Song Qinian frowned tightly. He hadn’t expected her situation to be so complicated.
He briefly introduced himself.
“Since we’ve already… consummated, and you’re pregnant, I naturally have to take responsibility. We’ll set a date and get married, but first, we need to file a marriage report. For now, just stay at my place—you’ll at least have a roof over your head.”
Song Qinian was always decisive and efficient.
Though he and Su Wanning had no emotional bond, as a man, he was thorough in fulfilling his duties.
Su Wanning’s impression of him improved slightly. No matter what, this man had some conscience.
If it had been someone else, even if they recognized her, they wouldn’t have dared to step forward.
Once news spread, it would ruin reputations. In this era, even two men and women holding hands would attract gossip—let alone an unwed pregnancy.
After deciding matters, Song Qinian drove Su Wanning back to the Song household.
Song Sisi was sitting in the living room drinking herbal tea. Seeing her second brother return with a beautiful woman, her eyes practically popped out.
“Second Brother, this young lady is…?”
Song Qinian glanced at his sister and introduced her: “She’s your second sister-in-law. Just call her Sister Wanning.”
Sisi’s face immediately changed.
“Second Brother, how can you do this? Don’t you have a conscience? You have a girlfriend—what about Shengmei?”
Su Wanning, listening from the side, perked up. From their brief conversation, she seemed to piece something together.
Could it be that Song Qinian already had someone he liked?
Then she would be seen as the villain.
Sure, Song Qinian was handsome and well-born, but she didn’t want to spend her life with a stranger she didn’t love.
If he really had someone else, she wouldn’t register the marriage.
She’d ask the Song family to help her terminate the pregnancy, and once she could start her business, she’d leave immediately.
At this, Song Qinian looked impatient.
“What does Li Shengmei have to do with this? I already said I can’t be with her.”
Sisi panicked.
Her best friend had liked her second brother for years, and now another woman had taken him. As a loyal friend, she couldn’t agree.
“What’s so special about her? I even asked you before—you said you weren’t dating anyone. Now you bring a woman home. Second Brother, were you tricked?”
Sisi glared at Su Wanning, giving no warmth.
Just then, Song Jianjun and Liu Meiling returned. They had been helping to clean up the mess and maintain polite smiles, finally free.
Seeing their son bring this woman home, they were furious.
“Qinian, now that you’re home with no outsiders around, you can explain. What’s going on between you two?”
Song Qinian’s ears flushed. Thinking of that night’s events, he stammered.
He rarely felt embarrassed—but now, in front of Su Wanning, he couldn’t speak freely. He had to take his parents upstairs and explain briefly.
“In short, that night… I violated the girl. We consummated. The child in her womb is mine. How could I stand by and watch her marry someone else?”
Liu Meiling had already inquired and learned that Qin Zhiyuan was Su Wanning’s ex. She had asked him some questions and, naturally, there weren’t many pleasant answers. Their impression of Su Wanning was poor.
First, her family background was complicated.
Second, she was pampered and couldn’t do much besides look pretty.
Third, she wasn’t chaste—she had a long-term ex, even stayed at his house. Who knew if she was pure?
The Song family wasn’t ordinary. Their son was young and accomplished, already a regiment-level officer.
Marrying such a woman would make them feel bitter.
“I don’t agree with you, Dad. This girl has a bad reputation. She had an ex for over two years. I heard she’s lazy, can’t cook, and now this child may not even be yours…”
“Yes, yes. Just compensate her, help her terminate the pregnancy, and it’s over.”
Song Jianjun nodded in agreement.
According to Qin Zhiyuan, the child probably wasn’t his son’s.
Marrying a promiscuous woman into the Song family would surely make them a laughingstock.
Song Qinian didn’t expect his parents to even say such things. He frowned.
“My marriage isn’t for you to decide.”
Liu Meiling scolded him angrily, “Son, you’re being foolish. Shengmei from our courtyard is good enough—pure family background, got into college last year. She’s liked you for years. Why are you being so picky? And Su Wanning is a wealthy heiress—your marriage report wouldn’t even pass inspection. You’d better give up!”
Song Qinian stood up, refusing to argue, and slammed the door as he left.
Su Wanning watched Song Qinian retreat inside with his parents, feeling awkward. The future sister-in-law hadn’t shown her any warmth, only cold sarcasm.
Su Wanning, not one to hold back, fired back. She was still the victim here, yet these people picked on her instead of Song Qinian.
After leaving, Song Qinian didn’t linger at home. He took Su Wanning out to eat.
Having been up all day, Su Wanning was starving.
On the way, she couldn’t help but ask: “Your family… they don’t agree, do they?”
Song Qinian didn’t answer directly.
“Don’t worry about them. They can’t make decisions for me. In a few days, I’ll file the marriage report. Just wait.”
“Actually, we don’t even have to get married, as long as I can stay at your place temporarily.”
Su Wanning hesitated a few seconds before speaking.
“And… I don’t want this child. I don’t need you to take responsibility. Of course, if your conscience bothers you, you can give me some compensation.”
Song Qinian slammed on the brakes, pulling the car over.
Veins bulging on his forehead, he glared fiercely at Su Wanning.
“What did you just say? Repeat it!”
Su Wanning sensed his anger.
This man was furious?
She didn’t understand why Song Qinian was angry—wasn’t she being reasonable?
The child in her womb was just an accident.
All she needed now was a safe place to stay, along with money and documents. Men and children weren’t part of her consideration.
“I mean… we don’t have to—”
Song Qinian didn’t expect her to repeat herself. He reached out, grabbed her jaw, and brought his handsome face close.
In the moment Su Wanning froze, Song Qinian pressed his lips hard against hers.