Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 8

Amid the eager anticipation of fans and onlookers, the day finally arrived for the premiere of Rumors End on the Journey.

Early in the morning, Wan Shilan came to the villa to pick up Shen Lai and Pei Jingyan and take them to the set. In the car, she gave them a thorough rundown of the precautions.

“Today is your first time on a variety show, so you absolutely must not let the act slip,” Wan Shilan clearly knew all about their fake marriage. “The online backlash against you, Shen Lai, has only just started to die down. If netizens catch even a hint of something off, all the preparations we’ve made so far will be for nothing.”

Shen Lai was well aware of this. If it weren’t for the announcement from the Pei Group, she would still be drowning in rumors.

But playing the role of a loving couple wasn’t something she could do alone.

At this thought, Shen Lai couldn’t help but glance at Pei Jingyan.

Pei Jingyan caught her look and teased, “As long as Miss Shen doesn’t slip up, we’ll be fine.”

Shen Lai felt inexplicably guilty. “I’ll do my best.”

Acting shouldn’t be too difficult for her, right?

Even if she hadn’t eaten pork, hadn’t she at least seen a pig run?

Wan Shilan relaxed slightly. Though the two were sworn rivals, at least on the surface, they would play the part of a loving couple well enough not to raise suspicions among the audience.

“Make sure your stories align, and don’t let anything slip,” Wan Shilan reminded them pointedly. “Your dating anniversary was two and a half months ago. The night you were caught checking into a hotel was when you officially got together. As for the marriage certificate, you got it the day after Shen Lai confirmed her pregnancy.”

Shotgun weddings weren’t uncommon in today’s society. Though it didn’t sound great, it was far better than being exposed for fraud later.

Pei Jingyan folded his hands over his abdomen and spoke leisurely, “Miss Shen, if there are any moments requiring physical affection during the show later, I’d appreciate your cooperation.”

Shen Lai paused slightly.

She had almost forgotten… being on a dating show would inevitably involve some level of physical closeness.

Though she disliked Pei Jingyan, Shen Lai wasn’t about to sabotage herself in front of so many people. She swallowed and lifted her chin, feigning composure. “As long as you don’t deliberately take advantage of me, I’ll cooperate fully.”

At the same time, Rumors End on the Journey began airing.

The moment the livestream started, countless fans flooded in, pushing the show’s popularity into the platform’s top ten.

[I’m here!]

[Start already! I can’t wait to see my Lin-Sui CP!]

[I heard the production team is keeping things super mysterious, I’m here to see what the hype’s about.]

[Director, you’d better not be lying. If there aren’t enough twists, I’ll twist you instead!]

Amid the overwhelming anticipation, the first couple made their dazzling entrance.

The moment Bai Hansui appeared on screen, the livestream erupted with screams of excitement.

[Hansui is so beautiful! Like a fairy descended to earth! And Young Master Huo is so handsome, no wonder he’s the internet’s favorite rich hottie!]

[I heard Young Master Huo never does variety shows, he broke his rule just for Hansui.]

[True love indeed. How could anyone say Young Master Huo was involved with Shen Lai? A rich, handsome heir and the daughter of a criminal, clearly not a match.]

[Shh, let’s not bring up unlucky people on such a happy day.]

Bai Hansui wore a white dress, delicate as a porcelain doll, her eyes clear and bright. She smiled shyly at the camera and said, “Hello everyone, I’m Bai Hansui. This is my boyfriend, Huo Chilin.”

Huo Chilin held her hand tightly, exchanging a smile with Bai Hansui.

[Ooooh, boyfriend alert, so sweet!]

[Watching this makes me want a boyfriend too!]

[Hey, wake up, you won’t find one as handsome and rich as him.]

[Darn it!]

Their perfect chemistry sent the barrage of comments into overdrive, with pink bubbles practically floating across the screen.

Next up were Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling, an award-winning actor and actress couple who had been married for seven years and had a son together.

The third pair was Yan Ruiyuan, a singer recently caught in a cheating scandal at a hotel, and his composer girlfriend, Wu Qi.

[They don’t seem like they’re on bad terms at all. Did those gossip accounts just make up stories again?]

