He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

During the meal, Fu Lu noticed that Song Zhi was just mechanically poking at the food in her bowl with her chopsticks, and she only touched the steamed sea bass, which she usually loved, once.

He placed a piece of the tenderest fish belly meat into her bowl, saying, "Eat some more. The doctor said you're too thin. You need to eat more since you're pregnant."

Song Zhi suddenly looked up, a hint of emotion he couldn't decipher flashing in her eyes: "Don't worry, it won't affect the child."

These words made Fu Lu's heart tighten.

He put down his chopsticks, got up, and squatted down beside Song Zhi, his gaze level with hers.

From this angle, he could clearly see the moisture welling up in her eyes and the slightly reddened tip of her nose.

"Childish,"

Fu Lu's hands were warm and strong as he gently cupped Song Zhi's cheeks, his thumb unconsciously stroking the delicate skin beneath her eyes.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me what's wrong?"

Song Zhi's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she subconsciously shrank her neck.

She avoided his burning gaze, her eyes landing on the second button of his shirt: "No..."

"Bad mood?"

Fu Lu refused to give up his questioning.

Song Zhi shook her head.

Seeing that she was still shaking her head, Fu Lu stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his arms.

Song Zhi's face was forced against his chest, and she could hear his strong heartbeat.

His voice came from his chest, trembling slightly: "Zhizhi, you need to understand something."

"What?"

Her voice was muffled by his clothes.

Fu Lu slightly distanced himself, cupped her face in his hands, and made her see the seriousness in his eyes.

"I love you because you gave birth to my child, understand?"

Song Zhi's lips pressed into a pale line, and her nails unconsciously dug into her palms.

Fu Lu sighed and ran his fingertips over her furrowed brows.

"I know that you may not be able to control your emotions and may feel unhappy when you are pregnant, but you have to tell me."

Song Zhi suddenly looked up, her eyes reddening.

"Ninth Brother."

"Um?"

She took a deep breath, as if using all her courage.

"If you have someone you like... you can tell me."

Song Zhi's voice trailed off, "I won't pester you, I will...get a divorce."

Fu Lu's brows furrowed instantly: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I'm not making this up."

Song Zhi stubbornly raised her eyes, tears welling up in them, "You don't need to secretly keep one outside. Tell me, and I'll back out."

The air seemed to freeze.

Fu Lu stood there, stunned, his pupils dilating slightly.

The silence that lasted a few seconds made Song Zhi's heart sink into an ice cellar.

Is this his acquiescence?

Just as she was about to suffocate, Fu Lu suddenly pinched her soft cheek, the force neither too light nor too heavy: "Who told you I have someone else outside?"

Song Zhi turned her face away without answering, but tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Fu Lu was so angry that he laughed, pulled a chair over and sat down in front of her, cupping her face in his hands without letting her escape.

"Silly girl, did you dream that I was keeping a lover?"

"It wasn't a dream." Song Zhi's voice choked with emotion. "What Chen Lu said..."

"Chen Lu?"

Fu Lu's voice suddenly rose, "What rubbish is she spouting!"

Song Zhi silently took out her phone and tremblingly opened the text message.

Fu Lu's face grew increasingly gloomy as he read, his jawline taut, and the anger in his eyes almost tangible.

Fu Lu suddenly stood up, the solid wood chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound.

The veins on his forehead were faintly visible, and his knuckles were white from gripping the phone so tightly.

"Damn, are you crazy?!"

His voice was laced with suppressed anger, like the rumble of thunder before a storm, “What nonsense are you spouting? I’m calling her right now and yelling at her.”

Song Zhi hurriedly grabbed his wrist, "Ninth Brother, no..."

"She's clearly trying to sow discord between us," Fu Lu said, his eyes still blazing with anger as he turned around. "Why are you stopping me?"

Song Zhi looked up, tears still clinging to her eyelashes: "So, is there really no one outside?"

Fu Lu paused for a moment, then suddenly pinched her soft cheek, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy: "You little ingrate,"

He laughed in exasperation, "My loyalty surpasses even the most virtuous and chaste women, yet you'd rather believe outsiders than me?"

Song Zhi looked away guiltily, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes: "I didn't."

"No?"

Fu Lu leaned closer, his nose almost touching hers, "So who gave me a hard time just now? Hmm?"

Song Zhi opened her mouth, but in the end only bit her lower lip.

Fu Lu stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly sighed and breathed warmly on her head: "Never mind."

He dialed the number directly and put it on speakerphone.

Chen Lu's surprised voice immediately came through the receiver: "Ninth Brother, why did you think of calling me?"

Fu Lu's eyes were cold, but his tone was unusually calm: "I will come to watch your match this week."

The sound of a glass being overturned came from the other end of the phone, and Chen Lu's voice suddenly rose.

"Really? You're really coming?"

The jubilant tone made Song Zhi's heart clench.

"Ok."

Fu Lu hung up decisively and turned to face Song Zhi's pale face.

Her eyes quickly reddened, and her tears reflected the light in a shimmering pattern.

Why are you crying?

Fu Lu panicked and hurriedly pulled her into his arms.

Song Zhi buried her face in his chest, smelling the familiar scent of cedar, feeling a mix of sourness and bitterness in her heart.

She hated being so insecure and anxious, and she hated her uncontrollable tears even more.

"Ninth Brother,"

Her voice muffled inside his clothes, "You need to go watch her match."

"Ok."

Song Zhi suddenly looked up, her bloodshot eyes staring straight into his.

"You like her? You want to keep her as your mistress?"

Fu Lu was taken aback at first, then didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He cupped her face in his hands and gently wiped away her hot tears with his thumb.

"That's not true. I've only ever loved one person in my life."

"Then why..."

Song Zhi's questioning was interrupted by Fu Lu's kiss on the corner of her eye.

"Fool," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, "I went there to confront her face to face. How could I not know I had a mistress on the side?"

As he spoke, his warm hand covered her lower abdomen. "And let everyone know who my wife, Fu Lu, really is."

Song Zhi sniffed and muttered softly, "Then...then take me with you."

Fu Lu chuckled and pinched the tip of her nose: "Of course I'll take you, otherwise how can I prove my innocence? Besides, you're pregnant now, how can I let you stay home alone and overthink things?"

Song Zhi felt a little relieved, but a small knot still lingered in her heart: "But Chen Lu... likes you."

"What does it have to do with me that she likes me?"

Fu Lu interrupted her, his expression serious, "From beginning to end, you are the only one in my heart. No one else has anything to do with me."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi felt a sudden warmth and sweetness in her heart, as if it had been soaked in warm water.

She buried her face in Fu Lu's shoulder, her voice muffled: "I'm sorry."

Fu Lu tightened his arms, holding her even closer.

“No need to apologize,” he said, his lips brushing against the top of her head. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

"I shouldn't have disbelieved you."

Song Zhi looked up, her eyes still glistening with tears. "I want to believe you, but my mind keeps wandering off into wild thoughts."

"fine,"

Fu Lu gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingertips. "You're pregnant now, hormones are acting up."

He deliberately lowered his voice, with a hint of teasing, "I've heard that a pregnant woman's tears are made of pearls; no wonder they're so precious."

Song Zhi burst into laughter through her tears: "Nonsense."

"No nonsense."

"Ninth Brother, what if I can't control my emotions in the future?"