Wen Baozhu was very obedient. Since Fu Lian asked her to dress beautifully, she did so.
She took out a knee-length pencil skirt from the wardrobe and paired it with a long-sleeved off-the-shoulder knitted top. Worried that it might not be warm enough, she draped a dark camel-colored shawl over her shoulders.
All the cosmetics on the dressing table had long been replaced with those specially designed for pregnant women. She wasn't really good at applying a sophisticated and charming makeup, so she simply applied a base and chose a brighter lipstick.
Fearing that her face might look too pale, she dabbed some blush on her cheeks.
Looking at herself in the mirror, her heart inexplicably started pounding wildly.
Fu Lian had said that he would take her to watch the fireworks show over Victoria Harbour tonight.
Even though there were a million thoughts telling her not to think in that direction, there was always a voice popping up, excitedly reminding her:
It's a date.
After getting dressed, Wen Baozhu obediently sat on the sofa, waiting for Fu Lian to come back and pick her up after he finished his work.
However, by 3 p.m., instead of Fu Lian, she received a call from the driver.
The driver said, "Miss Wen, Mr. Fu asked me to tell you that he has to see a guest suddenly. He's worried that he won't have enough time to go back and forth. Do you mind if I pick you up first and you meet Mr. Fu here?"
Wen Baozhu never wanted to cause trouble for others.
Moreover, she knew that Fu Lian wasn't a person who liked to break his promises.
Since he said so, it meant that this guest was very important and he had to see him.
Wen Baozhu quickly replied, "Sure."
The driver said, "Then you can come out after you're ready. I'll be waiting for you at the main gate."
After hanging up the phone, Wen Baozhu went back to the full-length mirror to check herself one more time.
Just before going out, she paused in front of the shoe cabinet.
Originally, the shoe cabinet was filled with high heels of the latest season, suitable for different styles and occasions. But now, they had all been replaced with soft and comfortable flat shoes.
There was no longer a maid taking care of her at home. When had these shoes been replaced?
Just as the image of Fu Lian bending down and using his slender fingers to replace the shoes flashed through her mind, she quickly shook her head to dispel the thought.
It was impossible.
A man as noble as him would never stoop so low to do such things.
She took out a pair of milk-white low-heel flat shoes with pearl buckles, put them on, and then went out.
The driver was indeed waiting for her at the gate.
After getting in the car, the driver first apologized to her on behalf of Fu Lian, and then said that they would arrive in half an hour. He told her that if she was too sleepy, she could take a nap in the car.
She was too excited about watching the fireworks show over Victoria Harbour tonight to fall asleep.
When they arrived at the destination, a pre-arranged waiter came out to greet her.
The waiter opened the car door for her. Wen Baozhu bent down and stepped out of the car, nodding politely to express her gratitude.
After being led into the main entrance by the waiter, the waiter smiled and told her that Mr. Fu was meeting guests on the second floor. She could wait on the reception sofa on the first floor for a while.
The lobby was very warm. After Wen Baozhu sat down, the waiter brought her some desserts and black tea.
It was late afternoon and approaching evening. There were no other guests, and the lobby was warm and quiet.
Wen Baozhu leaned back on the soft leather sofa, and her eyelids involuntarily began to feel heavy. She was almost falling asleep.
Just then, suddenly there came the sound of high heels stomping forcefully on the wooden stairs.
The rhythm was short and rapid, and it almost instantly woke Wen Baozhu up.
She instinctively looked up and followed the direction of the sound -
A brightly dressed and sexy woman was walking down the stairs angrily. Her beautiful face was full of anger, obviously having had an argument with someone.
Normally, they would have just passed by each other, but the woman suddenly noticed Wen Baozhu's gaze and abruptly stopped.
She turned around from the direction towards the main entrance and walked straight towards Wen Baozhu.
The waiter's face changed, and he instinctively wanted to stop her. "Miss Shu, this lady is our honored guest. Please don't disturb her -"
But this "Miss Shu" had already walked up to Wen Baozhu. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Wen Baozhu with a very arrogant look.
From head to toe, her gaze made people feel a strong sense of offense and discomfort.
The woman suddenly spoke, her tone unfriendly. "So you're the new pawn he found?"
Wen Baozhu was stunned.
She suddenly remembered what Li Wenshu had said to her on The Peak before.
Since this woman said Wen Baozhu was a "new pawn", then this "Miss Shu" in front of her must be the "woman that Mr. Fu sent into the Fu family before" that Li Wenshu had mentioned?
Wen Baozhu pursed her lips and didn't say a word.
In Hong Kong, one had to be extremely cautious at all times. Before she was sure of the current situation, she wouldn't speak rashly.
This was one of the self-protection skills she had learned.
But the more she didn't speak, the more contemptuous the woman's eyes became, until she noticed Wen Baozhu's slightly protruding belly.
"Are you pregnant?"
Wen Baozhu was also surprised. She didn't expect to be recognized at a glance.
As if sensing danger, Wen Baozhu instinctively covered her stomach and looked at the woman warily. "What do you want?"
"So you really are."
The woman shrugged. After getting the answer she expected, the anger on her face disappeared instantly, and a strange look gradually appeared on her face.
It was like pity, but also like mockery.
Anyway, Wen Baozhu couldn't understand it.
Miss Shu smiled at her, her tone extremely meaningful. "Then you're really pitiful."
"Then"?
Wen Baozhu didn't understand this riddle.
Miss Shu continued smiling and said, "Back then, my relationship with Mr. Fu was just like yours now. You've dressed so beautifully today. Are you going on a date?"
Wen Baozhu said expressionlessly, "Sorry, no comment."
Miss Shu found it funny. "You're on guard against me? We're from the same class."
She took a step forward, bent down, and got close to Wen Baozhu's ear. "Do you know why I became a useless pawn?"
Wen Baozhu turned her head away.
"Because," the woman's bright red lips opened and closed, "I was also pregnant."
Since she had been pregnant before, she could tell at a glance whether Wen Baozhu was pregnant or not.
Moreover, she was absolutely sure that this child must be Fu Lian's.
Wen Baozhu was still in great shock.
Pregnant?
Whose child was it?
Fu Lian's or Fu Nian's?
There was a slight change in Wen Baozhu's expression. The shock and disbelief in her eyes were obvious.
She also looked down at the woman's stomach.
It was extremely flat, without a single bit of excess fat, let alone any signs of pregnancy.
"Don't look." The woman seemed to know what she was thinking and patted her own stomach. "It's gone."
It's gone.
These two simple words set off a huge wave in Wen Baozhu's heart.
She couldn't help but blurt out, "Why did it go?"
"What else could it be?" The woman spread her hands and looked indifferent. "Of course it was an unexpected miscarriage."