Chapter 7
1084 Words
Su Cheng had indeed been under pressure to marry recently, but without his consent, there was little his family could actually do. He had considered his secretary's suggestion, but it only flashed briefly in his mind while in the car.
Now calmer, he waved it off, saying, "We'll discuss it after the check-up. There's no rush."
The secretary, knowing her boundaries, refrained from pushing further. "I'll excuse myself now," she said, understanding this was a personal matter beyond her duty.
Just as she left, dinner arrived. Su Cheng took the meal to the living room where Chen Nuo, pale-lipped and fists clenched, sat. "Let's eat first," Su Cheng said, glancing at him.
"I want to leave."
"Where do you think you can go now?" Su Cheng asked bluntly. "What do you plan to do about the child?"
"I…" Chen Nuo stared at the porridge, unable to respond. Should he… should he get rid of it?
But the thought of being utterly alone made him hesitate. It was his child, after all. Who could truly abandon their own flesh and blood without any regret?
He could choose to let the child be born, but that would immediately bring overwhelming challenges. How would the child be born, registered, and could he even handle raising a child right now?
"For both your sake and mine, it's best to handle this situation," Su Cheng said, implying termination. It was also kinder for the child—better not to be born into suffering.
Su Cheng was surprised. "I didn't expect you to be so decisive." He thought Chen Nuo would be reluctant, given his youth and gentle nature.
"This child was a complete surprise," Su Cheng admitted, his gaze resting briefly on Chen Nuo's stomach before looking away when Chen Nuo covered it with his hands. "Keep it," he said softly.
Chen Nuo, gradually calming down, looked at him. "I can't keep it."
"I'm nearly thirty, and my family is pressuring me," Su Cheng explained.
"That has nothing to do with me," Chen Nuo retorted, paling.
"But the child in your belly is mine," Su Cheng stated an irrefutable fact, moving closer and taking Chen Nuo's hand off his stomach, feeling the flat surface beneath.
"That night, I'm sorry for what happened. And for everything you've endured this past month, I apologize too," Su Cheng said, knowing how much Chen Nuo had suffered. "Chen Nuo, this child is our blood. It wouldn't exist without you, so I'll take responsibility."
Su Cheng's voice was low and sincere, his words so genuine they made Chen Nuo uneasy. He had never encountered someone like Su Cheng before, who shattered his preconceptions. He thought such people looked down on others, yet Su Cheng was apologizing to him.
"Apologies are useless," Chen Nuo mumbled. They couldn't undo anything.
Su Cheng coughed. "For now, you should rest."
Chen Nuo, looking dazed, said, "Are you treating me like a woman? I don't need your responsibility."
"Of course, you do," Su Cheng frowned. "I'm not treating you as a woman. Don't burden yourself with that thought. It's late. Rest now."
Chen Nuo, head down, seemed lost in thought. He didn't reject Su Cheng's suggestion, possibly because the day's tension had exhausted him.
He slowly ate the porridge, feeling embarrassed as he finished. Su Cheng led him to the bedroom. "Don't worry, I won't stay here tonight. I have matters to attend to."
Chen Nuo, expression unreadable, nodded slowly, like a doll being gently placed on the bed. Su Cheng tucked him in and turned off the light, leaving him feeling pampered yet uneasy.
Unable to sleep, he lay there until his limbs grew numb. He got up, went to the bathroom, and decided to take a shower to clear his mind. As he undressed, he couldn't believe there was a child inside him.
"How did this happen…" He muttered, tracing his belly absentmindedly until a sneeze brought him back to reality.
The hot water washed away his fatigue and soothed his anxious heart. He believed Su Cheng's sincerity; he hadn't humiliated him. Even without being told, Chen Nuo knew the final offer would be generous.
He should be angry, furious even. Discovering the pregnancy had shocked him, and he felt like killing Su Cheng. But Su Cheng wasn't an arrogant bully.
It had been a long time since someone treated him so gently, leaving him confused.
Past memories floated before him. Since coming out, he had felt unwanted. He thought at least he had Li Haozhe—only to find out he was better off without him.
That night, Chen Nuo had a rare, dreamless sleep.
The next day, Su Cheng drove him to school. Chen Nuo remained silent but was visibly calmer. Before he got out, Su Cheng reminded him, "Remember, we have a check-up tomorrow."
"I remember," Chen Nuo replied.
"Good." Su Cheng then took his phone and entered a number before handing it back. "Call me if you need anything."
Watching Chen Nuo enter Qingjiang Art Institute, Su Cheng tapped the steering wheel thoughtfully. Chen Nuo's straightforward nature made a difficult situation seem less daunting.
Another matter crossed his mind. The school might not be the best place for Chen Nuo, especially after the anonymous complaint. Following the security guard's directions, he parked his car.
The campus, with its century-old heritage, was filled with artistic ambiance but was easy to get lost in. Based on his information, Chen Nuo had two oil painting classes in the morning.
Meanwhile, Chen Nuo hurried to class, mindful of the professor's strict punctuality. Entering just in time, he found himself the center of attention.
Chen Nuo hesitated. He wasn't used to being stared at. Bowing apologetically to the professor, he said, "Sorry, Professor Wang, I'm late."
Professor Wang's gaze lingered on him. "Take a seat," he said with unusual impatience.
Chen Nuo was puzzled. The professor usually liked him. What was different today?
Preferring solitude, he chose a spot in the corner. As he made his way through the class, he quietly apologized to those he passed. Suddenly, he felt a squeeze on his buttocks. Turning, he saw a grinning boy and a few classmates stifling laughter.
"What are you doing?" Chen Nuo demanded.
"What's it to you?" the boy replied, smiling.
The professor approached as Chen Nuo's face reddened. Unable to hold back, Chen Nuo raised his voice, "Why did you pinch me?"
The class erupted in laughter, and someone shouted, "Aren't you just a butt-seller anyway?"
- Writer
