I'm Pregnant With My Arch-Nemesis's Child - Chapter 9

Lu Huai pressed his clenched fist against his forehead, his expression dark and contemplative.

Unable to set his mind at ease, he moved to the window. Outside, the stars were scattered across the sky, and the surroundings were silent, save for the rustling of leaves as a bird flapped its wings in the trees.

He focused intently on that tiny sound until the bird flew far away and out of his sight. Only then did he slowly lower his head, staring at Cheng Ye’s name in his contact list, his fingertips hovering uncertainly.

The chat interface remained frozen on the “Hello” that the other man had sent him. He had not replied.

He did not intend to make small talk this time, either. Reflecting on Chi Yuan’s cold demeanor earlier, Lu Huai assumed he would likely go to Cheng Ye to pour out his heart, likely including some acerbic critiques of Lu Huai himself.

But none of that mattered. Lu Huai recalled the expression on Chi Yuan’s face when he left, and despite a sigh, his expression softened unexpectedly.

“Cheng Ye, Chi Yuan is likely in a bad mood lately. If he comes to you, please urge him to take care of his health.” He typed the message, finding it quite lacking in warmth. He read it over and over; it was rare for him to feel so conflicted. After thinking for a moment, he added “Thank you” at the end.

Chi Yuan read Cheng Ye’s message word by word. Once he finished, he was completely sober. He looked coldly at the trembling Cheng Ye. “Are you here with him to mock me?”

Even without Chi Yuan’s gritted tone, the situation looked grim to Cheng Ye. What on earth is this? Is this the condescending mockery of a victor? It was as if he were taking all the blame for Chi Yuan’s bad mood upon himself. Given Chi Yuan’s proud nature, how could he possibly tolerate this?

“He is quite a player, is he not? Now he even collaborates with his inner circle to ridicule people?” Chi Yuan suppressed his rage, his voice freezing cold. “He might as well have just told you exactly how cleanly he won.”

Cheng Ye forced a smile, feeling he could not explain himself clearly, but he had a sudden flash of inspiration. “But he knew you would come to look for me.”

“Chi Yuan, think about it. How does he know you so well?” Cheng Ye grasped this point, insisting, “Does this not count as caring?”

“And look closely: if you did not provoke him first, he rarely bothered you, did he?”

At these words, Chi Yuan’s lashes veiled the sarcasm in his eyes. He smiled. “Have you ever seen Lu Huai hold anyone in high regard? He simply finds it beneath him. Do you truly think this counts as caring?” However, he did not explain why Lu Huai had predicted he would come to Cheng Ye. Even he had only acted on a whim; where would Lu Huai have gotten the ability of foresight?

Seeing Cheng Ye go silent, Chi Yuan decided not to press further. He rubbed his brow but put down his wine glass, deciding not to drink anymore. Lu Huai might not be on good terms with him, but that one sentence was right: Take care of your health. A hangover headache because of Lu Huai? Why should he bother?

Cheng Ye looked at Chi Yuan deeply. The faint blue shadows under his friend’s eyes were clearly visible. Even though he felt his intuition was correct, he did not want to exhaust Chi Yuan further. “Stop drinking. Look at your face.”

Chi Yuan stood up unsteadily. Through his squinted eyes, the mottled colors of the room seemed to blur into long, vivid trails that made him dizzy.

Cheng Ye helped Chi Yuan to his room, but Chi Yuan’s thoughts were in total disarray. Perhaps he had mentioned Lu Huai too many times in a single day, so his mind kept projecting scenes involving the man. Yet, due to his subconscious refusal, they were all shattered, scrambled, and blurred like clouds in a dream that never stayed in place.

“Brother Chi! The exam results are out!” Cheng Ye, who had not done particularly well himself, was energized. He shouted while waving the laminated scorecard, heading straight for Chi Yuan’s desk. “You are first!”

Afraid he wasn’t loud enough, he emphasized, “By a full five points!” He held up a hand showing five fingers, shouting to the surrounding crowd, “Five points!”

“I know, you are so noisy!” Upon hearing he was first, his eyes clearly brightened, but he only gave a faint, indifferent smile, feigning nonchalance. In reality, his peripheral vision was searching for Lu Huai. Five points—the gap between them had never been this large.

