Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 26

Five minutes later, the four blindfolded pairs of guests entered the forest together.

The surroundings were eerily silent, with only the crisp sound of footsteps on fallen leaves and the occasional call of birds overhead, creating an inexplicably unsettling atmosphere.

[Damn, am I watching a horror movie or something? This is kinda terrifying.]

[Is this a dating show or a horror show? Give me back my romantic action scenes!]

[Alright, alright, while others go for the pink aesthetic, you guys are going for the dark theme, huh?]

Not just the guests on-site, even the live-stream audience seemed to be immersed in the moment, flooding the chat with the word “protection.”

Although Shen Lai was chosen as the “Big Bad Wolf,” to avoid exposure, she had to wear a blindfold like the other guests, blending into the crowd.

Unable to see the path, she could only rely on the staff’s guidance to move forward.

As she walked, her foot suddenly caught on something, causing her to lose balance and stumble forward with a startled cry, “Ahhh!”

The next second, a hand steadied her waist.

“Be careful.”

Pei Jingyan’s deep voice sounded beside her ear.

Shen Lai’s heart pounded wildly. The warmth of the large hand on her waist seemed to seep through her clothes, scalding her skin.

At that moment, Wu Qi’s concerned voice came from ahead, “Miss Shen, are you alright?”

Shen Lai took a moment to calm herself before replying, “I’m fine. I just tripped over something.”

Wu Qi sighed in relief. “That’s good. Be careful—you’re carrying a child, after all.”

Her words carried genuine concern, warming Shen Lai’s heart. “I will. Thank you.”

Wu Qi smiled faintly and continued forward.

Not far away, Huo Chilin only relaxed after hearing Shen Lai say she was fine, slowly lowering the hand that had been hovering near his blindfold.

For a moment, he had nearly forgotten the rule against removing the blindfold. The second he heard Shen Lai’s voice, his first instinct had been to rush to her.

“Chilin, you’re gripping my hand too tightly,” Bai Hansui suddenly said beside him.

Only then did Huo Chilin realize he had unconsciously tightened his grip upon hearing Shen Lai’s stumble. He immediately loosened his hold. “Sorry, I thought you were the one who fell, so I reflexively held on tighter.”

A faint blush spread across Bai Hansui’s cheeks. “I understand.”

[So sweet, so sweet, so sweet! The Lin-Sui couple is the absolute best!]

[Young Master Huo has been holding Suisui’s hand since they entered the forest. Who wouldn’t call this true love?]

[Pfft, unlike certain fans who keep boasting about their ship being affectionate, only stepping in to help after someone almost falls. It’s obvious who’s genuine and who’s fake.]

[Let’s just focus on our own ship, lest someone’s paid trolls come attacking again.]

With Pei Jingyan’s support, Shen Lai steadied herself. She rubbed the sole of her shoe against whatever had tripped her, it felt like a rock.

A wave of fear washed over her. If she had really fallen, the baby in her belly might not have survived.

“Thank you,” she said to Pei Jingyan.

Pei Jingyan’s tone was indifferent. “No need. I didn’t do it for you, it was for the child.”

Even if he hadn’t said it, Shen Lai already knew. There was no need for him to keep emphasizing it.

She pressed her lips together. “I know. You don’t have to say it.”

Despite her words, she didn’t pull away from Pei Jingyan’s hand. It didn’t matter if she fell, but the baby couldn’t be harmed, otherwise, her mother’s medical expenses would be left with no hope.

But the presence of Pei Jingyan’s hand resting on her waist was too strong. With him supporting her, Shen Lai couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward.

Just then, Director Miao’s voice came through her earpiece: “Miss Shen, we’re about to enter the Misty Thorn Zone. You can get ready to make your move.”

Shen Lai nodded subtly.

She quietly removed her blindfold, and her vision instantly cleared. Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see the other six guests, all groping their way forward under the staff’s guidance.

Her gaze then shifted to Pei Jingyan.

Bathed in moonlight, his eyes were covered, with strands of black hair falling over his forehead. His nose was high-bridged, and his lips were a deep red, giving off a lazy, self-assured vibe, completely unfazed by the blindfold.

In the past, Shen Lai would have targeted Pei Jingyan first. But since she still needed his help later, she had to let him go. After all, if her identity was exposed, she was counting on him to take over the role of the Big Bad Wolf.

Though the chances of him agreeing were slim.

Director Miao’s voice came through again, “Miss Shen, have you decided who to target?”

