Perhaps it was unwillingness, or perhaps she simply wanted to fight for the child growing inside her.
The black silk camisole nightgown, now torn, clung precariously to her body, highlighting her delicate, supple frame—a bewitching, seductive sight.
The man turned back, his pupils instinctively tightening. His sharp jawline tensed.
"Still want more? Wait until tomorrow."
His voice was low, husky, and ambiguous, yet laced with playful sarcasm and indifference.
The words died on Ye Ran's lips. She hesitated, then whispered, "My mother... she wants to see you. Is tomorrow okay?"
The man frowned slightly.
"I'll have Jin Fan notify you."
That meant it depended on his schedule.
The bedroom door opened and closed, letting in a gust of cold air. Ye Ran’s straight spine slumped. She stared at the crumpled prenatal check-up form, her nose stinging.
She sat in a daze for a long time before finally getting up to shower. After changing into fresh pajamas and eating a simple meal, she felt exhausted, yet she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She didn’t know what time she finally drifted off, but her internal clock woke her punctually at six.
She rubbed her temples, looking habitually toward the other side of the bed.
The quilt on his side remained undisturbed; the mattress was cold. Lu Linshen had stayed out all night, once again.
She was still in a daze when the hospital called.
"Ms. Ye, your mother has applied for a high-dosage painkiller today. I need your consent."
Ye Ran knew her mother didn’t want to be unable to speak when she saw Lu Linshen later.
"Let's make it this afternoon; I'll come over and authorize it then."
The line went dead.
Ye Ran changed into appropriate clothing, applied light makeup, and went to the Lu Group office—the first time she had visited outside of meal delivery hours.
As soon as she entered the lobby, a sharp, haughty voice rang out behind her.
"Ye Ran? Who told you to come to the company?"
Blocking her path was Lu Linshen’s younger sister, Lu Lingshuang. Spoiled and willful, she often bullied Ye Ran and held her in utter contempt. Even though she was only at the Lu Group as an intern, her status as the "Little Princess" of the Lu Family meant she was always surrounded by a crowd of sycophants.
The people following her were veteran employees from her department; they all stared at Ye Ran with cold, judging eyes. One of them quickly recognized her. Given Lu Lingshuang’s attitude, the others naturally made no attempt to be kind.
"Isn't this President Lu’s personal cook? Why is she here before lunchtime?"
"Is she wearing one of V’s new seasonal designs? Does she think because the President likes her cooking, she’s actually Madam Lu? Shameless, really—she doesn't know her place."
"A servant, and she doesn't even bow when she sees our Miss Lu?"
Ye Ran didn't want to cause a scene at the Lu Group, so she tried to step aside to walk past, but Lu Lingshuang grabbed her arm and shoved her hard.
Exhausted from morning sickness, Ye Ran was already lightheaded. She stumbled, nearly falling, and only managed to steady herself by grabbing the wall.
"Lingshuang, you..."
"Don't call me by my name!"
Lu Lingshuang acted as if she had been provoked. Her brother was so brilliant—if this wretch hadn't wedged herself in, he and Sister Yiyi would have been together long ago. She wouldn't have to be mocked by her friends for having a chauffeur's daughter as a sister-in-law.
"Ye Ran, don't think that just because your father saved my grandfather’s life, you can cling to the Lu Family forever. Your tuition, your sick mother’s medical bills—aren't they all paid for by the Lu Family? You’re like a leech, how shameless!"
Ye Ran clenched her hands tightly. "Curse me all you want, but don't talk about my mother."
The pampered Lu Lingshuang sneered. "I’ll say whatever I want. If you’re born a peasant, you should live like one. Why use imported medicine and stay in a VIP room? If you can’t afford to live, just die sooner..."
*Slap!*
Ye Ran could take no more. Over the past six months, the doctors had issued several critical condition notices. No one knew how desperate she felt, or how much she prayed that her only remaining family wouldn't leave her.
"You dare hit me?"
Lu Lingshuang was livid, clawing at Ye Ran’s face with sharp nails. Ye Ran was half a head taller, so she raised her arms in a panic to defend herself, instantly suffering deep scratches on her pale skin.
"And you dare fight back?"
Lu Lingshuang was furious. Since she began her internship, even the department head had to cater to her. What was Ye Ran, that she dared to strike her in the company?
"You lot, pin her down!"
"Don't touch me!" Ye Ran retreated quickly, pressing against the wall. "Lu Linshen won't let you get away with this."
The crowd scoffed.
"She doesn't really think she’s the real Mrs. Lu, does she?"
"She dared to hit the President’s favorite sister. I don't think this cook will be keeping her job much longer."
