This was Qin Guan's first act of infidelity.
Before this, there had actually been other women who had made overt or subtle advances, some even actively throwing themselves at him or trying to pounce on him. He had rejected them all, one by one.
He wasn't indiscriminate when it came to women; he had standards. There needed to be a feeling, she had to be beautiful, sensible, proactive, have a clean background, and be easy to control.
Junjun fit his requirements perfectly.
She was passionate like a blazing fire, leaping in his arms, completely consuming him. The thin, brittle ice of his refusal had barely formed on his lips before she melted it away with fervent kisses: "Lawyer Qin, I just like you. I simply like you. To me, you're like a star in the sky. I don't want anything else. All I want is you..."
That very night, they went to a nearby hotel.
Qin Guan was utterly unable to resist. Ever since Xu Ruyi became pregnant, he had been abstinent for months. Under Junjun's slight provocation, his desire ignited like a bonfire, completely uncontrollable.
It was a night of wild abandon.
However, once the passion subsided, Qin Guan looked at the unfamiliar female body on the bed and thought of Shi Jie. A trace of fear crept in. Without a word, he dressed and fled home like a thief.
Of course, Xu Ruyi didn't notice. That night, when he returned so late, she was still awake, waiting for him as usual. She was leaning on the sofa, intently reading Prenatal Guidance. The moment Qin Guan came back, she got up and clung to him like a burr, chattering away. She said she'd napped twice during the day and couldn't sleep now, that she'd eaten something delicious earlier which was strange because she hadn't liked it a while ago, and how pregnancy cravings really changed day by day...
This was the Xu Ruyi Qin Guan knew. From dating to marriage to pregnancy, she hadn't changed. She clung to him like a little girl, wanting to share everything with him. She had no secrets before him. Her devotion to him was wholehearted.
When Qin Guan came out after showering, she waddled over with her big belly, bringing him soup – soup she had personally made. During that period, Auntie Feng had moved back to Jiayuan Residential Complex to care for her mother (Xu Ruyi's mother), so most of the cooking at home was done by Qin Guan. Xu Ruyi occasionally tried her hand at cooking too.
Following an online tutorial, she had made him ginseng soup. "Working so late, husband, you must be tired. Drink it quickly." Then she sat opposite him, propping her chin on her hands, smiling with squinted eyes, watching him drink with tenderness in her gaze. She stroked her belly and chatted with him, full of anticipation: "Husband, what name should we give our baby? Think of a few. You're so smart, the names you pick will definitely be good. I talked about this with Mom today. Mom said we should pick a nickname first. I thought about what to call her. Then I remembered, ever since I got pregnant with her, I crave pears every day! Mom said, 'Then what's there to think about? Just call her Little Pear!'" Her face was lit with a blissful, contented smile.
She knew nothing.
After the incident, Qin Guan didn't secretly vow in his heart – Never cheat again. He wouldn't say useless things like that. Because he clearly knew there would definitely be a second time with Junjun. He could see the woman genuinely liked him. And also because he knew they were simply using each other – he needed release, and money; Junjun wanted benefits.
Though Junjun spoke sweetly, Qin Guan understood Shi Jie was still behind her. Shi Jie had brought her to that dinner precisely to hook him, Qin Guan, like a fish. Whether Shi Jie found her or she found Shi Jie, she was doing this for Shi Jie's money. Qin Guan wasn't stupid; he saw the game clearly. This wasn't the first time he'd encountered attempts to bribe him with women. It was just that the timing was perfect this time – he needed a woman, this woman perfectly fit his requirements, and, Shi Jie paid enough.
Shi Jie was truly generous. When Qin Guan refused to be his legal counsel, he waved his hand dismissively, "No problem! Lawyer Qin, I'll just find someone to hang the title on, like you said." While he wouldn't be the official counsel, Qin Guan still prepared the contract documents. After all, it was a piece of cake for him. Shi Jie, magnanimous as ever, sent him another bundle – cash.
Junjun, however, refused Qin Guan's money outright. She candidly admitted she had already received a payoff from Shi Jie – that's how her little beauty salon had been funded. She said it wouldn't be moral, and too greedy, to take money from Qin Guan as well. Besides, "I genuinely like you. I only have admiration and respect for you, sincerely. You know, when you truly like someone, you only want to make them happy and satisfied. You wouldn't want their money." She spoke earnestly and truly acted accordingly.
Qin Guan accepted his infidelity from the bottom of his heart. His wife couldn't have sex during pregnancy; he was just resolving a physical need. It was merely a reasonable, rule-abiding, fair transaction. Moreover, this woman wouldn't cause trouble. And most importantly, he absolutely could not fall in love with this woman. Emotionally, he still affirmed Xu Ruyi. So, this didn't count as betrayal.
For two whole weeks, Qin Guan and Junjun met secretly almost every day. Junjun was gentle as water and full of tricks, both in and out of bed, constantly finding new ways to please him. They were the most carefree and comfortable two weeks Qin Guan had felt in a long time.
Originally, this period would have lasted far longer than two weeks – Junjun had completely betrayed Shi Jie, telling Qin Guan everything. She revealed Shi Jie might have been involved in some major crime before, having let something slip when drunk once. "Stay away from him," Junjun advised earnestly, holding him. "He's a scoundrel; you shouldn't get involved. If he asks you for favors, avoid them if you can. Don't get dragged down with him." This woman had already started thinking for him. Qin Guan wisely distanced himself from Shi Jie, and his relationship with Junjun grew even closer.
Originally, this affair could have lasted at least half a year – Qin Guan planned to break it off with this woman after Xu Ruyi gave birth and recovered. By then, he'd likely be tired of her anyway, and it would be time to get close to Xu Ruyi properly again. Qin Guan had arranged everything perfectly, flawlessly – if he hadn't been caught by his mother-in-law.
Their secret meeting that day was at noon. During that period, Xu Ruyi's belly was getting bigger, and she had caught a mild cold. After the cold, her appetite was poor, so Qin Guan had to rush home punctually every afternoon to cook for her. Junjun had booked a midday hotel room for a few hours.
"Any longer like this, and I'll be charmed to death," Qin Guan joked, relaxing as he dressed in front of the mirror, smiling at the soft body on the bed reflected in the glass.
"I'm the one about to be tormented to death by you, alright?" Junjun flirted playfully. She tilted her body, propping her lovely face on her elbow, gazing at Qin Guan with pure admiration and affection. The next second, she threw back the covers and slid her naked body like a fish into Qin Guan's arms. "I really don't want you to go," she murmured, holding him. The disappointment and longing on her face pleased Qin Guan more than any sweet talk. "I really like you so much. Every time, I hate parting from you. Just watching you quietly makes me happy... Sometimes I just can't believe someone as outstanding and radiant as you could ever belong to me, even for a moment..."
"Alright, be good. Don't be sad. We'll see each other again very soon," Qin Guan said, tightening his arms around her warm, soft body. He kissed her back without emotion, then immediately switched to cautious instructions: "Remember, tomorrow at noon. Book the room, message me the details first. I'll go up first. You go out for a stroll and come in later. Don't let anyone notice."
"I know," Junjun nodded obediently, her lips peppering his face with little kisses.
"Alright, alright, get back to bed. I need to open the door." Qin Guan chuckled, pushing her away playfully, yet secretly savoring her passionate attachment. His jacket slung over his arm, he walked to the door and opened it.
In that instant, all the smiles froze on Qin Guan's face.
Outside the door stood his mother-in-law, her face like thunder.