Cai Rong had originally planned to go home with her, but Zuo Ruxiu refused. She said she wanted to go back and prepare dinner first, and asked him to be home on time at eight o'clock.
Cai Rong had lived for more than half his life, and no one had ever dared to dictate to him when he should be home. Yet, this simple request actually worked.
He was delighted.
People are strange; there are always things that can grasp your Achilles' heel. It doesn't hurt, yet makes you happy.
"Honey, what's the good news?"
Cai Rong put down the car keys in his hand and made a move as if to embrace Zuo Ruxiu.
"You wash your hands first, and see what delicious food I've made for you!"
Unexpectedly, Zuo Ruxiu didn't fall into his arms. Instead, she turned around and said this.
Cai Rong thought they were going to have a moment of intimacy, but it turned out she had prepared a feast. He thought, it's not a festival or holiday, so why such a grand meal? She must want something from him.
He mentally prepared a plan: if it was a business matter, they'd discuss it at the company; if it was a personal matter, it would be resolved at home.
Zuo Ruxiu was very happy, as happy as a little girl.
Considering their ages, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her his daughter.
Cai Rong rarely experienced such a relaxed family life. Even though his wife used to cook often and he'd come home for meals, this feeling was entirely new. Perhaps it was because his wife had never been so open, so affectionate before.
After washing his hands, Cai Rong watched Zuo Ruxiu humming and twirling in front of him, occasionally teasing him. His heart felt much younger.
Perhaps this was why older men were more attracted to younger women.
Seeing Cai Rong staring at her, lost in thought, Zuo Ruxiu waved her chopsticks in front of his eyes: "Old Cai, what's wrong?"
Cai Rong snapped back to reality from the warm scene, his eyes darting away. He mumbled, "Oh, nothing, nothing!"
"If it's nothing, then let's eat!"
"The good news you mentioned, it's not just that you've cooked a table full of delicious food for me, is it?"
Cai Rong asked tentatively, waiting for Zuo Ruxiu to reveal the answer.
"What do you think?"
Zuo Ruxiu retorted.
This stumped Cai Rong. However, being experienced, his expression betrayed little of his inner turmoil. He even looked somewhat serious.
Zuo Ruxiu wasn't afraid of him, but she didn't want to upset him over a trivial matter.
"Hahaha, I told you it's good news, so guess! If you guess correctly, you'll get a reward!"
Zuo Ruxiu said with a smile, easing Cai Rong's embarrassment at not being able to guess.
Cai Rong's eyes fell on the oyster and tofu soup. He knew this dish; his wife had made it for him before. It was specifically for nourishing the body, especially for boosting male vitality.
Could it be... Cai Rong dared not think further. At his age, he wasn't like he used to be. Although he was still capable occasionally, he needed to exercise restraint.
While guessing inwardly, he feigned indifference: "I can't guess, just tell me quickly!"
Zuo Ruxiu handed him the chopsticks and took the small soup bowl in front of him, serving a bowl of oyster and tofu soup.
This kind of 'goodness' was something Cai Rong couldn't enjoy at the moment. He had worked all day, and although he had returned home early, he still felt somewhat tired.
The dishes were ready, and the rice was served. Now it was time to get down to business. Zuo Ruxiu's heart suddenly skipped a beat, her heart pounding.
Was it because of her pregnancy, or because she had to tell Cai Rong the important news?
"I... I'm pregnant..."
Zuo Ruxiu stammered, her voice low, perhaps because she wasn't prepared, or perhaps out of fear.
Cai Rong, who was sipping soup with a small spoon, didn't hear clearly.
"What did you say? Speak louder, I didn't hear you clearly."
Cai Rong said, as if ordering her.
Zuo Ruxiu then said loudly, "I'm pregnant!"
"Pregnant? Pregnant with what?"
Cai Rong wasn't deliberately being obtuse; he was genuinely confused.
His children were already married and settled, and his grandchildren were in school. If it weren't for meeting Zuo Ruxiu, he might not have even had any thoughts in that direction, let alone having children.
Therefore, his mind wasn't on pregnancy at all.
Given his age, while there was still a possibility, the chances weren't high.
Seeing Cai Rong's indifferent expression, Zuo Ruxiu felt a surge of anger. Men were all the same; once they got what they wanted, they forgot everything.
"What do you think I'm saying? I'm pregnant, can't you hear me! I'm telling you... I... I'm pregnant!"
Zuo Ruxiu no longer cared about Cai Rong's feelings. Some things had to be taken seriously, and it was also a way to put some pressure on him.
"What?"
The small soup spoon in Cai Rong's hand fell back into the bowl, splashing some soup onto the table.
It was a case of the feared happening. At his age, becoming a father again... if this got out...
"Is this true?"
Cai Rong asked.
"Wuwuwu, you heartless man, you..." Zuo Ruxiu cried, chiding him.
This confirmed for Cai Rong that it was indeed true. He sat in his chair, lost in thought.
This matter had to be handled properly, or the consequences would be endless.
But how to handle it? Should they keep the child or not?
He couldn't hear Zuo Ruxiu's crying at the moment. His mind was in turmoil, a tangled mess. After a long time, he didn't even realize when Zuo Ruxiu had stopped crying.
It was only when a hand clasped his arm that he came to his senses.
"What should we do? Tell me, what should we do!"
Zuo Ruxiu pleaded, leaning against him and pulling his arm to sit on his lap.
"This..."
Zuo Ruxiu stared at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Let's abort the child!"
Cai Rong finally made his decision. This would allow him to avoid responsibility and minimize the loss.
"What? I don't agree!"
Upon hearing this, Zuo Ruxiu immediately stood up and shouted.
"Do you know how happy I was to hear this news? This is our child, yours and mine, and you... you can be so heartless?"
She questioned Cai Rong, but he didn't immediately reply or refute her.
Liu Sandao saw all of this, and so did Soul Spirit Twelve.
The reason Soul Spirit Twelve did this, besides taking the Fortune Fruit, was primarily to exact revenge.
It was a man's betrayal in her past life that had driven her resentment to an extreme. Only by destroying their "fortune roots" could she be satisfied.
Therefore, by using Zuo Ruxiu this time, she not only wanted to obtain the Fortune Fruit from Cai Rong but also to destroy his "fortune root," leaving him no chance to be human in his next life.
Liu Sandao was unaware of Soul Spirit Twelve's intentions. However, he had a responsibility to protect everyone's Fortune Fruit, especially to prevent those who sought to obtain more Fortune Fruits and commit evil in the human world.
To avoid trouble, Cai Rong chose to deceive Zuo Ruxiu. As long as the child was gone, the hidden danger would naturally disappear.