"I have something to show you."
Zhao Wuyan said, and rummaged through her bag, pulling out three items: a pregnancy test, a B-scan report, and a mobile phone.
"What?"
Shi Ran had no idea what she was doing.
But the moment she clearly saw the pregnancy test and the B-scan report, her mind exploded with a deafening bang, leaving her completely blank.
She stared incredulously at the pregnancy test and the B-scan report, shaking her head uncontrollably, "This, what is this?"
Although she knew instantly what these were, Shi Ran still couldn't accept it.
Even she herself didn't notice her shock and panic; her eyes were even red.
"I'm pregnant with Si Bing's child."
Zhao Wuyan pursed her red lips and told Shi Ran the 'truth'.
The words struck Shi Ran like a bolt of lightning, making her head buzz.
She mechanically shook her head, "Impossible. These things can be faked. Don't try to trick me with these."
"Shi Ran, I know you don't believe me, and I know the truth is often cruel. But I don't want you to remain in the dark."
Zhao Wuyan took out her phone and opened a recording, "Listen to this."
She played the recording. A familiar voice echoed in the quiet living room, remarkably clear.
"Shi Ran's disfigurement was caused by me, and I will definitely marry her."
This was Tang Si's voice, Shi Ran was certain.
The next sentence was Zhao Wuyan's: "Si Bing, you actually feel guilty towards Shi Ran, which is why you want to marry her, isn't it?"
Tang Si: "Yes!" His tone was firm, his attitude unquestionable.
These few sentences, a mere handful of words, plunged Shi Ran into an abyss of despair in an instant.
Pain surged into her chest, making her heart clench as if in a spasm.
She had always believed Tang Si loved her, only to discover upon his return that his desire to marry her was due to her disfigurement.
Trembling, she raised her right hand, her slender fingers touching the raised scar on her cheek. Tears instantly welled up.
So that's how it was.
So that's why.
"I wronged Si Bing back then, so as soon as he returned to the country, he got together with you to get revenge on me. Otherwise, do you really think Si Bing would like you?"
This was a cruel blow.
Zhao Wuyan's words were like salt rubbed into a wound.
Shi Ran recalled carefully; her relationship with Tang Si had indeed begun after Zhao Wuyan's return.
Thinking about it, everything was traceable.
Therefore, Zhao Wuyan's words were not without reason and could not be disbelieved.
"Twins, forty days old now."
Zhao Wuyan pushed the B-scan report towards Shi Ran, "Shi Ran, I believe you are a kind and good girl, and you won't break up our family."
She then took out a check for twenty million from her bag, "This money is for you, as compensation."
The check was placed before Shi Ran. She looked at the zeros on it and felt an inexplicable sense of ironic amusement.
Shi Ran's hand trembled as she picked up the check. Tears slid down her cheeks, dripping onto the paper.
She took a deep breath and tore the check in half, "I don't need this."
Her tear-filled eyes fixed on Zhao Wuyan, and she said coldly, "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be keeping you, Miss Zhao."
With that, Shi Ran got up and went into the bedroom.
Watching her dejected back, Zhao Wuyan raised her eyebrows, a smirk of triumph on her red lips.
"This is my contact information. Let me know when you've thought it through." Zhao Wuyan left her phone number and stood up to leave.
As the living room door was opened and then gently closed, Shi Ran collapsed against the bedroom door and began to cry.