Chapter 14 The Scheme Becomes Overt

Ling Yichen frowned and warned Qin Zheng, "I've said it before, don't set your sights on her, or don't blame me if I turn against you."

"Ah!" Qin Zheng sighed, "Such a fine 'cabbage' has been arched over by a pig."

"Stop talking nonsense, send me the video."

Ling Yichen had indeed been captivated by Shi Niannian's dancing; in a way, he had accidentally discovered her shining point.

The dancing Shi Niannian was truly beautiful; the whole person just sparkled, free from her usual caution and timidity.

Suddenly, Ling Yichen had an idea; he wanted to keep Shi Niannian all to himself for his enjoyment.

...

Half a month had passed, and Shi Niannian hadn't returned to the Shi family during this time, practicing her dancing diligently every day at school.

With Shi Xinghe away on a business trip to Country A, she hadn't returned to the Shi family and nobody was keeping tabs on her, so Shi Niannian was living very happily and meaningfully.

Unfortunately, good times are always fleeting. On Friday afternoon, Shi Niannian received a call from Mother Shi asking her to come home for the night.

Shi Niannian hung up the phone, her palms sweating already. A call specifically asking her to come home was definitely not a good sign.

She lingered at the school for a long time, but no matter how much she delayed, she had to face what was coming. Shi Niannian took a taxi home to the Shi family before dark.

Upon seeing Shi Niannian, Mother Shi smiled and pulled her into Shi Shuyao's bedroom.

"Niannian, mother has something to discuss with you today," Mother Shi said, holding Shi Niannian's hands, a look of kindness on her face.

But in Shi Niannian's eyes, this only brought a sense of panic and insecurity. She forced herself to remain calm, "Mother, what would you like to talk about?"

Mother Shi glanced at Shi Shuyao, then said earnestly, "Niannian, you've been with the Shi family for 15 years now, right? How have we treated you over the years?"

"You've been very good to me; it's my fortune to have come to this family," Shi Niannian said, uttering words against her conscience.

Mother Shi nodded satisfactorily, "Then there's something we need you to do for us, you won't refuse, will you?"

"What is it?" Shi Niannian's heart tightened, her breathing a little difficult.

Mother Shi sighed heavily, "You know about your sister's health; her heart is weak and can't withstand stress or vigorous exercise, so she cannot have children."

Mother Shi paused, then continued, "If we adopt someone else's child, we'll always be worried. You, on the other hand, have been raised by us and have an excellent character. So, could you bear a child for your sister?"

Shi Niannian's eyes widened in shock; she hadn't expected Mother Shi to be so straightforward about it, "Bear a child?"

"Yes, bear Ling Yichen's child," Mother Shi patted Shi Niannian's hand, "Don't worry, once you give birth to the child, I'll send you to Rost Dance Academy in Country A for a two-year advanced study, how's that?

Once you're pregnant, we'll protect you and won't let anyone know you've had a child. After you return from your studies, mother will introduce you to an excellent man to spend your life with."

Shi Niannian stared at Mother Shi, acting so convincingly that she almost believed it herself. She shook her head, "But that would be unfair to my sister, I can't do that with Brother Yichen."

Mother Shi gave Shi Shuyao a look, and Shi Shuyao reluctantly spoke up, "Niannian, your sister won't blame you. I just want a child."

"But," Shi Niannian lowered her head and spoke up softly in protest, "I don't want to."

"Hmph!" Upon hearing Shi Niannian's refusal, Mother Shi's face instantly turned sour, "If you don't want to, that's fine, then I will just marry you off to a backwoods ravine where many bachelors can't find wives. A beauty like you will definitely be chained up and treasured."

Shi Niannian couldn't believe her ears. The woman she had called mother for 15 years could say such malicious words.

Shi Shuyao sneered from the side, "I've even heard about families where several brothers share one woman. Just think, being cherished by so many men, I would be genuinely happy for you."

Shi Niannian was covered in cold sweat, not finding their words to be a joke at all; they were capable of such deeds.

"Mother, sister, I am willing!" Shi Niannian quickly changed her tune, fearing she'd be sent away that very day, "But what about Brother Yichen?"

Mother Shi sneered, "Haven't you two slept together already? Once you've done it once, you can do it a second time, a third time... Men love to sneak around."

Shi Niannian lifted her head, panic evident on her face, "Mom, how did you know?"

"Do you think you could have had the chance to sleep with Ling Yichen without our arrangement?"

Shi Niannian was shocked, "So it was you..."

Shi Shuyao stood up and looked down at Shi Niannian with disdain, "Enough, stop pretending to be innocent when you've had the advantage. Come out with me tomorrow."

Shi Niannian stiffly stood up and walked to the door.

"Wait," Shi Shuyao called out to her again, "Other than when it's necessary, stay away from Ling Yichen. Just be the tool you are, otherwise don't blame me for being unkind."

"Understood."

Shi Niannian opened the door and walked back to her own bedroom, where she sat on the bed like a statue, lost in thought.

She had been wondering why the Shi family thought she would agree, and now she understood—they saw her as worthless, someone they could trample underfoot at any time.

To have a child would mean death, not to have one would also mean death!

Ling Yichen! Shi Niannian's eyes moved with thought. Perhaps Ling Yichen was a way out; at least he was very fond of her body. She wondered if it was enough to bargain for her life.

...

It was Saturday, and Shi Niannian spent the entire day cooped up in her bedroom.

As evening approached, Shi Shuyao knocked on Shi Niannian's bedroom door.

Standing at the doorway, Shi Shuyao said coldly, "Get dressed and come out with me!"

Shi Niannian changed her clothes, grabbed her handbag, and followed Shi Shuyao into the car.

The car stopped in front of a high-end hotel.

Shi Shuyao led Shi Niannian to the front desk where they picked up a room card and went upstairs.

Entering the room, Shi Shuyao took out a pill and handed it to Shi Niannian, "Eat it, then strip naked and get on the bed."

Under Shi Shuyao's watch, Shi Niannian swallowed the pill.

"Take off your clothes!" Shi Shuyao ordered.

Shi Niannian stripped off all her clothes and stood there.

Shi Shuyao looked at Shi Niannian's body with envy, "Go take a shower!"

Obediently, Shi Niannian went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

About five minutes later, Shi Niannian heard the sound of the door closing. She came out of the bathroom and found that Shi Shuyao was gone, and so were her clothes.

Shi Niannian gave a bitter smile, returned to the bathroom, leaned over the toilet, and induced vomiting to expel the remains in her stomach.

After cleansing herself, she came out of the bathroom wearing the bathrobe.

Shi Niannian leaned on the edge of the bed, feeling dizzy and heavy-eyed as the pill started to take effect, and she fell asleep on the bed.

Time passed and Shi Niannian felt someone touching her; the intense sensation brought her to consciousness.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw Ling Yichen's handsome face. He smiled at her, "You're awake!"