129: Chapter 230 Three Months Later

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Outside the window, the banana leaves grew increasingly lush, and the camellias bloomed and faded. The warm sun of Spring City seemed capable of melting all ice, yet it could not melt the gloom in Tang Guoguo's heart or the growing loneliness.

Her physical changes became obvious; loose clothing could no longer completely hide her slightly protruding abdomen. Morning sickness had eased, but the mental pressure was mounting. She was trapped in this exquisite villa like an invisible person isolated from the world. Aunt Zhang was dutiful, taking care of her meals and daily life, but she was like a programmed machine—beyond necessary communication, she never said an extra word, and her eyes were always cast down, avoiding eye contact.

Her contact with the outside world was strictly limited to what Yu Bo allowed. Although she had her phone, the signal seemed to have been tampered with; the network was intermittent, and she could feel that after every use, Yu Bo seemed to "understand" her movements. She dared not take the initiative to contact anyone, especially her parents and Yin Tianxue. Yu Bo would call two or three times a week to ask about her health and remind her of precautions. His tone remained gentle and caring, but always rushed, as if fulfilling an obligation he had to perform. He never mentioned the "future" or "status" again, only repeatedly emphasizing "rest at ease," "keep a happy mood," and "the child is the most important thing."

This imprisonment, like a frog in warm water, was more desperate than direct torture. Tang Guoguo felt like a flower carefully pruned and placed in an expensive vase; seemingly well-cared for, but in reality, its roots were severed, and it could only exhaust its vitality in limited fresh water and fake sunlight, waiting for the final withering. Her fantasies about Yu Bo had long since been worn away by the day-to-day loneliness and anxiety, leaving only cold fear and a trace of numb hatred. The only thing supporting her was the little life growing more active in her womb. Every fetal movement was like a reminder that she was not completely alone; she had to live on for this little life, even if the hope was slim.

Meanwhile, in a city thousands of miles away, the work of the "Smile Angel" Foundation, under Yin Tianxue's full promotion, had not stalled due to the previous turmoil; instead, after reflecting on the pain, it moved forward with a more steady and pragmatic stance. The first batch of children who successfully underwent surgery recovered and were discharged one after another, smiles blooming again on their once-deformed faces, which gave Yin Tianxue and the entire team tremendous encouragement and motivation. The screening and preoperative preparation for the second batch of eligible children with cleft lips and palates were in full swing. Although the hospital's groundbreaking ceremony had been overshadowed, the project had not stopped. Due to Yin Tianxue's persistence and Uncle Wang's secret mediation, funding and approvals were still steadily advancing.

However, Yin Tianxue had become more silent and thinner. She poured all her energy into her work, using an almost self-abusive busyness to fill the emptiness and pain in her heart. Tang Guoguo's "disappearance" was like a thorn, deeply embedded in her heart. She never stopped questioning Yu Bo, using every method, from initial direct confrontation to later veiled inquiries, and finally to almost pleading communication.

At first, Yu Bo always fobbed her off with excuses like "Guoguo is in a bad mood and wants to be alone," "She has some family matters to deal with back home," or "She is traveling and studying abroad and doesn't want to be disturbed." But as time went on, Yin Tianxue's questioning grew tighter and her attitude more persistent. Yu Bo knew that simple prevarication could no longer convince her. Moreover, Tang Guoguo's belly was getting bigger; sooner or later, the truth would come out. Rather than letting Yin Tianxue learn the truth through other channels (like the "Night Hawk" or her own investigation), triggering greater loss of control and suspicion, it was better for him to "actively" reveal part of the information to guide and control her.

So, after a somewhat heavy dinner, when Yin Tianxue brought up Tang Guoguo again, asking in a calm but unquestionable tone, "Yu Bo, it's been three months. Where exactly is Guoguo? I need to know the truth. If you still consider me your fiancée and respect the trust between us, don't lie to me again," Yu Bo put down his wine glass, his face showing a mix of exhaustion, helplessness, and a sincerity that came after a moment of "struggle."

He was silent for a long time, so long that Yin Tianxue almost lost her patience, before he spoke slowly, his voice low:

"Tianxue, it's not that I want to hide it from you. It's Guoguo... she begged me not to tell you. She feels she has no face to see you."

Yin Tianxue's heart sank: "What do you mean? What do you mean she has no face to see me?"

Yu Bo took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision: "Guoguo... she is pregnant."

"...Is it yours?" Her voice was as dry as sandpaper rubbing together.

Yu Bo did not answer immediately, just closed his eyes in pain. After a long while, he nodded almost imperceptibly. "It was an accident. We both drank too much... right before... the turmoil. Just that once. Later, when she found out she was pregnant, she was very scared and felt very guilty. She felt she had let you down and had no face to see you."

