A Fatal Attraction from Lawyer A - Chapter 66

Galaxy Group Headquarters —

The automatic doors slid open as Luo Panzhi, dressed in a sharp silver-gray suit, strode in with a cold, stern expression. He looked as if he were draped in a layer of frost; damp patches from melted snowflakes lingered on his shoulders. A trail of assistants and managers followed closely in his wake.

The receptionists, seeing the young CEO return from his week-long business trip, quickly adjusted their makeup and stood up with professional smiles. “Good afternoon, Mr. Luo.”

Luo Panzhi gave a curt nod. “Good afternoon. Have you all had lunch?”

“Yes, we have,” they replied in unison.

“Good. Carry on with your break.”

“Mr. Luo, the genetic sample testing for the secondary differentiation cases has passed the liquid-phase capture phase. We can begin building the data library next month.” Walking beside him was a researcher from the institute who had rushed over the moment he heard Luo Panzhi was back from Africa to report the last two months of progress.

Luo Panzhi gave an affirmative “Mhm.” As Xu Wen pressed the elevator button, Luo seemed lost in thought. “What is the status of the random genetic screening?”

“Out of a thousand randomly sampled individuals, three were found to have genetic defects related to secondary differentiation. However, this is statistically insignificant; we need further sampling.”

“Make sure they are filed in the database. And the progress on the new drug?” Luo Panzhi stepped into the elevator.

“Still in the testing phase.”

Because they weren’t taking the private executive lift, the elevator stopped at the twelfth floor—the Legal Department. As the doors slid open, a familiar figure came into view, and Luo’s cold expression softened instantly.

It was Gu Yuqi, wearing a camel-colored double-faced wool coat over a high-neck sweater.

Between international conferences and oversight committee duties, Luo hadn’t been able to hold Gu for five days.

Gu Yuqi was currently flanked by staff from the business department, clearly providing counsel on some legal matters.

“…Ahem, I will explain the situation to Mr. Luo. Relax, there’s no need to be so nervous,” Gu Yuqi was saying, punctuated by a light cough, as he patiently advised his colleagues.

As he finished his sentence, he turned to see Luo Panzhi standing in the elevator. He froze for a second, a ripple of warmth spreading through his eyes.

The two locked eyes for a brief moment.

Xu Wen, seeing Gu Yuqi outside, expertly stepped aside to leave the spot next to the CEO vacant. “Which floor, Lawyer Gu?”

Gu Yuqi stepped into the elevator with a smile. “Twentieth, please.”

The twentieth floor was the CEO’s executive suite.

The doors slid shut.

Standing side-by-side, they both gazed at the reflection in the polished elevator doors. Their hands, hanging at their sides, brushed against each other. The warmth of skin and the cool touch of their rings melted into a silent, shared understanding.

They were telling each other how much they had been missed.

Though they were married, within the company walls and in front of other staff, they maintained their professional roles and boundaries.

“What did the business department want?” Luo Panzhi asked. He watched Gu’s reflection, wondering if he had eaten properly during the trip. He had caught that cough earlier—was he coming down with a cold?

“MF International failed to settle their payments on time. Business reminded them a week before the deadline, but it’s now nearly two months overdue. Even after charging late fees according to the trade terms, they still haven’t paid. The department came to ask how to proceed. I thought I’d wait for your return to brief you and ask for instructions.” Gu Yuqi felt his throat tighten again and gave another soft cough.

Luo Panzhi’s face suddenly darkened.

Xu Wen silently shuffled further into the corner. When the young boss’s face went black like that, it felt like a blizzard was coming. It seemed MF International was about to be blacklisted by Galaxy Group.

“Did you kick your blankets off last night?”

Xu Wen: “…??” The managers behind them: “???”

Gu Yuqi’s eyelid twitched. He lowered his head to adjust his glasses. “The amount involved is quite large, and since it’s a multinational corporation, we may need to commission trade arbitration or initiate foreign-related economic litigation.”

He definitely hadn’t kicked the blankets off; he had just been craving a cold drink and snuck an Iced Americano this morning.

Luo Panzhi glanced sideways at him. Seeing that Gu had no intention of answering the blanket question, he narrowed his eyes. “You’ve already provided the solution; what is there to ask me? Just proceed as you decided.”

Gu Yuqi: “…” Great, he’s angry.

He hadn’t even complained about Luo mentioning his sleeping habits in front of everyone, but he did feel a pang of guilt. Cold drinks were strictly forbidden. He lowered his gaze and gently brushed his hand against Luo’s.

