Chapter Seventeen: I Will Not Forgive You

Chu Jing had warned her to be cautious during the early stages of pregnancy: she mustn't get upset or engage in any strenuous activity. Caught up in her worry, she had forgotten all of this. Gently stroking her lower abdomen, she felt the pain gradually subside.

“Sister? Should I take you to the hospital?” Qiao Shiluo looked at her with concern.

Leiran shook her head. “No, I just want to rest for a bit. Take me to your place.”

Qiao Shiluo readily agreed, helping her into the car. On the way, Leiran called the HR department at her company to request a leave of absence. Leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed, she suddenly remembered something and turned to Qiao Shiluo.

“You’ve graduated and returned so soon?”

“Sis, are you confused? I finished my master's some time ago. I only went back recently for work, so I’m home early.”

Leiran tapped her forehead, realizing that family matters had truly muddled her thoughts. Qiao Shiluo had received his master's degree a few months prior and was now entering the workforce.

As they spoke, they arrived at Qiao Shiluo’s apartment—a private place, still as clean and tidy as ever. Qiao Shiluo found her some fresh clothes and told her to take a hot shower to relax.

It should be said that Leiran and Qiao Shiluo weren’t siblings by blood. They had met when Leiran was in high school; being three years older, she naturally became his “big sister.” Many years had passed, and their bond was as close as any true siblings.

“Shiluo? Can you bring me a towel?” Leiran called from the bathroom.

Qiao Shiluo quickly fetched a clean towel from the balcony and handed it to her. As the door opened a crack, a gentle mist drifted out. Qiao Shiluo teased, “Just the two of us here, and you trust a man like me to bring you a towel?”

Leiran emerged in fresh clothes, drying her hair as she replied, “You’re my little brother, and besides, you’re still a child in my eyes!”

“Sis, you’re underestimating me, aren’t you?” Qiao Shiluo protested.

Leiran was about to retort when her smile faltered. Gripping Qiao Shiluo’s hand in pain, she gasped, “My stomach hurts… Take me to the hospital, quickly…”

Qiao Shiluo didn’t dare delay for an instant and rushed her to the hospital.

…

Huiteng Group.

Ding Lei hurried in, leaning close to Ye Huai’s ear to whisper, “President Ye, this morning—”

“What?” Ye Huai stared at him in disbelief. “Is it true?”

“It’s absolutely true. Miss Leiran is pregnant. However… Zhang Fanfan adamantly denies that it’s his child…”

Pregnant? Leiran is actually pregnant! That was the only thought echoing in Ye Huai’s mind. He never expected such news. He recalled Leiran’s pale face at the hospital that day—she must have found out then.

“Prepare the car. We’re going to the hospital!”

Ding Lei wondered why they were heading to the hospital, but the boss’s orders weren’t to be questioned, so he immediately followed.

Seeing Ye Huai arrive at the hospital of his own accord, Duan Zinan was surprised. He joked with a smile, “Did the sun rise in the west today?”

“I need a paternity test for Leiran’s child,” Ye Huai announced.

Duan Zinan was momentarily stunned. “A paternity test for her child?” Sensing the seriousness in Ye Huai’s expression, the doctor’s intuition told him something was amiss.

“Leiran is just over a month pregnant. There isn’t enough amniotic fluid for testing yet. If you insist, you’ll have to wait another two months…”

Ye Huai left the office, now more composed. He realized he’d been somewhat impulsive; upon hearing the news of Leiran’s pregnancy, he hadn’t been able to contain himself. Judging by the timing, the child was most likely his, but he couldn’t completely rule out Zhang Fanfan, since they were married.

“Boss, Miss Leiran is here in the hospital…” Ding Lei’s words interrupted Ye Huai’s thoughts. Turning, he saw Leiran sitting in a nearby ward, waiting for the doctor.

Ye Huai frowned slightly, entered without hesitation, and closed the door behind him.

“Ye Huai? What are you doing here?” Leiran looked up as he strode toward her, his face dark with anger. “What do you want?”

Ye Huai approached the bed, pressing down on Leiran as she tried to get up, holding her in place. In a cold voice, he said, “Leiran, I order you to protect your child. If anything happens to it, I will never forgive you!”