[I think so too. Those paparazzi will say anything for attention.]

[I’m already looking forward to the fourth mystery guest. Who could possibly outshine the Lin-Sui CP?]

[Director Miao, stop teasing us and just bring them out already!]

Watching the impatient comments flooding in, Director Miao smirked in satisfaction.

This was exactly the effect he wanted!

Just as the barrage of comments threatened to crash the live stream, Director Miao finally picked up his megaphone. “Now, let’s welcome our final guest couple!”

Everyone on set turned in unison toward the direction he gestured.

The live audience first caught sight of two slender, porcelain-white legs stepping into the frame, glowing under the sunlight as if haloed.

[Those legs… I’m drooling already!]

[Let me be the first to worship them!]

[Have some decency, people! (But I can’t hold back either… I’ll worship first!)]

[I’ve been in the entertainment industry for years, and I’ve never seen legs this flawless. Only a handful of female stars have proportions this insane. Should be easy to guess once we narrow it down.]

Just the sight of the mystery guest’s legs had already skyrocketed everyone’s anticipation, leaving them desperate to see her face.

The cameraman didn’t disappoint. As the lens slowly panned upward, it revealed a toned waist, a narrow waistline, ample curves, delicate collarbones, and an elegant swan-like neck…

For a moment, it almost sounded like the live chat was collectively salivating.

Then, in the next second, Shen Lai’s strikingly beautiful, almost aggressive features burst into view as she smiled and greeted, “Good morning, everyone.”

The comments froze for a split second.

Then erupted at an unprecedented speed.

[Wait, am I seeing things? Is that Shen Lai?!]

[I must’ve eaten some poisonous mushrooms at lunch. Gotta go get my stomach pumped… see ya!]

[Director, have you lost your mind? You invited Shen Lai? Is this a dating show or a surveillance show?!]

[That bitch Shen must’ve come because she heard Huo Chilin and Suisui were on the show. How shameless can she be?! Ugh!]

[That’s it, I’m out. What a cursed sight!]

The moment she saw Shen Lai, Bai Hansui’s pupils constricted slightly.

Beside her, Huo Chilin’s gaze locked onto Shen Lai with an intensity that bordered on hostility.

Shen Lai?

Why was she here?

Did she know he and Bai Hansui were appearing on this show and deliberately signed up to follow them?

Huo Chilin’s disgust for her deepened.

Just as he thought, Shen Lai might act indifferent on the surface, but she clearly hadn’t gotten over him. She’d even chased him onto a reality show.

With cameras everywhere, Huo Chilin couldn’t lash out. He forced himself to pretend not to see her, but the revulsion in his eyes was unmistakable.

The barrage of comments instantly turned into a chaotic mess. Netizens who had been fawning over the screen did a complete 180, demanding Shen Lai get off the show.

Director Miao pretended not to see it, he had anticipated this scenario from the start.

This was precisely why he had invited Shen Lai to participate.

“Miss Shen, where is your husband?”

Only then did the live audience belatedly realize this was a dating show, meaning Shen Lai couldn’t have come alone.

[Wait, does that mean Shen Lai’s husband, Pei Jingyan, is here too?]

[No way. Everyone knows President Pei never gives interviews… otherwise, how could there not be a single leaked photo of him all these years?]

[Exactly. The first two couples appeared together. If President Pei were here, why would Shen Lai be the only one showing up?]

[Could it be that President Pei refused to join the show and made Shen Lai come alone? How embarrassing, LOL.]

But the laughter in the comments didn’t last long.

Because a tall figure was approaching from a distance.

Sunlight glinted off his spotless leather shoes as Pei Jingyan strode forward in a dark suit, his broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuated by the tailored fit, his long legs encased in dress pants. The Jacob & Co. watch on his wrist shimmered under the sunlight.

As the blinding glare was momentarily obscured by clouds, Pei Jingyan’s flawlessly handsome face… as if sculpted by Nuwa herself, filled the entire live broadcast screen.

His hand naturally settled on Shen Lai’s waist as he calmly introduced himself, “Good morning.”

“I’m Shen Lai’s husband, Pei Jingyan.”