Chapter 80: Just Wait and See

Lian Youyou was not at all surprised that Fan Chi came to find her today; in fact, she had expected it. Yunyan’s financial chain was already showing cracks, and at times like this, trying to poach artists from other companies was futile—no one would be willing to join. So, naturally, they could only think to try their luck with her first.

Lian Youyou picked up her cup, took a sip of barley tea, and spoke offhandedly, “Are you finished?”

“Mm…”

Judging by Lian Youyou’s demeanor, she seemed utterly unmoved.

She continued, “First of all, Fan Chi, we’re not family. Ever since my mother passed away and you and your parents gave up custody of me, I’ve had nothing to do with your family. Second, I have absolutely no desire to join your chaotic, polluted Yunyan.”

“Are you sure?” Fan Chi forced himself to stay calm, but his gaze betrayed a barely concealed fury. “Dad doesn’t need you as his only artist. If you refuse this time, I won’t stoop to negotiate with you again.”

Lian Youyou ignored him, snapped her fingers to call the waiter, and began ordering her meal. “I’ll have the miso dipping noodles, the soft-boiled egg, and the bamboo shoots…”

Watching Lian Youyou’s complete disregard, Fan Chi’s fingers tightened on his knee, curling into a fist.

“Well, well, my good daughter, you’ve got guts,” Fan Chi grabbed his briefcase, his voice seething with suppressed jealousy and rage. “Remember how you ignored your father today. You’ll pay the price for your arrogance!”

After finishing her order, Lian Youyou handed the menu to the waiter and glanced at Fan Chi storming downstairs.

His words carried a hint of threat…

But judging by Yunyan’s current state, this should work in Quan Qing’er’s favor…

At Lu Ming’s invitation, Lian Youyou arrived at the grand office building of Vast Horizons Company.

Lu Ming had suddenly promised her a surprise today, but remained mysteriously tight-lipped. No matter how much she pouted or coaxed, he refused to reveal what it was.

And today—of all days—he wanted to surprise her? The key was, she had to come to the CEO’s office to find out.

Standing outside the glass door, Lian Youyou peered inside.

The CEO’s office was enormous, over two hundred square meters, with transparent glass offering a panoramic view of Coastal City. All the desks and chairs were made of dark, polished wood that reflected one’s image.

The door was ajar. Lu Ming sat in the boss’s chair behind the desk, speaking to the chairman, Lu Feng, who stood opposite him with a head of white hair. Their expressions suggested a disagreement.

Hmm?

Why was Lu Ming sitting in the boss’s chair?

“Brother, I want to discuss something with you,” Lu Feng, his back to her, hid his expression, “I intend to acquire Lezhong Game Studio.”

Lu Ming sat before the desk, his manner solemn and commanding, “No. The games released by Lezhong Game Studio have all flopped. There’s no value in acquiring them.”

Lu Feng showed no fear, replying, “Hmph, brother, let me be clear: I didn’t come to consult you, I came to inform you.”

Lu Ming chuckled rather than grew angry, “Inform me? Lu Feng, you seem to have forgotten whose company Vast Horizons really is.”

Lu Feng snorted coldly, “So what if it’s your father’s? He stopped managing Vast Horizons ages ago, busy with other ventures. Since he’s absent, the chairman—that’s me—calls the shots! I decide which companies get investments, not you!”

“Furthermore,” Lu Feng’s tone shifted, his laughter turning sinister, “You might not know this, cousin, but I’ve already bought up all those small shareholders’ stakes. Now, my shares exceed yours—I am the largest shareholder! Therefore, as the largest shareholder and chairman, I am hereby dismissing you as CEO!”

What!

Lu Ming was CEO of Vast Horizons?

And she only learned about Lu Ming’s identity after he was fired by Lu Feng?

So being CEO of Vast Horizons was just Lu Ming’s side job!

