Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 58

Shen Lai didn’t resist as Pei Jingyan tightly held her hand, a rare moment of acquiescence.

Perhaps having someone by her side brought a sliver of comfort, even if that someone was her sworn rival.

At least she didn’t have to bear this overwhelming fear alone.

The corridor was eerily silent. After what felt like an eternity, the emergency room lights abruptly turned off.

Shen Lai immediately stood up and hurried over to the doctor, her voice laced with urgency. “Doctor, how’s my mom?”

The doctor removed his mask. “The patient’s condition has stabilized, but she’s still unconscious.”

Hearing that her mother was okay, Shen Lai’s tense heart finally settled, though her palms were slick with sweat. She couldn’t help but ask, “She was fine before, why did she suddenly collapse?”

The doctor replied, “It was caused by pontine hemorrhage. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, so there’s no major issue.”

Shen Lai’s heart sank bit by bit.

Her mother had been hospitalized for so long, yet she had never experienced anything like this before.

Noticing Shen Lai’s grave expression, Pei Jingyan seemed lost in thought, his demeanor inscrutable.

Before long, Chang Suning was wheeled back to her room. She lay quietly on the hospital bed, her face pale and haggard, her hair now streaked with white.

Shen Lai sat down beside the bed, tightly gripping her mother’s hand.

Before the Shen family’s bankruptcy, Chang Suning had been a meticulously groomed socialite, spending her days shopping and pampering herself, looking as youthful as women half her age.

Yet in just half a year, she had aged so drastically.

Shen Lai’s heart twisted painfully. She lowered her head, pressing her forehead against her mother’s arm.

Just then, Pei Jingyan’s voice sounded beside her. “Let’s transfer your mother to another hospital.”

Shen Lai paused, slowly lifting her gaze to meet his. “Transfer?”

Pei Jingyan looked down at her. “I know a leading expert in neurosurgery. I can arrange for your mother to be transferred under his care.”

Seeing Shen Lai hesitate, Pei Jingyan added, “This time, she was saved in time. But what if there’s a next time?”

At those words, Shen Lai’s heart clenched. The doctor’s earlier warning echoed in her mind.

She turned back to her mother’s ashen face on the bed. After a long silence, she ultimately didn’t refuse Pei Jingyan’s offer.

She couldn’t afford to gamble with her mother’s life.

Late into the night, Chang Suning finally regained consciousness.

Shen Lai immediately leaned in. “Mom, how are you feeling?”

Seeing her daughter, Chang Suning weakly tried to sit up, but Shen Lai quickly stopped her. “Mom, you’re not well yet. Don’t move around.”

Chang Suning slumped back against the headboard, her voice frail. “Why are you here?”

Shen Lai’s tone was laced with worry. “I heard you fainted, so I came to check on you.”

Chang Suning sighed. “Silly child, I’m fine. You didn’t have to rush here in the middle of the night.”

Shen Lai frowned. “You collapsed, how is that ‘fine’?”

If the nurse hadn’t found her in time, who knew what might have happened?

Chang Suning was about to respond when she suddenly noticed the man standing behind Shen Lai. After a moment of scrutiny, she paused. “You’re… President Pei?”

Hearing this, Pei Jingyan stepped forward and greeted her politely. “Auntie.”

Chang Suning looked surprised. “What are you doing here?”

Worried that Pei Jingyan might say something inappropriate, Shen Lai quickly interjected, “Um, Mom, he’s my boss. He heard you were sick and came specifically to visit you.”

Pei Jingyan gave him a deep look upon hearing this.

Boss?

Pretending not to notice Pei Jingyan’s expression, Shen Lai forced a stiff smile at Chang Suning.

Chang Suning was taken aback. “Your boss?”

Shen Lai cleared his throat. “The resources at my previous company weren’t great, so after my contract expired, I switched to President Pei’s entertainment agency.”

Chang Suning frowned in confusion. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

Shen Lai feigned calmness. “It wasn’t a big deal, so I didn’t mention it.”

Chang Suning didn’t dwell on it and casually asked, “Then why did you come here together?”

Shen Lai explained, “I was discussing some matters with my agent at the company earlier, and President Pei happened to be there too. When he heard you were in a coma, he offered to give me a ride here.”