"I want to see her." Yin Tianxue raised her eyes, looking directly at Yu Bo. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable firmness. "I want to talk to Guoguo on the phone, now. Then, this weekend, I'm going to Spring City to see her."

Yu Bo seemed to have anticipated this request. A difficult expression appeared on his face: "Tianxue, Guoguo's emotional state right now... she might not want to answer the phone. And Spring City is so far, and you've been so busy with work lately..."

"I want to see her." Yin Tianxue repeated, her eyes cold. "Yu Bo, if you still want to maintain the last bit of trust between us, do as I say. Let me talk to Guoguo and confirm her safety and true wishes. Then, arrange for me to go to Spring City. Or, I will find a way to go myself."

The last sentence carried a clear warning. Yu Bo knew that Yin Tianxue was serious this time, and she absolutely had the ability to "find a way herself."

He was silent for a few seconds, and finally sighed as if compromising: "Fine. I'll try to contact her and see if she's willing to answer the phone. As for going to Spring City... I'll accompany you this weekend. I'm not at ease with you going alone, and besides, there are some things... I also want to clarify with her in person."

The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. Tang Guoguo's voice came through, hesitant and with a heavy nasal tone: "...Hello?"

"Guoguo, it's me." Yu Bo's voice immediately switched to a gentle and caring mode. "Are you okay? Tianxue wants to say a few words to you."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line, only suppressed, slight breathing sounds. Yin Tianxue's heart jumped into her throat.

"...Tianxue?" Finally, Tang Guoguo's voice sounded, very soft, with an unbelievable tremor, and a kind of heavy exhaustion and... fear? that Yin Tianxue had never heard before.

"Guoguo, it's me." Yin Tianxue spoke, her voice involuntarily softening, carrying a caution she hadn't noticed herself. "Are... are you in Spring City? Are you okay?"

"I... I'm fine." Tang Guoguo's voice was even lower, as if she wanted to say something, but forcibly held back. "Tianxue, how... how did you know..."

"Yu Bo told me." Yin Tianxue glanced at Yu Bo, whose expression was calm. "Guoguo, is... is it true that you're pregnant?"

Another suffocating silence followed. Then, Tang Guoguo's suppressed, sobbing voice came through: "...Yes. Tianxue, I'm sorry... I really... have no face to see you..."

Hearing this "I'm sorry" and the sobbing, Yin Tianxue's heart ached as if pricked by needles. All anger and suspicion were replaced at this moment by worry for her friend's situation and a complex sorrow.

"Don't say silly things. How is your health now? Is anyone taking care of you?"

"Yes... Aunt Zhang is here. I... I'm doing fine." Tang Guoguo was incoherent, her sobbing getting louder. "Tianxue, stop worrying about me... It's my own fault... You should be with Yu Bo... Forget about me..."

"Guoguo!" Yin Tianxue interrupted her, her tone urgent. "This weekend, Yu Bo and I are coming to Spring City to see you. Wait for us, okay? Whatever you have to say, we'll say it in person. Don't be afraid, I'm here."

The sobbing on the other end of the phone stopped abruptly, as if stunned by the news of "coming to see you this weekend." After a few seconds, Tang Guoguo's panicked voice came through: "No... no need, Tianxue! Don't come! I... I don't want to see you! I beg you!"

Her refusal was unusually intense, even carrying terror, which made Yin Tianxue's doubts deepen. But Yu Bo took over the conversation at the right time, his tone soothing: "Guoguo, don't get excited, take care of your health. Tianxue is concerned about you; it's only right that we come to see you. It's settled then, we'll come over this weekend. Rest well and don't overthink it."

After speaking, he hung up the phone without waiting for Tang Guoguo to object further.

Yin Tianxue looked at the hung-up phone, her brow furrowed. Tang Guoguo's reaction was too strange; it didn't look like the guilt of someone who "had no face to see people," but more like a kind of... deep-seated fear? What was she afraid of? Afraid to see her? Or afraid of Yu Bo?

"She's emotionally unstable, it might be pregnancy reactions, or she might feel embarrassed," Yu Bo explained, his tone natural. "We'll know when we go see her this weekend. You can be more at ease once you see her in person."

Yin Tianxue didn't speak, just took a long, deep look at Yu Bo. In those eyes that had once been clear and trusting, there now remained only scrutiny and cold suspicion. She no longer fully believed his words, but Tang Guoguo was in Spring City, and she sounded like she wasn't doing well; that was a fact. She had to make a trip to see for herself.