Before Yan Chen could reply, another message popped up on WeChat.
Xiao Liyan: [Don't bother with Yan Chen. We're at the Calaya Club now. He saw Lu Mingxi publicly say you were his ideal type and plans to carry him out and beat him up, stuff him in a sack, and throw him into the river.]
Qin He: [...]
The WeChat screen flashed, and a group chat was added to Qin He's list: [Three Handsome Guys].
[Xiao Liyan has added you to this group.]
Qin He glanced at the members in the group list: Yan Chen, Gu Qichen, Xiao Liyan.
A moment later, Xiao Liyan also added An Rui and Zhu Chan'er.
The group immediately became lively.
Xiao Liyan took a screenshot and posted it to the group. It was a conversation from earlier between Yan Chen and him in private chat.
In the private chat screenshot, Yan Chen, adhering to the principle of protecting a brother's wife from harm, was meticulously planning how to kill Lu Mingxi.
The group fell silent for a moment.
Zhu Chan'er: [Brother Chen, don't be impulsive!]
Yan Chen: [Xiao Liyan! You traitor!]
Qin He let out a chuckle.
Another message popped up in the group.
Gu Qichen: [Nice idea, but He'er wouldn't be happy.]
The group fell silent again.
In a private chat, Qin He received several files from Gu Qichen. He and Wilson had successfully signed the contract.
Gu Qichen: [I'll be back tomorrow.]
Tomorrow?
Qin He pursed her lips. Gu Qichen had explicitly said last night that he would stay for another three days.
She typed: [What time is your flight? I'll pick you up then.]
Gu Qichen: [No need, I'll come to the West District to find you.]
Qin He agreed. Unexpectedly, Gu Qichen didn't ask anything about Lu Mingxi.
...
West District United Department, 10:30 AM.
Qin He was nestled in Liu Xing'an's office, with small pastries from the Gu family placed beside her.
The person who delivered them said that Gu Qichen had asked them to be prepared and sent over.
Qin He was surprised by the man's thoughtfulness.
She ate the pastries while watching Liu Xing'an make tea.
"Master, how is Madam's health recently?"
"She's almost recovered, just still a bit weak." Liu Xing'an smiled with satisfaction when he mentioned this.
Qin He nodded. She hadn't had a chance to feel her master's wife's pulse recently, but she figured her condition must be greatly improved.
The master and disciple ate pastries and drank tea. By noon, the Gu family had also sent over lunch.
"It's been a while since I last saw Grandma Gu. I should go visit her in a few days," Qin He said while eating lunch.
Liu Xing'an glanced at her belly: "You should rest more and avoid traveling around. Young Master Gu is also returning soon. Once he's back, he can handle things here, and you can just stay home and focus on your pregnancy."
Qin He lowered her head and patted her lower abdomen. She had recently felt the baby becoming much more active, often kicking her.
However, her energy levels were also declining, not only was she drowsy, but the dull ache in her waist was becoming more pronounced.
"You're already seven months along and still running around like this. It's really worrying."
Qin He smiled: "It's fine."
Everyone else only thought she was seven months along, but the Qin family knew she was already eight months pregnant.
Because of this, now whenever she went out, Ming Yuzhu would scold her a few times.
After staying at the West District United Department until 1:30 PM, Qin He received a call.
The display showed an unfamiliar number. Qin He answered and heard a middle-aged woman's voice on the other end.
"Hello, is this Miss Qin?"
Qin He: "Yes, who is this?"
The previously polite middle-aged voice turned a few degrees colder upon hearing a positive confirmation.
"I am Lu Mingxi's mother."
Qin He frowned, a premonition forming.
She still replied respectfully: "Auntie Lu, hello. Is there something you need me for?"
Qin He's impression of Lu Mingxi's mother was only from the day Lu Mingxi's younger brother died, that shrewish woman at the cemetery who was so pushy.
She was the mother of both sons. Lu Mingxi's younger brother had borrowed his car for a joyride, and after the brakes failed and caused a car accident.
That woman actually suspected Lu Mingxi had tampered with the brakes.
Her favoritism was so extreme, to suspect her own son like that.
After Lu Mingxi took over the Lu Corporation, Qin He had heard some things about the Lu family from her brother.
When her own son took over the family business, his parents should have provided some support.
But the Lu family was different. Even though Lu Mingxi was their only son left, his parents had constantly obstructed him after he took over the Lu Corporation.
To put it bluntly, they wanted to control everything, including Lu Mingxi.
In an instant, Qin He had figured out a lot and guessed the purpose of Madam Lu's call, likely seeing Lu Mingxi's interview.
Madam Lu's voice on the other end was faint: "It's like this, my husband and I would like to invite you to the Lu family for dinner. We've set the time for 7:30 PM tonight. We kindly ask Miss Qin to grace us with your presence."
"I'm not free today—"
"Beep—"
Before Qin He could finish speaking, Madam Lu had already hung up.
Qin He: "..."
This wasn't an invitation to dinner; it was more like a command.
Qin He felt a bit of sympathy for Lu Mingxi.
She opened WeChat and sent Lu Mingxi a message: [Lu Mingxi, your mother called and said she wants to invite me to your house for dinner. Please ask her to tell her I'm not free today.]
A moment later, Lu Mingxi replied: [He'er, you think too highly of me. Do you think my parents would listen to me if they would, would I still be on such bad terms with them?]
Qin He frowned: [Should I call them to refuse myself then?]
After a long pause, Lu Mingxi sent a voice message back.
"I was impulsive today, and didn't consider my parents' reaction for a moment. But you should still come over today. With my mother's personality, if you don't come today, she might very well show up at the Qin family tomorrow to find you."
After listening to the voice message, Qin He sighed.
The Qin family and the Lu family were business partners. Although the Qin family mostly supported the Lu family in their collaborations, their relationship wasn't so bad that it couldn't be mended.
Lu Mingxi's mother making this call was undoubtedly worried that there might be something between them.
Then she would go. Clarify everything, and avoid such situations in the future.
3 PM.
Gu Qichen walked into the West District United Department.
Liu Xing'an's lips curved upwards when he saw Gu Qichen enter the office, and he ambled out.
"It's stifling to stay in the office, I'm going out for a walk."
Only Gu Qichen and Qin He were left in the office.
He held a document, with Yu Jing following behind him.
Qin He's eyes flickered: "You're back."
"En." Gu Qichen replied, then turned to Yu Jing: "Take that document just now back to the Gu Corporation."
"Yes."
Seconds after Yu Jing left, Gu Qichen turned and walked in front of Qin He, reaching out to embrace her.
He didn't dare to put too much force into it, afraid of squeezing Qin He's belly.
"Let go, be careful someone walks in," Qin He whispered, patting Gu Qichen's arm.
Her cheek was pressed against Gu Qichen's chest, and she could almost hear his steadily quickening heartbeat.