Gu Qingcheng looked at Lu Cheng, her mind still a mess.
How could he be here?
Did he know?
Would he think this child was a bother?
After all... he was never short of women... what exactly did she mean to him?
Would he... force her to abort this child?
All sorts of thoughts came flooding in like a tide, making her almost unable to stand steady.
She felt the warmth from his hand, bringing with it a familiar sense of security.
But at this moment, this sense of security couldn't dispel the fear in her heart.
She forced herself to calm down, pulled out a stiff smile, and lowered her head, not daring to look into Lu Cheng's eyes, which seemed to see through everything. Her voice trembled like a sieve.
"Nothing... uh... I just ate something bad last night..."
She tried to muddle through with this clumsy excuse.
Lu Cheng held her hand and said nothing, just sighed softly.
That sigh seemed to be mixed with helplessness, and also a little... doting.
The moment he saw her, noticing Gu Qingcheng's obviously off-color face, he decisively used the [Eye of Truth] he had just drawn.
Instantly, several transparent dialogue boxes seemed to appear above Gu Qingcheng's head. Although blurry, the core information was crystal clear:
[Status: Early pregnancy (approx. 4 weeks), extremely tense, fearful, anxious...]
[Surface Thoughts: Why is he here? Does he know? Will he make me abort the child? I can't lose this child! Absolutely not!]
His original intention was to confirm whether the female lead, once captured, would still harbor rebellious thoughts, by reading her true thoughts.
There was no other way; after all, he was the destined Great Villain, afraid of being manipulated by fate.
Before coming, he had thought Gu Qingcheng wanted to secretly get rid of the child.
Now, looking at the thoughts appearing above her head, Lu Cheng found it amusing.
This woman had no sense of security... how could he possibly want to abort the child... he was overjoyed.
After so much hard work cultivating for so long, and finally bearing this one fruit, how could he bear to abort it?
He gently pulled the still head-down, stiff Gu Qingcheng in front of him, lifted her small face, and made her look into his eyes.
His gaze, at this moment, had shed its usual playfulness and teasing, becoming exceptionally serious, yet carrying a kind of tenderness that could drown a person.
"Such a big thing as pregnancy."
"Are you going to hide it from me, hmm?"
His voice was deep and magnetic, yet beyond doubt.
"I..."
Gu Qingcheng's thoughts were directly exposed, as if all her disguises had been stripped away.
Her body stiffened, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Tears uncontrollably welled up in her eyes.
She could no longer remain calm, speaking with a crying and pleading tone, her voice choked.
"Lu Cheng... please..."
"Don't... don't make me abort the child..."
She indeed thought that Lu Cheng had learned the news and had come specifically to deal with this unexpected trouble.
She bit her lower lip hard, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I'll raise him myself... I'll never cause you any trouble..."
"Please... Lu Cheng..."
She pleaded humbly, as if this was her last, only treasure.
Lu Cheng looked at her crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, feeling both helpless and amused.
What? Was he that bad in her eyes?
Was he really like a scumbag who abandoned his responsibilities?
The Gu CEO, who was cold and strong in the eyes of outsiders, was now crying like a helpless little girl.
Lu Cheng said nothing, just stretched out his arms and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
One hand wrapped around her slender waist, the other gently patted her back, which trembled slightly from crying, like comforting a frightened kitten.
He took out a clean handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.
"Silly girl."
"What are you overthinking all day long?"
"Is my image in your heart really that bad?"
In his arms, Gu Qingcheng heard his words, which carried a hint of helplessness and a touch of reproach. She shook her head aggrievedly, ending up wiping all her tears and snot onto his shirt.
She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, wanting to tell him about her fear and unease these past few days, but she didn't know where to start, only letting out a few sobs.
Lu Cheng didn't give her a chance to explain either.
He continued, his tone still unquestionable, but this time, his words were full of promises and comfort.
"I never said I didn't want him."
"I never even thought that."
"He is my child, and of course I will take responsibility."
He emphasized "my child," as if declaring ownership.
"Just rest and take care of yourself; leave everything else to me."
In his arms, Gu Qingcheng heard his words, and her crying gradually stopped.
She slowly raised her head, her eyes, washed by tears, looked at him with a watery gaze.
"Really?"
"You promise not to lie to me!"
