"Yes," Beigong Cang replied from the side. "You can defer your studies until next semester, but starting tomorrow you must move into our house. You are too thin, and I do not want my child to be weak as well."
Qianning could only nod. As long as she could continue her studies, that was good enough.
"Mother," said Beigong Cang to Lady Beigong, "are you paying the two hundred thousand or am I?" This whole scheme had been orchestrated by Lady Beigong; he had only contributed a single cell.
Lady Beigong immediately took out her checkbook, signed a check, and handed it to Qianning. "If the child is a boy after he's born, I'll give you another two hundred thousand," she said.
Two hundred thousand?! What about Father's surgery? Qianning took the check, breathed deeply, and quietly counted the zeros behind the two in her mind.
Sitting beside her, Beigong Cang observed this discreet gesture and let out a disdainful sneer. Sometimes when people are poor, this is how it is, selling their bodies, their children, and still having the face to count money in front of others.
It was late at night, and a Porsche was slowly driving through the dirty alley. Since it wasn't very late, the Porsche drew many curious glances from the neighbors.
The Porsche stopped in front of the Qiao Family home, and Beigong Cang said to Qiao Qianning, who was sitting in the passenger seat, "Don't bring any of your things; we'll buy all new daily necessities. Move quickly. I'll wait for you here."
"Mm," she replied and got out of the car.
Outside the car, some neighbors curiously watched as she was dropped off by such a wealthy man. Weren't they very poor? Weren't they unable to pay for her father's surgery? How come such a man was bringing her home now?
"Slut!" It was not clear who among the onlooking neighbors cursed first.
"Exactly, she must be so desperate for money that she has sold herself."
"That's right, that's right, she looks like she's turning into a dance girl. Sleeping with several men in one night."
The murmurs grew louder. Qianning heard them, but she didn't want to say anything and simply walked into her house.
On the small dining table were two simple vegetarian dishes, their family's dinner.
At Qianning's unexpected return, her parents and siblings were all slightly surprised. Without waiting for them to speak, Qianning placed the check on the dining table. "I have secured two hundred thousand. I'm moving to their house now. Please arrange the surgery for dad as soon as possible." Having said that, she quickly walked back to her room, head down.
It was a while before laughter could be heard from the family outside. Two hundred thousand was so critical for them.
"Qianning," Mother Qiao entered the room, "thank you. Without you, your father's life would have been beyond saving." She said this while sobbing softly.
Qianning didn't answer; she just sighed softly and started packing her textbooks.
"Qianning! Qianning! Qianning!" Qiao Qianxue rushed in and hugged Qianning tightly. "I knew you would get the two hundred thousand, I just knew it!"
"Alright, alright," Mother Qiao pulled Qianxue away, "Qianning is now with child, you can't hug her so forcefully."
"Yes, yes, yes," Qianxue continued to shout joyously, "I'm so happy, I'm thrilled to bits."
Qianning exhaled a sigh of relief. After all, what made her sister so happy was just that check for two hundred thousand.
When Qianning walked out of the living room carrying a small suitcase filled with the textbooks she needed, Father Qiao's pale face streamed with tears: "Qianning... Mom and Dad, we're sorry…" he said, then burst into sobs and could no longer speak.
Qianning glanced at her foster father, and at Qiao Fantian, who stood behind him with his head bowed. She said softly, "I'm leaving." With that, she left the home she had lived in for more than a decade.
Returning to the Porsche, Beigong Cang opened the car door and got out to place her suitcase of books in the back seat.
Just then, Qiao Fantian rushed out. He ran up to Qianning, grabbed her hand, and shouted, "Qianning! Don't go with him!"
This sudden appearance took Beigong Cang by surprise.
Chasing after him were Mother Qiao and Qianxue. The two immediately pulled Qiao Fantian back: "Fantian! Fantian! Go back inside!"
In the midst of the tugging and pulling, the three of them returned inside the house. Qianning watched as they closed the door. Her gaze darkened, and she let out a long breath before getting into the car.
There was nothing left here to make her linger. She had fulfilled her duty to this family, and the rest of the journey she would have to undertake on her own.
Beigong Cang also got into the car, but with a hint of a scoff on his lips. This family really was heartless. Qiao Qianning had done so much for them, but in return, she received nothing. Inadvertently, under the dim car lights, he caught sight of two tears sliding down Qianning's face. The mocking smile on his face faded, replaced by a trace of reluctance.
Qiao Qianning, the woman carrying his child, shouldn't be like this.
He started the car, and as they slowly merged onto the roadway, under the brilliant flash of streetlights, the tears on Qianning's face gently fell onto her knees. Beigong Cang reached out and wiped the tears from her face. He didn't know what to say; he lacked experience in comforting women. Yet, seeing her cry like this...he just felt heartache. After all, she was the mother of his child.
Surprised by his gesture, Qianning looked up at Beigong Cang beside her. His chiseled side profile still held that icy demeanor.
Qianning quickly raised her hand, frantically wiping the tears from her face. She should be stronger, not cry in front of others — how preposterous.
"I'm sorry," she said softly. She didn't know why she was apologizing, just felt that it was what she should say.
The Beigong Family's mansion was located on the outskirts of the city. Although Qianning had visited a few times, she hadn't had a chance to properly look around. Tonight was her first night moving in, and it was already very late, so the tour would have to wait until tomorrow.
Aunt Hu, the maid, carried Qianning's suitcase of books to a room on the second floor. Turning on the overhead lights, she said to Qianning, who followed behind, "Miss, Lady Beigong has instructed for you to stay in this room from now on. It's at the end of the second floor—quieter here."
Qianning smiled faintly and entered the room. Although the room wasn't very large, it was already five or six times bigger than her small room at home. To the left, there was a brand-new large bed, covered with equally new beige bedding. To the right, there was a large desk, upon which sat a DVD player and sound system, beside which were prenatal education music CDs.
Qianning looked at the cute baby face on the CD cover and smiled softly; she was going to be a mother too.
From now on, she would have to devote herself entirely to taking good care of herself and the child in her womb.