The young man sat by the window, his profile calm and timeless, as if the noise around him had nothing to do with him. He was silently working through problems, his pen tip cleanly and swiftly marking an A on the white paper. From start to finish, he never glanced his way.

Chi Yuan’s energy suddenly deflated. He pressed his lips together, his gaze locked onto Lu Huai. The people around him saw his joy vanish and fell silent, following his gaze to Lu Huai’s serene profile.

Everyone knew the two were bitter rivals, so they scattered, closing their mouths and observing Chi Yuan, purely to watch the drama unfold.

Chi Yuan put his smile back on. As the class monitor, he managed the discipline: “Everyone, continue studying. Exams are frequent, so be well prepared.” After he finished, he paused, his eyes sweeping toward Lu Huai. “Be like classmate Lu Huai, keep your composure.”

After finishing his work, he walked over to Lu Huai’s desk and slapped the scorecard onto Lu Huai’s worksheet, his tone unkind. “Take a look?”

When Lu Huai had placed first last time, he had handed Chi Yuan a book on analytic geometry, a gesture clearly intended to humiliate.

Lu Huai was silent at first, as if he only just heard his voice, then slowly looked up. He had been looking down the whole time; it was unclear if he had even looked at the scorecard.

Chi Yuan stared at the crown of Lu Huai’s head, feeling inexplicably irritable.

Lu Huai had been suffering from stomach pain for days, a torment that left him unable to eat, and he was currently dealing with low blood sugar. He had been forcing himself to write, and his lips were completely pale.

He struggled to focus on the scorecard. In reality, the words were blurring, and he could barely distinguish that it was Chi Yuan before him, barely staying conscious by the physical sensation of the pen in his grip.

After enduring a sudden spasm in his stomach, Lu Huai clenched his palm. His vision finally cleared, and he saw Chi Yuan’s name right after the top rank. His mind was chaotic, and he responded instinctively, letting go of his usual mask.

“Congratulations.”

He lifted his face and forced a smile, eager and sincere.

The smile was incredibly forced. Chi Yuan only felt the other man was mocking him. He balled his fists, realizing too late that his own behavior was petty.

Why did he have to care about Lu Huai’s reaction, just as Lu Huai had never cared about him?

Chi Yuan sneered and stepped back, his features shrouded in gloom. “Lu Huai…”

His voice was barely audible. “What am I fantasizing about? You truly have never lost your composure.”

It was just a municipal joint exam. Chi Yuan crumpled the scorecard and threw it into the trash. When he turned back, he already wore a smile, his gaze sweeping over Lu Huai, who had slumped over his desk for a nap, and settling on the students waiting at his desk for help.

Nothing special.

The scattered memories shifted, like dust floating in the universe, shaken by external forces and falling into disorder. The heavily intoxicated Chi Yuan frowned. But Lu Huai had lost his composure before.

Not long after he learned that Lu Huai was pursuing Fang Qiming, he began to have more interactions with Fang Qiming. He was wittier and more humorous than Lu Huai, and he knew how to please people, so after he publicly declared his feelings for Fang Qiming, the other man naturally agreed to be with him.

Chi Yuan took Fang Qiming’s hand and invited several close friends to dinner. Naturally, he also had to invite Lu Huai.

He deliberately chose an elective course they both had, and during the break, he extended a sincere invitation.

“Fang Qiming and I are dating, and we are having a dinner with everyone. Are you coming?”

Lu Huai was packing his books and did not look at him once. He paused slightly at the word “dating,” his expression becoming even more indifferent. He looked at him with those soul-stealing peach-blossom eyes for a long moment, seemingly verifying if he was joking, before pressing his lips together and saying, “Sorry.”

“Do you really not have the time?” Chi Yuan interrupted. Although he curved his lips, the smile did not reach his eyes. He pointed at the junior-year schedule he had obtained from a student in the Economics department, his eyes dark. “Or do you just not want to come?”

Lu Huai’s fingertips gripped the strap of his backpack so hard they turned white, a sign of his internal turmoil. The Chi Yuan before him was simply too sharp and aggressive; he lowered his eyes to avoid the other man’s gaze.

“Sorry.”

“Fine. As expected.”

