Chapter 741: Stop Being Needy

Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

After Gu Shaoting hung up the phone, he couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling. Something felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

He thought for a moment and then dialed He Ming’s number.

“Brother Ting?” He Ming sounded surprised that Gu Shaoting was calling at this time.

“Have you seen Shu Pan in the past couple of days? Has she seemed off to you?” Gu Shaoting asked, unable to figure out what was going on.

“I just went shopping with Xiaomeng a few days ago. Everything seemed fine, nothing unusual,” He Ming replied, thinking Gu Shaoting might be overreacting.

“Really? Nothing unusual?” Gu Shaoting frowned. “I feel like Shu Pan has been distant lately. She doesn’t seem to care much about me these past two days.”

“Maybe it’s just your imagination? Shu Pan has always been quite independent. She doesn’t usually cling to you, does she?” He Ming suggested, thinking Gu Shaoting might be worrying unnecessarily.

“No, it’s different. It’s more noticeable these past couple of days,” Gu Shaoting expressed his doubts.

“Brother Ting, could it be that you did something to upset her?” He Ming asked cautiously.

Gu Shaoting still heard him despite the low volume. “Aren’t you thirsty from talking so much?”

“Fine, I won’t ask anymore,” He Ming said innocently.

“It’s just odd. Why such a sudden change?”

“Brother Ting, women can be unpredictable. And now that Shu Pan is pregnant, she needs you more than ever. Pregnant women often feel insecure, especially with you in France for work, where there’s also a woman who fancies you. How could she not overthink?”

“So, what are you trying to say?” Gu Shaoting asked coldly.

“I’m just saying that things aren’t the same between you two. Shu Pan isn’t as clingy as before.”

Gu Shaoting initially didn’t react to He Ming’s words, but when he heard this, he fell silent.

“Who usually calls first, you or Shu Pan? Generally, the one who cares more will initiate contact,” He Ming, in his role as a detached observer, analyzed the situation like a love expert.

Gu Shaoting said nothing. Lately, he had been the one calling Shu Pan. When she called him, it was usually to return his missed calls. Did that mean he cared more about her?

Seeing Gu Shaoting’s silence, He Ming realized he had been more proactive. However, someone with low emotional intelligence might not see the problem.

“Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones causing changes. Don’t overthink it. Look at Xiaomeng; I treat her like a queen now. If I’m not careful, she gets upset and throws a tantrum,” He Ming reflected, thinking this explanation made sense.

“Yeah, I hope that’s all it is,” Gu Shaoting said helplessly.

…

It was getting late. Shu Pan felt tired after reading for a while and wanted to rest, but she didn’t want to call Gu Shaoting. She feared she might not be able to resist interrogating him.

When Gu Shaoting got home, he waited a long time without receiving a call from Shu Pan. Checking the time, he figured she had already gone to bed.

He looked at his phone and then set it down, unable to sleep soundly that night.

The next morning, he woke up, looked at the clear sky, walked to the balcony, and took a deep breath. Then, he called Secretary Zhang, planning to return home in a few days. He decided to go shopping for a gift for Shu Pan.

Women needed to be coaxed, especially when they were upset.

Gu Shaoting had concluded that Shu Pan’s coldness was due to his business trip and neglect.