Using Marriage as Bait : Extra 4
Extra 4
Lin Xiyu couldn't calm down for a long time. Although she and Lu Junting had been trying for a baby and knew there was always a possibility, the baby hadn’t come for a while, and both were prepared for a long process. So, when it suddenly happened, she was surprised.
After leaving the hospital, Lin Xiyu didn’t go to the club as planned but obediently went home to wait for Lu Junting to return so she could share the good news. Lu Junting was busy and only returned when it was nearly dark.
When Lu Junting opened the door, he saw Lin Xiyu sitting at the table reading a book. Her posture was upright, and she looked very focused on whatever she was reading.
In truth, Lin Xiyu was pretending. She’d seen his car headlights through the window and knew he’d arrived, so she appeared focused on her book but was actually listening for his movements.
Lu Junting took off his coat and approached, glancing at the table to see she was looking through an art book.
“Is that book really that interesting?”
He still didn’t know anything, and Lin Xiyu, holding back her joy, replied, “Yes, it’s quite interesting.”
As he loosened his tie, he asked, “So, what did the doctor say during your checkup?”
“There’s an issue.”
“Hm?”
Lin Xiyu was sitting in a swivel chair, and Lu Junting held the armrests, turning her to face him. He looked at her, his expression serious, and spoke with a hint of tension, “What’s the issue?”
Lin Xiyu’s face nearly cramped from holding back her laughter. She pointed to her stomach. “Here.”
“Did the vomiting hurt your stomach?”
He hadn’t realized it yet.
Lin Xiyu finally couldn’t hold it back and burst into laughter. Seeing her laugh, Lu Junting looked even more puzzled and asked, “What’s going on? I’m not joking with you.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you.” Lin Xiyu placed her hand on her stomach and said, “There’s a baby here.”
This man, who was always calm and composed in front of others, was stunned for several seconds after hearing this. Once he regained his senses, his face lit up, a rare, genuine smile appearing as his normally guarded emotions surfaced.
“Are you serious?”
The joy in his voice was impossible to hide.
“Of course.”
Lu Junting immediately picked her up, holding her like a little kid as he walked around the room. His emotions were complex—joy, relief, and excitement, all intertwined.
The baby had taken so long to come that he’d started to doubt himself. She wanted a child so much, and he’d been unable to give her one, which made him feel quite guilty.
But now, with her pregnancy, he felt relieved, excited for their new family member, and even a bit proud, thinking, See, I am capable.
All in all, Mr. Lu’s emotions were hard to settle.
Lin Xiyu could clearly sense his happiness. Though he was usually reserved, she could feel the joy radiating from him.
However, she thought of one thing. Originally, he hadn’t planned to have more children, but she had confidently promised him a daughter, so he agreed. Still, she couldn’t guarantee the baby would be a girl. So, she asked, “Junting, what if it’s another boy? Would you still like him?”
Lu Junting replied, “What are you thinking? How could I not like my own child? I’ll love them, whether they’re a boy or a girl.”
Lin Xiyu obediently leaned on his shoulder. Alright, now she felt at ease.
The next day, Lin Xiyu shared the pregnancy news with the Lu family, and everyone was delighted. Old Madam Lu even invited the family over for a gathering.
Of course, their little boy, Little Baby, joined them, too. Children always make gatherings more lively, and after dinner, Old Madam Lu entertained Little Baby, bouncing him on her knee.
“Chengmao, can you guess whether your mommy is having a little brother or a little sister?”
Without hesitation, little Chengmao answered, “A sister.”
This thrilled Old Madam Lu, who said, “Before they lose their baby teeth, children’s guesses are the most accurate. It really seems like it’ll be a sister.”
Lin Xiyu laughed. “He just likes the idea of a sister. He’s been saying he wants one all the time.”
Old Madam Lu continued to tease Chengmao, “Oh, so you like sisters, Chengmao?”
Chengmao nodded. “Yes, I’ll give my sister my cars to play with.”
“Oh, giving your sister your cars!” Zhang Yao joined in, “But sisters like dolls, not cars.”
Xiao Chengmao blinked his big eyes, thought about it, and said, “Then I’ll buy her a doll.”
Old Madam Lu asked, “Do you have money, Chengmao? Dolls cost money, you know.”
The little guy nodded. “I have money in my piggy bank.”
Lin Xiyu had given him a piggy bank, and sometimes his elders would give him red envelopes, which he saved there. He’d originally planned to use the money for toys for himself, but now he was willing to spend it on a doll for his sister.
Old Madam Lu stroked his head, laughing. “Oh my, Chengmao is such a thoughtful boy, even saving up to buy his sister a doll. He’ll be a wonderful big brother who loves his sister.”
After leaving the Lu family residence, the family of three got into the car. Chengmao leaned on the armrest of his child seat, his eyes fixed on Lin Xiyu’s belly.
Noticing his curious gaze, Lin Xiyu pinched his cheek and asked, “What are you looking at, Chengmao?”
The little one, full of curiosity, asked, “Is there really a little sister in there?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is it so small?”
“Your sister hasn’t grown yet. In a few months, she’ll grow bigger.”
The little one nodded and placed his chubby hand on her belly. “Mommy should eat more, or else the sister will be hungry.”
Lin Xiyu was amused by him, finding him so adorable that she couldn’t resist cupping his cheeks and giving him a big kiss.
“You keep saying it’s a sister, and now everyone believes it. If it’s not a sister, you’ll be embarrassed.”
Mother and son chatted warmly, while Lu Junting poured cold water on the conversation.
