"Sister, I'm getting engaged today. This is the most important moment in my life. Even if you can't bring yourself to congratulate me, did you really have to come and sabotage it? Isn't that going too far?"
"Even though you, Xiao Yu, and I have been classmates for years, it is really inconvenient for me to interfere in your affairs."
"If you can't contact him, you should just call Aunt Xiao."
"I also know it's inconvenient for you today, but Mingting... I-I'm pregnant, I'm so scared…"
Shi Yunyun's voice trembled with quiet sobs.
Before she could finish speaking, Mingting's face turned cold and he exploded on the spot.
"Stop! Don't say such ambiguous words that will cause others to misunderstand."
"What does your pregnancy have to do with me? Why are you calling me? You're not my girlfriend, and I didn't do anything to you. Shi Yunyun, words have consequences! Don't you dare tarnish my reputation!"
After his outburst, Mingting anxiously grabbed Shen Tinglan's hand.
"Tinglan, you have to believe me. I've lived this long, and that kiss earlier was my first time ever kissing a girl! I am innocent!"
Once he'd reassured Shen Tinglan, Mingting immediately turned his fury back on Shi Yunyun, "Shi Yunyun, you'd better explain yourself clearly! Whose child is it? If you're too scared to contact Xiao Yu, does that mean you've been cheating on him?"
"No! The child is Xiao Yu's!"
Caught off guard by Mingting's sudden aggression, Shi Yunyun's brain short-circuited. The only part she processed was his last sentence, so she hurriedly clarified.
"Oh, congratulations then!"
"This is a good news, so why are you crying? You should've told Xiao Yu about this sooner. Wait, I will help you notify him."
With lightning speed, Mingting hung up the call and immediately made two more calls.
"Xiao Yu, you are amazing. You actually became a father before me. When are you going to get married? I'll be waiting for my invitation!"
"Aunt Xiao, Shi Yunyun is pregnant. It's Xiao Yu's. Congratulations on your future grandson!"
Mingting's series of actions left everyone dumbfounded.
Thanks to the microphone's speaker function, everyone presents now understood the situation.
Xiao Yu, Shi Yunyun… some of the guests recognized the names.
Recently, Xiao's Jewelry Company had run into financial trouble, and the Xiao Family is planning to alleviate the crisis through a marriage alliance.
Meanwhile, the Shi Family ranks low among the wealthy families, and Shi Yunyun is the stepdaughter brought in by her mother...
After these people thought about it, they knew that the Xiao Family looked down on the Shi Family, and the Shi Family wouldn't pour money into the Xiao Family's financial black hole for a stepdaughter's sake.
But unexpectedly, Shi Yunyun was pregnant, so there was now a good show to watch.
Mingting couldn't care less about whether Shi Yunyun would lose face. After hanging up the phone, his first priority was apologizing to Shen Tinglan.
"I'm really sorry. Those two are childhood friends of mine, and every time they have a fight, they drag me in to mediate. I've been playing peacemaker for them for years."
"But Tinglan, don't worry, from now on, I won't meddle in their affairs anymore!"
Seeing how flustered Mingting was on her behalf, Shen Tinglan's previously unsettled heart calmed.
No one would be happy to encounter such a situation during their engagement.
However, since Mingting was so anxious to explain that his cheeks were slightly red, and he was so nervous that he was sweating while holding her hand, it made Shen Tinglan feel that he was very sincere and reliable.
Especially when Mingting had said that kiss earlier was his first time kissing a girl. Shen Tinglan's fondness for him grew even more.
After all, such a clean man is truly rare these days.
Compared to those playboy heirs, Mingting was practically a well-behaved golden retriever among rich second-generations.
As for why Shi Yunyun would call Mingting instead of the father of her child when she knew she was pregnant, Shen Tinglan did not take it to heart.
After all, trust is the key in a relationship.
And the way Mingting handled the situation had been perfect, so she was very satisfied.
"I believe you."
Shen Tinglan smiled, stood on her tiptoes, and looped her arms around Mingting's neck, then kissed him on the lips.
"Since I've stamped my claim, and your first kiss belongs to me, that means you're mine now. Mr. Gu, I'll be in your care from now on!"
'This...'
Mingting's eyes flickered, then he laughed and pulled Shen Tinglan closer.
'Sure enough, compared to a delicate, pitiful white lotus, a confident, mature queen was far more captivating!'
"I'll take good care of you, little Tinglan. I'll protect you well!"
Mingting gazed into Shen Tinglan's eyes as he made his vow.
After that, the exchange of rings between the couples went smoothly. Mother Gu excitedly used her phone to take photos and videos with Mother Shen.
"Future in-law, look how perfect they are together! Tinglan is so beautiful… our Mingting is truly blessed!"
Father Gu knew more about his youngest son and was not fooled by his earlier words.
Fortunately, since Mingting had handled things appropriately without crossing any lines, he saw no reason to expose him now. Instead, he earnestly clasped Father Shen's hand and entrusted Mingting to him, "Old Shen, from today onward, Xiaoting is your biological son." (T/N: In China, calling someone 'Old …' shows their closeness, and using xiao before their name is like using -chan in Japanese.)
"This kid is simple-minded and a bit foolish. If he ever does anything wrong, don't hold back… scold him as you see fit."
With Father Gu's attitude was so low, Father Shen naturally had no objections.
As a devoted girl-dad, Father Shen only cared that his daughter was happy. So he believed in Tinglan's judgment.
However, privately, Father Shen still made a note of Shi Yunyun who tried to 'sabotage' his daughter's engagement ceremony.