The Cannon Fodder Alpha Who Made the Heroine Pregnant - Chapter 63

63:

Chu Zhao was in her postpartum confinement period. Zhou Lan’s task was to fulfill all her demands, minimize her worries and irritations, and keep her in a pleasant mood.

From pregnancy to long after childbirth, a woman’s emotions can be inexplicably volatile.

They don’t want to be this way themselves, but hormonal changes are beyond their control. The partner’s attitude during this time is particularly crucial.

Although the relationship between Zhou Lan and Chu Zhao wasn’t that of a typical couple, Zhou Lan certainly wouldn’t neglect her responsibilities.

Her feelings for Chu Zhao were one thing; taking on the responsibilities she ought to bear was another.

Zhou Lan would go buy whatever Chu Zhao wanted to eat.

For this purpose, she specially bought a thermal box to keep in the car, ensuring the food stayed warm.

Chu Zhao’s check-ups were scheduled for when Zhou Lan went out to buy food, followed by daily exercises supervised by a nurse.

Exercise for pregnant women is different from regular workouts. The hospital had specialized instructors to guide them.

Combining diet and exercise ensured a smooth childbirth and minimized significant body changes during pregnancy and after delivery.

Since Chu Zhao had decided to keep the baby, she wouldn’t treat her body carelessly.

The relocation of Chu Yue to Luoan was proceeding orderly, and various projects were in their later stages, not requiring her personal supervision.

This month was a perfect time to rest properly. Once the Chu Yue headquarters officially moved to Luo’an, there would be so much to do that finding time to rest would be impossible.

A month later, even if she had to travel between cities for work in Luoan, she would still be busy.

Zhou Lan…

She touched her still-flat belly, hidden under loose loungewear, showing no signs.

They couldn’t get divorced before the baby was born.

But Zhou Lan thought she had terminated the pregnancy. Once the confinement period ended, she might push for divorce.

So, until the baby was born, she had to avoid Zhou Lan.

“Chu Zhao.”

Suddenly, Zhou Lan peeked her head through the door and said softly, “The cheesecake you wanted… I went too late and couldn’t get a number.”

It was a limited quantity with numbered tickets. By the time she arrived, the line was very long, and the tickets were long gone.

Apparently, many people had scalpers get tickets for them, then queued up themselves.

Some simply had scalpers or delivery services handle everything.

Learning the tricks, Zhou Lan pre-booked a delivery service. It should arrive directly tomorrow.

If Chu Zhao wanted something to eat, she would definitely find a way to get it.

Seeing only Zhou Lan’s head peeking in, looking somewhat embarrassed, Chu Zhao felt both helpless and amused.

The smile that flickered on her lips was quickly suppressed, and she said flatly, “What about the others?”

Zhou Lan hurriedly brought in the thermal box and took out the food Chu Zhao wanted.

“Omurice, jujube cake, fried yogurt.”

Except for the cheesecake, she had bought everything Chu Zhao wanted.

And these items weren’t even in the same area. Each time she bought food for Chu Zhao, it took at least three hours. With queues, it could easily take four or five.

Chu Zhao made a sound of acknowledgment, took a couple of bites of each, then pushed them all toward Zhou Lan.

Zhou Lan was used to it. Most of the food she bought ended up in her own stomach.

She touched her waist, it seemed to have rounded out a bit.

But admittedly, the things Chu Zhao wanted to eat were quite delicious. She sat quietly nearby, eating small bites without speaking.

Her eyes occasionally glanced up at Chu Zhao, who was working. The square gold-rimmed glasses gave her a restrained and stylish aura.

The aloofness in her eyes, combined with Chu Zhao’s inherent coolness and detachment, made her seem like a queen uninterested in anything.

Zhou Lan couldn’t look away; her eyes were full of Chu Zhao focused on work.

Chu Zhao’s long, pale fingers tapped rhythmically on the keyboard, producing a pleasant, soothing sound.

As she typed, she felt something was off, an intense gaze had been fixed on her for a long time.

She slowly turned her head and coincidentally saw her own reflection in Zhou Lan’s pupils.

Her heart was unexpectedly touched. Since being exposed by Sang Xia, she had fully accepted the fact that she liked Zhou Lan.

Discovering that the person she liked had eyes only for her, what could be more heart-fluttering than that?

Noticing Chu Zhao’s gaze, Zhou Lan cleared her throat lightly. A pink flush spread from behind her ears to her neck, until her whole body felt warm and restless.

She even wanted to smack her own forehead. How could she have stared so dumbly, like a lovesick fool? So awkward, so shy!!!

Though Chu Zhao couldn’t hear her internal screaming, she could guess.

Chu Zhao’s lips curved slightly, but she didn’t call her out. After a while, when the amusement in her eyes had lessened, she said, “Sang Yu is in the capital city. She wants to meet us.”

“Sang Yu?”

Zhou Lan’s eyes lit up. Sang Yu was her second favorite character in the novel—not in a romantic way, of course.

It was purely appreciation for someone excellent in every aspect.

Chu Zhao nodded. “Yes. Sang Xia told her about wanting to enter the Sang Group. She immediately guessed it was my idea.”

“However, Sang Xia told her it was your idea.”

Zhou Lan: “???”

So it was a case of ‘better you die than me.’ Sang Xia protected her best friend by throwing her under the bus.

…….

Sang Xia had returned to Luoan that very night.

