Chapter 67: Mr. Gu, You're Going to Be a Father!

Gu Pingsheng tapped his knee lightly with his knuckles. “Do you think there’s something wrong with me?”

The question was so direct that it left no room for an answer.

Ye Lanzhou paused for several seconds before replying, “…Perhaps you two should sit down and talk. Not everything in this world can be controlled by you. No one can manipulate the human heart. Especially since Wen Zhixia is not a flower grown in a greenhouse. You should know that.”

“…She’s not as strong as you all think.” After a long silence, Gu Pingsheng finally spoke.

Ye Lanzhou realized then that he couldn’t persuade him. When Gu Pingsheng set his mind on something, there was only one person who could challenge him, who could make him change his mind.

“I only hope everything turns out as you wish,” Ye Lanzhou sighed gently.

Gu Pingsheng gazed deeply toward the direction of Lanhu County.

The next morning.

On the table still lay the surveillance equipment Wen Zhixia had dismantled yesterday. She was still asleep, but was awakened early by a call from Hua Qianjiao.

“Sister Wen, let’s go fishing together.”

It was already late autumn, and the temperature difference between morning and evening was quite stark before the sun rose. Wen Zhixia never cared much for intense exercise that made one sweat excessively; for her, the saying “life is about staying still” fit perfectly.

So fishing, an activity that was almost motionless, had become one of her favorite pastimes in the past two years.

However, Hua Qianjiao was someone who couldn’t sit still. Every time, she wouldn’t last more than two hours.

Yet today, she took the initiative to invite Wen Zhixia to fish, which surprised her. “What made you suddenly want to go fishing?”

Hua Qianjiao glanced at a slogan on a promotional poster Ye Lanzhou had given her: “Leisurely fishing, cultivating the mind and body.”

Wen Zhixia: “Hm?”

Ye Lanzhou touched his forehead, smiling a little helplessly: this girl was really unreliable.

“Sister Wen, come with me, please? I want to go fishing, can’t you?” Hua Qianjiao puffed her cheeks out, tugging at her little skirt, beginning to act coquettishly.

Because she knew, Wen Zhixia rarely refused her anything.

“Where are we going?” Wen Zhixia asked.

Hua Qianjiao cast a proud look at Ye Lanzhou. “We’ll come pick you up.”

Wen Zhixia paused. “We?”

“Oh, and Brother Lanzhou, he doesn’t have anything to do today,” Hua Qianjiao said.

The free Ye Lanzhou: “…”

It was Hua Qianjiao who suggested fishing, but she was always the first to lose interest.

Wen Zhixia was patient, sitting by the shore with a hat on, able to sit for an hour or two. Hua Qianjiao started out fishing as well, but half an hour later, she shifted to feeding the fish, scattering bait into the water until a huge school gathered around, thrashing at the surface. She was having the time of her life.

“Do you have something to say to me, Mr. Ye?” Wen Zhixia noticed Ye Lanzhou’s gaze falling on her repeatedly, as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.

Ye Lanzhou smiled when she spoke. “…Did you have a fight with Pingsheng?”

Wen Zhixia’s eyes remained unchanged as she calmly watched the still water. “Did he tell you?”

Ye Lanzhou shook his head slightly. “No, but since he sent Qianjiao to keep you company, something must have happened between you.”

“Maybe the problem started months ago,” Wen Zhixia said.

The fishing rod trembled. As Ye Lanzhou reeled in, he said, “I’ve never seen him care so much about anyone. No matter what, you should believe in his sincerity toward you.”

“Am I not sincere with him?” Wen Zhixia suddenly asked in return.

Ye Lanzhou’s hand paused, and the fish that had nearly been caught took advantage of the break to leap back into the water.

The question of how much each person gives in a relationship—perhaps even those involved can’t calculate it, let alone outsiders.

“Excuse me, are you Ms. Wen?” Two people approached, one after the other; they looked like the head of the leisure fishing area and an assistant.

Wen Zhixia nodded calmly. “I am.”

“Hello, Ms. Wen. Here are some tea leaves dried at a nearby tea estate. Assistant Jin said you like tea, so we brought these for you to try.” With that, he signaled the assistant to present the freshly brewed tea.

