1: Be pregnant

In the southern city, a hospital room held an atmosphere of tentative joy.

"Congratulations, you're pregnant and the baby is very healthy," announced the doctor.

Lillian Shen clutched the pregnancy report with a startled expression, her mind racing. Pregnant? The mix of shock and delight was almost too much to believe.

"You'll need to come in for regular check-ups. Where's the father? Call him in, I have some advice for him."

Lillian snapped back to reality with a sheepish smile, "My husband couldn't make it today."

"Men, always busy. He should make time for his wife and child."

Stepping out of the hospital, a gentle drizzle began to fall. Lillian caressed her belly where a new life was taking root—hers and Oliver Qin's.

Her phone vibrated, a message from her husband: "It's raining. Bring an umbrella to this address."

The address was for the XX Clubhouse. What was this place? Wasn't he supposed to be in a meeting?

Without much hesitation, Lillian had the Qin family driver take her there.

"You can go back," she told the driver upon arrival.

"Aren't you going to need a ride home, ma'am?"

"No need. I'll return with my husband," she said, deciding to wait for Oliver and go home together.

The drizzle now turned into a downpour. Lillian stood outside the posh billiards club, umbrella in hand, halted by the doorman.

"Sorry, miss, please show your membership card."

After a moment's thought, she messaged Oliver: "I'm here. How much longer will you be? I'm waiting downstairs."

As she waited, her gaze lost in the rain, she contemplated when to share the pregnancy news with him.

Oblivious to the mocking eyes watching her from above. A group lounged by the window, observing her figure below.

"Oliver, you sure picked a dutiful plastic wife—sends an umbrella just because you asked. She doesn't actually think you'd stand in the rain, does she?"

"Must be love-struck stupidity."

"Nonsense," came a lazy, deep voice from the corner.

A tall man with a strikingly cold beauty and pale skin, his eyes slightly upturned, sat with his legs crossed, clad in a tailored gray suit.

"Give it to me," he said, extending his hand for his phone which his friends reluctantly returned.

They chuckled, "That phone returned to its master pretty quick."

"Well, if it wasn't for Serena being here, you wouldn't even get to touch his phone."

All eyes turned to a gentle, pretty girl in white, sitting beside him.

She smiled softly, "Now, now, it wasn't right to prank him with his phone, or tease me about it."

"Everyone knows Serena's the one who matters most to him," the friends teased.

Serena Jiang looked at Oliver, waiting for his response.

He didn't deny it, only hooked his lips slightly.

His friends hooted even louder, "See? No one is more important to him than Serena!"

Amidst their cheers, Oliver sent Lillian a brief message: "Don't need the umbrella. Go home."

Puzzled by the abrupt message, Lillian asked, "Is something wrong?"

Receiving no further reply, she decided to leave.

"Wait," someone called. Lillian turned to see two stylish women approach her.

"Are you Lillian Shen?" one asked disdainfully.

Lillian replied, balancing caution with dignity, "Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is Serena is back. If you're smart, you'd stay away from Oliver."

Stung, Lillian's pupils contracted. She hadn't heard that name in so long...

The woman's contemptuous gaze pierced her, "Surprised? Did you actually think you belonged by Oliver's side?"

Lillian bit her lip, pale-faced, as they mocked her.

Lillian walked away, their taunts drowned by the rain.

Upon returning to the Qin residence, the butler was startled by the drenched figure at the door.

"My lady! You're soaked through! Come inside," he exclaimed.

The servants bustled around, warming her with towels and ginger tea, oblivious to the car entering the drive and the tall figure entering the house.

"What's happened here?" Oliver's cold voice cut through the chaos.

Lillian's heart skipped—why was he back? Wasn't he supposed to be with Serena?

"Sir, the lady was caught in the rain."

Rain?

Oliver's gaze fell upon her drenched figure, his approach marked by concern and irritation.

Seeing her up close, his frown deepened.

"What were you thinking?" he demanded, his tone harsh.

Trying to control her trembling voice, Lillian looked up with a feeble smile.

"My phone died, and a child needed an umbrella on the way home."

His expression turned icy.

"Are you sick? You give your umbrella to a child and soak yourself?"

"How old are you? You think I'll praise you for this?"

The servants exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Lillian looked down as tears brimmed.

Then Oliver scooped her up, carrying her away, and only then did a hot tear fall onto her hand.