[120] This scumbag deserves a harsh lesson.

Qin You stepped back two paces, his jaw clenched tight.

The overwhelming pressure radiating from Ji Shen, now fully unleashed, made Qin You’s legs turn to jelly. He darted a quick glance around the room; everyone’s expressions were varied, but Wen Fanhai, in particular, looked ready to tear him apart.

He found that he didn’t even dare to meet Wen Shuang’s eyes.

Qin You lowered his head. "…Yes."

No sooner had the words left his lips than a heavy punch landed square on his face.

"You animal!"

Watching that punch land, Wen Shuang felt a surge of pure satisfaction. Hit him! This scumbag deserved a brutal beating. Tang Yan was even more expressive, clapping her hands and cheering him on openly.

Qin You didn’t dare cover his face. Ji Shen’s blow had been heavy, leaving half of his face numb and the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.

He had only learned about Wen Yao’s pregnancy half a month ago. He had been shocked at the time and gave her a sum of money, telling her to go get an abortion immediately, declaring that he would never accept this child. Wen Yao had agreed verbally, but he never expected she would keep it, let alone that it would be discovered by the elders today.

"When were you two together?"

Qin You felt as though his face were burning. "…Two months ago."

That was exactly when Wen Shuang had first been admitted to the hospital!

Wen Fanhai grabbed him by the collar in a rage. "You little brat, how dare you lay a hand on my daughter!"

In truth, Qin You felt quite wronged. He had only come to the hospital to see Wen Shuang, and who knew that Wen Yao would throw herself at him, appearing so devoted and claiming she wouldn't require him to take responsibility? What man would turn away a woman who served herself up on a silver platter? They had ended up entangled. During that time, with Xia Anran in prison and Wen Shuang hospitalized, he had been in a chaotic state of mind and simply poured all his frustrations out on Wen Yao. Who could have guessed she would get pregnant?

Qin You glanced at the pathetic woman on the floor and took a deep breath. "Uncle, it’s my fault! I’m sorry!"

"Is 'sorry' enough? My daughter is already six weeks pregnant! You did her wrong, and now you must take responsibility!" Aunt Chun lunged forward, grabbing at Qin You.

The only way forward was to force Qin You to marry Wen Yao. This was the best possible outcome. Not only would they be able to climb the social ladder into the Qin family, but they would finally be able to hold their heads high.

Aunt Chun’s sharp nails scratched Qin You’s arms several times.

"I…"

He had no feelings for Wen Yao; it had only been a fling. But he couldn't say such things in front of her parents. Moreover, with Wen Yao unconscious, he had no one to corroborate his side of the story.

Qin You closed his eyes and opened them again. "Uncle, Aunt, I was wrong! I feel terrible for Yao-yao, and I am willing to pay a high compensation to make it up to her!"

"Do you think money can dismiss us? This is a living child! It’s your own flesh and blood! Besides, while the Wen family may not be as wealthy as the Qin family, we don't need to live off compensation for our daughter!" Aunt Chun shrieked. "And Yao-yao has been frail since she was a child. If she has this abortion and suffers a hemorrhage in the operating room, can you afford the cost of her life? Ah-hai and I have only one daughter; can you pay for that?"

Wen Shuang and Tang Yan saw right through it. Aunt Chun clearly had no intention of letting go of a golden son-in-law like Qin You. The two sisters exchanged a look but remained silent. The elders had already had their outbursts; they were content to just watch the show.

Qin You was speechless. He definitely did not want this child! He was still so young; he didn't want a child with a woman he didn't love.

Aunt Chun tugged at Wen Fanhai. "Husband, say something! Do you also want Yao-yao to kill this baby? You know how weak she is—she won't be able to handle it!"

Wen Fanhai looked at the unconscious Wen Yao on the floor. She was his daughter, after all, and he was a traditional man at heart. Since she was pregnant, Qin You, as the man involved, should indeed take responsibility. Otherwise, how would she ever marry in the future?

Wen Fanhai asked directly, "Qin You, I’ll ask you this: will you take responsibility for Yao-yao?"

Qin You couldn't speak. His gaze drifted involuntarily toward Wen Shuang. If only it were Wen Shuang, he would have married her without a second thought, but it was Wen Yao!

Wen Shuang frowned and turned her head away in disgust.

Ji Shen’s cold eyes swept over. "He’s asking you a question! Keep your eyes off people you shouldn't be looking at!"

Just then, the unconscious Wen Yao murmured Qin You’s name in a low voice, her tone sounding utterly sincere.

Even Tang Yan got goosebumps. "Qin You, did you hear that? Even when she’s passed out, Yao-yao’s mind is full of you. Are you still not going to take responsibility?"

If Qin You were saddled with Wen Yao, he would never come to harass Wen Shuang again!

Qin You lowered his head. "This… I have to ask my mother first."

The crowd: "..."

Great. Not only a scumbag, but a mama’s boy as well.

Wen Shuang felt incredibly fortunate that she had seen through Qin You’s true colors early on and no longer had to be entangled with him. If she had ended up with such a mama’s boy, what kind of life would she have led?

Ji Shen called Mrs. Qin.

By the time Mrs. Qin arrived, Wen Yao had begun to regain consciousness. Aunt Chun wiped her face so she wouldn't look so disheveled.

Wen Yao had been faking her faint. Upon hearing that she might be able to marry into the Qin family, her heart was filled with irrepressible joy. If she could marry into the Qin family, she would be entering high society! It seemed this child was an unexpected blessing after all.

Ji Shen, fearing Mrs. Qin wouldn't understand the situation, explained the sequence of events very concisely.

Mrs. Qin’s eyes widened immediately. "What? She’s carrying Qin You’s child?!"

She glared at Wen Yao. She remembered warning this woman strictly half a year ago not to set her sights on her son. How dare she still try to seduce him? If not for the presence of the Wen family elders, Mrs. Qin would have torn Wen Yao to pieces.

Ji Shen replied coldly, "Six weeks. Her parents are asking if Qin You will take responsibility."

Mrs. Qin was furious and slapped Qin You on the spot. "You rebellious son! I told you long ago to settle down and stop chasing wild flowers and weeds outside. Look at you—the engagement with the Xia family isn't even fully dissolved, and you're already out there messing around, getting a girl pregnant. Have you no shame?"

This remark, while seemingly a scolding of Qin You, was also a pointed insult at Wen Yao’s lack of shame.

The faces of Wen Yao and Aunt Chun turned pale simultaneously.

Qin You kept his head down, not daring to utter another word.

After scolding her son, Mrs. Qin glanced at Wen Yao on the floor with an expression of pure distaste. "Mr. and Mrs. Wen, I apologize. My son is at fault here, but our family has not yet annulled the engagement with the Xia family... This pregnancy is truly an unexpected complication, and having a child out of wedlock is not a good look. How about this: you name your price, and the Qin family will pay whatever it takes!"