The two strolled around for a while longer. When they reached the baby product store, Gu Qichen's steps halted again.
Qin He glanced at the store. Her mother had already prepared all the things the baby would need in the future. However, seeing the little gadgets and the baby stroller, she couldn't help but feel a little wistful.
When it came to buying things for a baby, there was never too much.
While Qin He hesitated, Gu Qichen had already pulled her into the store.
More than ten minutes later, Qin He walked out of the store, feeling a little embarrassed.
She stood in front of the store, watching the sales assistant happily pack the items she had bought.
"Miss Qin, is it being delivered to this address? Please confirm."
"That's right," Qin He confirmed.
The two shopped at several malls, and each time Gu Qichen would stop in front of the children's goods store.
Qin He gradually noticed something was amiss. Not only did she hardly have a chance to pay, but it was clear that Gu Qichen was accompanying her to buy things for the baby.
"Gu Qichen, you didn't actually plan to buy anything for yourself today, did you?"
Gu Qichen nodded. "I wanted to buy some things for my future child."
Qin He was startled. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Everyone in Qingcheng now believes you are carrying my child, so it's normal for me to buy some things for the child."
Gu Qichen spoke with a serious expression.
Qin He's expression changed slightly, and she clenched her fists.
Previously, because of Wilson's involvement, she hadn't publicly denied it. To the people of Qingcheng, this was equivalent to an implicit admission.
To retract now would seem like trying to cover up something that had already been revealed.
Recently, rumors had been flying around Qingcheng.
But fortunately, Gu Qichen didn't know that this baby was indeed his.
Qin He stood rooted to the spot for a long while, her expression shifting.
Gu Qichen's eyes flickered slightly. "Are you afraid Lu Mingxi will be angry?"
"Lu Mingxi? What does he have to do with it?" Qin He replied irritably, almost involuntarily.
Gu Qichen's ink-black eyes sharpened. "Why wouldn't he have anything to do with it? Isn't the child his?"
"Ah? Yes!"
Seeing Qin He's startled then enlightened look, even for just two seconds, Gu Qichen still detected something unusual.
Qin He pursed her lips, knowing she had let slip too much. She wished she could slap herself lightly.
While analyzing internally, she tried to cover her tracks in the most believable way: "Well, you know, I've broken up with Lu Mingxi now, and his parents don't approve of us being together, so I haven't announced to the public that this child is Lu Mingxi's. Our Qin family can still afford to raise this child."
After speaking, she subtly raised her eyes to look at Gu Qichen.
The man's gaze was deep and unfathomable; it was unclear if he believed her.
"It doesn't matter, it's already been announced publicly as my child anyway."
Qin He frowned. "It was because of Wilson before, but this matter will have to be clarified sooner or later."
Regardless of whether others believed it or not.
"A child needs a father, and I probably won't have any more children in this lifetime."
He stared at Qin He's abdomen. He had already decided that he wanted to be with Qin He. If she accepted him, he would wholeheartedly accept this child as his own, and for Qin He's peace of mind, he would not have any more children.
If Qin He refused him, he had no intention of getting married again.
Qin He was stunned. "Do you... have a hidden condition?"
That wasn't right. If Gu Qichen had a hidden condition, how did she get pregnant?
That's right! Brother said Gu Qichen neglected her for two years...
Does that mean she got pregnant because she wasn't doing anything good in those two years either?
Qin He imagined a dramatic scenario.
While she was lost in thought, a voice beside her, like cold jade shattering ice, spoke.
"Don't you know whether I have a hidden condition?"
"What?" Qin He frowned.
Seeing Gu Qichen's slightly green complexion, she pursed her lips. It seemed she had touched a sore spot.
"Well, you don't need to worry too much. A medical project I'm currently researching is related to this matter." Qin He was kind. "If you don't mind, you can come to me for a check-up once my equipment is ready. I can help you treat it. I'm usually very hard to book, you know."
Gu Qichen sneered in anger. "Then I'm truly grateful to you!"
Qin He repeatedly shook her head. "You're welcome, you're welcome!"
Goodness, if Gu Qichen really had a hidden condition, then where did her baby come from? Infidelity during marriage?
She believed her own morals wouldn't be so outrageous.
But thinking about it, with her personality, she could endure humiliation and hardship to cook and serve Gu Qichen in the Gu family—
Could it be that she had been mentally out of her mind before?
Qin He subconsciously touched her abdomen and turned to look at Gu Qichen.
"Gu Qichen, during our marriage, did I have any particularly good male friends?"
Gu Qichen was in a bad mood. "I don't know."
Qin He thought for a moment and decided it was fine. Even if she did, that person hadn't shown up by now, so he must be a scumbag!
The two shopped until almost five o'clock when Gu Qichen drove Qin He into the car.
The car headed towards the restaurant he had booked.
Along the way, Qin He continuously touched her abdomen, sighing occasionally.
Gu Qichen was unsure what she was thinking.
The two of them were now in the same space, and it felt much more comfortable.
Although the man had a strong oppressive aura, she figured that since Gu Qichen couldn't be intimate, he couldn't do anything to her.
Qin He felt a sense of pity for him. Indeed, when God opens a door for someone, he also closes a window.
No wonder Song Nuan had said she was pregnant with Gu Qichen's child back then, and he had so resolutely said it was impossible.
The reason was likely here.
Gu Qichen had booked a French restaurant. Their table was in a secluded corner by the window, in a very quiet environment.
Unexpectedly, as they entered, Qin He encountered an acquaintance.
Yan Chen, with a stunningly alluring woman in his arms, looked surprised.
"Qichen, He'er, what are you two doing here?"
Gu Qichen sneered. "What do you think?"
This was a restaurant, what else could they be doing?
Yan Chen's face lit up. Ignoring Gu Qichen's sharp glare, he used his height to pat Qin He's head.
"It's been so long, why aren't you calling me Brother Chen anymore?"
Qin He glanced at the alluring woman whose expression had turned somewhat displeased and replied irritably, "Brother Chen."
"It's great that you're here. Li Yan will be here soon too, and he's bringing his girlfriend. Shall we all meet them later?" Yan Chen suggested.
Gu Qichen said coldly, "Not interested."
Qin He was a little curious. "Xiao Li Yan's girlfriend? I haven't met her yet."
Yan Chen immediately smiled. "He'll be here in about ten minutes. Shall we move to a larger table and sit together?"
Qin He had no objections. Gu Qichen gave Yan Chen a look, and ultimately, they changed tables.
The few of them sat down, and soon Xiao Li Yan arrived.
Beside him was a young girl with a baby face, who looked very pure.
"Oh, He'er is here."
Of everyone at the table, Xiao Li Yan greeted Qin He first.
"Brother Li Yan," Qin He returned a polite smile.
At the table, Yan Chen's companion was clearly unhappy. Seeing Qin He's slightly protruding belly and Gu Qichen sitting beside her, she barely managed to restrain herself.