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Just as the thought occurred to her, the main door to the house opened. Shu Pan looked towards the foyer and saw Auntie Li leading Joy by the hand.

“What took you so long today?” Shu Pan asked doubtfully. It usually took them a shorter time to get home.

“Oh, Joy wanted to eat meatballs, so we took a detour to the market.” Auntie Li explained with a smile.

“Thanks so much, Auntie Li.” Shu Pan then looked at Joy. “You greedy little munchkin.”

“Mommy, why didn’t you pick me up if you’re at home?” Joy pouted and looked unhappy when she saw Shu Pan.

“I’m sorry sweetie. Mommy had to deal with something today. I’ll pick you up from school tomorrow, okay?” Shu Pan said gently as she leveled eyes with Joy and patted her head.

“Alright. Please don’t forget, okay?” The little girl reminded her mother.

“Sure. Now, let’s have Auntie Li cook you some meatballs.” Joy’s eyes lit up when Shu Pan mentioned meatballs.

“Yay! But where’s Daddy? Is he not home yet?” Joy looked around the living room.

“Daddy has gone on a business trip. He’ll be back in two days.” Shu Pan comforted her. Shu Pan sometimes envied their father-and-daughter bond.

Joy nodded but disappointment filled her eyes.

Shu Pan felt hungry too. She usually didn’t mind it but things were different now. There was a little one inside her whose future was undetermined… Would Gu Shaoting be happy when he found out? She wasn’t even sure herself.

Auntie Li was a very competent cook. She whipped up three dishes and a soup in no time.

“Dinner’s ready.” Auntie Li called out from the kitchen. Shu Pan and Joy walked to the dining table.

Shu Pan’s stomach felt queasy as she ate dinner, but she endured it. Joy was a child after all and didn’t know how to read people’s expressions. She ate her dinner with relish. Auntie Li’s meatballs were very bouncy and flavorful.

Shu Pan couldn’t bear to look at meat but she didn’t want to deprive her baby. So, she forced herself to eat and filled her stomach despite her unsettled mood.

Auntie Li was a seasoned pro. She saw Shu Pan’s uneasiness and asked, “Madam, is the food not to your liking?”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just that my appetite isn’t good.” Shu Pan shook her head. After she finished eating, she left the dining table and saw Joy’s bulging tummy.

Shu Pan couldn’t help but smile.

Gu Shaoting was probably busy, so he only called home at around 9 p.m. Shu Pan was already dozing off.

“Honey, were you asleep? I’m sorry. It’s been a crazy day; I could only call you now.” Gu Shaoting said apologetically.

“It’s okay. I was just about to go to bed.” Shu Pan said plainly, sounding like she didn’t want to talk.

“Alright then. I shan’t disturb you. Have a good rest.” After Gu Shaoting hung up the phone, Shu Pan fell into deep thought.

She had to be tougher this time. She had to take precautions before she did something she might regret later.

She had given in time and time again but Gu Shaoting didn’t even seem to notice. Men always thought that they were right and that they hadn’t cheated on their wife. What, in their minds, was considered cheating?

At least that was Gu Shaoting’s position now. He felt that Shu Pan was being unreasonable because he was merely giving Charlene a goodbye hug. She was like a younger sister to him, but Shu Pan’s reaction was so over-the-top.

Shu Pan fell asleep as she pondered.