"Congratulations, Miss Lin. According to the blood test results, you have been pregnant for 7 weeks. During this period, you should pay attention to rest, enhance your nutrition, start taking folic acid, and come back for regular reexaminations."

Hearing the doctor's words, Lin Shu couldn't help but place her hands on her lower abdomen. She could hardly believe that a tiny life had already been conceived within.

Recently, she had been feeling a loss of appetite and a bit nauseous, thinking that she had suffered from gastroenteritis. She had originally planned to go to the hospital to get some medicine, but unexpectedly, she was pregnant.

Holding the laboratory test sheet, Lin Shu walked out of the hospital. She had been hesitating whether to tell Tang Yichen. She took out her mobile phone, clicked on the profile picture engraved in her heart, and then closed it again.

Repeatedly, she couldn't make up her mind. She came and sat by the flower bed at the entrance of the hospital.

Three years ago, her grandfather, with whom she had depended on each other for survival, was seriously ill. She took her grandfather to the city for medical treatment.

In the hospital, she met an equally elderly man. It turned out that her grandfather and this old man were comrades-in-arms, and her grandfather had saved the old man.

That old man was Tang Yichen's grandfather. The two old men had lost contact for many years, and they were very excited to see each other again.

At that time, her grandfather's illness was already very serious, and he was worried about leaving her alone. So he entrusted her to Grandpa Tang.

The moment Grandpa Tang saw Lin Shu, he immediately recognized her as his grandson's wife and forced his grandson Tang Yichen to quickly get the marriage certificate with her. Not long after getting the certificate, her grandfather passed away.

That year, when Grandpa Tang asked her if she was willing to marry Tang Yichen, she blushed and nodded gently. Yes, she liked Tang Yichen. She didn't know when it started.

Perhaps it was at their first meeting in the hospital. He pushed open the door of the ward, and the sunlight spilled on him from the window. His facial features were like a sculpture, his deep eyes carried a hint of sharpness, and he was extremely handsome...

At that time, she thought that Tang Yichen agreed to the marriage out of his own will. But it turned out that it was only because of Grandpa Tang's coercion that he had to agree.

So, in fact, her marriage with Tang Yichen was a marriage of convenience. Three years ago, on the eve of getting the marriage certificate, Tang Yichen took out an agreement for her to sign.

"The old man resorted to all kinds of tricks, crying, making a fuss, and even threatening to commit suicide, insisting that I marry you. Since you want it so much, I'll give you the title of Mrs. Tang. But I'm sorry, I can't offer anything else. We'll get divorced after three years."

So, according to the agreement, they would get divorced after three years, and they couldn't have children. After the divorce, the villa where they lived together would be given to Lin Shu, along with a large sum of "breakup fee".

At the moment of getting the agreement, Lin Shu realized that only she wanted to get married. She didn't read the content of the agreement at that time.

She didn't want the other party to see her inner feelings, nor did she want to make herself too embarrassed. She quickly signed her name and handed it to Tang Yichen.

The next day, the two successfully obtained the marriage certificate. There was no wedding, only two red marriage certificates lying in their hands.

"Xiao Shu, I'm sorry for you. The wedding will not be held for the time being." Grandpa Tang said to her. Although his grandson agreed to get married, he didn't give in at all regarding the matter of holding the wedding. He felt sorry for this child, Xiao Shu.

"It doesn't matter, Grandpa. I can understand." Lin Shu said to Grandpa Tang with a soft voice.

After getting married, they moved to Tang Yichen's own villa. Because Tang Yichen didn't like to be disturbed by outsiders, they didn't hire any servants.

Lin Shu didn't go to work. Every day, she cooked at home and waited for Tang Yichen to come back. Most of the time, Tang Yichen didn't come back, and Lin Shu ate alone every day.

In the first year, the two lived in peace, always sleeping in separate rooms. They went to the old house for meals together on weekends. Tang Yichen's father and mother died in a plane accident when he was a child. Grandpa Tang, with white hair, sent his black-haired children away. He almost couldn't hold on.

