55 Finally met him
Wen Xueyan tried her best to calm herself down.
Xi Mingyuan's tone carried an all-knowing calmness: "You can deny it, I'm just stating my guess. Your colleagues at your current small company mentioned that you're experiencing morning sickness. Besides, I remember what I saw next to the restroom on the day of Rao Zheng Group's heiress's wedding. But I want to ask you, did you tell President Cheng?"
Wen Xueyan did not answer.
"It seems Mr. Cheng didn't know that day, otherwise he wouldn't have made you work so hard at this small company. If you haven't told him yet," Xi Mingyuan's voice lowered, carrying a calm analysis, "I suggest you don't tell him for now. Once he finds out, he definitely won't agree with my suggestion later. But after all, nothing stays hidden forever, and your pregnancy will eventually be discovered. To protect the marriage and their reputation, the Xu family won't allow this child to be born safely. So, how many storms will this child face before birth?"
Xi Mingyuan paused, then continued, "Even if Cheng Boyan is very capable, can he send people to protect you 24 hours a day? Legally, he is still Xu Junxian's husband. Shareholders and public opinion—aren't they all swords hanging over his head? Besides, he is being investigated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission today. If he disregards everything to protect you, the chain reaction it triggers may be something he can't handle, and your child may not be safe either."
Wen Xueyan felt a chill rise up her spine; she really didn't dare to think about these things.
Xi Mingyuan took a sip of coffee and continued, "Xu Junxian is determined not to divorce and wants to win Cheng Boyan back. They want to target the people around him. I heard that Qiao Lanyue was taken away today. So, I have a way to let you give birth to the child openly and legitimately."
"What?"
"If you haven't told Mr. Cheng about your pregnancy yet, then think about marrying me."
"What?" Wen Xueyan thought she had misheard. The absurdity overcame her previous tension. "President Xi, what kind of well-bred lady can't you marry? And I remember you mentioned on the phone in the office before that you had a girlfriend. You don't like me, so why would you make such a suggestion?"
Xi Mingyuan gazed at the hazy night outside the window, his tone becoming somewhat distant: "It's a long story. I do have a lover, he's in Canada. But between us, there are mountains and seas, and even more so, worldly barriers."
Wen Xueyan asked softly, "Is it your family that doesn't agree? Then wouldn't my situation be even less in line with your family's expectations? My family is very ordinary, and I'm pregnant. Are you joking? Or is there some kind of conspiracy?"
Xi Mingyuan turned back to her, looking at her calmly: "Because he is a man. In China, in my family's eyes, this is wrong, even a scandal that cannot be known. But in Canada, marriage is legal in the future. I hope you will keep this a secret."
"How do you know I'm willing to keep it a secret?" Wen Xueyan asked.
“Because you need help right now. And I also know your secret, don’t I?” He paused, then continued calmly, “The situation I’m facing now is that my grandfather holds a large number of shares in the group. He’s traditional and stubborn, and he insists that I get married in China and preferably have a child as soon as possible. He’s made it clear that he won’t consider transferring the shares to me until the child is two years old. Otherwise, he will leave the shares to his illegitimate son, my uncle, who has been eyeing the company covetously. So my parents are keeping it a secret for me and have arranged many blind dates for me, but I’m finding it very difficult to find a partner.”
His gaze refocused on Wen Xueyan, carrying an almost cold pragmatism: "And you, now that you're pregnant, perfectly meet my most pressing needs right now: a wife in name only, and a child. We'll have a fake marriage, but we need to actually get a marriage certificate; my grandfather won't be able to fool us. The term can be agreed to be three years, or until the child is two years old."
Wen Xueyan continued listening.
“I’m always stingy, so I won’t give you living expenses. You need to keep working, and our company needs you. If you’re really short of money, I can lend it to you, and your boss, Mr. Cheng, can pay me back later. You can stay at my place and I’ll give you a private room so you can save on rent. But you can’t have an affair in public.”
"I still don't understand. Why don't you find an unmarried woman and then get a divorce? You can just hire me to work here," Wen Xueyan asked.
Xi Mingyuan said slowly, "If I marry you, I believe that when we separate, you and the child won't cling to me. Finding other women is risky; what if I can't get rid of them?"
Seeing the shock and complex emotions in Wen Xueyan's eyes, Xi Mingyuan gave the most crucial reason: "Most importantly, once you become Mrs. Xi in the legal sense, would the Xu family dare to easily touch you? They have no need, nor would they dare, to risk offending me by targeting a daughter-in-law of the Xi family. Your child, under the name of the Xi family's descendants, can be born and grow up safely to the greatest extent possible. In this way, even if President Cheng's divorce case drags on for several years, your child will not be in any danger."
