. It’s not like this is his private car, he’s overstepping.]

Huo Chilin’s fans couldn’t stand seeing their idol being criticized and immediately swarmed in to argue with the barrage of comments.

[Seriously, it’s President Pei and Shen Lai who lack manners. The car isn’t just for them, why do they have to talk so loudly and disturb others? How is that justified?]

[What’s there to envy about your CP? One’s the daughter of a criminal, even if she threw herself at our brother, he wouldn’t want her!]

[I think Shen Lai just can’t stand seeing our brother getting along with Suisui, so she’s deliberately trying to get his attention (vomit).]

Hearing this, Shen Lai turned her head to glance at Huo Chilin behind her.

Huo Chilin’s face was tense, his expression unfriendly.

At that moment, Pei Jingyan lazily spoke up, “Young Master Huo, I know you’re jealous of how well we get along, but you don’t have to be so obvious about it.”

Someone nearby couldn’t help but chuckle.

A vein throbbed at Huo Chilin’s temple. “I’m jealous of you?”

Pei Jingyan raised an eyebrow. “If not jealousy, then do you like me?”

Huo Chilin nearly spat blood, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked. “Why would I be jealous of you? I have a girlfriend of my own.”

Pei Jingyan’s gaze shifted from Huo Chilin to Bai Hansui, his tone deliberately drawn out. “Ah, so Young Master Huo still remembers he has a girlfriend. I thought you’d forgotten and started eyeing my wife instead.”

At these words, Yan Rui and Wu Qi exchanged a glance beside them.

Bai Hansui’s expression darkened slightly.

The implication was clear. Huo Chilin gritted his teeth, sensing that Pei Jingyan might know something.

Bai Hansui forced a smile and spoke up, “Sorry, Chilin has trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds. He didn’t rest well last night and wanted to take a nap in the car.”

The excuse was flimsy to anyone listening. Pei Jingyan’s expression remained unchanged as he turned to Shen Lai. “Hear that? Young Master Huo needs to rest. Should we take a break too?”

Shen Lai calmly averted her gaze. “Mm, I could use a nap as well.”

“Go ahead.” Pei Jingyan casually grabbed a blanket provided by the production team and draped it over Shen Lai. “I’ll handle some documents.”

As the blanket settled over her, Shen Lai thought Pei Jingyan seemed quite practiced at this.

He must have done this for plenty of women before, right?

Leaning back in her seat, Shen Lai closed her eyes to rest. But after the earlier exchange, her drowsiness had vanished.

Behind them, Huo Chilin watched as Pei Jingyan tenderly tucked the blanket around Shen Lai, who didn’t resist at all, his gaze growing increasingly shadowed.

At first, he’d thought the two were putting on an act. Now, he wasn’t so sure.

Why would someone as lofty as Pei Jingyan stoop to cooperate with Shen Lai?

Unless he genuinely had feelings for her.

Noticing Huo Chilin still glaring ahead, Bai Hansui worried about the cameras catching it and gently reminded him, “Chilin, didn’t you say you were tired? You should rest.”

Only then did Huo Chilin snap out of it. Seeing Bai Hansui’s concerned expression, his tense features softened slightly. Stiffly, he explained, “Don’t listen to Pei Jingyan’s nonsense. I just thought they were being too loud and couldn’t help speaking up.”

Bai Hansui smiled. “I know. Of course I believe you.”

Huo Chilin reached out and affectionately touched her face. “Then I’ll rest for a bit. Wake me when we arrive.”

“Okay.”

The moment Huo Chilin closed his eyes, Bai Hansui’s smile vanished. Her hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves.

Unnoticed by her, Wu Qi caught the entire scene from the side.

She gazed thoughtfully at Shen Lai ahead, lost in unknown musings.

Half an hour later, the car came to a stop at their destination.

Still lost in sleep, Shen Lai felt someone nudge her. She frowned slightly, letting out a soft, unconscious whimper as she tugged the blanket over her head.

Seeing Shen Lai stubbornly refusing to wake up, Pei Jingyan’s eyes flickered with amusement. He reached out and pinched her pert nose.

Shen Lai, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly found it hard to breathe. Instinctively, she parted her lips for air and slowly opened her eyes.

Pei Jingyan’s unfairly handsome face was now less than an inch away from hers. The blazing sunlight streamed through the car window, wrapping around him like golden threads. His dark eyes, lowered slightly, were fixed on her, and his thin lips curved into a faint smirk.

“Miss Shen, if you don’t get up now, I’ll have no choice but to carry you out of the car.”

Shen Lai blinked in a daze, then suddenly realized something and her cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.

“Who asked you to carry me? It’s not like I’m missing arms or legs!”

With that, she pushed Pei Jingyan away and quickly got out of the car.