Fake Pregnancy? Oops, It’s Real — and So Is the Husband - Chapter 9

The audience in front of their screens collectively gasped.

[Is… is this Shen Lai’s husband?]

[Sorry, but I’m turning into a screaming chicken first… AHHHHHHH, HE’S SO DAMN HOT!]

[Let’s be real for a second, why can’t he be my husband?!]

[Where’s the morality? Where’s the decency? And most importantly, where’s the address to pick up this husband?!]

[Who was it that said CEO Pei wouldn’t accompany Shen Lai on the show? Talk about getting slapped in the face!]

Some anti-fans couldn’t take it and immediately fired back.

[So what if he’s accompanying her? Maybe CEO Pei didn’t even want to come.]

[Exactly. What if Shen Lai agreed to the show behind his back, and he had no choice but to show up?]

[Besides, other couples are all lovey-dovey the moment they appear, these two have zero chemistry.]

[Fake couple confirmed.]

#MysteryGuestShenLai

#ShenLaiAndPeiJingyanFilmingDatingShow

#PeiJingyanIsDevastatinglyHandsome

Within less than half an hour of the show’s premiere, Shen Lai and Pei Jingyan’s names skyrocketed to the top of the trending list.

Pei Jingyan’s appearance had always been shrouded in mystery. Countless netizens, hearing that he had finally shown his face, flocked to the livestream out of sheer curiosity. In no time, the viewer count surpassed eight digits.

Most of the audience felt that Pei Jingyan, this dazzling flower… had been planted in the pile of manure that was Shen Lai.

But the biggest shock was that no one had expected the final mystery guests to be Shen Lai and Pei Jingyan, the newlywed couple.

As the barrage of comments raged on, Huo Chilin, standing in the corner, clenched his fists in disbelief as he stared at Pei Jingyan.

This man… a figure at the pinnacle of the capital’s elite, had actually stooped so low as to accompany Shen Lai on a dating show?

How was that possible?

Wasn’t he famously reclusive, never appearing in public?

Rumor had it that even when a financial editor with close ties to the Pei family had requested an interview, Pei Jingyan had only agreed to an audio recording, refusing to show his face.

“Chilin, what’s going on?” Bai Hansui bit her lip, her gaze fixed on the tall, striking figure in the distance. “Since when did Lai Lai get so close to CEO Pei? Weren’t they sworn enemies?”

Huo Chilin’s hands tightened into fists beneath his sleeves. “Who knows what shady deal they’ve struck.”

As Shen Lai’s ex, he knew all too well about the animosity between her and Pei Jingyan. Their public clashes were practically routine, whatever Shen Lai wanted, Pei Jingyan would swoop in to snatch it away.

There were even rumors that Pei Jingyan had spread malicious gossip about Shen Lai.

So there was no way he believed the child in Shen Lai’s belly was Pei Jingyan’s.

Shen Lai would rather sleep with any random man than him!

Bai Hansui nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. LaiLai hates CEO Pei more than anyone, there’s no way she’d marry him.”

As if suddenly realizing something, she covered her mouth. “Do you think… she forged a marriage certificate to fool everyone?”

Huo Chilin frowned.

That was exactly what he was thinking.

With the Shen family bankrupt and her father in prison, the Pei family, given their status, would never accept a scandal-ridden daughter-in-law like Shen Lai.

The wealthy elite looked down on entertainers the most.

“Not our problem. They’ll be exposed sooner or later.”

Disgusted, Huo Chilin turned his head away yet his eyes kept drifting back to Shen Lai.

Did she think collaborating with Pei Jingyan would catch his attention?

Unfortunately, Shen Lai’s calculations were about to fall flat this time.

At this moment, Shen Lai’s entire body was stiff, but she couldn’t show it in front of the cameras. She could only force a smile in response.

The warmth of Pei Jingyan’s palm seeped through the fabric onto her skin, so scorching it almost felt like it could burn her.

Then, that familiar scent of cold pinewood suddenly enveloped her as Pei Jingyan leaned in close, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Miss Shen, don’t give yourself away right at the start of the show.”

He tilted his head slightly, the corner of his lips curling up in a way that made it seem like the couple was sharing an intimate whisper to outsiders.

Shen Lai gritted her teeth, barely managing to squeeze out her words, “I know that without you telling me.”

Watching Shen Lai’s reluctant yet forced compliance, a faint, imperceptible glint of amusement flashed through Pei Jingyan’s eyes.

[Wait, this scene is kinda sweet though.]

[Shipping everything will be the death of you. This is so obviously manufactured sugar… fake as hell.]

[Exactly. Real couples don’t talk like this. It’s like they’re putting on a show for the audience.]

No one noticed Huo Chilin’s darkened expression in the corner.

The sight of the two standing so close and whispering grated on his nerves. As if to retaliate, he deliberately pulled Bai Hansui into his arms, resting a hand on her shoulder and sending the live chat into a frenzy.

[Now THIS is what a real couple looks like!]

[Someone teach Shen Lai how it’s done… her acting is so stiff.]

[Lin-Sui CP forever!]

Bai Hansui’s cheeks flushed pink as she shyly leaned against Huo Chilin’s chest.

Huo Chilin deliberately glanced at Shen Lai, only to find she hadn’t even looked their way.

His expression darkened further.

Was she playing hard to get?

Too bad… he wasn’t falling for it.

Truthfully, Shen Lai had noticed Bai Hansui and Huo Chilin earlier. She hadn’t checked Weibo recently and had no idea they were also on this variety show.

But since they were here, she might as well make the best of it. Compared to marrying and having kids with her arch-nemesis, sharing the stage with her ex-boyfriend and former best friend was nothing.

