Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 54

Shen Lai turned her head in surprise to look at Pei Jingyan.

Pei Jingyan’s expression remained unchanged, but an unyielding firmness radiated from him, leaving no room for refusal.

Shen Lai couldn’t help but recall what Pei Jingyan had said before they arrived: “Why are you nervous? Aren’t I here?” A warm current surged through her heart.

Pei Jingyan hadn’t lied to her, he really stood up for her.

Yin Ningjing immediately frowned in disapproval. “I’m only thinking of her well-being. Who in their right mind would keep flaunting themselves in public after getting pregnant? Besides, if something happens to the baby because she’s always out working, what then?”

Pei Jingyan replied coolly, “I’ll take care of her. There’s no need for you to worry about that.”

Yin Ningjing opened her mouth to argue, but Pei Kaifeng cut her off. “Enough. If the kids have their own plans, let them be.”

Yin Ningjing’s expression darkened with displeasure.

Pei Kaifeng turned to Pei Jingyan and Shen Lai, offering a reminder. “It’s fine if you want to work, but the baby comes first. Try to avoid any dangerous jobs.”

“The company will handle the arrangements,” Pei Jingyan nodded slightly. “You and Mom don’t need to worry.”

Pei Kaifeng had always trusted his son. Pei Jingyan had never given them any reason to fret since childhood—he managed everything meticulously on his own. Clearly, he knew what he was doing.

Then, as if remembering something, Pei Kaifeng added, “By the way, your grandfather has been asking about you. Make sure to take Shen Lai to see him when you have time.”

Pei Jingyan gave a faint hum. “Understood.”

Dinner passed relatively peacefully. Pei Kaifeng had the housekeeper prepare Pei Jingyan’s old room for the two of them.

This was Shen Lai’s first time entering Pei Jingyan’s room. The decor was similar to the master bedroom in the villa—dark and monochromatic.

Her gaze wandered idly until it landed on a few oil paintings by Tibor Nagy hanging on the walls, seamlessly blending into the surroundings.

This was an artist Shen Lai greatly admired.

She hadn’t expected Pei Jingyan to share her taste.

Turning to him, she asked, “You like this painter too?”

Pei Jingyan followed her gaze to the paintings, his brow lifting slightly. “Too?”

Shen Lai nodded seriously. “I’m also a big fan of his work.”

Pei Jingyan smirked. “Seems like we share some fate, then.”

He emphasized the word “fate,” his teasing gaze fixed on Shen Lai, who averted her eyes as if electrified, muttering under her breath, “More like a cursed fate.”

The corner of Pei Jingyan’s lips curled up.

Before long, the two finished washing up and settled into bed. A dim, warm light glowed from the bedside lamp, casting a quiet hush over the room.

Shen Lai rested her hands atop the blanket and suddenly said, “I get the feeling your mother doesn’t like me very much.”

Though she understood Yin Ningjing’s perspective that her current status didn’t measure up to Pei Jingyan’s, the woman’s condescending tone still left a sour taste in her mouth.

If Pei Jingyan hadn’t sought her out for this arrangement, she wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with them in the first place.

Pei Jingyan glanced at her sideways. Shen Lai was staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought. He replied calmly, “As long as I like you, that’s enough.”

Shen Lai’s breath hitched. Slowly, she turned to look at him, lips parting slightly. “What did you say?”

Beneath the covers, Pei Jingyan rubbed his fingertips together, his expression unchanging. “What I mean is, as long as outsiders believe I like you, that’s sufficient.”

So that’s what it meant.

Shen Lai lowered her lashes, an inexplicable sense of loss flashing through her heart.

She quickly composed herself and said with feigned calm, “But it doesn’t matter. After we divorce, you can marry someone who truly deserves you.”

By then, Pei Jingyan’s parents probably wouldn’t have any objections anymore.

Pei Jingyan narrowed his eyes, a barely perceptible chill seeping into his voice. “Are you that eager for me to marry someone else?”

Shen Lai pressed her lips together. “What does it matter to me who you marry?”

At most, they were just in a transactional relationship. Once the divorce was finalized, their deal would be over.

Watching Shen Lai’s indifferent attitude as she brushed off their connection, Pei Jingyan suddenly let out a cold laugh. “You’re right. Who I marry has nothing to do with you. Who do you think you are to meddle in my affairs?”

Shen Lai’s hands unconsciously tightened around the bedsheet beneath her. For some reason, the two of them could never stay harmonious for more than half a day without arguing.

But she was speaking the truth. Sooner or later, they would divorce, and by then, even this tenuous connection between them would be gone.

Strangely, Shen Lai felt an inexplicable heaviness in her chest.

The air around them grew thick with tension, the temperature dropping sharply. For a moment, neither spoke, and the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom downstairs.

Pei Kaifeng stepped out of the bathroom to find Yin Ningjing sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed, her expression grave.

“What’s with that look?” he asked.

Yin Ningjing shot him an annoyed glance. “What do you think?”

Pei Kaifeng guessed her thoughts and said calmly, “Weren’t you the one pushing our son to get married? Now that he has, you’re unhappy about it.”

Yin Ningjing retorted, “I wanted him to marry, but he could’ve at least discussed it with the family first. Instead, he went and registered his marriage with Shen Lai without a word. If we hadn’t seen it on TV, we’d still be in the dark!”

Pei Kaifeng remained composed. “That just proves he genuinely likes Shen Lai. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted first and asked for permission later.”

Yin Ningjing scoffed. “Don’t you remember how much our son and Shen Lai used to clash? How could he possibly like her?”

“Besides, of all times to get together, why right after the Shen family went bankrupt? If she’s not after his money, I’ll eat my hat.”

Pei Kaifeng remained unfazed. “Do you really think our son is a fool? If Shen Lai had ulterior motives, he’d see right through them. He wouldn’t just fall for it.”

Yin Ningjing frowned. “But what if he’s been blinded by her charms?”

Pei Kaifeng got into bed. “Didn’t you just say they used to be at odds? If he were truly charmed, why wait until now?”

Suddenly, Yin Ningjing sat up straight, struck by a thought. “You don’t think… Jingyan just found someone to fool us, do you?”

Pei Kaifeng frowned.

“Think about it. We’ve been pressuring him to marry, and he doesn’t have anyone he likes. Maybe he married Shen Lai just to shut us up,” Yin Ningjing said. “For all we know, the baby in her belly might not even be his. Otherwise, how could she get pregnant so quickly after they got together?”

Seeing Yin Ningjing’s speculations grow wilder, Pei Kaifeng sighed. “If you suspect their marriage is a sham, why not have someone look into it?”

Yin Ningjing paused. “You mean…”

Pei Kaifeng spoke unhurriedly, “If they’re really as you say, they definitely wouldn’t sleep together. Have the maid quietly go in to clean tomorrow morning whether they’re a real couple or a fake one will be obvious at a glance.”

Because of last night’s incident, Shen Lai didn’t fall asleep until the early hours of the morning. By the time she woke again, it was already dawn the next day.

As expected, she found herself in Pei Jingyan’s arms once more.

Remembering their argument the night before, Shen Lai felt awkward. Taking advantage of the fact that Pei Jingyan was still asleep, she instinctively tried to pull away.

But the moment she moved slightly, Pei Jingyan tightened his grip, firmly holding her in place.

Startled, Shen Lai looked up and realized Pei Jingyan had opened his deep, unfathomable eyes at some point and was gazing at her intently.

“You!”

“Quiet. There’s someone outside,” Pei Jingyan murmured lazily.