“Assistant Jin?” Wen Zhixia was slightly surprised. Hadn’t Jin Mao already left?

As if sensing her confusion, the manager explained, “You might not know, Ms. Wen, but this fishing ground was established by the Xu family.”

In other words, her preferences had already been arranged for by those above.

The Xu family, again…

Ye Lanzhou almost immediately thought of Xu Qichen.

“Please thank him for me,” Wen Zhixia did not refuse, but accepted graciously. This level of trust made Ye Lanzhou deeply worried for Gu Pingsheng.

Wen Zhixia was not like Hua Qianjiao, who had been sheltered from the world’s dangers. Wen Zhixia had made a name for herself in the business world and naturally carried a certain wariness toward others. Yet, just the mention of “Assistant Jin” and “the Xu family” made her drop her guard entirely.

Such trust was rare, not something ordinary relationships could achieve.

“If you need anything, Ms. Wen, please feel free to contact me.” The manager placed his business card nearby. “We won’t disturb your enjoyment any longer. Farewell.”

Everything was attentive yet never felt abrupt or unnatural.

“…The Xu family sent generous gifts at your wedding, and now the manager of their business is treating you with such respect. Are you and Xu Qichen very close?” Ye Lanzhou asked, as if casually.

Wen Zhixia’s gaze swept briefly over him. “What are you really asking, Mr. Ye?”

Ye Lanzhou smiled lightly. “Just curious. The Xu family rarely shows themselves. When you were at Gu Xia Group, it seemed you had little interaction with them.”

“Just someone from the past.” She clearly did not wish to elaborate.

Ye Lanzhou was tactful and did not press further.

“Did you two catch any fish?” Hua Qianjiao, having finished feeding all her bait, finally remembered the two people she’d left behind.

There were two fish in Wen Zhixia’s bucket, three in Ye Lanzhou’s, and not a single one in Hua Qianjiao’s—yet she was still cheerful.

The three returned to Lanhu County.

Since Gu Pingsheng was not at home, it was not appropriate for Ye Lanzhou, as a man, to stay. With Wen Zhixia present, Hua Qianjiao ignored him entirely, so he did not linger.

“Ye Lanzhou treats you well,” Wen Zhixia said to Hua Qianjiao after he left.

“Mhm, Brother Lanzhou is very nice,” Hua Qianjiao agreed while eating grapes.

Wen Zhixia chuckled. “I mean, he’d probably make a good boyfriend.”

Hua Qianjiao looked up. “Brother Lanzhou doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

“And you? Don’t you like him?” Wen Zhixia asked.

Hua Qianjiao seemed to realize her meaning and frowned in distress. “Isn’t it bad to have one foot in two boats? Besides, Brother Lanzhou probably… doesn’t want to be the ‘other man.’ That would make him like Lin Huixian. Just the other day, he was saying Lin Huixian is a bad woman.”

Wen Zhixia: “…”

She decided to leave that dilemma for Ye Lanzhou to resolve himself.

Wen Zhixia barely ate during dinner; her stomach was a bit uncomfortable. She thought her period might be coming—it had always been irregular, often late, and this time it was over a week overdue.

But after a trip to the bathroom, there was still no sign.

“Sister Wen, are you pregnant?” Hua Qianjiao asked offhandedly upon hearing her mention her discomfort.

Wen Zhixia froze. “Pregnant?”

Hua Qianjiao, puzzled by her surprise, said, “Haven’t you and Mr. Gu been married for three years? Isn’t it normal to have a child by now?”

She’d seen that couples who wanted children usually conceived quickly after marriage. For Wen Zhixia to only now be expecting wasn’t really that surprising.

Wen Zhixia counted back in her mind. The only time they hadn’t used any protection was during her “safe period.” Gu Pingsheng had had a little to drink, and they’d run out of condoms at home, so they didn’t take precautions.

But now…

The “safe period” wasn’t always safe.

That was all Wen Zhixia could think of at the moment.

“Oh, a pregnancy test! Wait here, Sister Wen, I’ll go to the nearby hospital and buy one for you,” Hua Qianjiao said, slapping her forehead.

