Chapter 79: Conditions

In the morning, after the doctor had completed the examination and found nothing amiss, Song Hui was informed she could be discharged. It happened to be the weekend. When Yu Yunxi heard about it, she made a fuss, insisting on coming to the hospital to pick her up. Unable to resist, Song Hui had no choice but to agree.

Just as she was about to leave, the doctor called her aside.

"Miss Shen, pregnancy is a good thing. You should let your husband know. That way, men will be more attentive to both you and the child," the doctor counseled earnestly.

Song Hui sensed a hidden meaning in the doctor's words. After all, most doctors rarely meddle in the private affairs of their patients.

"Doctor, if you have something to say, you can speak plainly."

The doctor hesitated, glanced around, then lowered her voice to whisper in Song Hui's ear, "Yesterday, I saw your husband at the hospital entrance, looking rather intimate with another woman."

Just as she suspected.

Song Hui smiled faintly. "Now you know why I haven't told my husband. I haven't yet decided whether to keep this child."

"But..." The female doctor seemed about to say more, but perhaps thought better of involving herself in another's family matters. She swallowed her words and instead smiled warmly. "I wish you good health."

Song Hui took a liking to this doctor and returned her warm smile.

On the drive home, Yu Yunxi pressed her curiously, "What did the doctor say to you just now? Don't tell me there's something wrong with the baby?"

Song Hui lightly tapped Yu Yunxi on the head, teasing, "Such a jinx! The doctor was just reminding me to take care."

"What's going on with you lately? Why don't you come live with me for a while? That way, I can keep an eye on you," Yu Yunxi said, affecting concern as she rubbed her head and muttered, "It was so frightening when you fainted suddenly."

"That won't do. You're not even dating yet. It would be so inconvenient for me to live at your place," Song Hui replied, shooting her a sidelong glance, a playful smile curling at her lips, her tone light and teasing.

Yu Yunxi immediately grew serious and sighed, "I don't even have the time to date. The magazine hasn't had any sensational news lately, and there are no good ideas for the fashion section. It's driving me mad."

"If you're looking for a scoop, go find Lin Yu. There must be plenty of sensational news at his entertainment company," Song Hui said, winking at her.

The mention of Lin Yu made Yu Yunxi visibly uncomfortable, and she shook her head at once.

"Absolutely not."

"If you mention my name, he'll definitely help you. Use your connections when you have them," Song Hui said, her eyes glinting mischievously as she hatched another scheme in her mind.

"But..."

"Are you stupid?" Song Hui leaned over and whispered something in Yu Yunxi's ear.

Yu Yunxi's expression shifted from surprise to delight as she pointed at Song Hui with a wicked grin.

"I never realized you were so cunning! Fine, I'll take your advice. I'll make time to pay a proper visit to President Lin at Mengze Entertainment."

—

Fu Family Mansion.

In the study, Fu Henian sat in a rosewood chair, cane in hand, pointing sternly at Fu Chen, who stood before him.

"What do you intend to do about Lin Yiqing?" His voice was not loud, but it filled the room with authority.

Fu Chen lowered his head, replying coldly, "I'll handle it."

"Handle it? How?" Fu Henian snapped. "Let me make one thing clear. The Fu family is still under my rule. I will never allow you to divorce Shen Huaiqing."

"I understand, Father. I won't divorce her," Fu Chen replied obediently.

"Then why haven't you told Lin Yiqing to get rid of the child? What are you waiting for?" Fu Henian's tone was laced with warning. "What, do you want your child to end up like you? An illegitimate child, hidden away from the world!"

Fu Henian's words, spoken so nonchalantly, ignited a seething fury within him, like gasoline catching fire. He clenched his fingertips silently, muscles taut beneath his skin, like a dark pool concealing a whirlpool.

"Father, I've known Yiqing since childhood. I need time to persuade her."

Fu Henian slammed his cane on the floor, sending a tremor across the boards. The dragon's head on his cane seemed to blaze with anger.

"So all my years of teaching you were in vain?" Fu Henian scrutinized Fu Chen coldly. "If you won't obey, then I'll have to take more drastic measures."

"Father, I can't do that." For the first time, Fu Chen openly defied him.

Fu Henian narrowed his eyes, a sinister smile flickering across his lips as he began to applaud slowly. The crisp sound in the silent room sent chills down the spine.

"Very well. If you can't do it, then your father will do it for you."

With a thud, Fu Chen knelt before Fu Henian.

"Father, I swear, I will handle this. If anything goes wrong, I'm willing to relinquish my claim to the Fu family inheritance."

Fu Henian stared at his kneeling son, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he said flatly,

"Soft-hearted, just like your mother."

"There's a reason I arranged your marriage with the Shen family. You know very well what it is. Don't forget the task I gave you," Fu Henian said, a glint in his eye.

"I know."

"Don't let your mother find out about this," Fu Henian instructed.

At that moment, Ke Jing was outside the study, holding a tray of tea as she eavesdropped at the door. She had a nagging feeling that Fu Henian wasn't summoning Fu Chen just because of Lin Yiqing. But when the study had been designed years ago, only the best soundproofing materials were used; even if there were a brawl inside, it would be impossible to hear a thing from outside.

Suddenly, the door swung open and Fu Chen stepped out.

"Mother, do you need something?" Fu Chen asked, as if unsurprised to find Ke Jing there, almost as if he had expected it.

Ke Jing reacted quickly, smiling as she replied, "I brought you some tea. I was just about to knock when you came out."

Fu Henian appeared behind Fu Chen and said, "You should go home now. Bring Huaiqing back for Christmas dinner."

"Yes, that's right. Huaiqing must be three months pregnant by now. It's time she came home for a meal," Ke Jing chimed in.

"Alright," Fu Chen nodded.

—

"What do you mean? Your father is on your side now?" Lin Yu asked in surprise.

Since that day, neither of them had mentioned the previous incident, acting as if it had never happened.

Fu Chen tapped his watch rhythmically, his lips pressed together. "Fu Henian is too pragmatic. He allies himself with whichever son benefits him most."

Lin Yu couldn't help but click his tongue. "No wonder he's known as a business genius."

"He has long wanted me to take over the Shen Group. Now, his patience is running thin," Fu Chen said, carefully omitting any mention of Lin Yiqing and focusing solely on the Shen Group.

"If you want a shortcut, you'll have to go through Song Hui, but didn't you..." Lin Yu trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.