QT: Help! My host is out of control!

Chapter 16: The Real Father (Part 1)

Her fixation on Wang Haoran grew stronger every time he pushed her away.

While looking at venues for the upcoming wedding, Li Mei frowned when she noticed a bar next to the place she was interested in. It reminded her of the night before she confronted Wang Haoran. That bar was where she made the worst decision of her life. It was where the real father of her unborn child slept with her that night.

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The unborn child inside Li Mei is not Wang Haoran's.

She got drunk and slept with another man the night before she confronted him. She intended to speak with him privately, but she became overwhelmed by her hectic schedule. As a new hire, Li Mei has been burdened with numerous miscellaneous tasks assigned by her colleagues.

Weeks passed, stretching into a month.

Finally, after a month had elapsed, she managed to establish a stable schedule and devise a plan to approach Wang Haoran. Like a determined stalker, Li Mei looked into Wang Haoran's schedule, finding it hard yet somewhat easier due to her current employment within his company.

After several days of preparation, she finally seized the opportunity to be alone with Wang Haoran. There was a secluded tea house near their company—an old, spacious courtyard house nestled amidst a blend of modern-style buildings on one side, a mid-sized park on the other, and a surrounding bamboo forest.

It became a habit for Liu Leah and Wang Haoran to relax here in between their busy schedule during working hours.

Taking a day off, Li Mei waited anxiously in the tea house, psyching herself up for the encounter. Between a flurry of what-ifs swirling in her mind, she alternated between sips of tea and small sips of wine. Stationing herself on the second floor, she had a clear view of the entrance across the expansive courtyard.

Li Mei finally caught sight of Wang Haoran and Liu Leah as they entered, her gaze fixated on them until they disappeared from view. In that fleeting moment, she noticed something important.

This Wang Haoran was different. His demeanor in the presence of Liu Leah contrasted greatly with the Wang Haoran she knew—her Wang Haoran. She saw and knew all his expressions, ranging from the ones he had shown since their high school days to the day they parted ways during university.

The Wang Haoran conversing with Liu Leah wore a smile radiating contentment, his laughter resonating with genuine happiness, and his body language exuded a sense of carefree ease.

On the other hand, the Wang Haoran with Li Mei wore a smile but seemed strained. The Wang Haoran with Li Mei was in love but burdened with worries. The Wang Haoran with Li Mei was not alone but he was not relaxed.

...

As Li Mei pondered the disparity between the past and present versions of Wang Haoran, a wave of devastation washed over her. Brushing her cheeks, she noticed moisture and questioned herself, "Why is my face wet?" The realization hit her as she responded, "Oh, I'm crying." With a heavy heart, she retreated into a state of mental and emotional numbness.

Li Mei was in a state of denial.

She rose to her feet and began to walk aimlessly, her mind struggling to deny the painful truth she had witnessed. As she wandered, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly stumbled in front of a bar. With a blank expression, she gazed ahead until a hand extended towards her. Unconsciously, she reached out and grasped it, only to realize that the person offering assistance bore a striking resemblance to Wang Haoran.

With the man's help, Li Mei stood up, her gaze fixed on him with a mixture of confusion and sadness.

"Are you alright, miss?" the man in the gray suit asked with a concerned voice. Without waiting for a reply, he continued, "Would you like to come inside and have a chat?"