After the meal, Jin Chen drove Zhong Yi back.
The black Bentley was parked on the worn-out residential road, its low-key yet elegant design starkly out of place in the surrounding environment.
After Zhong Yi got out of the car, Jin Chen also stepped out, his tall figure stopping in front of her.
“I’ll arrange for a driver to pick you up for lunch at home at noon, or I can have Aunt Liu prepare the meal and deliver it to you.”
“No need, that’s too much trouble. I’ll just eat at home.”
He knew she would refuse, but Jin Chen left no room for argument: “I promised to give you time to think, but you’re not alone now. You’re carrying my child, and I have every right to take full responsibility for your diet and lifestyle.”
“Then… have Aunt Liu deliver it.”
Zhong Yi knew Jin Chen’s temperament.
When he wanted something, he got it. The fact that he was giving her time to consider was already a concession.
Looking at the woman’s gentle, soft face, Jin Chen reached out and patted her head. “Be good.”
With that, he pulled her into his arms.
Zhong Yi was startled and struggled. “Mr. Jin, what are you doing?”
“Shh, don’t move.” Jin Chen tightened his arms, his thin lips close to her ear. “I’m talking to my child. You’re interrupting our spiritual connection.”
Zhong Yi: “…”
Spiritual connection.
If he wanted to take advantage, he should just say so.
And he had to come up with such a high-sounding excuse.
“I’ll go now.” Jin Chen held her for a while before letting go just as Zhong Yi began to struggle again. He got into the car and drove away.
Zhong Yi watched his car disappear into the distance.
The lingering scent of his crisp, pleasant fragrance still clung to her, unsettling her heart and stirring up an uncontrollable flutter.
She turned around, a sweet smile on her lips, only to look up and see a woman standing at the entrance of the stairwell, her face icy and her gaze fixed coldly on her.
The smile froze on her face.
Her heart sank in panic. “Mom, why are you here?”
Cao Chufen ignored her question, turned around, and headed upstairs without a word. Zhong Yi followed.
Once they were home, the mother and daughter closed the door to settle the score.
Cao Chufen, who had been holding back her anger the entire way, unleashed it with an imposing and relentless tone: “Who was that man?”
Her mother had always been domineering, especially when it came to Zhong Yi’s relationships with men. Her scrutiny went far beyond mere strictness.
In front of her, Zhong Yi never dared to lie. But now, with her ambiguous relationship with Jin Chen, she felt even more unable to face her mother directly. Her voice grew weak, lacking confidence.
“He’s a colleague of mine.”
Cao Chufen snorted coldly. “What kind of colleague drives such an expensive car? What kind of colleague hugs and holds you like that? That’s your boss, isn’t it?”
The black Bentley, the high-end tailored suit, the expensive branded watch, and the demeanor of a wealthy young man—even without knowing his exact identity, Jin Chen’s family background was glaringly obvious.
Caught red-handed, Zhong Yi opened her mouth but found nothing to say.
“Yiyi, you’ve really disappointed me.” Cao Chufen’s words were sharp, her face filled with anger. “When did you learn to lie? When did you become so materialistic? When did you start getting involved with those rich people?”
“Mom…”
“Don’t call me Mom!” Cao Chufen cut her off sharply. “If it weren’t for Lin Hengchuan telling me, I’d still be kept in the dark.”
“You didn’t come home last night. Were you fooling around with your boss?”
After receiving the news yesterday, Cao Chufen had immediately come from her hometown to check on the situation. Knowing the passcode to Zhong Yi’s apartment, she had slept there overnight, waiting until today to finally see her daughter.
At first, she hadn’t believed it, until she saw Zhong Yi stepping out of that car.
Cao Chufen’s emotions erupted violently: “He’s the boss of a multinational corporation—how could he possibly take a real interest in you? He’s just taking advantage of your youth and beauty, sweet-talking an innocent woman into sleeping with him. Men like that don’t have an ounce of sincerity!”
“I never agreed with you taking that secretary job in the first place. It’s a shady position that invites ridicule. I was afraid you’d follow in my footsteps. How many times did I tell you not to go, not to go? What promises did you make to me? And what have you done instead? You’re quitting today and coming back home with me to find a stable job!”
“I’ve already packed your things. You’re leaving with me right now.”
Zhong Yi glanced toward the corner and saw two suitcases standing there. Her chest heaved with anger as she shook off her mother’s hand. “I’m not going back!”
Resentment surged within her. “Why should I quit? I earned this job through my own hard work. It’s decent and respectable—how is it shady?”
“Why do you always dismiss me, control me? Why do you assume what happened to you will happen to me? Why do you always take out your bitterness and resentment on me? I’ve listened to these words for over twenty years—I’m sick of them!”
Years of pent-up frustration exploded. For the first time, Zhong Yi stood up to Cao Chufen.
Cao Chufen was taken aback, never expecting Zhong Yi to defy her. Enraged, she began smashing everything in the house—pots, pans, dishes, and various ornaments—whatever could be broken. Then she snatched the bag from Zhong Yi’s shoulder, threw it on the floor, and stomped on it viciously.
As a result, a medical report slipped out of the bag.
It was an ultrasound scan.
Cao Chufen picked it up, her hands trembling with fury. “You’re pregnant?”
Zhong Yi reached out to grab it back.
Slap—
Cao Chufen raised her hand and struck Zhong Yi hard across the face. “You cheap slut, throwing yourself at him!”
Blinded by rage, she lashed out: “Having a child for a man without any commitment—what does that make you? A cheap slut who only knows how to climb into men’s beds, worse than a prostitute. At least they get paid for sleeping around. And you? You let him use you and even serve as a breeding tool! The child you’ll have will be a shameful bastard. Why do you degrade yourself like this?”
“Did you study and work just to become some man’s mistress? Did you get an education just to seduce men? Get rid of that bastard in your belly right now!”
These were the very words others had hurled at Cao Chufen in the past.
Cao Chufen had also once worked as a secretary, became involved with her boss, and later became pregnant and gave birth. But the man refused to acknowledge them and instead married a woman from a suitable social background.
When the man’s wife learned of Zhong Yi’s existence, she couldn’t swallow her anger. She went to Cao Chufen’s residence and told all the neighbors that Zhong Yi was an illegitimate child, ruining the reputations of both mother and daughter. They were forced to move, but no matter where they relocated, the same scenario repeated itself.
For over twenty years, Cao Chufen had been called a cheap slut and a mistress, while Zhong Yi had been labeled an illegitimate child and a little seductress, all while bearing the brunt of Cao Chufen’s resentment.
Zhong Yi had grown up without friends, as neighbors forbade their children from associating with her.
As Zhong Yi grew into her teenage years, male classmates would pursue her, follow her home, and force gifts upon her. When neighbors saw this, they scolded her for being seductive, accusing her of luring men at such a young age. Returning home, she received no comfort—instead, Cao Chufen beat and berated her, saying she lacked self-respect, deliberately tempted male classmates, and was disgraceful.