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Chapter 21: Pregnant or Abortion

He kept waiting by the phone, hoping Yan Man would message him, so he replied quickly.

[Brother]: Did you work late again yesterday?
[Brother]: If you’re tired, just come home. It’s not like our family can’t support you, so why put yourself through all this work?
[Brother]: I’m really worried with you out there on your own.

When she saw the first message, Yan Man snuck a glance at Tan Qishen beside her.

He was dressed in a black shirt and black trousers, sitting in front of the computer, focused and serious, wearing a pair of gold-rimmed blue light glasses — a perfect mix of elegance and danger.

Yan Man nodded quietly to herself. Yep, a refined scoundrel.

Tan Qishen noticed her burning stare, looked up, and sure enough, locked eyes with her.

“What are you looking at?”

His voice was low and deep, his dark pupils reflecting her figure.

Yan Man didn’t look away. She just smiled sweetly, “Looking at you.”

With the glasses on, he looked even more like Tang Qingshuo.

Yan Man found it hard to look away.

Tan Qishen’s expression didn’t budge; his facial features were sharp and somber, and his eyes, deep and still like water. He looked back at the screen and said flatly, “If you’re not feeling well, don’t bother me.”

Yan Man shrugged and stopped talking, focusing instead on replying to her messages.

[Yan Man]: Brother, I’m doing really well in Beijing, you don’t have to make a special trip. I’ll be back in a month.
[Brother]: Okay. It’s been a long time since everything happened. We all need to move forward.

That important day a month from now — none of them could forget it. It was etched deep in their hearts.

After reading that message, Yan Man looked up at the ceiling to stop her tears from falling.

A moment later, another message came.

[Brother]: I’m not coming just to see you. I have business in Beijing.

As soon as she read that, her tears immediately dried up.

She sighed and reluctantly typed:

[Yan Man]: Fine, then.

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Yan Man only stayed in the hospital for one day.

After the doctor confirmed there were no issues, he still couldn’t help giving a few reminders as they were leaving.

“As a doctor, I have to advise Mr. Tan and Miss Yan: if you’re not planning to conceive, you should always take proper contraceptive measures during intercourse. Birth control pills can be harmful to women’s health, so avoid them unless absolutely necessary.”

Yan Man lowered her head awkwardly.

Trying for a baby with Tan Qishen?

That was something she couldn’t even dare imagine.

Tan Qishen, on the other hand, remained calm. “Got it.”

The hospital director and a few others personally escorted them out.

The car wasn’t heading toward the Park Hyatt Hotel, nor toward the west side of the city — Yan Man couldn’t figure out where they were going.

She looked at Tan Qishen, who was resting with his eyes closed, and softly said, “Can you take me home?”

Tan Qishen always thought Yan Man lived in a rented apartment — hardly what one would call a real “home.”

He refused, “We’re going to Jianguomen No. 9.”

Back at her place, she’d be all alone with no one to take care of her.

Tan Qishen didn’t feel comfortable leaving her like that.

Yan Man was confused. “Where’s that?”

Tan Qishen opened his eyes, his tone even, “My place.”

“Your place?” Yan Man’s eyes widened. After dating for so long, neither of them had ever been to the other’s home — they always met at the Park Hyatt.

Seeing her hesitate, Tan Qishen asked, “Is that a problem?”

“… It just seems a bit too much.”

Going to his home felt a bit too intimate.

“What’s the problem?” Tan Qishen’s face darkened, thinking she was afraid of being caught by the media. His tone turned mocking, “Don’t worry. No media could ever get in — not even a fly.”

Yan Man shut her mouth. No point in saying more — she didn’t want to provoke him again.

It’s just one visit to his place, nothing to fuss about.

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Wan Heng didn’t sleep well the night before. Her mind was on Tan Qishen. She couldn’t stop thinking about how anxious he looked when he left suddenly.

When she got up in the early morning, it was still dark outside.

