Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 53

Shen Lai’s body stiffened abruptly. “Your… parents’ house?”

Pei Jingyan’s tone was casual. “My parents want to meet you.”

Hearing that Pei Jingyan’s parents wanted to see her, Shen Lai felt as if her breath had frozen in the air.

It took her a long moment to squeeze out a dry response, “Why would your parents suddenly want to meet me out of the blue?”

Pei Jingyan glanced at her. “Isn’t it normal for them to want to meet their daughter-in-law?”

The news of their relationship had caused an uproar online, and the Pei family must have heard about it.

Shen Lai’s palms grew slightly damp with sweat.

Though she knew this day was inevitable, she couldn’t help but feel nervous now that it had arrived.

After all, the gap between their statuses was too vast. With the Shen family bankrupt and Shen Lingzhen in prison, she was no longer the glamorous Shen family heiress she once was.

Shen Lai swallowed hard. “Do I really have to go?”

Pei Jingyan replied indifferently, “The ugly bride must eventually meet the in-laws. Did you think you could avoid my parents forever?”

You’re the ugly one, Shen Lai grumbled inwardly.

She suddenly regretted her decision. If she had known she’d have to meet Pei Jingyan’s parents, she would have preferred to stay and continue filming the show.

At least she wouldn’t have to deal with elders.

Her previously relaxed and cheerful mood was completely shattered by this unexpected news, and the atmosphere in the car grew inexplicably tense.

Pei Jingyan waited for a while, but Shen Lai remained silent. He slowly opened his eyes and saw her staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.

“Are you really that nervous about meeting my parents?” Pei Jingyan suddenly spoke up.

Shen Lai’s hands clenched subtly under her sleeves. Unwilling to let him see her anxiety, she lifted her chin and retorted, “I’m not nervous at all.”

The day she married Pei Jingyan, she had already braced herself for the consequences.

At worst, she’d face scorn and ridicule, but as long as it saved her mother, she could endure anything.

Pei Jingyan adjusted his posture, folding his hands loosely over his abdomen. “Why be nervous? I’ll be there with you.”

Shen Lai paused. She looked up at him, her clear eyes meeting his dark, inscrutable gaze.

She swallowed again. “Who said I was nervous? Stop making things up.”

Deliberately changing the subject, she asked, “By the way, when you proposed marrying me, did your parents know?”

Pei Jingyan tapped his well-defined fingers lightly on the armrest. “Of course not.”

Shen Lai figured as much.

If Mr. and Mrs. Pei had known, they would never have agreed to let him marry her.

She asked as if it were just a passing thought, “Weren’t you afraid they’d disapprove?”

Pei Jingyan raised an eyebrow. “The marriage certificate is already signed. What can they do about it now?”

His tone was light, as if discussing something trivial. “Besides, aren’t you pregnant now?”

Shen Lai understood. She was carrying the Pei family’s heir. Even if Pei Jingyan’s parents objected, they would compromise for the sake of the child in her womb.

Moreover, their marriage helped Pei Jingyan secure his inheritance. No matter what, his parents wouldn’t force a divorce at this point.

Though both of them were well aware of this reality, hearing it from Pei Jingyan’s lips still made Shen Lai’s heart ache dully.

Perhaps it was because their recent interactions had been relatively harmonious—she had momentarily forgotten that their marriage was nothing more than a transaction.

Soon, the car drove through the villa’s gates, passing a long tree-lined avenue, circling around the fountain, and finally coming to a stop before the imposing golden doors.

Shen Lai had visited this place once as a child, so she still had some vague memories of it. Nothing much had changed, it was just as opulent and luxurious as before.

Only, she was no longer the young Miss Shen of the past.

The villa’s living room was brightly lit. Pei Kaifeng and Yin Ningjing were sitting on the sofa watching TV. The former bore some resemblance to Pei Jingyan in his features, but his presence carried a more naturally authoritative air. The latter had an outstanding grace, as if time had only bestowed upon her maturity and elegance.

“Dad, Mom,” Pei Jingyan called out first.

Pei Kaifeng glanced over. “You’re back?”

“Yeah.”

At this moment, Pei Kaifeng noticed Shen Lai standing behind Pei Jingyan. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze scrutinizing.

Shen Lai could feel several pairs of eyes landing on her. Forcing a smile, she took the initiative to greet them. “Uncl—”

But before she could even finish the word “uncle,” Pei Jingyan suddenly looked at her. The words on the tip of her tongue immediately took a sharp turn, and she corrected herself, “Dad, Mom.”

Yin Ningjing’s brows furrowed slightly.

Pei Kaifeng, however, showed no change in expression. “Have a seat.”

