Luo Shu looked up at the tall, dark figure in front of her, somewhat stunned.
It was Yu Zhan.
He had stopped Liao Xian's hand from hitting her.
And a large palm was now wrapped around her waist; she didn't even know when he had pulled her into his arms.
"You dare hit my woman?"
Yu Zhan's face was dark, his eyes shadowed, his words as cold as ice daggers. As he questioned her, his grip on Liao Xian's hand tightened.
"Let go of me!"
Liao Xian cried out in pain and slapped at his hand. The maid also rushed forward to intervene.
Yu Zhan ignored them, instead lowering his gaze to look at Luo Shu, who was crying a river of tears.
Strange, just a moment ago his eyes were as cold as frost, but now, why do they feel so warm?
Luo Shu was scared stiff. It took her a long moment to reach out and pull his hand back.
"She's pregnant. Don't stoop to her level."
Only then did Yu Zhan slowly release his grip.
Liao Xian recognized the man before her and stumbled back two steps in fear.
"Mr. Yu..."
"What was that? Who did you just call a wild man?"
His gaze was sharp and icy as he stared at Liao Xian.
Liao Xian, still not understanding what was happening, her mind muddled, blurted out:
"Luo Shu is just a bitch! She slept with another man before she even broke up with her boyfriend..."
Slap!
This slap came from Yu Zhan.
He... hit a woman!
The air around them seemed to freeze.
Liao Xian clutched her face, only now realizing the truth. He... he was the wild man!
"Get lost. And don't let me hear your voice again."
Yu Zhan didn't even look at her. Instead, he carefully wiped the tears from the corners of Luo Shu's eyes, his thumb stroking her reddened cheek.
Liao Xian knew she was in the wrong and didn't dare to cause any more trouble. She covered her swollen face and hurried away.
Luo Shu was at a complete loss.
"Does it hurt?"
"..."
She steadied herself, trying to pull away from his embrace, but he only held her tighter.
"Did you get the check-up?"
He was so gentle, even his eyes were warm.
Luo Shu lowered her head, her heart pounding. The blush on her face spread from her earlobes down to her neck.
She didn't know when her small hand had started clutching his shirt.
"Let me go first. Everyone's watching..."
Only then did Yu Zhan slowly and deliberately release her. At the side, Shen Yan pursed his lips and discreetly turned his back.
After all that chaos, she hadn't managed to get her check-up. The doctor had already left for the day.
Luo Shu was forced to let him lead her by the hand to his car.
Shen Yan waited outside the car. Inside, the two of them sat in awkward silence.
"Why did you come here?"
"My aunt called me. She said she saw you in the obstetrics and gynecology department at the hospital. And I saw you dry-heaving this morning, so I came over."
Yu Zhan turned his head to look at the girl whose face was flushed completely red.
"If I hadn't come, how long were you planning to hide this from me? Hmm?"
Luo Shu clutched the examination form. Her usual fiery spirit was completely extinguished in his presence, every bit of her assertiveness crushed.
"I really did take the pill. And, I haven't had the check-up yet, so I don't know if..."
She began to speak cautiously.
Yu Zhan's Adam's apple bobbed.
"And if you are?"
"That has nothing to do with you."
Luo Shu paused, then pushed the car door open and left. Yu Zhan didn't stop her.
"A fine 'nothing to do with me'."
He muttered, leaning back in his seat, watching her figure grow smaller and smaller out the window.
Her "nothing to do with you" seemed to be said in anger, just like what he had said to her at the manor yesterday.
Shen Yan got into the car and sat in the driver's seat. Seeing that the boss was unhappy, he didn't dare to ask, but he felt like he understood everything.
"That temper of hers is more stubborn than a mule," Yu Zhan remarked.
Shen Yan chuckled softly.
——
Back at her rented apartment, Luo Shu lay on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. She held up the form in her hand, looking at the heavy words "Early Pregnancy Test," and threw it onto the coffee table in frustration.
"Yu Zhan."
She murmured the unfamiliar name, then sighed.
What if she was? Should she get rid of it? Or should she be like her mother, give birth to it, and become a single mom?
After much thought, she opened her contacts to the "Vampire Boss," staring at his string of numbers, lost in thought.
"Shu'er! I know you're home! Open the door!"
Qin Heng's voice came from outside.
His voice was thick, heavy, and he was panting heavily, as if he were drunk.
Luo Shu glanced at the door, pulled a pillow over her head. She knew he would come, she just didn't expect it to be so soon.
The neighbors next door all opened their doors and began to whisper.
Luo Shu didn't want to cause trouble. She grabbed her phone, stood up, and walked to the door, peeking through the peephole.
Through the peephole, she could see him swaying. She could smell the disgusting stench of alcohol on him even through the door.
She opened the door, and a heavy wave of alcohol fumes rushed in with him, the strong smell spreading everywhere.
In that instant, Luo Shu was caught off guard as Qin Heng's large body pulled her into an embrace.
The door was shut.
"Get off!"
Luo Shu tried to push him away, but he only held her tighter!
"Shu'er, I missed you..."
His voice was choked with tears as he desperately tried to kiss her.
She felt like she had encountered the plague, pushing him away with disgust, but he was like a stubborn leech, impossible to shake off.
"Qin Heng! You're drunk! Don't touch me!"
She shouted, but somehow, he managed to push her onto the sofa.
Qin Heng was known for being in good shape. Against him, it was impossible to break free. The disparity in their strength was too great; she was no match for him.
"I heard you're involved with Yu Zhan?"
Liao Xian certainly worked fast. She was probably upset after being hit by Yu Zhan and was now trying to stir up trouble!
Qin Heng grabbed both her hands with one large hand, pinning them against her stomach. His other hand was propped on the sofa as he looked down at her.
Luo Shu was completely unable to move, as he was kneeling on her legs, pressing them down firmly.
"You even blacklisted me on WeChat and blocked my number. How can you be so heartless?!"
He accused her like an ignorant defendant.
"What's wrong with Yu Zhan?! He's cleaner than you! Richer than you! And has a better body than you!"
Slap!
"Ah!"
Qin Heng had hit Luo Shu.
Luo Shu was stunned, tears unknowingly streaming down her face.
Qin Heng was also stunned. Only then did he realize what he had done. He had hit the woman he loved.
He quickly leaned down, stroking her reddened face, his eyes full of guilt.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Luo Shu gritted her teeth and secretly dialed the Vampire Boss's number.
"You still won't forgive me..."
"You're not worthy!"
Qin Heng's eyes were bloodshot, his throat tightened. The air around them seemed to become thick. Her heartbeat stopped for a moment, and it felt as if she could hear the crisp sound of her blood freezing. It forced his grip on her to tighten.
Luo Shu bit her lip in pain.
His eyes changed, becoming tender and gentle.
Luo Shu knew she was done for.
She could only feel Qin Heng's hand gently caressing her charming cheek, attempting to wipe away her tears.
"Don't cry. Let me love you too. A tycoon like Yu Zhan will never let you into his family, but I will. We can go abroad, to a place where no one knows us..."
"Ptooey!" Luo Shu spat at him!
"Trash! In your dreams!" she cursed.