Chapter Ninety-Nine: Miscarriage

Shen Tingxiao's brows lifted slightly in surprise as he asked, "What if that old lady asks you to find a solution? What would you do then?" Jiang Yunzhu's gaze fell on Shen Tingxiao, sensing that he was deliberately probing her stance.

She gave a helpless smile. "All I could do is try to help raise the money. He is my uncle; we've lived together since I was little. Besides, they have been kind to me. I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Shen Tingxiao's expression darkened, clearly dissatisfied with her answer.

"If you intend to raise money, just tell me directly."

"No, I can't. This isn't for myself. Shen Ruizhang got himself into this mess. I can help him raise funds, but I don't want to ask you for it."

The relationship between Shen Ruizhang and Shen Tingxiao was already strained. If there was another connection between them, Shen Ruizhang would not be able to bear it. Jiang Yunzhu knew her uncle’s temper well.

Shen Tingxiao pressed his lips together, visibly displeased.

"So you’re saying this just for Shen Ruizhang’s pride. Well, no matter what foolish thing he does, you still worry about saving his face."

Jiang Yunzhu was at a loss for words. "You know that’s not what I mean!"

But Shen Tingxiao remained unhappy, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Fine, I’ll pretend you never thought that way."

The atmosphere instantly grew cold. Jiang Yunzhu hadn’t slept a wink all night and was only barely holding herself together.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of her phone cut through the tension.

Jiang Yunzhu quickly answered it. As she listened, delight spread across her face, sweeping away all traces of exhaustion.

Shen Tingxiao was surprised by how quickly she could change her expression.

"What’s made you so happy?" he asked gently after she hung up.

Jiang Yunzhu didn’t explain directly. "Let’s go out for dinner tonight. My treat."

The gloom on Shen Tingxiao’s face instantly faded.

"Alright, you pick the place. I’ll come get you tonight."

"No, I’ll come pick you up."

A hint of a smile played at Shen Tingxiao’s lips as he murmured his assent.

Jiang Yunzhu hadn’t expected such a dramatic turn of events. The company’s sudden profit had rescued her from her predicament. After calculating, the company’s earnings plus the reward from the group competition, with a bit more from her own pocket, would be just enough.

Once she had balanced the accounts, Jiang Yunzhu waited outside the police station for Shen Ruizhang.

In just two or three days, Shen Ruizhang seemed much more haggard.

"Zhouzhou."

Jiang Yunzhu looked him over and said, "Go home, take a good shower, then visit Grandma. She’s very worried about you."

Shen Ruizhang nodded. "I know. I’ll go see Mom in a bit. By the way, you covered the company’s deficit, didn’t you?"

Jiang Yunzhu didn’t try to hide it. "Yes, Uncle. This time you really need to learn your lesson. The company staff needs a thorough cleaning. If people keep using project funds for their own desires, no one can save you next time!"

Shen Ruizhang knew she meant well. He nodded again. "I know. I won’t show them mercy this time."

Jiang Yunzhu gave a brief acknowledgment and turned to leave, but Shen Ruizhang quickly called after her.

"Zhouzhou, aren’t you going with me to see Mom?"

"No, I have other matters today. I really can’t spare the time."

Shen Ruizhang looked at her, then nodded. "Alright, go take care of your business."

Without a word of unnecessary explanation, Jiang Yunzhu turned and left.

After being released, Shen Ruizhang returned home to freshen up before heading to the hospital. On the way, he finally looked at his phone for the first time in ages—and his face changed dramatically.

"Turn around!" he shouted at the driver, startling him into immediately changing direction.

When they arrived at the place where Zhou Qingfei was being held, Shen Ruizhang saw her lying on the bed, thin and pale, her body frail.

Seeing her in this state, his heart softened despite himself.

In a gentle voice, he called out her name.

Zhou Qingfei, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, turned her head instantly at the sound. When she saw it was Shen Ruizhang, her eyes lit up.

She hurried off the bed and rushed to the door.

"Ah Rui! Are you here to take me away?"

She gripped the iron bars tightly, her eyes fixed on him.

"How is your health?"

Shen Ruizhang didn’t answer her question, his gaze falling to her abdomen. It looked emptier, even more fragile than before.

Zhou Qingfei bit her lip. "Ah Rui, I can’t stand it here anymore. Please take me away. I was wrong, truly! I’ll admit my mistakes, I’ll kneel before Jiang Yunzhu and beg for her forgiveness."

Her voice was pitiful as she pleaded, "If you keep me locked up here, I’ll go mad. Ah Rui, I beg you, I was carrying your child. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?"

Tears streamed down her face. Shen Ruizhang’s lips parted, his heart aching.

"But you made mistakes—not all wrongs can be so easily forgiven, especially when human life is involved."

Hearing him speak up for Jiang Yunzhu, Zhou Qingfei’s hatred boiled over.

Her hand instinctively covered her abdomen, her face awash with fear.

Shen Ruizhang felt deeply unsettled. "What is it? Are you feeling unwell?"

With a look of grievance, Zhou Qingfei gazed at him. "Ah Rui, I really know I was wrong. Maybe I did want to kill him, but in the end I didn’t succeed. But she made it so our child could never be born. Isn’t our child’s life worth anything?"

Shen Ruizhang’s pupils contracted sharply. "You…you really miscarried?"

Zhou Qingfei burst into tears.

"I’m in so much pain, Ah Rui. I can feel it so clearly—how the little life inside me just slipped away. I’ll never be a mother now."

Shen Ruizhang’s brows knotted tightly, his heart heavy.

"What did she do to you?"

Zhou Qingfei hung her head, hiding the hatred in her eyes, and answered weakly, "Don’t ask. Maybe this is my punishment. I realize how wrong I was. I don’t want to go back inside."

Gritting his teeth, Shen Ruizhang still defended Jiang Yunzhu. "She’s not like that."

Zhou Qingfei sneered. "But she caused my miscarriage! She made me lose the chance to be a mother. Ah Rui, I love you! You loved me too, didn’t you? If it hadn’t been for Jiang Yunzhu interfering, we would have had the life you always talked about."

Her words drew Shen Ruizhang into memories of the past, filling him with even more guilt toward her. Yet, thinking of her deception, he could not help but feel both hatred and regret.