Qin He explained the situation to Madam Qin in the video, stating, "Gu Qichen now believes the child in my womb is Lu Mingxi's, which is why he's targeting Lu's."
Madam Qin exclaimed furiously, "You're divorced, and he still wants to control you?"
After comforting her mother, Qin He chatted with her grandmother for a while, and finally, her uncle Ming Yusheng.
Ming Yusheng, who always doted on Qin He, spoke with her for a bit before asking, "He'er, is Xiao Xue behaving herself at your place?"
Qin He replied with a smile, "Ming Xue is currently at Qing University. I've arranged for her to stay in a villa near the campus. She's been very well-behaved and hasn't caused any trouble."
Ming Yusheng seemed skeptical, "Her personality is too lively. You should keep a closer eye on her. She only listens to you anyway."
Qin He agreed.
After ending the video call, she specifically called Ming Xue. The young girl's voice was full of enthusiasm.
"Cousin, I'm busy with the school anniversary preparations. I'm not misbehaving or causing trouble!"
Qin He hummed in response, "If you need anything, remember to tell the family."
"Got it."
Qin He rested for a while, curled up in her bedroom and read Wan Fang Lun for a bit. She didn't leave for the Gu family's old residence until ten in the morning.
She had promised to visit Grandma Gu every week. By the time she arrived, it was already eleven o'clock.
As soon as she entered the living room, Qin He saw Gu Qichen on the sofa.
Her brow furrowed. The entire city was aware of the animosity between Gu's and Qin's. The two families were locked in a fierce rivalry, yet they were jointly collaborating on a project in the West City district.
Gu Qichen looked up and saw her, nodded, and then lowered his gaze back to his tablet.
Qin He inwardly scoffed and turned her gaze towards Grandma Gu's bedroom.
"Where is Grandma Gu?" she asked the butler.
The butler respectfully replied, "The old madam has gone to take a phone call. Miss Qin, please wait a moment."
Qin He sat down on the sofa, her eyes sweeping over Gu Qichen beside her.
The man was engrossed in something, his expression solemn and heavy.
Soon after, Grandma Gu emerged from the study, "He'er is here!"
Qin He smiled, "Grandma Gu."
Throughout the day, Qin He chatted with Grandma Gu in the living room while Gu Qichen sat nearby, handling his work.
Gu's had several important documents to review that day. After he finished, he looked up and saw Qin He's radiant smile.
She was smiling so openly and joyfully. Gu Qichen's gaze lingered. She had never smiled that happily in front of him.
Before, she had been cautious. After the divorce, she was cold and distant.
After their cooperation began, Qin He's business acumen had astounded him. Later, when he rescued her at the bar, Qin He had declared they were even.
Since their past was settled, he thought perhaps they could start anew.
But now, Qin He was carrying Lu Mingxi's child, and he had been set up by Song Nuan.
He longed to get closer to her, yet they seemed to be drifting further apart.
Gu Qichen's heart felt heavy, and his eyes grew colder. Few things ever escaped his control, but now, the thing he wanted most seemed to be slipping away.
At eight in the evening, after Qin He had dinner, Grandma Gu asked Gu Qichen to drive her home.
In front of Grandma Gu, Qin He couldn't refuse.
After getting into the car, Gu Qichen started the engine and drove away from the Gu family's old residence.
Two blocks away from the old residence, Qin He's expression turned cold. "Stop the car, I can get back myself."
Gu Qichen's face was impassive. "It's difficult to get a taxi around here."
"It has nothing to do with you. I'll have someone pick me up," Qin He said coldly.
An unprovoked anger flared up in Gu Qichen's heart. "Who will you call? Lu Mingxi?"
Qin He frowned. "Gu Qichen, can you not be so childish!"
The car suddenly pulled over to the side of the street. Qin He tried to open the door, but found it was locked.
She turned to him. "Gu Qichen!"
Before Qin He could react, the man's face was already close to hers.
Qin He, being skilled, attempted to push him away, but Gu Qichen swiftly grabbed her wrist.
Worried about the baby in her womb, she dared not make any sudden movements, only gritting her teeth. "Let go!"
The words that followed were swallowed by the man.
The lingering kiss left Qin He dazed. The man's breath enveloped her completely.
Gu Qichen kissed her forcefully, as if releasing some pent-up emotion.
Qin He, regaining her composure, tried to pull away fiercely, but Gu Qichen used his other hand to firmly grip the back of her head.
He ground his lips against hers, and the air between them seemed to thin.
Qin He was so angry her eyes turned red. Her breathing grew rapid as she bit down hard on Gu Qichen's lip.
The taste of blood filled the air. Gu Qichen slightly moved his lips away and his deep voice drifted to her ear, "Bite, bite harder. If it'll make you feel better."
Though his words were humble, his actions remained domineering.
Trapped in the car, Qin He felt Gu Qichen's lips move to her ear, nibbling on her earlobe.
Her entire body trembled with sensitivity. She bit down hard on Gu Qichen's shoulder. "Let me go! Gu Qichen, don't push me!"
Her voice was as cold as frost.
Qin He felt both rage and shame. What did this man take her for?
Gu Qichen slowly withdrew his lips, staring into Qin He's eyes.
In the dim car, both of their breaths were heavy, Qin He's from anger.
Gu Qichen curved his lips and suddenly let out a laugh.
The despair and dejection of the past few days vanished. Gu Qichen's eyes seemed to hold scattered stars.
"I've made up my mind."
Qin He: "What?"
"I will absolutely not let you escape!"
Gu Qichen stated word by word, "Nor will I give you to Lu Mingxi!" You can only be mine.
Qin He was furious, but the car doors were locked, and she couldn't get out.
"Gu Qichen, you're sick! You're insane!" Qin He's eyes reddened with anger.
Gu Qichen started the car. "Hold on tight. I'll take you home first."
Qin He's personality never allowed her to suffer a loss.
But today, a fire burned in her chest!
This was a loss that left her feeling stifled and indignant!
She couldn't fight him. Not only could she not resist violently due to her pregnancy, but even without it, her martial arts skills were slightly inferior to Gu Qichen's.
If she tried to leave, Gu Qichen had locked the doors and wouldn't let her out!
Moreover, during his forceful kiss, she had even experienced a moment of daze.
Qin He felt like she was about to explode. This scoundrel was a menace, a jerk, a beast!
The car pulled up to the Qin family's entrance. Gu Qichen got out and opened the car door for Qin He. As she stepped out, he thoughtfully blocked the car door.
Qin He got out with a grim expression. "Gu Qichen, you just wait!"
Gu Qichen stood beside the car, gazing at Qin He with a lingering look. "Do you want me to let Lu's off the hook?"
Qin He, who was about to leave, stopped. "You're willing?"
"I can stop targeting the Lu family, but two points of profit from the West City reconstruction is not enough."
Qin He's anger flared. "What do you want?"
The moonlight fell on Gu Qichen's shoulders. A faint smile appeared on his exceptionally handsome face. "You break up with Lu Mingxi, and I'll let him off."
Qin He stared at Gu Qichen for a few seconds. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Fine." Qin He sneered and returned to the Qin family.
She and Lu Mingxi were never actually dating. It was all a ploy to make Gu Qichen believe the child was Lu Mingxi's.
Now that Gu Qichen was kept in the dark, she had no intention of implicating Lu Mingxi.
This condition was practically given for free.