The Sang family was originally based in Luoan. Later, Sang Qinzheng moved out of the Sang family estate to the capital city.

Sang Yu grew up with him in the capital.

The capital city was good for enjoying life; Luoan was better for established businesses to develop and expand.

When Sang Qinzheng brought Sang Yu to the capital city, the Sang Group’s focus shifted here.

After Sang Yu’s identity was exposed, the old patriarch ordered Sang Qinzheng back to Luoan.

In the capital city, it was just their family handling their own affairs. The Sang family compound was different.

After Sang Qinzheng and Sang Xia’s mother officially registered their marriage, they all moved to Luoan.

As Zhou Lan had said, without Sang Yu’s protection, who knows how those wolves would have chewed up Sang Xia and her mother.

On the flight to Luoan, Sang Xia kept thinking about how to broach the subject with Sang Yu.

But upon seeing Sang Yu, her courage failed, and she spilled everything.

All her prepared talking points and strategies were forgotten.

Under Sang Yu’s weary gaze, she felt completely seen through.

If it weren’t for something important, Sang Xia would never dare seek out Sang Yu.

Even though Sang Yu was relatively gentle with her, she was still scared.

“What about you?”

“Me?” Sang Xia blinked. “What about me?”

Sang Yu leaned against the desk, took a cigarette from the pack, but merely held it between her fingers without lighting it when her eyes fell on Sang Xia.

Sang Yu, having grown up in extreme wealth, exuded elegance and nobility, a classical kind of refinement. Sometimes she appeared to be smiling, yet gave off an icy feel.

Her coldness was different from Chu Zhao’s. She smiled on the surface but was actually contemptuous and aloof.

Chu Zhao, on the other hand, was only superficially cold. Inside, she was very soft; the aloofness was just a protective shell. In truth, she was gentle and kind.

Within the Sang Group, Sang Yu’s word was almost law, second only to one. No one dared oppose her decisions.

She carried a natural air of authority, a presence cultivated from long being in a position of power.

Hearing Sang Yu’s question, Sang Xia was on high alert, terrified of saying something wrong and upsetting Sang Yu.

Sang Yu was accustomed to her fear. She just flicked her lighter open with a “snap.” The flame reflected in both their pupils—one weak and helpless, the other resigned.

Another “snap,” and the flame vanished. Only then did Sang Yu say, “Do you want to join the Sang Group?”

“I didn’t before, but I do now.”

Without waiting for Sang Yu to ask, Sang Xia volunteered, “I used to think if I stayed away from the core of the Sang Group, those troubles wouldn’t find me. But in reality, I can’t escape.”

“Zhou Lan was right. To have peace and freedom, you must first become strong yourself.”

If you are strong enough, all schemes and plots are useless.

Hearing this, Sang Yu suddenly laughed—a very beautiful laugh.

“Then tell me, what can you do once you’re in the Sang Group?”

Sang Xia omitted Zhou Lan and Chu Zhao’s names, along with some key details, claiming it was her own idea.

She thought she heard Sang Yu murmur Chu Zhao and Zhou Lan’s names earlier and worried about causing them trouble.

At the same time, she made a bold demand: “And I want this company to be completely mine.”

Sang Yu chuckled. “Little lion making a big roar?”

Little lion? Lion is lion, why ‘little’ lion?

Sang Xia said discontentedly, “Yes, the company will be mine. The Sang Group must provide me with the greatest convenience.”

To put it bluntly: use the Sang Group’s resources to build her own business.

It was shameless, but effective.

What kind of fool would she be, a rich second-generation heiress, not to use her family’s resources? Why take ten years to achieve what could be done in one?

Sang Xia had always been able to adapt. Once she decided to enter the Sang Group, she could swallow her pride and improve her father-daughter relationship with Sang Qinzheng.

Sang Qinzheng would be thrilled to have his children join the group, better than letting the children of the second branch monopolize everything.

Sang Xia’s conditions were trivial in Sang Qinzheng’s eyes.

So the only person Sang Xia needed to convince was Sang Yu. After all, using the Sang Group’s resources required Sang Yu’s approval; without it, things would be difficult.

Sang Yu was amused again by her audacity. “I agree.”

“Really?” Sang Xia was overjoyedand hugged Sang Yu’s arm.

Sang Yu looked down at the hand on her arm. The other woman was about the same height, and she could clearly feel the softness of her body.

Uncomfortable, she withdrew her arm. “Mm, but tell Chu Zhao and Zhou Lan I want to see them.”

Sang Xia: “…”

Meanwhile, upon getting the news, Zhou Lan was delighted. Meeting the woman who could rival Chu Zhao was something to look forward to.

Chu Zhao looked straight at her. “You seem happy?”

Remembering the previous incident with Xiao Xiong, and now Zhou Lan’s reaction to Sang Yu…

AA romance? The term popped into Chu Zhao’s head again.

Zhou Lan keenly detected the displeasure in Chu Zhao’s tone and said innocently, “In the novel, you were both equally outstanding, but she ultimately lost to you. That means you’re more capable, more excellent.”

Although she hadn’t guessed Chu Zhao’s true meaning, she accidentally managed to soothe the other’s jealousy.

Chu Zhao could no longer hold back her smile, her lips curving upwards, once again captivating Zhou Lan.

“You’re really beautiful.”

Perhaps emboldened by that smile, Zhou Lan directly voiced her inner thoughts.

The smile on Chu Zhao’s face froze, and she felt heat rushing to her head.