Chapter 70: Could It Be That You’re Pregnant?

"Then we’ll just have to keep digging. Everyone slips up eventually," Yang Lan suddenly grew interested, letting out a light hum. "She loves showing off in front of your father—let her have the limelight at tonight’s family dinner."

"Mom, what ‘good stuff’ are you planning to serve her?"

Ye Hua brightened at once. She sat up, looping her arm through Yang Lan’s.

Yang Lan curved her lips in a smile. "You’ll see soon enough."

...

The Ye family’s old residence.

Lu Yao returned once again, this time as a guest. Even the butler greeted her with a respectful smile, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

She followed Ye Yingtang into the main building, and just as they entered, Ye Zehong and Qiao Wan’er arrived. Qiao Wan’er clung affectionately to Ye Zehong’s arm, her face radiating the shy delight of a pampered young woman, no trace of the desperation she’d shown crying and pleading in the hospital days before.

Lu Yao watched them quietly, feeling as though a heavy stone pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

The dinner was lavish, featuring all of Lu Yao’s favorite sweet Jiangnan dishes. She’d been fortunate enough to sample the old residence’s chef before, and the skills were on par with any five-star restaurant.

Her seat, previously in the middle, was now right beside Ye Yingtang. Looking up, she saw Ye Zehong and Qiao Wan’er seated across from her.

"Miss Lu, Ze Mao told me you love Jiangnan cuisine, so I asked the kitchen to prepare these especially for you. I hope they suit your taste," Ye Yingtang said with a kindly smile, personally pouring her a glass of red wine.

Lu Yao felt a gentle warmth inside. Never before had an elder shown her such care.

"Thank you, Mr. Ye. I appreciate the effort from both you and your wife," Lu Yao replied politely.

"Miss Lu, you’re too modest. I should be the one thanking you. If you hadn’t helped me win that lawsuit, I wouldn’t be here enjoying my wine tonight—I’d be drowning my sorrows instead." In a single sentence, Ye Yingtang elevated Lu Yao’s worth in everyone’s eyes.

Yang Lan, though harboring jealousy, maintained a gentle smile. "Miss Lu, thank you for resolving such a troublesome matter for the Ye family. This toast is for you." She raised her glass and drank in one go.

Lu Yao returned the smile, took a sip of wine, and began to eat in earnest.

Ye Hua, while eating, kept a close eye on Ye Zehong, hoping to catch some telling detail. Yet halfway through the dinner, she’d found nothing.

Unwilling to give up, she set her chopsticks down and deliberately said, "Wan’er, could it be that you’re expecting?"

"Huh? Big Sis, what did you say?" Qiao Wan’er looked utterly confused.

"You and my brother suddenly decided to get engaged, and the wedding’s at the end of the year. Is it because you’re pregnant and that’s why you’re in such a hurry?" Ye Hua fixed Qiao Wan’er with an inquisitive gaze, secretly watching for any change in Lu Yao’s expression.

But Lu Yao seemed not to hear, fully absorbed in savoring her meal.

Qiao Wan’er shot Ye Hua an awkward glance. She wanted to deny it, but a sly thought flickered in her eyes, and she feigned a bashful silence.

Sometimes, silence itself is an answer.

"If you won’t answer, then I must have guessed right," Ye Hua said with a teasing glance at Ye Zehong. "Congratulations, second brother. The Ye family’s first grandson is on the way."

The words ‘first grandson’ sent a tremor through Lu Yao’s heart.

Her expression faltered as she swallowed a bite too quickly and choked. She reached for her wine, but just then a servant passed by, deliberately bumping her arm so that the wine spilled over her dress.

The servant hurriedly apologized, grabbing a napkin to help clean the spill, but in the process knocked over a soup tureen, sending warm broth splashing over Lu Yao’s hand.

Ye Zehong stood up abruptly.

Every gaze in the room turned toward him.