No wonder he was so wealthy…

“Leaving aside that firing the CEO requires board approval,” Lu Ming’s expression remained unchanged, unfazed by Lu Feng’s words, if anything, he seemed steadier, “to say nothing else, the most popular game in all of Vast Horizons, ‘Chronicle of Rivers and Lakes,’ would be forced to announce permanent closure without me. If ‘Chronicle of Rivers and Lakes’ shuts down, Vast Horizons can only wait for bankruptcy.”

Lu Feng reacted as if he’d heard the funniest joke in the world, breaking out in loud laughter, “Ha! Without you, ‘Chronicle of Rivers and Lakes’ would shut down for good? Cousin, you must be joking! Yes, you developed it, but our project team for ‘Chronicle of Rivers and Lakes’ is filled with top graduates from prestigious schools, together they’re no less than you. Why would the game shut down just because you left?”

“We’ll see about that,” a sharp glint flashed in Lu Ming’s eyes, then he smiled, “Chairman Lu, remember this: it’s easy to dismiss me now, but if you ever want me back, it won’t be so simple. Unless you kneel and beg, I might consider it.”

With that, Lu Ming grabbed his phone from the desk, stood, and strode toward the door.

Behind him, Lu Feng’s furious roar rang out, “Lu Ming! Who do you think you are! I’m telling you, even if Vast Horizons really goes bankrupt, I’ll never beg you to come back. We’ll see about that!”

Lu Ming opened the door and met Lian Youyou, who stood stunned. His eyes softened into a smile.

“Were you getting impatient?”

Lian Youyou looked at Lu Ming’s outrageously handsome face and said, “You called me here just so I could watch you get fired?”

He was always like this—cold as an iceberg before outsiders, yet whenever she saw him, he was endlessly gentle with her.

Lian Youyou asked, puzzled, “Why did he fire you?”

Was it simply because Lu Ming refused to invest in Yunyan?

Lu Ming replied indifferently, “I don’t know. Anyway, I’m unemployed now. Miss Lian Youyou, from now on, this low-paid, pretty-faced teacher will rely on you, the superstar, to support him.”

Lian Youyou was amused by his ‘pretty-faced’ remark, forgetting to ask why he had hidden his identity as CEO of Vast Horizons from her. She said, “Pretty face, what will you do now? I heard everything—Vast Horizons was founded by Uncle Lu, and you’re just handing it over to Lu Feng?”

Lu Ming wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked to the elevator. “Of course not.”

As they walked, Lian Youyou asked, “How will you take it back?”

Lu Ming lowered his head, pressed a kiss to her forehead, “With your help.”

“With my help?”

She didn’t understand company operations, nor did she know anything about games. How could she help him reclaim it?

Lu Ming’s lips curved into a smile that would make countless girls’ hearts flutter, “You’ll know when the time comes.”

“……”

The mystery only deepened.

Lu Ming led Lian Youyou to his car and fastened her seatbelt.

“Where are we going now?” Lian Youyou asked.

Lu Ming pressed the one-touch ignition, “Your gift hasn’t arrived yet, so let’s go pick it up ourselves.”

The car passed several shopping malls without stopping, and Lian Youyou was utterly unable to guess what the surprise could be.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a pet shop.

Lu Ming and Lian Youyou walked inside.

The shop was spotlessly clean and cozy; cages held many puppies, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other pets, some out and about.

“You’re buying me a pet?” Lian Youyou asked in disbelief.

She had often told Lu Ming she wanted a dog, but he always said it would be too troublesome and never agreed.

Lu Ming bent down, gently picked up a little corgi curled up on a cushion, and brought it over to Lian Youyou. “Do you like it?”

The three-colored corgi looked only three or four months old, round and plump, with four tiny short legs—utterly adorable.

Lian Youyou nodded vigorously, “I love it!”

The shop owner scratched his head and apologized with a smile, “Sorry, sir, I was too busy today to deliver the puppy to you. The vaccinations are all done, you can take it home right away.”