"Initially, I thought it would be difficult to get along with you since we didn't know each other well," Lu Zhenyu continued, his gaze incredibly serious and focused entirely on her. "But everything just came naturally.
Slowly, all I wanted to do was spoil and pamper you. Seeing you happy made me happy, and when you were sad, it affected me instantly. I used to be a workaholic who loved working overtime, but after marrying you... I can't wait for working hours to end just so I can rush back to your side."
Gu Anran's breath hitched, her voice trembling slightly. "Lu Zhenyu... what exactly are you trying to say to me?"
Lu Zhenyu leaned in, a rare, breathless smile breaking across his handsome features. "Mrs. Lu, I've fallen in love with you."
Gu Anran could feel her heart racing frantically against her ribs. The words echoed in her mind, sending waves of warmth through her entire body.
"Ming Lan didn't lie to you," Lu Zhenyu added softly. "You really do have my heart."
Gu Anran blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected him to overhear what Ming Lan had whispered to her back in the private room.
"So tell me, Mrs. Lu," Lu Zhenyu murmured, his eyes searching hers for answers. "Do you feel the same way toward me? If you don't yet... I am perfectly willing to wait for you."
Instead of answering with words, Gu Anran leaned forward and pressed a firm, lingering kiss against his lips. As she pulled back, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, burying her face into his shoulder.
"If those frantic, chaotic emotions mean falling in love... then it's exactly the same for me," she whispered, finally mustering the courage to look him dead in the eye. "Just the mere thought of you being with another woman is enough to rip my heart out.
Maybe... maybe that's why I overreacted so badly earlier."
"I never felt like you overreacted," Lu Zhenyu teased, a playful glint entering his eyes. "In fact, you have no idea how ecstatic I felt when you boldly declared to that secretary that I belong entirely to you."
Gu Anran couldn't help but blush crimson under his teasing gaze.
Lu Zhenyu's expression then turned deeply earnest, his voice softening. "Mrs. Lu, promise me you won't ever shut me out like this again, or subject me to a cold war. It makes me feel like I'm losing my mind. Whatever happens in the future, confront me head-on. Don't lock it up in your heart."
He caught her chin, forcing her to see the absolute certainty in his eyes. "You never have to worry about me betraying you. It won't ever happen—not in this lifetime. Because the woman I, Lu Zhenyu, have chosen to spend my entire existence with will never have a single competitor or rival."
Gu Anran's heart fluttered wildly at his fierce reassurance. Overwhelmed with emotion, she simply leaned against his chest, using her silent embrace to give him her ultimate answer.
"Gu Anran, I love you," Lu Zhenyu said again, the repetition catching her off guard.
"Lu Zhenyu... I love you too," she murmured, her eyes pooling with emotional tears.
Lu Zhenyu smiled tenderly, using his thumbs to gently brush the moisture from her lashes. "Let's go inside. Aunt Qin must be worried sick waiting for us."
Only then did Gu Anran realize that the car had been parked in the villa's driveway for quite some time.
"Yes, let's go in," she said, her cheeks warm.
She opened the car door and stepped out, with Lu Zhenyu following closely behind.
Together, hand-in-hand, they walked into the brightly lit villa. The moment they crossed the threshold, Aunt Qin and the maids beamed with visible relief and joy at the sight of the reconciled couple.
"Aunt Qin, serve the food," Lu Zhenyu commanded gently. "My wife is hungry."
"Right away, Young Master!" Aunt Qin replied, a massive smile on her face.
In no time, a spread of delicious, steaming dishes was laid out across the dining table.
True to his usual doting form, Lu Zhenyu immediately picked up a spoon, ready to feed her.
"No need to feed me," Gu Anran laughed, picking up her own utensil. "My appetite has been surprisingly good these days, so don't worry about me and eat your own food."
"Does a man really need a reason to spoil his own wife?" Lu Zhenyu countered smoothly, refusing to lower the spoon.
Gu Anran blushed again, but happily accepted the bite from his hand. To return the sweet gesture, she lifted her own spoon and fed him in return. The entire dining room was instantly filled with an almost diabetic sweetness.
After dinner, the two headed upstairs to their bedroom, finally winding down for the night. Lu Zhenyu pulled her into his arms, holding her securely against his chest.
"Teacher Bai will be holding a formal banquet for me soon," Gu Anran mentioned, resting her chin on his chest. "You have to attend with me."
"Of course, darling. I wouldn't miss it for the world," Lu Zhenyu replied, kissing the top of her head.
"And also..." Gu Anran paused, placing a hand over her stomach. "I'm four months along now. I'd like to visit the hospital soon so we can finally find out the gender of the baby."
"Don't worry about a thing. I will have Lin Feng coordinate with the hospital to make the best private arrangements tomorrow," Lu Zhenyu assured her.
"Do you prefer a boy or a girl?" Gu Anran asked curiously, looking up at him.
Lu Zhenyu thought about it seriously for a moment before replying, "I'm not picky at all. As long as the child looks exactly like you, I'll be thrilled."
"Girls tend to look more like their moms, but they always end up loving their dads the most," Gu Anran chattered excitedly, her eyes bright. "So if I had to choose, I'd actually prefer a boy! Boys tend to stay closer to their mothers and absolutely spoil them. Plus, I really want a little boy who inherits your masterpiece facial features!"