This time, however, it was Shen Yuzhi’s turn to frown.
Although Qin Huai was doing this for his career, he could not simply disregard his child for the sake of work, especially since the child was also his.
At the thought of this, Shen Yuzhi became even more determined to ensure Qin Huai rested properly and stopped pushing himself so hard.
He was already exhausted, and now his dark circles were deepening. His complexion was so sallow that if he continued to work like this, he would likely collapse.
“I think it would be better for you to recuperate in the villa. Work can be done at any time; you can even work from home. There is no need for you to go to the company every day.”
Shen Yuzhi’s tone made it clear he insisted that Qin Huai rest at home, but Qin Huai vehemently disagreed. He pouted in clear displeasure, a look Shen Yuzhi took note of.
“I still need time to adapt. I cannot make such a decision so quickly. You must give me time to think, as the child is still young.”
Qin Huai paused when he reached this point. Suddenly, he lifted his head to look at Shen Yuzhi, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. He wanted to say something, but ultimately kept his mouth shut, afraid that if he spoke, he would displease Shen Yuzhi.
However, Shen Yuzhi seemed to sense what Qin Huai wanted to say. He pursed his lips; even though his attitude was not as forceful as before, he still did not want Qin Huai to return to the company.
“I understand. I just hope you can consider your own health and the child.”
After leaving those words behind, Shen Yuzhi left the living room.
Only Qin Huai remained, sitting blankly in the living room and stroking his belly, which had not yet fully rounded.
He was thinking about what he should do next. Now that he was pregnant, he did not want to give up so easily, even if the child belonged to Shen Yuzhi.
But if he really stayed, he was afraid it would affect his future plans.
Thus, Qin Huai was incredibly conflicted, not knowing whether or not he should keep the child.
For now, he could only take things one step at a time.
If he had this child, perhaps Shen Yuzhi would change his perspective on him. At this thought, Qin Huai revealed a bitter smile. He truly did not know what he was doing anymore.
However, news of Qin Huai’s pregnancy reached Song Zhe soon after. He sent people to Shen Yuzhi’s villa to pick Qin Huai up and take him home.
“No way, you really told him? What if Shen Yuzhi decides to keep you imprisoned in this villa again? You must not listen to him, come with me!”
Faced with his friend’s concern, Qin Huai sighed. He felt that Shen Yuzhi would not imprison him again like last time.
After all, his attitude this time was so much better; he surely would not do such a thing again.
Song Zhe rolled his eyes, clearly understanding Qin Huai’s frame of mind. He sighed and stopped trying to persuade him.
After all, with Qin Huai pregnant, everything had to be based on his own wishes.
“Fine, then. No matter what happens, tell me. Do not keep things to yourself. I can always help you, you know?”
Looking at his thoughtful friend, Qin Huai was so moved he nearly teared up.
“Of course, no matter what happens, I will tell you. Do not worry about me; I will be perfectly fine. Just wish me luck, you brat.”
As Qin Huai spoke, he patted Song Zhe’s back and muttered a joke.
However, Song Zhe’s request to go out for a drink fell through. Even though Qin Huai was only a month pregnant, he still had to be careful.
“Sigh, it looks like I will be hanging out alone from now on. That is so boring.”
Song Zhe complained a few more times while holding Qin Huai’s hand. Before he could say anything else, he saw Shen Yuzhi had returned. Song Zhe immediately acted as if he were facing a formidable enemy; he jumped up from the sofa and stared intently at Shen Yuzhi.
“You can stay in the villa to keep him company.” To everyone’s surprise, Shen Yuzhi was the first to speak, causing Song Zhe to widen his eyes in shock.
Upon hearing this, Song Zhe could not believe it. He turned to look at Qin Huai, only to find that Qin Huai was just as surprised.
“Why should I stay in this villa? Why shouldn’t you let him come with me?”
Even so, Song Zhe did not give Shen Yuzhi a pleasant look and retorted harshly.
Shen Yuzhi merely smiled and sat down beside them.
“Because the environment here is much better than that villa of yours in the suburbs, and it is equipped with plenty of bodyguards, making it safer than that place.”
As soon as Shen Yuzhi said this, Song Zhe’s face changed. He had not expected that Shen Yuzhi would have already found out about the villa he bought in the suburbs.
“Even so, you have no reason to be meddling this much. Who are you to Qin Huai? What gives you the right to control us like this?”
