Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 25

Pei Jingyan watched her flustered retreat, the corners of his lips curling slightly as he tucked his hands into his pockets and leisurely followed her out.

The place looked like a forest, with brilliant sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves and scattering across the grass.

Shen Lai was puzzled.

What exactly did Director Miao have planned for the task location?

“What do you think Director Miao’s next task will be?” Shen Lai quietly sidled up to Pei Jingyan and whispered.

The faint, elusive fragrance drifted to his nose. Pei Jingyan lowered his gaze to Shen Lai’s profile, her fair skin almost translucent under the sunlight, veins faintly visible.

Calmly, he replied, “Probably another test of marital affection or something like that.”

Shen Lai thought to herself the two of them had only passed the previous tasks by sheer coincidence. If they kept being tested, they might slip up sooner or later.

“Are you confident about what comes next?” Shen Lai asked uneasily. “If not, maybe we should just call it quits.”

Pei Jingyan shot her a sidelong glance. “And how do you plan to ‘call it quits’?”

Shen Lai had already thought it through. In a hushed voice, she said, “I could say I suddenly had an allergic reaction, and you had to withdraw to take care of me. That way, no one would suspect anything.”

Pei Jingyan’s gaze darkened. “So you’re planning to risk the baby in your belly by fabricating an allergen?”

Shen Lai choked.

“I suggest you drop any misguided ideas,” Pei Jingyan’s voice was icy. “Don’t forget, the child in your belly is tied to your mother’s medical expenses for the rest of her life.”

Shen Lai’s heart felt as if it had been pierced by something sharp. She clenched her fingers, her throat tightening. “I know that. You don’t need to remind me.”

The atmosphere grew heavy, the rare harmony from earlier in the car now completely shattered. For a moment, neither spoke.

Pei Jingyan gave her a deep look. “As for the show, don’t overthink it. I won’t let you sink further into infamy, you can rest assured.”

Before Shen Lai could fully grasp his meaning, Pei Jingyan walked away.

Though she was still a little confused, if Pei Jingyan said there wouldn’t be any issues, he must have some confidence.

As for the baby in her belly…

Shen Lai lowered her head and looked at her abdomen, an inexplicable ache rising in her chest. That wasn’t what she had meant, she was only suggesting pretending to have an allergic reaction. Did Pei Jingyan really have to react so strongly?

Perhaps the past two days of relatively harmonious interactions in front of the cameras had given her the illusion that Pei Jingyan wasn’t so terrible after all.

But she had forgotten they were originally sworn rivals at each other’s throats. Even if Pei Jingyan showed her a bit of kindness, it was only for the sake of putting on a show for the cameras.

By the time Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling arrived, it was almost one in the afternoon. Director Miao finally announced the new task: “Little Red Riding Hood Adventure.”

Each group, composed of couples or spouses, would have one member randomly assigned by the production team to play the “Big Bad Wolf,” responsible for creating obstacles for the “Little Red Riding Hoods.”

The Little Red Riding Hood couples would accumulate trust points by completing tasks, protecting each other while trying to uncover the Big Bad Wolf. The Big Bad Wolf, on the other hand, had to survive until the final round without being identified by the other guests… otherwise, the task would be a failure.

Before the game began, to allow the guests time to rest and recharge, the production team gave everyone an afternoon nap break, with plans to regroup in the evening.

After everyone returned to their rooms, Director Miao suddenly called Shen Lai over in a mysterious manner.

“Director Miao, did you need something?” Shen Lai asked, puzzled.

Director Miao chuckled. “Miss Shen, congratulations! you’ve been chosen as the Big Bad Wolf for this mission.”

“Big Bad Wolf?” Shen Lai pointed at herself in surprise. “Me?”

Director Miao nodded. “This is the production team’s recognition of your abilities. You must perform well and absolutely cannot reveal your identity.”

Shen Lai blinked. “Not even to Pei Jingyan?”

“That’s right.”

Shen Lai never expected the production team to pick her as the Big Bad Wolf. Curious, she asked, “So what am I supposed to do?”

