61. Mr. Cheng discovered that she was pregnant.

Cheng Boyan worried that behind this sudden compromise might lie a deeper calculation.

"My lawyer will contact you regarding the divorce settlement," he said calmly. "As for your brother's matter, breaking the law requires bearing the corresponding consequences. I have neither the right nor the intention to interfere in another country's judicial proceedings."

After ending the call, he casually placed his phone on the bedside table.

The morning light filled the room, but couldn't penetrate the depths of his eyes. On these mornings without Wen Xueyan, he felt even the sunlight had lost its warmth.

*

That morning, before leaving the house, Wen Xueyan noticed a small loose thread on the cuff of her light blue cashmere sweater. It was a classic style she had bought three years ago for over a thousand yuan. The delicate and soft texture of the cashmere always provided her with just the right amount of warmth on cold days. She tucked the thread inside her sweater.

When she got into Xi Mingyuan's car, he was on the phone dealing with official business. When he saw her get in, he simply nodded slightly.

Upon arriving at the company lobby, under the bright lights, Wen Xueyan inadvertently glanced down and noticed that the loose thread at the hem of her cashmere sweater had not only grown longer but had also created a small patch of loose yarn.

If you look closely, there are still some lumps of pilling on the elbow.

During the morning meeting, the core members of the technology department sat around the conference table.

After an hour of meeting, during the break, someone went to the restroom. At this moment, Lin Shuya spoke up.

"Director Wen, forgive my bluntness, but your clothes seem quite old? You just married President Xi yesterday, why are you still wearing such worn clothes today? Someone like President Xi, surely he wouldn't be willing to buy you new clothes? Or perhaps..."

Wen Xueyan could feel everyone's eyes were focused on her.

Wen Xueyan met Lin Shuya's gaze: "Deputy Director Lin is very observant. In my opinion, the value of a piece of clothing does not lie in its newness or oldness. Sometimes, the warmest companionship comes from these silent old things. They have witnessed your struggles and embraced your vulnerabilities, don't you think?"

After the meeting, Wen Xueyan stood alone in the tea room, looking at her pilling cashmere sweater. She thought that despite her reluctance, she still decided to buy herself a new one this weekend.

Although my mother's medical expenses are still a considerable expense, I can save on rent recently because of my marriage to Xi Mingyuan. Also, I will start receiving my salary next month, so I won't be too tight on money in the future.

She hadn't bought herself any new clothes in a long time, and decided to treat herself better.

*

Three days later.

In the afternoon, sunlight shone through the thick clouds onto Cheng Boyan's spacious desk.

Cheng Boyan had just finished an unpleasant meeting. The data provided by the marketing director contained errors, and after being severely criticized by Cheng Boyan, the director left in a huff.

He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his mood as depressed as the unpredictable weather.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Please come in." His voice still carried the coldness and harshness he had shown when reprimanding his subordinates.

Qiao Lanyue pushed open the door and entered. She was wearing a well-fitting light beige business suit, with a silk printed scarf tied around her neck.

"Mr. Cheng, our client, Yuanzhou Chemical Group, is hosting a banquet at the Waldorf Hotel tonight, and several of our company's senior executives will be attending. Would you like to join us?"

Cheng Boyan didn't reply either: "I'm not going."

Secretary Qiao added, "Shiming Group, as one of the bidders for the project, will also attend this dinner."

Shiming Group...that means Wen Xueyan will likely attend as the technical director.

He slowly turned around.

“Cancel tonight’s plans,” he replied. “I’ll go.”

Secretary Qiao nodded slightly: "Okay, Mr. Cheng. I will prepare the vehicle and gifts for you."

The office fell silent again, but Cheng Boyan could no longer remain calm.

He knew that seeing her would only make the separation more unbearable, but he still couldn't help wanting to look at her, even if it was just a glance from afar, even if her husband was right next to her.

When he was choosing a suit in the dressing room in his office, he subconsciously picked the dark blue one that Wen Xueyan had once praised for making him look exceptionally dashing.

However, when he arrived at the hotel and led Secretary Qiao, Vice President Fang, and their entourage into the banquet hall, his gaze swept across the room and he only saw Xi Mingyuan chatting and laughing with the person in charge of Yuanzhou, accompanied by his assistant and several senior executives.

The beautiful figure he had hoped to see did not appear.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his deep eyes, so quick that no one noticed. He quickly regained his composure as a business elite, exchanging pleasantries with everyone with a polite smile.