Song Zhe did not back down, but Shen Yuzhi only smiled and remained silent, tapping his fingers against the coffee table instead.
The atmosphere in the living room dropped to freezing point. Qin Huai, naturally, had nothing to say about the tension between them.
Finally, Song Zhe surrendered first. He waved his hand and walked straight out of the villa. In the large living room, only Qin Huai and Shen Yuzhi remained.
“I suggest you stay in the villa and rest quietly for a while. There is no need to be so anxious about company matters. Furthermore, the villa has a housekeeper and bodyguards. Of course, you are free to move around; I will not restrict your freedom.”
Looking at Shen Yuzhi, who was currently negotiating with him so gently, Qin Huai sighed. While he truly wanted to rest in his villa, he feared he could not wait that long.
After all, Lin Xingxue and Cheng An had already begun to take action.
Taking advantage of Cheng An being pregnant with Ling Feng’s child, the two had become even more unscrupulous.
They had abandoned their previously low-key lifestyle and were acting with extreme arrogance, which had already become common knowledge throughout the company.
Moreover, it seemed they had been in contact with other companies.
Therefore, Shen Yuzhi wanted to collect evidence of their misdeeds before Lin Xingxue and Cheng An could act behind the scenes.
However, Qin Huai’s hesitant appearance was not lost on Shen Yuzhi.
“Then stay here and rest for now. Let us not discuss this matter today.”
Having said that, Shen Yuzhi drove away, leaving Qin Huai alone in the large, empty villa.
Before this, he had never thought about the issue of children. Now, the subtle feeling that a tiny life was truly growing inside him made Qin Huai unable to stop himself from stroking his flat stomach.
He walked through the unfamiliar villa, but everywhere he turned, the air was filled with Shen Yuzhi’s familiar pheromones, which inexplicably made Qin Huai feel exceptionally at ease. He walked up the stairs and entered Shen Yuzhi’s bedroom.
The layout was identical to how it had been years ago. Qin Huai looked at the familiar bed and wardrobe, and his thoughts drifted back to those years.
Back then, they lived together in a rental unit that was incredibly cramped, not even as large as one of Shen Yuzhi’s current bedrooms.
Yet, they had been incredibly happy and sweet, with no worries. Every day, aside from work, they would hole up in that small apartment and dream of the future.
At the time, they would never have imagined the situation they were in now, nor had they expected that they would eventually go their separate ways.
Qin Huai could not help but wonder if they would have still ended up together if they had seen this future back then.
Qin Huai sighed and sat on Shen Yuzhi’s bed. He turned his head and noticed a pack of cigarettes Shen Yuzhi had left on the nightstand.
He pulled one out and placed it to his lips, but he did not know how to smoke. After holding it in his mouth for a moment, he tossed it into the trash can.
He looked around the room, taking in the familiar layout, and felt a complex mix of emotions.
Shen Yuzhi did not return to the villa that night, leaving Qin Huai to eat dinner alone. Faced with such a cold and quiet villa, he could not help but think that Shen Yuzhi had been spending his time in such loneliness for so many years.
Once this thought took root, Qin Huai’s mind involuntarily imagined Shen Yuzhi being alone for all these years.
He began to shiver involuntarily and felt a chill run through his body.
In an instant, Qin Huai felt an endless, boundless pain in his heart. He began to weep silently while he ate, which frightened the housekeeper.
The housekeeper hurriedly dialed Shen Yuzhi’s number to explain Qin Huai’s current state.
By the time Qin Huai tried to stop her, the call had already gone through.
“I am fine, ma’am. I just remembered something, it is nothing. Your cooking is delicious.”
Qin Huai explained his situation in a soft voice, but the housekeeper remained worried. Looking at the tear tracks on Qin Huai’s face, she could not help but feel anxious.
Before Qin Huai could finish his meal, Shen Yuzhi’s car pulled steadily into the garage.
Seeing Shen Yuzhi appear before him, looking travel-worn, Qin Huai was momentarily stunned.
He truly had not expected that the housekeeper could bring Shen Yuzhi back with just one phone call.
And the reason Shen Yuzhi had returned was simply because he had cried while eating.
“What is the matter? Are you not feeling well? Do you want to go to the hospital? Is the food not to your liking? Tell me what you like to eat.”
He had not expected Shen Yuzhi to say so much the moment he arrived. Qin Huai was momentarily stunned, blinking blankly at the man before him.