Volume One, Chapter Eight: Is Mrs. Wan Pregnant?

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Lu Chaoxi raised her hand to touch the prominent scar, her expression one of sudden realization. Even she had forgotten about it, yet Wan Yan had thoughtfully remembered. The scar did not make her feel insecure; instead, it made her sense Wan Yan’s rare concern. Smiling, Lu Chaoxi took the long dress and skipped into the room. Wan Yan watched her retreating figure, his gaze deep and inscrutable. Since losing her memory, she had been living carefreely and joyfully every day. The suspicious, clingy woman who used to haunt him seemed to have vanished.

When Lu Chaoxi emerged from the room in the dress, Song Yin arrived, delivering the necklace Wan Yan had chosen. The design was simple, without any extra pendants, perfectly suited to Lu Chaoxi’s dislike for accessories. Wan Yan opened the jewelry box and carefully clasped the necklace around her neck, his tone neither warm nor cold. “This necklace wasn’t available in Shancheng; I had someone fetch it from abroad. It took a few days, but thankfully, it arrived just in time.”

For the first time, Wan Yan gave Lu Chaoxi a necklace not because she begged or someone forced him to. Lu Chaoxi was so surprised she dared not blink, fearing it was just her imagination. But he was so close, his breath brushing her neck and shoulder, making her heart flutter. Seizing the moment, Lu Chaoxi tilted her head and lightly kissed Wan Yan, then clung to him like a koala—still wearing that elegant gown. All this happened before Wan Yan could react, and Lu Chaoxi had already taken full advantage.

She locked her legs around his waist, her hands climbing up his neck, her voice full of satisfaction. “Thank you. I’m very happy today.” Wan Yan said nothing. If Lu Chaoxi knew her happiness was part of his plan, would she still say that? He thought she probably would—after all, she was willing to be part of his scheme.

Shen Weijun, CEO of the Shen Corporation, was a sought-after groom among many young ladies in Shancheng. His signature gold-rimmed glasses marked his sharp intellect. Building his company without relying on family ties, he was ruthless and decisive—one of the few talented sons among the city’s elite. He achieved fame and fortune by age twenty-six.

Yet Shen Weijun was utterly devoted to his wife. Rumor had it he had worked hard courting her, nearly risking his life, before finally winning her heart. While most couples celebrated anniversaries every five years, with his momentum, he probably held a party every year simply because his wife loved celebrations.

Lu Chaoxi linked arms with Wan Yan as they entered the banquet hall, immediately scanning the crowd for Luo Ci’s figure.

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Luo Ci’s father had recently been selecting a son-in-law; at gatherings like this, she was inevitably dragged along as part of a disguised matchmaking event. Unable to find her, Lu Chaoxi first accompanied Wan Yan to greet the host of the banquet.

Shen Weijun approached, holding tightly to his wife’s hand, clinking glasses with Wan Yan. “I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your wedding last time, Mr. and Mrs. Wan.”

Wan Yan understood the playful jab and smiled lightly. “Then I trust you won’t miss my child’s full moon banquet.”

Lu Chaoxi glanced at Wan Yan’s profile. She recognized the expression—it was a battle of men. She looked away to meet Mrs. Shen’s eyes, exchanging polite smiles.

Raising an eyebrow, Shen Weijun turned to Lu Chaoxi. “Oh? Is Mrs. Wan pregnant?”

Wan Yan sighed with a troubled look and gently ruffled Lu Chaoxi’s hair. “She doesn’t want to be. She feels that the newlywed period should be just the two of us. But I like children, so I persuade her every day. Since Mrs. Shen is here as well, I hope you can help convince her.”

Then Wan Yan lowered his head and kissed Lu Chaoxi’s cheek. With just a few words, he shifted the unfavorable attention onto Lu Chaoxi.

Mrs. Shen, curious, asked, “The affection between Mr. and Mrs. Wan looks genuine. How come there are rumors outside that your marriage is one-sided?”

Lu Chaoxi awkwardly smiled at Wan Yan, finding him looking at her with tender eyes. Was he expecting her to answer?

Having attended countless banquets domestically and abroad with her father since childhood, Lu Chaoxi was well-versed in social graces, far surpassing Wan Yan in such matters. “That question, Mr. Shen, I believe you can relate to deeply.”

Besides the kitchen, Lu Chaoxi could hold her own in the drawing room, buy a nice house, pursue a man, and handle troublemakers. When Shen Weijun married, the news claimed he had forced Mrs. Shen into marriage; the phrase “one-sided love” was first applied to him.

Mrs. Shen stifled a laugh, while Shen Weijun’s expression darkened. Lu Chaoxi raised an eyebrow at Wan Yan, seeking praise, and he smiled faintly, lowering his gaze upon her.

“All right! We women aren’t interested in men’s talks. Mr. Wan, I’ll borrow your wife for a while.”

Mrs. Shen playfully took Lu Chaoxi away, slinging an arm around her shoulder. “Let’s play mahjong. We need one more player.”

“Mahjong… I don’t know how to play.”

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Lu Chaoxi glanced back at Wan Yan reluctantly. What game could be more important than her husband?

“Pure color self-draw! I win!” Lu Chaoxi pushed her tiles forward, arms crossed proudly.

Mrs. Shen clicked her tongue in admiration. “Beginner’s luck is really something. I just sorted my tiles, and you already have a pure color!”

“It’s just luck,” Lu Chaoxi said modestly, though her pride was unmistakable.

As she played the next round, preparing to discard a tile, someone suddenly patted her right shoulder hard. Luo Ci’s cool voice came from above. “I’m trapped in the clutches of matchmaking, waiting for you to save me, while you’re comfortably sipping champagne and playing mahjong!”

Lu Chaoxi shrank like a quail and replied guiltily, “I was looking for you, but then Mrs. Shen said she needed one more, so I forgot…”

“Lu Chaoxi!” Luo Ci spat the name through clenched teeth, pointing accusingly. “You’re a fox friend and dog friend!”

Luo Ci’s high heels clicked sharply as she stormed off. Lu Chaoxi hurried after her to calm her down.

Mrs. Shen observed the scene amusedly, finding Lu Chaoxi’s personality oddly endearing. She was usually the one sulking with friends, being comforted by old pals. Lu Chaoxi and Luo Ci were just another pair of old friends to her.

So engrossed in her anger, Luo Ci accidentally bumped into someone by the poolside, spilling red wine all over herself.

Panicked, Lu Chaoxi pulled Luo Ci aside to check. “Are you okay, Luo Ge?”

Luo Ci’s gown was utterly ruined by the wine, but she casually glanced at it and reassured Lu Chaoxi, “It’s fine, it’s only red wine.”

The woman they had bumped into was about to lose her temper but, upon recognizing them, sneered disdainfully. “I was wondering who was so careless—it’s you two.”

Lu Chaoxi and Luo Ci both recognized the woman instantly.

She was Ji An’nan, their childhood nemesis. Lu Chaoxi personally had little conflict with her; it was Luo Ci who never got along with Ji An’nan. Bound by the debt of having sworn brotherhood with Guan Erge alongside Luo Ci, Lu Chaoxi naturally shared her enmity. Over the years, it had evolved into a feud between the two of them and Ji An’nan.