It was unintentionally noon.
Qin Chuan, Li Ya, and Ding Ling were eating at a Chinese restaurant.
"Are you two planning to start a financial company together in the capital?"
During the meal, Qin Chuan learned that Li Ya and Ding Ling intended to start a financial company and expressed his surprise.
"Yes, that's exactly what we planned,"
Ding Ling said, "However, this plan might be in vain now. Li Ya is pregnant. Sigh..."
At this point, Ding Ling let out a deep sigh, looking dejected.
Their plan had barely begun when Li Ya, their partner, unexpectedly became pregnant. This was definitely not good news for Ding Ling.
Especially after learning that Qin Chuan was Li Ya's man, Ding Ling felt utterly defeated, like a wilted vegetable.
Given Qin Chuan's reputation and earning capacity, Li Ya wouldn't need to work so hard. She could naturally become a wealthy wife and enjoy endless prosperity and a life of luxury.
"Ding Ling, although my pregnancy will affect our partnership, it will only cause a delay of three to four months. After I give birth and the baby is a hundred days old, a nanny will take care of the child, and it won't affect our collaboration,"
Li Ya said.
"Nonsense! Who gave you permission to go back to work after just a hundred days post-birth? Is the child or making money more important?"
Unexpectedly, before Ding Ling could even speak, Qin Chuan directly vetoed Li Ya's idea.
"I'm telling you, that's a big no!"
Li Ya stared at Qin Chuan, "If I don't make money, will you support me?"
"Of course, I will. I'm your man, who else would support you? It's not like I can't afford it!"
Qin Chuan said with full confidence.
"Then I'll go home and tell Uncle and Aunt the news of my pregnancy. We can set a date and get married as soon as possible,"
Li Ya said excitedly. She then unconsciously placed her hands on her flat stomach, a look of maternal love radiating from her.
"The baby inside us is already two months old. If we delay any further, I won't be able to hide my belly..."
Qin Chuan, who had been so confident moments ago, suddenly lost his nerve. Instead, his gaze darted around, appearing very guilty.
Li Ya noticed this. Her eyes dimmed, and she began to bite her lip, hard. Pearly tears welled up in her eyes.
"What is this...?"
Ding Ling sensed the awkward atmosphere and was very surprised. She couldn't understand how the couple, who had been openly affectionate and flaunting their love just minutes ago, could change so drastically.
"Miss Ding, I apologize. I'd like to speak with Li Ya alone!"
In the stifling silence, Qin Chuan spoke.
Ding Ling replied with an "Oh" and picked up her bag to leave. Before departing, she thoughtfully closed the private room door. She knew there must be some hidden story between Qin Chuan and Li Ya that she wasn't privy to.
After Ding Ling left, only Qin Chuan and Li Ya remained in the room.
"Sis!"
Qin Chuan took Li Ya's hands.
"Don't touch me!"
Li Ya reacted strongly, shaking off Qin Chuan's hands. Tears streamed down her delicate face, her eyes red, making her look incredibly pained.
"Even though I'm having your child, can you still not let go of that woman named Yang Zimo?"
Qin Chuan asked anxiously, "It's not like that, please let me explain."
Li Ya's face was covered in frost, as if she had transformed into someone else. After taking several deep breaths, she said, "Okay, speak! I'll give you this chance. Tell me whatever you have to say!"
Qin Chuan opened his mouth. Though his heart was full of a thousand words, he didn't know how to begin at this moment.
Finally, after a long pause, he slowly spoke, "I know I'm not a good man. I'm selfish in love, and I'm sorry to everyone who likes me, and I'm truly sorry to all of you."
"But I can swear to the heavens that my love for any of you is fair, without any favoritism. If any of you were to leave me, I would be devastated and unable to accept it."
"You can call me a scumbag, greedy, a dreamer, anything you want, but I genuinely can't give up any of you. This is my heartfelt confession!"
"Apart from being unable to offer you a complete relationship, I will fulfill any other need you have, as long as you ask, to the best of my ability."
In the private room, Qin Chuan finally made up his mind and confessed everything in his heart to Li Ya.
"Ever since the truth came out, you both left me. During that time, I was in immense pain, drowning my sorrows in alcohol, and thinking for a very, very long time about how to handle this relationship."
"In the end, I realized there was no perfect solution."
"No matter whom I chose in the end, I would end up hurting the other..."
"So I decided, I will never get married in this lifetime!"
Beside him, Li Ya, who had been looking at him with a cold gaze, expecting his excuses, was struck as if by lightning upon hearing his last sentence. Her delicate body trembled violently.
She had imagined all sorts of pathetic excuses from this scumbag, but she never expected Qin Chuan to make such a drastic decision.
Never getting married...
"How can he do this?!"
Li Ya had a thought in her mind: Was this a form of reverse coercion?
"Qin Chuan, do you know how important marriage is to a woman?"
Overwhelmed with shock, Li Ya asked instinctively.
Qin Chuan's face was filled with bitterness, "Of course, I know. It's also a very important event in a man's life."
Li Ya stood up, her face radiating anger, "Then how dare you make such a decision? Do you know how irresponsible this decision of yours is?"
"Have you even considered the child's future life?"
"They will be seen as illegitimate children by others, facing criticism and gossip. Their household registration book won't have the name of their mother or father. Also, how will you explain this to your parents?"
A series of soul-piercing questions, like sharp steel knives, deeply pierced Qin Chuan's heart, making his face contort in pain.
"I know all these problems you've mentioned! I've thought about them, but what else can I do?"
"I truly cannot give up either of you!"
Qin Chuan's eyes welled up with tears, and he looked at Li Ya with deep emotion.
"You bastard!!"
Li Ya could no longer contain the anger that had been building up for days. She stood up abruptly and raised her arm.
Qin Chuan closed his eyes, bracing for the slap, believing it was the just retribution for his actions.
However, after waiting for a long time, the expected pain did not come. He opened his eyes in confusion and saw Li Ya standing before him, tears streaming down her face, crying heartbrokenly.
Li Ya wanted to slap the scumbag in front of her fiercely, but after raising her arm, she found she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Since she had known Qin Chuan, they had hardly ever argued, let alone fought. She loved this man so much that she couldn't bear to.
"Sis, don't cry! Don't cry!"
"It's all my fault. Please, just hit me. Whatever punishment you want, I'll accept it. Can we please stop crying? You're pregnant now, you can't get so emotional, with extreme joy or sorrow!"
Qin Chuan stepped forward and hugged Li Ya tightly.
"Wuwu!!"
Li Ya struggled fiercely but couldn't break free from his strong, powerful arms. Finally, she couldn't help but burst into tears, as if releasing all the pent-up emotions that had been accumulated in her heart for days.
"Scoundrel! Scoundrel!!"
"You cold-hearted and emotionless man, what am I supposed to do in the future?"
As Li Ya cried, she repeatedly punched Qin Chuan's back with her fists.
All Qin Chuan could do was hold the woman in his arms tightly. His heart ached terribly too, but there was nothing he could do. He truly had no other choice.
Finally, after an unknown period, Li Ya's crying gradually subsided. Whether it was out of concern for the baby or some other reason, Qin Chuan let out a sigh of relief. His entire body was covered in a layer of cold sweat, soaking his clothes.
"Qin Chuan, does she know about your decision?"
Li Ya pushed Qin Chuan away and asked in a hoarse voice.