"President Cheng's presence truly makes tonight's banquet even more lively," the chairman of Yuanzhou Chemical personally greeted him.

"Mr. Li, you're too kind," Cheng Boyan said, shaking hands with him. "Our Cheng Group will naturally go all out for the Yuanzhou project."

Throughout the banquet, he moved with ease among various business elites, displaying wisdom and impeccable manners.

Qiao Lanyue was as professional and capable as ever, handling all the details perfectly for him. When the waiter came to pour the wine, she politely declined, saying, "Thank you, I'll just have juice." This scene reminded Cheng Boyan of Wen Xueyan, who had substituted juice for wine at their wedding, and a slight pang of sadness welled up in his heart.

Since Wen Xueyan wasn't there, Cheng Boyan relaxed a bit as the banquet drew to a close and the toasts began.

Knowing that a driver was waiting, he drank a few more glasses. The alcohol added to his languid charm, attracting the attention of many female guests.

Just as the banquet was about to end, an uninvited guest appeared.

Xu Junxian entered, her makeup exquisite but unable to conceal the haggardness on her face.

She received a call from the police today and learned the truth about the car accident years ago. She regretted cheating on her husband even more. At this moment, she learned from the company's administration department that Cheng Boyan was here, so she specially came to find him.

At this moment, Mr. Cheng was already somewhat drunk when he stood up and staggered.

Secretary Qiao was carefully supporting Cheng Boyan, her right hand firmly supporting his elbow, and her left hand gently resting on his back. Over the years, whenever President Cheng had too many social engagements, she would always take care of him in this considerate way.

But at this moment, in Xu Junxian's eyes, the hand supporting Cheng Boyan's back was incredibly irritating.

Even though Wen Xueyan got married a few days ago, Cheng Boyan still insists on a divorce. Miss Xu thinks there are other women involved.

"Bo Yan insists on divorcing me, and I've been wondering why! Turns out it was you, his secretary, who seduced him!" she exclaimed, grabbing the wrist that Secretary Qiao was supporting.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, she suddenly rushed forward and shoved Secretary Qiao hard.

Caught off guard, Qiao Lanyue fell heavily to the ground. In the instant she hit the ground, she instinctively covered her lower abdomen with her hands and cried out in pain.

"Reach for the Moon!" Vice President Fang Xiyi's expression changed drastically, and he rushed forward in one stride.

Just then, everyone was horrified to discover that a patch of glaring bright red blood had spread beneath Secretary Qiao.

"Blood...she's bleeding!" someone exclaimed.

Fang Xiyi scooped Qiao Lanyue up in his arms: "Make way! Make way, everyone!" He carried her and rushed out, not even bothering to say a word to Cheng Boyan.

Cheng Boyan sobered up instantly. He watched as Secretary Qiao protected her abdomen, noticed the bright red stain beneath her, and, considering she hadn't drunk a drop all night, a startling guess surfaced in his mind: Secretary Qiao was pregnant?

This realization involuntarily reminded him of Wen Xueyan. At the wedding, she had also substituted juice for alcohol throughout, and he even remembered a moment when she covered her stomach with her hand. If, if Wen Xueyan was also pregnant...

The thought made his heart race. What if Wen Xueyan was also pregnant? And if she hadn't married Xi Mingyuan and was still single, he wouldn't be able to publicly protect her at all times. Faced with Xu Junxian's sudden madness, would her child suffer the same fate as today?!

A chill ran down his spine, followed by an overwhelming rage towards Xu Junxian.

He turned to Xu Junxian, who was standing there dumbfounded, his eyes as cold as a frost: "Xu Junxian, you'd better pray that Secretary Qiao is safe and sound. Otherwise..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the fierce look in his eyes sent chills down Xu Junxian's spine.

Seeing the hatred in his eyes, Xu Junxian finally broke down in tears: "I didn't mean to... Bo Yan, I just love you too much..."

Cheng Boyan stopped looking at her and turned to apologize to Chairman Li of Yuanzhou, who was present: "Chairman Li, I'm sorry to have spoiled everyone's fun. I'll take my leave now and apologize another day."

After saying that, he instructed the driver to immediately drive to the hospital to visit Secretary Qiao.

At the hospital, Fang Xiyi anxiously waited outside the operating room. When Cheng Boyan arrived, he saw Fang Xiyi clutching his hair in anguish; the usually composed vice president was completely flustered.

"Xi Yi," Cheng Boyan stepped forward and pressed his shoulder, "calm down."

