Gu Xia had come to ask Lu Shaoting for help.
As for the Lu family, she knew full well that they would all be against it and would never allow her to stay at the Lu residence.
They feared that if Gu Xia showed up at Lu Shaoting’s doorstep with a baby bump, it would bring shame upon the Lu family.
The Lu family was a prominent and influential clan in the residential compound.
Especially the matriarch of the Lu family, who had spent her entire life chasing fame, fortune, and prestige.
There was absolutely no way she would allow Gu Xia to stay at the Lu residence while pregnant.
Just as Gu Xia was about to follow Lu Shaoting out,
Lu Ye stepped forward.
“Uncle, how could you believe a word Gu Xia says? She didn’t come earlier or later—she deliberately chose this exact moment to come to the Lu family compound to find you. Grandpa said you’re about to be transferred. Her coming now must mean she wants to ruin you and destroy our Lu family.”
After saying this, Lu Ye shot Gu Xia a look of disgust.
“Who knows whose bastard you’re carrying? My uncle has always kept himself pure—there’s absolutely no way he’d ever touch you. You’re nothing but a pretty face with no brains at all. There are so many young men in the family compound, yet not a single one likes you…”
“You’re no match for my sister—not even close.”
Ever since she was little, Gu Xia had been a well-behaved girl who loved to quietly go about her own business, keeping a low profile and never drawing attention to herself. She wasn’t as smart as her older sister, and her grades were just average.
She wasn’t as articulate as her sister, nor was her personality as bright and outgoing.
In the eyes of outsiders, aside from her fair, delicate complexion and her clean-cut appearance, she had little else to boast about.
But in the eyes of her older sister and her parents, she was always the family’s ray of sunshine.
This was especially true for her older sister. When she was little, her parents were very busy, so it was essentially her older sister who raised her.
No matter who tried to sow discord between the sisters, her older sister would always defend her, saying, “My little sister is so cute and well-behaved.”
To Gu Xia, her older sister was like a tree—not very tall, but one that had always shielded her from the wind and rain.
No matter what others said, Gu Xia would always believe her sister.
Gu Xia held back the tears welling up in her eyes; she was the type who cried easily when criticized and couldn’t stand being wronged.
But right now, she couldn’t afford to show weakness.
Lifting her gaze to Lu Ye, Gu Xia said in a cool, detached tone, “I don’t care if anyone likes me or not. No matter how you try to drive a wedge between my sister and me, I won’t believe a word you say.”
“Also, let me reiterate: Lu Shaoting knows full well in his heart whether he did this or not. What right do you, an outsider, have to stand here and say anything?”
“Are you so afraid that I’ll get too close to your uncle? Why? Could it be that what happened to my family has something to do with you?”
Hearing Gu Xia’s words, Lu Ye flew into a rage on the spot.
“Gu Xia, what nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean, ‘it has something to do with me’? Your family was seized and exiled because you had connections with capitalists overseas, and your family’s political stance was unclear.”
“Who would have the time to report you out of the blue?”
Gu Xia said coldly, “Did I say you were the one who reported the Gu family? Why are you so eager to admit it yourself?”
These words struck a nerve with Lu Ye, who was already feeling guilty. He stepped forward, about to shove Gu Xia.
Gu Xia deftly turned and positioned herself behind Lu Shaoting.
Lu Shaoting merely glanced at his nephew, Lu Ye.
“What a terrible temper. Go ahead, try hitting her.”
He had no intention of marrying Gu Xia, but now that she claimed to be carrying his child—and while he was still undecided about whether to keep the baby—Lu Shaoting felt it was necessary to ensure she wasn’t harmed.
Lu Ye, however, was acting like a cornered rat.
“Uncle, do you really believe what Gu Xia said? She’s been in the countryside for so long, and now she suddenly shows up claiming she’s pregnant with your child? This is utterly ridiculous.”
Lu Shaoting replied coldly, “I’ll find out whether it’s my child or not. What business is it of yours? Does this have anything to do with you, from start to finish?”
Lu Ye was instantly silenced by the rebuke.
He stammered out a reply.
“I—I was just worried about you.”
“No need.”
Lu Shaoting’s assertive attitude was perfectly normal in the eyes of the Lu family.
The Lu family patriarch actually had nothing against this son; in his view, a soldier should be exactly like this—serious when he needs to be, and upright when he needs to be.
He must be firm and resolute.
But when it came to being a son, the Lu family patriarch felt that Lu Shaoting always lacked that certain warmth and compassion.
Seeing that Lu Shaoting was about to leave, the patriarch called out, “Shaoting, if it really is your child, go ahead and get married. You’re not exactly young anymore.”
No sooner had the Old Master finished speaking than the Old Madam, Zhang Yuelan,
immediately shot an angry glare at Lu Zhongjun.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Can they even get married at their age and with their social standing?”
“Gu Xia is so much younger than Shaoting. If you let Shaoting marry her, wouldn’t that bring shame upon the Lu family? I, Zhang Yuelan, cannot afford such disgrace.”
But Old Master Lu, Lu Zhongjun, replied, “She’s already come knocking on our door while pregnant. What do you suggest we do? We both know what kind of person your youngest son is—if he doesn’t want to, he’d rather have a knife thrust into his body than give in…”
The crux of the matter was this:
That day, when Gu Xia drugged Lu Shaoting, he wasn’t the least bit on his guard and had nothing on him but a fountain pen.
He wouldn’t even have a knife to stab himself with.
Once they stepped out of the Lu family’s living room and the wind hit him, Lu Shaoting’s mind cleared a bit.
This Gu Xia was truly a headache.
Gu Xia stood quietly by his side, neither crying nor making a scene.
Lu Shaoting felt a surge of irritation welling up inside him, but he still told Gu Xia to get in the car.
Only after getting in the car did Gu Xia look at Lu Shaoting. “Where are you taking me?”
“To the hospital.”
Hearing this, Gu Xia was overcome with worry and fear. “Why are you taking me to the hospital? Let me tell you, don’t even think about forcing me to have an abortion—I won’t go through with it.”
“Lu Shaoting, you just told me—you promised to help my parents and sister find jobs, as long as they weren’t in the rural northwest. As soon as they’re transferred away, I’ll go get an abortion right away. I absolutely won’t lie to you.”
Lu Shaoting looked at Gu Xia, who seemed terrified of him.
Yet he asked coldly, “Now you’re scared? Why did you lie to me when you drugged me?”
“Gu Xia, I’ve treated you like my own niece—you’re even younger than Xiao Wan. Why would you do something like this? I helped your parents, and you terminated that pregnancy—but what about your own life? Have you given up on your life?”
Gu Xia lowered her eyes, hiding the confusion and helplessness in her gaze.
She simply couldn’t answer Lu Shaoting’s words.
Because when she chose to do this, she hadn’t thought about the consequences or her own life—she only wanted to protect her parents and older sister.
“I don’t know. All I know is that you’re the only lifeline I have left.”
“Uncle Lu, I can sign an agreement with you. As long as my parents and older sister leave the rural countryside in Northwest China, I’ll get an abortion right away. If you’re worried, you can come with me.”