Rose Manor: Tycoon's Relentless Chase-Chapter 388 - 1: Delayed Period

During this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, Shen Jianian couldn’t accompany Fu Jichen back to the old house for a reunion dinner; she had a public performance to attend, collaborating with her teacher Yan Qiusheng.

Half a month in advance, it was already circulating online that Shen Jianian was going to participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala on Capital Satellite TV.

"The last news about her was in July, when netizens spotted her with Fu Jichen playing around in Paris. If she doesn’t make an appearance soon, how will we starving fans survive?"

"Huh? Didn’t the orchestra Shen Jianian belongs to have a concert last month? If fans want to see her, can’t they just buy a ticket and watch live?"

"Couldn’t get a ticket! Just couldn’t get one!"

"Damn! Latest news, Shen Jianian is going to perform alongside her teacher Yan Qiusheng. Can’t imagine what a magnificent audio-visual feast this will be!"

"Friends who can watch live are really lucky."

"I’ve already set the alarm and moved a small stool to sit and wait!"

"All right, all right, Capital Satellite TV, being able to invite Yan Qiusheng and Shen Jianian, this viewership is guaranteed."

"Capital Satellite TV, come out and take a bow! You’re really something! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]"

At this moment, in the busy backstage of the studio, Shen Jianian sat in front of the makeup mirror full of light bulbs, wearing a deep blue velvet gown with a cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders. Next to her, a stylist was doing the final touches on her makeup. She picked up the phone on the table and sent a message to Fu Jichen.

Shen Jianian: "My program is scheduled for the first half, expected to finish by nine. Afterwards, I’m having dinner with the teacher and a few of his friends, so I probably can’t make it back to the old house for the reunion dinner."

Fu Jichen sent her a picture of the dining room in the old house, arranged with a few dishes already on the table and a bottle of red wine opened.

Fu Jichen: "About to start eating, I’ll come pick you up later."

Shen Jianian: "Okay! Please help explain to grandpa that I didn’t miss it on purpose."

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunion. The old man values the ritual of traditional festivals, hoping the younger generation can set aside their work to gather, eat mooncakes, drink tea, and admire the moon.

Fu Jichen: "I’ve already talked to grandpa, he understands."

Shen Jianian: "[Kiss]"

After sending the emoji, Shen Jianian noticed that the top of the phone screen showed "The other party is typing," but after waiting a while, she didn’t receive Fu Jichen’s reply.

Shen Jianian then sent a closing message: "I have to get ready now, see you later."

Fu Jichen: "[Kiss]"

Shen Jianian stared at the emoji Fu Jichen sent, stunned for two seconds. The emoji he sent was exactly the same as the one she had just sent him. Could it be that this man, slow to reply, actually saved her emoji and then sent it back to her? Shen Jianian was amused by her own speculation.

*

At nine in the evening, the performance ended successfully.

Shen Jianian got into the business car driven by Yan Qiusheng’s assistant, heading to the dinner location.

She had come for rehearsal in the morning, and for lunch, she had the TV station’s work meal. Perhaps she was too tired, or for some other reason, Shen Jianian didn’t have much of an appetite and didn’t eat much. Before she even reached the dinner place, her stomach was growling with hunger.

Yan Qiusheng was leaning back in his seat, resting with his eyes closed, but was disturbed by the sound of the stomach growling, so he opened his eyes and sat up straight.

Shen Jianian heard the slight creak of the leather seat, guessing the person next to her who was napping had woken up, turned her head, and met Yan Qiusheng’s gentle and loving gaze, her face instantly turned red.

"Didn’t eat lunch?" Yan Qiusheng asked with a smile.

In front of elders, Shen Jianian was very modest and proper. Facing her teacher’s inquiry, she gave a shy smile: "I didn’t have much of an appetite, just had a few bites."

"Eat more during the dinner later, the restaurant’s dishes are quite good."

"Okay."

Entering the reserved luxurious private room, Shen Jianian saw Bai Changxia, whom she hadn’t met in over half a month. After a slight pause, a smile overflowed in her eyes.

Bai Changxia seemed to know she would come here, with brows curved, waved at her.

Shen Jianian walked over, sat in the empty seat next to her, leaned over, and asked in a low voice, "Why are you here?"

"The manager of our orchestra is Teacher Yan’s friend. I was discussing something with her nearby tonight, and she said there was a dinner here, asked me to come along. I thought you surely wouldn’t miss Teacher Yan’s dinner, so I came along to grab some food," Bai Changxia pointed to the large TV in the private room, "Just saw your performance with Teacher Yan. You were outstanding! To perform alongside Teacher Yan and still be so steady and smooth, in time, you’ll be the next Yan Qiusheng!"

Afraid others would hear, Shen Jianian gave her a push, signaling her to tone it down: "Stop giving me such excessive praise!"

Bai Changxia smiled and changed the subject: "Where’s your Boss Fu? Didn’t he come with you?"

