Chapter 37: Would You Like Me to Stay and Keep You Company?

Lu Jinchuan’s gaze was far too indifferent. He could clearly see how haggard and sickly she looked, yet he showed not a shred of concern. They had been married for three years, living under the same roof. Even if one were to spend three years with a stray cat or dog, it would be difficult to remain completely unmoved. But perhaps he only ever cared when it came to Su Nian. As for whether she lived or died, Lu Jinchuan was entirely indifferent.

Wen Ying glanced subconsciously at Su Nian’s abdomen, then pulled away as Zhou Yu reached out to ruffle her hair. Zhou Yu noticed Lu Jinchuan and his companion; he glanced at Wen Ying before offering a greeting: "Mr. Lu, are you not feeling well?"

Lu Jinchuan nodded with refined composure. "I brought Su Nian for a check-up."

Zhou Yu suddenly recalled the gossip he had just overheard. With a half-smile, he asked, "Is there happy news? I heard it was a prenatal check-up?"

Su Nian raised an eyebrow, caught Lu Jinchuan’s eye, and offered a gentle smile. Lu Jinchuan lifted his gaze. "Mr. Zhou, be careful with your words. Such rumors are not good for Su Nian."

Wen Ying stared quietly at the back of her hand, which was swollen from the IV drip. Lu Jinchuan had been raised with an elite British education—he was elegant and gentlemanly. Even if his nature was cold, he always maintained a facade of propriety, regardless of his true feelings. Yet, for Su Nian alone, he was meticulous, leaving no room for the slightest deviation.

"A misunderstanding, then," Zhou Yu said, as if realizing.

"Yes. Su Nian scalded the back of her hand, so I brought her to have a doctor apply some medicine," Lu Jinchuan said calmly.

Only then did Wen Ying notice Su Nian’s hand. It was fair and slender, with barely a mark to be seen. Lu Jinchuan viewed even this—which could hardly be called an injury—with such immense importance that he made a grand production of bringing her to the doctor. Meanwhile, when she had collapsed right before his eyes, he had remained unmoved.

How did that saying go? In the eyes of someone who does not love you, even if you were hanging yourself, they would think you were just swinging on a swing.

Su Nian nodded gracefully to Zhou Yu. "I’ll go find the doctor now. You two continue your conversation." She did not speak to Wen Ying; even though her expression remained gentle from start to finish, it concealed a deep-seated disdain.

Wen Ying had no desire to engage in an awkward exchange with Lu Jinchuan and Zhou Yu. She stood up and said, "Please, excuse me."

Watching Wen Ying walk away, Lu Jinchuan finally cast a glance at her. She seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight. Wearing He Xicheng’s suit jacket, she looked overwhelmed by the fabric, which made her appear thin as a sheet. She no longer seemed like the person she used to be, who would find endless topics to chat about in a soft voice whenever she saw him. Her attitude toward him had grown very distant recently. He couldn't help but linger on her for a moment longer.

Zhou Yu tilted his head to look at him. "Mr. Lu, you’ve been so focused on Miss Su lately that I’ve had to worry about Wen Ying. She’s running a fever; just how hard have you been working her?"

Lu Jinchuan said flatly, "Wen Ying is no longer an employee at Lansheng. Didn't she mention that to you?"

Zhou Yu truly didn't know. He hesitated for a moment. In the past, whenever anything happened to Wen Ying—big or small—she would always share it with him. He figured she simply hadn't had the chance to tell him yet.

***

Wen Ying returned to the temporary hospital bed to retrieve her phone. He Xicheng returned and handed her a bottle of warm water. "I’ll take you home once the IV is finished."

Wen Ying didn't want to stay in the hospital; she feared that there might be many more days spent in hospitals ahead, and she felt a strong resistance to it. "Alright, thank you for the trouble, Brother Cheng."

He Xicheng looked at Wen Ying and chuckled. "I’m more reliable than your husband, aren't I?"

"Back then, the old man in my family tried his best to push us together. He would have loved for me to marry into the Wen family and be your live-in husband. It’s a pity you were perfect in every way except for your judgment, rejecting a high-potential stock like me."

Wen Ying couldn't help but laugh. Back then, Academician He Jiang had held high expectations for her, constantly saying, "That brat He Xicheng isn't good enough for you. He doesn't have much talent, but he is responsible and won't let you down." For even a top-tier genius like He Xicheng to be belittled by his own father showed just how much Academician He valued her.

However, there was truly no spark between her and He Xicheng. They had once spent days and nights together, disheveled and exhausted, writing papers, testing data, and debating technical problems. When they were younger, they had always admired each other, even while constantly challenging one another. Their bond was deep, but it didn't necessarily have to be love.

Walking downstairs, Wen Ying saw a Cullinan pulling out of the parking lot, heading straight out of the hospital. It was Lu Jinchuan’s car.

Shortly after, Wen Ying received a WeChat message from Lu Jinchuan’s work account: [Do you need me to stay and keep you company?]

She looked at the car that had already departed and curled her lips in silence. He hadn't intended to look after her at all; he was merely asking out of a sense of upbringing and obligation.

However, looking at this work account, she realized she had blocked his private life account last time and had forgotten he frequently used this one. Without hesitation, Wen Ying blocked him again.