At that time, Tang Yichen had just entered junior high school and was already sensible. Since then, his originally cheerful personality had changed. He became taciturn and gloomy. Fortunately, because of Tang Yichen, Grandpa Tang had been holding on, raising Tang Yichen up.

Tang Yichen was also very promising. After graduating, he established a company and was very successful. He was the pride of the old man.

As a boss, Tang Yichen was extremely busy. Lin Shu would also go to accompany the old man by herself. She always felt that seeing Grandpa Tang was as kind as seeing her own grandfather.

The change might have started a year after they got married. One night, Tang Yichen came back very late and had drunk a lot of alcohol. When the driver sent him back, Lin Shu hurriedly went over to support him and carried him to the master bedroom together with the driver.

She had been sleeping in the master bedroom. With the driver there, Lin Shu didn't want others to know the real situation. After putting him on the bed, the driver left. Lin Shu looked at him and unbuttoned his clothes. Because of this action, seeing his chest gradually exposed, she felt that the temperature on her face was uncontrollably rising.

She was about to get up and leave. Just as she got up, she found that her hand was grabbed. She didn't stand firmly and fell on him. Tang Yichen held her tightly and said, "Don't leave me." Lin Shu's body tensed up, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, Tang Yichen turned over directly, and the two changed positions.

Tang Yichen stared at Lin Shu with his confused eyes for a few seconds. Because of being drunk, his handsome face showed a bit of childishness. Suddenly, he kissed her directly. Lin Shu's mind went blank, allowing the man above her to plunder and conquer.

Early the next morning, Lin Shu got up early for fear of the embarrassment of meeting. Enduring the discomfort between her legs, she took a bath and made breakfast. Then Tang Yichen came out of the room.

"Last night..."

"Just have breakfast quickly." She knew that it was an accident last night and didn't want to hear other sad words. Lin Shu immediately interrupted what he was about to say later.

The two sat down and ate breakfast quietly.

"Go and buy some medicine later." Tang Yichen still opened his mouth.

Lin Shu looked up at him.

"We can't have children." He rarely opened his mouth to explain.

"I know. I'll go and buy it." Lin Shu felt a bit painful in her heart, but still maintained a faint smile on her face.

Since then, the way the two got along seemed to have changed. From being strangers living under the same roof after getting married to a couple without saying "love".

The two lived in one room, slept in one bed, and led a normal married life. Although every time he came back very late, he would embrace her from behind. He would send a WeChat message to tell her whether he would come back for dinner.

They also went to the old house more often. Grandpa was old and naturally wanted to hold a great-grandson very much. So he often asked when they would have a child and urged them. After all, it had been almost three years since they got married.

Ding~The WeChat notification sound interrupted Lin Shu's thoughts.

[I won't come back for dinner tonight.] It was a message from Tang Yichen.

[Okay.] Thinking that he had a bad stomach, Lin Shu sent another message [Don't drink too much alcohol.]

There was no reply. Lin Shu still didn't tell Tang Yichen about her pregnancy. Although the relationship between the two seemed very close in the past two years, in fact, she knew that he had never said that he loved her.

He didn't love her. So she had too many uncertainties. But she was very sure that she must keep this child.

Since Tang Yichen wouldn't come back at night, Lin Shu planned to go to the old house to visit Grandpa.

She hadn't been there for a while because of her discomfort before.

Lin Shu arrived at the old residence. The butler greeted her, "Young Madam, you're here. The Master is in the garden."

"Thank you, I'll head over myself," Lin Shu replied with a gentle smile.

The servants of the Tang family all admired this modest and approachable young mistress.

Lin Shu walked to the garden where Grandfather Tang sat with a cup of tea beside him. Upon seeing her, his face lit up with joy.

"Xiao Shu, you're here! Come, come. Yi Chen didn't come with you?"

"No, Grandpa. Yi Chen is busy with work today, so I came alone."