“I see.” Chang Suning accepted the explanation without suspicion. She turned to Pei Jingyan and said gratefully, “President Pei, thank you for going out of your way to come here.”

Pei Jingyan smiled faintly. “You’re too kind.”

Chang Suning gave an awkward smile, glancing between Shen Lai and Pei Jingyan. Of course, she had heard about their past conflicts and couldn’t understand how Shen Lai had ended up signing with Pei Jingyan’s company.

Concerned that Pei Jingyan might still hold a grudge against Shen Lai, Chang Suning couldn’t help but say, “President Pei, I know Lai Lai didn’t get along with you in the past. We spoiled her, so she’s always been reckless. Please don’t hold it against her.”

Hearing this, Shen Lai felt a lump in his throat.

Before the Shen family’s downfall, when had his mother ever spoken so humbly to anyone?

Yet now, for his sake, she was lowering her head to Pei Jingyan.

Shen Lai’s throat tightened. “Mom…”

Pei Jingyan remained composed. “Auntie, don’t worry. She’s now an artist under our company, and everything follows standard procedures. Besides, what happened in the past is behind us, I don’t dwell on it.”

Only then did Chang Suning feel reassured.

After all, if Pei Jingyan was willing to bring Shen Lai to the hospital, their relationship couldn’t be that bad.

A short while later, Pei Jingyan stepped out to take a call. Seizing the opportunity, Chang Suning pulled Shen Lai’s hand and whispered, “Lai Lai, didn’t you two used to clash? How did you end up signing with his company?”

Shen Lai couldn’t very well say he’d sold himself to Pei Jingyan to cover medical expenses, so he evaded the question. “I only found out after signing the contract.”

Chang Suning still seemed uneasy. “He hasn’t bullied you, has he?”

Shen Lai chuckled. “Mom, what are you thinking? Of course he hasn’t bullied me.”

Initially, he had assumed Pei Jingyan would seize the chance to retaliate. But after spending time together, not only had Pei Jingyan not bullied him, he had even stepped in to help whenever someone gave Shen Lai trouble.

Lowering his gaze to his hand, Shen Lai couldn’t help but recall how Pei Jingyan had held it earlier, saying he would stay by his side. His ears grew warm at the memory.

Realizing belatedly what he was thinking, Shen Lai startled and shook his head, forcing himself to focus. “By the way, Mom, I want to transfer you to a different hospital for treatment.”

Hearing this, Chang Suning paused. “Why the sudden change? What’s wrong with this one?”

Unable to tell the truth, Shen Lai could only offer an excuse, “The medical facilities at this hospital aren’t good enough. If the caregiver hadn’t found you in time today, no one would have known you’d fainted here.”

Chang Suning reassured her, “Today was just an accident. Besides, we’ve been here for treatment so long already, no need to go through the hassle of moving.”

Shen Lai remained firm. “No. What if something like this happens again?”

Chang Suning looked troubled. “But a better hospital would definitely be more expensive, wouldn’t it?”

Shen Lai replied immediately, “I’ve been earning a lot more since switching companies. Covering your medical expenses won’t be a problem at all.”

Seeing Chang Suning still hesitating, Shen Lai said seriously, “Mom, if you want me to feel at ease, then listen to me. Only when you’re well can I focus on my work.”

Meeting Shen Lai’s resolute expression, Chang Suning finally gave in with a reluctant nod. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

Only then did Shen Lai smile.

After chatting with Chang Suning for a while and waiting until she fell asleep, Shen Lai quietly slipped out of the ward. There, she saw Pei Jingyan leaning against the wall, idly toying with a ring, his long legs encased in tailored trousers, exuding an air of casual elegance.

“I thought you’d gone back,” Shen Lai remarked offhandedly.

Pei Jingyan slowly turned his head, his deep eyes locking onto her with an intense gaze.

Shen Lai felt unnerved by his stare. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Instead of answering, Pei Jingyan suddenly grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. Caught off guard, Shen Lai stumbled and lost her balance, crashing straight into his arms.

Pei Jingyan looked down at her, his expression that of a predator sizing up its prey, his tone teasing. “Miss Shen, am I just a boss to you?”