"President Cheng..." Fang Xiyi looked up, his eyes bloodshot, "Lan Yue is four weeks pregnant..."

"She'll be alright," he reassured her in a low voice.

After a long wait, the doctor emerged from the operating room: "The patient suffered massive bleeding. The baby couldn't be saved, and the mother's life is still in danger. The surgery is ongoing, so please be patient."

Fang Xiyi staggered a step, leaned against the wall, and tears silently streamed down his face.

"President Cheng, if I request that Xu Junxian be held legally responsible, will you object?" Fang Xiyi asked.

“I support your idea. However, I only found out today that Secretary Qiao is pregnant, otherwise I wouldn’t have let her attend the social event. Are you two married? Why haven’t I heard any news about your marriage?” Cheng Boyan asked.

"I'm not married yet."

"Why don't you marry her?" Cheng Boyan asked bluntly.

Fang Xiyi smiled bitterly: "Because she has someone else in her heart."

"who?"

Fang Xiyi turned to look at Cheng Boyan, his gaze complex, shook his head, and said nothing.

Cheng Boyan was stunned. The look in Vice President Fang's eyes made him feel that it was related to him.

He had never considered this possibility. In his eyes, Qiao Lanyue would always be a dutiful secretary.

"Explain yourself clearly," Cheng Boyan said in a low voice.

Fang Xiyi responded: "Some feelings may not even be realized by the parties involved, but bystanders can see them clearly. When Qiao Lanyue first came to the company, she looked at you like you were her savior. Later, that awe turned into something more complicated. She would remember the temperature of your coffee, help you when you were drunk, and work overtime for you until late at night without complaint."

“That’s because she’s doing her job responsibly,” Cheng Boyan interrupted.

"Really?" Fang Xiyi smiled bitterly. "After she found out about you and Wen Xueyan, she cried for a long time. She used to think that if you got divorced, she would have hope."

"And then what?"

"Later, she was finally moved by me." Fang Xiyi's gaze softened for a moment. "For the past six months, we've gone to art exhibitions and concerts together every week. Three months ago, she agreed to date me. Last month, I found out she was pregnant. I proposed many times, and she finally agreed to let me get our marriage certificate next week..."

“She was only grateful to me, Xi Yi. Gratitude and feelings are two different things.” Cheng Boyan began with difficulty.

“I know.” Fang Xiyi nodded. “That’s why she ultimately chose me. She said she had thought it through. For you, it was an unattainable dream, but for me, it was a warmth that was within reach. She said that one cannot live in a dream forever.”

Cheng Boyan stared at the operating room door, recalling the question he had asked Qiao Lanyue during her interview years ago: "Why do you want this job?"

Qiao Lanyue replied, "Because I need to live."

That year, Qiao Lanyue was a junior in college. Due to a family crisis, her family cut off her living expenses. She relied on her internship salary for part of her tuition and living expenses in her final year, and also received an interest-free personal loan from President Cheng.

She didn't pay off the money until two years after she started working, and Cheng Boyan never pressured her to pay it back.

Because Qiao Lanyue's father is very wealthy, she is unable to apply for a student loan.

“Treat her well,” Cheng Boyan said to Fang Xiyi as he emerged from his reverie.

Fang Xiyi nodded solemnly.

The operating room lights were still on. Cheng Boyan walked to the other end of the corridor, took out his phone, and sent Wen Xueyan a WeChat message: "Are you pregnant?"

Cheng Boyan felt that if Wen Xueyan was pregnant, the child was very likely his. But if she was carrying his child, he found it hard to understand why Xi Mingyuan wanted to marry her.

I waited for what felt like an eternity, but received no reply.

Cheng Boyan suddenly worried that Xi Mingyuan might see the WeChat message and get angry at Wen Xueyan, so he quickly deleted it.

After all, text messages, unlike conversations, don't allow you to be sure who is holding the phone.

Reason told him that now was not the right time, but the overwhelming emotions had overwhelmed all his concerns.

He took out his phone and pressed the dial button. He thought that if President Xi were also nearby, he would talk about work.

The phone rang for a long time, and just when he thought no one would answer, a sleepy voice finally came from the other end: "Hello?"

Wen Xueyan's voice was soft and indistinct, as if she had just been woken from a dream. Cheng Boyan could almost picture her rubbing her eyes, still sleepy.

He gripped his phone tightly, worried that Xi Mingyuan was with her, so he called her by her full name: "Hello, Wen Xueyan, is anyone else with you?"