"That rascal, always consumed with work."

"There's a lot to handle at the company. As the president, he naturally has to bear more responsibility than others."

"You always speak up for him, child. Stay for dinner with me tonight."

"Of course, Grandpa," Lin Shu responded with a warm smile.

After dinner, Lin Shu received a call from Lu Yan, Tang Yichen’s close friend.

"Sis-in-law, we’re at the Nightshade Bar. The boss has had too much to drink. Could you come and pick him up?"

"Alright, I'll head over now."

After informing Grandfather Tang, Lin Shu quickly made her way out.

–––

At Nightshade Bar, in a VIP booth, sat five men, all of striking appearance, but the one half-reclined in the center was the most captivating of all.

These five men had grown up together in the same prestigious courtyard. Their leader was Tang Yichen, followed by Mo Ze, Qin Hao, Ji Fengfan, and the youngest, Lu Yan.

Tang Yichen was visibly drunk, feeling unwell and wanting to rest. He pressed his hand to his temple.

"What’s gotten into the boss today? Drinking so much," Lu Yan, oblivious as always, failed to sense the somber mood.

"Warm Qing returns tomorrow," said Mo Ze, whose face was so striking it could make women envious.

"Damn it, what’s she coming back for?" Lu Yan cursed.

"Who knows."

"Second Brother, how do you know she's returning?"

"The boss told me."

"Hmph, the boss tells you everything. I’m no longer his little Yan Yan," Lu Yan pouted.

"When were you ever?" said Qin Hao, the man in the black shirt.

"Third Brother!!!" Lu Yan exclaimed, causing the others to laugh.

"Is the boss still hung up on her, planning to rekindle the old flame? What about our little sister-in-law?"

"We shouldn't meddle. The boss will handle it. I’m out," said Ji Fengfan, preparing for an early trip tomorrow as assigned by Tang Yichen.

"We're leaving too. Lu Yan, make sure you get the boss home safely," Mo Ze and Qin Hao added.

Without further delay, the three left, leaving Lu Yan alone with Tang Yichen.

"Hey, you guys! Just going to leave me with him?"

"You're the most free, so it’s your job," they retorted, walking off without looking back.

Lu Yan sighed, looking at the slumped figure of Tang Yichen, then thought of their gentle, understanding sister-in-law. He quickly took out his phone to call her.

By the time Lin Shu arrived at the bar, she found only Lu Yan watching over Tang Yichen.

"Sorry for being late. Is it just you here?" she asked.

"Sis-in-law, you're not late at all. The others had to leave, and I’ve got a game match later tonight, so I called you over." Lu Yan put his phone down, having just been engrossed in gaming, a strange sight in the bar’s upscale atmosphere. But with their third brother owning the place, Lu Yan was unbothered.

"Why did he drink so much? His stomach's been acting up lately."

"Uh… We were having fun, so he probably drank a bit more than usual. Next time, I’ll keep a closer eye on him." Lu Yan hastily made up an excuse.

Lin Shu was familiar with Tang Yichen’s group of friends. Together, they had founded K Group, now a dominant force in Jiangcheng, expanding into overseas markets. Sometimes, they’d dine at the house or visit the old residence.

"Sis-in-law, did you drive here? Here's the boss’s car key. You can drive him back."

"I took a taxi here. I’ll drive his car back."

"Alright then. Let me help you get the boss into the car."

"Thank you," Lin Shu replied. Tang Yichen was too tall for her to manage alone.

Together, they maneuvered Tang Yichen into the back seat. Lin Shu settled into the driver’s seat.

"Are you sure you can drive? Should I call a driver for you?" Lu Yan asked, concerned about the size of the vehicle.

"I’ll be fine. I’ll drive slowly."

"Alright then, take care. Bye!"

"Goodbye," Lin Shu said, carefully merging the car into traffic.

She drove cautiously, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as she nervously watched the road. The car's slow pace drew honks from other drivers.