Luo Panzhi’s brow furrowed. That cautious touch was an apology, a plea for him not to be angry. He was exhausted and irritable from the deliberate hurdles the oversight committee had thrown at him, and he knew he shouldn’t take it out on Gu, yet he felt a mix of frustration and self-reproach.

Frustrated that Gu Yuqi couldn’t look after himself. Reproached because he had been too busy to stay by Gu’s side, and they were nearly at the five-month mark.

Xu Wen: “…!!!” Wow, is our Young Master Luo being a bit much? Lawyer Gu’s question was perfectly standard; major decisions require executive approval. If he snaps at Lawyer Gu now, he’ll just have to spend the afternoon coaxing him back. What a mess.

Ding. The doors opened.

Luo Panzhi walked out without a word, his tall back radiating a low-pressure aura that screamed “Don’t mess with me.”

The other managers didn’t dare approach him now, deciding to report the rest of their progress in the afternoon.

As Gu Yuqi prepared to exit, a hand caught his arm. He turned to see Xu Wen.

Xu Wen leaned in and whispered, “Lawyer Gu, because of the international oversight committee’s interference, Mr. Luo hasn’t slept in two days. There was an issue with the BO-type inducer market in Country F. It’s not fully resolved, but he was so worried about you he caught the earliest flight back.”

Gu Yuqi’s heart sank. No wonder when they video-chatted yesterday morning, Luo hadn’t “just woken up”—he hadn’t slept at all. He suddenly felt a deep regret for that Iced Americano.

“I see. Thank you, Xu Wen.”

The door to the CEO’s office slammed shut with a resounding thud.

The little secretary at the front desk jumped at the sound. She peeked out cautiously, staring at the office door in confusion. The boss is back? What happened?

Then she saw Lawyer Gu walk in.

She instantly understood. Ah, a lover’s spat.

Other departments might not know, but the assistants and secretaries saw it all: Lawyer Gu entering the CEO’s office, or Mr. Luo entering the Legal office. Their relationship was an open secret to those in the inner circle.

Combined with the online rumors that the Young Master of Galaxy Group was married, it had broken many Omega hearts. But as the saying went, there was no point in a broken heart unless you could actually hold a candle to Lawyer Gu.

Gu Yuqi knocked and stepped inside.

Luo Panzhi was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, irritably loosening his tie. He looked restless and weary, rubbing the back of his neck to ease the tension of several sleepless nights.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gu Yuqi walk in. His gaze softened as it landed on the slight curve of Gu’s belly beneath his coat. He couldn’t stay mad.

“What did you have for lunch?”

Gu Yuqi closed the door and walked toward him. “I wanted to eat something you made.”

“So you didn’t eat?” Luo Panzhi pulled Gu toward him to inspect him, only to find that Gu’s palms were burning hot. His expression darkened instantly. He pressed the back of his hand to Gu’s forehead. “Gu Yuqi, what is this? Did you kick the blankets off or not?”

He had a fever.

Gu Yuqi shook his head. “I ate. And I didn’t kick the blankets. It’s freezing outside; why would I do that? I’m not a three-year-old. My throat just hurts a little.”

“What did the housekeeper cook for you these last two days? Why would your throat hurt? Let me see.” Luo Panzhi tilted Gu’s chin up.

Gu Yuqi obeyed and opened his mouth, but the moment he did, he regretted it. Meeting Luo’s knowing, deep gaze, he quickly shut his mouth and pulled Luo’s hand away. He had inadvertently confessed.

“What did you drink earlier?” Luo Panzhi asked.

His voice was devoid of emotion, which made Gu Yuqi even more nervous. Before Luo could lose his temper, Gu wrapped his arms around him, choosing a full confession. “An Iced Americano.”

Luo Panzhi’s face fell. He pinched Gu’s chin, though he was careful with his strength. “What did I say before I left? Did I not tell you no cold drinks? And even if you had a cold drink, you dared to have coffee?!”

Despite the harsh words, the moment Gu hugged him, his heart melted again. A pregnant Gu Yuqi was different—he actually knew how to act spoiled when he made a mistake, knowing full well that Luo was a sucker for it.

“I saw everyone else drinking it. It’s been so long since I had one; I just really wanted a taste.” Gu Yuqi frowned slightly as if the pinch hurt. “I didn’t finish it. Just a few sips.”

Luo Panzhi stared at him for a long moment before letting go. He rubbed the reddened spot on Gu’s cheek with his thumb. “How do you feel now? Dizzy? Hungry? Sleepy? Did you vomit this morning?”

Listening to the rapid-fire string of concerned questions, Gu Yuqi felt a pang of guilt. “Not dizzy, not hungry, not sleepy. You know I didn’t vomit this morning. Luo Panzhi… take better care of yourself. I can handle things on my end.”

