The Cannon Fodder Alpha Who Made the Heroine Pregnant - Chapter 60

60:

Suggesting a divorce wasn’t about Zhou Lan shirking responsibility; it was because of Chu Zhao’s rejection.

She didn’t want to cause others worry or trouble. If her very existence was a burden to Chu Zhao, she would willingly leave.

From the moment she brought up divorce, silence fell in the car.

After a long while, Chu Zhao said in a low deep voice, “I agree to the divorce.”

Divorce was best for both of them; there was no reason to disagree.

Zhou Lan wasn’t surprised by this answer, but hearing the words “agree to divorce” still made her very sad.

There was no reason to feel so upset. The person who married Chu Zhao, held the wedding, and got the marriage certificate was the original host. She hadn’t been involved at all. Without that sense of participation, how could she talk about reluctance to part?

Even though she thought this logically, a feeling of regret washed over her.

How could she not regret it? She missed out on the marriage, so why did the divorce have to fall on her?

Parting with someone she liked was impossible without heartache. But so what? Rationally speaking, separating was the best choice.

One-sided affection couldn’t create a real connection between them. Insisting on it would only lead to being disliked.

Zhou Lan understood boundaries. Besides divorce, it seemed there truly was no other option for them.

She nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll take you to the hospital first. Regarding the divorce, just schedule a time with me when you’re free. I’ll still be in the capital city for a while.”

She had rented that apartment for six months; there were still three months left on the lease. That was plenty of time for Chu Zhao to free up a day to finalize the divorce.

After all, they had already signed the divorce agreement. There were no disputes; just a trip to the civil affairs bureau was needed.

Chu Zhao gave an “Mhm” and didn’t say more.

The private hospital was only a ten-minute drive from Chu Zhao’s home. As soon as they entered, two nurses came to greet them.

They separately assisted Chu Zhao with the physical exam, filling out forms, and such.

Zhou Lan just had to follow behind; there was basically nothing for her to do.

Private hospitals were expensive, but the service was indeed excellent.

The two nurses were busy running around; Chu Zhao only needed to cooperate.

Zhou Lan could even have gone to the family waiting area to have a coffee and watch a movie.

But she still followed behind them, waiting for all the examination results.

When reviewing the results, the doctor looked at the forms and said, “No major issues. Don’t stop the folic acid, etc. The fetus is 13 weeks+, and all aspects are quite good.”

“Just pay attention to diet, the family member needs to be mindful of this.”

The doctor rambled on a bunch. It sounded like Chu Zhao was just here for a check-up. Wasn’t she supposed to be here for an abortion?

Zhou Lan looked at Chu Zhao but didn’t ask further.

Chu Zhao felt her gaze and, without turning her head, said directly, “I don’t want this child.”

The doctor’s head jerked up. After reacting for a moment, she said, “The fetus is already over three months old. Not keeping it would require an induced abortion, which causes significant harm to the body.”

“After the induced abortion, you need to do the ‘sitting the month’ (confinement period) just like after a normal birth, typically 42 days.”

“Are you both certain you don’t want this child?”

Unmarried women don’t need family consent for an abortion, but Chu Zhao was married, so spousal consent was required. Hence, the doctor asked “you both.”

How could Zhou Lan have any objections? Of course, it was whatever Chu Zhao said.

After waiting a moment with no word from Chu Zhao, the doctor simply said, “Family member, please step out first. There are some things I need to discuss privately with the pregnant woman.”

Puzzled, Zhou Lan walked out of the consultation room and went to the family waiting area.

Ten minutes later, a nurse came and asked her to sign the surgical consent form.

She carefully read every clause; Chu Zhao had already signed it.

Her hand holding the pen hesitated for a moment before she signed her name.

Was it possible that the reason Chu Zhao asked her to come to the hospital was precisely so she could sign this consent form?

An abortion during marriage required the consent of both partners. It was as if this gave her a reason to come to the hospital together.

Zhou Lan sat in the waiting area, just sitting there. She didn’t look at her phone once. From behind, her whole demeanor exuded a sense of dejection.

She had no expectations or feelings for the child. Her despondency came from the person she liked being eager to sever ties with her.

No matter what, she respected Chu Zhao’s decision.

Chu Zhao was inside having the surgery; Zhou Lan’s mood outside was agonizing.

This was the result of being direct: either life or death. The outcome of her direct approach was clear: a dead end.

Zhou Lan sat in the family waiting area, feeling somewhat anxious and uneasy.

Chu Zhao was inside undergoing surgery, the direct result of her actions. Besides worry, she also felt self-blame.

Without her, Chu Zhao wouldn’t have to suffer this.

Time passed minute by minute. Then a nurse came to tell her that Chu Zhao’s surgery was finished.

Without a second word, Zhou Lan quickly walked towards the hospital room.

Entering the room, she saw Chu Zhao lying on the bed, asleep. Her complexion didn’t reveal much, but she gave off a very tired vibe.

Zhou Lan sat down weakly by the bed, just quietly watching Chu Zhao’s sleeping face.

She had no dissatisfaction with Chu Zhao’s choice to abort. One’s body, one’s choice. Those who aren’t pregnant have no right to question the choices of those who are.

For women, pregnancy is very arduous. The responsibility for Chu Zhao’s pregnancy lay with her.

Whether in this world or her own, pregnancy and childbirth are always major taboos in the workplace.

