Chapter 9: Who Are You Trying to Flirt With Now?

During dinner, Gu Fangyu did not see Gu Yao at the table.

She heard that Gu Yao was feeling unwell and hadn’t come down.

Gu Fangyu couldn’t be bothered to care. Whether Gu Yao was genuinely sick or faking it, her appetite seemed better without her around.

Gu’s mother looked at her with some dissatisfaction, noticing her indifferent expression.

“I heard you dragged Yao Yao to soak in the hot springs at the resort?” Gu’s mother began with a reproach. “You’re an adult now; don’t you know pregnant women shouldn’t go to hot springs? Luckily, nothing happened. But if something happened to the baby she’s carrying, how would you explain that to the Xie family?”

Gu Fangyu lowered her eyes slightly, her hand holding the chopsticks tightening involuntarily.

She should have expected this. Over the years, the Gu family’s favoritism toward Gu Yao had become blatant.

At first, they would pretend otherwise when she was around.

But over time, they didn’t even bother to pretend.

Every time something went wrong, they sided with Gu Yao.

They never bothered to consider the facts and always assumed she was at fault.

Gu Fangyu no longer held any expectations of them. When she almost drowned because Gu Yao pushed her underwater, no one showed concern; they simply blamed her for taking Gu Yao to the hot springs.

If her mother had asked more questions, she would have known the truth was far from what she assumed.

“Gu Fangyu, no matter how resentful you feel, the marriage with the Xie family belongs to Yao Yao now. You’d better give up that hope and stop playing those little tricks,” her mother warned quietly.

“Mom, do you think I’m the reason you’re blocking her relationship with Xie Chenhao?” she finally couldn’t hold it in and spoke out.

Gu’s mother’s expression darkened. “Fangyu, I want you to understand that I treat both my daughters equally. But since some things have already happened, why hold on to them so tightly?”

Gu Fangyu was speechless.

“Later, I’ll have your brother find some suitable matches for you to choose from.”

Her previously solemn face suddenly took on a playful look as she glanced at Gu Hanchen beside her.

She was suddenly curious about what kind of person this man would pick for her.

The man noticed her gaze and gave a cold glare. “I don’t have time.”

With that, he stood up and left.

Gu Fangyu’s rebellious spirit was stirred. Watching his retreating figure, she said, “I’ll listen to Mom.”

After finishing her meal and heading upstairs, she had just opened the door when a figure suddenly appeared behind her, pushing her inside.

“You…”

Gu Hanchen pressed her against the back of the door, his dark eyes burning with anger. “Have I been spoiling you too much lately?”

She was pinned down, feeling awkward in her posture. She instinctively tried to look back at him but was held firmly in place.

“How come I didn’t know that one Xie Chenhao wasn’t enough, and now you’re turning your attention to other talents in Jiangcheng?” The man gritted his teeth. “Gu Fangyu, you’ve really outdone yourself.”

Gu Fangyu winced in pain, her delicate brows knitting tightly.

---

From the moment she found out she was pregnant until now, she had been tense the entire time.

Now, facing the man’s accusations, an inexplicable wave of grievance welled up in her heart.

Why was he treating her this way?

What had she done wrong to deserve this?

Gu Fangyu closed her eyes, biting her lips hard but didn’t utter a single word.

Gu Hanchen’s anger flared even more. His handsome face was shrouded in a cold shadow. “Speak!”

The thought that it was Xie Chenhao who had saved her first in the hot springs made him lose control.

He turned her around to face him directly.

“Didn’t I warn you not to compete with Gu Yao for Xie Chenhao?”

Her eyelashes fluttered as she slightly tilted her head up to look at him.

Gu Fangyu suddenly summoned the courage to say, “Is it only when Gu Yao marries Xie Chenhao that you and Mom can truly rest easy?”

The man furrowed his brows, momentarily not grasping the deeper meaning behind her words.

“Then I wish them a lifetime of locked love, eternal unity, and early blessings of children.”

Gu Hanchen gradually loosened his grip. “Do you really feel that way?”

“Yes.” She had never been more resolute. “Is it only once they marry that you’ll let me go?”

Gu Fangyu thought that if she really was pregnant, she could try to hide it during the medical exam, but as her belly grew day by day, it would be impossible to conceal.

So she had to make Gu Hanchen lose interest in her as soon as possible, then find a way to move out of the Gu family.

“Is that how you want to cut ties with me?” He lowered his eyes and gently brushed aside the stray hair on her forehead.

She looked at him, a flicker of hope shining in her eyes.

Although she quickly hid it, Gu Hanchen noticed.

He lowered his head, his deep eyes shining fiercely. “Still thinking of chasing after that Xie family guy?”

Gu Fangyu frowned, feeling the man was being unreasonable and not paying attention to what had been said before.

Gu Hanchen’s voice grew colder. “Or have you found a new target? Is that why you’re so eager to shake me off?”

Her heart tightened, and her instincts told her not to say more.

She didn’t want to anger him now.

“No, none of that.”

The man’s scrutinizing gaze swept over her face repeatedly, as if wanting to see through her completely.

“Gu Fangyu, you better be truthful.” He warned softly.

Before she could react, he opened the door and walked out.

---

She stood frozen for a long moment before recovering.

At this point, none of that mattered. What mattered was how to evade the medical exam and how to fool the sharp-eyed members of the Gu family.

Otherwise, even before her belly grew, she would be doomed.

…

The next morning, Gu Fangyu barely touched breakfast and was about to go out to find Jiang Qi to discuss things.

Just as she was about to leave, a servant approached. “Miss Gu, you should have breakfast before going out.”

She paused while changing her shoes and glanced toward the dining room.

There was only Gu Hanchen sitting there.

Obviously, the servant was acting on his orders.

After some internal deliberation, she obediently walked over.

The servant quickly placed a glass of milk, a sandwich, and an egg in front of her.

Gu Fangyu, burdened with worries, ate half-heartedly.

During the meal, she occasionally stole glances at the man opposite her.

Gu Hanchen had obviously finished eating; only a cup of black coffee sat before him.

He was currently browsing financial news on his tablet.

Gu Fangyu stood up first. “I’m full.”

As she prepared to leave, the man unexpectedly followed her.

“Where are you going? I’ll see you off.” His expression was normal, but his words startled her.

Just as she feared, trouble arose.

“No need, the driver can take me.”

“The driver has the day off today.”

Gu Fangyu was speechless.

There was more than one driver at home; she didn’t believe they all had the day off.

“Then I’ll take a taxi myself.” She took out her phone and was about to open a ride-hailing app.

The man would not allow refusal. “Gu Fangyu, my time is very precious. Are you sure you want to waste it discussing these things with me?”