C9 She Could Not Let Her Get Pregnant!

"Shen Qingli, do I look like someone willing to sacrifice myself for you?"

It appeared that he wouldn't have the pleasure of this woman's company today.

With a hint of regret, the man tightened his bathrobe. His well-defined frame relaxed slightly, exuding the grace of a satiated feline.

He rolled off Fu Yunyi and casually draped the blanket over her bare form. "Alright, I misunderstood," he conceded.

Fu Yunyi shot him a sharp look. It was true what they said—all crows under the sun are black.

"However," he pivoted the conversation, "what do you intend to do with that white cloth?"

White cloth?

Fu Yunyi was momentarily perplexed. "What white cloth?" she asked, her lips parting in confusion.

With an almost amused look, Shen Qingli's eyes flickered to the bed beneath her. Following his gaze, Fu Yunyi saw the stark white silk cloth lying on the bright red bedsheet embroidered with a phoenix. It was glaringly conspicuous.

Oh no—

Annoyance creased her brow as she realized she had nearly forgotten that the Shen family, being one of the most prominent families, would certainly place great importance on their daughter-in-law's purity, far more than the average family would.

Although she was indeed pure, this being her first time, if she presented the white cloth as it was, others might not believe her.

But if she didn't stain the white cloth with blood, Mother Shen, who already looked down on her, might blow things out of proportion...

Mulling over her options, Fu Yunyi suddenly lifted her head, her eyes resolute as she faced Shen Qingli. "Do you have a knife?"

"A knife?" He chuckled, tilting his head. "Are you planning to use your own blood?"

"Enough with the questions!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Fu Yunyi spotted the fruit fork on the coffee table, its metal gleaming coldly under the suggestive lighting.

With a determined heart, she wrapped herself up and walked over, pricking her fingertip with the fork.

Crimson beads of blood quickly welled up and spilled from the puncture. Shen Qingli watched Fu Yunyi with a detached gaze, yet he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of admiration for her.

Despite the situation escalating to this point, she remained composed, swiftly devising a plan without a trace of hesitation.

The man's lips curled into a smile, a fitting expression for the wife of Shen Qingli.

The blood quickly spread across the pure white silk, resembling a winter plum blossoming in the snow, a sight both beautiful and startling.

Fu Yunyi smoothed out the bloodied silk on the table, her brow furrowed. "Since our union is based on mutual benefits, it would be best to avoid any physical contact from now on. Do you understand?"

She wasn't a prude, but she had her standards and wasn't about to compromise them for the sake of a charade.

She might never end up with the one she loved, but Fu Yunyi would rather remain alone than surrender her first time to Shen Qingli, no matter how flawless he seemed.

Shen Qingli, provoked by her words, propped up his head, his dark eyes narrowing with intent.

"Fu Yunyi, you're with me every day. How can you be so sure you won't fall for me?"

He couldn't believe that he, a man as cold and ruthless as himself, could develop feelings for her. Surely Fu Yunyi, a woman of deep sincerity, could not remain indifferent.

"No."

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

Her voice remained proud, dismissive without a second thought, igniting a fierce desire to conquer in a man accustomed to others' submission.

"Fu Yunyi, let's make a wager," Shen Qingli proposed. "I bet that you'll eventually develop feelings for me."

"That's impossible," Fu Yunyi retorted with a cold laugh, her red lips curving. "I, Fu Yunyi, would never fall for a man who takes liberties with me."

Her statement might have sounded definitive, but after years of knowing Shen Qingli, if there were any feelings to be had, she would have felt them by now.

Regardless of the bet, they had all the time in the world, and she was resolute.

As Shen Qingli saw his plan taking shape, his smile grew more profound. "If you fall for me, then you'll dutifully become Mrs. Shen and bear me a child. If not, I'll leave you be."

"Shen Qingli, are you mocking me?" Fu Yunyi's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Me, have your child?"

"What's the matter? Got an issue with that?"

"I'd say it's more likely for you to bear my child." This man was utterly delusional.

"It's not entirely out of the question—"

Shen Qingli feigned compliance as he reclined on the bed, his loosely tied bathrobe revealing an enticing collarbone and a smooth chest, tempting and provocative. "But it seems we'd need to plant the seed first, right? Come on, I promise I won't put up a fight."

"Get lost!"

"Oh? Have you lost your nerve to wager?"

The woman's delicate face momentarily tensed, but she quickly regained her usual icy demeanor.

"Why wouldn't I dare to bet?" Fu Yunyi's voice rose defiantly. "I, Fu Yunyi, am someone who's utterly carefree. You're bound to lose this bet."

The mood in the honeymoon suite was peculiarly eerie that night.

Fu Yunyi lay on her side, savoring the comfort and softness of the king-size bed, while Qingli, typically adored and fawned over, found himself relegated to the carpet. As he listened to the gentle breaths emanating from the bed, his beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation.