Chapter 47

He Changning spent his days well-fed, well-rested, and in good spirits as he focused on his pregnancy. Shang Yushang, the ultimate doting husband, served him like a loyal little maid, attentive to his every need. As for the He family—they were long forgotten.

Since then, He Mingfan and He Junsheng had tried visiting a few more times but were turned away at the door each time, returning frustrated and empty-handed. Eventually, they gave up trying and stayed in their hotel, waiting for word from the old estate.

News finally came of Yin Zhinen, who had been missing for months. “Changning, Yin Zhinen is back,” Shang Yushang said, having just gotten off the phone with Da Zhou.

Changning frowned. “He’s back? When?”

“Around two weeks ago.”

“Where is he now?”

“At a cemetery in the suburbs. He’s working as a volunteer—free labor, room and board included.”

Changning’s brows knitted tighter. “That’s where my mother is buried.”

Shang Yushang seemed to realize something but didn’t say it aloud. Seeing his beloved frowning in thought, he let him be.

After a long pause, Changning finally exhaled. “Let him be. He’s old now, not worth holding a grudge over.”

“Baby, don’t overthink it.”

“I won’t. Just have someone check on him from time to time. After all, he did raise me for over ten years.”

Shang Yushang kissed his forehead tenderly. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” Changning was always this forgiving, even toward those who had wronged him. Perhaps he felt that Yin Zhinen had already gotten what he deserved—growing old, alone and abandoned by his family.

“What about the He family? What do you plan to do?”

Changning smiled faintly. Ever since getting pregnant, his skin had become even softer and more radiant. Bathed in warm sunlight, his face glowed with a gentle light—perhaps pregnancy had brought peace to his heart. “I don’t want to see them. Since my mother was no longer part of the He family, I don’t hold any meaning for them either. Not seeing them is best. Besides, I don’t want to see anyone right now,” he said, gently stroking his rounded belly. “The baby’s due in less than three months. I want everything to go smoothly until then. No accidents.”

“Alright. Whatever you say.” One hand on Changning’s belly, the other cradling his head, Shang Yushang kissed him deeply, hungrily pulling at his lips.

Ever since Changning got pregnant, they’d been abstinent for almost eight months. That kiss lit a fire. Their hands slipped under each other’s clothes, touching, teasing. The kiss grew hotter, more passionate, the sound of wet lips mingling with soft moans. Their body heat rose dangerously, and their last shred of self-control teetered on the edge.

Shang Yushang scooped Changning up in his arms and strode toward the bathroom. If you looked closely, you’d notice his gait was a little off—his legs were spread a little too far apart.

Inside the bathroom, Shang Yushang propped Changning on the sink, kissing him deeply as they clung to each other. They didn’t go all the way—only used their hands to bring each other release.

After cleaning up, Shang Yushang carried the now-exhausted and sleeping Changning back to bed and tucked him in. Then he sat at the head of the bed, watching his lover with soft, tender eyes.

Changning’s fair, porcelain-like skin still held a faint blush from earlier, his chest gently rising and falling. His long lashes cast soft shadows on his cheeks, and his lips, red and glistening from being kissed, parted slightly. A fine sheen of sweat clung to the tip of his nose. A few strands of hair curled playfully across his forehead. His round ears were tinged with pink, and the smooth, pale line of his neck led into a slightly open collar where a glimpse of his delicate collarbone showed—along with a scattering of rosy marks blooming like crimson roses.

Shang Yushang was completely entranced, as if trying to etch that perfect, jade-like face deep into his very bones.

The old He family estate.

The old man sat silently on the sofa, saying nothing for a long time. The butler stood quietly to the side.

Several others were seated as well, but no one dared make a sound while the old man remained silent.

Finally, after a long pause, he spoke. “Mingjun, tell me—what’s your take on all this?”

He Mingjun’s meticulous face showed no expression. “Dad, something’s off about the whole situation.”

The old man’s eyes gleamed with wisdom. “Go on.”

“Even if Minglan cut ties with our family back then, there’s no reason for Changning to refuse to see us—unless he holds a grudge.”

“And?”

“And he’s been married to the Shang family’s young master for almost a year now. If he refuses to meet us, it might be because he can’t.”

The old man’s sharp gaze flickered, then he laughed. “You guessed right.”

The younger ones present didn’t understand what their grandfather and uncle were talking about—except for He Mingyu, who did understand what his father and older brother meant.

The old man turned his eyes to He Mingyu. “What’s the Gu family’s current situation?”

He Mingyu replied, “They’re also closely watching things, but like us, they haven’t been able to get into that villa.”