Shen Lai followed Pei Jingyan and sat down on a nearby sofa. Pei Jingyan glanced at the driver, who immediately understood and brought over the items in his hands.

“These are gifts Shen Lai prepared for you as a first meeting courtesy.”

Pei Kaifeng gave them a cursory glance.

For him, it was a bottle of Fenjiu, a vintage Qinghua 50-year-old original brew.

For Yin Ningjing, it was a mutton-fat jade pendant.

Both were things the elderly couple usually favored.

Pei Kaifeng’s gaze subtly shifted from Pei Jingyan to Shen Lai’s face. “You’ve put thought into this. These aren’t cheap, are they?”

Shen Lai stiffly curved her lips into a smile in response.

Of course they’re not cheap, your son bought them.

Earlier, when they passed by a shopping mall, Shen Lai had suggested buying some gifts since it was their first meeting, and showing up empty-handed wouldn’t be appropriate.

But Pei Jingyan had said he’d already prepared them.

Now, it was clear that his choices were far better than what she could have managed because she didn’t have the money for such expensive presents.

Seems like Pei Jingyan was also worried I’d embarrass him in front of his parents.

At this point, Yin Ningjing, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. “Miss Shen, when did you and Jingyan get together?”

Shen Lai paused briefly before meeting Yin Ningjing’s scrutinizing gaze. Feigning composure, she replied, “Three months ago.”

Fortunately, she and Pei Jingyan had rehearsed their story before appearing on the show. Otherwise, if Pei Jingyan’s mother suddenly asked like this, she might not have been able to answer smoothly.

Yin Ningjing narrowed her eyes at this. “You’ve only been together for such a short time, and you already have a child?”

Pei Jingyan smoothly took over the conversation. “Weren’t you the ones pushing for a grandchild? Now that there’s one on the way, aren’t you happy?”

Yin Ningjing choked back a retort.

Of course, she wanted to be a grandmother sooner rather than later but she hadn’t expected it to be with Shen Lai.

“You two never got along before. How did you suddenly end up together?”

As she spoke, Yin Ningjing’s gaze flickered between the two of them.

Pei Jingyan replied nonchalantly, “How can childhood grudges hold any weight? I used to find her annoying, but then one day, I just… took a liking to her.”

“And what about you, Miss Shen?” Yin Ningjing turned to Shen Lai. “Do you feel the same way as Jingyan?”

Shen Lai instinctively glanced at Pei Jingyan, who was watching her with keen interest. Caught between a rock and a hard place, she had no choice but to steel herself and say, “Yes.”

Yin Ningjing frowned tightly, clearly unconvinced by this explanation.

It was Pei Kaifeng who finally broke the impasse. “Alright, let’s eat first. We can talk about everything else later.”

In the brightly lit kitchen, the butler was directing the servants to serve the dishes. Because the two had returned today, Pei Kaifeng had specifically instructed that a few extra dishes be prepared.

At that moment, Pei Jingyan suddenly spoke up. “She likes this dish, put it in front of her.”

The butler paused, then placed the sweet and sour mandarin fish in front of Shen Lai.

Pei Kaifeng and Yin Ningjing exchanged a glance, surprise flashing in their eyes.

They had never seen Pei Jingyan pay such close attention to any woman before, let alone remember her food preferences so clearly.

Shen Lai felt a little awkward and lowered her voice to say, “Your parents are right here.”

“You’re my wife. Isn’t it normal for me to take care of you?” Pei Jingyan replied without batting an eye. “Besides, you’re pregnant, you should eat more nutritious food.”

Shen Lai assumed Pei Jingyan was deliberately putting on a show in front of her parents to demonstrate how loving they were. To avoid giving anything away, she swallowed her words and stayed silent.

However, Pei Jingyan’s reminder drew Pei Kaifeng’s attention to Shen Lai’s stomach. “How many months along are you?”

“Almost three months,” Shen Lai answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Pei Kaifeng’s expression softened slightly. “Have you been to the hospital for checkups?”

“Yes.” Shen Lai glanced at Pei Jingyan beside her, hesitated for a moment, then added, “Last time… my husband went with me.”

A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered across Pei Jingyan’s lips when he heard her awkwardly correct herself to say “husband.”

Then, Yin Ningjing spoke up. “Since you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t be out in public all the time. Stay home and rest, it’s not like the Shen family can’t afford to support you.”

Shen Lai’s chopsticks paused mid-air. She could tell Yin Ningjing disapproved of her career.

In the eyes of the wealthy, glamorous celebrities in the entertainment industry were nothing more than performers meant for public amusement.

Just as Shen Lai was about to respond, Pei Jingyan suddenly took her hand. A reassuring warmth spread through her skin as she heard him say, “This is the work she loves. She won’t be quitting.”