Chapter 1: Why Is Getting Pregnant So Hard?

The presidential suite on the top floor of the highest five-star hotel in Jing City.

Shen Shuli stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the breathtaking view below.

The entire city’s beauty lay at her feet, as if prostrating before her—a testament to years of meticulous effort and dedication.

Her fingers unconsciously traced the wedding band on her ring finger. The platinum ring bore the engraved characters “Yan-Li,” glinting coldly under the light, reminiscent of the gilded crushed diamonds that had rained down during their wedding three years ago—now condensed into a faint sting in her palm.

The sound of running water from the bathroom abruptly ceased.

Fu Yanci stepped out, his damp hair tousled over his brow, droplets trailing down from the strands, past his sharp ink-dark eyebrows, the bridge of his straight nose, and the corners of his thin lips, vanishing into the hollow of his collarbone.

A towel hung loosely around his hips, revealing the perfect V-line of his sculpted abdomen—eight well-defined abs from years of rigorous training—peeking just above the towel’s edge, half-hidden in the lingering steam.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, his thumb brushing over the delicate skin on the inside of her wrist, where a faint bruise remained from that morning’s ovulation induction injection. “What brought you here on a whim today?”

Shen Shuli clasped his cool hands. “The doctor suggested a change of scenery—somewhere high up—might improve our chances. It’s been three years, and I still haven’t conceived your child. I can’t help but feel guilty.”

Fu Yanci turned her to face him, his nose brushing against hers, their breaths mingling. “Sweetheart, there’s no rush. We’ll take it slow.”

Her lashes lowered, unable to conceal her disappointment. Over the past three years, she had consumed countless herbal concoctions and endured endless rounds of injections.

The doctors insisted there was nothing wrong with her body—only that her desperation for a child was hindering conception.

Fu Yanci had been checked too—everything was normal.

She couldn’t understand why getting pregnant was so difficult for her.

Fu Yanci kissed her cherry lips, his hands encircling her waist as he savored her sweetness.

Shen Shuli looped her arms around his neck. She had calculated the dates, tracked her ovulation—today was absolutely optimal for conception.

Fu Yanci lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed, where they lost themselves in tender passion.

Time blurred until, at last, it was over.

Exhausted, Shen Shuli nestled against his chest.

“Surely this time it’ll work, won’t it?”

Fu Yanci pressed a gentle kiss to her brow, the corner of his lips quirking. “Relax. When you stop stressing over it, maybe the baby will come naturally.”

Just then, a servant knocked at the door.

Shen Shuli pulled the covers over herself.

Fu Yanci casually slipped on a robe and opened the door.

“Young Master, the medicine is ready—prepared the same as always.”

Fu Yanci accepted the bowl without a flicker of expression, his gaze cool. “Leave.”

The servant withdrew silently.

Kneeling on the bed, Fu Yanci coaxed, “Be good now, time for your medicine.”

Shen Shuli peeked out from the blankets, her large eyes blinking. “It’s so bitter. Do I really have to?”

“How else will you conceive? Remember what the doctor said?”

Fu Yanci spoke as if soothing a child.

The entire city knew Fu Yanci adored Shen Shuli beyond reason—cradling her like fragile porcelain, willing to lay the world at her feet.

Their grand wedding, even three years later, remained the talk of Jing City.

Shen Shuli sat up, pouting as she took the bowl, her delicate brows furrowing deeply. “It’s truly awful. How can medicine in this world be so bitter?”

Fu Yanci picked up the prepared candied fruit and said, “Eat this after taking the medicine, and it won’t taste bitter. Be good, I’m doing this for your own good.”

Shen Shuli also knew that since ancient times, there had been the concept of embryo stabilizing medicine. What Fu Yanci gave her was undoubtedly for her benefit.

At that moment, Fu Yanci’s phone rang. He glanced at it and slightly furrowed his dark brows. “Take your medicine first. I need to step out to answer this call.”  

With that, he turned and left the room.  

