A Fatal Attraction from Lawyer A - Chapter 82
After a chaotic afternoon at the hospital, the results were fortunately clear. It was nothing more than intestinal spasms caused by indigestion, requiring only better dietary management.
However, Luo Panzhi remained uneasy. To be safe, he insisted the doctor perform a battery of other tests.
Holding the perfectly normal test results, Dr. Zhang looked helplessly at the two Alphas before him. His gaze settled primarily on Luo Panzhi. “Mr. Luo, you are being overly paranoid. Too much concern can be just as counterproductive as too little. Lawyer Gu’s pregnancy is very stable now. During the first trimester, we were concerned about the narrowness of the reproductive cavity affecting fetal development, but the prenatal injections and estrogen treatments over the past few months have been highly effective. You saw last week’s ultrasound—the baby is developing perfectly.”
“Just relax; everything is fine.”
Seeing Luo Panzhi’s expression remain grim, Gu Yuxi realized that Luo’s decision to stay home and accompany him had only increased his stress. Because Luo’s entire world revolved around him right now, he was constantly terrified that something might go wrong.
“Dr. Zhang, so it’s fine if I don’t go on full bed rest this early, right?” Gu Yuxi asked. He wanted to hear this for himself, but more importantly, he wanted Luo Panzhi to relax and return to the Galaxy Group.
Luo Panzhi looked at Gu Yuxi gloomily. “How can that be? You need proper rest. Your constitution is different from a typical Omega or Beta. Have you forgotten how much pain you were in during the first three months?”
Gu Yuxi thought to himself that just last month he was still driving himself to work and running errands at the Procuratorate without issue. Why was it that, in Luo Panzhi’s eyes, he had suddenly become as fragile as glass?
In truth, he didn’t want to stop working. He had only agreed to stay home to ease Luo Panzhi’s anxiety. But now it seemed his staying home had made Luo even more anxious because he spent all day hovering over him. Every slight breeze seemed to rattle Luo’s nerves.
“I know, but I’m an Alpha, aren’t I? And the doctor said I’m stable. If I went to work normally…” Gu Yuxi trailed off as he saw Luo Panzhi’s expression shift. He looked away and cleared his throat. “What I mean is, if you went back to work at the Group, I’d be perfectly fine on my own.”
Luo Panzhi stared silently at Gu Yuxi’s profile, his brow furrowed.
Dr. Zhang interjected at the right moment. “Mr. Luo, staying home all day during pregnancy can easily lead to a ‘pregnant person’s’ emotional distress. I recommend moving around more. As long as it isn’t strenuous exercise, a normal commute and a comfortable work environment are actually better for the physical and mental health of the expectant parent.”
Gu Yuxi silently cheered for Dr. Zhang. He wasn’t a homebody; these past few months of being cooped up had pushed him to his limit. Before he chose to stay home, Luo Panzhi traveled frequently, which gave Gu Yuxi plenty of chances to hang out with Qi Lin. Even if they couldn’t go to bars, they frequently hit the bowling alleys and pool halls. At least he had entertainment.
But now, he was under Luo Panzhi’s constant surveillance. What made it worse was that he couldn’t even complain because Luo was genuinely doing it out of love, making it impossible to refuse him.
To ease Luo’s anxiety, he had to get him back into a work routine.
“Are you really so eager to send me back to the Group?” Luo Panzhi asked tentatively.
Gu Yuxi wanted to say “yes,” but to save Luo’s pride, he said: “It’s not that I want you gone. I just think you’ll be more relaxed back at the office. I’m worried that staring at me all day is making you anxious. I’m perfectly capable, yet you insist on treating me like I’m helpless. You’ve added so much invisible pressure to yourself, feeling like no matter how well you care for me, it’s never enough.”
“I know you’re afraid of something happening to me, but you seem to forget—I’m six years older than you.” As he spoke, Gu Yuxi held up six fingers.
Luo Panzhi reached out and wordlessly folded Gu Yuxi’s fingers into his palm. He looked thoughtful but ultimately said nothing more than: “Let’s talk about this at home.”
After the intestinal spasms subsided, the two returned home. They were both lost in thought during the drive, and the car remained quiet.
Back at the house, Luo Panzhi went straight to the kitchen to mix some probiotics for Gu Yuxi. Gu Yuxi stood by the doorframe, watching him work in silence. Sensing the low atmosphere, he asked softly, “Baby, are you angry?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Luo Panzhi stirred the powder with a spoon.
“It is,” Gu Yuxi admitted.
He needed to find a way to gently convince Luo Panzhi that staying home 24/7 was the root of his stress. Just because he ate two extra bowls of tangyuan, Luo had been scared into almost demanding a full-body scan.
“Drink this first.” Luo Panzhi handed him the glass and brushed past him toward the living room.
Gu Yuxi sipped the probiotics while watching Luo. The younger man walked to the corner, picked up two dumbbells, and began working out with a stony face.
“?” Gu Yuxi walked over. “Why the sudden workout? Are you venting your feelings?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Luo Panzhi replied coolly. His muscular arms strained against his shirt as he curled the weights.
Gu Yuxi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It’s obvious. So, you’re mad at me?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Luo Panzhi stated bluntly.
Gu Yuxi burst out laughing. “You wouldn’t dare? Who was just shouting at me earlier? I’m suggesting you return to the Group because I’m worried you won’t be able to stand this lifestyle for a few more months.”
