A deep, bone-chilling pain...

Without the slightest hesitation, the cold instrument penetrated her lower body. Lin Yiran's legs stiffened, and her normally hanging hands abruptly grabbed the bars on both sides of the bed. A pain-filled cry slipped out of her mouth.

"Miss Lin, it's going to hurt a bit at first, please spread your legs a little more," the doctor's voice echoed in her ear.

Lin Yiran's heart pounded as she slowly complied, her cheeks flushing red. A wave of heat rushed to her face.

Her first time wasn't with her other half, but instead with this artificial insemination tube placed beneath her.

The doctor reminded her again, "Mr. Gu doesn't wish to waste time, so please cooperate, Miss Lin."

Lin Yiran closed her eyes and struggled to spread her legs, tears beginning to fall in large drops.

Would she resort to becoming a surrogate if it wasn’t for saving her future in-laws?

The Xiao family was now like a duckweed floating on water, survival hanging by a thread. Their finances had long been severed, and any further delay would only lead to bankruptcy. Xiao Muyang was her fiancé, and Lin Yiran simply couldn't stand by and watch. In secret, she had agreed to become a surrogate for an employer and signed the contract.

The contract brought a two-million-dollar order from the Gu Corporation. Although it couldn't restore the Xiao family to its former glory, it was enough to avert a bankruptcy crisis.

As long as Muyang was happy, Lin Yiran would do anything.

...

Ten months later, in the same hospital.

Lin Yiran was in a state of mental chaos, her strength completely depleted. She was awakened by the sudden cries of a baby and opened her eyes.

The nurse held in her arms a small bundle, wrinkled and tiny. This was her child.

"Congratulations! You've delivered a healthy baby boy. Listen to how loudly this little guy is crying!" The nurse bends down to gently place the baby beside Lin Yiran.

Just as Lin Yiran shifted her gaze to the baby, the door of the delivery room is abruptly flung open. A man in a business suit parades in, his face cold and unyielding. His gaze immediately fell onto the nurse, "You can hand over Miss Lin's child to us now."

A shiver runs down Lin Yiran's spine, she hadn't even had a chance to glimpse her baby yet. Startled, she asks, "What do you want?!"

The man was prepared for her reaction, reaching into his briefcase to pull out a contract. Only then did he address Lin Yiran, "Miss Lin, I'm the assistant to the president of the Gu Group. I trust you haven't forgotten the contract you signed with the Gu family. I am here today to fulfill that contract by taking this child."

Having said that, he leaned over to pick up the child. A cold shiver ran through Lin Yiran as he commented, "The child greatly resembles the president."

For Lin Yiran, time seemed to stand still. Since signing the contract to the birth of the child after ten months of pregnancy, she had been forcing herself not to get emotionally attached. However, this tiny, vulnerable life was right in front of her, a part of her flesh and blood. How could she let go so easily?

The man didn't seem to sense Lin Yiran's turmoil, trying to offer some consolation, "Miss Lin, you can rest assured. The child of our president will receive our best care."

At that moment, the delivery room door was pushed open again. Sunlight flooded in, and Lin Yiran felt a sinking feeling as if a lead weight had settled in her stomach.

The glare forced her to squint at the figure standing tall in the doorway, blending with the sunlight. Dressed in a suit, he stood there proudly. His long stride was resolute and powerful; his expression was indistinct yet conveyed a strong sense of dominance. Lin Yiran felt as if the surrounding air had solidified. She couldn't see the man's face clearly against the light...

He stopped five meters away. His voice was soft yet magnetic; it travelled through the air until it reached them, "The child?"

The assistant hurriedly presented the child, uttering only the reference, "President Gu."

So this was President Gu?

This man was the father of her child. Lin Yiran struggled to open her eyes, wanting to get a clear look at him. Even after a while, the harsh sunlight still obscured her view of the man's face.

Exhausted from the struggle, Lin Yiran let herself collapse onto the bed, her eyelids growing heavier. In the moment before darkness completely engulfed her vision, she saw the man finally cast a glance her way.

Lin Yiran had no idea how long she slept. When she woke up, she found herself in a general ward with a young nurse tidying up the room.

Lin Yiran was about to get up, arousing the nurse's attention.

The nurse hurried over to support Lin Yiran. "Miss Lin, you need to rest now. Please refrain from moving around."

Lin Yiran's heart jolted. The quiet surrounding somehow caused her inexplicable panic. It felt like she had just woken up from a dream.

"My... my..." she wanted to ask about her child.

The nurse knew what Lin Yiran was about to ask, "Your child has already been taken by President Gu. According to the contract, the child has no connection with you anymore. You should rest assured that President Gu will definitely provide the best life for the child. Also, you should not disturb them anymore, and the Gu family will fulfill what they have promised you according to the contracted date."

Lin Yiran felt her throat was dry, tears welled up but she swallowed them back, causing a throbbing pain in her throat. She couldn't utter any word. It seemed as if a part of her heart had been gouged out. The image of her soft and plump baby still lingered in her mind. She touched her belly absently. The baby that had been in her womb for ten months...she didn't even get a chance to meet him.