Chapter 3

It took a long time before the call was finally answered. “Zhengzheng.” The man’s voice was lazy and hoarse, like he’d just woken up. “Why didn’t you come home last night?” “I was busy until the early hours of the morning. By the time I finished, it was too late. I was afraid I’d wake you, so I slept in the company lounge.” “Really?” “You don’t trust me?” “No. I’m just worried something happened at the company and you’re hiding it from me.” “The company matter is already resolved. Don’t worry.” “That’s good. From now on, whatever happens, you have to tell me. Don’t hide things from me. We’re husband and wife. We face everything together.” “…Okay.” Rong Zheng hung up. She got out of bed, washed up, changed, and went downstairs for breakfast. After breakfast, Uncle Chen drove her to work like usual. Around noon, the colleague on duty for online consultations got a stomachache and asked Rong Zheng to cover. Rong Zheng logged into her account. Hospital rule: whoever handled a consultation was responsible for it. She didn’t expect the anonymous woman from yesterday’s consultation to appear again. “Doctor, he stayed with me and our child all night last night, leaving his wife to spend the night alone. Does that mean I’m more important to him than his wife?” The statement went against basic morals, but as a psychologist, Rong Zheng couldn’t condemn her. She could only guide her. After thinking, she typed: “It’s clear you care deeply about him. But he’s approaching you while still married. Do you really think you can get a complete and equal relationship from him?” “Your relationship started with concealment and lies. Can it really give you lasting stability?” The reply came quickly. “He said he’ll take responsibility for me and our child. I believe him.” “He just needs time to deal with his marriage. I can wait, because I know he loves me.” Rong Zheng shook her head and typed: “If he were truly responsible, how could he cheat on his wife?” As for love… “True love is about respect and honesty. A relationship that has to be hidden is draining. You can’t go public, and you have to live with anxiety, suspicion, and waiting. In the long run, it will affect your emotions, your life, and your reputation.” The woman didn’t reply right away. Rong Zheng thought maybe her words got through. Then the woman sent a message that irritated her. “Doctor, last time you said people shouldn’t cling to a relationship without genuine feelings. If you were his wife, you’d definitely divorce him, right?” This woman… Not only did she ignore Rong Zheng’s advice, she twisted her words. And she kept using Rong Zheng as an example. Rong Zheng wanted to reply, “My husband and I have a wonderful relationship. We’ll never divorce!” But she was the doctor. She couldn’t say that. She exhaled and typed: “I know my boundaries. There’s no point exhausting yourself over a relationship that crosses them.” “Exactly. The wife should know when to step aside and leave. Clinging to him is meaningless.” Rong Zheng: “…” Who gave her the nerve to say something so backwards? Through this patient, Rong Zheng finally understood what “shameless” really meant. Thankfully, the woman logged off after that. Otherwise Rong Zheng was afraid she’d lose her professionalism and start judging her. After work, Rong Zheng packed food and went to People’s Hospital for dinner with Luo Qinghe. “By the way,” Luo Qinghe said between bites. “I heard Su Qingya’s child isn’t doing well. She was hospitalized after returning.” Rong Zheng asked casually, “What happened to her child?” “I don’t know the details. After my IV today, I went to the Legal Affairs Department at Lu Corporation. While I was there, I heard people talking. Lu Corporation is preparing to cooperate with Su Corporation. Those gossipy women started bringing up your husband and Su Qingya again.” Rong Zheng frowned. “Lu Corporation is going to cooperate with Su Corporation?” Luo Qinghe was surprised. “Lu Peichuan didn’t tell you?” Rong Zheng shook her head. “No.” “I thought he discussed it with you.” “I’ve never really asked about his work.” “This is different. It involves Su Qingya. He shouldn’t hide it from you.” Rong Zheng pressed her lips together and said nothing. Seeing her look down, Luo Qinghe softened. “Ask him about it later. Maybe there’s a reason. Married couples need to communicate.” Rong Zheng nodded. “Okay.” Back home, she felt down. Pregnancy made her overthink. Why did Lu Peichuan hide the cooperation with Su Corporation from her? And since they were already planning it, he should’ve known Su Qingya was back. Why didn’t he mention it? Was it because he didn’t see her as the closest person to him… Or was he hiding something? That night, Lu Peichuan didn’t get home until after 11. When he entered the bedroom and saw her still reading, he sat on the edge of the bed. “Didn’t I tell you not to wait for me?” Rong Zheng closed her book. “There’s something I want to ask you.” As usual, Lu Peichuan put both hands on her swollen calves and massaged them gently. The soothing touch eased her anxiety a little. “Ask.” “Is Lu Corporation going to cooperate with Su Corporation?” Lu Peichuan’s hands paused. “Luo Qinghe told you?” “Mm.” “That woman can’t keep her mouth shut. You’re about to give birth, and she’s making you worry about this.” There was reproach in his voice. “It’s not finalized yet. I was going to discuss it with you after you gave birth. I didn’t expect her to tell you so fast.” So it wasn’t finalized. He never meant to hide it. He was just worried about her health. Rong Zheng almost misunderstood him. Lu Peichuan looked at her seriously. “If you don’t agree, then even if the shareholders pressure me, I won’t cooperate with Su Corporation. In my heart, your feelings matter more than anything.” A year ago, Lu Peichuan cut all ties with Su Corporation for her. The company lost a lot of money. The shareholders complained, but he shut them down. For the past year, the shareholders kept pushing to resume cooperation. He was constantly under pressure. If he agreed now, she’d feel uncomfortable. But the truth was, he’d been enduring it and fighting against it for her. Rong Zheng always repaid kindness tenfold. Lu Peichuan had done so much for her. How could she keep making it difficult for him? Besides… “Cooperation benefits both sides. If it makes money, why not? The baby’s about to be born. There will be a lot of expenses.” “You really see the bigger picture. I was the narrow-minded one.” Lu Peichuan seemed to remember something. “Oh, right. Yichen told me his younger sister is back in the country.”