Chapter 9 : Pick Up Yunshu

Li Ran Yi held the wine glass, her gaze swiftly landing on Jiang Yunshu’s small belly. “You… have a baby?”

Jiang Yunshu calmly nodded. “Mm.”

Li Ran Yi and Gu Jingyan exchanged a long look, before once again confirming with Jiang Yunshu. “Really?”

Jiang Yunshu picked up her chopsticks to grab some food. “Really.”

Li Ran Yi became extremely excited, as though she’d won the lottery.

“Congratulations, Yunshu! You’re going to be a mom, and I’ll be an aunt! With your and your husband’s good looks, the baby will definitely be beautiful! I can already imagine a cute little bundle calling me ‘Auntie,’ it makes my heart soft and happy!”

Jiang Yunshu chuckled. “You’re thinking too far ahead. I just got pregnant.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Ran Yi and Gu Jingyan clinked their glasses together, drinking the red wine as if it were white wine in one gulp.

“Congratulations, you’re going to be an aunt!”

“Congratulations, you’re going to be an uncle!”

Looking at the two of them, Jiang Yunshu suddenly thought of Fu Chengze.

She also really wanted to hear him say, “Congratulations, you’re going to be a mom.”

—

Fu Chengze’s dedicated driver had taken the day off, so Li Shu was driving tonight.

After finishing overtime, it was already past 10 p.m. The streets of Beicheng were bustling with traffic, illuminated by dazzling lights, carrying a sense of hurried yet lonely beauty.

After getting in the car, Fu Chengze leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest.

As the car neared the Fu family estate, Li Shu received a call from Jiang Yunshu.

“Li Shu, please come pick me up now.”

Fu Chengze hadn’t fallen asleep. Upon hearing Jiang Yunshu’s voice, he instantly opened his eyes.

Li Shu replied, “Okay, Madam. Please wait a moment. I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”

“No rush, drive carefully and take your time.”

“Alright.”

Fu Chengze listened as Li Shu hung up and then asked, “Li Shu, did Yunshu go out today?”

Li Shu replied, “Yes, Madam is dining with friends at Yu Yuan.”

Fu Chengze was silent for a few seconds. “Make a U-turn, go pick up Yunshu.”

“Mr. Fu, we’re almost home. I’ll drop you off first and then go pick up Madam.”

“What I mean is, I’ll pick up Yunshu and take her home.” Fu Chengze raised his eyes and made eye contact with Li Shu through the rearview mirror.

Li Shu instantly understood and immediately turned the car around.

When Jiang Yunshu received the call saying that Li Shu had arrived at Yu Yuan, Li Ran Yi was already quite drunk, holding an empty wine bottle and barely staying awake.

“Let’s go.” Gu Jingyan tapped Li Ran Yi on the head. When she didn’t respond, he pulled her gently. “Seriously, your alcohol tolerance and courage are both terrible.”

Jiang Yunshu helped carry Li Ran Yi’s bag and walked behind the two as they left the private room.

“You can’t drive after drinking, so I called Li Shu to take you both home.”

“No need, I’ve called a designated driver. I’ll drive Ran Yi’s car back, otherwise, she’ll have to come back for it tomorrow.”

After leaving Yu Yuan, Gu Jingyan opened the backseat door and helped Li Ran Yi into the car.

He took Li Ran Yi’s bag from Jiang Yunshu’s hands.

“Yunshu, even though I can’t stand Fu Chengze and think you deserve better, since you’ve already chosen him, Ran Yi and I truly wish you both the best. I hope you’ll always be happy.”

Jiang Yunshu rarely heard Gu Jingyan speak so seriously, so she smiled and nodded. “I will.”

Gu Jingyan patted her on the shoulder. “I couldn’t make it to your wedding, but when your baby has its full-month celebration, I’ll definitely take time off and give a big red envelope!”

“Alright.” Jiang Yunshu smiled. “Let’s go.”

As she waved goodbye to Gu Jingyan and watched him get into the car, she then walked toward the other vehicle parked nearby. Only when she got closer did she spot Fu Chengze’s tall figure.

He was wearing a black suit, standing tall and upright, his figure cloaked in the interplay of light and shadow.

Jiang Yunshu walked over and looked up at his deep, dark eyes. “Chengze, what are you doing here?”

“I had to work late tonight. Li Shu was driving. He got your call on the way home, so it was convenient to pick you up.”

Fu Chengze opened the car door and gently protected her head. “Get in the car.”

Jiang Yunshu nodded, bent down, and got in.

The car moved smoothly along the road, the night scenery outside changing constantly.

The evening wind was cool. Jiang Yunshu had been standing outside Yu Yuan for a while, and now she couldn’t help rubbing her hands together to warm them.

Fu Chengze turned his head to look, holding her hand. “Is it cold?”

His warm hand covered her slightly cold one. Jiang Yunshu was surprised and smiled gently. “It’s fine. The wind outside was a bit chilly, but now it’s warmer in the car.”

Fu Chengze nodded slightly, his gaze falling on her pale wrist.

Jiang Yunshu adjusted her sleeve, revealing the jade bangle on her wrist. “Grandma gave this to me.”

Fu Chengze’s lips curled up slightly. “It looks good on you.”

Jiang Yunshu secretly glanced at his side profile. His dark eyes were calm, with the shadows of his eyelashes falling on his eyelids, outlining the contours clearly in the alternating light and darkness. It reminded her of something Gu Jingyan had said earlier, that he had the type of charm that attracted many girls.

Although the way he said it wasn’t quite right, it wasn’t far off either. He certainly had many admirers.

Back in the basketball stadium all those years ago, she had seen half the audience holding banners with his name on them. Some girls didn’t even know much about the sport; they just came to watch him.

Fu Chengze noticed Jiang Yunshu was lost in thought and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Yunshu met his cold, ink-like gaze. “The two friends I had dinner with tonight, do you know them? One is my bridesmaid, Li Ran Yi, and the other is your old classmate, Gu Jingyan.”

After saying this, she subtly observed his expression.

His face tightened, and he became noticeably quiet and stern.

Jiang Yunshu sighed inwardly. On one side, she had her lawful husband who shared a bed with her, and on the other, she had her long-time best friend. Yet, the two of them couldn’t stand each other and were always at odds.

She really couldn’t understand it. It had been small conflicts and misunderstandings from years ago, but now it felt like deep, blood-feuding enemies.

Seeing that Fu Chengze didn’t want to talk about it, Jiang Yunshu shifted the topic.

“Tonight I ordered a soup asparagus dish at Yu Yuan. It was quite nice. You should try it next time when you have time.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Chengze’s expression softened a little. He nodded. “Mm.”

Noticing her slightly thinner face, he furrowed his brow and asked, “Has the morning sickness been bad today?”

Jiang Yunshu slightly raised the corners of her lips. “It’s much better now. I’m not feeling as terrible anymore.”

Fu Chengze let out a light sigh. “It’s been hard on you.”

Jiang Yunshu shook her head.