Chapter 065: So Afraid of Being Exposed

Half an hour later, it was time to board.

First class passengers didn’t need to queue and could board ahead of others through the VIP channel. Shi Runrun followed closely behind Xiao Xuezheng, gripping his arm as she boarded the plane with him.

She had eaten too much earlier, and now her stomach was uncomfortably full, leaving her hiccuping. Yet the man beside her seemed to delight in her predicament, teasing her with a smile, “Are you full? There will be more food on the plane. You should eat a bit more.”

Shi Runrun shot him a sideways glance, huffing softly, “Are you trying to feed me like a sow? I’ll just get fatter!”

The man laughed. “A little extra weight is good! It feels better in bed.”

Shi Runrun fell silent, speechless at this man whose mind seemed to be filled with only one thing.

Stepping into first class and taking her seat beside him, she was utterly astonished by the surroundings—spacious, comfortable seats, generous legroom, and individual smart screens before each passenger. No sooner had she sat down than an impeccably dressed flight attendant approached, greeting them warmly and offering hot towels, beverages, and a menu to choose their in-flight meal.

Her thoughts drifted to her pitiful state on her previous flight, squeezed into a cramped economy class seat, nibbling on a tiny packet of peanuts—the difference was night and day.

She couldn’t help but lift her cup of hot drink, taking a sip before whispering to the man beside her, “Can I ask the flight attendant for more if I finish this?”

Xiao Xuezheng gave her a helpless look and tapped her lightly on the head, resigned to having married a foodie.

Across the aisle, Ji Yunan smiled gently at her, watching her rub her head. “Don’t be shy, little sister-in-law. All these things are free and you can ask for more. With the price of these tickets, it’d be a shame not to eat your fill!”

As the plane took off, Xiao Xuezheng held her hand tightly. Shi Runrun glanced at him and noticed his face had turned pale. Concerned, she asked, “Xiao Xuezheng, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell again?”

He replied in a low voice, “I’m fine. Just a bit stuffy. Don’t worry about me—I'll just rest for a while.”

With that, he leaned back and closed his eyes.

Shi Runrun watched him with a furrowed brow, unable to shake off her worry. She asked the flight attendant for a blanket, gently covering him, then nestled quietly at his side, her small hand resting lightly on his.

About an hour later, the flight had stabilized and the attendants began serving meals. Seeing Xiao Xuezheng still asleep, Shi Runrun quietly signaled the attendant to keep her voice down and said he wouldn’t need a meal for now.

The flight attendant smiled as she served Shi Runrun’s meal, and before leaving, added warmly, “Miss Shi, you’re so considerate of your husband! You two are so sweet together—it’s enviable!”

Shi Runrun blushed deeply, lowering her head in embarrassment. But with a table of gourmet food before her, even if she was already full, she forced herself to eat a little more.

There was something about airplane food—it always tasted especially good, and even more so in first class.

She ate happily, glancing occasionally at the sleeping Xiao Xuezheng and thinking how unfortunate it was that he couldn’t enjoy the meal. Then, her gaze shifted to Ji Yunan, who sat across from her, eating with elegant ease. Looking at her own messy tray, she couldn’t help but wonder why people from high society ate so gracefully even on a plane.

At ten o’clock in the evening, the plane landed safely at Jing City International Airport. Amidst the rumble of engines, the aircraft touched down smoothly.

Shi Runrun had dozed off during the flight, and when the plane came to a halt, she was gently woken by the man beside her. Groggy, she opened her eyes to find her seatbelt already unfastened and Xiao Xuezheng standing, ready to disembark.

She quickly gathered her senses and stood to follow him. After collecting their luggage, Ji Yunan parted ways with them at the exit.

Secretary Qin Feng helped with their bags as Shi Runrun walked hand-in-hand with Xiao Xuezheng toward the terminal exit.

No sooner had they stepped out than she spotted her grandmother and her sister-in-law, Xiao Rourou, waiting to greet her.

“Oh! Sister-in-law! You’re finally back! Brother Xuezheng is so biased, taking you traveling and not inviting me!”

Shi Runrun was startled as Xiao Rourou seized her arm, unsure how to respond. Her grandmother joined them, taking her other arm affectionately. “Runrun, you’re finally back! I was so worried about you! How have you been? Did you have any hardships? Was anyone unkind to you?”

Her grandmother’s concern warmed Shi Runrun’s heart, melting her defences. She hadn’t realized so many people cared about her… She had been far too willful.

Hiding the tears that threatened to well in her eyes, Shi Runrun shook her head at her grandmother. “No, Grandma, I’m fine. I had a wonderful time traveling with Xiao Xuezheng—he took very good care of me. I didn’t suffer at all.”

Grandmother nodded, satisfied. Suddenly, Shi Runrun asked, “Grandma, where’s Grandpa? I heard he’s been ill—is it serious?”

Her grandmother’s expression clouded with worry. “Ah, your grandfather’s old illness has flared up. He’s in the hospital now. But don’t worry, Runrun. He wanted to come greet you, but he just wasn’t strong enough.”

Hearing this, Shi Runrun understood at once that her grandfather’s condition was grave. Her desire to confess the truth she had been holding back vanished instantly. If she told them now about losing the baby, wouldn’t that be pouring salt into the wounds of two elders? And with her grandfather hospitalized, telling the truth might just be too much for him to bear.

Shi Runrun pressed her lips together, her expression dimming.

At her side, Xiao Xuezheng gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, leaning in to whisper, “Relax, everything’s fine.”

He meant to remind her that she was supposed to be over three months pregnant, and not to act too nervous, lest her grandmother suspect.

Grandmother released her arm and reached out to touch her belly. “Runrun, you seem a little plumper. That’s good—it means the baby is growing well in there!”

Shi Runrun tensed, quickly stepping back to avoid her grandmother’s touch. Thankfully, she was wearing several layers today; otherwise, she might not have been able to hide the truth just now.

She forced a smile and said sheepishly, “Yes… I do seem to have gained a bit of weight lately…”

As she spoke, she stole a guilty glance at Xiao Xuezheng, but he remained perfectly composed.