Huo Yiheng was amiable and gentle, with a jade-like temperament, appearing to be an easy person to get along with.
At this moment, he noticed Jiang Wan’s expression, which she thought she had concealed well.
Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, a faint hint of a smile appeared, but he hid it deep in his eyes, undetectable to anyone.
“Sister-in-law, it’s getting chilly. Let’s go inside to talk,” Huo Yiheng said thoughtfully.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan instinctively turned her head to glance toward the gate.
Night was approaching, yet the villa entrance remained empty, with no sign of that familiar figure.
Since she and Gu Shilan had been together, this was the first time he had worked so late. Jiang Yi was not one to overthink, but at this moment, she felt a bit worried.
She wondered whether Gu Shilan had encountered some tricky problem at work or if he had been held back by an unexpected situation.
Huo Yiheng, always perceptive, noticed Jiang Wan’s reaction and comforted her considerately, “Elder Brother often has to deal with unexpected situations at work. Working overtime is common for him. Sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry.”
Jiang Wan immediately realized that Gu Shilan had been making a special effort to come home early to accompany her.
These past few days, he had always left work on time and never returned late.
But from Huo Yiheng’s words, it was clear that Gu Shilan’s work was extremely busy, yet he had never shown any sign of it.
A feeling Jiang Wan had never experienced before suddenly welled up in her heart, though she couldn’t quite identify what it was.
“Mm,” Jiang Wan suppressed the unnamed emotion in her heart. “Let’s go inside.”
As she finished speaking and turned to walk back, perhaps because she had been squatting for too long, she suddenly felt her legs go weak and nearly stumbled.
“Careful.” Huo Yiheng quickly steadied her, carefully avoiding sensitive areas and only supporting her arm. “Are you alright?”
“I just squatted for too long. I’m fine,” Jiang Wan said, trying to stand up straight. “Thank you.”
As if worried she hadn’t fully recovered, Huo Yiheng didn’t let go immediately.
Gu Yuchen, standing nearby, protested sternly, “Third Brother, don’t touch Little Sister-in-law.”
“Your Little Sister-in-law was about to fall.”
Gu Yuchen poked the back of his third brother’s hand, reminding him, “You said we can’t casually touch girls.”
Huo Yiheng felt he had brought this upon himself. “Silly little brother, I was lying to you.”
“I’m not silly…” Gu Yuchen said angrily.
“Alright,” Huo Yiheng conceded, defeated. “I’m the silly one, okay?”
As the two were bickering, a deep voice sounded from not far away.
“What’s going on?”
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and saw Gu Shilan walking toward them.
“Elder Brother, Yuchen is acting up again,” Huo Yiheng said with a helpless expression. “You should discipline him. This kid only listens to you.”
Gu Shilan glanced at him without saying a word, his gaze sweeping over Huo Yiheng’s hand supporting Jiang Wan’s arm. He frowned almost imperceptibly.
“Wanwan, what happened?”
Gu Shilan’s voice carried concern as he walked to Jiang Wan’s side.
Huo Yiheng felt as if the hand supporting Jiang Wan had been scalded and immediately let go. Adjusting his glasses, he explained, “Elder Brother, don’t misunderstand. Little Sister-in-law was squatting to accompany Yuchen while he painted, and her legs went numb. She almost fell, so I just helped steady her.”
Huo Yiheng cleverly shifted the blame to Gu Yuchen, knowing full well that Gu Shilan wouldn’t do anything to him.
Gu Shilan said, “Take Yuchen inside first.”
Huo Yiheng unhesitatingly pulled Gu Yuchen, who wanted to speak with his elder brother, toward the house.
In an instant, only the two of them remained in the courtyard.
Gu Shilan took off his suit jacket and draped it over Jiang Wan’s shoulders, his arms encircling her.
“Uncle Gu,” Jiang Wan thought Gu Shilan might have misunderstood something earlier. Not wanting any rift between them, she said, “Mr. Huo was just kindly helping me up…”
Gu Shilan looked into Jiang Wan’s eyes, reached out to pat her head, and felt a slight tremble beneath his palm.
The corners of his lips lifted as he said softly, “Wanwan, I didn’t misunderstand, and I’m not angry. I was just worried your foot hasn’t fully recovered yet, so I wanted to let you rest a bit longer before we go inside. Otherwise, a certain shy person might blush again when everyone sees her limping.”
“That’s not true…” Jiang Wan listened attentively, but hearing Gu Shilan teasing her again toward the end, she pouted in slight annoyance. “Who blushes easily?”
“Really?” Gu Shilan lowered his head, his phoenix eyes glinting with mischief as he looked at her.
Jiang Wan raised her head to meet his gaze. In that instant, Gu Shilan’s deep eyes seemed to pierce straight into her heart, causing a sudden flutter.
She froze for a moment before hurriedly averting her gaze, pretending nothing had happened. “It’s just not true… The baby kicked me. They said they’re hungry.”
After a long pause, Gu Shilan still didn’t respond.
Curious, Jiang Wan turned her gaze back to him, only to find Gu Shilan staring at her, his handsome face wearing an inscrutable expression—almost as if he were smiling, yet the corners of his mouth remained still.
Jiang Wan frowned. “Uncle Gu, what’s wrong?”
Why did he look like he was trying not to laugh?
Gu Shilan thought of Jiang Wan’s earlier demeanor—a hint of coquettishness she herself hadn’t noticed—and finally couldn’t hold back his smile.
A faint curve touched his lips as he teased her, careful to keep his tone light but not frivolous. “Wanwan, the baby will surely be as adorable as you.”
How could a two-month-old baby kick? Only this little mind could come up with such an excuse.
Jiang Wan: “…”
“Alright, let’s go eat,” Gu Shilan said, tactfully not exposing her. “I’m hungry too.”
Back in the villa, the dining table was already set, and the servants were about to call them in.
Old Mrs. Gu sat at the table and said, “Shilan, what were you thinking? It’s getting chilly outside. Why were you wandering around with Xiao Wan? She’s pregnant—you should take better care of her, you know?”
Gu Shilan held immense respect for his grandmother. After his parents passed away, she had raised him single-handedly, and the hardships within a large family were beyond words.
Thus, whatever Old Mrs. Gu said, he accepted with humility, never contradicting her.
Moreover, he had always wanted to make up for the love Jiang Wan had missed in her upbringing. Seeing how genuinely his grandmother cared for Jiang Wan, he had even less reason to argue.
Gu Shilan replied, “I understand, Grandma.”
Jiang Wan walked over and sat beside Old Madam, adjusting the suit jacket draped over her shoulders. With a smile, she said, “Grandma, Shi Lan was worried I’d get cold, so he took off his jacket and gave it to me.”
Old Mrs. Gu glanced at her grandson. “That’s the least he should do. As a husband and a father, taking care of his wife and child is his duty.”
She said so, but seeing Jiang Wan stand up for Gu Shilan, she felt gratified in her heart.
No elder wouldn’t wish for their child to meet a partner who understands and cherishes them, and who can empathize with each other.
At that moment, Nanny Liu came over carrying a tray. Because Jiang Wan was visiting today, Old Madam had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare ginseng chicken soup.
Nanny Liu placed a bowl in front of everyone, except she treated the head of the household differently.
Huo Yiheng, unaware of the reason, hesitantly called out to her, “Nanny Liu, did you forget to serve Elder Brother?”