I'm Pregnant With My Arch-Nemesis's Child - Chapter 5

Lu Huai insisted on being discharged from the hospital the next day, disregarding Ling Zhi’s strong objections.

Ling Zhi looked at the still-swollen back of Lu Huai’s hand and shook his head with utter helplessness. “Can you take your own life seriously for once?”

Lu Huai smiled, his eyes gentle. He patted Ling Zhi on the shoulder to put his mind at ease. “Is this not because I am in a hurry to make someone pay the price? Do you want me to lose?”

Ling Zhi laughed and cursed, “Just go! If I really did not want you to leave, do you think you could have stepped out of this hospital door?” He sighed, fiddling with the medical chart and pretending to be melancholy. “You two have been bickering for so many years. You probably focus all your attention on each other. Why not just live together and be done with it?”

Lu Huai froze. He looked at Ling Zhi with a complex expression, only to see his friend burst into incredulous laughter at his own suggestion. “Better not. If you two were put together, that place would never know a moment of peace.”

Lu Huai’s heart settled slightly. He held a faint smile, though his eyes remained lowered. “That is indeed impossible.”

Ling Zhi thought he saw a flash of loneliness in Lu Huai, but before he could dwell on it, Lu Huai added, “Chi Yuan and Fang Qiming are doing quite well, are they not? Do not curse their relationship.”

Was he thinking of Fang Qiming? Ling Zhi speculated that this was the reason for Lu Huai’s dimming gaze. He quickly adjusted his expression, as he would never stab his brother in the heart. He hurriedly distracted him, pushing him toward the car. “Do you not have business to attend to? Go. Take care of your stomach and absolutely no alcohol.”

“Understood,” Lu Huai replied, waving his hand. “I am off.”

Once the car started, Lu Huai quickly shifted into work mode, frowning as he looked over the documents he had gathered in such a rush. Despite his calm facade, he felt uncertain. Having only recently returned to the country, his familiarity with the various companies could not compare to Chi Yuan’s. Furthermore, given their firm stance on not conceding any conditions, he knew Chi Yuan’s offer was likely superior to anything the Lu Corporation could propose. Since Xinming had already sought out a different partner on their own, the chances of the Lu Corporation succeeding were slim.

Lu Huai’s fingertips tapped against the plastic cover of the document. It clearly mentioned Star River Entertainment. The company had started in the entertainment industry and now held significant influence in the internet sector. Crucially, in recent years, they had recruited an international marketing team that, combined with their managed artists, had elevated their influence and brand image to a new level. They were currently developing a project, though it seemed inconspicuous compared to the grand ideas Lu Huai preferred.

However, meticulous attention to detail was Lu Huai’s habit. After reading through the file, he realized this project might have just as much potential as the one with Xinming, while offering a more favorable public opinion environment. Moreover, their development path was completely different from Xinming’s. Even if Xinming had not defected to the Chi Corporation, Lu Huai had intended to reach out to Star River Entertainment for a partnership.

Now, it seemed, that would not be necessary.

Before the secretary left, he had mentioned that if Xinming showed any inclination toward the Lu Corporation, they should call him. But with no news coming in, the result was predictable.

Lu Huai pressed his pale lips together, his gaze fixed on the words Star River Entertainment, focusing his mind to scan the documents once more. His original plan had been to discuss it personally with Chen Yi, the head of Star River, but the files indicated that Chen Yi did not prioritize this project and had even paused its progress. Every enterprise had its own considerations; he knew he would have to expend significant effort to convince the other party to restart.

“Chi Yuan, you really do know how to set difficult problems for me.”

Lu Huai whispered to himself, though deep within his eyes lay a hidden tenderness. He looked out the window at the scenery rushing backward, and the cold, distant aura finally dissipated, allowing his naturally charismatic peach-blossom eyes to sparkle with brilliance.

Chen Yi had just finished berating his subordinates. He waved them out and slammed his teacup onto the desk, still unable to contain his anger.

“President Chen is in quite a temper.”

The voice was cold and unfamiliar. He had intended to lash out at his secretary for letting a stranger in, but when he looked up and saw Lu Huai’s smiling face, he frowned. Ultimately, he could not bring himself to tell the intruder to get out.

Seeing the other man’s confusion, Lu Huai handed over his business card and thanked the secretary who had led him in.

Chen Yi looked at the card and turned it over, beginning to assess the young man before him. Finding him elegant and refined, he concluded that he could not possibly be an imposter trying to trick him, so he decided to believe him. He frowned, not understanding why Lu Huai would seek him out at this moment.

Before he could voice his questions, the other man seemed to see right through him, explaining gently, “I recently saw a project from your company and felt it had great prospects. I am here today to seek a partnership.”

High-efficiency work often requires straightforward communication, and Lu Huai represented the Lu Corporation, which gave him the necessary leverage.

Chen Yi felt an unusual sense of unease as he unbuttoned his collar. Even though Star River Entertainment was doing well in the industry, it was nothing compared to the Lu Corporation. Having the successor of the Lu Corporation show up uninvited to propose a partnership caught him off guard, so he remained silent, listening to Lu Huai finish his piece.

