Shen Lang and Ye Shishi did not get to speak first, because before they could, Gu Qinghan came downstairs.
"Ye Shishi, why didn't you tell me you were back?"
Seeing her good friend return, Gu Qinghan, though her expression remained cold, had a hint of joy in her eyes as she spoke.
Gu Qinghan was like this. Only when facing Shen Lang would she beam with smiles; otherwise, she maintained a cold demeanor towards everyone else. Even when happy, the change was only evident in her eyes.
"I was busy with things abroad and came back when they were almost done. The reason I didn't tell you beforehand was to give you a surprise."
Ye Shishi, clad in a purple dress with her long hair cascading over her shoulders, exuded an aura of intellect and charm. A single glance from her was enough to captivate.
Gu Qinghan had to admit that Ye Shishi had become even more beautiful and alluring after their time apart. However, she could also sense an unspoken meaning in Ye Shishi's words. Smiling, she said, "You must be tired after returning from abroad. You should rest first. I'll cook something to welcome you back."
With that, Gu Qinghan looked at Shen Lang and said, "Brother, let's go cook."
"Okay—"
Shen Lang, who was still pondering how to extricate himself, immediately stood up upon hearing Gu Qinghan's words.
"You don't have to cook for me. I have a banquet at Zhongzhou Bank tonight that I need to attend."
Ye Shishi yawned and said, "It can't be helped. This is the life of a career woman; always busy."
"A banquet?"
Hearing Ye Shishi's words, Shen Lang's brow furrowed slightly. "Then you'll have to drink, won't you?"
Women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy, as it is harmful to the baby and the expectant mother.
"Shen Lang, isn't that a silly question? What is a banquet if not a gathering for drinks? As the boss of Zhongzhou Bank, I naturally have to drink with others."
Ye Shishi smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling. "Are you worried about me?"
"I..."
Shen Lang did not directly answer Ye Shishi's question. Instead, he shifted the topic. "Can you not attend?"
Ye Shishi smiled. "That depends on who is asking. If you don't want me to attend, I can listen to you and have someone else go in my place."
"Then don't attend. Drinking is not only tiring but also harms the liver. It's better to rest well at home. I'll make you a Si Jun Zi Tang to help you recuperate."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Ye Shishi clearly felt Shen Lang's concern. With a slight smile, she said, "I didn't expect you to actually care about me. Since that's the case, I'll give you this face."
She then looked at Gu Qinghan curiously. "What are we eating later?"
Ye Shishi was a pampered young lady and had no idea how to cook. She could only rely on Gu Qinghan and Shen Lang.
"We'll make whatever you like to eat, okay?"
Gu Qinghan had long known about the ambiguous relationship between Ye Shishi and Shen Lang, but she didn't mind it because they were soon to be married.
Gu Qinghan didn't even get jealous of Yu Xiao and Yu Fei, so how could she possibly quarrel with Ye Shishi?
Of course, from another perspective, even if they weren't getting married, Gu Qinghan wouldn't have fallen out with Ye Shishi.
"I'm not picky. You two can just cook."
Ye Shishi took out a laptop from her suitcase, then put on a pair of headphones. "I have three more video conferences to attend. I'll get busy now."
Hearing this, Gu Qinghan and Shen Lang went into the kitchen and began their work.
While busy, Shen Lang also noticed Ye Shishi's busyness. This outwardly glamorous woman had been attending meetings via video calls throughout the time they were cooking, at times losing her temper, and at other times ecstatic.
Shen Lang knew that for Ye Shishi to achieve what she had, she must have put in unimaginable effort in private. In that moment, Shen Lang made a decision.
An hour later, the dishes were served. Ye Shishi seemed to have not eaten well recently, as she began to eat heartily as soon as she sat at the table.
Half an hour later, Ye Shishi finished eating and went to the sofa to continue her meetings.
In this way, Ye Shishi continued her meetings until Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan had finished their meal and tidied up the kitchen.
Just then, Gu Qinghan received a call from Yu Youwei, saying that a criminal case she was following had a lead. She drove out, leaving only Ye Shishi and Shen Lang alone in the villa.
"Shishi, let's talk."
Shen Lang looked at Ye Shishi, his eyes clearly filled with tenderness. "I genuinely didn't know you were pregnant. If I had known, I might not have made such a hasty decision. However, now that Shen Lang and Qinghan's marriage is imminent, there's no turning back. Therefore, I have no choice."
"Shen Lang, you don't have to say anything; I understand. I won't force you."
Ye Shishi looked at Shen Lang and smiled. "I didn't come back this time to force you into marriage with the child in my womb. I just wanted you to know that you and I also have a child. As for anything else, you don't need to worry about me."
"Shishi..."
Hearing this, Shen Lang held Ye Shishi tightly. "Meeting you both is the luckiest thing in my life. But don't worry, I will take responsibility."
"I will not only take responsibility for the child in your womb but also for you. As long as you are willing, I will protect you for the rest of my life."
Shen Lang's words were clearly a promise to Ye Shishi. Upon receiving his promise, Ye Shishi's eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Shen Lang, I don't care about status. I just wanted a promise from you. Now that I have your promise, I am content."
Ye Shishi's love for Shen Lang was no less than anyone else's, but she had never voiced it. In truth, she was also someone willing to sacrifice anything for Shen Lang.
In that instant, a look of joy appeared on the faces of Shen Lang and Ye Shishi.
At the same moment, in a villa in Nanling, Kong Wudao was lying on the sofa, puffing on a cigar with a ferocious expression. "Young Master Qi, have you heard? Shen Lang and Gu Qinghan are getting married soon."
Since their attempt at using a borrowed knife to kill failed last time, Qi Tuojiang and Kong Wudao had been lying low. However, this did not mean they had forgotten their hatred for Shen Lang.
On the contrary, they had never, for a moment, forgotten their resentment towards Shen Lang. Kong Wudao, in particular, was constantly searching for Shen Lang's weaknesses, waiting for any opportunity to strike him a fatal blow.
"What? They're getting married?"
Upon hearing Kong Wudao's words, Qi Tuojiang was enraged. "Gu Qinghan is my fiancée. How dare Shen Lang marry her?"
"To be precise, it's not just a marriage; it's a shotgun wedding."
Fearing that Qi Tuojiang's anger was not intense enough, Kong Wudao added this remark.