Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 73

Pei Jingyan’s movements paused almost imperceptibly. He calmly removed his tie and casually stuffed it into his pocket. “Of course, it’s because of the child in your belly.”

Under normal circumstances, Shen Lai might have let it slide, but she couldn’t help recalling Huo Chilin’s words and replaying the moment Pei Jingyan had rushed over without hesitation.

After a few seconds of silence, she asked, “Pei Jingyan, do you like me?”

Pei Jingyan’s eyelids flickered slightly as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers. Shen Lai was watching him intently, her expression uncharacteristically serious.

Leaning lazily against the seat behind him, Pei Jingyan replied, “Do you think that’s possible?”

Shen Lai searched his face for any trace of deception, but Pei Jingyan remained unreadable, his words sounding utterly convincing.

She bit her lower lip. “You’re not lying?”

Suddenly, Pei Jingyan leaned in, one hand braced against the seat as his deep eyes locked onto hers. In a voice so low only the two of them could hear, he murmured, “Would the esteemed Miss Shen ever fall for her sworn rival?”

Their gazes held, the air between them growing heavy with tension. Neither spoke.

Shen Lai thought to herself, Pei Jingyan not liking her should be a good thing.

So why did her chest feel so hollow?

Noticing Shen Lai’s downcast eyes, her lashes casting shadows, Pei Jingyan raised a brow. “You seem disappointed that I don’t like you.”

Shen Lai’s throat tightened, and she instinctively retorted, “Who’s disappointed? I’d be thrilled if you didn’t like me. Once you secure your position as heir, our deal can finally end.”

At her words, a shadow flickered in Pei Jingyan’s eyes. His smile didn’t reach his lips. “Is that so? Then I suppose you’ve gotten your wish.”

He added leisurely, “Even if I were to like someone, it wouldn’t be you.”

Shen Lai’s fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her clothes, a sour sensation welling up in her chest.

She told herself firmly, she didn’t care whether Pei Jingyan liked her or not.

Even after returning to the campsite, the heavy atmosphere lingered between them. Just as Shen Lai was about to head into her tent to change, her phone rang urgently from her pocket.

She pulled it out and saw it was the private investigator she had hired.

Strange… why would he call now?

Had he found news about Han Xinjie?

Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly answered.

The investigator’s excited voice came through the line. “Miss Shen, we’ve got a lead on Han Xinjie!”

Shen Lai gripped the phone tightly. “Really?”

“Yes! He’s just been spotted at Lansha Airport. I called you the moment I found out.”

Her breathing quickened. Ever since the incident with her father, Han Xinjie had fled the country. Why would he suddenly return now?

But Shen Lai didn’t have time to dwell on it. “Keep an eye on him. Don’t let him slip away. I’m on my way.”

After hanging up, she received the address from the investigator and hurried out of the tent.

As she unzipped the entrance, she nearly collided with Pei Jingyan, who was just coming in.

Seeing her flustered state, he asked casually, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Lai pressed her lips together. “I need to leave for a bit.”

“Leave?” Pei Jingyan’s brow twitched slightly. “For what?”

Shen Lai hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell Pei Jingyan the truth. “I found the vice president who framed my dad back then.”

Pei Jingyan narrowed his eyes slightly. “Framed your dad?”

Shen Lai nodded. She didn’t have time to explain further and tried to walk past Pei Jingyan, but suddenly, her wrist was caught.

Confused, she turned to look at him.

Pei Jingyan said, “I’ll go with you.”

Shen Lai paused, lowering her gaze as she replied softly, “No need. I can handle it myself.”

This was her family’s matter and had nothing to do with Pei Jingyan.

Pei Jingyan maintained his indifferent tone. “You’re pregnant. If I just let you leave alone, what would the show’s audience think?”

So that was the reason.

Shen Lai quietly clenched her fingers. For a moment, she had thought he offered to accompany her out of concern.

Before she could respond, Pei Jingyan cut straight to the point. “And do you even have a way to leave the island?”

The question stopped her in her tracks.

In her rush, she had forgotten they were currently on an island with no boats nearby.

Pei Jingyan saw through her thoughts and raised an eyebrow. “By the time you get there, the person would’ve already fled.”

Shen Lai hesitated. “Then… do you have a solution?”

Pei Jingyan didn’t answer. Instead, he took out his phone and called his assistant. “Send a speedboat over. The sooner, the better.”

An hour later, Pei Jingyan’s people arrived on the island with the speedboat.

Pei Jingyan boarded first, then glanced back at Shen Lai, who was still standing frozen. “Not coming?”

Snapping out of her daze, she stepped forward. Just as she was about to board, Pei Jingyan suddenly extended his hand.

Shen Lai paused, glancing at him before her gaze fell on his open palm. Slowly, she reached out and placed her hand in his.

Once they were finally on the boat and ready to depart, Shen Lai suddenly remembered something important and smacked her forehead. “Oh no! I forgot to inform Director Miao!”

Pei Jingyan glanced at her. “I already told him.”

“You did?” Shen Lai was stunned. “When? Did he agree?”

Pei Jingyan replied leisurely, “I told him you were shaken up today, so I’m taking you to the hospital for a check-up. We’ll be back in time for filming tomorrow.”

Director Miao, already feeling guilty over the show’s earlier mishap, had no reason to refuse Pei Jingyan’s explanation.

Shen Lai relaxed slightly.

She looked at Pei Jingyan. The sea breeze tousled his hair, revealing his sharp, well-defined brow. His posture was relaxed.

It was the first time she realized how attentive Pei Jingyan could be, even considering such details.

When they finally reached the shore, Pei Jingyan’s assistant was already waiting at the dock with a car, ready to drive them to Lansha City.

Throughout the journey, Shen Lai fidgeted nervously, her anxious reflection visible in the car window.

Noticing her tension, Pei Jingyan asked, “Are you really that worried the person will escape?”

Shen Lai nodded grimly. “He was the one who reported my dad back then. If we want to clear my dad’s name, catching him is our only chance.”

She had waited so long for news about Han Xinjie. She couldn’t let him slip away now, otherwise, it would be even harder to track him down next time.

Watching her tense expression, Pei Jingyan suddenly asked, “You said earlier this information came from that private investigator?”

Shen Lai didn’t know why he suddenly asked this, but she nodded anyway. “After my father’s accident, I hired him to help me find someone.”

Pei Jingyan didn’t waste words. “Give me the private investigator’s contact information.”

Shen Lai looked at Pei Jingyan with confusion. “What are you planning to do?”

Pei Jingyan’s gaze turned meaningful. “You’ll find out soon enough.”