Lu Rang walked over, squatted down to be at eye level with Shang Wu, and gently flicked her nose with his finger, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and confusion.

"Why do you seem to have even more worries now that you're pregnant? And you've even learned to tattle on things to Sister You right away?"

Shang Wu put down her phone, grasped Lu Rang's hand, her eyes sparkling with a hint of seriousness.

"I'm not tattling, I'm helping them,"

"Help them?" Lu Rang raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right,” Shang Wu analyzed logically. “Although Sister You chose Mr. Fu, I don’t think she has completely let go of Cheng Zhou. She’s just disgusted by the Cheng family. I’m telling her that Cheng Zhou is going to a blind date for an arranged marriage so that she can see her own heart more clearly.”

Shang Wu paused, her eyes turning cunning.

"If she hears this news and has no reaction, or even sincerely wishes you well, it means that she has truly let go and is planning to start a serious relationship with Mr. Fu. In that case, I will sincerely wish her well."

"But if..."

Shang Wu drawled, "After hearing that, she panicked, felt upset, and even regretted it. That means Cheng Zhou's importance in her heart is much greater than she thought, so she has to make a choice quickly."

Mr. Fu, should he follow his heart and go back to tackle that tough nut of Cheng Zhou, or continue to choose his comfort zone?

No matter what choice she makes, at least it's a decision made after she's understood her own heart, so she won't regret it later.

Lu Rang couldn't help but chuckle as he listened to her long analysis, and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"When did you become a relationship expert? Your analysis is so insightful!"

Shang Wu leaned against his warm chest and hummed.

"I call this the perspective of an outsider. Besides, Sister You is so good to me, so of course I hope she can find true happiness, rather than choosing someone to settle for just because she's afraid of trouble."

"Okay, okay, you're right." Lu Rang kissed her forehead. "But right now, what you should be most concerned about isn't other people's happiness, but your own and the baby's health. Let them deal with all this messy stuff themselves, okay?"

"Okay!" Shang Wu replied verbally, but in her heart she was still pondering Lu You's reaction just now.

On the other end of the phone, Lu You stared blankly at the computer screen for a long time after hanging up.

The dense data on the screen seemed to have all been transformed into the words "marriage alliance".

She suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the office, her mind in turmoil.

Cheng Zhou is going on a political marriage? So soon?

A strange sense of irritability and loss welled up uncontrollably in Lu You's heart.

She forced herself to calm down and told herself that this was the best outcome.

But deep down, a small voice was questioning it.

Is it really the best?

A few days later, in an elegant Western restaurant.

Cheng Zhou sat by the window, opposite Miss Zhao, a woman from a similar family background and with impeccable manners, who was his marriage partner.

Miss Zhao was clearly very satisfied with Cheng Zhou, her words filled with obvious appreciation and initiative, frequently initiating conversations with a gentle smile.

Cheng Zhou seemed somewhat absent-minded, his eyes darting around, and his responses were merely polite replies.

He absentmindedly poked at the steak on his plate with his knife and fork, his appetite wane, Shang Wu's words echoing repeatedly in his mind.

Cheng Zhou felt that all of this was tedious and boring, like completing a tiring task.

Seeing his expression, Miss Zhao's smile gradually faded.

She put down her knife and fork, sighed softly, her voice still gentle, but tinged with a hint of disappointment.

"Mr. Cheng, is there something I'm not good enough that makes you find me so boring?"

Cheng Zhou snapped back to reality, and seeing the hurt look in the other person's eyes, a pang of guilt swept through his heart.

He rubbed his temples, deciding not to force himself to continue this charade, and said frankly, "Miss Zhao, you are very good, beautiful, elegant, and from a good family. You are the ideal partner for many people. The problem lies with me."

He gave a wry smile, a smile tinged with self-mockery: "I have someone I like, but she doesn't like me back, so I really don't feel like starting a new relationship right now. I came here today because of family pressure. I'm sorry to have taken up your time."

He thought that this frankness would immediately scare the other party away, and might even earn him a scolding.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Miss Zhao was not angry at all; instead, a hint of surprise and appreciation flashed in her eyes.

She picked up her wine glass again, swirled it gently, and looked at Cheng Zhou with more sincerity: "Mr. Cheng, thank you for being so honest. To be honest, this is the first time I've met someone as direct as you on a blind date. Compared to those who are good at playing both sides, I admire your kind more."

She paused, then her tone became more proactive and firm.

"Since it's all arranged by our families, and neither of us dislikes it, why don't we try getting to know each other? We won't talk about marriage, just consider it making more friends and appeasing our families. Maybe after spending more time together, Mr. Cheng will find that I'm not so bad after all, and he'll be able to let go of the past?"

Cheng Zhou was stunned; he hadn't expected the other party to make such a suggestion.

Looking into Miss Zhao's sincere yet expectant eyes, and then thinking of the endless pressure at home, a sense of despair welled up inside him.

Let's give it a try.

Perhaps being busy and having someone to accompany you will help you forget your worries.

He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, his voice a little hoarse: "Then let's give it a try."

A bright smile immediately bloomed on Miss Zhao's face.

"It's a deal! There's a concert tomorrow night, and I have tickets. Want to go together?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!