The man’s facial features were exceptionally sharp and handsome. Dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, he carried himself with a tall, upright elegance that radiated an aura of nobility.
His eyes, however, held a cold, aloof quality, as if he maintained an invisible distance from everything around him. Flanked by two bodyguards in black uniforms, he possessed such an imposing presence that the air seemed to congeal wherever he walked, instantly silencing the once-noisy corridor.
His footsteps drew nearer, each one striking against her heart. Memories of that terrifying night came flooding back in a tidal wave. Li Susu was paralyzed with fear; her fingernails dug deep into her palms from the tension, yet she felt no pain.
She had never felt so conflicted. She had already accepted a million from him that night; asking for more money now felt inexcusable. But she had no other choice. Dignity would have to be pushed aside.
Li Susu took a deep breath. Just as the man was about to brush past her, she called out to stop him.
"Sir, excuse me!"
Summoning her courage, she took a step across his path, blocking him. The two bodyguards immediately behind him fixed their eyes on her with vigilance, ready to subdue her at any moment. Li Susu swallowed hard in fright. Seeing this, Bo Junyi waved his hand to signal the bodyguards to stand down.
He looked down at her slightly, his expression cold and detached, his brow furrowed.
Li Susu, assuming he hadn’t recognized her, pulled down her mask slightly and asked cautiously, "Sir, do you remember me? A few months ago, at the hotel—"
Bo Junyi stared at her impassively, his gaze appraising. After a moment of silence, he spoke coldly, "What do you want?"
"I'm pregnant, and I don't have the money for an abortion. Could you lend me twenty thousand?"
Seeing his impatience, Li Susu cast aside her shame and quickly explained the situation. As she finished, she noticed him frown and hurriedly added, "My father took that million to pay off gambling debts. I only have a few thousand on me, borrowed from a classmate. The doctor said I have a unique physical condition, and if I have an abortion, there’s a high risk of hemorrhaging; I need to be hospitalized for observation—"
Li Susu knew she shouldn't be playing the victim in front of a stranger, but she knew he wouldn't give her the money if she didn't explain. The fetus was already over ten weeks old; she couldn't afford to drag this out. She believed he would be willing to pay for the abortion; after all, no one wanted to be burdened by an unexpected child. Besides, in his eyes, she was nothing more than a "fallen woman."
"What proof do you have that the child is mine?" The man's gaze was icy, and his words held no warmth.
Li Susu couldn't hold it back; tears began to fall. Watching her cry, the man unexpectedly recalled how she had wept like a flower in the rain that night at the hotel. A strange feeling flickered in his heart, though he thought her crying was a bit dramatic—anyone watching would think he was bullying her.
Just then, his phone rang. It was the head of the laboratory asking when he would be coming down to draw blood. He had come to the hospital specifically to collect samples for a paternity test. He needed to stall her until the results were out, so he absolutely could not give her the money. Crying wouldn't help.
He hung up and prepared to leave. Li Susu, finding courage from somewhere, blocked his path again. She looked up at him with her small, tear-streaked face, "Sir, I'm not lying to you. The child really is yours! If you don't help me, I have no choice but to give birth to the child—"
"Do as you please!"
The man coldly tossed the words at her and strode away.
As Li Susu tried to follow, she was stopped by Ji Lin, who had been trailing behind. "Miss Li, I am President Bo's assistant. You can come to me if you need anything."
Compared to Bo Junyi, Ji Lin’s attitude toward her was nothing short of respectful. He knew that the child in this Miss Li's womb was the heir to the Bo family and could very well become the future wife of the Bo Group's president. He didn't dare be careless. He understood the value of cozying up to the right people early.
Seeing that he had a refined appearance and a gentle smile, the tight knot in Li Susu's chest loosened slightly.
"Thank you," she said, gently wiping away her tears. She managed a slightly embarrassed smile for Ji Lin and turned to leave.
After a few steps, she remembered something important and turned back to Ji Lin. "Sir, could you leave me your contact information?"
"Of course."
Ji Lin agreed readily and gave her Bo Junyi's phone number.
After thanking him once more, Li Susu finally left the outpatient building. She checked her phone; the cost of the surgery at a smaller hospital would be much cheaper, and the money she had should be enough. She just worried that if something went wrong, there wouldn't even be anyone to collect her remains.
She took a deep breath and cleared all the numbers from her phone's contact list, leaving only Bo Junyi's, which she saved as "Husband."
*I'm sorry, Mr. Bo. If I really don't make it, for the sake of the child, please help me one last time.*