Chapter 126 Let's Get Married

Qiao Wenbo returned to his office and saw Shi Qingman sitting inside as soon as he opened the door.

Upon seeing him return, Shi Qingman immediately stood up from the chair at her desk. "How was it? Did he give you any trouble?"

Qiao Wenbo smiled and put his hand on her shoulder, gently pressing her back into the chair. "Look at what you're saying. He only contacted me about work when he was traveling. Why would he make things difficult for me if there was nothing wrong with him?"

As he spoke, he took off his coat and hung it on a hanger to the side.

"Only you are kind and generous, seeing everyone as a good person." Shi Qingman said with a long face, "He dragged you into this, he didn't have good intentions to begin with, he's deliberately targeting me."

Qiao Wenbo smiled and shook his head, opened a thermos on the table and handed it to Shi Qingman, saying gently,

“He’s your brother, don’t always have such a big prejudice against him.”

"It's rare for you to return from a long trip. You two siblings should get along well from now on."

Upon hearing this, Shi Qingman's expression changed instantly, and she pushed the thermos away. "Me, reconcile with him? Never. Unless he can give my mother back to me."

"Look at you, you get angry as soon as you mention this."

Qiao Wenbo pulled up a chair and sat down next to her, speaking softly, "I know it's hard for you to let go of Aunt Shi's departure, but Qingman, you're only trapping yourself like this, do you know that?"

He held Shi Qingman's hand and said, "Do you know how painful it is for me to see you like this every time?"

Shi Qingman's pupils trembled. Meeting Qiao Wenbo's distressed gaze, she lowered her eyes with a hint of guilt, "I'm sorry..."

"Fool, why are you apologizing to me?"

Qiao Wenbo touched the top of her head, then took the thermos and handed it to her again, his gaze sincere, "I just hope you can be happy."

Shi Qingman, who is usually a strong woman in front of others, only showed a shy demeanor in front of Qiao Wenbo. She softly hummed in agreement, then took his cup and took a sip of tea.

"And you, don't always think about work," Qiao Wenbo said. "It's a holiday today, and the weather is nice. Shall I go for a walk with you later?"

“Okay,” Shi Qingman replied happily.

"Wait for me a moment. I'll leave as soon as I finish my work."

“Okay.” Shi Qingman quickly got up, gave him back the desk, and then took her thermos and sat on the sofa to wait.

Qiao Wenbo turned on his computer and immediately got to work.

About half an hour later, a "crash" sound came from the sofa. Qiao Wenbo looked up and saw that Shi Qingman's thermos cup had fallen to the ground, and she was clutching her stomach in pain.

"Qingman, what's wrong?"

Qiao Wenbo quickly got up and went over to help her.

"I have a stomach ache."

"How could this happen? Don't be afraid, I'll take you to the hospital now."

As he spoke, Qiao Wenbo picked the person up and strode out.

*

In the hospital, by the bedside, the doctor glanced at Shi Qingman lying on the bed and said to Qiao Wenbo beside him,

"It's not advisable to drink such strong tea in early pregnancy, but fortunately I didn't drink much, so it didn't have much of an impact. However, I should still pay attention to my diet in the future."

Upon hearing this, Shi Qingman, who had just sat up in bed, suddenly changed her expression and looked at the doctor in shock, "What did you say? You said... I'm pregnant?"

"Yes, four weeks pregnant," the doctor said. "You'll need to stay for an hour for observation. You can leave only if everything is alright."

After giving some instructions, the doctor left the ward.

Qiao Wenbo looked at Shi Qingman, whose face was blank and pale, and sat down on the edge of the bed. He asked worriedly, "Qingman, is there anything else that's bothering you?"

Shi Qingman suddenly grabbed his arm, "Wenbo, this, this is impossible. We've been using protection all along, how could I be pregnant? The hospital must have made a mistake. No, I have to have the doctor do another checkup..."

She excitedly tried to get up from the bed, but Qiao Wenbo quickly supported her, saying, "Qingman, Qingman, calm down."

“I’ve confirmed with the doctor several times.” He looked at her, his gaze gentle yet filled with undisguised joy. “You are indeed pregnant.”

“This…how is this possible?” Shi Qingman shook her head again.

“Taking measures is not 100% effective.”

As Qiao Wenbo looked at Shi Qingman's face, the light in his eyes dimmed little by little. "Manman, is it... that you really don't want to have my child?"

Shi Qingman snapped out of her daze and quickly explained, "No, Wenbo, you know that's not what I meant. I, I just think... it's not the right time yet."

"The baby is here, and that's the perfect time." Qiao Wenbo held her hand tightly. "Manman, let's get married."

Shi Qingman avoided his longing eyes, gently pulling her hand away.

“Wenbo, we agreed before that we would get married after I secured my position as the heir to the Shi family. Now that Shi Yuanxing is back, and he's competing with us, I can't afford to…”

"Why not?"

Qiao Wenbo interrupted her, somewhat agitated, "Yuanxing is already married, you're his sister, why can't we get married?"

It was rare to see him lose control of his emotions like this, and Shi Qingman stared at him in a daze.

Qiao Wenbo realized he had overreacted and quickly calmed down, holding her shoulders. "Manman, I know you are career-oriented, and I know that all your efforts and sacrifices over the years have been for the purpose of inheriting the family business, but... even without Yuanxing, Uncle Shi is still in his prime. Does that mean we won't get married until Uncle Shi relinquishes power?"

Shi Qingman fell silent.

She didn't know when her father would relinquish power, but now Shi Yuanxing's abilities and reputation in the group were growing, and she knew that, at least for now, she couldn't let the delays in her pregnancy and marriage weaken her position in the company.

If we get married at this crucial moment, what's the difference between that and handing the group over to Shi Yuanxing?

Wouldn't all her efforts over the years have been for naught?

No, she couldn't accept this ending.

“Wenbo, we’ve worked so hard for so many years, we can’t give up so easily.” Shi Qingman looked at him, took a deep breath, and said resolutely, “At least for now, we can’t have a child. This child… must be aborted.”

Qiao Wenbo looked at her, gave a disappointed and self-deprecating bitter smile, "Am I... that unimportant to you?"

Shi Qingman was startled and quickly shook her head, "No, Wenbo, I love you, it's just... this child really came at the wrong time."

“But we’re married and have children, and you can still pursue your career. There’s no conflict between us, and I’ll always be there for you and support you.”

Qiao Wenbo stroked her face, "Manman, please don't be so cruel to me."

Shi Qingman's pupils trembled, and she turned her face away with difficulty, her voice slightly choked, "Wenbo, please don't force me, okay?"