Chapter 197: Chapter 197: The Decision Chapter 197: Chapter 197: The Decision A prominent tree invites the wind, and Shi Shi clearly understood that if she really did something to Zhong Mengxuan, it would be akin to directly delivering leverage to the enemies of the Lu Family.

When it came to that point, if it really implicated the Lu Family, she wouldn’t have a good outcome either. It was for this reason that she chose to negotiate with Zhong Mengxuan today, instead of having Mengxuan’s child dealt with directly.

After a long while, Shi Shi spoke again, “Zhong Mengxuan, since you so desire to stay by Chenran’s side, then I will grant you your wish.”

Hearing Shi Shi finally relent, Zhong Mengxuan relaxed a bit but before she could rejoice, she was stunned by Shi Shi’s next words.

“However, you must still terminate the pregnancy. You can’t have a child until Jiarui has given birth to hers.”

“What?” Zhong Mengxuan could hardly believe her ears, “The child in my belly is Chenran’s flesh and blood, your grandchild as well! How can you be so heartless?”

“Zhong Mengxuan since you want to negotiate terms, you must pay a price!” Shi Shi spoke sarcastically, “Keeping the child while staying by Chenran’s side? Are you joking? It’s obvious you want to mess up Chenran’s marriage! Do I look like such a fool to leave such a blatant menace?”

“Eldest Mrs. Lu, I promise I won’t cause trouble and I definitely won’t ruin Chenran’s wedding,” Zhong Mengxuan hurriedly spoke, “Please let me keep this child! After all, it’s a small life!”

Shi Shi looked at Zhong Mengxuan with a cold gleam in her eyes, “Zhong Mengxuan, I am giving you two options now. First, you can continue to stay by Chenran’s side as a lover, but under one condition, the child in your belly must be aborted. Also, you are not allowed to seek out Chenran before his wedding. Of course, another condition is that you cannot have children before Jiarui has given birth.”

“Second, terminate the pregnancy and sever all ties with Chenran. Afterwards, within the extent of my capability, I will grant you a request. Moreover, I can assure you that no one will ever find out about those reckless incidents between you and Chenran.”

“Choose one of the paths!”

Whichever path it was, it certainly wasn’t what Zhong Mengxuan wanted. In both choices, she had to first abort the child in her belly. This was very disadvantageous for her.

Seeing that Zhong Mengxuan did not respond immediately, Shi Shi coldly added, “Zhong Mengxuan, if you really can’t decide, then I will make the decision for you.”

“No, I–” Zhong Mengxuan’s mouth opened, but she still couldn’t say anything.

“Zhong Mengxuan, being too greedy isn’t good,” Shi Shi’s face showed no excess emotion, “My patience is limited, don’t try to challenge my bottom line. And–”
“Those threats of yours, I didn’t take them to heart. I offered you an extra choice today just to avoid complications. You are right, I can’t forcefully do anything to you. But don’t forget, you still have family and relatives.”

Zhong Mengxuan abruptly looked up, disbelief in her eyes, and finally, biting her teeth in resentment, she said, “The first one, I choose the first one.”

“Very good.” Shi Shi nodded approvingly, then withdrew her gaze. “Zhong Mengxuan, remember your choice. From today, you and Chenran must not meet until after his marriage. Also, since you are a lover, you must be aware of a lover’s place. If your affair is discovered by the Long Family, or by Jiarui’s side, you know the consequences.”

Hearing such a warning, Zhong Mengxuan shivered involuntarily. She felt as though she had fallen into a tough predicament.

She didn’t know whether her choice today was right, but she felt like she’d gambled her entire life with this decision.

But she was clear that she no longer had any way out. Even if it were a dead end ahead, she had to carve out a path for herself.

Seeing Zhong Mengxuan’s silent demeanor, Shi Shi didn’t take it to heart and continued, “Prepare yourself, we’ll arrange the surgery in a few days.”

“So soon.” Zhong Mengxuan frowned, feeling uncomfortable.

“Either way, it has to be resolved sooner or later; isn’t it better sooner rather than later?” Shi Shi said coldly, “Taking care of it now while it’s still early is less harmful to your body, isn’t it?”

Those words left Zhong Mengxuan without a response, and all she could do was nod, “Alright, I understand.”

Thinking it over, Zhong Mengxuan gathered her courage and looked at Shi Shi, “Then how will I know that after I terminate the pregnancy, you won’t go back on your word and prevent me from staying by Chenran’s side?”

“You’re overthinking it,” Shi Shi spoke disdainfully, “You are just one of Chenran’s lovers, I don’t mind your existence. As long as your presence doesn’t affect the Lu Family and Long Family, there’s no difference to me whether you are there or not.”

“As for Chenran’s other women, I’ve never cared about them.”

Now, the reason she deigned to meet Zhong Mengxuan was simply because the wedding was nearing, and Mengxuan happened to be pregnant at this time. She was worried about potential complications.

A few words made Zhong Mengxuan feel especially humiliated. She clearly understood the disdain in the other’s words, yet she couldn’t retort.

On the other side, Zhong Niangyao directly turned off the surveillance and shook her head.

“Your cousin is quite ambitious,” Lu Yichen raised an eyebrow, laughing as he spoke in jest, “To survive under the clutches of my dear sister-in-law, and even directly threatened her. Such capability is not common!”

“She indeed has ambition, but lacked intelligence,” Zhong Niangyao shook her head, “If she were smart, she would have cut off the burden in time, aborted the child, and chosen another target. Dragging it out now, what she’s losing is just her lifetime.”

“Without Lu Chenran, she will not find a better match,” Lu Yichen continued smiling, “Staying by Lu Chenran’s side is more lucrative than marrying someone else as a wife.”

“Perhaps,” Zhong Niangyao shrugged nonchalantly, “But, Chenran does not value her, does he? If Lu Chenran really cared for Zhong Mengxuan, then it would have been him showing up today, not Madam Lu.”

Thus, whether Mengxuan’s persistence will yield the desired outcome is really uncertain.