Wen Xueyan suddenly felt that what he said made a lot of sense.
His tone carried a precise calculation. "Moreover, if the child's biological father is Cheng Boyan, I don't need to worry about him fighting with my Xi family's descendants for the inheritance in the future. After all, President Cheng's wealth far exceeds that of our Xi family. You need to tell me clearly now whether the child is President Cheng's. After confirming, I want you to sign an agreement. After all, words are not enough. If this child is poor, I don't intend to sign an agreement with you."
Soft music played gently in the coffee shop, and whispers occasionally drifted from the next table.
Wen Xueyan sat there, feeling that everything around her had become blurry and unreal. Xi Mingyuan's proposal was like an absurd deal, placing all those heavy things—marriage, children, security, and shelter—on the negotiating table.
Xi Mingyuan's analysis is cold and realistic.
She stared at the slightly cooled glass of warm milk in front of her. Potential danger, a longing for peace, and empathy for Cheng Boyan's situation—all these emotions and considerations intertwined intensely within her.
She needed safety, time and space to nurture the child, and a job that would allow her to give birth with peace of mind and support her and her child in the future. Xi Mingyuan's proposal, though strange, provided a solid refuge.
But what's the price? A sham marriage, a borrowed identity, a child nominally belonging to another family, and the possibility of hurting Cheng Boyan.
But is there a better way right now?
Besides, she'll be showing in a few months. What if Xu Junxian finds out that the child doesn't have a formal father?
Qiao Lanyue was already tricked by them, will it be my turn next? And this time, Cheng Boyan is under investigation, can he get out safely?
Wen Xueyan raised her head and looked at the seemingly纨绔 (playboy/spoiled brat) man opposite her, who was actually shrewd and had calculated everything clearly.
There was no admiration in President Xi's eyes, only assessment and waiting, waiting for her to make the choice that would maximize her benefits.
"I can agree to the job offer, but when do I start? As for marriage, I need to think about that."
"Anytime, you can start tomorrow if you're willing. Please keep our discussions today, which are outside of work, strictly confidential. I believe you can do that, after all, we can keep each other in check."
As dusk fell, Wen Xueyan sat alone in the living room of her apartment. Had she already suspected something when she met Xu Junxian at the hospital that day? Should she agree to President Xi's offer? Or should she refuse? These thoughts tugged at her mind like the ebb and flow of the tide.
Two sleepless nights passed. On Friday, she completed her resignation procedures at her former company and prepared to report to Xi Mingyuan's Shiming Group the following Monday.
As for her personal matters, she still did not give a reply.
Deep down, Wen Xueyan still hoped to be with Cheng Boyan as soon as possible.
Hsi Ming-yuan stated that whether or not he agrees to personal matters will not affect his work; he will handle official business strictly.
On Saturday morning, she searched for news about Cheng Boyan again and saw that Cheng Boyan had been released on bail, but was hospitalized at the First Hospital for health reasons.
The brief relief brought by the news of his bail was instantly shattered by the word "hospitalization." Cheng Boyan had always been in good health; how could he suddenly fall ill? Was it the blow from this ordeal? Or had he contracted some illness? Was he in any danger?
Countless speculations churned in her mind, and worries overwhelmed her like a tidal wave.
Wen Xueyan walked onto the balcony, the early spring sunshine warming her gently. She lightly stroked her lower abdomen.
“Baby,” she whispered to herself, “Daddy’s in the hospital. Mommy really wants to see him, but…”
But Xu Junxian was most likely staying in the ward. Thinking of those hostile eyes, Wen Xueyan's heart clenched. She wasn't afraid of facing difficulties, but she feared causing more trouble for the ailing Cheng Boyan, and was even more worried that her baby would be harmed.
The phone rang.
"Engineer Wen," Xi Mingyuan's businesslike voice came through, "Have you seen the news about President Cheng being hospitalized? Would you like to go see him?"
Wen Xueyan gripped her phone tightly, not answering immediately.
Xi Mingyuan seemed to see through her hesitation: "I can take you to see him. However, you need to think carefully, it's as my fiancée, otherwise Xu Junxian will definitely not let you off easily. Moreover, before we go, we need to sign a formal confidentiality agreement and a prenuptial agreement. These are my conditions, and they are also for the protection of both of us, especially for the protection of your child."
