Chapter 69: Paternity Test

A slight smile flickered in Ruan Li’s eyes, while the others in the living room remained silent after all, who had ever seen Fu Huaizhou getting scolded so directly? Except for Ruan Li, of course she had even hit him before.

Fu Huaizhou caught the mocking look in Ruan Li’s eyes but merely gave her a light glance before nodding slightly to the old lady. “I’ll head to the study first, Mother.”

After he left, the atmosphere in the living room relaxed significantly, though everyone’s thoughts remained distinct especially Ruan Shu and Fu Xingchuan, who both looked particularly troubled.

“Why do you look so pale?” the old lady asked, scrutinizing Ruan Li’s face.

“It’s nothing,” Ruan Li replied with a smile, shaking her head. “In fact, I feel like I’ve gained some weight recently.”

The old lady recalled the time she had called Fu Huaizhou one morning and the phone was unexpectedly answered most likely by Ruan Li, given Fu Huaizhou’s temperament. He was not the type to have different women around him in such a short time.

“I had the kitchen prepare some soup,” the old lady said, standing up. “It’s good to replenish your blood and energy during the summer.”

As she headed to the kitchen to check on the soup, the tension between the remaining three escalated.

Fu Xingchuan’s eyes remained fixed on Ruan Li. He still couldn’t process the fact that his uncle, Fu Huaizhou, was now involved with her, while Ruan Shu was suddenly pregnant. It was all too much.

Ruan Shu, unwilling to let Fu Xingchuan’s gaze linger on Ruan Li, tugged at his sleeve. “Why don’t you go up to the study and see what’s going on? Otherwise, you’ll be criticized for being unambitious again.”

He hesitated, but the second half of her sentence convinced him. With reluctance, he rose and headed upstairs.

Ruan Li, not wanting to be left alone with Ruan Shu especially given the dubious circumstances of her pregnancy stood up, intending to join the old lady in the kitchen.

“Ruan Li,” Ruan Shu called out suddenly.

Ruan Li frowned, feeling a sense of unease. Her voice turned cold. “Stay away from me.”

Ruan Shu also stood. “You won’t be able to enjoy your happiness for long. Did you know that Miss Ming is coming back to the country?”

“I don’t care,” Ruan Li replied, not recognizing the name.

“Her family is second only to the four great families,” Ruan Shu said, a sneer forming. “Didn’t you hear her bid at the last auction?”

Ruan Li vaguely remembered someone with the surname Ming placing a bid for a pink diamond, but since she couldn’t afford it, she hadn’t paid much attention. She had indeed heard of a Ming family heiress who had been abroad for years and never piqued her interest.

“And, wouldn’t it be interesting if I told you that she and Fu Huaizhou spent several years in the UK at the same school? Who knows what might have happened back then?”

Ruan Li, feeling increasingly irritated, snapped, “I’ll ask Fu Huaizhou myself. I don’t need your input.”

Just as she said this, she realized Ruan Shu had moved closer without her noticing. Before she could step back, Ruan Shu deliberately staggered backward, falling onto the coffee table behind her.

“What’s wrong with you?” Ruan Li didn’t even bend down to help. Since she hadn’t touched her, stepping in would only make her look guilty. Life and death were Ruan Shu’s concern, not hers she wasn’t a saint.

The next moment, Ruan Shu lay on the carpet, clutching her belly in apparent agony. Before anyone else could come out, Ruan Li caught the faint sneer on Ruan Shu’s lips.

“With this, there’s no way the Fu family will let you in,” Ruan Shu said with quiet malice.

Ruan Li frowned, realizing that Ruan Shu’s stunt was not only to manipulate Fu Xingchuan into guilt but also to undermine evidence about her suspicious pregnancy. Yet it seemed Ruan Shu’s primary target was to frame her.

The sound of groaning attracted the household staff, and Ruan Li stood aside, watching the blood slowly seep from Ruan Shu’s skirt onto the carpet. It looked ghastly, causing one maid to scream.

She had no patience for the unfolding scene and shifted her gaze away only to lock eyes with Fu Huaizhou as he descended the stairs.

She opened her mouth but hesitated. Today was bound to end messily.

“Are you alright?” Fu Huaizhou asked, speeding up his steps upon seeing the bloodstained carpet. He rushed over to Ruan Li, his expression filled with concern. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this.”

Ruan Li nodded slightly, turning her face away as the metallic scent of blood filled her nose, making her queasy.

The commotion soon drew everyone else out. Fu Xingchuan froze on the staircase, while Fu Huaizhou calmly directed the servants to rush Ruan Shu to the hospital.

Given the health of the elderly members, only Fu Huaizhou, Fu Xingchuan, and Ruan Li accompanied Ruan Shu to the hospital. Fu Huaizhou noticed Ruan Li’s pallor and assumed she had been frightened.

“I’ll have someone take you home first,” he said.

Ruan Li shook her head slightly and leaned closer into his arms. She wasn’t particularly concerned about anyone, just curious to see how this fiasco would play out especially since she was a witness.

Outside the operating room, Fu Xingchuan sat in a daze, grappling with the idea of impending fatherhood and now the prospect of loss.

Fu Huaizhou, meanwhile, spoke with a doctor, and both Ruan Li and Fu Xingchuan overheard their conversation. Ruan Li was stunned, but Fu Xingchuan looked even more shaken.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at his uncle. “Uncle, are you really going to do this?”

Fu Huaizhou looked at him coolly. “If there’s nothing wrong, she would have guarded it closely. Since you still have doubts, let’s clear them up once and for all.”

The surgery concluded, and Ruan Shu was wheeled out. It was clear to everyone what the outcome was. Before long, Ruan Sheng and Zhou Min rushed into the hospital room. After a brief exchange with the barely conscious Ruan Shu, they stormed back out, directing their fury at Ruan Li.

“You heartless monster! You have to pay with your life!” Ruan Sheng’s hand shot up, aiming a slap at Ruan Li.

But it froze mid-air, blocked by Fu Huaizhou.

His expression was cold and unwavering. “Mr. Ruan, first of all, is a child conceived after taking birth control likely to be healthy? And second, are you certain the child she’s carrying is Fu Xingchuan’s?”

Ruan Sheng’s face was impassive, but Zhou Min’s screeching was relentless. If not for Fu Huaizhou’s protective stance, she would have lunged at Ruan Li.

“The Fu family has always been honorable, and now my daughter is both pregnant out of wedlock and losing her child under your roof. You defend the murderer while questioning the child’s paternity! How dare you!”

Ruan Li, feeling dizzy from the noise, leaned against Fu Huaizhou. The smell of antiseptic was making her feel faint.

Sensing her weight on his shoulder, Fu Huaizhou gently patted her back and addressed the commotion, “There’s no need to be anxious. A paternity test can still be conducted under these circumstances.”