C6 Mutual Dependence

Zong Jinghao stared at the paper for a long time, trying to see if he had read it wrong. However, every time he glanced at the scrawled words, the shadow upon his face darkened even more. Different thoughts ran through his mind. Did she have any ulterior motives? What did she plan to do with a child?

While the bedroom was reeking with mistrust and coldness, the living room was a different matter. Nanny Yu had already woken up the prepare breakfast. The light streamed through the windows as she hummed enthusiastically.

Glancing at the side, she saw Lin Xinyan sitting alone on the sofa. She was still in her pajamas. "Did you sleep well, Miss?" A small smile threaded across her lips.

At first, she had initially thought that Zong Jinghao wouldn't come back last night, assuming that he'd be spending the hours with Bai Zhuwei. However, upon hearing the movement a few hours ago, she couldn't help but go up to take a look, only to see that her boss had really come back last night. What's more, was that he slept in his room–on the same bed that Lin Xinyan was sleeping in.

This was the wife that Madame had arranged for the Young Master to marry, so Nanny Yu was naturally ecstatic with the sudden development. 'Maybe they have hope after all,' she thought, almost as if he was reassuring herself.

While the older woman was more than ready to hear the details, Lin Xinyan was the complete opposite.

Stiffening, she withdrew even more. "It was a good sleep." At least, until she realized what had happened in the morning.

"Then hurry up and change your clothes," Nanny Yu ordered kindly. "I'll be preparing breakfast now. We'll be eating in a bit."

Right. Change clothes. Glancing at her pajamas, she gazed at the door of the Master Bedroom, which was just right across the stairs. The clothes she had brought were still in that room.

He should be dressed by now, right?

Standing up, Lin Xinyan walked towards the bedroom before knocking on the door.

There was no response.

She knocked again, and still, no one answered.

"I...Hello?" Blinking, she grasped the handle and pried the door open. Luckily, it wasn't locked on the inside so she was able to push it easily. "Are you dressed? Nanny Yu's preparing breakfast, so–"

However, as soon as the door was pushed open, she felt as if she was being drowned under the cold, December air. Her body immediately trembled, and her hands shook from the sudden premonition.

The man on the edge of the bed was glaring coldly at a piece of paper.

That paper —

She didn't even need to see what was in his hand to know what it was. Glancing at the mess on the floor, she stomped inside and snatched it out of his fingertips. "Were you spying on me?" she demanded. "Don't you have any respect for other people's privacy?"

Immediately, the coldness that had once radiated around the piece of paper was no directed at her.

The corners of his lips inched up into a mocking smile. "Privacy?"

Zong Jinghao's smile was a far more frightening sight than his anger. "You've got a bastard in your stomach, and you're talking about privacy? Who the hell are you trying to fool?"

"Look, I..." she tried to explain, wanted to say what was on her mind, but all the words were caught up in her throat. Now, all she could do was stare and choke.

As if he had sensed her hesitance, he immediately stood up and strode towards her. He looked unhurried, like an animal stalking his prey. Dark clouds shadowed in his eyes as he glared down at her. "What are you planning?"

Had she wanted to trick him into becoming a father?

Was the deal all just an act?

The more he thought about it, the darker his expression had become.

"I–I didn't mean to hide it from you." Her bottom lips trembled as she continued to retreat from him. Her hand went to her stomach, afraid that he'd do something to the child. "We were only planning to be together for a month, so I didn't bother to say it. I didn't have any other purpose."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. I mean, how can I get away with that sort of thing?" Her back had hit against the wall now, and she forced herself to meet his harsh gaze. "If I had any sort of thoughts, you would've already made sure that I die a horrible death. If I'm truly deceiving you...do you think I'll be able to live to see tomorrow?"

Although her movements were small, Zong Jinghao still noticed the way her hand immediately wrapped around her abdomen.

"When did you know?" His gaze was still fixed on her face.

There was no way that he'd believe her that easily.

But that didn't mean that Lin Xinyan was going to give up either. The hands on her stomach clenched into fists. Although the child was unexpected to her, he was still a blood relative. After losing her brother, she wasn't planning on giving him up.

In the future, the three of them could only depend on each other to survive.

Her thoughts drifted to what had happened that night, and she couldn't help but shiver in response. "I–I just found out a few days ago," she stuttered. Her palms were already sweaty from the sudden integration.

She couldn't even tell Zhuang Zijin about what had happened, afraid of what her mother would do when she discovered it.

