IBKAWB Chapter 40

**Chapter 40: Pregnancy**

Re-translated by: Namizaki

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Chi Zhongqiao searched the entire set for Ge Fangyu, who was also looking for him. They finally met in the dressing room.

Ge Fangyu: “About that little stool of yours…”

Chi Zhongqiao: “During your live stream yesterday…”

Whoa, they realized as soon as they met that both wanted to settle scores. Sparks flew as they bickered like children for half an hour in the dressing room over the live stream incident.

In the end, both felt the other was being unreasonable and absurd. They glared at each other before turning away in mutual disgust.

Yan Qingbo’s Manager, who had come to visit the set, stared in disbelief. “…Do they always act like this?”

Logically speaking, Ge Fangyu’s star power should have completely overshadowed Chi Zhongqiao, right?

Yan Qingbo: “Hmm? Oh, they don’t usually argue. They’re just embarrassed from yesterday’s fiasco, so they’re fighting now.”

As she spoke, she quickly edited a Weibo post and uploaded the video she had just filmed.

Manager: “…They’re going to hate you for this.”

Yan Qingbo waved her hand dismissively. “Nah, they’ll just think the other one’s being a stubborn know-it-all.”

Manager: “…This goofy crew is full of laughs.”

Yan Qingbo scrolled through the comments below, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.

“Don’t let those two hear this, or they’ll really lose it!”

Chi Zhongqiao and Ge Fangyu were seething with suppressed anger, completely unaware that Yan Qingbo was fueling the flames of their rivalry.

Coincidentally, they had a particularly explosive scene together that day. The tension between them spilled from the script into real life, filling the entire set with an electric atmosphere.

Zhou Yunmo watched from afar as Chi Zhongqiao and Ge Fangyu locked horns under the camera’s gaze. Even his makeup couldn’t conceal his ashen complexion.

His assistant whispered, “Brother Zhou… haven’t you been sleeping well lately?”

Zhou Yunmo shook his head.

He’d been on edge all day, and the reason was simple: Yesterday, he’d run into Lu Yuzhou, the man behind Chi Zhongqiao’s rumored “backing,” as he was heading downstairs to retrieve his car. Lu Yuzhou, clad in a black trench coat, casually twirled his car keys as his gaze slowly swept over Zhou Yunmo.

Zhou Yunmo felt as if he were about to be frozen solid by that icy stare.

“Zhou Yunmo?” Lu Yuzhou asked.

Zhou Yunmo shivered. “…President Lu.” It finally dawned on him that Chi Zhongqiao’s “backing,” the one he’d dismissed as mere gossip, was very real.

And that “backing” was now standing right in front of him.

Would he be… shelved?

Lu Yuzhou merely studied him for a moment, as if committing his face to memory, then gave a polite nod and got into his car.

In all his years, Zhou Yunmo had never encountered someone so courteously cold and aloof.

He spent the entire night in anxious anticipation. The next morning, Zhuang Fu went to work as usual, and Zhou Yunmo received no further instructions. The filming continued as scheduled, and he still had to attend his promotional events.

Zhou Yunmo almost convinced himself that Lu Yuzhou’s undisguised hostility the previous day had been a figment of his imagination.

Zhou Yunmo licked his lips. “What do you think of… Chi Zhongqiao?”

The Assistant replied, “Brother Qiao is a really nice guy, not at all arrogant.” As Zhou Yunmo’s quiet Assistant, he had little direct interaction with Chi Zhongqiao, but from observing how Chi Zhongqiao treated others, he seemed to have no temper whatsoever.

Yesterday, when Zhou Yunmo shoved Brother Qiao, he accepted the apology without complaint or making things difficult.

Zhou Yunmo fell silent.

The Assistant glanced cautiously at Zhou Yunmo and noticed he was staring intently at Chi Zhongqiao, who was filming a scene.

The intensity of his gaze was almost unsettling.

The assistant found it rather odd.

In <Invisible Crime>, Chi Zhongqiao had a scene where he was half-naked. While he was changing in the dressing room, Fu Jingshen barged in and asked, “Want me to draw abs on you?”

Chi Zhongqiao clutched his shirt. “No, I have them.”

Fu Jingshen whistled. “Whoa, nice physique. I was worried you wouldn’t measure up.”

Chi Zhongqiao: “……Why is a thirty-year-old man so concerned about whether a young guy like me measures up?”

Fu Jingshen: “……” Damn it, I want to strangle him.