During job interviews, they ask: Are you married? When do you plan to have children? Not married means unstable, likely to leave anytime. Even if married, they will ask if you have children. One child leads to questions about a second, then a third. One child sets you back at least three years; three children mean ten years. Wealthy families can hire nannies; less fortunate families often sacrifice one person’s career, usually the woman’s.

Women who can get pregnant sacrifice too much. As a woman herself, she felt for all women, and especially for the person she liked.

Chu Zhao might not encounter those specific situations, but the fact was, simply being pregnant inevitably caused some harm.

Zhou Lan looked at Chu Zhao with full tender concern. Seeing someone she liked go through such pain was breaking her heart.

Nurses came in and out of the room, busy attending to things.

She also signed up for several meal packages, called what… confinement meals? She ordered two portions.

She couldn’t undergo the surgery with Chu Zhao, but she could accompany her through the confinement period.

Didn’t the doctor say induced abortion also damages the body? It requires confinement, just like giving birth.

She had looked at the confinement meals; they weren’t greasy. She ordered a set for herself too.

She couldn’t share the suffering of pregnancy, so she could only try in these small, peripheral ways.

Besides that, she hired another nursing aide. During Chu Zhao’s confinement, every aspect must have the best care. Otherwise, if any health issues lingered, regret would be too late.

Zhou Lan did everything she could, yet she felt like she had done nothing.

Compared to the harm Chu Zhao suffered, what she did was too little, negligible even.

What she did were things money could buy. For her, it was at most the cost of one song. For Chu Zhao, no amount of money could make up for the physical and psychological damage.

Chu Zhao was highly capable, a young entrepreneur who founded her own company, Chu Yue. An independent, self-made businesswoman—would she lack this bit of money?

Besides money, all Zhou Lan could offer was companionship.

But…

She looked at Chu Zhao on the bed, her heart a mix of conflicting emotions.

From the moment she learned Chu Zhao was pregnant with her child, her heart had been filled with self-blame and guilt.

Even knowing Chu Zhao was going to abort, her guilt didn’t fade.

She was lost in these chaotic thoughts when the hospital room door suddenly opened and a figure rushed in.

It was Sang Xia. She looked extremely anxious.

Seeing Chu Zhao motionless on the bed, Sang Xia seemed on the verge of tears, nearly crying.

Hearing the noise, Chu Zhao slowly opened her eyes. She hadn’t been asleep, just unsure how to face Zhou Lan.

Seeing Chu Zhao awake, Sang Xia hurried forward and asked, “How are you? Are you okay?”

As she spoke, she said tearfully, “What’s going on with you? You didn’t even tell me you were pregnant! What’s wrong? Why are you in the hospital?”

Then she turned her gaze to Zhou Lan: “What is she doing here?”

A series of questions. Zhou Lan barely had time to react before hearing Chu Zhao say, “Zhou Lan, please step out first.”

Zhou Lan silently stood up, like a wounded puppy.

Chu Zhao watched her retreating back until she left, then said, “I’m fine.”

“In the hospital, fine? Also, you were pregnant and didn’t tell me sooner? If you couldn’t hide it anymore, were you still not planning to tell me?” Sang Xia was both angry and worried about her friend’s secrecy.

Chu Zhao said amusedly, “Relax, I’m really fine.”

“Then why come to the hospital?”

“Originally, I intended to terminate the pregnancy.”

Sang Xia looked at Chu Zhao’s abdomen: “Originally? And now?”

Chu Zhao thought about what Zhou Lan had said to her in the car. Her opinion of Zhou Lan had changed a long time ago. It was just because the original Zhou Lan had schemed against her and succeeded that she held a grudge, unable to accept the changes in her own feelings. But Zhou Lan wasn’t that Zhou Lan. To be precise, the Zhou Lan she felt goodwill towards was not the one she detested.

They simply weren’t the same person. After the doctor asked Zhou Lan to leave and questioned her again, she hesitated. When it came down to it, the current Zhou Lan was also someone forced to bear these consequences.

She understood the feeling of not being in control of one’s own body. Chu Zhao said softly, “An induced abortion after three months causes damage that’s already done. Comparatively, I want a child of my own.”

“The doctor said my mother has a possibility of recovery. Lately, she’s been talking to the air, to a younger version of me. Perhaps this child’s arrival is an opportunity.”

Sang Xia asked seriously, “But this child is Zhou Lan’s. Are you really going to have her child?” Chu Zhao didn’t answer.

Could she tell Sang Xia that Zhou Lan’s body now housed a different soul? Sang Xia would probably think she had lost her mind or gone crazy. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Whose child it is doesn’t matter. The one I gave birth to is mine.”

“The child will have the surname Chu.” Chu Zhao’s attitude was firm. Sang Xia stopped trying to persuade her and changed the subject.

“What about you and Zhou Lan? What are you going to do?”

What to do? What could they do? The other party had already proposed divorce.

“Divorce.”

“And the child?”

“She thinks the child was aborted.”

“What?” Sang Xia straightened up in shock, then sighed.

“Chu Xiao Zhao, although I really don’t want to admit it, but is it possible…”

“That you’ve fallen for Zhou Lan? I know you. If you didn’t like her, you wouldn’t keep the child.”

Like?

Has she fallen for Zhou Lan? Chu Zhao’s heart was full of uncertainty.