Chapter 4

Su Yichen was Su Qingya’s older brother, and also Lu Peichuan’s good friend. A year ago, Su Qingya had drugged her. Afterward, Su Yichen apologized to her on Su Qingya’s behalf. Lu Peichuan had even asked if she minded him keeping in touch with Su Yichen. One thing was separate from another. Su Qingya was the one at fault. Rong Zheng wasn’t going to blame Su Yichen for it. “I know.” Lu Peichuan looked surprised. “How did you know?” He’d never hidden anything from her. And he hadn’t even said Su Qingya’s name. He only said “Yichen’s younger sister.” All the displeasure in Rong Zheng’s heart disappeared in an instant. She teased, “Guess.” “Did you arrange for someone to spy on me?” Lu Peichuan asked in the same teasing tone. “What nonsense are you talking about?” Rong Zheng shot him an annoyed look. “If you really wanted to do something behind my back, spying wouldn’t help anyway. Qinghe told me.” “How does she manage to be involved in everything?” Lu Peichuan smiled helplessly. For the next half month, Rong Zheng barely saw Lu Peichuan. He said he wanted to finish everything at the company early. Once she went on maternity leave, he wanted to stay by her side and wait for the baby’s birth. Today was her last day at work. There were only two weeks left until her due date. She would officially start maternity leave tomorrow. After handing over her work, the director came to her office personally. Seeing Rong Zheng about to make tea, Zhang Bonian quickly said, “Don’t bother. I’m not having anything. I just need to say a few words.” Rong Zheng put the glass down and sat with him. “Director, is there something you wanted to tell me?” “It’s about the training opportunity at First Hospital in Beijing I mentioned before. It’s a rare chance. Would you like to reconsider?” There were only three spots this time. He’d already given the other two to doctors from other departments. He wanted to give the last one to Rong Zheng. She was a promising young doctor. He hoped she’d have better opportunities. Rong Zheng smiled and shook her head. “No, thank you for the offer, Director. But my home is in Jiangcheng. I don’t want to be separated from my family.” First Hospital in Beijing was nationally renowned. It was where many doctors dreamed of working. Before she married Lu Peichuan, it was also Rong Zheng’s dream. But now she had Lu Peichuan and their child. Her ambition had faded. All she wanted now was to stay with her family and live a stable, peaceful life. Zhang Bonian nodded understandingly and stood up. “Then take good care of yourself during your pregnancy. I’ll be waiting for some celebratory eggs.” “Alright.” Rong Zheng stood to see him out. Zhang Bonian pressed a hand down. “Stay seated. Don’t see me out.” He walked to the door, then stopped and looked back. “There are still two months before the spot is confirmed. If you change your mind, let me know anytime.” Rong Zheng wanted to say she wouldn’t, but she didn’t want to reject his kindness again. So she nodded. “Alright.” After the director left, Rong Zheng started packing. Her maternity leave would be over three months. She planned to use the time to read medical books and prepare for the chief physician exam after giving birth. Between the books and daily necessities, she filled an entire cardboard box. Her belly was already so big. By the time she finished, she was out of breath. Supporting her lower back, she sat down and picked up her phone. It was already 5:30. Lu Peichuan said he’d come early today since it was her last day. He’d help her pack and take her to the old residence for dinner. Work ended half an hour ago. She’d even finished packing alone. Why wasn’t he here yet? Rong Zheng called him. The phone rang for a long time. No one answered. The call ended on its own. Her brows furrowed. Before, he’d answer within 3 rings. He always replied to messages immediately. Lately though, he often missed calls and took forever to reply. Was he really that busy? Rong Zheng felt a dull disappointment. It felt like Lu Peichuan didn’t care about her as much anymore. But then she remembered. He was busy because he wanted to be with her for the rest of her pregnancy. They’d soon be together welcoming the baby. The disappointment faded. Forget it. She’d just go home herself. Lu Peichuan said he’d pick her up, so Uncle Chen didn’t come. She had to take a taxi. Rong Zheng booked a car. Then she carried the box toward the exit. With her big belly, it was really inconvenient. Hold it too low and it pressed on her stomach. Hold it too high and she couldn’t see. Luckily, her intern saw her right after she left the office. He immediately took the box and walked her all the way to the taxi. As soon as she got home, Lu Peichuan’s mother called. “What time is it? Why aren’t you two here yet?” Her tone was impatient and angry. The Lu family originally wanted Su Qingya as their daughter-in-law. But Lu Peichuan insisted on marrying Rong Zheng. Because of that, they disliked her. Rong Zheng had been gentle and careful, but it never changed their opinion. Later she realized: if sincerity wasn’t returned, there was no point forcing it. So aside from Sunday dinners at the old residence, she never went. But today wasn’t even the weekend. This morning, Lu’s mother called and insisted they come for dinner. “Peichuan hasn’t gotten off work yet…” Before she could finish, the other end cut her off. “He’s busy, and you’re busy too? You’re about to give birth and you’re still working that lousy job with that big belly. Does the Lu family lack the money you make?” Rong Zheng was used to it. She stayed silent. She wasn’t afraid. She just didn’t want to make things hard for Lu Peichuan. “Come over now. Shiyan is back. How dare you make him wait?” Click. She hung up. Rong Zheng stared at the phone. Song Shiyan was back? Song Shiyan was the Lu family’s adopted son. Lu Peichuan’s older brother. He was adopted at 15 and raised by the Lus for 13 years. Two years ago, he returned to his biological family — the Song family in Beijing. The Lu family was the top family in Jiangcheng. But compared to the Song family, they were nothing. The Songs were a century-old aristocratic family. Their influence reached worldwide. If the Lus were local rulers, the Songs were dragons that ruled the seas. Song Shiyan was the eldest grandson. His status was extraordinary. When he returned to the Song family, he caused an uproar. Rumors said his methods were ruthless. He’d turn on his own relatives. In business, he was decisive and merciless. Competitors trembled at his name. In just two years, he became president of Song Group. Rong Zheng had only seen him once — on her wedding day to Lu Peichuan. He was strikingly handsome. Perfect features. The kind of face that made people stare. But his aura was cold and severe, like frost. Deep and unreadable. The bearing of a man in power. No one dared look at him for long. ---