Chapter Sixty-Four: Business Trip

Shen Huaiqing went upstairs to change her clothes, hurriedly brushing her teeth and rinsing her mouth in an attempt to mask the lingering scent of cigarettes.

“Mom, what brings you here today?” Shen Huaiqing descended the stairs slowly, dressed in loose, beige cotton-and-linen pajamas, her complexion glowing.

Ke Jing’s sharp eyes scrutinized her, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Chen’er took you out without consulting us. Now that he has his own family, his wings have grown strong.”

Shen Huaiqing quickly sat beside Ke Jing, lowering her gaze obediently. “How could that be? It’s mainly because I’ve had trouble eating and sleeping since becoming pregnant, so I asked Fu Chen to take me out for a walk. Please don’t blame him.”

Ke Jing sat upright, her dark eyes flickering as she probed, “It seems you and Chen’er are getting along well as a couple. I was worried your relationship might not be so harmonious.”

Shen Huaiqing offered an awkward but polite smile. “We do get along well, all thanks to your excellent guidance in raising Fu Chen.” She made sure to compliment Ke Jing at the end.

Ke Jing raised her brows, clearly pleased with the praise, then turned to retrieve a thermal lunch box from behind her, placing it before Shen Huaiqing with a smile. “This is my main reason for coming today,” she said, patting the box. “I specifically asked a nutritionist to prepare carp and tofu soup for you. Every seasoning in it has been carefully measured.”

In her mind, Shen Huaiqing recalled what Fu Chen had told her: Ke Jing would try everything to prevent this child from being born.

There must be something wrong with this soup.

She knew that Aunt Feng always informed Fu Chen whenever Ke Jing visited. Her gaze flicked to Aunt Feng, who gave her a reassuring nod.

But Fu Chen wouldn’t be back for a while; she had to deal with Ke Jing herself for now.

“Mom, you really didn’t have to go to all this trouble for such a small matter,” Shen Huaiqing said sweetly, taking the lunch box with a cheerful smile.

But Ke Jing reached out and took it back, opening the lid. An enticing aroma wafted out, steam still rolling from the soup.

“This is your first child; you must take good care of yourself. I’ll only be at ease if I see you drink it,” Ke Jing said with a commanding tone that made Shen Huaiqing feel pressured.

Aunt Feng hurried over, saying respectfully, “Madam, the young mistress has just eaten, and lately she’s been having strong reactions to food—she can’t stomach anything too rich. Perhaps I should set it aside for later?”

As Aunt Feng reached for the box, she met Ke Jing’s fierce gaze. Ke Jing glared up at her, sparks nearly flying from her eyes.

“When did a servant like you get the right to interrupt my conversation with my daughter-in-law?” Ke Jing snapped, then turned to Shen Huaiqing with a cold voice. “I wonder how you manage the household!”

Not wanting Aunt Feng to be humiliated, Shen Huaiqing gently grasped her wrist and smiled slightly.

“Aunt Feng, please go to the kitchen. This is Mom’s thoughtful gesture; I can’t refuse it.”

Aunt Feng frowned, her face pale, but Shen Huaiqing’s determined look silenced her. She could only return to the kitchen and send a hurried message to Fu Chen.

“Sir! Madam is already forcing the young mistress to drink the soup. Please come back quickly.” After sending the message, Aunt Feng looked worriedly toward the living room.

Shen Huaiqing had already devised a plan. Calmly, she picked up the bowl, blew on it a few times, and raised it to her lips. The milky white carp soup touched her mouth, and she almost couldn’t resist swallowing it.

But she forced herself to gag, covering her mouth and acting as though she was experiencing morning sickness, rushing toward the bathroom.

Ke Jing followed, standing at the door, watching as Shen Huaiqing clung to the sink, her face contorted as she vomited up the soup. Ke Jing frowned in disgust.

“Still having such strong reactions?” Ke Jing’s eyes were full of loathing; she didn’t even bother to comfort Shen Huaiqing.

Shen Huaiqing retched violently, feeling like she might bring up stomach acid, tears streaming down her cheeks. But she knew she had to play the part thoroughly—only then would Ke Jing believe her and, at least for now, stop forcing her to drink the soup.

Unable to stand the scene, Ke Jing waved her hand in front of her nose, lips pursed in disdain.

“So delicate,” she muttered, then returned to the living room.

Once Ke Jing was gone, Shen Huaiqing let out a long breath, rinsed her mouth, wiped her lips, and looked at her reflection in the mirror—her face had turned pale. Clearly, she couldn’t resort to induced vomiting too often; her body wouldn’t withstand it.

When she emerged, Ke Jing was already slinging her bag over one shoulder, her tone dismissive. “Take better care of yourself. Vomiting like this isn’t good. Go to the hospital when you have time.”

“So useless! No need to see me out.” She grumbled as she left, waving impatiently and not looking back.

As soon as Ke Jing left, Shen Huaiqing collapsed onto the sofa, her eyes immediately drawn to the half-full bowl of soup on the table. She picked it up and studied it closely—there was nothing unusual, no odd sediment. She sniffed, but aside from the aroma of soup, she detected nothing amiss.

Aunt Feng quickly snatched the bowl from her hands. “Young mistress, you mustn’t drink this by accident. I’ll dispose of it right away.”

Shen Huaiqing stopped her, arching her lips with a meaningful smile. “Don’t. Put it away for now. When Fu Chen returns, he can have someone check what’s really in it.”

Aunt Feng found this reasonable—know your enemy and you’ll never be defeated. She promptly stored the lunch box in the refrigerator for safekeeping.

That afternoon, Shen Huaiqing watched some television, and time passed quickly. Before she knew it, dusk had fallen.

Soon after dinner, Fu Chen hurried home, rushing to Shen Huaiqing’s side as soon as he walked through the door. He looked her over with concern. “Work kept me busy today. I only just saw Aunt Feng’s message. Are you all right?”

A wave of warmth swept through Shen Huaiqing’s heart, her red lips curving into a dazzling smile.

“I’m fine. I threw it all up,” she replied, winking playfully.

Seeing that she was indeed unharmed, Fu Chen’s blade-thin lips lifted in a gentle smile. He pulled her into his arms.

His voice was low and hoarse. “I’m glad you’re okay.” His large hand gently stroked her smooth, long hair.

Shen Huaiqing’s brown eyes suddenly tightened, and she instinctively embraced him in return, pressing her cheek against his warm chest. The steady, powerful thump of his heart threw her own into disarray.

“What’s wrong? You seem a little different,” he observed. Shen Huaiqing had thought that, since Fu Chen already suspected she’d gone to see Fu Yixing, he would keep his distance from her.

“I have to leave for France on business tomorrow. If things go well, I’ll be gone half a month. If not, a month,” Fu Chen said, releasing her and holding her face in his hands, studying her intently.