Chi Zhongqiao clutched his shirt tighter. “I’m not showing you anything. Get out.”

Fu Jingshen was thoroughly disgusted. “Give me a break. As if I’d be interested in you? I have a sweet and obedient one at home. Someone like you is just not my type.”

“Seriously, you sure you’re okay with this?” Fu Jingshen jutted his chin.

If he remembered correctly, Chi Zhongqiao hadn’t had any nude scenes in <Empress of the World>. So <Invisible Crime> was likely the first time he’d ever appeared on camera “less than fully dressed.”

Chi Zhongqiao never cut corners on set. “No problem,” he said. He had already reviewed the script thoroughly. What kind of impression would it make if he suddenly got bashful right before the cameras?

Fu Jingshen nodded. “Good.”

Chi Zhongqiao unzipped his jacket. He had an excellent physique—towering height, broad shoulders, and well-defined, understated muscles—yet he still gave off an air of youthful innocence.

Ge Fangyu patted his stomach, feeling the muscles beneath his hand had softened slightly. Ever since President Lu, Zhongqiao’s younger brother, had sent over that first delivery, a steady stream of gourmet meals and dietary accommodations had been flowing in, drastically improving the entire crew’s dining standards.

Ge Fangyu couldn’t resist and had gained three pounds.

What was worse, among the actors, he seemed to be the only one visibly gaining weight.

Look at Chi Zhongqiao—his shoulders were sharp, his waist trim. And what about Ge Fangyu? His waist muscles were practically sagging.

Struck by this realization, Ge Fangyu vowed to eat only half of today’s delivery.

Fu Jingshen rolled up the script. “Actors, take your positions— Action!”

As soon as the scene wrapped, Fu Jingshen called “Cut!” and Zhong Yin immediately rushed over with a coat.

Early spring was still cold, and Chi Zhongqiao catching a cold would be disastrous.

Chi Zhongqiao was freezing, but he buttoned his shirt first before accepting the coat. He stretched a few times and noticed Yan Qingbo still sitting in her original spot, her brow furrowed slightly.

Chi Zhongqiao carefully crouched down in front of her. “Sister Qing, are you feeling unwell?”

Yan Qingbo pressed a hand to her lower abdomen and forced a smile. “It’s nothing, just a sudden cramp.”

Chi Zhongqiao helped her to her feet. The faint color on Yan Qingbo’s cheeks was entirely due to blush. As he supported her arm, he realized she was trembling from the pain, beads of sweat dotting her forehead.

Something felt wrong, but Yan Qingbo’s assistant had been sent to fetch hot drinks for the crew.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chi Zhongqiao whispered to Zhong Yin, “…Go to the convenience store… and get a packet of brown sugar. Hurry.”

Zhong Yin froze for a second, then understood instantly and sprinted off.

Fu Jingshen and several other actors noticed Yan Qingbo’s distress and quickly gathered around her.

Yan Qingbo was trembling in pain. Fu Jingshen made a decisive call: “No more filming today. Zhongqiao, since you don’t have any scenes later, take Qingbo to the hospital.”

Years ago, when Yan Qingbo was still filming television dramas, Fu Jingshen had worked with her and knew how stoic she was, enduring pain without complaint. If she was showing such obvious discomfort, it must be unbearable.

Yan Qingbo initially hesitated to trouble Chi Zhongqiao, but the pain was overwhelming and felt abnormal. She reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Chi Zhongqiao didn’t wait for his assistant. He had Zhong Yin, who had rushed back, grab Yan Qingbo’s bag and carefully helped her into the car.

“Sister Qing, drink some hot water,” Chi Zhongqiao said, handing her a cup of brown sugar water.

Yan Qingbo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Unable to refuse, she took the cup and sipped a few mouthfuls.

The warm water seemed to soothe the pain. Though still intense, the nauseating, churning sensation gradually subsided.

Chi Zhongqiao draped a blanket over Yan Qingbo. “Sister Qing, try to get some rest.”

Yan Qingbo murmured in acknowledgment and drifted off to sleep, soothed by the refreshing lemon scent in the car.

Chi Zhongqiao glanced down and texted Fu Jingshen: “Just a few minutes from the hospital.”

Fortunately, there was a hospital near the university. Otherwise, they would have been frantic.

Fu Jingshen: “I called Sister Qing’s husband. I’ll send you his number now. Let him know after you register her.”

Chi Zhongqiao: “Okay.”

