Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 70

Huo Chilin’s words struck like a thunderbolt, shattering Shen Lai’s rationality into fragments.

She asked in disbelief, “What did you say?”

Pei Jingyan liked her?

How was that possible?

Huo Chilin grabbed Shen Lai’s wrist tightly. “So don’t let him fool you anymore. From the moment you switched companies to marrying him, he’s been setting a trap for you.”

Shen Lai yanked her hand free, her mind in chaos. “You think I’d believe you?”

She was convinced Huo Chilin was only saying this to retaliate against her, especially since he had recently expressed a desire to reconcile.

Huo Chilin clenched his jaw. “You don’t trust me?”

Shen Lai steadied her emotions with effort and replied coldly, “He and I are sworn enemies, don’t you know that?”

Huo Chilin’s expression turned grave. “What if that hostility was just an act?”

Shen Lai stiffened. Seeing the sincerity in Huo Chilin’s face, her heart trembled faintly.

Seizing the moment, Huo Chilin pressed on, “Think about it. During the time you’ve spent together, how has Pei Jingyan treated you? Has he truly insulted or tormented you like an enemy would?”

Shen Lai’s throat tightened as memories of their interactions flashed through her mind. Indeed, there had been none of the torment or humiliation she had initially expected.

Instead, every time she faced a crisis, Pei Jingyan had stepped forward—when Bai Hansui framed her, when her mother was in trouble.

She had always assumed Pei Jingyan was merely putting on a show of affection in public, but now that she thought about it, even in private, he had never treated her poorly.

Seeing the flicker of doubt in Shen Lai’s expression, Huo Chilin pounced on the opportunity. “You feel it too, don’t you? Maybe he’s been scheming against you since your family’s downfall.”

Shen Lai’s head snapped up as if she had been plunged into an icy abyss.

Her family’s downfall?

She recalled the night she had been drugged— Pei Jingyan’s sudden appearance at the hotel. Had it really been a coincidence, or had he known she would be there all along?

Shen Lai closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath. “So? What are you trying to say?”

Mistaking her reaction for belief, Huo Chilin seized her hand again. “Shen Lai, let’s get back together.”

A mocking smile curled at Shen Lai’s lips. “Get back together?”

Huo Chilin’s gaze dropped to her abdomen, as if making a difficult concession. “If you really want to keep this child… I can treat it as my own.”

His reluctant tone made it sound like he was making some grand sacrifice. Shen Lai laughed. “Didn’t you say Bai Hansui is pregnant? If we get back together, what happens to her child?”

Caught off guard, Huo Chilin frowned, momentarily speechless.

Shen Lai scoffed and pulled her hand free. “Young Master Huo, I have no interest in being a stepmother. So why don’t the two of you stay together and spare that child the misfortune of growing up without a father?”

As she turned to leave, Huo Chilin suddenly blurted out, “I can make her get rid of it.”

Shen Lai’s brows furrowed—his response had caught her completely off guard.

She thought cheating was the lowest thing Huo Chilin could do, but it turned out he could sink even further.

Shen Lai turned around and said, enunciating each word, “Huo Chilin, from the moment you cheated, there was never any possibility for us again.”

Without looking at Huo Chilin’s devastated expression, Shen Lai walked away from the riverside.

She didn’t know how she made it back to the woods. Huo Chilin’s words kept echoing in her mind.

Reason told her not to believe him, yet her heart wavered uncontrollably.

Pei Jingyan had clearly said they would secure the inheritance next month, but now he claimed the old master had changed his mind.

And Pei Jingyan didn’t seem the least bit displeased.

Yan Rui was talking to Pei Jingyan when he spotted a familiar figure emerging from the woods. He nudged his chin toward her and said, “President Pei, your wife is back.”

Pei Jingyan turned and saw Shen Lai returning alone. His brow twitched slightly.

“Why are you alone?”

The sudden voice snapped Shen Lai out of her thoughts. She looked up to find Pei Jingyan standing before her.

Remembering Huo Chilin’s words, Shen Lai stared intently at Pei Jingyan without speaking.

Noticing her unwavering gaze, Pei Jingyan asked coolly, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Shen Lai nearly blurted out, Is it true what Huo Chilin said, that you like me?

But the words died on her lips.

If Huo Chilin wasn’t lying, then even if she asked, Pei Jingyan wouldn’t tell her the truth.

Clutching the hem of her clothes, Shen Lai lowered her eyes slightly. “It’s nothing. Wu Qi went mushroom picking. She’ll probably be back soon.”

Seeing how pale she looked, Pei Jingyan suddenly reached out and touched her forehead. “Are you feeling unwell?”

The warmth of his palm seeped into her skin. Shen Lai lifted her gaze to study his expression, the concern in his eyes seemed genuine.

She pressed her lips together and asked abruptly, “Pei Jingyan, why are you so good to me?”

Pei Jingyan’s hand stilled. He looked down at her, his expression unchanging. “Of course, it’s to keep up appearances in front of others.”

Shen Lai wanted to ask, Is that really all?

If it was just an act, why did he transfer her mother to a better hospital? Why did he stand up for her when others bullied her?

Pei Jingyan could have easily turned a blind eye.

Perhaps sensing her unusual mood today, Pei Jingyan narrowed his eyes slightly. “What’s really going on? Did someone upset you?”

Shen Lai shook her head lightly, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the ground. “It’s nothing. Maybe I’m just a little tired.”

Seeing that she really did look unwell, Pei Jingyan paused in thought. “Should I take you back to the tent to rest?”

Shen Lai forced herself to perk up. “No need. The task isn’t finished yet. It wouldn’t be right for me to leave now. I’ll be fine after a short break.”

She subtly avoided Pei Jingyan’s hand and walked over to sit down.

Pei Jingyan hesitated, watching his own hand suspended midair before slowly lowering it to his side, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing together.

Not long after, Huo Chilin returned.

He glanced in Shen Lai’s direction, his expression complicated.

“Young Master Huo, didn’t Miss Bai come back with you?” Tong Miaoling suddenly asked beside him.

Huo Chilin withdrew his gaze and looked at her, frowning slightly. “Bai Hansui?”

“Yeah, didn’t she say she was going to find you earlier?” Tong Miaoling said. “I thought you’d return together.”