Chi Yuan responded quickly and moved aside to let Lu Huai pass. He did not know what he was expecting, but he already felt internally unhappy. Even though his goal of provocation had been achieved, he felt no sense of gratification.

Perhaps it was because Lu Huai seemed too indifferent.

Lu Huai stood still, and Chi Yuan, too lazy to wait any longer, turned and walked toward Fang Qiming.

His gaze softened instantly upon seeing Fang Qiming. Whether Lu Huai was there or not, he truly liked Fang Qiming. That the other man had chosen him was enough to make him happy. Fang Qiming had a gentle temperament, was incredibly considerate, and always cared for those around him, making everyone feel comfortable.

Chi Yuan thought that perhaps their personalities were complementary. In Fang Qiming, he could find an unprecedented stability and tranquility.

So he pulled him into his arms, never noticing the cold, heavy gaze behind him.

Lu Huai stood not far away. He could feel the hostility Chi Yuan directed toward him and understood the warmth and satisfaction behind that embrace.

Some things are just like that; even if practiced a thousand times, and even if others’ remarks reach your ears, when it finally comes down to it, you still have to see it with your own eyes. He stared at their embracing figures, mimicking the others who stopped to watch, but his mind went blank.

Fang Qiming was his complete opposite. It was as if some people’s essence was warmth, making every movement comforting, while others, no matter what they said, only drew aversion.

Lu Huai took a piece of paper from his pocket. After looking at its contents, his lips curled, and his fingers danced, folding it into a paper crane. He held it in his palm for a long time before, as if finally letting go, he threw it forward with all his strength.

Chi Yuan seemed to sense something, but in his peripheral vision, he only saw a retreating figure that never turned back.

Lu Huai eventually went. After all, it was a personal invitation from Chi Yuan, and besides, he probably needed to say a final farewell.

The party was almost over when he arrived, so he stood in the long alley, watching Chi Yuan and Fang Qiming smile as they saw off every friend, finally holding each other closely and kissing in a lingering, intimate manner.

Until they waved goodbye.

Fang Qiming’s back disappeared from view, and Chi Yuan withdrew his smile. However, after walking only a few steps forward, he saw a black shadow blocking his path.

He frowned and walked closer, seeing Lu Huai with his head down.

“You…”

“You are a bit late.” Lu Huai lifted his head, gently rubbing his knuckles. He seemed a bit uneasy under his gaze.

Chi Yuan’s eyes flickered.

“Oh, so you appear now?”

He had prepared his words for a long time, but now, none of them seemed right to say. Lu Huai took out a bag, carefully packaged and looking as if it had been meticulously chosen. Even so, he checked it thoroughly one last time before handing it to Chi Yuan.

“A gift for you and Fang Qiming.”

The word “dating” was deliberately omitted. Lu Huai lowered his lashes, his expression unreadable.

Chi Yuan pressed his tongue against his cheek, not understanding Lu Huai’s intention for a moment. He tentatively accepted it: “Thank you.” Surprisingly, Lu Huai did not let go.

He faced this confusing scene with surprise and asked: “Hmm?”

Then he saw the other man look up.

Very few people have seen Lu Huai like this.

His eye sockets were already red, his lower eyelids and lashes stained with mist, staring straight at him.

Chi Yuan instinctively let go, noticing that Lu Huai was still gripping the bag tightly.

“Actually…” He licked his lips, organizing his thoughts.

Lu Huai’s wrist was already aching, but he persisted, not knowing who he was battling against. He stood half a meter away from Chi Yuan, at the junction of light and shadow in the alley, his whole person split in two yet forced to merge.

So he opened his mouth several times, but said nothing.

Chi Yuan was perhaps stunned by Lu Huai’s appearance and did not move. He stood in place, watching Lu Huai, as if wanting to etch this disheveled state into his memory.

Finally, he heard the man croak: “Do you really love him that much?”

The whole sentence was without context. Chi Yuan frowned, but no matter what kind, he replied unquestioningly: “Love.”

“Fine…” Lu Huai’s shoulders slumped, his entire being losing its strength. His eyes were filled with low, heavy mist, yet the corners of his lips were turned high. “That is good.”

“Take the gift.” He reached out again, but this time, Chi Yuan received it easily.

The bag was heavy, filled with a sincerity that could not be spoken.