Secretary Zhan’s tears poured down instantly. She said in disbelief, "Mr. Shu, no, I’ll never dare again. The child is yours too. Weren’t you happy about having a child late in life? Why, why do you not want this child anymore? Is it because Susu, did she say anything to you? Did she complain to you beforehand? I’ll go apologize to her right now, I’ll kneel before her, as long as she lets me and my unborn child go!"
Shu Zhongze glanced at her with a stern expression. It seemed she still didn’t understand that some things were not for her to foolishly covet. He gently stroked her head and said, "It’s good that you think this way. There’s no need to kneel to her, after all, you are still carrying the child."
Saying this, he rolled down the car window and beckoned to the driver standing outside, making a gesture to signal him to get in the car.
Secretary Zhan thought that by showing weakness, he would no longer blame her. She wiped away her tears and leaned into his embrace, saying, "I will still apologize to Susu when I get the chance. I shouldn’t have linked her pushing me to my discomfort. It’s also my fault for being too anxious about this child."
Shu Zhongze gently held her, saying nothing more. She inadvertently saw the road ahead as they drove past and realized it wasn't the direction of the Shu family mansion.
"Mr. Shu, where are we going now?"
"To the suburban villa. We'll spend the night there today. I like the quiet there," Shu Zhongze said, pulling her closer.
Secretary Zhan echoed, "I like it there too. The time when it was just you and me there was so good."
Shu Zhongze grunted. Thinking about how Susu, despite being pregnant, was still helping him reclaim the Shu Corporation while he was hiding in the suburban villa, and Qin Tianyi… he hadn’t expected Qin Tianyi to make such a great sacrifice for Susu’s safety.
No matter how he looked at it, the couple was the most suitable to inherit the Shu Corporation. If he wanted the Shu Corporation’s century-old foundation to continue, he couldn’t make any more foolish mistakes.
Even if Zhan Jiayi gave birth to a son, it would take at least twenty more years for the child to reach adulthood. Moreover, he might not even be in this world after twenty years. How could he guarantee that an unborn child could manage the Shu Corporation well?
"Yes, the suburban villa is indeed a good place," Shu Zhongze said, gently stroking one of her arms. "Don't worry, I will give you everything you want there."
Zhan Jiayi’s face once again showed a smug smile. No matter how much Gu Susu could stir up trouble, she couldn’t compare to her carrying Shu Zhongze’s child.
…
After Susu and Xiao Anjing consulted with the top lawyer, they spent almost the entire night reviewing legal clauses related to the matter. It was indeed as Su Kangxi had said.
Without special authorization from the police, or being deemed a murderer, even the most formidable lawyer would be useless. Imprisonment would be unavoidable.
Susu only managed to doze off at her computer as dawn approached. She had promised to work with the lawyer that day to see if they could help Tianyi with bail procedures.
She hadn't slept much before she was completely awake. Just as she was about to wash up and change, her phone suddenly rang.
Who would call her so early? She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Shu Zhongze.
"Hello, Mr. Shu, good morning."
"Good morning to you too," Shu Zhongze asked with concern, "Was the item I gave you the other day useful?"
"Yes, it made Lu Yuanhong so angry that he had a heart attack at the time," Susu said. "By the way, I came to see you the other day too. I originally wanted to thank you in person, but you weren’t home. Secretary Zhan enthusiastically wanted me to stay longer, but I really had something to do. Is she alright?"
Shu Zhongze said dismissively, "Oh, she mentioned that to me. Did you come to see me for something else?"
Susu felt it wasn't appropriate to discuss this over the phone. Moreover, she had calmed down. If she told Shu Zhongze the truth of the past, could he bear it?
His heart wasn't in great condition either. Let’s forget it. This matter would have to be planned carefully after Jia Nanfang was apprehended.
"No, nothing special."
Shu Zhongze always felt she had something she was unwilling to say and asked, "If you need any help, just ask. As long as I can do it, I will definitely help you."
"Thank you, really, there’s nothing," Susu said. "I know about you and Secretary Zhan. Congratulations."
"This, this is nothing worth mentioning," Shu Zhongze said in a gentle tone. "Never mind, let’s not talk about this. Come to the mansion often when you have time. Treat this place as your own home."
Susu didn’t continue the topic with him and asked, "Why haven’t you taken back the Shu Corporation shares? Don’t leave them under my name anymore. I’m afraid it will cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
"What misunderstandings? What is there to misunderstand?" Shu Zhongze said. "I’ve already made a will stating that you are the future heir of the Shu Corporation. What’s wrong with leaving the shares under your name for now? It saves the hassle of transferring them back and forth."
"Mr. Shu, when the will was made, the Shu Corporation was in crisis. Now that the crisis has been resolved, I really don’t want to fight with your children. Please don’t drag me into it again…"
Shu Zhongze interrupted her, his tone firm, "For you, there’s no such thing as fighting. I’ve already made a will with the lawyer. Those who want to fight can’t compete with me. You don’t need to worry about these things. Since I said I would make you the heir, I will clear all obstacles for you."
Susu felt she couldn’t communicate with him and said with more emphasis, "Mr. Shu, you don’t lack heirs. Why do you insist on pulling me in? Secretary Zhan is pregnant. If you think no one else is suitable, isn’t there still a hope?"
Shu Zhongze also said very seriously, "Since I’m optimistic about you, I’m definitely not wrong. This time, you and Tianyi saved the Shu Corporation. It’s what you deserve, so don’t nag me anymore."
"Mr. Shu, please don’t force me…"
"Can you call me Dad? Just once," Shu Zhongze said abruptly.
Susu froze with the phone in her hand, her mouth slightly open, still unable to utter the words.
Shu Zhongze no longer held out hope for her forgiveness and said, "Forget it, I never said anything. Since you tore out a few pages from that diary for Lu Yuanhong, you must have read the entire diary, right? You should know that although the Shu Corporation has a history of a hundred years, it has always been supported through hardships. My parents sacrificed too much for it; it contains the efforts of their entire lives. As my daughter, you shouldn’t refuse anymore. Zhan Jiayi’s wish to inherit the Shu Corporation with her unborn child is a foolish fantasy. You don’t need to care about what she said. In short, I am entrusting the Shu Corporation to you and Qin Tianyi. You must ensure the Shu Corporation thrives and eventually pass it on to one of my grandsons. Do you hear me?"
Susu felt something suddenly block her throat, letting out a nasal sound, and her eyes instantly turned red.
"If you have nothing else, I’ll hang up. When Qin Tianyi is alright, remember to bring my grandsons to the mansion often," Shu Zhongze said and hung up. He touched the corner of his eye and found it was teary.