Chapter 4: In Search of Fatherly Love?

Yan Xuan’s advice was undeniably sound. Even if Fang Lian had proactively returned that day to explain everything clearly to School Doctor Zhao, even explicitly stating that she was still a pure young lady, gossip inevitably spread from every corner.

The news of a freshman, a campus beauty, getting pregnant by a senior instantly became the hottest topic among all the teachers and students, dominating the school forum.

Yan Xuan found this deeply troubling.

Not only did he have to endure countless strange glances daily, but even the counselor approached him repeatedly for talks, and it took tremendous effort to clarify the situation.

It was the third day of military training for freshmen. After class, Yan Xuan went to the edge of the playground to wait. Fang Lian, marching in place, immediately spotted him, excitedly winking at him, which drew a scolding from the instructor.

As soon as the dismissal order was given, the freshmen scattered in all directions. Fang Lian quickly approached Yan Xuan, and along the way, several boys stepped forward to offer her water, a scene that made Yan Xuan both amused and exasperated.

Without the recent rumors, the number would probably have been even greater.

Fang Lian politely declined their offers, but when she reached Yan Xuan, she didn’t hesitate to snatch the half-finished bottle of mineral water from his hand and gulped it down.

A few drops of fragrant sweat trickled down her fair neck, passed over her delicate collarbone, and finally disappeared into the deep valley concealed by her military uniform.

Feeling the envious and jealous gazes burning around them, Yan Xuan smiled wryly and asked, “Why did you call me here?”

“Phew...” Fang Lian set down the bottle and exhaled a long breath, “I want my godfather to come with me to the hospital. I’m new to Nanjiang City and not familiar with the place yet.”

“Aren’t you troubled enough already?”

Yan Xuan was under so much scrutiny just from seeing her that he dared not accompany her to the hospital. If they were accidentally spotted, the rumors would only grow more outrageous.

Fang Lian lowered her head, gently caressing her lower abdomen, her voice wistful and sorrowful. “Baby, it feels like daddy doesn’t want us anymore...”

“If there’s nothing wrong, I’m leaving first.”

“Hey, hey, hey...” Fang Lian hurriedly grabbed Yan Xuan’s arm, smiling apologetically. “Just joking, godfather. Don’t take me seriously.”

Yan Xuan was speechless. Now he only regretted not trying to temper Fang Lian’s shameless personality.

“Why are you going to the hospital?”

“I’ve been feeling unwell lately—dizzy every day, always nauseous. Godfather, do you think I have some terminal illness?”

“No.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Don’t scare yourself. If you really feel bad, just take a couple of days off to rest.”

“I wouldn’t dare take leave now.”

The rumors had impacted Fang Lian as well. If she took leave from military training now, it would only confirm her ‘pregnant’ label.

Seeing Fang Lian’s troubled expression, Yan Xuan suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. He hadn’t expected that the changes to her persona would have such a serious physical side effect.

“Let’s go out for lunch. My treat.”

Yan Xuan turned to leave, and Fang Lian eagerly followed.

---

“No need, godfather. The cafeteria is fine; let’s split the bill.”

“You’ll have plenty of time to eat cafeteria food over four years. I want to help you get familiar with the campus surroundings.”

“Hehe, godfather, you’re so kind. Thank you!”

Fang Lian still called him “godfather” so naturally that Yan Xuan was puzzled. Could it be that she just said it out of habit?

Just as they stepped out of the school gate, a voice called out.

“Fang Lian!”

The moment Fang Lian heard the voice, her nerves tightened, and her expression darkened.

Yan Xuan turned to see a young man standing by a Maybach, holding a bouquet of roses, his gaze toward Fang Lian burning with naked desire.

“Who is that?”

“Sun Kai, a high school admirer... godfather, wait here. I can handle this myself.”

Fang Lian had intended to call him a sycophant, but after some ideological editing, the app forced her to soften the term to maintain basic respect.

She walked slowly to Sun Kai, frowning. “Sun Kai, don’t you have military training? Why are you here at my school?”

“Of course, I came to see you, Xiao Lian! Here!”

Sun Kai handed over the roses, causing Fang Lian to step back half a pace, increasing the distance between them.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Lian? Don’t you like it?”

“Sun Kai, if you have something to say, say it. If not, I still have lunch to eat.”

“I do have something! I’ve got great news for you!”

Sun Kai’s face lit up with excitement. “My dad died, and now I’ve inherited everything. I can spend it however I want—he can’t control me anymore! Xiao Lian, whatever you want, I can buy it for you now!”

Fang Lian’s lips twitched slightly, unsure how to respond to this so-called filial son.

“Xiao Lian, don’t you like Chanel? I’ll take you to their counter right now. You can pick any new or old styles. If that’s not enough, we can even go to Europe to shop!”

A surge of nausea rose again in Fang Lian’s chest.

“Sun Kai, stop talking.”

Covering her chest with one hand, Fang Lian struggled to keep composed, her face extremely unpleasant. But Sun Kai was lost in his own world, babbling on.

“I also want to get you a car, so meeting up will be easier. What brand do you want? BMW? Mercedes? Audi?”

“I told you to stop! Are you deaf?”

Unable to suppress her emotions any longer, Fang Lian suddenly shouted and slapped the bouquet from Sun Kai’s hands.

Gasping for breath, she didn’t hide her disgust. “Sun Kai, if your dad’s dead, go mourn at the funeral home. Don’t wander in front of me, and don’t use your filthy money to disgust me!”

“Xiao Lian…”

“Don’t call me that. We have nothing to do with each other!”

---

“But…”

“Get lost!”

“Xiao Lian... who are you anyway?”

Just as Sun Kai tried to say more, Yan Xuan stepped forward, blocking the space between him and Fang Lian.

Yan Xuan warned, “If you keep harassing my schoolmate, I’ll call security.”

“Godfather…”

Hiding behind Yan Xuan, Fang Lian was momentarily stunned, even calling out to him in front of others.

In an instant, Sun Kai’s face turned ashen; his love turned to hatred in a flash.

“Don’t pretend to be all high and mighty! You’re just like your mom—a cheap woman who sells herself for money. So you found yourself a sugar daddy, huh?”

Sun Kai became hysterical. “What? You bastard without a father, so desperate to find a godfather?”

Before he finished, Yan Xuan’s hand was already gripping his neck firmly, pressing him against the Maybach’s door with slight force.

“You… you…”

Sun Kai struggled for breath, unable to speak.

Yan Xuan bent close to his ear and whispered softly, “Make another scene and I’ll send you to jail for a few days. Or how about a hospital stay for half a year? Believe me.”

Releasing him, Yan Xuan stepped back, looking down as Sun Kai slumped to the ground, gasping heavily.

Violence is never the wisest choice, but often the simplest and most effective.

Especially with cowards like Sun Kai, who can’t take even a little intimidation.

“You… just you wait…”

Though he couldn’t even meet Yan Xuan’s gaze, Sun Kai showed no sign of surrender. After uttering a harsh threat, he turned and climbed into his Maybach, driving away.

“Godfather, I’m going back to the dorm to rest now. We still have military training this afternoon. I’ll eat with you tonight.”

The nausea brought on by Sun Kai had completely spoiled Fang Lian’s appetite.

“You’ve lost your appetite so quickly?”

Yan Xuan was puzzled. The rampant rumors on campus hadn’t shaken Fang Lian, so why did a few meaningless curses from Sun Kai affect her so deeply?

A bastard without a father?

Connecting the dots with how Fang Lian addressed him, Yan Xuan seemed to understand something.

A woman who grew up without a father wouldn’t be seeking fatherly love from him, would she?