The Cannon Fodder Alpha Who Made the Heroine Pregnant - Chapter 23

23:

The Chu family’s grand living room was filled with people besides Chu Meng and Liu Qing, several young adults who Zhou Lan surmised were all Chu Meng’s children.

With so many mistresses and male omegas in his harem, Chu Meng had over a dozen officially recognized offspring, not counting the illegitimate ones. His scandalous personal life was constant gossip among Jiangning’s elite circles, though Chu Meng himself couldn’t care less about others opinions.

He would even mock Zhou Xianling. What was the point of working hard and expanding the family business when you had no proper heir?

The Chu family had more than enough children to choose from.

But human hearts are biased. Chu Meng heavily favored his eldest son Chu Yanqing, his child with Liu Qing—who would likely inherit the Chu empire. Ironically, as the legitimate eldest daughter, Chu Zhao received the worst treatment in this so-called “traditional” family.

Zhou Lan glanced sideways at Chu Zhao, whose expression remained impassive as usual. It was clear she couldn’t be bothered interacting with these people unless absolutely necessary.

As for Zhou Lan herself, she found the entire Chu family utterly repulsive. Her cold eyes showed no interest as various family members introduced themselves. The only one she bothered remembering was Chu Yanqing, only because he appeared frequently in the novel as a major antagonist.

“Hello, I’m Chu Yanqing, Chu Zhao’s elder brother,” said a well-dressed man approaching with an outstretched hand.

Zhou Lan knew he actually wanted to emphasize being her “brother-in-law.” Instead of acknowledging him, she turned directly to Chu Meng with a deliberately arrogant demeanor.

“Father-in-law, I assume you’ve been informed of my purpose here?” she said brusquely. “I want to take mother-in-law abroad, but this… servant of yours…” She pointed rudely at Liu Qing. “…has been obstructing me at every turn.”

Just because she’d seen Madam Chu didn’t mean she’d stop making trouble for Liu Qing. Even small inconveniences for these people might ease Madam Chu’s daily life.

Chu Meng put on his patriarchal act. “Just a servant being presumptuous. I’ll deal with her. As for taking your mother-in-law abroad, while the thought is commendable, you’ve seen her condition. She can’t travel far from home.”

He wasn’t wrong, Madam Chu needed proper medical treatment, not vacations. But the Chu family would never allow that. Keeping her mentally unstable made her easier to control.

Zhou Lan smiled agreeably. “You’re right. I didn’t properly consider my mother-in-law’s situation. She truly isn’t fit for international travel.”

“But I still wish to take both my parents-in-law out,” she continued ingratiatingly. “As your daughter-in-law, I should fulfill my filial duties. Don’t you agree, Honorable father-in-law?”

The flattering title visibly pleased Chu Meng. His stern patriarch facade immediately cracked, it had only been an act to intimidate Zhou Lan anyway.

Meanwhile, Chu Zhao frowned slightly. She’d actually thought Zhou Lan might succeed in taking her mother away.

Chu Meng beamed. “Xiao Zhou, you’re a good child. As for me, I’ll pass on the trip—you young people go enjoy yourselves.”

“And mother-in-law?” Zhou Lan pressed. He’d only declined for himself.

She switched tactics, mixing threats with reason. “Indeed, my father mentioned the Zhou-Chu collaboration is at a critical stage. You must be extremely busy, father-in-law.”

The unspoken message was clear—if she interfered, how smoothly would this partnership proceed?

While Chu Meng doubted their alliance would collapse over such matters, he preferred smooth sailing. Any turbulence would disadvantage him most. Besides, with the marriage alliance sealed, certain outcomes were inevitable.

His real concern was his rebellious daughter—given the chance, she’d surely divorce Zhou Lan and cause an uproar. From what he’d heard of Zhou Lan’s reputation, how could his exceptional daughter possibly tolerate such a person long-term?

Zhou Lan seemed thoroughly enchanted by Chu Zhao’s beauty for now, that face truly was breathtaking. Were his daughter not so defiant, he might have tolerated her. Unfortunately, she insisted on opposing him at every turn.

Controlling her through her mother remained his only leverage.

Reading Chu Meng’s thoughts easily (the novel’s confrontation scene still fresh in mind), Zhou Lan continued: “Since abroad is impossible, how about our home instead?”

“Mother-in-law has never visited. We could show her around Jiangning.”

She moved closer to whisper, though loud enough for all to hear: “I’m terrified of my wife. If I don’t bring my mother-in-law home, my life will be miserable.”

Her tone darkened. “And if I’m miserable, I’ll make sure everyone else is too.”

Chu Zhao: “…”

She could feel everyone’s speculative glances.

But since Zhou Lan was trying to help her mother, she endured the embarrassment.

Chu Meng, however, was delighted by this explanation. A henpecked daughter-in-law was perfect, it meant controlling Chu Zhao equated to controlling the Zhou family’s future!

As long as Madam Chu remained in Jiangning, everything was manageable. Though the Chu family had declined, their local influence remained strong enough to monitor one woman.

Imagining future benefits, Chu Meng readily agreed. “Very well. As long as she stays in Jiangning, take your mother to stay with you for a while.”

He failed to notice Liu Qing’s displeasure. More importantly, he didn’t grasp the concept of “borrowing without returning.”

Once removed from the Chu household, Zhou Lan had no intention of ever sending Madam Chu back. After the Zhou and Chu families fell, Chu Zhao could take her mother wherever she wished.

“Thank you, father-in-law,” Zhou Lan said flatly.

She was getting disturbingly good at this, adapting quickly to navigate both families’ politics. Though admittedly, she was merely borrowing the Zhou family’s intimidating aura.

“Dinner is ready,” Chu Meng announced. “It’s late, you’ll stay the night.”

Zhou Lan offered no objection. Leaving now might arouse suspicion and jeopardize their hard-won permission.

There was just one problem, the Chu family had prepared only one bedroom for the “married couple.”