The night was deep, and the stars were clearly visible.
Beneath the starry sky, Qin He and Di Shishi lay in a hot spring pool.
Di Shishi leaned against the edge of the hot spring, which was adorned with smooth stones crafted to resemble natural scenery.
"Gu Qichen really knows how to enjoy himself. This hot spring resort of his is much better than those gimmick-filled ones you find in scenic areas."
"Indeed, it makes sense that soaking in hot springs can relieve fatigue."
Qin He sighed, her body relaxing.
For the past few months, she had been carrying a heavy burden. Perhaps it was because she was constantly pressed down by the weight in her belly, she rarely felt the burden itself. Now, sitting in the hot spring, even her lower back felt much lighter.
After soaking comfortably for a while, Qin He and Di Shishi chatted about affairs at Qingyan Mansion.
"I might get busy in a couple of days, so I might not be able to attend to Qingyan Mansion matters then," Qin He said with some helplessness.
Di Shishi shrugged, "You focus on your own things. Mo and Liuhua are watching over the forum. But what concerns me is why those people who targeted you before haven't made a move again?"
"Isn't it good that they haven't made a move?" Qin He smiled.
"If they never make a move again, that's naturally good. But knowing that there's a group of malicious people lurking in the shadows, and knowing they'll eventually strike, I can't help but worry." Di Shishi sounded agitated. "There are always thieves, but never a thousand days to guard against them. How can we flush them out if they don't make a move?"
Qin He pondered, "There's no rush for that. I'm actually worried they *will* make a move, because they have a perfect opportunity coming up."
"What opportunity?"
Qin He's expression turned icy.
"In about a month, my brother is getting engaged. The engagement banquet will be held at the Qin family's estate."
Di Shishi immediately became tense. "How can that be? If it's really held at your home, with so many guests, it will be difficult to catch anyone if they make a move. Can't you change the venue for the engagement ceremony?"
"My mother feels that holding it at our own home shows more respect to the bride's family. And right now, only my brother and I know about this. My mother is unaware that there are people plotting against the Qin family."
A sharp glint flashed in Qin He's eyes.
"If those people dare to make a move at my brother's engagement banquet, I will make them pay!"
After their soak, Qin He and Di Shishi returned to the villa.
Back in the room prepared for her by Madam Liu, Qin He picked up her phone.
Xu Wanwan had sent her a message.
Xu Wanwan: [Your brother called and asked if you were staying with me. I said you went to shower. It was hard to keep it a secret!]
Qin He chuckled and typed: [Thanks for your trouble.]
Putting down her phone, she walked to the balcony.
Opening the balcony door, the mountain breeze had now subsided.
Qin He leaned on the stone railing of the balcony, trying to clear her mind.
The night was gentle, and her mood gradually softened.
After leaning there for a short while, the balcony door next to hers was also opened.
She turned her head and saw Gu Qichen, tall and slender, walking out with a cigarette in his hand.
Seeing Qin He standing on the balcony, he paused in surprise for a moment.
Immediately after, he tossed the cigarette he was holding into a nearby flower pot.
The two balconies were very close. Qin He let out a soft laugh.
"My mistress loves planting flowers. If she saw you throwing a cigarette into a flower pot, she'd definitely scold you."
Gu Qichen's gaze deepened. "It wasn't lit."
"Even if it wasn't lit, there's still some smell of smoke," Qin He said naturally, walking to the edge of the balcony closer to Gu Qichen and leaning on the slightly rough stone railing.
Gu Qichen lowered his eyes, and for the first time, he picked up what he had discarded and put it back into his pocket.
Qin He observed his every subtle movement. She had heard that he had a severe case of mysophobia.
"You should smoke less usually. It's bad for your lungs."
The distance between the two balconies was less than a meter, separated by two half-height stone railings. Qin He's voice seemed much gentler than usual.
Gu Qichen suddenly smiled. "Are you concerned about me?"
He looked very handsome when he smiled, his usual cool demeanor not entirely gone, his ink-like eyes shining with brilliance.
When Gu Qichen asked this, he didn't seem to hold much hope, as if engaging in casual conversation.
Qin He rested her chin on her hands, her eyes flickering slightly.
"After all, to the outside world, you are now the father of the child in my belly. Smoking doesn't seem very appropriate for a soon-to-be father."
The stars in the night sky twinkled. In the slightly cool air, Gu Qichen felt something tremble faintly in the wind.
His deep, dark eyes were like a vortex, fixed intently on Qin He.
"Rest early," Qin He said with a smile, pulling her nightgown tighter around herself before turning back into her room.
After entering the room, she slowly closed the door and, with a composed expression, drew the curtains.
Immediately after, she leaned her entire body against the wall.
The heart in her chest was beating violently, as if a blazing fire had ignited within it and was spreading outwards.
She didn't know how much effort it took to say that sentence with such an ordinary tone.
She had almost lost her composure!
Qin He pursed her lips and clenched her fists, silently scolding herself for being so unreliable. She was only planning to agree to let Gu Qichen be the father of her child!
She wasn't telling him the truth!
When she had previously planned for Lu Mingxi to impersonate the father, she had only considered the interests of the Lu and Qin families and the subsequent troubles.
But when it came to Gu Qichen, her fingers were numb with nervousness.
Qin He leaned against the wall for a long time before letting out a long sigh of relief.
Fortunately, she had acted nonchalant just now. She hoped so.
Qin He leaned against the wall and rubbed her chest for a long time, finally calming herself down.
She shook her head and gave a wry smile.
The decision she made today was somewhat sudden, but Gu Qichen was right. The baby needed a nominal father.
However, she hadn't informed her mother or brother about this decision beforehand.
When they returned, Qin Yun would likely not let her off easily.
Thinking of her brother, Qin He's head began to ache.
In the past, Qin Yun had always listened to her. After a period of amnesia, he inexplicably knew that he had been married for two years.
Recently, due to Gu Qichen's involvement, she had been finding herself in more and more weak positions. She couldn't stand firm when facing Qin Yun anymore.
"Bang, bang, bang—" A few light knocks interrupted Qin He's thoughts.
She blinked and looked towards the balcony door next to her.
The thin sheer curtains offered a faint view of the tall figure standing outside.
Qin He opened the door and saw Gu Qichen standing on the balcony.
Her eyes widened.
"How did you get over here?"
Gu Qichen replied calmly, "The distance is very short."
"Even if the distance is short, this is the second floor!" Qin He hissed.
"Are you trying to risk your life?"
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Qichen stepped into the room.
"You haven't finished what you were saying."
The man's presence, carrying the mountain wind from outside, swept into the room.