Unbeknownst to her, the man who had appeared to be fast asleep in the backseat had opened his eyes. In fact, Tang Yichen had begun to regain consciousness when Lin Shu arrived at the bar.

He hadn’t said a word, but now, watching her petite figure in the driver’s seat, clutching the steering wheel with tense hands, he felt an unexpected sense of peace.

Tonight, Wen Qing had called him, announcing her return and asking him to pick her up. He had refused.

"Yi Chen, I’m back. Will you come to the airport tomorrow to meet me?"

"Sorry, that won’t be possible. I’m married now," he replied, hanging up immediately after. He’d pulled the wedding ring from his desk drawer, only to toss it back in again.

That call had unsettled him, leading him to gather his friends at the bar for a night of drinking.

Three years ago, he had planned an elaborate proposal, but the intended bride, Wen Qing, never showed up. She had chosen to chase her ballet dreams in Paris instead, leaving him standing in a field of flowers, ring in hand, becoming the laughingstock of Jiangcheng.

The drive that should have taken half an hour stretched to nearly an hour before they finally reached home. As they arrived, Lin Shu noticed Tang Yichen was awake.

"You’re awake. Can you walk?"

Tang Yichen said nothing.

Lin Shu bent down to help him, and he leaned into her as they made their way inside. She settled him onto the sofa before heading to the kitchen to prepare some tea to help sober him up.

By the time she returned, Tang Yichen was sitting on the sofa, his brows furrowed in thought.

"Here, drink this," she said softly.

"Leave it there. It’s late; go on to bed. I’ll clean up afterward."

Lin Shu lingered in the living room for a moment.

"Do you have something to say?" Tang Yichen asked when he noticed she hadn’t left.

"Uh, no. I visited Grandpa today. He mentioned you should come by for dinner when you have time. Don’t overwork yourself."

"Alright. I’ll join you tomorrow for dinner."

"Okay."

Lin Shu still hadn’t told him about her pregnancy. Only three months remained before the three-year agreement would end…

The next morning, Lin Shu rose early to prepare breakfast, concerned that Tang Yichen might be suffering from a hangover. She made porridge to soothe his stomach.

Tang Yichen, dressed in a white tracksuit, looked almost like a university student. With a frown, he descended the stairs and entered the dining room.

"You're awake. Come have breakfast," Lin Shu said.

Tang Yichen sat down. Lin Shu knew he was never in a good mood upon waking, always serious and frowning. Seeing him drink the porridge without saying anything, she quietly sat down opposite him and began her own meal.

The porridge Lin Shu made was soft and thick, comforting Tang Yichen's unsettled stomach. After the indulgence of the previous night, he had awoken feeling uneasy, but now he felt considerably better.

Ding—a message alert.

"Chen, I don't believe you're married. You're just trying to make me angry, aren't you? I'll be waiting for you at the airport."

Tang Yichen glanced at the message and set his phone aside, uninterested. He had received a friend request on WeChat earlier that morning from Wen Qing, but he hadn’t accepted. He had erased all contact with her three years ago when she left for abroad, trying to clear her from his mind.

Ding—another message.

"Chen, I had no choice back then. I have never forgotten you."

"Chen, I’ll be waiting for you at the airport. If you don’t come, I won’t leave."

As Tang Yichen stared at his phone, frustration bubbled inside him.

"I won’t be going to Grandpa's today; I'll visit another day. I'll call and explain—I have something I need to attend to," he said to Lin Shu.

"Alright, you take care," Lin Shu replied softly, her voice gentle.

Tang Yichen glanced up at his wife of nearly three years. The girl who once arrived from the countryside, frail and undernourished, had grown into a poised and graceful woman. She was no longer the awkward young girl she used to be. Lin Shu was undeniably a good wife—quiet, patient, never demanding, and always considerate of his family. She had seamlessly blended into his world, and even his closest friends admired her. More than that, their physical chemistry was undeniable, an addiction he couldn't quite resist.

