Chapter 56: The "Birth-Inducing" Incident (Part 2)
This familiar vibration was like a switch, instantly breaking the stalemate between the two people that was filled with smoke and tears!
Zhao Chen's kiss on Yu Ling's lips suddenly stopped! He raised his head, his sharp eyes darting towards the sofa like a hawk! When he saw the name "Mother" flashing on the screen, the complex emotions surging in his eyes were instantly replaced by a cold wariness and a subtle irritation!
Yu Ling, drawn back to reality by the sudden interruption, glanced at the phone on the sofa through tearful eyes. The word "mother" on the screen made her heart tighten! Zhao Chen's mother? The mysterious "mother-in-law" who had never appeared, only in the phone call played by the "housekeeper"?
Zhao Chen took a deep breath, forcing down all the turmoil in his eyes. His expression quickly shifted to a gentle, stiffly respectful expression. He released the hand that was restraining Yu Ling and even, with a perfectly natural touch, straightened her wrinkled collar. His gesture was soothing, and his voice returned to a steady tone. "Lingling, don't let your imagination run wild. Wait a moment," he whispered, then strode over to the sofa, picked up his phone, and swiped the answer button.
He didn't turn on the hands-free mode, but just put the phone to his ear, his voice was formulaically gentle and distant: "Mother."
A middle-aged woman's voice immediately came from the other end of the line. Her tone was extremely precise, carrying the unique grace of a noble lady, unquestionable authority, and a touch of just the right amount of rigidity. The voice faintly came through the receiver and floated clearly into Yu Ling's ears:
"Chen'er, are you busy? I hope I didn't disturb you and Yu Ling's rest." His tone seemed concerned, but in fact it was a condescending scrutiny.
"No, mother." Zhao Chen answered flawlessly.
"That's good." The "mother" on the other end of the phone paused, her voice suddenly turning cold, with a commanding tone, "What have you thought about what I told you last time? You and Yu Ling have been married for almost a year, it's time to have a child. The Zhao family needs an heir, it's your responsibility! Your grandfather has been asking about it too! We can't put it off any longer!"
Indulge! Indulge again! And the tone was so direct, so cold, and so full of pressure that it left no room for argument!
Yu Ling's heart sank instantly! A huge pressure and a sense of humiliation of being objectified instantly gripped her! She subconsciously looked at Zhao Chen, her eyes filled with helplessness and resistance.
Zhao Chen's back was to her, and his fingers gripping the phone tightened imperceptibly, his knuckles turning white. He was silent for two seconds. His voice remained steady and gentle, yet with an undeniable firmness that clearly reached the other person through the receiver, and also reached Yu Ling's ears:
"Mother, Lingling and I have our own plans regarding the child. Now is not the right time. Lingling's career is on the rise, and her health needs to be recuperated. I understand my responsibilities as the heir to the Zhao family, but please respect Lingling and my decision on this matter."
His refusal was clear and forceful, without any hesitation!
The person on the other end of the line seemed to have not expected him to contradict her so directly. There was silence for a few seconds, and then a cold snort of obvious displeasure came: "Plan? What plan can be more important than expanding the Zhao family? Work? What's her job?! Chen'er, are you spoiling her too much? A woman's duty after marriage is to take care of her husband and children! You..."
"Mother!" Zhao Chen's voice suddenly rose, interrupting the other party's harsh reprimand. His tone still maintained superficial respect, but with an icy edge. "Lingling is my wife. She has her own career pursuits and life values. I respect and support all her choices. Taking care of the husband and children is not her 'duty', but our common choice. As for when to have children, this is a private matter between Lingling and me. Please don't bother Lingling about this matter anymore. If grandpa asks, I will explain to him in person." His words were decisive, with an inviolable aura of protecting his calf!
The other end of the line fell into complete silence. Through the receiver, one could almost sense the other person's choked anger and disbelief. After several seconds, a voice, suppressed with anger, rang out: "...Okay! Okay! You've grown too powerful! I can't control you anymore! You're on your own!" The phone was hung up!
Beep-beep-a busy tone sounded.
Zhao Chen held the phone and stood there for a few seconds before the cold aura emanating from his body slowly subsided.
He turned around, and the rigid respect on his face faded away in an instant, replaced by the gentleness he showed when facing her, but there was still a trace of irritation and fatigue in the depths of his eyes.
He strode back to Yu Ling, ignoring the remaining tear marks on her face and the complicated look in her eyes, and naturally embraced her again in his arms, his movements carrying an irresistible force and a hint of fear.
"Don't be afraid, Lingling." His low voice sounded above her head, with a soothing magnetism, "I said, no one can put pressure on you, no one can hurt you. Including the so-called family." He bit the three words "so-called" lightly, but with a cold sarcasm.
Yu Ling was held tightly in his arms, her face pressed against his warm chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat. The suffocating feeling brought on by the cold pressure of giving birth and the harsh "duty theory" on the phone earlier was miraculously dispelled by his unhesitating and powerful defense.
An unprecedented sense of security and warmth, of being firmly protected, instantly washed over me! The cold anger and sharp doubts brought on by the photo seemed to be temporarily diluted and suppressed by this powerful shelter.
She could even clearly feel the heart beneath his chest beating for her, standing firm against the "family" for her! This true and powerful protection was more powerful than any explanation or promise!
Her stiff body softened little by little in his arms, and her tense nerves slowly relaxed.
She didn't push him away again. Instead, she closed her eyes and buried her face deeper into the warm crook of his neck, greedily absorbing the comforting warmth and strength. Gu Qianqian's bright smile and affectionate inscription in the photo seemed distant and blurred at that moment. She chose to indulge in this tangible, powerful protection, even if its foundation was still built on quicksand.
Zhao Chen felt her body relax and lean in, his tense jawline finally relaxing slightly. He lowered his head, his warm lips resting lightly on her slightly cool forehead, a touch of cherishment and unquestionable possessiveness. Then, he slowly moved down, kissing her trembling eyelashes, her tear-stained cheeks, and finally, with an almost predatory eagerness and intense emotion, he pressed a heavy kiss against her slightly parted lips!
This kiss no longer held the soothing feeling from before, but instead was filled with the domineering assertion of sovereignty and the frenzy of a survivor! His arms tightened, as if he wanted to rub her into his flesh and blood! His tongue forcefully pried open her teeth, conquering them with an undeniable force and a nearly panicked demand!
Yu Ling was caught off guard by his sudden, aggressive kiss, her mind going blank! Her body instinctively tried to resist, but he held her tighter in his arms. His hot breath, his aggressive grasping, the force in his arms that threatened to strangle her... all of this carried a suffocating sense of control and a strange, utterly enervating power that made her feel limp!
Photos, Gu Qianqian, Stanford, the call urging him to have a baby... all the doubts, fears, and anger were turned upside down in this turbulent kiss that was full of punishment and possession, and eventually turned into a chaotic and sinking fog.
She gave up thinking and struggling, allowing herself to sink into this dizzying deep sea woven together by lies and powerful protection.
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