Chapter 27: Screw that; in this house full of surveillance, you can have your fun, but I can't

Xie Wantang went upstairs, originally intending to call her older brother, but thinking of the omnipresent surveillance at home, she finally chose to send a message to her older brother: "Older brother, I've worked things out with Lu Yanshen; for now we won't divorce."

"But you need to act quickly; my stomach can't wait too long."

Xie Wantang's phone had an anti-spy film applied, so even if the surveillance camera was pointed at her phone, it couldn't peek at the messages she sent.

Initially, she agreed to install surveillance at home because Lu Yanshen's situation was special, and also to put the Lu family at ease.

The bathroom had no surveillance, only an alarm; Lu Yanshen could press it if needed, and even if no one was home, Xie Wantang's phone could still receive distress messages.

Later, after Lu Yanshen recovered, she wanted to remove the surveillance, but someone objected.

Back then, her persona was sensible, mature, tolerant of everything; plus, since Lu Yanshen didn't strive for freedom either, she didn't mind.

But now, she doesn't want to endure anything, nor does she intend to.

Under the pretense of renovation, she actually intended to dismantle these surveillance devices that monitored her and Lu Yanshen's life.

Letting them continue to exist in this home is really an eyesore.

She hadn't expected Lu Yanshen to actually agree.

"Older brother knows, I'm currently at the airport; I'm heading back to Haishi and will return soon," Qin Muyang replied.

"Mm, I'll wait for you, older brother."

Xie Wantang is a person of action; she delegated the task of dismissing staff to Lu Yanshen, and immediately afterward had Xu Yanqiu help her find a reputable interior designer.

Xu Yanqiu is a streamer with relatively free time, so she has plenty of opportunity to network.

The reason the two got to know each other is that Xu Yanqiu took the initiative to come to her door.

Less than ten minutes after Xie Wantang put out her request, Xu Yanqiu recommended a highly regarded female designer from Sijiucheng, Su Nianchu.

The three agreed to meet at noon for lunch, chatting while they ate.

Since it was still early, Xu Yanqiu suggested that if Xie Wantang had nothing else to do, they should go out for coffee; Xie Wantang agreed.

As she went downstairs, Lu Yanshen was just about to head out.

"Where are you going?" Lu Yanshen asked proactively, "I'm heading back to my parents' place; want me to give you a ride?"

"No need, I'll drive myself; you go ahead."

"Okay," Lu Yanshen said, not pressing further.

Xie Wantang walked over to change her shoes; although she had originally intended not to say more, she couldn't hold back: "Lu Yanshen, are you going home because Lu Rourou tattled on you?"

Xie Wantang is very sharp; her guesses are always spot-on.

Lu Yanshen acquiesced.

Xie Wantang raised an eyebrow: "Didn't your mother let you bring me along?"

Lu Yanshen countered: "Would you go?"

"No." Xie Wantang answered as a matter of course.

"Well then, what are you going out to do? Weren't you saying you needed to renovate the house, and that I should have Pei Xiao arrange a few interior designers for you to meet?"

"No need; Qiuxiu has already helped me find one—a beautiful female designer named Su Nianchu."

"Su Nianchu? I know—she won first place in the design competition at the end of last year; your friend is quite capable, able to secure a meeting so quickly with a designer of such stature."

"President Lu lives up to his title—whenever it's a beautiful woman, no matter the field, you know about it," Xie Wantang said sarcastically.

The next second, Lu Yanshen reached out and pinched Xie Wantang's chubby cheek; it felt nice, and he was in a decent mood: "Even eating this flying vinegar, want to hook up tonight? Has your aunt left?"

"Screw that; in this house full of surveillance, you can have your fun, but I can't."

Xie Wantang swore angrily, put on her shoes, grabbed her car keys, and headed to the garage.

Standing behind her, watching her descend the steps, Lu Yanshen didn't hold a grudge against her for those harsh words she'd just spoken.

Lu Yanshen got into Pei Xiao's car and drove alone to his parents' home.

Xie Wantang followed closely behind, driving to the downtown coffee shop to meet Xu Yanqiu.

When Xie Wantang entered, Xu Yanqiu had already ordered her favorite coffee for her.

Xie Wantang refused the coffee, had Xu Yanqiu drink it instead, and went to the side to order a cup of warm milk tea.

"What? You're not drinking coffee—are you trying to stay healthy?" Xu Yanqiu widened her eyes, then suspiciously said, "No, Tangtang, don't tell me you're planning to condition your body to bear a child for that dog of a man, Lu Yanshen?"

"Qiuxiu, you need to change your mindset," Xie Wantang said, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Huh? Change what?" Xu Yanqiu asked, puzzled.

"We women shout every day that we want to be queens; if we are queens, it's natural to have children if we want to, and not to have them if we don't—why should we hand over our reproductive rights to men?"

"If I want to have a child, it will definitely be for myself, absolutely not for Lu Yanshen."

"Understand?"

"……"

She understands this principle, though.

But what she doesn't understand is whether Xie Wantang actually wants to have a child.

Otherwise, why would she quit drinking coffee?

"I get it—pregnant women don't avoid coffee either, so why are you avoiding it?"

"Others also run red lights; do you want to join them?" Xie Wantang countered.

Xu Yanqiu pouted, "You're just trying to go against me today, aren't you?"

"No, I'm just telling you a principle: people like to do what they want to do; that's their choice. For the sake of a child I don't drink coffee, and to cherish life I don't run red lights—that's my choice."

"Huh? You're avoiding coffee for the sake of a child?" Xu Yanqiu, who's good at grasping the point, said, "Xie Wantang, are you pregnant? Hmm…"

Xie Wantang promptly raised her hand to cover Xu Yanqiu's excited big mouth; as Xu Yanqiu frantically hinted for her to answer, she gently reminded her: "You need to stay calm before I'll speak."

Xu Yanqiu raised two fingers, swore, and nodded her head frantically.

"Mm, I'm pregnant." Xie Wantang shared this good news with Xu Yanqiu.

Xu Yanqiu instantly closed her eyes, digesting this news that was enough to shock someone to death.

Five minutes later, Xu Yanqiu finally finished digesting, she opened her eyes and grasped Xie Wantang's hands: "Congratulations, congratulations, I'm going to be a godmother, right?"

Does Lu Yanshen know you're pregnant?

Xie Wantang shook her head: "I haven't told him."

Then, now that you're pregnant, can you still divorce him? Your belly will start to show in three months; how long can you keep it hidden from others?" Xu Yanqiu asked again.

As long as you want, there will be a way to hide it; don't worry, I have my own plan.

Hmm, can I touch your belly?

It's flat; besides flesh, what else could you feel? If you want to touch, touch your own—you have more flesh than I do." Xie Wantang refused.

Xu Yanqiu almost bit her molars: "……"

If Xie Wantang weren't pregnant, she would have choked her and fought her to the death.

What do you mean by her having more flesh?

If you think she's fat, just say it straight; no need to beat around the bush.

At noon, the three women met at the hotel, chatting about house renovations in a pleasant conversation, and Xie Wantang's phone in her bag kept ringing.

Xie Wantang, who had long turned off silent mode, was completely unaware.