The next morning, Qin He woke up early.
She quietly left the house before Ming Yuzhu and Qin Yun were awake.
She drove to the United Department in the West District.
When she arrived at the United Department at 8:30 AM, Qin He parked her car and found that Gu Qichen's car was already parked in front of the entrance.
He had arrived even earlier than her, and Qin He's heart skipped a beat.
Entering the United Department, she passed by Liu Xing'an's office.
From the glass door, she could see that the office was empty.
Qin He continued inside to Gu Qichen's office door and stopped.
She gently knocked on the door, waiting for a response from within.
Two seconds later, the door was abruptly pulled open.
Gu Qichen's figure appeared behind the door.
"Gu Qichen," Qin He had just called his name when she was pulled into the room.
"Qin He," Gu Qichen murmured her name in a low voice.
"Don't go, okay?"
"I'm just going for childbirth, not leaving forever."
Qin He was held tightly by Gu Qichen, her heart pounding.
Her chin rested on Gu Qichen's shoulder as she reached out to pat his back.
"Over two months, I really don't know how I'll get by," Gu Qichen suddenly let out a bitter laugh.
Qin He's gaze flickered slightly.
"Weren't you fine before I was around?"
A look of difficulty appeared on Gu Qichen's handsome face as he stared thoughtfully at Qin He.
"But it's different now," he sighed softly.
"Can I secretly come to Haicheng to see you?"
"No, my mother is accompanying me this time."
There was silence between them. For the entire morning, Gu Qichen held her and wouldn't let go.
Qin He chuckled, feeling a sense of helplessness and a touch of sadness.
Since they had confirmed their relationship, she could feel Gu Qichen's care for her.
At several moments, she had almost impulsively told him the truth: that the child in her womb was his.
But each time, she held back at the last moment.
It wasn't until 10:30 AM that Qin He's phone rang.
She took out her phone and glanced at it; it was her mother calling.
Qin He turned to Gu Qichen, "Don't make a sound."
Her cautious demeanor was like that of a thief.
Gu Qichen gazed at Qin He with deep eyes.
Qin He carefully answered the phone.
"Mom, yes, I'm at the United Department in the West District."
Ming Yuzhu's angry voice came through the phone.
"Qin He, I told you a while ago not to run around with your pregnant belly. Did you really not listen to me at all!"
Qin He smiled helplessly.
"Mom, we're leaving for Haicheng tomorrow. I have to arrange and hand over my work at the United Department."
"Alright, have you finished arranging the handover? If so, come back quickly."
Qin He looked up at Gu Qichen, who was staring at her with his deep eyes as if inked onto her.
Qin He's heart softened, and she braced herself to speak into the phone.
"It's not finished yet. There's a meeting at noon. I'll come home after the meeting."
"Come back soon. There are still many of your belongings to pack at home. Since you're not home, I don't know what you plan to bring," Ming Yuzhu instructed.
Qin He acknowledged.
"Understood, Mom."
A shadow suddenly fell over her, and Qin He looked up to find that Gu Qichen had walked in front of her at some point.
Qin He's heart leaped, and her voice started to stutter.
"What are you doing?"
Ming Yuzhu on the other end of the phone sounded suspicious.
"Who are you talking to?"
Qin He reacted quickly and replied.
"I'm handling some affairs."
"Finish up and come back soon. Your brother can handle matters at the United Department in the West District..."
Ming Yuzhu continued to nag incessantly.
As she listened to her mother's rambling, Qin He's gaze was fixed on Gu Qichen in front of her.
Gu Qichen had pressed her step by step, pushing her into a corner. As Qin He spoke, she felt her back press against the cold wall.
She glared at Gu Qichen and mouthed silently.
"Don't mess around!"
Ming Yuzhu's voice continued to come from the phone, but Qin He couldn't hear a single word anymore.
"Haven't you thought about how long you've been pregnant? In another--"
Ming Yuzhu's words were cut short when Qin He's heart skipped a beat, and she directly hung up the phone.
The office was quiet. Although Qin He hadn't put the phone on speaker, she could faintly hear Ming Yuzhu's voice.
She almost let Gu Qichen hear it!
Qin He's heart was pounding.
"Why did you hang up?" Gu Qichen was now extremely close to Qin He.
He leaned down slightly, his face close to hers.
Gu Qichen's voice was low and husky.
"I always thought I had good self-control, but ever since you agreed to be with me this time, I feel like I'm thinking of you every moment." His gaze was incredibly seductive.
Qin He felt her heart rate quicken.
"Since you're leaving at noon, who knows when we'll see each other again," Gu Qichen said, his eyes dropping to Qin He's lips, which were cherry-red and full, now less than an inch away from him.
Their breaths intertwined. Qin He took a deep breath.
Gu Qichen was already captivating, and now he seemed to be approaching her with an intentional allure. Her hand at her side clenched tightly.
Indeed, after not seeing each other for two months, she would probably miss him too.
Qin He squeezed her hand, forcing herself to be bold.
She tightly grabbed Gu Qichen's arms that were propping her up.
She leaned forward slightly—
A sudden warmth washed over her, causing Gu Qichen's entire body to stiffen.
But it only lasted for a few seconds.
Qin He imprinted a shallow kiss and then intended to pull away immediately.
Gu Qichen's eyes deepened. He reached out and directly circled Qin He's waist, regaining the initiative and lowering his head to kiss her deeply.
The kiss was lingering and passionate.
Gu Qichen's kiss was full of aggression, as if he were enveloping Qin He within his protective embrace.
A few minutes later, Gu Qichen finally released her.
Qin He quickly breathed in the fresh air and gave him a slightly coquettish glare.
"Consider it a reward before I leave," Gu Qichen chuckled in a low voice.
There was no meeting at noon. Qin He had lied to her mother so she could spend more time with Gu Qichen, but now she regretted it slightly.
"You're leaving for so long. Have you arranged everything? Is there anything I can help you with?" Gu Qichen asked at the lunch table.
Qin He shook her head.
Both the research lab and the West District matters were now settled. She had already notified her master and Shen Yilin via WeChat.
If there was one person who didn't know, it was Lu Mingxi, but her brother should have told him.