Chapter 4
Edward Quan ·
8
Everything went dark before my eyes again.
“How did they suddenly make peace? What did they say?”
The System seemed at a loss.
【Listen for yourself.】
A moment later, their conversation from an hour earlier played in my ears.
First came Shen Guannan, so happy he almost cried.
“A child... I’m having a child...”
Shen Yeqing sneered.
“Three years with you, and no pregnancy. Half a month with me, and she’s pregnant. What does that prove? That you can’t perform! The baby is mine. I’m the father!”
“Have you no shame?” Shen Guannan snapped. “The doctor said nearly a month. What does it have to do with you? Stop interfering, homewrecker!”
“He said less than a month. Why couldn’t it be mine? Besides, even if it’s yours, you think you can use the baby to secure your place? Dream on. Yingying only recognizes me as her husband. Even your child will call me Dad!”
“You’d raise another man’s child?”
“I’d love to! You won’t even get the chance!”
“You’re just someone she’s slept with a few times. What right do you have? Once she remembers, she’ll come back to me!”
“Enough! Yingying lost faith in you long ago. Otherwise she wouldn’t have gone up the mountain alone and injured herself badly enough to lose her memory. If she remembers, she’ll only hate you more. I’m her new choice!”
“Stop arguing!”
The physician beside them frowned and handed over the prepared packets of medicine.
“This is to support the pregnancy. Prepare a decoction three times daily.”
He looked meaningfully at the pair.
“And stop fighting. A pregnant woman needs rest and a calm state of mind. Didn’t you see her faint? If you want that child, stop upsetting her.”
The Shen brothers were silent for a long time.
At last, Shen Guannan spoke.
“Perhaps... for now, we shouldn’t tell her about the time before her memory loss. She thinks you’re her husband. If she suddenly learns the baby might be mine, I’m afraid she won’t cope. It could affect the pregnancy.”
Shen Yeqing considered it.
“She really can’t know. If she finds out the father’s uncertain, she might get so upset she ends the pregnancy...”
They looked at each other and reached an understanding.
“Let’s take care of her until the baby’s born. We’ll deal with the rest afterward,” Shen Yeqing suggested.
“Don’t bring up the past and upset her. I’m her husband. I’ll care for her. Go back to work.”
“No. I’m the father. I’m staying!”
“In what capacity?”
Shen Guannan ground his teeth. After a long moment, he said, “I’m your older brother. Can’t I look after my niece or nephew?”
Shen Yeqing relented.
“Fine. At least you know your place. Leave the father’s duties to me.”
Shen Guannan snorted.
“Once the baby’s born, I’ll show you what blood ties mean...”
Still sniping, they made their truce and went to prepare my medicine together.
Those two...
I was so moved I could cry.
They’d swallowed the amnesia excuse whole and even built me a stage to keep acting on.
Under the circumstances, it would be downright ungrateful not to continue.
【Sis, what now?】 the System asked.
I gave it my answer.
Enjoy the moment. Wait for an opening.
9
Shen Yeqing brought the bowl of medicine to my bed.
“My wife, your medicine.”
Feigning weakness, I pushed myself up and stroked his chest.
“What is it?”
“For the pregnancy.”
He smiled, concealing a trace of bitterness.
“My wife, we’re having a child.”
“Really?”
I covered my mouth in surprise, pretending to have just learned.
He pulled me close, glanced at the empty doorway, and said, “Since we’re having a baby, why don’t we choose a day to register our marriage?”
The System laughed madly in my head.
【This Buddhist is crafty! Get the certificate first and it’s a done deal. The crown prince can cry all he likes!】
But I didn’t want to marry.
Then I’d have to divorce. And divorce had a waiting period. It would complicate my escape.
Playing an amnesiac meant I couldn’t refuse outright.
So I thought of a move.
“Of course.” I smiled brightly. “Your brother can be our witness.”
“He’s busy. He won’t have time.”
“Who says I won’t?”