“You may look at this in detail.” Lu Huai handed over the proposal. His mind flashed back to the scene he had witnessed upon entering: what exactly had caused Chen Yi to be so flustered? As he watched Chen Yi hesitantly accept the file, Lu Huai took mental note of the odd atmosphere and continued, “I know Star River has been looking to transform. Surely you understand that there is no better choice than the Lu Corporation, is there?”

Chen Yi pressed his lips together, looking at the plan he had been forced to abort, now laid out before him. The other man’s words were sharp and hit the nail on the head. He countered, “I remember the Lu Corporation has its own entertainment division, right?”

“Yes.” Seeing Lu Huai candidly admit it, Chen Yi pondered for a moment. “Since you have more competitive power than Star River, you could easily launch a project that surpasses it. Why seek a partnership with us?”

“That is, of course, because…” Lu Huai curled his lips into a faint smile, pointing at the final section of the document. Seeing the realization dawn in the other man’s eyes, he smiled meaningfully.

When he left Star River, Lu Huai rubbed his aching back and took a sip of water to moisten his dry lips. He could tell Chen Yi had concerns, and he was willing to give him time to accept. He had known previously that Star River owned a piece of land intended for a film studio, which had been shelved due to regional planning issues.

He had a few ideas. Xinming Technology had improved a certain technology that, while enhancing the experience for gamers, was entering an overly saturated market. The profits from that partnership would be substantial, but fundamentally, it was merely an investment for the Lu Corporation.

He valued Star River because the big data model this project sought to build would inevitably drive the development of the domestic digital economy. Furthermore, this technology was beneficial to the country and its people; if applied correctly, it might even lead to a degree of cooperation with the government. That was why he chose Star River. He believed that with Star River’s promotional strategies and their long-term, positive image guidance, the result would certainly be a win-win.

That was what would allow the Lu Corporation to surpass the Chi Corporation.

He wondered, once the dust had settled and Chi Yuan understood the situation, how he would treat him then.

Lu Huai’s brows crinkled with a hint of helplessness, but before a smile could form, a few muffled coughs interrupted him. He turned his head in slight embarrassment, and before he could catch his breath, his phone rang.

Lu Huai bit his lip to suppress the cough, and his eyes flickered with surprise when he saw the name of his secretary on the screen.

“Hello?”

The secretary looked up and could see through the glass that Chi Yuan’s amused gaze was fixed on him, chilling him to the bone. He could not help but shudder, and immediately after, he heard his President Lu’s voice, which seemed to be laced with ice, making his hand nearly tremble.

“President Lu, our negotiation is almost finished, but the Xinming side hopes you can come in person.”

“Very well.” Lu Huai replied. The question he had not yet resolved popped back into his mind. After a moment of thought, he said, “Find someone to check Star River’s recent funding movements or…”

Lu Huai stopped halfway, his knuckles pressing against his brow. He felt he might have been confused just now. If there were really any major flaws, he would have noticed them in the basic information. It was more likely that Chen Yi was covering things up too tightly for the average person to find any evidence.

He could give Star River time, but his patience was also limited, so external help might not be a bad idea.

Lu Huai pressed his lips together and continued, “If there are any unconventional rumors, collect them as well. I need them.”

Taken aback by the sudden mention of Star River, the secretary was bewildered by the strange request, but he said nothing and simply replied, “Understood.”

After finishing the important business, Lu Huai updated the driver on his change in destination, his lashes veiling the emotions rising in his eyes.

“Is Chi Yuan present for this negotiation?”

His voice was very faint, and he seemed to intentionally lighten his tone when mentioning Chi Yuan’s name. The secretary almost did not hear him. After a few seconds, he recalled how everyone said Lu Huai and Chi Yuan did not get along, and thinking Lu Huai was concerned, he was just about to answer when he saw Chi Yuan, who had been in the room earlier, suddenly appear beside him.

Chi Yuan took the phone effortlessly and smiled at the observant secretary before speaking leisurely: “President Lu is quite patient. Are you not afraid the duck already in your hand will fly away? Why refuse to show your face today?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Lu Huai felt his ears heat up. His fingertips gripped the phone so tightly they turned white. When he finally spoke, he found his voice was dry.

Faced with the veiled subtext, several responses flashed through his mind. He coughed a few times before clearing his throat to speak again. “Naturally, I am not as hands-on as President Chi.”

They immediately clashed as soon as they spoke. Chi Yuan sighed. “You really are stubborn.”

The tone was one of helplessness. Lu Huai could even imagine the man’s expression as he spoke. He glanced out the window, calculating the distance, and said, “I am hanging up now.” Yet, he did not press the red button to disconnect.

“Hmm.” Chi Yuan handed the phone back to Lu Huai’s secretary and started to walk away, only to turn back after a few meters.

The startled assistant: …

Chi Yuan frowned, his voice clearly hesitant when he finally asked.

He had only thought of the hoarse, dry voice Lu Huai had used when he first spoke.

“Is your President Lu sick?”