Seeing him disappear, Shen Shuli stared at the pitch-black medicine, feeling more disgusted the longer she looked at it. Tiptoeing to the bathroom, she poured the entire bowl down the drain, then quietly hurried back, afraid Fu Yanci would discover she hadn’t taken the medicine this time.  

The doctor had also advised her not to be overly fixated on it. So, skipping one dose shouldn’t count as being too stubborn, right?  

Not long after, Fu Yanci pushed the door open and saw the empty bowl. His brows relaxed as he gently kissed her forehead. “I have to go on a business trip to Europe for over 20 days. I’ll bring you a gift when I return.”  

Shen Shuli tugged at his hand, swaying it lightly as she cooed, “Do you really have to be gone that long? I’ll miss you.”  

Fu Yanci caressed her cheek, his gaze tender. “You know how the domestic auto industry has been suppressed by joint-venture cars for so many years. Now that I’ve turned the tables and gained global attention, I can’t miss this opportunity.”  

Shen Shuli sighed. She understood. The domestic auto industry had always been on the defensive, passively enduring setbacks. Only Fu Yanci had seized the opportunity in the new energy sector. While others were fiercely competing in the gasoline car market, he had invested most of the R&D budget into developing new energy vehicles. Since last year, sales had skyrocketed, making him the leader not just nationally, but globally.  

Now, he was preparing to acquire a renowned luxury car manufacturer to elevate Fu Corporation’s vehicles into the high-end market and secure crucial new technology.  

She knew this acquisition was especially critical—it would determine whether they soared to new heights or remained stagnant. Success or failure hinged on this move.  

“I understand. I’ll wait at home obediently for you to return.”  

Fu Yanci kissed her rosy lips. “Good girl. I’ll definitely bring you a big surprise when I come back.”  

After leaving the hotel, Fu Yanci arranged for someone to take Shen Shuli home while he boarded the flight to Europe alone.  

Over 20 days later, as dusk fell, Shen Shuli stepped out of the hospital, tears of joy streaming down her face.  

The test results confirmed she was pregnant.  

She had waited three years for this moment.  

Eager to share the good news with Fu Yanci, she typed out a message but then deleted it entirely.  

She wanted to tell him face-to-face—to give him the big surprise he had promised her.  

She messaged Fu Yanci’s assistant, Xu Zhun: “Has Yan Ci landed yet?”  

Xu Zhun replied promptly: “He’s landed, but there’s urgent business at the company. President Fu is still there.”  

“It’s fine. I’ll wait for him at home.”  

Clutching her phone, Shen Shuli was overjoyed and wanted to rush to the company immediately to tell him about the pregnancy.  

Just then, a news notification popped up on her phone:  

“Three-time award-winning actress makes a high-profile return to the country after five years, accompanied by family.”

Bai Jinghong’s photo dominated the front page, her figure in a beige trench coat still exuding elegance and intellect. Beside her stood a boy around five years old. In the accompanying news photo, the man’s figure was pixelated, but the wristwatch on his arm looked familiar—Fu Yanci owned an identical one. Considering the timing, it couldn’t be him; he had sent her his flight details, and at the time the photo was taken, he should have been on the plane.  

She put away her phone and drove to the Fu Corporation.  

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor of the Fu Corporation, dusk was deepening.  

Shen Shuli’s fingers hovered over the door handle as she listened to a child’s voice from inside.  

“Daddy, can Duo Duo’s kindergarten be near your company?”  

The voice was like a blunt knife, carving into her heart, leaving it mangled and bleeding.  

Fu Yanci chuckled, his voice softer than she had ever heard before. “Of course. After not seeing you for five years, Daddy can take you to school every day from now on.”  

Shen Shuli bit down hard on her cherry-red lips, her lashes trembling violently, her eyes rimmed with red. She had never imagined that Fu Yanci had a secret child—already five years old.  

They had only been married for three years!  

She wanted to push open the door and demand answers, to see for herself who the woman was.  

But the woman’s next words left her utterly stunned.