"There’s a reunion dinner at the old house, I couldn’t make it there, so if he didn’t show up it would be a bit inappropriate." Shen Jianian picked up her glass and took a sip of water, "But he said he would come to pick me up later."

Bai Changxia winked: "So sweet."

"How about your guy?"

"On a business trip to the United States, won’t be back until tomorrow."

After a bit of small talk, people gradually filtered into the private room. Some were big names in the industry whose names she’d only ever heard, and Shen Jianian had never met them in person. After Yan Qiusheng introduced them, Shen Jianian politely greeted them.

Not long after, the dishes were served. As everyone ate, they chatted, mostly about professional topics, which Shen Jianian listened to with great interest.

Yan Qiusheng remembered she’d been so hungry in the car that her stomach growled. When a dish she liked was served, Yan Qiusheng, fearing she might feel shy in front of the elders, proactively turned the dish toward her.

Shen Jianian gave the teacher a grateful smile, picked up her chopsticks and helped herself. She was very hungry, but for some reason, after a few bites, she started feeling nauseous, similar to how it had been at noon.

Concerned about table manners, she forced herself not to show it in front of the others, but she couldn’t hide it from Bai Changxia, who was closest to her. When she felt nauseous again and raised her hand to cover her mouth, Bai Changxia quickly put down her chopsticks, not alarming the others at the table, and quietly asked, "What’s wrong, not feeling well?"

Shen Jianian gently shook her head, signaling her not to make it known. Everyone present were notable figures in the music and arts circle, and it was hard to gather them all in one place, so she didn’t want to ruin everyone’s mood over her minor condition.

"Shall I accompany you to the restroom?" Bai Changxia suggested.

Shen Jianian thought for a moment, didn’t refuse, and temporarily left the table. She didn’t use the restroom in the private room but went outside.

There was no one in the hallway, and Bai Changxia no longer held back the volume of her voice, asking, "Did you eat something bad?"

"I don’t think so..." Shen Jianian started to say, but her stomach suddenly lurched, and she couldn’t help but retch, hastening to the restroom.

It was just nausea and dry heaving, but nothing came out. After a bit of struggling, Shen Jianian’s face turned a bit pale, and she used some warm water to rinse her mouth.

Bai Changxia watched anxiously, unable to help, just about to suggest going to the hospital when something suddenly crossed her mind. She took a deep breath: "Jianian, could you be..." She didn’t finish her sentence but instead changed her question, first asking, "When was your last period?"

Shen Jianian’s cycles were usually regular. When she calculated the date, she realized it hadn’t come this month and was about ten days late. She hadn’t paid much attention due to being busy preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival gala.

"The last time was about forty days ago."

Bai Changxia became more convinced of her suspicion and said what she hadn’t before: "I mean, could you be pregnant?"

Shen Jianian supported herself on the edges of the sink, slowly straightened up, and her gaze shifted from the mirror to Bai Changxia’s face, her expression blank and stunned.

Seeing this, Bai Changxia burst into laughter.

Earlier she was worried about her health, now guessing she might be pregnant, Bai Changxia’s mood naturally changed, and she was in the mood to make a joke.

"You and Boss Fu didn’t use protection? You should know."

Shen Jianian looked puzzled, blinking a few times. Last month, she had taken some time for a targeted check-up, accompanied by Fu Jichen. The results showed, after the doctor reviewed them, that she was in good health and had no issues.

After that, they weren’t as consistent with protection, so it seemed reasonable that there might be a child...

Bai Changxia laughed and asked, "Why don’t you test it now?"

"How...how do I test it?" Shen Jianian looked up in confusion.

Bai Changxia, having come out of the private room with a bag, reached into the inner pocket and after a bit of fumbling, pulled out a pregnancy test and handed it over, "Here, take it. It’s quick, results in a few minutes."

Shen Jianian stared at the pink and white object in Bai Changxia’s hand, so shocked that she almost bit her tongue: "Why do you carry...this with you?"

Bai Changxia rubbed her nose, looking up at the ceiling, "Last month my period was five days late, scared me into immediately buying some pregnancy tests from the pharmacy. Turns out it was a false alarm, and my period came in the afternoon after I tested. The leftover ones I just tossed into my bag."

Shen Jianian pursed her lips, hesitantly took the pregnancy test, and with the encouragement and urging look from Bai Changxia, turned and walked into the bathroom stall.

Bai Changxia waited for her in the corridor. After a while, not hearing anything, she knocked on the stall door and kindly asked, "Do you know how to use it?"

"...I can read, you know, big sis."

Shen Jianian’s slightly exasperated voice came from inside.

Bai Changxia burst out laughing, continued to wait, and chatted with her in the meantime, "I think there’s a nine out of ten chance you’re pregnant! Shen Jianian, you’re going to be a mom, just thinking about it makes me marvel at how fast time flies."