Her voice was choked, but her careful anticipation could be heard.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"I've even thought of the child's name!"
Lu Cheng's eyes held a smile as he gently pinched her cheek.
Gu Qingcheng was amused by his half-joking words and let out a chuckle. Although tears still hung in the corners of her eyes, a smile, like sunshine after rain, finally bloomed between her brows.
She felt the warmth of his embrace and listened to his heartbeat.
A never-before-felt sense of security and stability completely enveloped her... Lu Cheng didn't let Gu Qingcheng return to her own empty and desolate villa. Instead, he directly brought her back to the Lu Family's main base in Modu—the Lu Family Manor, located in the core area, with grounds so vast one could ride a horse.
It was less a home and more Lu Cheng's personal palace.
His parents, one controlling a business empire and the other involved in art, were either in the Imperial Capital or traveling the globe.
He also had a younger sister, also in the Imperial Capital, studying in her final year of high school at Donghuang Academy, the best in Longguo.
So, the affairs of Modu were naturally entirely entrusted to Lu Cheng.
Anyway, Lu Cheng's abilities were strong enough, and his parents were very confident.
The huge manor was brightly lit, warm and luxurious.
All the way, Lu Cheng held her hand, giving her a full sense of security.
Back at the villa, the butler had already prepared various nourishing foods for pregnancy as per Lu Cheng's instructions.
Top-grade bird's nest, paired with milk and honey, emitted a faint fragrance.
Lu Cheng pulled Gu Qingcheng to sit at the dining table, and he sat beside her.
He personally picked up a spoon and gently fed Gu Qingcheng, spoon by spoon.
"Try it, how does it taste?"
"Although the baby is only four weeks old, your health is most important now; you need to supplement more."
His voice was gentle, yet still carried his undeniable, domineering tenderness.
"From today on, you don't have to worry about anything. Put your work aside for now; I'll handle it for you."
Under his gentle offensive, Gu Qingcheng's ice mountain had long since melted into a spring puddle, leaving only full reliance and love for him.
She obediently opened her mouth, eating the bird's nest he fed her, feeling his meticulous care.
This feeling of being cherished at the tip of his heart was what she had always dreamed of.
After feeding her the tonic, Lu Cheng held her on the sofa, reaching out to gently caress her flat lower abdomen.
"Can I feel his heartbeat now?"
Gu Qingcheng's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave him a chiding look.
"How could that be? He's still very small."
Though she said that, she didn't push his hand away; instead, she really enjoyed this slightly foolish tenderness.
"So what should I say? Like this?"
Lu Cheng cleared his throat and deliberately imitated the tone of those pretentious financial men online, whispering in her ear with a deep, sexy voice, earnestly reciting:
"Money talks, but wealth whispers, my little angel."
Gu Qingcheng was completely amused by his playful antics, her eyes curving into crescents. All her previous fears and anxieties had long been dissipated by this warm and cozy atmosphere.
It was as if, at this moment, she was no longer the cold and aloof female CEO bearing the heavy burden of her family.
She was just a... happy woman about to become a mother.
And Lu Cheng, in her heart, was no longer just the man she relied on and adored, yet also feared a little.
He was the child's father.
He was her and the child's only reliance.
Now, she just wanted to keep enjoying this warmth that Lu Cheng provided.
--- After comforting Gu Qingcheng, Lu Cheng returned to his study.
His eyes regained their coldness as he gave orders to his bodyguards to closely monitor Lin Fan's movements.
Let Lin Fan go? How could that be?
He pulled up the system panel, looking at the key plot point for the sequel to "divine doctor out of prison" – "Traditional Chinese Medicine Family."
According to the original plot, after suffering a series of setbacks and hitting rock bottom, Lin Fan would unexpectedly meet a reclusive Traditional Chinese Medicine Family in Modu and, with the Medical Immortal Inheritance, would overpower all others to gain the family's recognition and strong support.
Heh, what a pity, there was still Lu Cheng in this world.
He imagined Lin Fan thinking his luck had turned, wanting to grasp that lifeline with all his might.
Only to find it coated with poison... that expression would surely be magnificent.
Lu Cheng's playful expression deepened.
To toy with his prey, watching him step by step towards the destructive end he had set.
This sense of control was indeed captivating.