The old man chuckled. “That Shang boy sure has skills. He’s guarding Changning like a fortress.”

He Mingjun frowned. “Dad, what do you think we should do?”

The old man sipped his tea. “We don’t have the power to compete with the Shang family on this front. At this point, I’ll have to go myself. The Shang family still owes me a favor from the past. Even though calling in an old debt might tarnish the He family’s reputation, we don’t have a better option. Let’s see if the old madam of the Shang family will give me some face.”

He Mingyu hesitated, then voiced his concern. “Dad, even if Minglan didn’t tell Changning everything that happened back then, his reaction suggests he knows at least part of it. If you go, do you really think he’ll agree to see you?”

The old man closed his eyes and leaned back against the sofa, seemingly resting, though inside he was in turmoil. No one knew better than him what he had done to his only daughter. If He Changning knew the whole truth, not only would he never send the child back to be raised by the He family—he might very well want to kill him. But for the sake of the He family’s future, he had no choice. The only one he truly owed was his daughter.

That sweet, persistent girl who used to cling to him every day would never come back. He had destroyed her with his own hands. And now, he was setting his sights on her grandson. He wondered whether his daughter, watching from the afterlife, would come back to haunt him for vengeance.

He deeply believed in the legend of the “Holy Son.” The Gu family had thrived because they once raised such a child. Since taking charge of the He family, he had seen its decline despite all his efforts to turn things around. He could no longer fight the tide of fate. Now, all hope rested on He Changning’s child—on the chance that this child might turn things around for the He family. Call it foolish or desperate to place the fate of an entire family on a baby, or heartless to sacrifice his own daughter and watch his grandson suffer—none of that mattered. He had responsibilities. He had convictions. Even if it meant sacrificing everyone, he had to protect the He family. That was his obsession—a stubborn, unshakable obsession.

After a long while, he opened his eyes. “He’ll see me.”

The Gu family wasn’t ignorant of what had happened back then. Letting He Changning live out in the world for so many years had been a test—to see if he could bear the “Holy Son’s” body. Now that Shang Yushang was guarding him so tightly, the Gu family was surely starting to suspect something. They would find a way to approach He Changning, so the He family couldn’t let them get there first.

If they could use the Gu family’s behavior to soften He Changning’s feelings toward the He family, there might still be a chance. If that child could forgive them and agree to reconnect, then everything would still be negotiable. Word was, the boy had a kind heart. If they could exploit that kindness, things would become much easier.

In front of the massive floor-to-ceiling window, a tall figure stood like a statue, gazing down at the world below.

The door to the room was gently knocked. A deep male voice called out, “Come in.”

A tall, broad-shouldered Caucasian man entered, speaking fluent Mandarin. “Boss, there’s news.”

The man didn’t turn around. “Speak.”

The Caucasian man replied respectfully, “The He family has already sent someone to make contact, but President Shang blocked them. They didn’t get to see him. There’s also word that the old master of the He family plans to visit Madam Shang personally.”

“When?”

“In two days.”

The man fell silent. The silence lasted so long that Ayn, the Caucasian, thought his boss wouldn’t speak again. Just as he was about to leave, the man instructed, “Book a flight home. Tomorrow.”

Ayn bowed slightly. “Yes, boss.” Then he quietly left the room.

The man continued gazing out the window, his thoughts drifting back to events over two decades ago. He still remembered that girl he’d only met a few times—gentle and delicate in appearance, but with a quiet strength and unwavering principles. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have cut ties and walked away so resolutely after learning what his father had done to her.

He still remembered what happened that night. His younger brother was supposed to be there, but ran away to escape an arranged marriage. That brother had always been favored—no matter what trouble he caused, the family always forgave him unconditionally. Meanwhile, he was the one constantly forced to clean up the mess. That night was no exception. Because his brother had fled, their father personally drugged him and sent him in his brother’s place—into the arms of that innocent, delicate girl.

After that night, he could no longer tolerate how their parents treated him versus his brother. From then on, he carefully laid out his plans, step by step, until he gained full control over the Gu family. But he missed the chance to connect with his child. And time just kept slipping away.

He knew exactly what the He family was planning. But he would never let them succeed. That child already had the life he wanted, and his partner loved him dearly. As much as he missed him, he forced himself not to interfere. But now that the He family had their eyes on the boy, he, as the biological father, would no longer stand by. He would never allow anyone—especially those who didn’t matter—to disrupt his child’s life. No one.

Unaware of the storm brewing around him, He Changning had no idea how many people were watching him—and his unborn child.