The intensity of Luo’s workload was far greater than he had imagined. He finally understood why Luo used to be so short-tempered when they first met; the pressure of Galaxy Group was immense. On top of that, Luo was constantly worrying about him and the baby, rushing back the second a trip ended without a thought for rest.

“Why are you calling me by my full name again?” Luo Panzhi circled him from behind, resting his hands on the curve of Gu’s belly and leaning his chin on Gu’s shoulder. He inhaled deeply, drawing in the scent of his lover—the only scent that could truly put him at ease. Satisfied, he closed his eyes. “How am I not taking care of myself? I have everything I want. I’m sorry I came back late.”

If it weren’t for the zoonotic outbreak of secondary differentiation in Country L and the oversight committee’s market inspection in Country F, he wouldn’t have been away so much. He desperately wanted to be with Gu Yuqi.

Hearing the tired, low voice by his ear, Gu Yuqi turned his head. Seeing the dark circles under Luo’s eyes, he felt a sting of pity. “Was it exhausting, rushing back like this?”

“It’s fine. I slept on the plane.”

“Yesterday morning you told me you only caught me for a video call because you woke up mid-sleep. But Xu Wen just told me you haven’t slept in three days.” Gu Yuqi placed his hand over Luo’s on his stomach. “Are you trying to work yourself to death and leave me a widower?”

“Pah, pah, pah!” Luo Panzhi opened his eyes and spat to the side to ward off the bad luck. “Don’t talk nonsense. Don’t listen to Xu Wen’s exaggerations.”

Outside, Xu Wen had no idea his performance bonus for the month had just evaporated. He sneezed, wondering who was cursing him.

“Was it something difficult then?” Gu Yuqi turned around in his arms. Even if he had slept on the plane, it couldn’t have been good sleep. “Did the International Oversight Committee give you a hard time?”

Luo Panzhi didn’t want to talk about work at all. He hugged Gu Yuqi face-to-face, burying his face in his neck to soak in the scent he craved. He let down all his defenses. “I just want to hold you. Let me hold you for a while.”

Gu Yuqi remained silent, feeling the exhaustion radiating from Luo. He realized that perhaps he and the baby were making Luo feel pulled in too many directions. He gently toyed with Luo’s ear.

In front of the window, the autumn sun bathed them in warmth as they held each other in silence.

“Baby,” Gu Yuqi whispered.

“Mhm? What is it?” Luo Panzhi kissed his neck.

“I’m thinking of not coming back to the office for a while. I’ll stay home and wait for you. What do you think?”

Luo Panzhi froze. He lifted his head, eyes wide with surprise. Gu’s gaze was serious; this wasn’t an offhand comment. “Why?”

This man was so career-oriented; how could he be willing to just stay at home?

Luo had never asked him to, because he knew Gu didn’t want to be treated like someone who needed constant care. Gu was an Alpha with immense pride; even at five months pregnant, he hadn’t wanted to set down his legal work. Luo had only been able to find ways to keep a close eye on him.

“I don’t want you to be so tired.” Gu Yuqi seemed to have made up his mind. He took Luo’s hand and placed it firmly on his belly, his eyes resolute. “You’ve been trying to split yourself into several people just for me. I think I can set aside my work for a while. I can wait for you at home.”

“…Really?” Luo Panzhi felt a lump in his throat. To be honest, if he hadn’t forced the marking, Gu wouldn’t be pregnant, and he wouldn’t have to sacrifice his work. For an Alpha, this was equivalent to temporarily setting aside his core dignity.

Luo had thought about it but hadn’t dared to ask. And yet, Gu Yuqi had offered it himself, simply because he didn’t want Luo to be so exhausted.

“Really. It’s okay.” Gu Yuqi looked into Luo’s bloodshot, weary eyes and smiled. “I’ll wait for you to come home every day. Is that okay?”

Luo Panzhi took a deep breath, looking up to blinking back his emotions before pulling Gu into a tight, crushing embrace. The anxiety that had been gnawing at him finally dissipated, replaced by overwhelming gratitude and love.

“Yes. Thank you, baby.”

The kisses he pressed to Gu’s cheeks were trembling and reverent. Gu Yuqi felt once again the depth of Luo Panzhi’s love—a love that surpassed even his love for himself.

He couldn’t fully understand why Luo loved him so much. All he could do was love Luo back with everything he had.

“Then starting tomorrow, I’ll be waiting at home for you,” he smiled.

Love was never a one-way street; it was a sanctuary they built together.