Luo Panzhi faced the floor-to-ceiling window, increasing his pace to regulate his breathing. “How could I not stand it? I enjoy being with you.”
“I’m not saying it’s bad to be together, but I’m worried about your anxiety.” Gu Yuxi set his glass on the coffee table, walked behind Luo, and wrapped his arms around his waist. “I agreed to stop working so you wouldn’t worry, but now we’ve both stopped, and I haven’t seen you relax for a single moment.”
The dumbbells stopped in mid-air. After a long silence, Luo Panzhi set them down. “When am I not relaxed?”
“You still have emergency meetings every day; you’re constantly handling Group affairs remotely. It’s much more exhausting than just being there in person. Go back for now, and come stay with me during the final month.”
Luo Panzhi frowned deeply. “How can I wait until the final month to be with you?”
“It’s not like you aren’t coming home. And it’s not like I can’t visit you at the office. We’d only be apart during the day.” Gu Yuxi tilted his head and scratched Luo’s chin playfully. “Mr. Luo, what do you think of my suggestion?”
“I’m just worried that if I’m not with you—”
Gu Yuxi cut him off with a kiss.
In front of the window, as light snow began to fall outside, the two Alphas shared a long embrace.
“You don’t need to worry,” Gu Yuxi whispered against his lips. “I chose to stay home so you could work with peace of mind. If you stay home just for me, it makes me feel guilty. Do you understand why?”
“Why?”
“Because during the day, the Galaxy Group needs ‘Mr. Luo.’ Only when you’re off the clock are you my Luo Panzhi. You have to find a balance between public and private. I’ve already set the stage for that balance; don’t break it.” Gu Yuxi cupped Luo’s face. “Go back to work. If you’re really that worried, I’ll go back to work, too.”
Luo Panzhi looked at him. “Is it just that you’re bored at home?”
“Mhm.” Gu Yuxi nodded honestly. “I really want to work. At least let me continue until the eighth or ninth month? Then I’ll take my leave.”
“But I’m afraid you’ll feel unwell.”
“I feel unwell at home too. I actually feel better at the Group.”
“I’m worried I won’t be able to handle your emergencies immediately.”
“It’s okay. If I really need you, I’ll find you.”
“I’m worried you’ll be too shy to come to my office in front of everyone.”
“I won’t. You’re my husband.”
That final sentence completely disarmed Luo Panzhi. He kissed Gu Yuxi deeply. “Then promise me, you must tell me if anything happens.”
“I promise,” Gu Yuxi nodded.
“How do you promise?”
Gu Yuxi’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Hubby, I’ll be good. Don’t worry.”
Luo Panzhi finally smiled.
Two days later, news of “Mr. Luo’s” return swept through the Galaxy Group. The entire staff was on high alert, and as expected, a general meeting was called that same day.
Luo Panzhi, dressed in a silver-grey suit, looked handsome and steady, exuding a powerful aura. He summarized the affairs he had handled online and outlined the upcoming plans.
“Globally, the user base for the Galaxy Institute’s BO-Sexual Inducer has exceeded 10%. It has effectively addressed the declining marriage and birth rates among Betas, which have risen from 40% of the population to 50%. This has significantly mitigated the aging population crisis.”
“In recent trials, the BO-Inducer has become a vital drug target for suppressing genetic defects during secondary differentiation. Specifically, it can be used during prenatal screenings to neutralize potential issues.”
Gu Yuxi sat in the audience, gazing at the man on stage. This Alpha really glows when he’s working. He looked so much more grounded here than he did fussing over him at home.
Xu Wen leaned in and whispered to Gu Yuxi, whom he hadn’t seen in a month. “Lawyer Gu, why are you back? Weren’t you resting?”
Gu Yuxi smiled. “Home was too boring. I’d rather be here.”
Xu Wen was speechless. Some people really do love working. He added, “Lawyer Gu, do you know that Mr. Luo is flying to Country F this afternoon?”
Gu Yuxi adjusted his glasses, hiding the flicker of joy in his eyes. “Yes, he told me.”
“Ah, you’ve worked so hard, Lawyer Gu.” Xu Wen was the first to know about the pregnancy, and even though many in the group knew the two were together, very few knew about the baby.
Gu Yuxi beamed. “It’s no trouble at all.”
How could a few days of freedom from Luo Panzhi’s constant hovering be trouble?
After the meeting, Luo Panzhi had to leave for Country F regarding the new drug for secondary differentiation defects.
“I’ll be in Country F for a few days. Remember to go back to the Jiangtian Yisu apartment tonight, okay?” At the airport, Gu Yuxi listened to Luo Panzhi’s meticulous nagging. He nodded to everything. “Mhm, I know.”
Luo Panzhi was reluctant to leave. He hugged Gu Yuxi tightly. “Call me if you can’t sleep or can’t eat, okay?”
“I will.”
“Give me a kiss.”
Gu Yuxi obediently kissed him. Satisfied, Luo Panzhi finally headed toward the gate.
Gu Yuxi watched him pass through security. The moment Luo was out of sight, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, he laughed.
“Qi Lin, let’s meet at ‘Above the Clouds’ tonight.”
On the other end, Qi Lin was shocked: “??? You’ve been released from prison???”