Volume One, Chapter 13: The Palm Pressed Against Her Abdomen

Jiang Qin pondered for a moment but couldn’t quite make sense of it, so she decided not to think about it anymore. After all, they were about to divorce. Besides, there were two undeniable facts: he had a white moonlight he’d harbored in his heart for six years, and he didn’t want her to have his child.

If that was the case, why bother dwelling on these trivial thoughts?

Organizing her mind, fatigue conveniently swept over her. Jiang Qin slipped into slumber, and when she opened her eyes again, faint light seeped through the gap in the curtains, and her phone on the bedside table was ringing.

The cheerful, pure melody sounded especially clear in the silent room. Still a bit groggy, she half-opened her eyes and reached out to turn it off, but suddenly, a large hand beat her to it and snatched her phone from the bedside table.

Their arms brushed, and the warmth radiating from the man was noticeably higher than hers. Jiang Qin was slightly startled, her eyes widening as she became fully awake.

In her line of sight, Huo Sili’s hand swiped away her alarm, then the same arm gently settled back, his palm pressing against her abdomen.

Jiang Qin paused for a moment, suddenly recalling how last August, during their passionate days, he had bought ice cream molds and taught himself to make all kinds of beautiful and delicious ice creams for her just because she casually mentioned how her grandmother used to make homemade ice cream in the summer.

Later, she had been so focused on responding to him that she forgot she was about to have her period, resulting in a severe bout of menstrual cramps that month.

He had felt deeply guilty and remorseful then, holding her close at night like this, his warm palm pressed to her belly.

“…So now, is this out of habit, or is there intention behind it?”

Jiang Qin glanced down at Huo Sili’s hand, hesitated for two seconds, then pushed his hand away with her elbow, sat up, and got out of bed.

Indeed, after a night’s sleep, she had forgotten again—there was no point in thinking about these things.

She headed straight toward the washroom. Behind her, Huo Sili opened his eyes, his gaze clear and steady.

Watching Jiang Qin’s back, he seemed lost in thought; his dark eyes were deep and calm. After a few seconds, he looked away, glanced at his empty hand, and turned over to sit up.

“Good morning, sir, madam,” said the housekeepers Wang and Liu as the couple approached the breakfast table, where they were setting the plates. Today’s spread was even more sumptuous than yesterday morning.

Jiang Qin replied with a simple “Good morning” and sat down, stirring her porridge. Huo Sili sat opposite her but didn’t touch his food.

After Wang finished placing the last few steaming dishes, she bowed slightly and wished them a good meal. Huo Sili stopped her with a word.

“Bring a thermal box and pack some breakfast for Miss Li. When she wakes up, remind her to eat and change her dressing.”

Wang’s expression was complicated as she glanced at Jiang Qin, who kept her head down, unaffected, sipping her porridge.

Just then, Liu approached carrying washed fruit and chuckled softly.

“Sir, leave that to me. I remember. I’ll remind Miss Li when she wakes up!”

Huo Sili glanced at her but said nothing. His eyes flicked to the pears in the fruit bowl, and his brow barely furrowed.

“Remove the fruit,” he ordered coldly.

Having witnessed his bad temper before, Liu didn’t ask further and hurriedly took the fruit away.

There were two engagements today, one in the morning and one at noon. The morning’s key client was a prominent business tycoon who valued family development.

An elderly overseas Chinese magnate, well-off and with a harmonious family, he was in his seventies, the same generation as Mrs. Huo.

But to Jiang Qin’s surprise, he was unpretentious, dignified, and spoke eloquently. Their collaboration discussion went smoothly and was quickly finalized.

After signing, the tycoon’s joy was evident. He frankly admitted that his visit home was to personally discuss this cooperation with Huo Sili as a gesture of sincerity between their families.

He then kindly invited them to visit his newly developed resort for a meal and some photos.

This was already part of their planned itinerary, so Huo Sili naturally agreed.

The weather at the resort was superb, the sun shining so brightly it was almost harsh.

Walking along a sandy path, heat rose from the ground, and Jiang Qin felt an odd, dull ache in her lower abdomen. Remembering what Su Lejia had said last night and seeing there was still a considerable distance to the sunshade, she took a couple of steps forward and moved closer to Huo Sili.

“Mr. Huo, I need to use the restroom,” she whispered.

Huo Sili was chatting with the tycoon, Mr. Wang, about economic trends; he lightly nodded in acknowledgment.

Jiang Qin turned back and entered the building’s restroom. Checking herself, her face paled.

Her hand trembled slightly as she took out her phone and searched online for early pregnancy bleeding symptoms.

Her complexion turned even paler after reading.

She had always been familiar with her menstrual flow. Today was the second day, and the amount and color were abnormal.

And her current symptoms matched the early pregnancy bleeding signs perfectly.

Her mind and heart instantly became a tangle of confusion.

She found it hard to believe but searched various posts on an app and discovered many others with similar experiences.

Composing herself, she headed back slowly toward the beach area, stopping occasionally.

Suddenly, remembering something, she found some shade under a tree, took out her makeup and compact mirror, and touched up her complexion.

Her heart was in turmoil. What had been a suspicion was now confirmed by both online accounts and her own intuition.

There was a high probability she was carrying a child of hers and Huo Sili’s.

But just yesterday afternoon, Huo Sili had said those words.

“Jiang Qin!?”

As she walked forward a few steps, lost in thought, a male voice interrupted.

She turned to see a somewhat familiar face.

“Xie You’an?”

At the same time, under the sunshade ahead, Huo Sili, chatting with the tycoon Mr. Wang, heard the voice and turned to look toward Jiang Qin.

Mr. Wang also looked over, a kindly smile spreading across his benevolent face.

“Secretary Jiang has met an acquaintance,” he said warmly.

Huo Sili said nothing but his gaze darkened as he watched Xie You’an briskly approach Jiang Qin.

“What a coincidence, meeting again.”

Near Jiang Qin, Xie You’an, dressed casually in a white T-shirt and black pants, walked over with a refined smile and greeted her.

Jiang Qin was somewhat surprised.

“Yes, what a coincidence. You…”

“Here for fun?” Xie You’an said, not much of a conversationalist, especially with her mind in turmoil. He quickly sized up her appearance and, knowing this was a resort, hesitated briefly before continuing.

Instantly, Jiang Qin felt awkward—what a foolish question to ask!

Xie You’an didn’t seem bothered and returned her smile warmly.

“Yes, organizing company staff for team-building. You’re here to enjoy yourself too?”

Jiang Qin quickly replied, “Oh no, I’m here for work.”

Then she realized she had been gone too long and hurriedly added, “Let’s catch up later. I have to get back to it.”

Xie You’an wanted to say something more but changed his mind.

“Alright, you’re busy. See you next Wednesday.”

Jiang Qin’s mind was still a mess. She nodded politely and left quickly.

After a few steps, she wondered: next Wednesday? It suddenly dawned on her as she neared Huo Sili that Xie You’an had said that because she had invited him to dinner yesterday, and he had said he was free next Wednesday.

Also, the gift Xie You’an had given her was still unopened, and she didn’t know the exact date of the art exhibition tickets.

Looking down at her abdomen, Jiang Qin couldn’t help but wonder what she should do next.

Should she secretly terminate the pregnancy or keep the child?

“Here?” Huo Sili’s sudden voice pulled her back to reality.

Jiang Qin met his unreadable gaze.

He gestured toward a folding outdoor chair shaded by the umbrella beside him.

“Sit.”