"I want this child."
Lu Zhenyu's voice was calm, yet the firmness in his tone left no room for negotiation.
Gu Anran stared at him for a moment before the anger she had been holding back finally exploded.
"Lu Zhenyu, what do you take me for?" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage.
"Do you think I'm some kind of tool that produces children for you? What right do you have to demand this child from me? And what happens after I give birth? Will you just throw some money at me and send me away?"
Her eyes turned red as tears streamed down her face.
"Do I look like a surrogate mother to you? I'm telling you right now—I will not give birth to this child!"
Her words echoed through the quiet hospital room.
Lu Zhenyu rubbed his temples, a faint headache forming. It was obvious that she had completely misunderstood his intentions.
Without saying anything, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Gu Anran struggled fiercely.
Her fists repeatedly struck his shoulders as she vented all her frustration, but Lu Zhenyu didn't move an inch. His arms remained firmly around her as if nothing she did could push him away.
Gradually, her strength faded. The anger in her chest slowly dissolved into quiet sobs.
Only then did Lu Zhenyu loosen his hold slightly.
"When did I ever say I would pay you off after you give birth to my child?" he said softly.
His thumb gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.
His tone, unexpectedly gentle, made Gu Anran freeze.
"Since I said I want this child… that naturally includes you as well."
Gu Anran blinked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?"
Lu Zhenyu looked directly into her eyes.
"Gu Anran," he said slowly, "let's get married."
For a moment, the room fell completely silent.
Gu Anran stared at him as if she had just heard the most unbelievable joke in the world.
"You must be joking… right?" she said uncertainly, searching his expression for any sign of teasing.
But Lu Zhenyu's face remained serious.
"I don't joke."
His deep voice carried absolute certainty.
"I want my child to grow up in a complete family. If we get married, I can properly take responsibility for both you and the child."
He paused slightly before continuing.
"With the identity of Mrs. Lu, you can have anything you want. As long as you ask for it, I can give it to you."
The weight of his words left Gu Anran momentarily speechless.
Marriage had never crossed her mind.
Yes, she was pregnant with his child, but that didn't mean she had ever imagined becoming his wife.
"I… I don't know if I'm ready to be a mother," she said softly, still struggling to process everything. "Can you give me some time to think about it?"
Lu Zhenyu's gaze darkened slightly.
"I wasn't ready to become a father either," he said calmly. "But I made my decision in one night."
His voice grew colder.
"I intend to keep this child."
He leaned slightly closer, his tone carrying a faint trace of warning.
"And if you refuse to marry me, I still have many ways to make you give birth to this child."
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
"And you might not like those methods."
A chill ran down Gu Anran's spine.
She knew he wasn't joking.
With Lu Zhenyu's power and influence, forcing her to carry this child to term would not be difficult at all.
Compared to that… becoming Mrs. Lu suddenly seemed like the better option.
At least she would gain the protection of a powerful man.
After a long silence, she finally lowered her gaze.
"…Alright."
Her voice was quiet but clear.
"Let's get married."
A faint smile flickered across Lu Zhenyu's eyes, though Gu Anran was too lost in her thoughts to notice it.
"Then let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau," he said, standing up. "We'll get the marriage certificate."
Gu Anran's head snapped up in shock.
"What? Right now?"
Lu Zhenyu raised an eyebrow.
"Is there a problem? Since we're getting married sooner or later, getting the certificate today makes no difference."
Gu Anran opened her mouth but found herself unable to argue.
A few minutes later, the two of them walked out of the hospital ward together.
An Rulan happened to see them and immediately frowned in confusion.
"Where are you two going?"
"We're going to get our marriage certificate," Lu Zhenyu replied casually.
Before An Rulan could even process his words, he had already walked away with Gu Anran.
An Rulan stood frozen in place.
"…What?!"
Meanwhile, as they walked downstairs, Gu Anran suddenly remembered something.
"We need to stop by my apartment first," she said. "I have to get my household registration booklet."
Lu Zhenyu simply nodded.
"Okay."
One hour later.
The two of them stood outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Each of them held a small red marriage certificate in their hands.
The bright color looked almost unreal.
Gu Anran stared at the booklet in a daze, still unable to believe what had just happened.
She… was married?
Just like that?
Lu Zhenyu reached out and took the certificate from her hand.
"I'll keep this for you," he said calmly.
Then he looked down at her, his gaze deep and unwavering.
"Remember one thing."
"There will be no divorce in this marriage."
His voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable sense of authority.
"Only widowhood."
Gu Anran's heart trembled slightly.
She still felt as if she were dreaming.
Marriage… and pregnancy.
These were things that had never happened in her previous life.
Lowering her gaze, she quietly tightened her grip on the edge of her clothes.
This time…
I hope the path I've chosen will lead to a different ending.
One filled with peace…
And perhaps even happiness.
Lu Zhenyu who was on the phone had ended the call then he turned to her
"I have to go back to the company, there are some things that requires my attention" he said
"It's alright I understand I will get a cab so you can go do your own thing" she said with a relieved expression, because she wasn't fully used to his presence.
But Lu Zhenyu didn't feel at ease, she is carrying his child and was married to him so didn't want to leave her here alone.
"Get in the car, you're coming with me to the company" he said after some thought.