Two bone china plates rested on the table, each holding several different, meticulously arranged dishes. Following the Japanese custom, many items were portioned individually. The slivers of sashimi looked translucent and luminous; a rectangular dish featured plump, fresh scallops nestled against dollops of sauce, and several small, exquisitely formed sushi rolls were presented beautifully. Though the aroma of seafood was enticing, something about the opulent spread made Ning Yunhuan’s heart suddenly lurch. A wave of nausea rose in her chest, nearly making her vomit.

Her face turned ashen, and her upper body instinctively recoiled. After a moment of holding it back, she finally couldn't contain herself, turning away to retch dryly twice.

“Ugh, what’s wrong?” Ning Yunhuan felt utterly bewildered. She usually loved seafood. Back at the Ning residence, her parents knew her preference and always bought it for her. But this—this was clearly not ordinary sashimi and scallops; they were so fresh they must have been air-freighted from Japan, meaning they cost a fortune. No matter how generous her allowance from the Nings, it wouldn’t cover such extravagant, impulsive dining, especially not in a place like this. To finally have a chance to eat without restraint, and now she was going to be sick!

“Let’s go back first,” Lan Lingyan frowned, his expression turning rather severe as he pulled her up.

Their planned afternoon outing was instantly canceled. After escorting Ning Yunhuan back, Lan Lingyan immediately summoned an elderly man—dressed in a grey Zhongshan suit with perfectly slicked-back silver hair—from who knows where. After taking her pulse, the elder declared she was pregnant!

For a moment, Ning Yunhuan felt as if thunder and lightning were exploding above her head; the realization instantly made her feel wretched.

As the solemn old man pronounced her pregnant, she initially let out a laugh, as if hearing some ridiculous joke. But the laughter quickly morphed into a stiff, awkward grimace. It wasn't until Lan Lingyan had his instructions recorded—details about pregnancy care and suitable foods—and personally walked the elder downstairs, that he returned, his expression unchanged.

It struck Lan Lingyan that since he had known her, he had never seen such a vacant, stunned look on her face. He walked over and sat beside her, gently touching her forehead.

“Stop messing around,” she muttered. In the oppressive heat, the slightest contact from Lan Lingyan’s long, slightly calloused palm sent goosebumps erupting across Ning Yunhuan’s skin. “I think I need to go to a proper hospital for a thorough examination!” She stressed the word thorough, clearly unhappy with the fact that the elder had only taken her pulse to make such a definitive diagnosis.

Lan Lingyan’s expression instantly turned menacing. His lips tightened into a sharp, severe line, and his gaze grew cold. “Don’t you want to bear my children?”

The courage she had managed to muster moments before began to dissipate like morning mist under Lan Lingyan’s intimidating aura. Ning Yunhuan’s reflexes were faster than her thought process; before her mind could catch up, she stated solemnly, “Of course not!”

“Then what is there to question?” Lan Lingyan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the young woman daring to be angry but silent. He then explained, “Elder Tang is a master of the Qi Huang arts. This small matter is child’s play for him. His diagnosis will not be wrong.”

Ning Yunhuan felt an intense urge to bash her head against the wall. Was that the issue she was concerned about? Was that really the issue?

Unable to stop herself, she nervously clutched the hem of her ** skirt. Finally, she burst out, “I’m only eighteen!” It was the first time she had spoken to Lan Lingyan with such volume, but at this moment, she couldn't afford to care about propriety. She didn't want to be a mother this early. In her previous life, she had died without ever marrying or having children, and now, less than a year after being reborn, she was already pregnant! Furthermore, her father, Ning Fu, had specifically warned her during her last visit home: if the Ning family found out she was pregnant now, “My dad will kill me…” Thinking of this, Ning Yunhuan finally couldn't help but glare fiercely at Lan Lingyan.

Seeing her wide, round eyes filled with tension and pallor, a slight curve appeared on Lan Lingyan’s lips. He genuinely liked Ning Yunhuan. In the Lan family, there were plenty of failures if an alliance marriage were necessary, and Lan Fu would never sacrifice him. As for his mother’s side of the family, despite their ambitions, they couldn't control his strong will. He had considered this issue from the moment he decided he must have Ning Yunhuan, planning to take her abroad during her summer vacation this year. He hadn't expected her to get pregnant so quickly, merely accelerating his timeline. It made no difference to Lan Lingyan. He patted her head, a rare genuine softness entering his eyes.

“That won’t happen,” he assured her. Finishing this, Lan Lingyan added cheerfully, “I’ll send someone to the Ning residence this afternoon.”

Just moments ago, Ning Yunhuan had been panicking; hearing Lan Lingyan’s words made her tremble even more violently. “What—what are you going to the Ning house for?”

“To get the documents,” Lan Lingyan pulled her into his embrace. Recalling Elder Tang’s warning downstairs about avoiding strenuous activity for the first trimester, his expression became unusually stiff. “Let’s get the papers first!”

What papers? Ning Yunhuan stared blankly for a long moment before she finally grasped what he meant. She nearly choked on her own saliva. “Papers? What papers?”

Lan Lingyan gave her a long, cold look, his eyes first revealing a hint of weary exasperation at her perceived dullness, then shifting to a deep, chilling intensity. “The marriage certificate!”

“M-marriage certificate?” She had guessed correctly. Ning Yunhuan almost shrieked. She instinctively started tugging at her hair. Why was this happening? Not only had she stumbled upon the heroine’s destined love interest before the heroine did, and not only were they entangled in an ambiguous relationship, but why was she pregnant now? And Lan Lingyan was talking about marrying her? Had things gone completely wrong? Wasn't he supposed to eventually be moved by the heroine’s halo, eliminate the other male supporting characters, and live happily ever after with her? What was this sudden proposal about? This must be a dream, it had to be a dream!

Seeing her dazed expression, Lan Lingyan clearly perceived her underlying resistance to his proposition of marriage. He smiled inwardly, but his expression remained unmoved. She was already his woman; she carried his child. Yet, she still acted as if she didn't want to marry him? That was unacceptable.

“I’ll have someone bring the necessary items over this afternoon; you just need to sign!” She had originally intended to stall and scheme a way out, but hearing Lan Lingyan suggest she needed to do nothing but sign made her panic instantly. “I—I’m not old enough yet.”

Dear readers, whimper, my manuscript reserves are completely depleted! If you like this book, please take a moment to add it to your bookshelf and cast a recommendation vote… that way you can find it anytime you want to read!

C