Shen Lai’s eyes swept over the other three pairs of guests.

This game tested the bonds between couples. Bai Hansui and Huo Chilin were a given, at least in front of the cameras, they’d put on a convincing act.

As for Yan Rui and Wu Qi, judging by how quickly Yan Rui rushed to buy stomach medicine that morning, it was clear there was some affection between them.

Finally, Shen Lai’s gaze settled on Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling.

From her observations over the past two days, the award-winning actor and actress seemed to have a good relationship, but their love didn’t appear as deep as they portrayed.

After all, they were seasoned professionals. If they couldn’t even act this part well, their years in the entertainment industry would have been wasted.

“Director Miao, I remember you mentioned that the Big Bad Wolf has a special privilege, right?” Shen Lai suddenly said.

“Yes.”

Shen Lai narrowed her eyes slightly. “Then I’ll use one of the Wolf’s Candy props.”

Soon, they arrived at the Misty Thorn Zone. At Director Miao’s cue, everyone removed their blindfolds.

Shen Lai also pretended to have just taken hers off, looking around with feigned confusion.

“Ahead is the Misty Thorn Zone. Once you enter, the Big Bad Wolf will appear. Be careful not to get separated, or you’ll be eliminated.”

After Director Miao finished the reminders, the guests stepped into the Misty Thorn Zone.

A thick fog loomed ahead, making it hard to see the path, almost like being blindfolded again.

Following the director’s warning, silence fell over the group. No one knew if the person beside them was the Big Bad Wolf, so they tacitly kept quiet.

Bai Hansui then pressed closer to Huo Chilin. “Chilin, let’s hold hands. That way, no one can separate us.”

[Even though the game is eerie, my CP is wholesome!]

[Hansui is so smart! Now the Big Bad Wolf can’t split her and young master Huo apart!!]

[True love shines in adversity. Hansui turned to Huo Chilin first, how much trust does it take to place her hand in his like that?]

[Our ‘Zero Fragments’ CP is the first to hold hands! Sweet and reassuring!]

Huo Chilin glanced down at her and teased, “Aren’t you afraid I might be the Big Bad Wolf?”

Bai Hansui replied shyly, “If you really are the Big Bad Wolf, I’d gladly let you devour me.”

A glint of amusement flashed in Huo Chilin’s eyes as he proactively took Bai Hansui’s hand.

This move instantly sent the barrage of comments into a frenzy, with viewers exclaiming how sweet it was.

The Yan-Wu pair walked right behind them. Hearing this, Yan Rui glanced at Wu Qi beside him and cleared his throat lightly. “Do you want to hold my hand?”

Wu Qi stared at the hand Yan Rui extended toward her. After a brief two-second silence, she finally took it, feigning nonchalance as she said, “I just don’t want the mission to fail, that’s all.”

The corners of Yan Rui’s lips curled slightly as he tightened his grip on her hand.

Seeing that the timing was about right, Shen Lai prepared to make her move.

But first, she needed to shake off Pei Jingyan.

Shen Lai cleared her throat and nudged the hand Pei Jingyan had placed on her waist. “Um… I can walk on my own now. You don’t need to support me.”

Pei Jingyan’s brow arched slightly beneath his blindfold. “You sure about that?”

“Positive,” Shen Lai affirmed.

Pei Jingyan didn’t press further. He withdrew his hand, slipping it back into his pocket, his fingers unconsciously rubbing together. His tone remained cool and composed. “Don’t come crying to me if you fall later.”

As if she were some child.

Shen Lai thought to herself. Besides, when had she ever complained to Pei Jingyan about pain before?

And even if she were in pain, she would never confide in him. Given the nature of their relationship, she’d only be met with sarcasm. She wasn’t a masochist—why would she subject herself to that?

To avoid arousing Pei Jingyan’s suspicion, Shen Lai subtly began to widen the distance between them, pretending her slow pace was due to the difficulty of navigating blindly.

Even if Pei Jingyan later noticed her absence, she could always claim she’d gotten lost to dispel any doubts.

With everyone’s attention focused ahead, no one noticed a lone figure quietly slipping away from the back of the group.

Just then, Tong Miaoling, walking at the front of the group, spotted a shadow emerging from the mist toward them.

Her guard instantly went up. She was about to alert Dai Jingxuan beside her when the figure suddenly spoke. “Teacher Tong.”

As the voice faded, a staff member stepped into view before her.