Shen Guannan’s voice came from outside. He pushed the door open.
“Little brother, that won’t do. Getting married and trying to keep me away? What’s that supposed to mean?”
He turned to me, stirring up trouble as he went.
“See, Yingying? He doesn’t even want you to meet his family. You ought to think carefully about this relationship. A marriage without the family’s blessing won’t be happy.”
He watched hopefully, waiting for his wedge to take effect.
I only lowered my head and stroked my belly.
“Please don’t say that. We’re already having a baby.”
An ordinary remark.
Shen Guannan found another meaning in it.
“You mean you’ll be with whoever the father is?”
“What difference does it make? Isn’t it Yeqing either way?”
He looked troubled, as though about to object.
Shen Yeqing cut in hastily.
“Enough, Brother. It’s late. My wife and I need sleep. Go and rest.”
Shen Guannan waved a hand.
Two bodyguards carried in a large bed. Others followed with bedding.
“Yingying’s pregnant. She needs care. You sleep too soundly, little brother. I’d better stay too.”
He had the large bed placed beside the smaller one.
How were we supposed to sleep?
Both wanted to care for me.
Was I meant to lie in the middle?
How embarrassing...
Blushing, I instinctively shifted toward the center.
“Wait!”
Shen Yeqing immediately pushed the bed away and dragged his brother outside.
They thought I couldn’t hear.
But I had a System.
Their conversation was broadcast live into my ears.
“What are you doing?” Shen Yeqing demanded. “Who shares a bed with his sister-in-law?”
“We agreed to take turns caring for Yingying,” Shen Guannan said calmly. “Going back on your word?”
Shen Yeqing gritted his teeth.
“Fine. Even if you move in, keep your bed farther away. Don’t interfere with my married life.”
“Married life?” Shen Guannan sneered. “Trying to sneak off and register the marriage so you can claim the title? I have to keep watch. I’m not just staying. I’ll sleep between you!”
“Dream on!”
Shen Yeqing’s face darkened.
After a while, he seemed to think of something. His anger subsided.
“Fine! Yingying’s pregnant. Let her have the bed to herself. I’ll share with you. Satisfied?”
“Deal!”
They reached an agreement.
I was miserable.
No pecs. No abs. How was I supposed to sleep?
On a cold night like this, with no warm body holding me, what if my uterus caught a chill?
The System reminded me:
【Sis, if they aren’t sleeping with you, doesn’t that make escaping easier?】
Right!
Enlightenment struck.
I was carrying two babies. Not only could I no longer “play,” even the pleasure of touching abs had been taken away.
Why was I still here?
I made my decision at once.
Run.
Tonight, I would be a pregnant runaway.
10
Late at night.
Steady breathing came from the large bed across the room.
It blocked the only way to the door.
I crept out of bed. The moment I reached it, a hand caught my wrist.
“Yingying, where are you going at this hour?”
In the dark, Shen Yeqing’s eyes seemed to burn.
I stayed calm and invented an excuse.
“The... bathroom.”
“I’ll help you.”
He started to get up.
The movement woke Shen Guannan too.
Only then did I notice.
To stop either one sneaking into my bed, they had tied their hands together.
That level of vigilance deserved respect.
“No need. Go back to sleep. I can manage.”
I fought for a little privacy.
Instead, the brothers stood hand in hand outside the bathroom like a pair of door gods, afraid their pregnant darling might fall.
First escape attempt: failed.
I tried again over the following nights.
They slept too lightly. The slightest movement woke at least one.
Even if I got out, the guards at the temple gate stopped me.
With nighttime escape repeatedly thwarted, I had to find another opening.
But they were either competing for my attention together or handing over their shifts without a gap.
Several times, I finally managed to send one away, only for the other to appear immediately.
Both liked pressing their ears to my belly to hear the fetal heartbeat.
Then each tirelessly badmouthed the other.
The brothers looked harmonious on the surface.
Behind the scenes, anything went.