All four couples had now made their appearances. To help everyone get acquainted quickly, Director Miao had them briefly introduce themselves before officially starting the first challenge.

Dai Jingxuan and Tong Miaoling, household names as Best Actor and Best Actress, needed no introduction. Nine years ago, their drama Imprisoned Begonia had taken the nation by storm, airing every summer since, practically everyone, young and old, knew them.

As for Yan Rui, he was a renowned male pop singer in the Chinese music scene. His breakout hit, Eclipse, had been composed by his girlfriend, a well-known music producer. The two were hailed as the golden couple of the industry.

When it was Bai Hansui’s turn, she said shyly, “Hello everyone, I’m Bai Hansui. It’s such a pleasure to meet you all. I’m still a rookie actress learning and finding my way, basically stuck in the ‘newbie village’ grinding levels.”

“For me, being here to experience life with everyone and make new friends is such a precious and relaxing opportunity. I hope we can all get along well, and I’m really looking forward to the unique experiences and stories we’ll share here. Please take care of me!”

Her polished speech won over many viewers, with the live chat flooding with praise for Bai Hansui’s humility.

[Suisui is NOT a newbie! Her acting in Orange Summer Letters was on par with the veterans in the cast!]

[I watched it too… Suisui was born to be an actress!]

“Please, dear sponsors, take a good look at our Suisui… investing in her is never a loss!”

When it was Huo Chili’s turn, everyone knew he wasn’t part of the entertainment industry. He only entered the public eye half a year ago when Bai Hansui announced their relationship online.

Huo Chili gazed affectionately at Bai Hansui and said, “Then my masterpiece should be Suisui.”

Bai Hansui’s face immediately flushed red.

[Ahhhhhhhh so sweet, I’m dead!!!]

[How can a man say sweet nothings without being cringy at all? Just kill me with this sweetness!]

[How can anyone still claim Huo Chilin is cheating when their love is so obvious? Those haters really have no heart.]

[Stop talking, or someone’s going to get all worked up again.]

When it was Shen Lai’s turn, not only were the guests on set curious about how she would introduce herself, but the live-stream audience was equally intrigued.

After all, everyone knew Shen Lai had no notable works in her half-year career… otherwise, she wouldn’t be so obscure that she might as well not exist.

Shen Lai spoke calmly, “Hello everyone, I’m an unknown D-list celebrity in the entertainment industry. My current masterpiece should probably be… throwing up from morning sickness on live stream?”

As soon as she said this, a few scattered laughs broke out on set.

Even the barrage of comments was caught off guard, falling silent for a few seconds.

[…Well, you have to admit, Shen Lai’s pretty honest.]

[I thought she’d never dare bring this up.]

[Honestly, she’s kind of funny, roasting herself like this.]

[That’s only because she has no real works to mention, so she has to use this to gain some sympathy points. What a scheming b*tch!]

Wu Qi couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really pregnant?”

Shen Lai placed her hands on her stomach and nodded. “Yes, a little over two months.”

Watching her gesture, Huo Chilin suddenly spoke up. “So, the man in those photos from two months ago must have been President Pei?”

His words successfully redirected everyone’s attention to Pei Jingyan, while glossing over the oddity of Huo Chilin suddenly chiming in.

Huo Chilin stared intently at Shen Lai, waiting to see how she would answer.

Shen Lai remained expressionless, her tone indifferent. “Seems like Huo Chilin is quite invested in our marital affairs.”

“I’m just asking on behalf of the audience. I’m sure everyone’s curious,” Huo Chilin narrowed his eyes slightly before shifting his tone. “Or is it that you’re guilty and afraid to answer?”

[Why does it feel like Huo Chilin is targeting Shen Lai?]

[Don’t be paranoid, he’s just asking what we all want to know.]

[Exactly, if Shen Lai isn’t guilty, why can’t she just answer?]

[But this question is unnecessary. Didn’t Pei Corporation’s Weibo already clarify things?]

[That statement only confirmed Shen Lai’s husband is Pei Jingyan, it never clarified who the man hugging her that night was.]

[Ohhh, Huo Chilin is sharp! He really caught that loophole!]

The atmosphere grew tense, all eyes fixed on Shen Lai.

Unfazed, Shen Lai replied, “Of course it was him.”

Huo Chilin pressed further, “How can you prove it?”

At this, Pei Jingyan, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, his tone unhurried. “Huo Chilin seems even more concerned about this than the audience.”

Huo Chilin frowned, visibly displeased. “Like I said, I’m just asking for everyone else.”

Pei Jingyan raised an eyebrow leisurely, “So that’s how it is. One might have thought it was Young Master Huo himself who wanted to know.”

He tilted his head to look at Shen Lai, the corners of his lips curling into a faint, mocking smile. “Since Young Master Huo… no, I should say the audience he mentioned is so curious about who the man was that night, I suppose I’ll have to satisfy their curiosity.”

Shen Lai: “?”

What did he mean by satisfying their curiosity?

Before she could grasp the meaning behind his words, she saw Pei Jingyan pull out his phone, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the screen.

The production team promptly zoomed in with the camera.

Then, the live-stream audience watched as Pei Jingyan scrolled through his photo gallery and pulled up a picture.

On screen, Shen Lai was seen leaning disheveled against Pei Jingyan’s sweat-dampened shoulder, her gaze dazed, her smudged lipstick trailing at the corners of her mouth, while an unmistakable love bite still lingered on his throat.

The date stamped on the photo matched the very day Shen Lai had been photographed checking into the hotel.