Chapter 53: An Illegitimate Child?

Shen Huaiqing’s heart jolted with shock—could she really have guessed correctly? Was Fu Chen truly an illegitimate child? Was Fu Yixing the genuine eldest son of the Fu family?

The information hit her like a tidal wave, so overwhelming that she couldn’t fully process it. She stared, dazed, at Fu Chen’s furious expression.

Suddenly, Fu Chen’s large hand seized her jaw, his dark eyes unfathomable, lips parted slightly: “What’s wrong? Are you looking down on me now? The man you fought so hard to marry is just a bastard. That must hurt, doesn’t it?”

A bastard? Was Fu Chen really Fu Henian’s illegitimate son? That would explain why Ke Jing forbade Shen Huaiqing from bearing children.

Fu Chen’s grip tightened, making Shen Huaiqing furrow her brows in pain. She struggled, pleading, “Fu Chen! Let go, it hurts.”

Perhaps it was the alcohol, or perhaps Shen Huaiqing’s expression had pierced the most vulnerable part of him. Fu Chen paid no heed to her distress, increasing his strength until her bones creaked audibly.

“I worked tirelessly to build the Fu Corporation, and now you expect me to hand it over? Impossible.”

“Anyone who stands in my way, I’ll eliminate without mercy.”

“So you’d better behave, and let the secret that you’re not Shen Huaiqing rot in your stomach forever.” Fu Chen raised a finger to her red lips.

This time, Shen Huaiqing was certain Fu Chen was truly drunk—otherwise, he would never utter such words. For someone as suspicious and sensitive as Fu Chen, secrets could only be kept by the dead.

“Stop talking nonsense. Who else would I be but Shen Huaiqing?”

Fu Chen’s gaze deepened, a cold smile curling at his lips as he looked at her with approval. He slowly released her.

“You’re very clever.”

Rubbing the reddened spot on her jaw, Shen Huaiqing silently cursed him; this man never showed any tenderness, always using brute force.

“Go to sleep. Tomorrow, your mother might come.”

Shen Huaiqing guessed Ke Jing would visit the next day. Though she and Fu Chen had long since started sleeping in separate rooms, she had to cooperate with Fu Chen and pretend to be pregnant, so she moved back into his room.

Fu Chen nodded and began changing into his pajamas right in front of her.

“Hey, hey, couldn’t you change in the bathroom?” Shen Huaiqing squinted, unwilling to look directly at him.

Fu Chen remained unmoved, nonchalantly changing clothes. “We’re married. Why should I sneak around just to change?”

Shen Huaiqing felt helpless. When drunk, Fu Chen was like a master of Sichuan opera, swapping faces in an instant—just moments ago, he’d been a savage beast, now he was a petulant, unruly child.

She decided not to argue with a drunk; since he wouldn’t go to the bathroom, she would.

Fu Chen watched her back as she left, muttering under his breath, “Sooner or later, you’ll see anyway.”

When Shen Huaiqing returned from changing, Fu Chen had already turned off the lights and lay on one side of the bed. She tiptoed over, lifted the blanket, and settled on the opposite end, as if a galaxy lay between them.

Sleep eluded Shen Huaiqing. Too many unexpected things had happened tonight—a stranger’s name, secrets within the Fu family, each revelation left her chilled to the bone.

And those two unfamiliar text messages; she sensed the sender was likely Fu Yixing. Only he could observe her and Fu Chen’s lives so closely, especially with Ke Jing supporting her own son.

Now, it seemed Fu Yixing was offering her an olive branch for collaboration; otherwise, he wouldn’t keep sowing discord between her and Fu Chen. But how did he know about the fake pregnancy?

The report was flawless—on that point, Shen Huaiqing trusted Fu Chen’s thoroughness.

Her thoughts throbbed painfully. Suddenly, Fu Chen wrapped his arms around her from behind, his husky voice whispering at her ear.

“Don’t scheme. Every move you make is under my control.”

Not wanting to respond, Shen Huaiqing quickly shut her eyes, pretending to be sound asleep.

Seeing no reaction, Fu Chen sighed deeply and tightened his embrace, murmuring, “I really don’t know what to do with you.”

————

Dawn broke, the pale blue sky pristine and tranquil, as spotless as a polished mirror reflecting the earth below. Birds occasionally traced graceful arcs across it.

When Shen Huaiqing woke, she opened her eyes to find Fu Chen’s gaze upon her. Sunlight danced on his thick lashes, casting a shadow beneath his eyes.

For the first time since their marriage, she’d risen earlier than Fu Chen. In sleep, he resembled a sculpture from ancient Rome—exquisite and serene.

“Bzz, bzz, bzz.” Fu Chen’s phone buzzed incessantly beside his pillow. Shen Huaiqing glanced at his sleeping face, a sudden urge to check his phone flaring within her.

The persistent sound was like a bewitching melody, seductively tempting her.

Never mind—there was likely a password, and she might not be able to unlock it. Still, what if it was urgent? Besides, Fu Chen monitored her constantly.

That could be a fair trade.

Shen Huaiqing concocted a thousand excuses in her mind. Carefully slipping from Fu Chen’s embrace, she stretched out to grab the phone.

She got it! Delight bloomed inside her.

As expected, Fu Chen’s phone was password protected, with only five attempts allowed before it locked completely.

Lying on the bed, Shen Huaiqing considered—what would Fu Chen use for his password?

His birthday? Incorrect.

Lin Yiqing’s birthday? Incorrect.

Could it be her own birthday? Shen Huaiqing quickly shook off the ridiculous idea, but her fingers, almost involuntarily, entered her birthday.

Incorrect. Disappointment flickered in her eyes.

Only one chance remained. If she failed, the phone would lock, and Fu Chen would know someone had tried to access it.

Lost in thought, Shen Huaiqing failed to notice the man beside her was awake, watching with a smile at the corner of his lips.

“Perhaps it’s the wedding anniversary,” Fu Chen whispered.

“That’s it!”

Epiphany struck. The wedding day marked a new chapter for Fu Chen—very plausible.

A soft click—her guess was correct. The phone opened, and Shen Huaiqing was overjoyed.

But... who had just spoken?

She spun around to find Fu Chen gazing at her with amusement.

Flustered, she tried to hide the phone and forced a fawning smile. “You... you’re awake?”

Fu Chen’s deep eyes lingered on her awkwardness, his lips curved in a faint smile. Calmly, he said, “I saw how focused you were on cracking the password, so I didn’t disturb you.”

Realizing what had happened, Shen Huaiqing pouted and handed the phone to him. “It was ringing, and I was worried something urgent had come up.”

Fu Chen didn’t take the phone, raising his brows and saying calmly, “Then help me check it, won’t you?”