Su Wan’s expression stiffened, then she quickly regained her composure: “This is a private matter between Mr. Lu and me.”

A hint of awkwardness flashed across Zhang Ma’s face, but she persisted: “But Miss, if you are really pregnant, you need special care. I have looked after many pregnant ladies before and know what to do.”

Su Wan secretly thought, ‘This is bad.’ It had only been a few days since the apocalypse broke out, and Zhang Ma was already trying to get close to her, definitely with ill intentions. She suddenly remembered that after the original owner died, it was Zhang Ma who led several servants to defect to the female lead and even betrayed the villa’s defense system.

“I’m fine now.” Su Wan’s voice was cold, carrying an unchallengeable aloofness.

“I’m hungry, you can go out first.”

Zhang Ma paused, seemingly wanting to say something more, but under Su Wan’s icy demeanor, she ultimately remained silent.

She shuffled her feet and turned to leave.

Su Wan’s gaze followed her retreating figure until the door was gently closed with a soft “click.”

The door was completely shut.

Only then did Su Wan relax her tensed shoulders and let out a sigh of relief.

She walked to the table and looked at the bowl of chicken noodle soup that was still steaming.

Golden broth, thin white noodles, and a few pieces of emerald green vegetables scattered throughout. The aroma was rich and should have been enticing.

She picked up her chopsticks and picked up a strand of noodles. But her stomach suddenly churned violently.

She abruptly put down her chopsticks, propped herself on the edge of the table with one hand, and bent over.

The acid in her stomach surged upwards uncontrollably.

“Ugh—”

Three days.

She had only been in this perilous world for three days.

Day after day of vigilance and caution, she was almost suffocating.

Hunger and nausea, two sensations, tore at her.

Both her body and mind had reached their breaking point.

A feeling of near-destructive powerlessness swept over her.

It had been like this for the past few days; eating and throwing up, throwing up and eating, she had no strength left to exercise.

She lowered her head, her gaze falling on her flat stomach.

No way…

Did she really hit the jackpot?

Transmigrating into a book was one thing, but it came with a buy-one-get-one-free deal?

This thought sent a shiver down her spine, and her stomach churned even more violently.

Lu Shiyan stood not far away, watching her disheveled state, his brows deeply furrowed. “Unwell?”

Su Wan didn’t have the strength to look up; she just nodded with difficulty, a pitiful whimper escaping her throat.

Mainly, she was hungry.

And also scared by the sudden realization that she might be pregnant.

“You…” His voice trailed off abruptly, a flicker of emotion Su Wan couldn’t decipher passing through his eyes.

Su Wan wanted to speak, but she felt a violent headache, her vision went black, and she swayed forward.

In the last moment before losing consciousness, she felt a pair of strong arms catch her falling body.

When she woke up again, Su Wan found herself lying in bed, and Lu Shiyan was sitting on a chair by the bed, looking at her expressionlessly.

“You were unconscious for half an hour.” His voice was frighteningly calm. “You have malnutrition and are overly stressed.”

Su Wan blinked weakly, saying nothing.

“If you are truly pregnant,” Lu Shiyan suddenly spoke, his voice low, “this state is extremely unfavorable for the fetus.”

“I… hungry…” She finally squeezed out two words, her voice tearful, sounding aggrieved.

“What do you want to eat?” Lu Shiyan asked, his tone flat, revealing no emotion.

“Malatang!” Su Wan immediately rattled off her order, her eyes brightening slightly, “Extra spicy! With plenty of fatty beef, tripe, luncheon meat, and instant noodles!”

She paused, then added, “And a bottle of ice-cold cola! The kind that fizzes when you gulp it down!”

After speaking, she looked at him expectantly, like a puppy waiting to be fed.

Lu Shiyan?

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Lu Shiyan’s face seemed to grow even colder.

He paced a few steps, turning his back to her.

“No, and there isn’t any.” Categorical.

“That’s junk food,” he added, his reasoning sound.

Su Wan’s hope instantly shattered, and tears streamed down her face.

“Waaah… I knew it…” she sobbed, accusing this wicked capitalist.

“Zhang Ma will prepare porridge.” Lu Shiyan left this sentence and turned to leave the room.

Half an hour later, Zhang Ma came in with a steaming bowl of lean meat porridge. “Miss, Mr. Lu specifically instructed that you need to replenish your nutrition. This is made with the reserved fresh meat, it’s very nutritious.”

Su Wan took the porridge bowl and carefully tasted a mouthful. Unexpectedly, this time she didn’t feel nauseous; instead, her appetite increased greatly.

As she was eating, the door was pushed open again. Lu Shiyan, holding a small bag, walked to the bedside.

“What is this…?” Su Wan asked cautiously.

Lu Shiyan opened the bag; inside were a few candies and a bottle of cola. “It’s not cold, and it’s not malatang.” His voice was still cold and stern, but his actions contradicted his tone. “But it’s better than nothing.”

Su Wan’s eyes widened, unable to believe what she was seeing. This man, who had once sworn to kill her, actually found her candy and cola?

“Tha… thank you,” she stammered, reaching out to take the bag, but accidentally touched Lu Shiyan’s fingers.

The electric-like touch made both of them shiver simultaneously. Lu Shiyan quickly withdrew his hand, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

“Don’t overthink it,” he said coldly, “it’s just to… ensure the child’s health.”

Well, then.

So it was paternal love overflowing, but unfortunately, the object was air.

She, Su Wan, a grand deceiver of the century, parading around with “air” and scamming food, drinks, and sweet treats.

Truly… a sin, a sin. But the candy was still sweet, and the cola was still happy water, even if it wasn’t cold.

A swindler’s guilt? Non-existent.

Su Wan hugged the room-temperature cola and peeled a candy to pop into her mouth. The sweetness melted on her tongue.

Then, with a clear conscience, she closed her eyes. This sleep was exceptionally sweet, and she almost drooled on the pillow.

The next day, sunlight had just begun to stream through the window.

Su Wan struggled to prop herself up, and her stomach immediately put on a spectacular show of churning.

The lingering sleepiness was completely washed away by the surging nausea.

Goodness, she had slept straight until noon the next day.

She leaned against the wall, moving step by step downstairs.

In the dining room, Zhang Ma was tending the stove. A white porcelain bowl held warm porridge, and next to it was a stewed pork rib soup, its aroma wafting through the air.

“Miss, you’re awake? Hurry and eat something while it’s hot.” Zhang Ma brought it over.

Su Wan picked up the spoon and only scooped one mouthful.

That familiar sweet, fishy taste immediately rushed to her throat.

She abruptly pushed her chair back. With a swift dash, she bolted for the washroom.

The little bit of pity she had just swallowed, along with the stomach acid, was mercilessly returned to the toilet.

By the time she rinsed her mouth and came out, Zhang Ma had already tidied the table, her movements swift.

Su Wan felt her stomach might need to debut on its own; it was too dramatic.

“Mr. Lu and Xiao Han left early this morning.” Zhang Ma’s voice was flat, betraying no emotion.

“They said they were going to the medical clinic nearby.”

“Clang—” The silver spoon in Su Wan’s hand slipped, clattering onto the clean floor.