Chapter 964: Two Choices

Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

When Zhou Cui’an uttered those words, everyone present was stunned. They looked at Zhou Cui’an with disbelief, as if they were staring at a fool.

Only Mr. and Mrs. Zhou were different. Though they didn’t say much, their expressions silently conveyed approval. Clearly, they also approved this approach.

Ye Leng’an, who had been observing from the sidelines with a cold gaze, couldn’t help but be astonished at this moment. She was truly torn between thinking Zhou Cui’an was either naive or audacious. The idea of outcompeting the young lady of the Xiao family and marrying Huangfu Shaohua based solely on an unborn child, which hadn’t even fully developed yet, was nothing short of a farce.

“Zhou Cui’an, stop daydreaming,” Huangfu Shaohua spoke bluntly. “If you abort the child, I’ll give you an additional two million. Consider it the end of our affairs. Of course, if you insist on keeping it, I won’t interfere. After all, the child is yours to bear. But let me be clear, even if you do, I won’t acknowledge its existence. I’ll only provide basic child support, nothing more. And that support will cease at the child’s eighteenth birthday. The choice is yours. I won’t intervene.”

With these words, Zhou Cui’an’s illusions were shattered. She couldn’t believe Huangfu Shaohua could be so heartless.

Though Mr. and Mrs. Zhou didn’t understand the situation fully, they sensed the man’s reluctance to take responsibility. But when they heard he was willing to offer two million for the abortion, they wavered.

Not to sell their daughter for money, but realizing the man’s unwillingness to acknowledge the child, they saw the futility in Zhou Cui’an’s insistence. With the child, her marriage prospects dimmed. Two million offered a fresh start.

With this thought, Mr. Zhou spoke up, “Cui’an, abort the child!”

Upon hearing such words, Zhou Cui’an looked at her father in disbelief. “Dad, do you even know what you’re saying? Do you realize whose child is in my stomach?”

Despite Huangfu Shaohua’s cruelty, Zhou Cui’an still believed he wouldn’t ignore the child. But his words were meant to break her spirit. With the Huangfu family’s bloodline, she could leverage her motherhood.

“We know nothing except that this child will burden you for life,” Mrs. Zhou chimed in. “Moreover, the child’s father refuses to acknowledge it. What can you do?”

Seeing her parents against her, Zhou Cui’an snapped, “Shut up, all of you. This is my decision. No matter what, I’m keeping the child.”

None present saw her as a noble mother. They knew her motives.

“You think I was joking?” Huangfu Shaohua’s cold laughter echoed. “Believe me, I mean what I say.”

Zhou Cui’an still didn’t believe it.

On the sidelines, Ye Leng’an watched Zhou Cui’an’s naive demeanor and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Huangfu Shaohua probably also saw through Zhou Cui’an’s thoughts. “It’s not like I can’t have children. Why would you think I would be attached to the child in your stomach? I’m getting married soon, and then I’ll have a legitimate child. Do you think I would acknowledge an illegitimate child that I’ve never cared about? Most importantly…”

At this point, a malicious smile crept onto Huangfu Shaohua’s face. “With a mother like you, he’s destined to never achieve much in his life. And also… The child support I mentioned earlier won’t be some exorbitant amount. I’ll abide by the legal requirements and pay what’s due. You’re the child’s mother, so you’ll have to contribute the other half of the child support when the time comes. Don’t expect me to raise the child alone. Since you insisted on keeping the child, my willingness to provide half of the child support is already going above and beyond.”

Zhou Cui’an’s face went from pale to flushed. Meeting Huangfu’s gaze, disbelief flickered in her eyes.

Her parents, anxious, didn’t want her to keep the child.

Feeling helpless, Zhou Cui’an glanced at Ye Leng’an, seeking solace. But Ye Leng’an’s response crushed her last hope.

“This has nothing to do with me.”

Zhou Cui’an’s hopeful gaze was met with a shrug from Ye Leng’an. “I’m just providing a venue for negotiation. I won’t interfere.”

“But isn’t your fiancé the head of the Huangfu family?” Zhou Cui’an’s voice trembled. “Won’t he do anything?”

“What does this have to do with him?” Ye Leng’an chuckled. “Huangfu Shaohua is an adult, and his parents are alive. Why would we meddle?”

With those words, Zhou Cui’an’s face turned ashen. She didn’t know whether Ye Leng’an intentionally refrained from helping her or if this was simply the reality. Now, one thing was certain. Ye Leng’an was absolutely unwilling to help her. She had no other options left.

Zhou Cui’an remained silent, and the people around her didn’t rush her, waiting for her to make a decision. Silence enveloped them. Huangfu Shaohua appeared indifferent as if the child meant nothing.

Finally, Zhou Cui’an spoke, her voice laden with resignation. “I choose abortion.”

Huangfu Shaohua wasn’t surprised. He knew her well.

At last, they agreed that once Zhou Cui’an aborted the child, the two million would be hers.

And after that, they all left Ye Leng’an’s villa.