Volume One, Chapter 20: Lu Wentan’s New Love

But she was truly averse to the whole idea. Perhaps all unmarried women dreaded this. She had only been with him, and if she really was pregnant, going for a checkup alone—how would others perceive her? What would they think?

“If you go, will you stay with me?” Gu Yan tried to steady her trembling voice, looking straight into his eyes. She didn’t want anyone to think she was cheap or careless. As long as he showed up, even briefly, it would mean something different to her.

For at least three seconds, Lu Wentan remained silent and composed. Gu Yan already knew the answer. There was an indescribable bitterness in her heart. But thinking about it, it was truly her own fault—who told her to lose control after getting drunk?

“I understand,” Gu Yan breathed in softly. He was just playing around; if something happened, she would have to bear it alone.

She was about to leave the study when Lu Wentan said, “I’ll arrange someone for you...”

“No need,” she interrupted. She had assumed it was someone to accompany her. But that would only mean more people knew about this matter—an unnecessary complication.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

Back in the living room, her expression had already regained its composure. Lu Ye gestured to a chair and pointed to the neatly prepared fruit, “Eat.”

She glanced at Lu Ye suspiciously, recalling Lu Wentan’s words. Could it be that Lu Ye had misunderstood something as well? As she ate, Lu Ye occasionally looked her way, probably worried she might vomit in front of the old man and cause an awkward scene.

Morning sickness? Gu Yan remembered what had happened at the office earlier that day. The pieces fell into place. So it seemed everyone was thinking about this, but no one had the standing to address it openly.

It appeared she would have to lay it all out herself, so everyone would understand clearly.

Dinner.

Lu Ye pulled out a chair for her. The old man glanced at her and remarked, “You look like a decent person today.”

Gu Yan didn’t hold back. Apart from the addition of Cong Wen, this meal was no different from usual.

Lu Wentan thought so too—until Gu Yan, after a few bites, suddenly covered her mouth, overcome by nausea. The whole table’s gaze pierced her like arrows.

Gu Yan didn’t stop; instead, her reaction intensified, forcing her to put down her chopsticks and bowl. Lu Wentan’s expression was hard to describe. He had assumed that since she dared not tell Lu Ye, she certainly wouldn’t tell the old man. He never expected her to do something like this so suddenly.

He was certain she did it on purpose.

Gu Yan indeed did it deliberately.

She rushed to the restroom and returned to find the old man’s attitude had completely changed—he wasn’t eating anymore, his eyes fixed on her every second.

“Gu Yan, are you pregnant?”

Her face froze in shock before she quickly waved her hands, switching instantly back to the cautious demeanor she had maintained for the past two years. “No! Impossible, Grandfather, please don’t scare me!”

Lu Zhaohui scolded her with a glance, “This is a good thing, how could it be a scare?”

“Is there a dish you don’t want? I’ll have Sister Zhang remake it,” the old man said imploringly.

Gu Yan shook her head, “Really, it’s not true. No way. Grandfather, you’re overthinking.”

“What’s impossible?” the old man stubbornly pressed on. “I know the men of the Lu family well. Although you’re not officially married, young people are vigorous and passionate, I can understand...”

“Rest assured, in the Lu family, there’s no shame in premarital pregnancy. On the contrary, the mother gains honor through the child,” the old man said knowingly, clearly aware of the village gossip.

Gu Yan wore an expression of guilt and helplessness. “Grandfather, really, it’s not true.”

“Lu Ye is always gallivanting outside. How could I get pregnant by myself? If you don’t believe me, take me to get tested. Then you’ll know.”

Her goal was achieved. She no longer had to sneak around for the test; now the pretext was on the old man. Everything fell neatly into place.

Hearing this, the old man’s gaze instantly turned sharp toward Lu Ye.

Lu Ye sat there, having just been nervously sweating for her moments before. Well done, Gu Yan! The little wife had grown bold enough to mess with him.

The next day was Saturday. The old man ordered Lu Wentan to arrange a doctor.

“Lu Ye will take Gu Yan there!” the old man said firmly, unusually scolding Lu Ye in front of Gu Yan. “If you run off gallivanting again, I’ll break all three of your legs!”

Lu Ye was speechless.

“Fine,” he begrudgingly accepted the task. He was curious about the results himself. If nothing showed up, that would be best. He certainly didn’t want to be caught off guard.

Lu Wentan remained silent the entire time.

Cong Wen thought that either he would accompany Gu Yan to the test, or at least inform the doctor to notify the fourth master once results were in. But judging by the old man’s expression, it seemed he didn’t intend to interfere.

He even wondered if the old man wanted to make the matter public, to let the whole family know about Lu Wentan and Gu Yan’s relationship. Well, maybe he was wrong.

Urine test, blood test, ultrasound—the full suite was done at Gu Yan’s insistence. She feared one test alone wouldn’t be persuasive enough.

Lu Ye took her there. After signing in, the doctor immediately called her in, letting her cut the line.

The doctor asked her to provide a urine sample and promised to find her immediately afterward.

Of course, Gu Yan went alone to the restroom. Lu Ye’s phone buzzed nonstop over the weekend, with invitations to various gatherings.

“Go ahead. I’ll wait here and reply to some messages,” Lu Ye said, pointing to the family waiting area nearby. “If anything happens, message me.”

The restroom was at the far end of the floor.

As Gu Yan neared the corridor’s end, passing the elevator, she saw Lu Wentan’s figure. He clearly saw her as well, his gaze calm and unreadable as it silently swept over her.

Gu Yan tightened her grip on the pregnancy test and the urine collection tube.

She hadn’t expected him to come. When she had asked him yesterday, his attitude was already clear—so what did his appearance here mean?

The restroom was occupied, so Gu Yan waited a moment before going in to collect the sample.

It was her first time doing something like this, and she felt awkward. She barely managed to collect the sample, carefully pouring it from the small cup into the collection tube and sealing it.

As she prepared to leave, a woman stood by the sink, touching up her makeup.

Qu Yanqing finished applying lipstick, then took out powder, meticulously perfecting her reflection in the mirror.

The doctor had asked her to return to the consultation room quickly, without delay.

Gu Yan cleared her throat, “Excuse me, may I wash my hands first?”

Qu Yanqing’s gaze dropped from the mirror to her face. Young, beautiful, with enviable skin and features—especially those eyes.

Qu Yanqing put down the powder, leaned against the sink with a half-smile, and said, “Lu Wentan’s new flame?”

Gu Yan’s expression stiffened briefly, then she replied flatly, “I’m not.”

Qu Yanqing looked her over again. “You don’t seem to deserve it either. At best, he’s just playing with you. Not even a diversion.”

Playing.

The word itself was harmless enough, but coming from Lu Wentan’s lips, it somehow cut deep.