"Exactly. Hurry up and kneel to apologize."
Two men eager to curry favor with Lu Lingshuang reached out to grab Ye Ran’s shoulders. Unable to overpower them, Ye Ran waited for an opening and kicked hard at the pressure points on their legs, breaking free.
"Lu Lingshuang, must you make a scene at the Lu Group? What will your brother think?"
The scene had devolved into chaos, with the two men clutching their legs on the floor. Lu Lingshuang’s expression flickered slightly. She had feared her older brother since childhood, but a moment later, her face turned smug again.
"Ye Ran, Sister Yiyi has returned."
She extended a hand toward the girl beside her, smiling with cruel malice. "Give me the pepper spray. And go call security to drag her to the security office."
Ye Ran’s heart sank; she instinctively shielded her lower abdomen.
"What are you doing?"
A low, authoritative voice sounded. Lu Linshen emerged from the elevator, his eyes dark and gloomy.
Everyone went deathly silent.
Lu Lingshuang rushed over immediately. "Brother, Ye Ran hit me!" She pushed her red, swollen cheek forward.
The man’s gaze turned sharp. "Ye Ran, explain."
Lu Lingshuang was relentless. "Brother, why are you asking her to explain? She’s just bullying people because of the debt of gratitude from years ago, while acting all sweet in front of you. She’s a scheming, despicable woman!"
Ye Ran had seen for herself just how much the Lu Family doted on Lu Lingshuang. Lu Linshen wasn't a man who expressed his emotions well, but he personally organized every one of Lu Lingshuang’s birthday parties. Between a secret, shameful wife and a sister he held in the palm of his hand, she didn't expect him to take her side. She looked at him with tear-rimmed eyes.
"Your sister cursed my mother to die. Don't you think she deserved that slap?"
"And if she cursed her, does that mean she will die?"
The man's words hit Ye Ran like a bucket of ice water, chilling her to the bone. The pain was dull and throbbing. She had originally intended to beg him to accompany her to see her mother. Now, she felt only total despair. How could Lu Linshen ever lower himself to go to the hospital to play along with her?
She bit her lip until it bled, refusing to let the tears fall. She turned around with resolve and walked away without looking back.
The man watched her slender, retreating figure, his brows knit tightly.
"Lu Lingshuang!"
"Brother!" Lu Lingshuang’s heart skipped a beat, and her voice softened. With her swollen face, she looked pitiful.
The man frowned, and after a moment, he let out a breath. "Don't embarrass the Lu Family!"
Lu Lingshuang felt a rush of joy. Her brother hated Ye Ran just as much as she did—of course he wouldn't protect her. He was only maintaining the Lu Family’s reputation.
***
After leaving the Lu Group, Ye Ran went to the City Center Hospital. She put on protective gear and sat by her mother’s side. The nurse had replaced the strong painkillers with her usual medication, and her mother was already asleep.
The once beautiful, elegant woman was now covered in tubes, waiting for the end.
When she had first registered her marriage with Lu Linshen, she had told her mother. Because it involved Grandfather Lu, her mother hadn't objected, but she had warned her that the gap between their families was too vast, and advised her to find a chance to divorce once Grandfather Lu had recovered. Ye Ran knew her mother was proud and didn't want to take advantage of anyone.
Later, when Lu Linshen became disabled, her mother never mentioned the divorce again. It wasn't until her last near-death experience that she told Ye Ran she wanted to meet Lu Linshen formally as a mother-in-law.
Ye Ran knew that was her mother’s final wish—to see her happy. But now, she couldn't even lie to her about that.
After sitting with her for a while, she left the room and headed toward the attending physician’s office. Just as she reached the door, she heard a familiar voice from within.
"What is your success rate for the heart transplant surgery?"
It was Lu Linshen.
Ye Ran’s heart hammered against her ribs. So, he remembered that he was supposed to see her mother today? He hadn't forgotten that her mother’s heart failure was severe, or that her autoimmune defects made the success rate of a transplant very low.
All her grievances and unhappiness vanished in an instant. Her nose stung with warmth, and she felt both happy and moved.
The doctor’s explanation came from inside the room. "Mr. Lu, given Mrs. Ye’s current physical condition, the success rate is less than thirty percent. However, if it is successful..."
"I wasn't talking about her."
Lu Linshen’s words left Ye Ran standing frozen at the door.
The doctor paused for a long time, his voice sounding hesitant. "Mr. Lu, are you asking about Ms. Tang Yiyi?"
"Yes!"
The joy that had risen in Ye Ran’s heart shattered into a thousand pieces.