Yu Xiaogang suspected Flender precisely because of the latter's current elated and excited demeanor.
After all, Flender had once harbored feelings for Liu Erlong. Though Liu Erlong rejected him to choose Yu Xiaogang, and Flender later claimed to support their relationship, Yu Xiaogang now faced a jarring truth: Liu Erlong was inexplicably pregnant—and the child wasn't his.
Flender must be the father, Yu Xiaogang concluded. Flender's exuberance seemed to scream that Liu Erlong carried his child. As for Flender's earlier explanations? Yu Xiaogang hadn't processed a single word.
"Xiaogang, what's wrong? Aren't you happy Erlong is pregnant?" Flender asked, patting Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, puzzled by his vacant stare.
"Flender, you seem very pleased about Erlong's pregnancy," Yu Xiaogang replied coldly.
Though once closest friends and brothers, if Flender had secretly pursued Liu Erlong while pretending to yield her, Yu Xiaogang would sever ties instantly. Betrayal and deceit were unforgivable—his greatest hatred.
"Of course I'm happy! Aren't you?"
Flender remained oblivious to Yu Xiaogang's suspicions, already envisioning himself as the child's godfather.
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened further. "Why should I be happy?"
The icy tone finally struck Flender. "Xiaogang, it's your child! Why wouldn't you be happy? What's with this attitude?"
"My child?" Yu Xiaogang frowned.
"Yes, yours!" Flender smacked his forehead. "Damn it, I forgot to explain!"
He recounted everything: how he'd drugged Liu Erlong during her visit to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, how Yu Xiaogang later went to her room drunk, and how they "naturally" slept together—thus conceiving the child.
Yu Xiaogang froze, then remembered waking outside her door after that drunken night, recalling nothing. So that's what happened... Erlong must've kicked me out in anger.
Despair vanished. Euphoria surged. I'm going to be a father!
He wheeled on Flender, feigning reproach. "Flender! How could you act so recklessly? If you hadn't clarified, I'd have never known! I even thought you—"
"Ha! I just gave you two a push!" Flender cut in, stern. "Did you truly suspect me? You know my character!"
Yu Xiaogang brushed off his earlier mistrust. "Nonsense! I'd never doubt you. But Erlong... she's been avoiding me."
Flender "deduced" the reason: "She's protecting you! Think—she's your cousin. If her father learns she carries your child, he'd hunt you down."
Yu Xiaogang's guilt flared. Erlong sacrificed so much for me, yet I accused her... I'm despicable.
He turned to apologize, but Flender stopped him. "She's already cold to you? Then stay away. Let her focus on the pregnancy. Plan later."
"Right. I wasn't thinking," Yu Xiaogang conceded. He'd endure her distance—it was all for his sake.
Thanks to Flender's wild theories and Yu Xiaogang's self-delusion, both now "knew" the child was Yu Xiaogang's.
Neither realized Liu Erlong was already at Ah Yin's residence, confessing the truth:
"I'm pregnant... with Tang Yin's child."
"Really?" Ah Yin's eyes lit up. Tang Yin was her adopted son, Liu Erlong his lover—making Ah Yin both mother-in-law and... more. The thought warmed her cheeks.
Just then, Tang Yin appeared behind them, having heard everything.
Shock melted into joy. Xiao Wu's barely pregnant, and now Erlong too?
"Tang Yin! Wh-when did you return?" Liu Erlong stammered.
He sat beside her, smiling. "I came back to see the mother of my child... and my baby."
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