Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 5

Hearing these words, Shen Lai’s pupils dilated slightly.

Noticing her reaction, Pei Jingyan curled his lips into a smirk. “Surely the esteemed Miss Shen doesn’t think we can live apart now that we’re married?”

Though Shen Lai was reluctant to admit it, she had to concede that Pei Jingyan had a point.

Since they were now husband and wife, it would be unreasonable not to live together. If the paparazzi caught wind of it, the rumors that had just died down would undoubtedly resurface.

Shen Lai clenched her palm. “I understand.”

The reluctance on her face didn’t escape Pei Jingyan’s notice. His gaze turned cold as he averted his eyes. “You may leave.”

Without another word, Shen Lai strode out of the office, as though staying even a second longer was unbearable.

Watching her retreating figure, Pei Jingyan leaned back in his chair, his expression inscrutable, lost in thought.

That evening, Shen Lai moved into Pei Jingyan’s villa.

The butler, having received word of her arrival in advance, was already waiting at the door.

“Madam, hello. I am the butler here, surnamed Sun. You may call me Uncle Sun.”

The term “Madam” made Shen Lai slightly uncomfortable, but she didn’t correct him. Like everyone else, Uncle Sun probably genuinely believed she was Pei Jingyan’s wife.

She smiled faintly. “Uncle Sun.”

The butler stepped forward to take her luggage. “Madam, let me help you with your bags.”

Shen Lai didn’t refuse. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Following Uncle Sun upstairs, Shen Lai took in her surroundings, this was her first time in Pei Jingyan’s home. The decor was much like his office: a muted palette of black and gray, understated and refined.

As they walked, Uncle Sun introduced the various rooms and their functions. Finally, he added, “By the way, Madam, the attic at the end of the third floor is off-limits to everyone by Mr. Pei’s orders. Please refrain from going there.”

Shen Lai nodded. This was someone else’s home, after all, and it was basic courtesy not to wander or pry. She wasn’t so ignorant as to disregard such rules.

Soon, they arrived at her room, the first one at the corner of the second floor.

“Madam, this will be your room.”

Just as Shen Lai was about to thank him, a thought struck her, and she tensed. “Um, is this room for me alone?”

Uncle Sun nodded. “Yes. Mr. Pei mentioned you prefer personal space, so I arranged this room for you.”

Shen Lai exhaled quietly, then inwardly mocked herself for overthinking.

Pei Jingyan despised her… there was no way he’d share a room with her. If not for their public status as a married couple, he probably wouldn’t even want to share the same roof.

Forcing a smile, she said, “Thank you for your trouble.”

“You’re too kind.” Uncle Sun gestured ahead. “The room next door is Mr. Pei’s.”

Following his gaze, Shen Lai saw the master bedroom, separated only by a wall.

She quickly looked away, smiled at Uncle Sun, and then carried her luggage into her room.

It appeared to be a guest room, complete with an ensuite bathroom and a large, unobstructed floor-to-ceiling window facing the courtyard. In the distance, the glittering cityscape was visible.

She hadn’t expected Uncle Sun to assign her a room with such a stunning view.

It was far better than the rented apartment she’d lived in before.

After the Shen family’s downfall, their villa was auctioned off, and Shen Lai moved into a rundown neighborhood where water and power outages were the norm.

It was only then that she realized such dilapidated houses existed in the world.

Just as Shen Lai was unpacking her belongings, the gate in the courtyard downstairs swung open, and a black Bentley drove in.

Steward Sun stepped forward to greet the arrival. “Mr. Pei, you’re back.”

Pei Jingyan gave a faint hum and handed his suit jacket to Steward Sun. “Has she moved in?”

The identity of “she” was self-evident. Butler Sun nodded. “Madam is currently in her room.”

Pei Jingyan glanced up toward the second floor before heading upstairs.

The door to the guest room was slightly ajar, light spilling out from within. Shen Lai sat on the carpet with her back to the door, the overhead light casting a slender silhouette of her figure, her hair cascading softly over her shoulders.

