In the hospital.

Huang Fei kept Shen Mengjie company for a while before glancing at the time. "I'll go get you some food. I'll be back soon."

Seeing Shen Mengjie nod lightly, Huang Fei smiled and walked out.

He was in a good mood because he could tell that Shen Mengjie’s resistance toward him had almost completely faded.

He stepped into the elevator just as the doors closed behind him.

At the same time, the doors of another elevator slid open. A head of dyed blond hair swayed slightly as its owner strode out with a confident smirk.

Shen Mengjie lay with her back to the door, gazing at the bright sky outside the window.

Suddenly, she heard the door open. "That was fast," she murmured.

"Calling a man 'fast' isn’t very nice, you know."

Hearing the voice, Shen Mengjie frowned and turned her head. Standing at the doorway was Ye Liangchen, holding a bouquet of flowers, his blond hair unmistakable.

When he saw her look his way, he flashed a self-assured grin and flicked his hair.

Her expression turned cold. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you, of course." Ye Liangchen strode into the room and casually placed the flowers on the bedside table.

"You’re not welcome here. Get out." Shen Mengjie had always seen Ye Liangchen as nothing more than a clown who amused her—now, she saw no reason to pretend otherwise.

"Don’t be like that," he said mockingly. "If you don’t welcome me now, how are we supposed to live together later?"

Shen Mengjie’s brows furrowed. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Is it really nonsense? Or are you just pretending not to know? Or do you actually plan to marry that forty-five-year-old loser?"

As he spoke, Ye Liangchen slowly walked to the window, basking in the sunlight. He flicked his hair again, deliberately letting his earring catch the light.

Then, he spread his arms, his face radiating smug satisfaction. "Even though you betrayed me, I’m generous—I don’t hold grudges. I choose to save you anyway!"

He closed his eyes in mock piety, then slowly brought his arms back in, hugging himself.

Abruptly, his eyes snapped open. He spun around and gave Shen Mengjie an exaggerated bow.

Watching his theatrics, Shen Mengjie’s pale lips curled into a sneer. "Save me? Did you come here just to make me laugh? Do you even know how to write the word 'salvation'?"

Ye Liangchen studied her face. Even weakened, her sharpness hadn’t dulled.

This little firecracker was exactly the kind of challenge that stirred his desire to conquer.

"Relax, I just came to tell you two things. First, your dear mother happily accepted the 100,000 yuan I offered her."

At this, a flicker of panic crossed Shen Mengjie’s face.

No one knew her mother’s true nature better than she did.

The fact that the woman had dragged that old man to her school to cause a scene said everything.

Noticing her reaction, Ye Liangchen’s smirk widened.

He pulled out his phone, tapped play, and held it in front of her.

His goal was to break Shen Mengjie—both physically and mentally. This was the price for daring to betray him.

He was a kind man, but even he had his limits. After all, he was someone who loved and hated fiercely!

The video clearly showed Shen Xiu holding a pregnancy test, her voice unmistakable as she announced it to the crowd.

In an instant, Shen Mengjie shoved the phone away, sending it clattering to the floor.

Her eyes reddened, but she glared at Ye Liangchen, refusing to let a single tear fall.

Ye Liangchen bent down to pick up his phone. "Don’t look at me like that. I just couldn’t bear to see your own mother sell you off to some middle-aged loser for 80,000 yuan. I’ll save you—and treat you well."

Shen Mengjie suddenly laughed, tears streaming down her face.

"Treat me well? Then will you let my child take your last name?"

"After all, you love being the backup plan." She paused deliberately. "Oh wait, I forgot—you’re not even good enough to be a backup. None of them wanted you."

Her words struck a nerve.

"Don’t act like I don’t know—that baby is Long Aotian’s, isn’t it?"

"I’ll take you to get rid of it. And I’ll make sure Long Aotian sees exactly what his child looks like."

"Get out!" Shen Mengjie grabbed the bouquet from the table and hurled it at Ye Liangchen’s face.

He barely flinched, brushing off the petals with a smirk. "Shen Mengjie, you know the truth. Without me, you’ll end up married to that old man."

"I’m saving you. You should be thanking me."

"I don’t care that you’re carrying someone else’s child. That already makes me ten thousand times better than Long Aotian—that coward who won’t take responsibility!"

Shen Mengjie shut her eyes. "Leave."

"I’ll go. But think about it—your reputation is ruined. Even if you don’t care about yourself, think about the child."

"Long Aotian was just playing with you. He’ll never own up to it."

"Oh, and your mother? She won’t give you much time."

With that, Ye Liangchen walked out.

His mission was complete.

He had backed Shen Mengjie into a corner. Now, whether she liked it or not, she had no choice but to turn to him.

After he left, Shen Mengjie curled up under the blankets, her hands trembling over her stomach as silent sobs wracked her body.

Just outside the room, Ye Liangchen’s eyes narrowed. He spotted Huang Fei approaching with food, then glanced back at the room, smirking.

"Who are you?"

Huang Fei frowned at the stranger loitering outside Shen Mengjie’s door.

"Man, you’re pathetic," Ye Liangchen said with a laugh.

Huang Fei’s expression darkened.

But the next words left him frozen in place.

"Taking care of another man’s woman and kid—your 'bro' must be laughing his ass off."

As Ye Liangchen turned to leave, Huang Fei grabbed him. "What the hell does that mean? Explain, or today you’re going to the ER, and I’m going to jail."

Ye Liangchen scoffed and tried to shake him off—only to yelp in pain. "Ow! Easy, easy! You’re gonna break my arm!"

Huang Fei shoved him back, his glare icy.

Swallowing hard, Ye Liangchen rubbed his sore arm and sneered. "Shen Mengjie’s pregnant. The baby’s Long Aotian’s."

"You’re lying!" Huang Fei slammed him against the wall.

Ye Liangchen flinched, quickly raising his hands in surrender. "Am I? Go ask her yourself."

"I’m just doing you a favor. Long Aotian’s the kind of guy who’d do anything—you call him a brother, but he’s out there screwing your girl..."