Wen Zhixia had wanted a child for the past two years, but she and Gu Pingsheng had never reached an agreement. Now, with the sudden possibility, she didn’t know how to feel.

Hua Qianjiao hurried out to buy a pregnancy test.

At the pharmacy, the clerk was checking inventory on the shelves. Hua Qianjiao asked at the counter, found the test kits, and grabbed one in a hurry.

“Checkout,” she said, pulling out her phone.

A beep, and the payment was successful.

On her way back, she ran into Lin Huixian, who was also at the pharmacy.

Seeing the pregnancy test in Hua Qianjiao’s hand, Lin Huixian suddenly reached out to stop her. “What did you buy?”

Hua Qianjiao didn’t want to engage, as nothing good ever came from meeting this woman.

She tried to leave, but Lin Huixian wouldn’t let her pass. “Explain yourself—why are you buying a pregnancy test?”

Lin Huixian was flustered. Could Hua Qianjiao already be pregnant with Qing Qi’s child?

Then what would happen to her? She had no one to rely on; her background was already less favorable than Hua Qianjiao’s. The two old folks of the Qing family recognized only Hua Qianjiao as their daughter-in-law and had never acknowledged her. If Hua Qianjiao was pregnant, wouldn’t she have no chance at all?

“What’s wrong with you? I can buy whatever I want—it’s not your money. Why do you care?” Hua Qianjiao snapped.

“Hua Qianjiao, why are you so shameless? Qing Qi doesn’t even like you. Why do you keep throwing yourself at him? We’re the ones truly in love—why can’t you just let us be? Does breaking us up really give you that much satisfaction? Why are you so malicious?” Lin Huixian accused.

Hua Qianjiao stared at her, wide-eyed, and after a moment found her voice. “You’re the mistress, you’re not even pretty, and you’re extremely annoying. Why are you so confident?”

She asked this with sincere curiosity, as if she genuinely wanted Lin Huixian to explain this baffling problem.

Lin Huixian clenched her fists. “How dare you insult me!”

Hua Qianjiao blinked innocently. “I just want to know, can’t I ask?”

Wasn’t she just stating the truth? Lin Huixian wasn’t attractive to begin with, and every time they met her expression was twisted, making her already unremarkable features even worse.

Lin Huixian raised her arm to slap her, but when she saw Qing Qi getting out of a car nearby, she lowered her hand and put on a pitiful, bullied expression. “I know I can’t compare to you, but my feelings for Qing Qi are true. We truly love each other—why can’t you just let us be?”

Qing Qi approached and, hearing Lin Huixian’s words, felt even more guilty.

But he still needed the Hua family’s support and couldn’t afford further conflict with Hua Qianjiao. He suppressed his displeasure. “What’s going on?”

“I was just here to buy something,” Hua Qianjiao frowned, “but this woman went crazy, interrogating me and insisting you two are truly in love. Last time, you told me I was the most important. So why is she still saying that?”

She puffed out her cheeks and asked.

Qing Qi was speechless and brushed off Lin Huixian’s hand. “She’s just talking nonsense. Don’t you have something else to do? Go on, I’ll handle things here.”

Hua Qianjiao tilted her head at them and didn’t leave immediately, instead asking, “Qing Qi, are you lying to me?”

Qing Qi stiffened. “Of course not.”

“If you’re lying, I’ll never trust you again,” Hua Qianjiao said.

She still had her childlike innocence, but also the sensitivity of a young girl.

Qing Qi didn’t realize then what “never trust you again” would mean. Only in the years to come, when he remembered it, would he find himself sleepless.

“Qing Qi, she just bought a pregnancy test,” Lin Huixian said, seeing him lost in thought as he watched Hua Qianjiao’s retreating figure, and gripping his arm.

Qing Qi whipped around. “A pregnancy test?”

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and Lin Huixian didn’t miss it. “Did you… did you sleep together?”

Qing Qi froze. He couldn’t help but recall the celebration at Gu Xia Group—he’d gotten drunk, woken up with his clothes off, and found Hua Qianjiao lying next to him in her pajamas.

