She felt their eyes on her, sharp as needles. “Anan, you’re still in school, aren’t you? If you were to get pregnant now, it would surely affect your studies…” Fu Han’s wife began. Fu Han echoed her sentiment. “That’s right! Anan is still so young. I doubt she’d be willing to give up her education to stay home and have a baby!” The Old Madam knew exactly what her eldest son and daughter-in-law were thinking, which was precisely why she was so insistent on securing an heir for Fu Shiting. “Anan, are you willing to bear Shiting a child?” the Old Madam asked her point-blank. “You must understand, your child with Shiting will inherit his fortune. And Shiting’s fortune is more than enough to guarantee a life of luxury for you and your child.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Qin Anan replied, “I am.” As long as it stopped Fu Yechen from seizing Fu Shiting’s assets, she was willing to try. Besides, even if she refused, the Fu family was forceful enough to make her go through with it anyway. Her answer brought a satisfied smile to the Old Madam’s face. “Excellent. I knew you weren’t like those other foolish women. They think that because Shiting is dying, there’s nothing to be gained from him… Hah!” Once the tea ceremony was over, Qin Anan left the old mansion, heading back to Fu Shiting’s villa. Fu Yechen intercepted her on the path. The sun blazed overhead, the air thick with the drone of cicadas. The sight of Fu Yechen’s face made her stomach churn. “Zhang Sao, could you take these gifts back for me first?” she instructed the housekeeper. Zhang Sao nodded and left with the gifts. Seeing they were alone, Fu Yechen said, “Anan, you’re breaking my heart! We were together for so long, and you wouldn't even let me touch you… but now you’re willing to have my uncle’s child.” “His child gets me his fortune. Why wouldn’t I?” she said, the words deliberately chosen to wound him. It worked. He was clearly stung. “Anan, that’s certainly one way to handle it! But you could just get pregnant with my child and say it’s my uncle’s. It’s all in the Fu family anyway. Even if my grandmother gets angry, she wouldn’t make you get rid of it.” The smile vanished from Qin Anan’s face. “Ambition is a fine thing, Fu Yechen, but ambition without a brain is dangerous,” she warned. “I’ve heard the people around Fu Shiting are ruthless. As long as he’s still breathing, his men will be waiting for him to wake up. If they found out I was carrying *your* child, do you really think they’d let you live?” Her words doused him like a bucket of cold water, chilling him to the bone. He knew better than anyone how vicious his uncle’s men were. They had quieted down after the accident, but that didn’t mean they were gone. “I was just kidding!” he backpedaled frantically. “Whether it’s my child or my uncle’s, it’s still a Fu family child. After my uncle is gone, I’ll treat his child as my own…” Qin Anan sighed inwardly. “Your uncle’s child would be your cousin,” she reminded him flatly. Fu Yechen looked as though he’d swallowed a fly, his expression turning even fouler. “Anan, let’s not argue about this now. We can talk after my uncle dies.” “And what if he doesn’t die?” she shot back. “Are you going to wait for me?” The question left him speechless. Seeing his inability to answer, Qin Anan let out a scornful laugh. “I’m heading back. Your grandmother has doctors waiting for me at your uncle’s house.” … Upon her return to the Fu estate, Qin Anan was immediately taken to a hospital by two doctors for an examination. If a mature egg was detected, it would be harvested. If not, she would be given hormone injections to stimulate ovulation. “Mrs. Fu, there’s no need to be nervous,” the female doctor consoled her. “It will be a little painful, but once you’re pregnant with Mr. Fu’s child, your position in the Fu family will be secure.” Lying on the bed, Qin Anan’s heart hammered against her ribs. “How long will it take… for it to work?”