A Fatal Attraction from Lawyer A - Chapter 67

“Xu Wen, tell HR that Lawyer Gu will be on leave starting tomorrow. Have the other legal staff take over his workload. Unless there’s an extremely thorny dispute that requires his personal attention, anyone looking for him needs to come through me first.”

“Huh?” Xu Wen was standing in front of Luo Panzhi’s desk waiting for a signature, only to be left dazed by this sudden announcement. “What kind of leave?”

“Maternity leave.” Luo Panzhi signed the document with a flourish and handed it back, a breezy smile on his face. “Paid, for a duration of one and a half years. I’ll leave the logistics to you. Thanks.”

Xu Wen: “Alright.”

Luo Panzhi noticed he was still lingering. “Anything else?”

“Isn’t Lawyer Gu only five months along? Isn’t it a bit early for maternity leave? Is he feeling unwell again?” Xu Wen asked cautiously. After all, he knew that Lawyer Gu conceiving this child was a miracle in itself, and the journey so far had been fraught with complications.

Luo Panzhi leaned back in his chair, twirling his fountain pen. He gave Xu Wen a pointed smile. “Am I the CEO, or are you? You have an issue with me approving eighteen months?”

Xu Wen thought to himself that he wouldn’t dare. He shook his head silently. “No issue at all.”

Luo Panzhi raised a hand and gave a dismissive wave. “Close the door on your way out.”

“Will do.” Xu Wen clutched the documents and prepared to leave.

“Oh, and Xu Wen,” Luo Panzhi suddenly remembered two vital things. He called him back. “Trade in my car for a high-end RV. It needs to be exceptionally stable and comfortable. Starting tomorrow, push all my non-essential appointments back, or leave them to President Luo’s arrangement.”

Xu Wen: “?” President Luo?? Is the young boss really preparing for full-time paternity duty??

He didn’t dare ask more. He already knew exactly who this was for. As the person most frequently fed “dog food” (public displays of affection) by this couple, he understood instantly.

“Understood.”

Ever since the “ring incident” had gone viral, thousands of Omegas had mourned the loss of their dream Alpha, tearfully seeking new targets. While the young Mr. Luo hadn’t made a grand public announcement about his marriage, everyone knew the heir to Galaxy Group had married young; they just didn’t dare gossip about it openly.

The office door closed softly. Luo Panzhi pushed back his chair, stood up, and dialed his father.

At that moment, Luo Qingye was fishing in the sunny Southern Hemisphere. Suddenly, his phone rang, scaring away a fish that was just about to bite. He looked annoyed. “Who’s calling me now? My fish got away!”

Under a sun umbrella, Chu Yiqiao was enjoying the sunshine with his eyes closed behind sunglasses. He said lazily, “Isn’t that your son’s ringtone?”

Luo Qingye adjusted his straw hat and glanced at the caller ID on the small stool. It was indeed his son. He shook his head in mock disgust. “We’re finally on vacation; I don’t really want to pick up.”

The two of them had been working non-stop in the lab on the new drug. They had planned to take two days off to relax; after all, they weren’t getting any younger and couldn’t push themselves forever.

“Is it Panzhi?” Chu Yiqiao asked.

“Mhm.”

“Answer it. He rarely calls you. If you don’t pick up, there might not be a next time.”

Luo Qingye: “…There’s no need to make my father-son bond with Luo Panzhi sound so fragile.”

Chu Yiqiao chuckled. “Isn’t that the bond you created by scolding him all those years? Answer it. If he’s calling you, it must be important. Otherwise, he’d call me.”

Luo Qingye realized he was right. Panzhi hadn’t been clingy since he was a child—likely because he had been too strict with the boy. Panzhi was the type to shoulder everything himself rather than ask for help. If he was calling now, it was serious.

He set down his fishing rod and answered. “Second Young Master, to what do I owe the honor?”

In the CEO’s office, Luo Panzhi overlooked the skyline of skyscrapers. His expression was cold as he heard his father’s voice. “Dad, can you do me a favor?”

Luo Qingye blinked and looked at Chu Yiqiao. His wife had been right. “What’s wrong?”

“The International Oversight Committee’s annual audit. They claim Galaxy Group’s BO-Inducer+ isn’t fit for the Country F market. The problem is, it’s already entered that market, yet they’ve seized all current shipments.”

Luo Qingye toyed with a pebble, letting out a cold laugh. “It’s not the first time the committee has made a baseless seizure of Galaxy’s resources. What excuse are they using this time?”

“They’re claiming that because of the secondary differentiation event in Country L, the BO-Inducer resources are insufficient.” Luo Panzhi rubbed the back of his head, sounding frustrated. “Dad, I spent five days in Country F for this, but couldn’t resolve it. When I got back, I found out Yuqi had a fever. He didn’t even tell me. I feel terrible about it.”

Luo Qingye’s expression shifted instantly. “Yuqi has a fever? Has he seen a doctor?”

“He’s resting now. It’s a low-grade fever. I’ll have a doctor come by when he wakes up.”

The more Luo Qingye thought about it, the angrier he got. He threw the pebble aside and stood up. “Take some time off and stay with Yuqi. I’ll handle this mess.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

After hanging up, Luo Qingye moved his stool over to Chu Yiqiao’s lounge chair and naturally began massaging his wife’s legs. “That Oversight Committee really has some screws loose. Seizing the inducer again? Hasn’t Galaxy Group donated medical supplies to Country L’s outbreak? We’ve sent everything requested within our humanitarian capacity. What right do they have to seize our goods?”