Could it be… that night, they really had done it?

“Don’t tell anyone about this,” Qing Qi said.

His reaction made Lin Huixian’s heart go cold.

Hua Qianjiao returned to Lanhu County, a little downcast, and handed the pregnancy test to Wen Zhixia.

Wen Zhixia put down the kitten in her arms. “What’s wrong?”

Hua Qianjiao shook her head. “Nothing. Sister Wen, go take the test.”

Wen Zhixia held the test in her hand. “Pregnancy tests are most accurate in the morning. No hurry. Now, tell me—did something happen on your way to buy it?”

But again, Hua Qianjiao shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

“Really?” Wen Zhixia asked.

Hua Qianjiao sat on the carpet, resting her head on Wen Zhixia’s lap. “Sister Wen, you’re the best. I wish we could always be together.”

Wen Zhixia laughed softly. “Don’t say such silly things.”

That night, Wen Zhixia had a dream.

In her dream, a fair and chubby little rice ball of a child ran toward her, his short legs pattering as he hugged her leg and called out, “Mama.”

She knelt down, but the soft little one suddenly disappeared from her arms. When she stood to look for him, she saw her own belly gradually rounding.

Wen Zhixia touched her stomach in disbelief, and at that moment, she seemed to feel a tiny kick from inside.

It was a wonderful sensation, and Wen Zhixia slept soundly.

The next morning, the first thing she did upon waking was to take the pregnancy test.

She sat quietly waiting, heart pounding, fingers absently touching her still-flat stomach. Time passed slowly. When she finally picked up the test and saw the two red lines, she covered her mouth.

Her eyes brimmed with irrepressible excitement and joy.

She was pregnant!

Hua Qianjiao, still groggy, emerged from her room rubbing her eyes. Seeing Wen Zhixia staring at the test, she shuffled over in her slippers. “Good morning, Sister Wen.”

“Good morning, Qianjiao.” Wen Zhixia turned to her. “I… I’m pregnant.”

In an instant, all of Hua Qianjiao’s sleepiness vanished. “You’re having a baby? Let me see!”

Wen Zhixia thought she wanted to see the test and handed it over, but Hua Qianjiao crouched in front of her and gently touched her stomach instead.

Wen Zhixia laughed. “You can’t feel anything yet.”

“Let’s go buy clothes for the baby later, and toys, and a crib, and a stroller…” Hua Qianjiao chattered excitedly, as if she herself were expecting.

“It’s still too early,” Wen Zhixia said.

Qianjiao shook her head. “No, babies arrive quickly. We have to get everything ready before she’s born. Do you want a boy or a girl?”

“Either is fine.”

Qianjiao rubbed her fingers together. “I like girls. Little girls are so cute.”

“You’re still a child yourself—what do you know about cute little girls?” Wen Zhixia teased.

“I’ll get better. I’m already twenty-two. Once I recover, I can help you too.” No matter how carefree she was, she couldn’t help but feel different when others looked at her as if she were a fool.

Wen Zhixia pinched her cheek. “You’ve already helped me a lot. But I believe our Qianjiao will get well soon.”

Qianjiao grinned, revealing her little teeth, as if she’d never known sorrow.

Though Wen Zhixia felt it was too early to buy baby things, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse Qianjiao.

When Gu Pingsheng returned home, it was as if a weight he’d carried for so long had finally been lifted.

He opened the door and saw Wen Zhixia sitting in the living room, chatting with Hua Qianjiao. The corners of his thin lips lifted slightly. After changing his shoes, he walked toward her.

He didn’t notice anything different about the house until Hua Qianjiao, excited, exclaimed, “Sister Wen, look at this—this little outfit is so adorable! The baby will look so cute in it!”

Gu Pingsheng noticed Wen Zhixia’s gentle smile, but his heart grew heavy. When Hua Qianjiao saw him, she handed him the pregnancy test with excitement. “Mr. Gu, you’re going to be a father!”

Gu Pingsheng’s expression changed dramatically. There was not a trace of joy—his deep gaze fixed on Wen Zhixia’s belly, and for a long time, he said nothing.