Tan Zhanqing, hearing her sigh, pulled her in closer and asked gently, “What’s wrong?”

Wan Heng sounded aggrieved, and her tone toward Tan Zhanqing wasn’t great either. “What else? Your son.”

Tan Zhanqing was good at coaxing her. “What did he do now? Didn’t have dinner with you last night, so you’re mad?”

“…No.”

Wan Heng wasn’t that petty.

“He went to the hospital yesterday, but won’t tell me why.”

If it had been anywhere else, she wouldn’t have been so worried. But it was a hospital, and he hadn’t said a word about it.

“Why not ask the people around him?” Tan Zhanqing offered.

“No, Qishen must have his reasons. We shouldn’t interfere too much,” Wan Heng disagreed.

“…Yes, ma’am,” Tan Zhanqing patted her back, comforting her. “Want me to book a Yue Opera show to take your mind off it?”

Wan Heng thought that might be a good idea — she needed something to distract herself, or she’d be thinking about it nonstop.

“Alright, I’ll invite Mrs. Qian too.”

They hadn’t apologized yet to Mrs. Qian after what happened between Tan Qishen and Qian Yi last time.

Back in the day, Wan Heng used to play male roles in Yue Opera and was something of an idol to many in Beijing. But ever since becoming the Tan family matriarch, she gradually stepped away from the stage. Tan Zhanqing, knowing her passion, even built a private stage at home for her.

The Tan family occasionally hosted opera troupes to perform at home, and Wan Heng would even critique their performances.

In the Yue Opera community, her status was high enough to be a judge. Performers who got feedback from her always improved faster than those who learned on their own. So any chance to perform at the Tan residence was highly coveted.

Their private theater was converted from an old Qing Dynasty palace stage, with both indoor and outdoor venues. During winter, they only used the indoor one.

The surroundings were elegant and quiet, with Guiyan Lake in the distance. Though it was already November, the lake hadn’t frozen yet, and the water was still clear. Up close, one would pass through white moon gates to reach red palace-like buildings — the theater itself.

Very little had changed over hundreds of years, with traditional design preserved and mixed with modern tech.

Windows and doors were made of intricately carved huanghuali wood. The stage was wide, with more than ten Yue Opera performers already present — but only two people in the audience.

Before the show started, Wan Heng chatted with Mrs. Qian.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Qian, on your new grandson. Now Jia Yi has a daughter and a son — perfect.”

Qian Jiayi was Mrs. Qian’s eldest son and the director of neurology at Laimu Hospital.

“Thank you, Mrs. Tan,” Mrs. Qian beamed with pride.

“How’s Qian Yi doing lately?”

“She’s just accepted a role in a film directed by Hu Su Ling — filming starts soon.”

Wan Heng naturally knew Hu Su Ling’s films. Mentioning that reminded her of the girl she’d seen at Luyuan two days ago.

As a polite return, Mrs. Qian asked, “What about Qishen? Is he dating anyone?”

Wan Heng smiled, “I’m not as lucky as you. Children have their own lives. I stay out of it.”

Mrs. Qian shook her head, disapproving, “You can’t be completely hands-off. Jia Yi told me — Qishen brought a girl to the hospital yesterday.”

She watched Wan Heng’s expression carefully, trying to read her.

Wan Heng’s heart skipped a beat, her fingers tightening on the armrest. She tried to keep calm. “Is that so?”

Mrs. Qian was surprised. “You didn’t know? It was the gynecology department.”

She gasped and covered her mouth. “Oh dear, I wasn’t supposed to say that. Jia Yi said it was confidential. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

But Wan Heng could no longer stay calm. A hint of shock and confusion appeared on her face.

Gynecology???

Suddenly, her mind raced through all the possibilities.

Pregnancy.

Abortion.

Recalling how worried and frantic Tan Qishen was yesterday — Wan Heng couldn’t sit still any longer.

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