Yet, he wasn’t sure what kind of feelings he had for her. Perhaps it was just habit—the comfort of knowing someone was always there, waiting for him to return.

Wen Qing had been his first love. They had met in university, where she was the star of the dance department, and he was the top student in finance. Despite many admirers, Tang Yichen had always kept his distance, intimidating others with his cold demeanor. Wen Qing had pursued him relentlessly until she broke through his icy exterior. Although he remained quiet and reserved, their relationship had been steady. She was the one who brought joy and energy to his life, dancing around him, chatting endlessly while he listened in silence. He had planned to marry her after graduation. On the eve of his proposal, with a grand surprise ready, he received a message from her:

"Chen, I'm sorry. I've been given the chance to study in Paris, and I leave tomorrow. I can't walk into a marriage right after graduation—I want to chase my dreams. Will you wait for me for three years?"

Tang Yichen didn’t respond, but he waited. Yet three years later, Wen Qing still didn’t return. She had chosen her dream over him again, accepting a lead role in the dance troupe. Without a word of goodbye, they had simply stopped communicating.

That night, Tang Yichen didn’t come home. Lin Shu, worried by his urgency earlier that day, called his assistant.

"Assistant Li, is Yichen with you?"

"No, Madam. Mr. Tang isn’t with me today, and there were no work-related tasks scheduled. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Madam. Goodbye."

After hanging up, Lin Shu felt her stomach churn with anxiety. She quickly poured herself a glass of water to calm down.

The entire night, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. By morning, Tang Yichen still hadn’t returned. Lin Shu rose early, preparing breakfast as usual—porridge and a fried egg. She turned on the TV absentmindedly, and the entertainment news blared from the screen.

"Renowned dancer Wen Qing has returned to the country. JK Group's CEO was spotted at the airport, sparking rumors of rekindled romance…"

Clang! Lin Shu dropped her chopsticks, her body going cold.

So it was her—Tang Yichen’s first love, the woman who still held his heart. He had rushed to the airport and spent the night with her.

Lin Shu couldn’t think any further. Mechanically finishing her porridge, she left the bowl in the kitchen, unwashed, and sat on the couch, lost in thought.

Maybe it was time to leave. But why did she find it so hard to let go? Her hands instinctively moved to her abdomen.

"Baby, it looks like we may have to leave your father. I can’t tell him about you, but I promise I’ll love you enough for the both of us."

Lin Shu spent the entire day without eating, anxiously waiting for Tang Yichen to come home. For the first time in years, she found herself hoping he would return early, though she feared his arrival might bring the dreaded conversation about divorce. Or worse, maybe he wouldn’t come home at all—maybe he was still with Wen Qing.

By the time he returned in the evening, the house was eerily quiet. Lin Shu didn’t greet him at the door as usual, and there was no dinner waiting on the table. The sudden silence was unsettling. Just as he thought she might be upstairs, he spotted her asleep on the couch.

Hearing the sound of his footsteps, Lin Shu slowly woke up, blinking in surprise at the sight of him standing over her. She sat up, unsure how long he had been there.

"You’re back?" Lin Shu hadn’t expected him to return, especially after the news had broken.

"Where else would I be?" Tang Yichen's tone was harsh, his expression dark. Her question seemed to irritate him.

"I didn’t mean it like that. I just thought...you might have had something else to do," Lin Shu murmured, her voice trailing off. Of course, she couldn’t say what she was truly thinking—that he had spent the night with his first love, that the whole world had seen the news of their supposed reunion.

"Have you eaten? I must’ve fallen asleep and forgot to make dinner," Lin Shu said, suddenly remembering his sensitive stomach.

"No." Tang Yichen’s curt reply came through gritted teeth as he headed straight for the dining table.

Lin Shu watched him, confused and a little helpless at his inexplicable moodiness, as if he were a child throwing a tantrum. Sighing softly, she said, "Shall I make some noodles for us?"

"Fine," came his terse response.