The little boy was unhappy, pouting and furrowing his brows as he insisted, “It’s a sister. Little Baby won’t be embarrassed!”
Lu Junting thought mother and son looked alike when upset, like little pufferfish. He poked the little boy’s puffy cheek. “But what if it’s not a sister?”
“It is a sister!”
Looking at his stubborn little face, Lu Junting found it amusing. Holding back his laughter, he said, “Are you even scolding me now?”
The little one, realizing it wasn’t nice to be stern with his father, stretched out his hand, gently touched his father’s face, and softened his tone. “Not scolding Daddy.”
After his son’s outburst, Lu Junting thought it was nice—even after being scolded, his son knew to offer a little sweetness in return.
However, Lu Chengmao was a stubborn little one. After soothing his father, he confidently told Lu Junting again. “It's a sister.”
Lu Junting didn’t tease him further, patting his head and saying, “Alright, it's a sister.”
A few days later, Lin Xiyu received a call from Liu Manqing, who had been taken to the police station for questioning and was only just released today.
“Are you alright?” Lin Xiyu asked her.
“I'm fine.”
“What happened? Why did the police suspect you?”
“The victim visited Changheng to see me several times before the incident, so of course, the police would be suspicious of me.”
Lin Xiyu actually wanted to ask if Liu Manqing and the victim’s family were indeed related, but considering it was private, she held back.
“Well, take a good rest. I'll come see you in a few days.”
“You’d still come see me? Aren't you afraid I might actually be the culprit?”
Lin Xiyu replied, “My mother raised you, so I believe in you.”
Liu Manqing chuckled, “lright, wait until my name is fully cleared, then come find me. Otherwise, it might get troublesome.”
Lin Xiyu thought for a moment and replied, “That’s okay, too.”
“Oh, by the way, because I had invited you for coffee on the day of the incident, I informed the police, and they might come to ask you questions.”
“Alright, I understand.”
Indeed, the next day, two police officers arrived, a young man and woman—one asking questions while the other took notes.
“According to Ms. Liu Manqing, she arranged to meet with you for coffee on the day of the incident. Do you remember when and where?”
Lin Xiyu replied, “I can't recall the exact time, but it should have been in the afternoon at the Wishing Café near Sunshine Club.”
“How did Ms. Liu Manqing seem that day? Did she behave unusually?”
“No, she was normal. We just chatted like always.”
“We’ve heard that Ms. Zhang Ai, your mother, once provided financial support to Ms. Liu. Are you aware of her family background?”
“Not much. I only know her parents abandoned her when she was young, and after moving through the foster system, my mother learned of her situation and began supporting her.”
The two officers exchanged a glance, and the male officer asked, “Was it Ms. Liu herself who told you she was abandoned?”
Lin Xiyu felt a subtle unease and replied, “Yes, that’s what she told me.” After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Is there an issue with that?”
The female officer replied, “According to our investigation, Ms. Liu Manqing wasn’t abandoned; she ran away from home.”
After the police left, Lin Xiyu pondered over the matter, still feeling puzzled. The officers had also informed her that Liu Manqing had run away at only five years old, though she never explained why.
Lin Xiyu thought it strange; Liu Manqing had told her she’d been abandoned. Why lie about that? If she lied to her, did she also lie to her mother back then, claiming to be abandoned?
When Lu Junting came home, Lin Xiyu was still mulling over these questions. She briefly explained the police visit and Liu Manqing's lie.
“Why do you think she lied to me?”
“Other people’s personal matters aren’t worth overthinking.”
Lu Junting sat beside her, then wrapped an arm around her and gently touched her stomach. “Now that you're pregnant, focus on taking care of yourself and avoid unnecessary stress.”
Lin Xiyu thought he made sense and agreed, “You're right. What's important now is a healthy pregnancy.”
“Don’t stay in contact with Liu Manqing for now, and especially avoid meeting her. She’s still a suspect.”
Lin Xiyu nodded after considering, “Alright.”
Lu Junting held her close, gently stroking her soft hair, and asked, “Do you think I’m too cold-hearted?”
Lin Xiyu leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and said, “No, it’s just being cautious given the situation.”
As she nestled against him, Lu Junting couldn’t resist holding her a bit longer. He shifted her onto his lap while sitting on the bed, positioning her to straddle him.
Lin Xiyu was quite familiar with this posture by now—whenever he did this, it usually led to something more. With a look of caution, she said, “No way, Junting, I'm pregnant. It's inconvenient.”
Her words made him laugh; did she think he was that desperate? Yet, Mr. Lu was playful and said, “Other things are still possible, right?”
Lin Xiyu: “...”
Understanding his meaning, her face turned bright red, and she gave him a teasing glare. “Lu Junting, why are you so annoying? You're a father now, yet still so improper.”
When annoyed, she’d address him by full name, her voice both tender and seductive, utterly enchanting. Lu Junting had only intended to tease her, but seeing her delicate eyes filled with a soft charm, he began to feel truly tempted.
He cupped her chin, tilting her face up as she quickly tried to push him away, saying, “No.”
“I’ll just kiss you, nothing more.”
“......”
His low, hoarse voice held a tinge of urgency and pleading, like someone desperately thirsty, needing relief.
Lin Xiyu’s heart trembled at his tone, and soon she let her hands drop.
Seeing her softened resolve, Mr. Lu wasted no time, cupping her face and kissing her.
The author has something to say:
The next chapter will include a side story involving the killer, so those not interested can skip it.
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