Five years without pregnancy means you're too weak; I remarried a powerful man and had triplets

Su Manman felt a cold sweat run down her back, her eyes darted around in their sockets, and then tears rolled down her cheeks at just the right moment.

"In the end, Zhe, you still don't believe me."

Her voice trembled, filled with a despair of being betrayed. She raised her hand to wipe away her tears, a gesture so poignant it was heartbreaking.

"Don't you even consider that this child has been in an incubator since birth? I was so frightened that I was born prematurely. She's smaller than other babies, and I risked my life to give birth to her... I've followed you without any status or recognition, what am I getting out of this? Just because you're here today with some random piece of paper you came from somewhere, trying to doubt me?"

Large tears slid down her pale cheeks, hovered for a moment at her chin, and finally fell to the floor with a "plop," leaving a small dark stain.

Anyone who saw her like that would feel sorry for her.

She took a deep breath, tilted her head back, and looked at him with a resolute yet tragic expression: "Fine, if you want to do it, I can't stop you. But let me make this clear: after you've done it, this child will have nothing to do with you anymore. From now on, I will raise her alone."

She paused, then her voice suddenly rose, almost screaming: "When she grows up, I'll tell her her father is dead! A man who doubts his own flesh and blood doesn't deserve to be her father!"

Her delicate face flushed red with anger, her cheeks puffed out, making her look like a punctured balloon.

Zhang Feng stood to the side. She had already believed the report to some extent after seeing it, but now, hearing Su Manman's confident assertion, her heart began to pound again.

She came from the countryside and knew better than anyone the consequences of such a thing getting out.

Regardless of the test results, the very act of taking the child away for a paternity test is enough to make the whole village laugh their heads off.

She turned to Xu Zhesheng in a panic, her voice pleading, "Zhe, how about we just let it go? I asked so many questions about the details back then, and Manman answered them all fluently. Your schedules also match up... She can't sleep with you today and then sleep with someone else tomorrow, can she?"

The more she spoke, the more convinced she became of herself, and her voice rose accordingly.

"Besides, what are the chances of such a coincidence? Getting pregnant just one night? I think it's that little bitch Shen Zhiyi and her lover who are trying to smear you! They want to make our family miserable! Ah Zhe, you absolutely mustn't be fooled by them!"

Upon hearing Su Manman's words, Zhang Feng's mental balance began to waver.

As she muttered to herself, she stepped forward and helped Su Manman up from the ground, patting her back as if to brush away non-existent dust.

"And you, why can't you talk things out properly instead of making a scene? Even though that child is a girl, she's still a member of the Xu family. Where do you intend to take her?"

She paused, then her tone unusually reasonable: "A single mother is pointed at and gossiped about wherever she goes. How can a child without a father hold his head high in the future? Have you thought about these things? You must never say such things again."

While wiping away her tears, Su Manman leaned into Zhang Feng's arms, her voice hoarse as if sandpaper had been scraped across her skin: "Mom... I didn't want to say these harsh words, but A-Zhe doesn't believe me, and I can't explain myself even if I try..."

She lifted her tear-filled face, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with grievance:

"Doing a paternity test is a small matter, but what will people think of me afterward? They'll definitely think I'm immoral, that even being pregnant will lead to suspicion from the biological father. How am I supposed to face anyone after that?"

She sniffed, then changed the subject, her tone carrying a perfectly timed self-deprecating glint:

"Mom, I swear, I've only ever had that kind of relationship with Ah Zhe. If I were really that easy to sleep with, would I still be where I am now? I've been in the entertainment industry for so many years, and it was only after meeting Ah Zhe that I became a national little star and gained some popularity. If I were willing to sleep with those big directors, I would have been famous all over the country long ago, wouldn't I?"

She turned to look at Xu Zhesheng, her eyes red as a rabbit's, her voice carrying an almost tragic honesty: "Zhe, you're also in the entertainment industry, don't you understand this?"

These words were so reasonable that even Xu Zhesheng was stunned.

He had been in the industry for many years and had seen too many actresses who would do anything for resources.

Those who were willing to pay the price are now either household names or at least thriving in their small circles.

As for Su Manman, a woman who has only barely reached the threshold of becoming a national starlet after so many years, it seems... quite plausible that she is unwilling to exchange her body for resources.

Then, recalling what happened in the corridor earlier, his mother almost made a scene about Tan Gui altering his medical records.

If this matter really blows up, the reputation of the entire hospital will be affected.

The Lu family is the investor in this hospital; how could they possibly allow such a scandal to be exposed?

Xu Zhesheng lowered his eyes, glanced at the report on the table that he had crumpled up, and slowly clenched his fist at his side.

Yes.

It must be like this.

In an attempt to cover up the hospital scandal, they deliberately provided him with a medical report that did not belong to him at all, hoping to throw him off balance and gain the upper hand in the divorce proceedings.

What a brilliant scheme!

Xu Zhesheng clenched his back teeth so hard they almost broke, crumpling the report into a ball, his knuckles turning pale from the force.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and placed his hands on Su Manman's shoulders. His voice lowered, tinged with guilt: "Manman, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."

Upon hearing this, Su Manman's tears fell even harder, but she shook her head desperately, saying in a hoarse voice, "It's not your fault... A-Zhe, they're just too wicked, actually using our daughter's situation to their advantage. Luckily, you and Mom are both sensible people and weren't swayed by their words."

She leaned forward, her forehead gently resting against his chest, her voice muffled: "As long as you believe me, any hardship I endure is worth it."

Xu Zhesheng raised his hand and pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her back with his palm, his movements as gentle as if he were coaxing a frightened child.

A few minutes later, he helped her to bed, tucked her in, and said:

"Don't be too anxious during this time. Focus on recovering your health before considering exercise and rehabilitation. Women need to take proper care during their postpartum period, otherwise, they'll suffer from health problems later in life."

Su Manman nodded with tears in her eyes, as obedient as a kitten.

Xu Zhesheng straightened up, turned to look at Zhang Feng, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable chill: "Mom, you stay here with Manman. If she needs anything, lend a hand. I'm going out for a bit."

Zhang Feng and Su Manman asked in unison, "Where are you going?"

Xu Zhesheng didn't stop walking, leaving behind only a sentence wrapped in ice crystals that echoed in the ward.

"Of course, we'll go find those two sluts and settle the score."