How could she have withstood the pain when even some men could not?

  Gu Yan lifted the cup and brought it closer to his lips. He took a glance at Fu Tingyu and stopped sipping his tea. “She’s not as weak as you think. She looked strong to me.”


  Fu Tingyu looked up. “She’s my woman. Of course, you wouldn’t understand her better than I do.”


  Gu Yan had read the subtext within Fu Tingyu’s line—he could not relate to Fu Tingyu’s situation because he had no lover. He felt embarrassed. He was kind enough to comfort him, yet he got ridiculed. What’s wrong with being single?

  Fu Tingyu did not remain long at Gu Yan’s. He left his villa and went straight to his office. He had urgent work to deal with before leaving for Xijin the next day.

  ***

  Qin Shu was sitting under the ginkgo tree in Sheng Yuan as she played with Boss. Not far away, the craftsmen had already ground and polished some of the edges of the rocks. Was all that because of her accident yesterday?

  Ning Meng had darted from the Moon Cave Door. “Madam, Old Madam Fu has arrived.”


  “Is Grandma here?”


  Qin Shu put Boss aside and stood up from the ground. She was going to welcome Old Madam Fu. As she was about to lift her foot, she saw Old Madam Fu approaching her from the Moon Cave Door, with her arms around Housekeeper Fu.

  Qin Shu ran towards her and reached out her arms. “Grandma, why hadn’t you say anything before coming over? I could have made preparations.”


  “I was dropping by. There’s no need to hassle.” Old Madam Fu was grinning at Qin Shu. As she was wearing baggy clothes, she would glance at her belly, trying to see if it had started to show. After hearing rumors about her pregnancy and Bright Garden’s sudden renovations, she had hurried there to see it for herself.

  Fu Tingyu was her favorite grandson, and she was most proud of him. Her love for him would extend to Qin Shu as well if she was bearing his child. She had been looking forward to being a great-grandmother.

  Qin Shu had not noticed that. As she stared at the scorching sun through the tree shade, she said, “Let me help you in. It’s a little warm outside.”


  Old Madam Fu smiled and nodded, “Sure, it’s a little hot out here.” Qin Shu was helping her in, and she had the same longing gaze at Qin Shu’s stomach until they were inside.

  Qin Shu had the air-conditioner switched on earlier. It was much refreshing than the outside. Qin Shu let Old Madam Fu rest on the sofa and asked Ning Meng, “Do serve some fruits for Old Madam Fu to beat the heat.”


  “Okay, Madam.” Ning Meng turned around and walked out briskly.

  Qin Shu reached the coffee table and poured a glass of water from the kettle. She handed it to Old Madam Fu, “Grandma, the temperature is just right. Please have some of it.”


  Old Madam Fu was not in a hurry to drink it. She waved at Qin Shu, “Have a seat first. You must be tired from standing.” Her smile did not leave her wrinkled face all this while she was here. It caught Qin Shu in surprise.

  For her time in Bright Garden, Old Madam Fu had never said anything unpleasant. Neither did she treated her coldly, yet beaming at her like this was new. She had always been neither distant nor friendly.

  Qin Shu sat across Old Madam Fu, and she glanced at Qin Shu’s stomach again. She wanted to know how many months pregnant she was, but it was too awkward to ask. Little Yu should have told his grandmother about such great news. Still, he did not say a thing. She was embarrassed as a grandmother.

  “How have you been? Are you feeling unwell?” Tentatively, Old Madam Fu broke the silence.

  Qin Shu wondered if Old Madam Fu had known about her injury, and she smiled, “I’ve been doing well. Thank you for your concern, Grandma.”


  Old Madam Fu was disappointed when she didn’t hear what she wanted, but she was hesitant to ask further. She was anxious to know when the baby would be due in her heart.

  Ning Meng had returned with a plate full of fruit. She leaned down and placed it in front of Old Madam Fu. Her voice was sweet, “Old Madam Fu, Lord Fu had these shipped by plane. They’re very fresh. Please have a try.”


  Old Madam Fu was studying Ning Meng. She had noticed that she was somewhat bright. “I heard that Bright Garden has been undergoing large-scale renovations recently. Do you know the reason behind it?”


  Old Madam Fu had an amiable look on her face as she spoke as if she was trying to have a casual conversation.

  “Lord Fu gave the instructions all of a sudden. I’m not sure why.” Ning Meng responded with a smile.

  Old Madam Fu frowned, and her brows creased. Was that all she had to say? She thought that Ning Meng would have admitted the whole truth.

  Seeing Old Madam Fu’s emotions changed, Ning Meng scratched her head while being puzzled and retreated aside.

  Boss made his grand entrance with its little head tilted, its pace graceful as a swan. As it approached Qin Shu, it scratched her pink slippers. Qin Shu had a look at it, then she bent down and picked it up.

  Old Madam Fu stopped her abruptly, “You are pregnant. How could you hug a cat? What if it scratches you and hurts my great-grandson?”


  Qin Shu halted. She pulled her arms back and sat straight. Looking at Old Madam Fu, Qin Shu did not know how to respond. It had come to her realization that the purpose of her visit was because she heard the rumors.

  Was that why she was smiling at her like that? Because she was pregnant with Fu Tingyu’s child? What a pity, she was not pregnant at all.

  Though it would cost her disappointment, Qin Shu could not afford to continue this misunderstanding.

  “Grandma, I’m not pregnant.”


  Old Madam Fu was stunned, “You aren’t? Then why were people talking about the renovation? And the baby?”


  Qin Shu felt embarrassed. “I have no idea, but I’m certainly not pregnant.”


  Old Madam Fu had realized the truth. She had been excited all this time when she had first heard about it, only to find a mare’s nest. It was all for nothing.

  “Not to worry, you’re still young. It’s a matter of time.” She was convincing herself.

  Qin Shu could not bear seeing her disappointment, and she nodded.

  Old Madam Fu had been eying her thin, fragile figure. In her opinion, the main reason Qin Shu failed to get pregnant was that she was underweight. She left her a message upon leaving. “I’ll be excusing myself. Do try to eat more. You’re too skinny.”


  “Yes, Grandma.”


  Qin Shu saw Old Madam Fu out until she got in the car, and Housekeeper Fu drove away. Then, she got back into the house.

  ***

  Fu Tingyu came home early that day.

  Qin Shu knew he was going to Xijin the next day. She looked at him as he walked over, wondering if he was still mad.

  As Fu Tingyu stopped in front of her, he took a glance at her leg. Her wound was unnoticeable since she was wearing trousers. “Have you changed your dressing?”


  Qin Shu shook her head. “No.”


  Fu Tingyu shifted his gaze back to her, “I’ll change it for you after you have showered tonight.”