Su Ran’s face turned pale in an instant, her voice tentative, “Pregnant? Who’s pregnant?”
Yuan Feng looked at her somewhat dazed expression and thought to himself, perhaps she didn’t know either?
How interesting.
He slowly said, “You, the doctor said you fainted because of the blood draw, which led to some anemia, so that’s why you fainted. It’s also lucky that you were treated in time, preventing you from miscarrying.”
“Ranran, once these things get leaked, your life is over.”
Hearing these words, Su Ran felt a chill in her limbs; she had a movie soon to start filming.
Because of the incident with Madam Cheng, although she wasn’t the murderer, her reputation had taken a significant hit. Now, even her agent was ignoring her.
It seemed like they planned to put her on ice after she finished this movie.
Furthermore, the advertisement from the Fang Group that should have been hers was stolen.
The school drama that had only recently been broadcast was pulled from the shelves because Director Chen was exposed for organizing an indecent gathering.
She wasn’t heartbroken about the drama being taken down, because it aired at a bad time, exactly when she was exposed for “murder.” Instead, it actually enhanced Jiang Leyi’s reputation. Now, Jiang was flooded with appointments, and her company was packaging her thoroughly, bringing in quite a bit of traffic and popularity.
In “Luanying,” the character Su Ran played, the second female lead, was a chivalrous woman who saves the male lead, eventually becoming his wife in the drama. The character was brave and loyal, valiant and sentimental, very likeable. The only tragic aspect was that the male lead didn’t love her, but she still married him, reconciling with the conflicted character after the male lead’s death for the female lead.
She appeared carefree but was still trapped by love. In the end, she let go of this attachment and found a new life for herself.
The second female character was in no way inferior to the female lead.
Yet, such a rare role ultimately went cheaply to Jiang Leyi.
And now, she found herself pregnant.
The seed in her belly belonged to Zhou Yanbai.
All her pregnancy tests had been used up without showing two lines; she thought she was safe, but an unexpected hospital check-up showed she was pregnant.
She looked at Yuan Feng, her tone pleading, “Yuan Feng, please keep this a secret for me. I can’t lose this role; it’s very important to me. This is my only chance.”
Yuan Feng looked at the back of her hand, where her veins were very apparent due to her thinness.
So frail, how could she support the blood supply for his lover?
Even if they drained Su Ran dry, they couldn’t save his darling.
“What do you plan to do with the child then?”
Su Ran’s gaze was hollow. She wasn’t sure if Zhou Yanbai had left any watchful eyes around her. She wanted to abort it; the timing of the child’s appearance was simply too inconvenient. But she feared a mad retaliation from Zhou Yanbai if he found out.
Biting her teeth, she finally made up her mind, “I’ll find an opportunity to get rid of it.”
The child couldn’t stay; she simply didn’t like Zhou Yanbai, and feared her resentment would transfer to the child if she bore it.
Yuan Feng said, “But if the abortion gets out, it will add another stain to your reputation. The internet trolls will use it as a topic to hunt you down, attacking not only your career but possibly affecting your life as well.”
Su Ran belatedly realized what he meant.
Staring blankly at Yuan Feng.
“Yuan Feng, what do you mean?”
She had already asked him to keep a secret, yet Yuan Feng kept repeating the consequences if it got out.
But right now, only the two of them knew about it.
If it got out, there was a good chance it would be Yuan Feng who leaked it.
Yuan Feng’s eyes showed helplessness, “Ranran, in fact, the person you have been donating blood to save is my lover. She’s dead now, and I don’t want to live anymore either.”
Su Ran’s pupils dilated, “Wha-, what? She is…”
She didn’t say the last two words out loud.
Yuan Feng had initially told her that the patient needing rescue was a stranger with no relation to him, just someone he was helping in a charitable act to boost his own fame and public favor.
Yuan Feng had deceived her.
And now, she was holding a huge leverage over Yuan Feng’s head, a ticking time bomb that she couldn’t help but obey.
“What do you want?”
Su Ran immediately realized that Yuan Feng was probably going to threaten her with it.
As expected, as soon as she spoke, Yuan Feng laughed.
“I want my lover to live, save her or you go to hell, Ranran, choose one.”
“But you know my current health situation, I can’t donate much blood anymore, I’ve already donated blood to her three times, even if I want her to live, I can’t save her alone.”
Su Ran broke down.
She didn’t know why everyone she met saw her as an opportunity, even the big brother Yuan Feng, whom she initially thought was kind and caring, turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, waiting for the chance to bite her.
Su Ran suddenly felt very tired.
She couldn’t do anything right, her life was already mostly destroyed.
But she was not willing, very unwilling.
She shouldn’t have become like this, the dreams in her mind seemed to become clearer, as she stood in the award hall, winning the golden trophy for Best Actress.
Yuan Feng spoke, “Who said you had to save her alone?”
Hearing Yuan Feng’s voice shattered her fantasy, she was slightly stunned, “What?”
Yuan Feng continued with a smile on his lips, “Jiang Leyi has the same blood type as you, but she has rejected my invitations three times, she might know something, I want you to find a way to get her to agree to donate blood, whether by kidnapping or threatening, it doesn’t matter, I just want the person I love to live.”
Su Ran’s expression fluctuated.
Yuan Feng stood up, his gaze fixed on her: “As compensation, I’ll keep this secret for you, and by the way, I advise not to terminate the pregnancy, the doctor said your health is not good, and there could be complications.”
Yuan Feng’s words cut off her last bit of hope.
After struggling for a while, Su Ran agreed to Yuan Feng’s proposition, “I agree to bring Jiang Leyi to you, but I hope you keep your word and keep this matter between us.”
“Relax,” Yuan Feng assured, “We will be the most understanding partners.”
After Yuan Feng left.
Su Ran was still struggling internally.
She and Jiang Leyi were neither deeply hateful enemies nor deserving of death.
Being in Yuan Feng’s hands as a blood bank was almost no different from being dead.
Originally, it was just a deception, but now with her weakness in his grasp, he would likely move to direct threats in the future because he knew she wouldn’t joke with her career.
Having fainted once, Su Ran still felt dizzy and nauseous, a sensation that caused her panic.
She could only silently apologize to Jiang Leyi in her heart.
She didn’t want this, it was others that forced her to do it.
…
Meanwhile, Jiang Leyi, who was at the Jiang Family’s dinner, had no idea that she had become the object of concern.
She thought that by blocking Yuan Feng it should have been settled.
Surely he wouldn’t shamelessly try again?
She had made her stance very clear.
At this moment, it was already seven in the evening, and the delicious dishes were on the table.
Fang Minghe had said something to Jiang Yisen, as he entered; his disheveled appearance suggested he wasn’t very happy.