Chapter 35

She had been raised with values that do not allow her to ignore someone in need or to shirk responsibility. Her conscience would not allow it either.

Zhong Ning took a deep breath, suppressing the chaotic thoughts in her mind, and said as rationally and clearly as she could, “I really have no memory of what you’re talking about, so a paternity test must be done, and we need to check the surveillance footage from that day to get to the bottom of this.”

Zhong Ning spoke word by word, “If the child truly is mine, I will take full responsibility for all medical expenses and child support. If this is a huge misunderstanding, I will also help you find the person who is responsible.”

“No matter what the final result is, I will cover the medical expenses during this period. Miaomiao’s treatment must not be delayed. How much do you need?”

Fu Nanshuang said, “That’s right, chat logs and transfer records can all be faked. I absolutely don’t believe Little Ning is that kind of person. We must investigate thoroughly.”

Zhong Ning gave her a grateful look. No matter what, Fu Nanshuang was truly a friend who valued bonds.

The woman had expected Zhong Ning to refuse. Hearing that she was willing to pay, she did not lash out but merely sneered repeatedly. “Do whatever you want. If you won’t give up, then go ahead and investigate.”

She was the party involved and firmly believed in the truth as she knew it.

“I want three million.”

Zhong Ning breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she still had the money given by Xie Shiqing. If it turned out to be true, she would return it later.

She had always intended to return it; now it was just happening a bit earlier.

Money could be returned, but how can affection?

She didn’t want to think about it anymore.

Zhong Ning immediately took out her phone and transferred the money.

“Which hospital is Miaomiao in? I need to see her.”

“Second People’s Hospital.”

This gathering had been far too brief. It began with laughter and ended in gloom.

Everyone went to the hospital together. The private room, which had just been filled with laughter, suddenly fell silent.

Next door, Xie Shiqing wore a solemn expression. Her dark eyes were like the deepest night, covered in heavy clouds, without a trace of light.

Her empty gaze could not find a focus. Her fingertips tapped lightly on her knee as she said softly, “Send someone to investigate the matter at Lingyun Hotel—quickly. I don’t want to wait too long. Also, have someone follow them and find a way to get a strand of that child’s hair.”

If it had been before, she wouldn’t have doubted these claims at all. After all, Zhong Ning had always had such a bad impression in her mind.

But now, she wasn’t so sure.

And the timing of this matter was far too coincidental. With her personality, she would never tolerate her partner having an illegitimate child before marriage. Even if it was just a loveless business marriage, it was the same. No matter how perfect the compatibility with Zhong Ning was, she couldn’t accept it. She would definitely cancel the engagement.

Who would benefit the most from this broken engagement? She didn’t believe in coincidences.

Whatever the real truth was, she would investigate it herself.

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The old Xie Shiqing: Zhong Ning, you little piece of trash.

The current Xie Shiqing: Zhong Ning, little… let me investigate this matter.

This was the first time Zhong Ning had seen the inside of an intensive care unit, across both of her lifetimes. A room of pure white, like snow. Behind the glass, a frail baby lay inside, small and shriveled like a kitten.

She had seen newborns before. Freshly born, they were red and wrinkled like little monkeys. After two or three days, they would turn fair and cute, and one could faintly see the features of the parents in their little faces.

A few-month-old baby, the healthy ones would already try to crawl around.

“How… how much does she weigh?” Zhong Ning asked in a daze.

“Not even six jin.”

She didn’t even weigh as much as a cat.

On the way here, she had already learned the woman’s name—Liu Ruyue.

It was a very beautiful name. It made Zhong Ning think of ancient towers, little bridges, and the moon hanging on willow tips, full of the gentle charm of the southern water towns. Not the way she appeared now—pale-faced, heavy foundation failing to hide the dark circles under her eyes, skinny to the bone, her whole being enveloped in deep exhaustion.

Zhong Ning transferred another fifty thousand yuan and said, “Hire a caretaker. You need to take care of yourself, too. Don’t let your body collapse.”

Liu Ruyue looked at her in surprise.

But money shouldn’t go to waste, so she swiftly accepted it.

After paying off the overdue fees, Liu Ruyue looked a little better.

Zheng Xuan and the others looked at the baby in the intensive care unit with heavy expressions. Anyone could see that her life force was incredibly weak.

Fu Nanshuang was silent for a moment before saying dryly, “She is very pitiful, but I absolutely refuse to believe Little Ning could do something like this. She’s not that kind of irresponsible person.”

“I don’t believe it either. We’ve already sent someone to check the surveillance footage,” the couple said. “The paternity test will also take some time to get results. No matter what, this has to be kept confidential for now—no one else can know.”

They exchanged looks.

With the engagement banquet just around the corner, this sudden incident made it difficult for both the Zhong and Xie families to save face. If word got out, could this marriage alliance still proceed smoothly?

The group was about to leave when Fu Nanshuang used the excuse of going to the restroom and returned to the hospital. She found Liu Ruyue and asked, “How did you know we were at Lvxue Bar?”

The timing was far too coincidental—she had her suspicions as well.

Liu Ruyue replied coldly, “It’s just one of my part-time jobs. It pays well, and there are tips. Running into you was just a coincidence.”

Fu Nanshuang stared at her coldly. “You’ve been paid. We’ll find out the truth ourselves. For now, you’d better not stir up more trouble. Otherwise, I guarantee the consequences will be a hundred times worse than they are now.”

Liu Ruyue sneered, “Don’t flatter yourself. I only want money. I have no designs on the Zhong family.”

Fu Nanshuang glanced at her. “You’d better not. A Ping will be staying close to you for the next few days, to protect your safety.”

A woman dressed in a low-key tracksuit stood silently behind Liu Ruyue. Though she said it was for protection, it was clearly surveillance.

Liu Ruyue just snorted, “Do as you please.”

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