Director Miao grinned slyly. “You need to conceal your identity, sabotage other couples’ relationships, sow suspicion, and strive to survive until the finals. There’ll be a big reward waiting for you then.”

Hearing about the big reward, Shen Lai’s eyes lit up. “What kind of reward?”

Director Miao replied mysteriously, “You’ll find out later.”

“What if I fail?”

“If you survive until the final round without being identified by more than half of the guests, you can reveal your identity and claim the reward alone. If you’re voted out midway, you can disclose your identity to your partner, who can then choose to either ‘turn dark and inherit the wolf’s mission’ or ‘commit mutual elimination by leaving the game together.'”

Shen Lai thought to herself that, given Pei Jingyan’s personality, he’d probably choose neither, he might even gloat over her misfortune.

After Director Miao left, Shen Lai returned to her room just as Pei Jingyan stepped out of the bathroom.

Pei Jingyan glanced toward the door. “Where did you go?”

Remembering Director Miao’s instructions, Shen Lai rolled her eyes and feigned calm. “I slept enough in the car earlier, so I went out for a walk.”

Pei Jingyan didn’t question it and walked over to sit on the bed.

Thinking back to what Director Miao had said, Shen Lai touched her face and suddenly asked, “Pei Jingyan, do you think I look mean and shrewish?”

Pei Jingyan turned to look at her. “Why the sudden question?”

Shen Lai couldn’t exactly say the production team had chosen her as the Big Bad Wolf, so she coughed lightly. “Just asking casually.”

Pei Jingyan suddenly stood up and walked toward her. Before Shen Lai could react, he leaned in abruptly, his face inches from hers.

Shen Lai tensed up instantly. Staring at Pei Jingyan’s face so close to hers, she swallowed hard. “W-what are you doing?”

Pei Jingyan studied Shen Lai’s face and gave an earnest assessment. “You do look pretty mean and shrewish.”

“You…!”

Shen Lai gritted her teeth.

She should’ve known better than to ask Pei Jingyan.

A dog’s mouth doesn’t spit out ivory!

She shoved Pei Jingyan away. “You’re no better yourself, pointy-faced and monkey-like! The monkeys of Mount Emei must be your long-lost brothers!”

Pei Jingyan straightened up with a smile, slipping one hand into his pocket. “You asked for my opinion. I told the truth, and now you don’t want to hear it.”

Back in school, Shen Lai had even been voted campus belle. If she really looked as awful as Pei Jingyan claimed, what did that make everyone else?

Shen Lai snorted. “Forget it. Pretend I never asked.”

Then she noticed Pei Jingyan was still wearing his suit and asked curiously, “Aren’t you taking a nap?”

Pei Jingyan gave her a deep look. “Do you really want to nap with me?”

Shen Lai nearly choked.

She shot Pei Jingyan an annoyed glare, unwilling to stay in the same space with him, and strode out of the room.

Soon, as night fell, everyone gathered at the forest entrance.

[I’m here, I’m here!!]

[Is the production team filming a horror movie? Why pick such a place?]

[Nighttime is more thrilling, easier to get things done in a secluded spot, hehehe.]

[Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, just the name alone sounds wild, hehehe.]

Director Miao raised a small megaphone and announced the game rules: “The Little Red Riding Hood Adventure consists of three challenges. To win, each couple must successfully complete the tasks without separating from their partner and reach the destination. Otherwise, it’s considered a failure.”

“During the game, the Big Bad Wolf will appear to cause trouble. Everyone must stay vigilant, the person beside you might just be the Big Bad Wolf in disguise.”

Hearing this, the guests exchanged wary glances. Director Miao’s tactic was undeniably clever before the game even began, suspicion had already crept in.

“The first challenge is called ‘Thorny Path for Two.’ Couples must navigate through the obstacle-filled forest blindfolded. Removing the blindfold counts as cheating and will result in immediate disqualification.”

“The Big Bad Wolf has already infiltrated your group. Stay alert.”

“Let the game begin!”