What she didn't expect was that the hidden paper would cause such a commotion.

Zong Jinghao sneered.

She was only eighteen years old, yet she...

What the hell had she been doing all her life?

At the thought, Zong Jinghao's face shifted into a sneer as he gripped the paper even more. "If there's been a slip-up this month, or if I find out that you're causing any trouble, I will–"

"I'll behave," she hurriedly promised. "If I do anything out of the line, then you can punish me as you please."

Even if she couldn't gain his trust, the least she could do is to get him to understand that she had absolutely no motives when it came to her child.

Lin Xinyan was already in a predicament, to begin with. If she garnered more enemies in this stay, it would be too disadvantageous for her to get everything back. The least she could do is have someone by her side.

He stared at her for a long time, as if trying to judge the credibility of her words.

However, before he could even respond, Nanny Yu has already called out. "Breakfast is ready!"

Retracting his gaze, he turned away. "Clean up the floor."

He left without saying another word.

When he finally stepped right out the door, Lin Xinyan suddenly felt the urge to collapse onto the hardwood. Her hands clasped around the cupboard behind her as she struggled to steady herself. Crouching down, she slowly picked up the clothes that were scattered all over the ground.

Glancing at the paper in her hands, the tears started to fall, and she sniffled.

No. She mustn't cry. She couldn't cry. This was a sign of weakness, and she wasn't weak. She couldn't be.

Her mother and baby still needed her.

"You can do this, Xinyan," she murmured to herself as she folded the paper and shoved it into her bag. Without another word, she changed into her clothes and headed out.

There was no one else in the dining room. All she could see was an empty coffee cup and an empty plate. He must've already finished eating at this point. Relief flooded her chest as she sat down.

Just being with the man was already giving her an anxiety attack.

Not knowing what else to do, she started to eat.

Nanny Yu didn't bother her after that, so after she was finished with her breakfast, she immediately went out into the city. She had promised Zhuang Zijin that she'd come and visit her after the wedding procession. Plus, she was afraid that her mother would worry about her if she didn't come home immediately after that.

She was right. As soon as Lin Xinyan entered the household, she was immediately pulled into Zhuang Zijin's embrace. "The Young Master of the Zong family–"

"He's nice," she said harshly, ending the trail of concern. "I've already told you. You shouldn't worry about me too much.

Flinching from her tone of voice, the older woman sighed. It seemed that her daughter had truly grown up after all of these years. "I'm just saying this because I care about you."

She was afraid that the man wouldn't be good for her daughter.

Lin Xinyan tightened her hug. Burying her head into her mother's shoulders, she shook her head. After what had happened with Zong Jinghao, she didn't need another confrontation.

"Mom, I'm sorry. It has just been a long day," she murmured. "I didn't mean to–"

"I know, dear. I don't blame you." She squeezed her shoulders. "If you're tired, then go to sleep, okay?"

"I...Thank you." It was weird. Lin Xinyan had just woken up, and now she already felt exhausted. Was this what it felt like to be pregnant? As soon as she returned to her room, she had already fallen asleep.

At noon, Zhuang Zijin knocked on her door. "Lunch is ready."

"I already made you your favorite fish," she added as they walked out of the bedroom.

After everything that her daughter had been through, she couldn't help but feel guilty. Not only couldn't she give her a good childhood, but she had also allowed that Lin Xinyan suffered with her. She had never deserved this.

The young woman gazed at the beautiful red dish sitting on the plate. In the past, she would've immediately devoured the fish in the flesh. However, as soon as she was about to dig in, the sweet smell made her stomach lurch violently. No.

She clasped her mouth and stood up.

"Xinyan."

Not having the time to explain, she covered her mouth with her hands and rushed into the bathroom.

Zhuang Zijin followed worriedly. She had been a very experienced woman, so she could already see through her daughter's actions that something was up. However, she couldn't find it in herself to believe it. After all, her daughter had always been conservative and honest...She never had a boyfriend!

However, as soon as the sight had befallen her, even she couldn't help but tremble. "Xinyan, what happened?"

Lin Xinyan couldn't help but stiffen as she gripped the edges of the washbasin. As she had already decided to have this child, there was no point in hiding from her mother anymore.

Turning to the older woman, she gulped.

"Mom, I'm pregnant."

"I...but you're..." Zhuang Zijin stumbled back in disbelief. Her daughter was only eighteen, and now she was....pregnant?