The Cannon Fodder Alpha Who Made the Heroine Pregnant - Chapter 47

47: Bloodline Revelations

After Zhou Lan’s departure, Chu Zhao remained indoors. Following the day’s events, the night passed uneventfully.

At dawn, she packed lightly—only essential documents—leaving the apartment key beneath the doormat. The rented space held nothing sentimental; the security deposit wasn’t worth reclaiming.

Her morning agenda included a pre-arranged visit to Jiangning Prison to see Chu Meng, the condemned man awaiting execution. This wasn’t filial piety, she needed confirmation of something crucial. By afternoon, she’d leave Jiangning forever, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Stepping outside her complex, a familiar silhouette made her freeze.

Zhou Lan? Hadn’t she left Jiangning?

Zhou Lan had arrived at 5:30 AM, too early to disturb Chu Zhao. After breakfast at a nearby diner, she’d resumed her vigil by the gates. Now at 7:00 AM, just as Chu Zhao emerged for her two-hour journey to the prison, their paths crossed.

The moment Zhou Lan turned and spotted her, sunlight seemed to ignite her features. The eager approach stirred something unsettling in Chu Zhao, an echo of couples meeting for weekend excursions.

Annoyed by her own thoughts, Chu Zhao schooled her expression. “Weren’t you leaving Jiangning?”

Zhou Lan adjusted her half-slung backpack awkwardly. “About Kang Kang’s sister—”

She explained the assistant’s situation, suggesting he might assist if needed. Chu Zhao arched her brow.

“This couldn’t be a phone call?”

Zhou Lan faltered. “What if he only recognizes me in person?”

“You’re that certain he’ll help you?” Chu Zhao countered.

In truth, Zhou Lan wasn’t. The novel’s Kang Kang had aided Chu Zhao, but altered timelines changed everything. While Zhou Xianling had shielded the Zhou Corporation from his patron’s downfall, past crimes left undeniable traces.

Unbeknownst to Zhou Lan, Chu Zhao had withheld complete evidence from the Sang family operative, distrusting their methods after the test-tube miscarriages. Contingencies were in place—copies with Sang Xia, timed disclosures to the investigation team.

All preparations complete, save one unpredictable element: Zhou Xianling’s retaliation if he uncovered her role.

“You’re worried about me,” Chu Zhao stated abruptly.

Zhou Lan’s smile faded into sincerity. “I’m worried you’ll get hurt. And that you won’t let me stay with you.”

The phrase “stay with you” sent peculiar tingles down Chu Zhao’s spine.

“I’m visiting the prison. No danger there.” Her tone implied refusal, but then relented: “Come if you must.”

Zhou Lan brightened instantly.

Chu Zhao rationalized aloud: “Zhou Xianling will suspect me once investigations begin. Your presence may… mitigate his response.”

Zhou Lan nodded eagerly, ignoring the transactional framing. She’d stayed solely for Chu Zhao’s safety, consequences be damned.

—

The taxi ride passed quietly, Zhou Lan eventually dozing on Chu Zhao’s shoulder. The contact stiffened Chu Zhao initially, then inexplicably softened.

Sleep transformed Zhou Lan’s features—youthful, unguarded. The sight eroded Chu Zhao’s day-long resolve. She’d always responded to gentleness with reluctant reciprocity.

Two warring voices debated internally:

She’s the reason for your condition.

But she changed. Isn’t redemption worth something?

The pharmacy delivery last night had confirmed her fears—two crimson lines on the pregnancy test, corroborated by relentless nausea. The statistical anomaly had chosen her.

Part of her wondered how Zhou Lan would react to the news. Not that it mattered, this child wouldn’t be born.

—

Zhou Lan awoke disoriented, fragments of a bizarre dream lingering—Chu Zhao pregnant, seeking termination. Nonsense, she decided, shaking it off.

Outside the prison gates, she waited anxiously while Chu Zhao met Chu Meng. The half-hour duration surprised her; she’d expected longer.

When Chu Zhao emerged, an odd serenity clung to her. Zhou Lan’s questioning gaze must have resembled an overeager puppy, because Chu Zhao’s lips quirked before explaining:

“I’m not Chu Meng’s biological daughter.”

“What?”

“Chu Meng was… infertile.” The story unfolded—twisted sibling imprisonment, secret paternity, and Chu Meng’s brother siring all “his” children before dying in captivity.

The revelation contextualized Chu Meng’s neglect and his final ramblings in the novel: “You all deserve death. Not mine. None are mine.”

Zhou Lan absorbed the grotesque history, but what mattered was Chu Zhao’s uncharacteristic lightness: “I always hated sharing his bl00d. Knowing I don’t, it’s liberating.”

For the first time, Zhou Lan glimpsed the depth of Chu Zhao’s loathing for her supposed lineage. The relief in her voice outweighed even the horror of the truth.