When they arrived at the hospital, Zhong Yin went to register Yan Qingbo. Just as Chi Zhongqiao was about to call Yan Qingbo’s husband, an unfamiliar number appeared on his phone.

Chi Zhongqiao answered, “Hello, is this Sister Qing’s husband?”

A deep male voice replied, “Yes, where are you now?”

Chi Zhongqiao: “Window 2. You…” Before he could finish, a tall man rushed over, phone in hand.

Yan Qingbo’s eyes immediately reddened as she saw him.

The man pushed past Chi Zhongqiao, wrapped his arms around Yan Qingbo, and gently patted her back, soothing her, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here now. The pain will be gone as soon as the Doctor sees you…”

Chi Zhongqiao: “….” He felt a bit invisible.

Zhong Yin returned after registering Yan Qingbo. The man picked her up and carried her to the Gynecology Department.

Feeling awkward about going inside, Chi Zhongqiao waited outside. After the blood test and a few other examinations, the man emerged, his arm around Yan Qingbo, looking utterly bewildered.

Chi Zhongqiao studied his expression, his heart sinking. “What’s wrong…?”

Yan Qingbo clutched her lower abdomen, her face pale, but her smile was radiant. “It’s nothing serious…” She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice softening. “I’m pregnant… about a month and a half.”

So, she conceived during her husband’s last visit to the set?

Chi Zhongqiao froze for a moment, then snapped to attention. “Congratulations, Sister Qing! But you were drenched in cold water during filming today. Are you alright?”

It was that bucket of cold water that had triggered Yan Qingbo’s pain, but she seemed almost relieved. “Thank goodness you brought me for a checkup today. Otherwise, I would have gone straight into tomorrow’s action scene.”

Chi Zhongqiao recalled tomorrow’s intense fight scene. Yan Qingbo was notoriously meticulous, insisting on performing her own stunts unless they were truly beyond her capabilities. If she hadn’t come to the hospital today, disaster would have struck tomorrow.

Chi Zhongqiao let out a sigh of relief. “Sister Qing, go home and get some rest. I’ll explain the situation to Director Fu. Uh…”

He suddenly faltered, realizing he didn’t know Yan Qingbo’s husband’s name.

Yan Qingbo slapped the still-grinning man on the shoulder. “This is my husband, Cheng Feng.”

Cheng Feng, now completely satisfied with his wife’s well-being, abandoned his earlier coldness and nodded warmly at Chi Zhongqiao. “Zhongqiao, right? Qingbo often mentions you at home. She says if she ever had a son, she’d want him to be like…”

Yan Qingbo pinched the soft flesh on Cheng Feng’s waist and twisted it sharply. Cheng Feng gasped, then sheepishly clamped his mouth shut.

Yan Qingbo smiled sweetly. “Thank you so much for everything, Qiaoqiao.”

Chi Zhongqiao smiled as he saw them off, but his expression darkened as soon as he picked up his phone.

Fu Jingshen: “Is she okay now? Did they say what was wrong?”

Chi Zhongqiao got into his car. “Sister Qing is fine, but I’m not! I was sweating bullets—she’s been pregnant for over a month, and we’ve been filming action scenes with her for all that time!”

Fu Jingshen shot to his feet. “How is she now?”

Chi Zhongqiao curled up with a pillow, clutching it to his chest, his heart pounding. “She’s okay, but she needs to rest properly. If something had gone wrong… forget about responsibility, I’d feel guilty for the rest of my life.”

Fu Jingshen, still reeling from the shock, rubbed his temples. “I might as well go bang my head against a wall…”

After a moment of silence, they both sighed simultaneously. “Thank God.”

Ge Fangyu, who had been listening in, whispered, “The important thing is she’s okay… Have you guys checked for paparazzi?”

Numerous paparazzi were camped outside the film set, waiting to scoop up a sensational “scandal.” They couldn’t have missed Chi Zhongqiao rushing Yan Qingbo to the hospital.

Chi Zhongqiao replied listlessly, “No.”

He’d been too terrified to even think about paparazzi.

Fu Jingshen hung up and pondered for a moment before asking, “What are the chances they weren’t photographed?”

Ge Fangyu replied with indignant certainty, “Zero!”

Fu Jingshen: “???”

Ge Fangyu: “Those paparazzi are posting photos before they’ve even cooled down!”

Sure enough, a headline had already rocketed to third place on the trending searches: [“Film Empress Spotted at Gynecology Clinic—Is She Cheating with a Young Hunk?” ]