His words were clear and calm.
Wen Xueyan stood on the balcony, as if she were standing at a crossroads of fate. On one side was following her heart's desires, and on the other was facing the considerations of reality.
After a long silence, she answered softly, "Okay, I agree."
An hour later, Xi Mingyuan's car was parked downstairs.
Wen Xueyan got into the car and found a lawyer wearing gold-rimmed glasses already sitting in the back. The lawyer handed her two thick documents, the clauses of which were rigorous and detailed.
“Ms. Wen, please read this carefully. Once signed, it will have legal effect.” The lawyer’s voice was calm.
"Don't worry, I'm not trying to trick you. Otherwise, how would I explain it to Professor Zhang? Sign it, and you can see him today," Xi Mingyuan said.
Upon hearing his last sentence, Wen Xueyan signed her name.
The corridor of the hospital's VIP ward floor was quiet. Xi Mingyuan walked ahead, carrying a basket of fruit.
Wen Xueyan followed half a step behind him, and with each step closer to the ward, her heart beat faster.
Pushing open the suite door, the first thing that caught her eye was Xu Junxian sitting on the sofa in the outer room. When she saw Wen Xueyan, her eyes instantly blazed with anger, and she immediately stood up and walked over: "Wen Xueyan, you mistress, what are you doing here?"
Xi Mingyuan stepped forward at the opportune moment, standing between the two women. His lips curved into a polite smile, but his eyes were sharp as knives.
“We’re here on behalf of Shiming Group to visit President Cheng! We’re clients of Cheng’s Group, you haven’t forgotten that, have you?” His tone carried a clear warning. “Please be more polite to my fiancée. We’re getting married next week.”
Xu Junxian was stunned by the words "fiancée" in his words and didn't react for a moment. In the end, she didn't go forward again.
Less than ten seconds later, Xu Junxian still began to question: "President Xi, I heard before that your family arranged many blind dates for you. You have very high standards and didn't like any of them. But why did you fall for her? Her family background isn't that great."
Xi Mingyuan said with a serious expression, "If you slander my fiancée, my lawyer will contact you. I, Xi Mingyuan, have never tolerated any wrongdoing. Would I joke about such a life-changing event? You will receive our wedding invitation next week."
Wen Xueyan had no time to pay attention to the undercurrents behind her; her gaze had already passed through the open door and landed on the figure on the hospital bed in the inner room.
Cheng Boyan's face was pale, his eyes were closed, and his usual powerful aura of control was replaced by weakness.
The worries, longing, and grievances of the past few days surged up at this moment, filling her heart.
She fought back the tears welling up in her eyes and silently said to the baby in her womb, "Baby, we've come to see Daddy."
He was right in front of me, within reach, yet it felt as if an invisible chasm separated us.
Wen Xueyan gazed at the man she loved deeply, yet could not approach. At that moment, the sparse sunlight streaming in through the window shone on his forehead.
She wanted to cross those few steps, sit on that empty chair right next to the hospital bed, and reach out her hand to gently hold his hand resting on the snow-white blanket.
She imagined the feeling of his warm, dry palm against her belly, and imagined him perhaps sensing the flutter of that tiny life. She wanted to tell him that no matter how difficult the road ahead, she would do her best to protect the baby.
Looking at his hand, the floodgates of Wen Xueyan's memory suddenly opened, and scenes from the past came rushing back.
Those hands, once steady and powerful, signed important agreements in the conference room. Those hands, too, last winter, carefully held her close as she nearly fainted from menstrual cramps, helped her change into dry, comfortable pajamas, and then held her in their arms with a tenderness that made her heart tremble.
In those intimate moments when emotions run high, these hands, filled with tenderness and burning warmth, will gently stroke her back.
Xi Mingyuan, standing beside Wen Xueyan, keenly sensed it. He coughed lightly, turned to Xu Junxian, whose face was displeased, and prepared to find a reason to call Xu Junxian out of the ward.
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Looking forward to a kiss soon
Thank you for your comments, readers.
It's getting better and better!!! Can the joy of updating twice a day last forever? I love it so much it's become a daily habit (v)
Mr. Xi said he's always been stingy, it's so funny, hahaha!
Do you really want a fake marriage?
Hurry up and interact with us, I'm so impatient!
Thank you so much for your heartwarming comment!
The answer will be revealed later. Thank you for your comments, readers!
Okay, there will be an interactive session tomorrow. Thank you for your comments, readers!
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