Chapter 7: The Secret Can No Longer Be Kept

Yet, Mother Gu did not stop there.

A text message chimed on the phone. It was from Mother Gu.

"Fangyu, you know that both you and Yaoyao are my children. I hope you won't let your engagement to the Xie family affect your sister. She truly loves Chenhao. Since you have already called off the engagement, I hope you can offer them your blessing."

Looking at the message, Gu Fangyu’s already pale face drained of all color.

Ever since Gu Yao had arrived at the Gu household, she had been showered with affection by everyone. Gu Fangyu had never been jealous, but because of Gu Yao’s insecurities, her parents had gradually begun to favor her just to make her feel secure.

Originally, Gu Fangyu was supposed to leave the Gu family and return to Gu Yao’s adoptive parents. But unexpectedly, those people had suddenly vanished, leaving behind only the message that they wanted nothing to do with her.

Gu Fangyu had been abandoned by her parents once again.

Even so, she had been prepared to leave, but at that time, her parents still held some affection for her and refused to let her go. And so, she chose to stay.

But things often spiraled out of control. Over the years, her parents grew increasingly cold and indifferent toward her, even resenting her, convinced that it was her fault that Gu Yao’s path to marriage had become so difficult.

Jiang Qi leaned over, caught a glimpse of the message, and snatched the phone away. "Don't look at it, don't listen to it," she said, looking at Gu Fangyu with concern.

Gu Fangyu turned her head and stared at Jiang Qi for a long time. Her eyes were red and brimming with tears that she fought hard to hold back.

She still cared. Mother Gu’s words were like knives stabbing into her heart and lungs.

"If you want to cry, just cry," Jiang Qi said, her heart aching for her.

Finally, she collapsed into Jiang Qi’s arms and sobbed like a child.

The phone rang again at an inopportune moment. Jiang Qi hung up without even looking at it and turned the phone off.

A moment later, the doorbell rang.

The door opened to reveal Gu Yao, looking innocent and harmless. "Sister, I heard the hot springs downstairs are lovely. Would you like to join me?"

Gu Fangyu’s heart tightened, and her gaze turned scrutinizing. After all, it was common knowledge that pregnant women should not use hot springs. It was basic common sense; it was unlikely that anyone wouldn't know that. Yet, Gu Yao was inviting her to the springs at this very moment.

"Gu Yao, why would a pregnant woman like you go to a hot spring?" Jiang Qi walked over from the room and stood in front of Gu Fangyu. "I suspect you're up to no good again."

"Jiang Qi, why are you making such a fuss? Or are you feeling guilty? It’s because Gu Fangyu is pregnant that she’s afraid to use the hot spring!"

Jiang Qi was about to retort, but Gu Fangyu grabbed her arm. She shook her head slightly, signaling Jiang Qi not to be impulsive.

"We’ll be down in fifteen minutes."

"Then, Sister, I’ll wait for you downstairs." Before leaving, Gu Yao shot them a look filled with hidden meaning.

The moment the door closed, Jiang Qi exploded. "Why did you agree to her?"

"If I want to dispel Gu Yao’s suspicions, I have to go into that spring," Gu Fangyu said calmly.

Jiang Qi understood immediately. "But..."

"It’s fine. If this child is lost because of this, then it only means we were not meant to be," Gu Fangyu said, looking down and gently stroking her lower abdomen.

When Gu Fangyu and Jiang Qi arrived at the hot springs after changing, Gu Yao was already there. Because she was pregnant, she couldn't enter the water. A staff member had set up a low table beside the pool, laden with various fruits and snacks.

Seeing that she had actually come, Gu Yao stared intently at her flat stomach, as if she were certain a child was growing inside.

"Yuyu, maybe we should..." Jiang Qi felt uneasy seeing the situation.

Gu Fangyu shook her head at her. In times like these, one must remain calm. She could not let her composure slip.

"Sister, you’re hesitating to get in. Could it be that you really are pregnant?"

"Gu Yao, stop harping on about pregnancy. Do you think everyone is like you, desperate to be pregnant with Xie Chenhao’s child?" Jiang Qi couldn't stand it anymore.

Gu Yao stood up and glared at her. "What are you shouting about? If Gu Fangyu isn't feeling guilty, then let her prove it to me."

Gu Fangyu frowned. She hadn't wanted to entertain such a foolish proposal, but with Gu Hanchen keeping a close watch on her, if she didn't dispel Gu Yao’s doubts, it would only cause more trouble if Gu Yao went to him later.

"Jiang Qi!" she said, stopping her before she could argue further.

Gu Fangyu entered the water first. The warmth enveloped her body, causing her tense nerves to slowly relax. Yet, the thought that she might truly be pregnant made her heart race again.

Jiang Qi glared viciously at Gu Yao. "Gu Yao, open your eyes and look. Stop acting like a mad dog, biting whoever you see."

"Jiang Qi, I’ll tear your mouth apart!" Gu Yao, never having been humiliated like this, charged over in a fit of rage.

Unexpectedly, in her haste, her foot slipped on the wet tiles, and she lunged forward.

Gu Fangyu was startled and immediately rose to help her. She couldn't afford to be blamed if something happened to Gu Yao, especially regarding her pregnancy. Gu Hanchen would surely blame her, accusing her of sabotaging the child. She could not bear that burden.

"Ah!"

With a scream and a splash, the three of them became a tangled mess in the water.

In the chaos, Gu Fangyu felt someone grab her hair and force her head underwater. She struggled to escape several times, but the grip was too strong. In a hazy moment, she felt as though she saw a triumphant expression on Gu Yao’s face.

Before losing consciousness, she felt her body fall into a broad, firm embrace and heard a man’s anxious voice.

"Fangyu, wake up!"

When she awoke, she stared at the white ceiling, feeling dazed. For a moment, she couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality.

"Yuyu, you’re finally awake. You scared me to death!" Seeing her wake up, Jiang Qi sobbed and threw herself into her arms.

Gu Fangyu’s expression shifted. She realized that the incident at the hot springs had been real. And that man’s figure...

She sat up abruptly, her face devoid of color, her small hands instinctively protecting her abdomen.

Jiang Qi immediately understood her thoughts and explained, "It was Xie Chenhao who saved you. Gu Yao is currently throwing a tantrum at him."

Gu Fangyu had not expected that.

"You didn't see it, but when Xie Chenhao carried you out, Gu Yao’s face went pale," Jiang Qi said, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "She truly deserved it."

Gu Fangyu curled the corners of her lips, but that wasn't what she was worried about. She was about to ask if Gu Hanchen knew when the medical staff entered.

"Miss Gu, please prepare yourself. The staff will take you for a full body check-up shortly."

"A full body check-up?" Jiang Qi looked at Gu Fangyu, startled.

Gu Fangyu’s expression was equally grim. If a full check-up were performed, nothing could be hidden.

"Very well." She dismissed the medical staff, pulled out her IV drip, and prepared to leave.

"Jiang Qi, arrange for my discharge immediately."