Lu Jingyang trudged out of Lu Yanbei's office, his head hanging low, like a soulless zombie.
Not only had he inexplicably been lectured, but he had also been threatened with the potential confiscation of his bar.
Lu Jingyang pouted, feeling wronged. He thought Lu Yanbei had been growing less fond of him, his own brother, since getting married! They were blood relatives, after all!
And what did he mean by "behave yourself and do what you're supposed to"?
Wasn't he already trying hard enough?
He went to the bar every single day!
Moreover, the bar had been consistently profitable; it wasn't losing money!
Lu Jingyang patted his head, sensing that his elder brother's words held a deeper meaning.
And what had he done last night that made his head hurt so much? How much had he drunk! Also, when he came down from the second floor today and saw the empty hall, he felt like something was missing.
Returning to the bar with his questions, Lu Jingyang roused the bartender who was catching up on sleep.
"Did something happen last night?"
The bartender yawned groggily, looking at him with a bewildered expression. "Boss, you really don't remember what happened yesterday?"
"What happened yesterday?" Lu Jingyang became more confused with every word.
The bartender, not wanting to waste his breath, directly showed him the secretly filmed video. Then, he curled back into his covers and went back to sleep.
Lu Jingyang stared at himself on the screen, dumbfounded.
Was that really him, the one with his fists flying, pinning Li Chao to the ground and beating him?
And why had he gotten into a fight with Li Chao?
He had no recollection at all!
The bartender, disturbed from his sleep, found it hard to fall back asleep. Seeing the boss's bewildered look, he couldn't help but chuckle. "You're not telling me you blacked out and don't know what you did, are you?"
"And I considered you my idol!"
Lu Jingyang watched the entire video in astonishment and returned the phone to the bartender. "Is this all true?"
"The video caught it all, how could it be fake? That guy, Li Chao, I heard he's in the hospital... But don't worry, he definitely won't dare to come back here again!"
"Besides, he owes so much money, he wouldn't dare to sue you! Even if he did, it would be mutual combat, fifty-fifty responsibility! He's not that stupid!"
Lu Jingyang: ...
What on earth was going on!
However, the most striking thing he remembered from this video was Li Chao's unfinished secret.
He had clamped his mouth shut at the time, preventing him from finishing his sentence. Others might not know what he was about to say, but Lu Jingyang knew perfectly well.
Li Chao, that bigmouth, was about to spread rumors about him and Su He having a past relationship!
No wonder his elder brother had said those things this morning!
Lu Jingyang rubbed his temples, feeling that Li Chao truly deserved a beating!
No, he had to explain to his elder brother!
There was really nothing between him and Su He!
But he stopped after only a few steps.
If he explained it like this, wouldn't it sound like he was trying too hard to hide something? If his elder brother misunderstood, would he be so angry he'd strangle him? Thinking of this, Lu Jingyang shivered.
No, for the sake of his own life, it was better not to explain.
*
Su He was unaware of Lu Jingyang's developing feelings for her. She was busy poring over various parenting books, cramming knowledge. Since they had decided to have a child, she had to learn to be a qualified mother.
"Ten Things You Can't Do During Confinement"
"Newborn Care"
"Baby Language You Don't Know"
Su He flipped through one book after another, her table nearly overflowing.
However, she and Lu Yanbei had been trying for so long, why was her stomach still not showing any signs?
Just yesterday, her period had arrived right on schedule!
This month had been wasted again!
Su He touched her flat stomach and thought to herself: Could it be that she had a problem?
Su He pondered whether she should secretly go to the hospital for a check-up. She used the word "secretly" because she didn't want to disappoint Lu Yanbei. If it turned out to be her problem, she would diligently try to treat it. No matter how much medicine she took or how many injections she received, she would do it willingly.
What if she really couldn't have children, would Lu Yanbei be very upset?
Su He recalled the previous year's elders' birthday banquet, where various aunts and uncles had mentioned that "cold womb" made it difficult to conceive, and she couldn't help but feel a tremor of fear. While few people knew about her being locked in the cold storage truck, even the elders were kept in the dark, there were many witnesses, and it was hard to guarantee no one would let slip a word.
How would the Lu family view a woman who couldn't have children? Would they force her to divorce Lu Yanbei and find someone else to marry; or would she repeatedly lie on cold operating tables for IVF treatments?
Thinking of these possibilities, Su He felt a pang of fear.
She knew Lu Yanbei would definitely not look down on her. But what about the others? The elders, who had always treated her like their own granddaughter, would surely be very disappointed!
The Lu family couldn't be without an heir!
This was a phrase the elders often repeated.
Moreover, she had made a promise in front of him last time, saying she would definitely let him hold his great-grandchild. If he found out that day would never come, could he bear the blow?
The more Su He thought about it, the more anxious she became, and she spent a restless afternoon.
The next day, after seeing Lu Yanbei off, Su He drove alone to an unknown small hospital. If anyone asked, she already had an excuse prepared: she was visiting a sick friend.
To avoid being recognized, Su He even disguised herself. She wore a preppy-style shirt and pleated skirt, with her hair in a high ponytail, looking like a campus goddess.
She booked an appointment with a specialist on her phone and, while looking around, listened for her number to be called.
"Number 48, Su He, you can come in now." The nurse, after seeing off the previous patient, called out loudly at the door.
Su He flinched, hastily put on her mask, and hurried into the consultation room.
"What's the matter, where are you feeling unwell?" The doctor was an elderly woman. Seeing Su He so heavily covered and acting suspiciously, she couldn't help but take a second look.
Su He knew wearing sunglasses and a mask was impolite, so she slowly removed them. "I've come on the recommendation of others, and I'd like to consult about pregnancy."
The doctor hummed, her expression one of understanding.
She was a renowned expert in gynecology, and most people who came to her were experiencing difficulties with conception.
"How long have you been married? Are your periods regular?"
"When was your last period?"
Su He answered the doctor's questions truthfully.
"We've been married for half a year, and they've never been very regular... They usually come a few days early..."
"My last period was five days ago."
The doctor nodded. "Please lie down inside, we'll do an ultrasound first."
Su He thanked her, her mood suddenly complex.
Judging by the doctor's expression, did she really have a problem?
But, before any tests were done, could she discern it just from her complexion?
Just as Su He was wondering, a familiar voice echoed from the doorway. "Aunt, are you in there?"
Su He's body stiffened abruptly.