Volume One, Chapter 37: My Pretty Boy at Home Isn't Bad Either

Lin Hua was visibly stunned when she heard her own voice. A flicker of guilt crossed her face, but she quickly composed herself. With wide, innocent eyes, her tone remained as soft and syrupy as ever.

“Yanting, please listen to me. This is a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” Fu Yanting let out a cold, mocking laugh, feeling like a fool who had been played around by Lin Hua all this time. He had once believed her to be a pure and harmless woman, but now it was clear it had all been an act.

Lin Hua bit her lower lip and stepped forward, taking Fu Yanting’s hand.

“Yanting, I love you so much. I was afraid Yu Mo would steal you away. I just lack a sense of security—I never truly wanted to harm Grandpa, I only wanted her to stay away from you.”

Fu Yanting listened to her excuses, his lips twisting in disdain. He shook off her hand sharply.

“Lin Hua, you pretend to be so pitiful in front of me, but inside you’re nothing but a vicious woman. I could never spend my life with someone like you.”

Lin Hua panicked instantly. She raised her hand to cover her flat belly, her tone sorrowful.

“But I’m already pregnant with your child, Yanting. Do you really want to abandon me and your own flesh and blood?”

Fu Yanting frowned. He always took precautions; how could Lin Hua possibly be pregnant with his child? Yet the mention of his own flesh and blood softened his icy demeanor a little, though his voice remained distant.

“You think you can tie me down with a child?”

Tears welled up in Lin Hua’s eyes.

“Even if you don’t accept this child, I will give birth to him and raise him myself…”

Fu Yanting’s heart softened as he listened to her. After all, it was his child.

His voice gentled, his gaze drifting to Lin Hua’s abdomen.

“I won’t be so irresponsible. I’ll stay with you until the child is born.”

Lin Hua sobbed a few times, the weight in her heart finally easing. She grabbed Fu Yanting’s hand.

“Then, after the engagement banquet, let’s go get our marriage certificate.”

Fu Yanting lowered his eyelids, offering no reply.

Once the engagement banquet ended, Fu Yanting and Lin Hua got into the car.

Watching the car head in the wrong direction, Lin Hua immediately reminded him.

“Yanting, didn’t we agree to go straight to the civil affairs bureau after the banquet?”

The bureau was still open at this hour; there was plenty of time. She had prepared her household registration booklet well in advance for today.

Fu Yanting sat beside her, sullen and silent.

Lin Hua sensed something was wrong and pressed again.

“Driver, turn around and head to the civil affairs bureau.”

The driver said nothing.

Fu Yanting spoke.

“I have other matters today. Another day.”

Lin Hua had no choice but to drop the matter. She knew Fu Yanting was still brooding over her scheme against Yu Mo. It seemed the marriage registration would have to wait.

–

Yu Mo and Chu Xirui went to Emerald Residence.

They entered a private room, ordered food and drinks, and chatted as they sipped their wine.

“Mo Mo, tell me about your man. Is he more handsome than Fu Yanting?” Chu Xirui couldn’t help but gossip from the moment she stepped in. After all, for over twenty years, the only man to appear in Yu Mo’s life was Fu Yanting. Now that another man had suddenly emerged, her curiosity was piqued.

Yu Mo poured herself a cup of sake, took a small sip, and began.

She recounted her encounter with the pretty boy at the bar.

“He’s just my type, and he knows how to please. I’m keeping him for now.”

“Wow!” Chu Xirui sounded disappointed.

“I thought he was the crown prince. You don’t know—just looking at his physique, you can tell he’s strong, the kind who can go seven rounds in a night. If you haven’t been with him, you’re really missing out!”

Yu Mo sat cross-legged, casting a glance at the dishes and drinks on the small table.

She spoke leisurely.

“My pretty boy isn’t bad either.”

After speaking, she picked up the tiny wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

Chu Xirui drank quickly and heavily; her cheeks were flushed. In front of her best friend, her words ran unchecked, her eyes shining.

“Is he big?”

“……”

Yu Mo rubbed her temples and picked up the teapot, pouring Chu Xirui a cup of tea.

“Sober up.”

Chu Xirui ignored the tea, standing up and wobbling out of the private room.

A few minutes later, she returned, her expression secretive.

“Mo Mo, guess who I saw?”

“Who?”

“The crown prince! He just entered the room next door with a group.”

“Oh.” Yu Mo responded indifferently and continued drinking.

Chu Xirui sat down, her drunkenness fading, clearly intrigued by the crown prince.

Yu Mo suddenly recalled the last time she’d come to Emerald Residence with Mu Shaozhou and briefly told Chu Xirui about his confession.

“Smack!”

Chu Xirui slammed the small table.

“Mo Mo, I told you the crown prince looks at you differently. He really has his eye on you! This is perfect—if that scumbag Fu Yanting finds out you’re with the crown prince, imagine his reaction.”

“He already knows. He’s even tried to break us up—he’s dreaming.”

“What? Tell me everything.”

–

The moment Mu Shaozhou entered the private room, he noticed something off about the scent in the air.

The man beside him sat for only a moment before trying to leave.

Mu Shaozhou grabbed his wrist, his cold gaze flickering to the man, and then to the seductive woman sitting opposite.

The man’s breathing grew heavier; he tried to break free from Mu Shaozhou’s grip.

Damn it, he didn’t want to be taken advantage of. He had to leave quickly.

Locking Mu Shaozhou and the woman in the room was his task tonight.

Mu Shaozhou clearly guessed his intentions; in an instant, he subdued the man.

His eyes behind the mask were icy as frost.

“Was Lin Xing behind this?”

The man stayed silent, so Mu Shaozhou tightened his hold.

The man winced in pain.

“Yes.”

Mu Shaozhou found some rope and bound the man’s hands and feet.

Terrified, the man trembled, begging for mercy.

“Your Highness, spare me! I was just paid to do this. Let me go, and I’ll find you some better men.”

Mu Shaozhou scoffed coldly.

Did they really think he liked men? He was perfectly normal.

Turning to the terrified woman, he spoke.

“Take care of him.”

The woman got up, trembling, and crawled toward the man, unbuckling his belt.

The man exhaled heavily, relieved.

His dignity was safe for now.

Mu Shaozhou glanced at the door, knowing there were people waiting outside.

He opened the window and looked down.

The man behind him cried out in alarm.

“Your Highness, this is the fourth floor!”

Jumping would be fatal.

Mu Shaozhou ignored him and leaped out.