Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 68

The moment yesterday’s incident was mentioned, Huo Chilin’s expression darkened instantly.

If it weren’t for Pei Jingyan’s underhanded scheming behind the scenes, he wouldn’t have suffered such a humiliating loss of face.

With Director Miao’s call of “Action,” the four male guests put on their blindfolds and stepped into the river simultaneously.

Unable to see the path ahead, they moved slowly, carefully feeling their way forward under their partners’ instructions as they made their way toward the opposite bank.

Shen Lai watched Pei Jingyan’s back. Though everyone was blindfolded, Pei Jingyan remained composed and unhurried, as if he carried an air of effortless control.

“Miss Shen, staying silent, are you waiting to see me lose?”

The teasing voice that suddenly came through the earpiece snapped Shen Lai out of her thoughts. She quickly steadied herself and began guiding Pei Jingyan. “There’s a rock about twenty centimeters ahead of you. Remember to step to the right.”

To ensure the guests’ safety, the production team had deliberately chosen a relatively calm stretch of the river. Still, there were plenty of protruding rocks, and a single misstep could lead to an accident.

Pei Jingyan raised an eyebrow. “You’re not deliberately tripping me up, are you?”

Annoyed that he didn’t trust her, Shen Lai huffed, “We’re in the middle of a task. Even if I wanted to trip you up, I wouldn’t do it now, okay?”

Hearing her indignant defense, the corner of Pei Jingyan’s lips curled slightly. “Do you really want that prize that badly?”

“Of course,” Shen Lai replied without hesitation. “We’ll be here for so many days. If we had a medical supply kit, we’d definitely suffer less later.”

Pei Jingyan responded casually, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get it.”

Shen Lai was taken aback, but before she could say anything, Pei Jingyan had already reached the protruding rock.

Following her instructions, he veered to the right and successfully avoided the obstacle.

Distracted, Shen Lai snorted. “See? I didn’t lie to you.”

A faint, almost imperceptible amusement flickered in Pei Jingyan’s eyes. “Mm, you’re amazing.”

His tone was like coaxing a child, and Shen Lai felt her cheeks warm slightly. She turned her head away, flustered. “Do you think I’m three years old?”

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted beside them.

It turned out that Tong Miaoling hadn’t noticed a gap nearby. When Dai Jingxuan followed her instructions to avoid an obstacle, he accidentally tripped over the gap and fell into the water.

“Dai Jingxuan is eliminated!”

As the announcement blared through the speakers, Dai Jingxuan was helped ashore by the crew, dripping wet and visibly displeased.

“What’s wrong with you? Didn’t you see the gap there?”

The moment he reached the bank, Dai Jingxuan couldn’t hold back his anger at Tong Miaoling.

Tong Miaoling looked aggrieved. “How was I supposed to know there was a gap there? I didn’t see it either.”

[Small mistakes happen, right? The Best Actor’s reaction seems a bit over the top.]

[Well, this is a competition. The women didn’t even have to go in the water, and she still couldn’t guide him properly. What’s the point of having her there?]

[The Best Actress didn’t do it on purpose. She obviously didn’t want to lose either.]

[Weren’t they supposed to have a great relationship after all these years of marriage? Doesn’t really seem like it.]

[Did you guys forget how weird their dynamic was in the last variety show? I always thought their relationship wasn’t as perfect as it seemed.]

Because of Dai Jingxuan’s remarks on the show, rumors about their past divorce resurfaced, causing quite a stir in no time.

Meanwhile, the remaining three male guests had all reached the opposite shore.

Before them lay a dense thicket of plants. Although the program team had provided photos, finding the specimen hidden among so many plants was still quite challenging.

Shen Lai, standing on the opposite shore, watched as Pei Jingyan rummaged through the foliage for the plant specimen hidden by the program team. She asked nervously, “How’s it going? Found it yet?”

Pei Jingyan’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “In such a hurry?”

Shen Lai replied earnestly, “Of course! If someone else takes first place, won’t we be at a disadvantage?”

Huo Chilin stood right beside Pei Jingyan, listening to their conversation. Distracted, he momentarily forgot about searching for the plant specimen.

Only when Bai Hansui’s voice sounded in his earpiece did he snap back to reality. “Chilin, how’s it going? Found the specimen yet?”

Huo Chilin belatedly regained his focus and replied stiffly, “Not yet.”

Perhaps sensing his tone wasn’t great, Bai Hansui said considerately, “It’s okay if you can’t find it. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Huo Chilin’s tense expression softened slightly. “Yeah, I got it.”

No sooner had the call ended than he heard Pei Jingyan chuckle beside him, “Don’t worry, you won’t be at a disadvantage.”

A bad feeling suddenly rose in Huo Chilin’s heart. He turned his head and, sure enough, saw Pei Jingyan pull the plant specimen out from the grass.

Huo Chilin’s heart clenched.

Pei Jingyan had found it so quickly!

Perhaps because Huo Chilin’s gaze was too obvious, Pei Jingyan suddenly turned to look at him. Seeing his disbelief, Pei Jingyan raised the specimen in his hand and waved it at him. “Sorry, Young Master Huo, I’ll be going first. Take your time.”

Watching Pei Jingyan’s retreating figure, Huo Chilin clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles cracking audibly.

He absolutely wouldn’t allow the other man to show off in front of Shen Lai again.

Just then, Huo Chilin caught a glint of something reflective in the grass out of the corner of his eye. Pushing aside the plants, he discovered a plant specimen encased in a glass bottle.

After confirming it matched the one in the photo provided by the program team, Huo Chilin grabbed the specimen and immediately rushed back.

Seeing both of them leaving, Yan Rui shouted, “Hey! How did you both find it so fast? Wait for me!”

[LMAO Yan Rui’s the only one left all alone.]

[Yan Rui: You guys are playing dirty. No honor among thieves.]

[Is this the capable wife and useless husband dynamic? Looks like Yan Rui’s sleeping on the floor tonight.]

[You guys forgot, they’re not in a villa. There isn’t even a floor. Yan Rui’s stuck sleeping on the beach.]

[Lucky guy gets to enjoy the beauty of nature (evil grin).]

Shen Lai was still basking in the joy of potentially taking first place when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance, clutching a glass bottle.

She was surprised. Huo Chilin had retrieved the specimen so quickly.

Just as she was about to tell Pei Jingyan the news, she sensed something was off. Why did it seem like Huo Chilin was heading straight for Pei Jingyan?

If Huo Chilin wanted to overtake Pei Jingyan and return to shore, he should’ve gone around him as quickly as possible.

Yet he was getting closer and closer to him instead.

Observing the intense gaze Huo Chilin fixed on Pei Jingyan, his eyes brimming with unfathomable emotions, a bold suspicion suddenly surfaced in Shen Lai’s mind.

Could Huo Chilin be planning something underhanded?

No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than Huo Chilin had already positioned himself behind Pei Jingyan. Shen Lai noticed him stealthily raising his hand in a spot hidden from others’ view.

Witnessing this, Shen Lai’s eyes widened in alarm, and he urgently shouted, “Pei Jingyan, watch your back!”