She was so absorbed in unpacking that she didn’t even notice Pei Jingyan entering.

“Right on time.”

A deep voice suddenly sounded above her, startling Shen Lai. She looked up to see Pei Jingyan standing behind her.

Shen Lai swallowed. “You’re off work?”

Pei Jingyan loosened his tie with long, elegant fingers, his movements exuding lazy indifference. “Mhm.”

His gaze dropped to the luggage on the floor, if it could even be called that. It contained only a few pieces of clothing and some skincare products, a pitifully meager collection for someone who had once been a wealthy heiress.

Pei Jingyan arched a brow. “This is all your luggage?”

Shen Lai’s expression stiffened slightly. “Yes.”

After the bankruptcy, she had sold off most of her luxury items to raise money for her mother’s medical treatment.

Pei Jingyan scoffed coldly. “Seems like Miss Shen isn’t doing too well these days.”

The undisguised mockery in his tone made Shen Lai uncomfortable, and she couldn’t help but retort, “If I were doing well, I wouldn’t have married you.”

A shadow flickered imperceptibly in Pei Jingyan’s eyes.

Shen Lai didn’t look at him and continued unpacking. Pei Jingyan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “How much longer? Once you’re done, I’ll take you for a check-up.”

Shen Lai paused and turned to him. “A check-up?”

Pei Jingyan’s gaze drifted to her abdomen. “A prenatal exam.”

Shen Lai’s heart clenched. Though she had tried her best to ignore the fact of her pregnancy after it happened, Pei Jingyan had now brought it up.

She pressed her lips together. “Is it really necessary?”

Pei Jingyan smirked mockingly. “I’d at least like to know if the child is healthy, wouldn’t you?”

The clothes in Shen Lai’s hands crumpled slightly under her grip.

But she understood, this child was one of the conditions for Pei Jingyan to secure his inheritance. Of course he would care.

By the time they arrived at the hospital, night had already fallen.

Pei Jingyan had arranged the examination in advance. The moment Shen Lai arrived, she was immediately escorted for the tests.

It was Shen Lai’s first time learning that pregnancy required so many examinations… routine tests, urine tests, ultrasounds, special infection screenings, and more.

The thought of undergoing so many tests every time she had a prenatal check-up made her want to back out.

But Shen Lai knew she had no choice.

From the moment she agreed to marry Pei Jingyan, her marriage and her womb were no longer hers to control.

An hour later, in the doctor’s office…

“President Pei, according to the report, the baby in Ms. Shen’s womb is perfectly healthy and developing normally. There are no issues,” the doctor said.

Pei Jingyan sat on the opposite sofa, his long legs crossed, hands resting lightly on his abdomen, every movement exuding an air of elegance and nobility. “How many months along is the baby in her womb?”

Hearing this, Shen Lai shot Pei Jingyan a deep glance.

As expected, he was still suspicious that the child wasn’t his.

Shen Lai couldn’t understand. If Pei Jingyan didn’t believe her, why had he married her so quickly? Wasn’t he afraid she was deceiving him?

Or was it that, for the sake of securing his inheritance, he didn’t even care whose child she was carrying?

The doctor glanced at the report in his hand. “Ms. Shen is already over two months pregnant.”

Pei Jingyan’s expression remained unchanged, as if he had already guessed as much.

After the examination, the two left the hospital. Shen Lai said, “Are you satisfied now?”

“Of course,” Pei Jingyan replied lazily, leaning back in his seat. “As long as you give birth to this child, my position as heir will be secured.”

Shen Lai suddenly asked, “What if something happens to this baby?”

Pei Jingyan slowly turned his head to look at her. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a shadow of darkness flicker in his eyes.

She hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from him and quickly explained, “I mean, what if there’s an accident or some unforeseen circumstance, and I lose the baby? What then?”

Pei Jingyan’s voice was eerily calm, as if discussing what to have for dinner, devoid of any emotion. “Then we’ll just try for another one.”