Chu Yiqiao felt the pressure of the massage and stayed lying down, a faint, cool smile playing on his lips behind his sunglasses. “They likely think that because I’ve stepped back into a chairman role and don’t manage daily affairs—and because you’ve stepped down as Chairman of the International BO Association—that we no longer have the power to authorize BO inducer entry into the global market.”

“Then I should pay the International Oversight Committee a visit?”

Chu Yiqiao gave a soft “Mhm.” “You should. Otherwise, people will think you’re dead.”

Luo Qingye noticed Chu Yiqiao didn’t seem particularly worried. He paused and asked, “Why do I feel like you’re way too calm about this?”

Chu Yiqiao tilted his head, pushed up his sunglasses, and looked at Luo Qingye with a knowing smile. “Have you wondered why Panzhi called you instead of me?”

“…Why?” Luo Qingye felt a sudden sense of unease.

“Can’t you feel your son playing you?”

Luo Qingye: “?”

Chu Yiqiao laughed and patted Luo Qingye’s head. “President Luo, it’s time to go back to work at Galaxy Group.”

Luo Qingye froze. The realization hit him, and his fingers twitched with the urge to smack someone. “That brat Luo Panzhi… his gall has really grown!! He dared to trap me!!”

The whole reason he had handed Galaxy Group to Luo Panzhi was so he could retire and spend all his time with Chu Yiqiao. Now, he’d been tricked into going back to hold down the fort.

Fine. He wouldn’t go easy on the kid once the baby was born.

Chu Yiqiao smiled but said nothing.

Luo Panzhi hung up and walked into the lounge with a smirk. Now, he finally had time to stay with Gu Yuqi.

The light in the lounge was dim. The person under the covers was still sleeping soundly, his breathing steady and peaceful.

Luo Panzhi lay down beside him, hugging Gu Yuqi through the duvet. He buried his face in Gu’s hair and reached out to touch the slight swell of the belly under the covers. He felt a profound sense of fulfillment.

The days of flying, meetings, and insomnia finally caught up to him. Having successfully tricked his father, he could finally hold Gu Yuqi and get some sleep. He was out almost instantly.

Gu Yuqi felt a weight pressing against him through the blanket and heard soft breathing by his ear. He opened his eyes to see a hand wearing a matching ring resting near his face. It was Luo Panzhi.

He’s asleep? Wait, how did I fall asleep too?

He turned his head and realized Luo Panzhi wasn’t covered. He frowned; it was too cold to sleep without a blanket. Just as he went to pull the duvet over Luo, his hand was caught, and he was pulled into a firm embrace.

“Awake?”

Luo Panzhi’s voice was lazy and husky with sleep, making Gu’s ears tingle and his heart flutter. “Don’t you need a blanket when you sleep?”

“The heater is on; it’s not cold.” Luo Panzhi noticed Gu’s ears were red from sleep and leaned in for a little nip. “What, worried I’ll catch a cold?”

Gu Yuqi shivered at the bite and pushed Luo’s face away. “How did I fall asleep? What time is it? I have to go talk to the business department about MF Group.”

“I’ve already had Xu Wen handle your upcoming work. Your maternity leave is all set. Just go hand over your files to Lawyer Lin later, and then we’re going home.”

“We?” Gu Yuqi caught the word and looked at Luo suspiciously.

“Mhm. I asked Dad to come back and help at the group.” Luo Panzhi tested Gu’s forehead with the back of his hand and found it was no longer hot. “I can focus on staying with you now.”

Gu Yuqi: “…You don’t have to go to the office?”

Doesn’t that mean I’ll be watched 24/7? I won’t even be able to sneak out for bowling with Qi Lin.

Luo Panzhi narrowed his eyes, detecting the subtle nuance in Gu’s tone. “What? You’re not happy I’m staying with you? You don’t want to be with me every day? Didn’t you miss me while I was away? Didn’t the bed at home feel too big and empty?”

“Of course I’m happy,” Gu Yuqi smiled quickly. “I want you to stay with me.”

Well, it looks like tonight’s bowling session is canceled.

Luo Panzhi looked at him with half-suspicion. “Really? Why do I feel like you weren’t that keen on me coming back? Wow, my heart is broken. Gu Yuqi, now that we’re married, am I just optional to you?” He looked truly dejected and sat up.

“Not at all.” Gu Yuqi saw his “Little Princess” routine starting again and sat up to hug him from behind. “I missed you very much.”

“Where did you miss me?” Luo Panzhi felt the baby bump touch his back, and his heart softened instantly.

“Everywhere.” Gu Yuqi knelt on the mattress, wrapped his arms around Luo’s neck, and looked at him sideways with a soft laugh. “The baby missed you most.”

Hearing the double meaning, Luo Panzhi’s lips curved upward in spite of himself. “Oh? Really?”

“Mhm, truly.”

“Then what do you want to eat tonight?”

“You.”

Luo Panzhi laughed and turned to meet Gu’s gaze, raising an eyebrow knowingly. “Aren’t you afraid the baby will act up?”

After the last time, Gu Yuqi had felt frequent fetal movement—likely because the reproductive cavity had been stimulated. Even though Luo tried his best to control his strength, he couldn’t control Gu Yuqi; the last time, Gu had been quite… proactive, which had left Luo terrified for his safety.

“Then tell them to be good.” Gu Yuqi leaned in and kissed him. “Okay?”

That soft, questioning plea completely subdued the young CEO. Could he possibly say no? Of course not. It was better than okay.

“Okay,” Luo Panzhi smiled, hooking Gu’s neck to deepen the kiss.