Chapter 74: I Have Taken the Poison You Gave Me

If Yu Xingcheng had trusted his son more and been willing to reveal his cards early to let him invest in high technology, he wouldn’t have lost everything! The business world is a battlefield, and opportunities vanish in the blink of an eye. If he had been able to enter the market just half a month sooner, he could have made a hefty profit and withdrawn unscathed. But Chairman Yu didn’t trust his son, refusing to give him a single cent, causing him to miss the opportunity. Not only did he lose a golden chance, but he almost lost Yu Xing Entertainment as well!

Bai Lu said, “Film King Lu is not a patient man. Yu Fuqing, you need to hurry, understand?”

“Don’t worry, Lu,” Yu Fuqing declared with grand ambition, “Your brother Fuqing will soon buy you 888! Very soon, very soon!”

Bai Lu softly murmured her assent, then asked, “Brother Fuqing, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

Yu Fuqing sighed helplessly. “You little clever fox, you know exactly what I want to say. Yet you still ask, just to embarrass your brother Fuqing, isn’t that right?”

“If you were more capable, would I be like this?” Bai Lu reclined her car seat and closed her eyes. “Don’t talk to me anymore. I want to sleep.”

Yu Fuqing nearly ground his teeth to pieces. Being called incompetent by the woman he liked was something no man could bear. Yet, what Lu said wasn’t wrong at all.

Yu Fuqing was not only annoyed, but anxious as well.

As soon as the nanny van entered the city, Yu Fuqing got off early. “Xiao Dan, take Lu back to Yipinlan.”

Watching his hurried figure leaving, Bai Lu’s lips curved in a smile. She took out her phone and sent a message to Gao Fanqin.

“It’s the invincible and adorable Bai Xiaolu: President Gao, six o’clock. Don’t be late.”

“Huangying’s Gao Fanqin: I’ve been waiting a long time.”

A soft laugh escaped Bai Lu’s lips.

Last night before going to bed, she’d already messaged Gao Fanqin, arranging to meet him at Yipinlan at six o’clock. Now it was just past four, and he was already there. President Gao was truly a reliable man.

Xiao Dan was puzzled. “Lu, what are you smiling about?”

“I’m smiling because brother Fuqing is racing against time to earn money so he can buy me 888!”

Xiao Dan was stunned. “Lu, is Yipinlan 888 really that important to you?”

Bai Lu sighed, “Silly child, you don’t understand.”

“…Lu, I’m actually a few years older than you,” Xiao Dan protested.

“Alright, don’t talk anymore. I want to nap.” Bai Lu closed her eyes.

Gao Fanqin was not only shrewd, but also calculating. Dealing with him was taxing on the mind. She needed to be well-rested.

The traffic was dreadful. By the time Bai Lu arrived at Yipinlan, it was almost nine.

Gao Fanqin was an odd man—an old smoker who despised the smell of smoke. By his feet lay more than a dozen cigarette butts. When he saw Bai Lu’s nanny van, he bent down, picked up each butt, and threw them into the trash.

Xiao Dan caught sight of Gao Fanqin waving gently by the roadside and sucked in a breath. “Huangying’s Gao Fanqin! Lu, you go upstairs. I’ll deal with him.”

Bai Lu chuckled, “President Gao came especially to see me. Do you think you can handle him? Even if Yu Fuqing were here, he’d have to show President Gao some respect. If I didn’t invite him up for tea, it would be rude. Don’t worry, I can handle it. You can go back.”

Xiao Dan hesitated, “What about President Yu…”

“If Gao Fanqin came to see me, there’s no need to hide it from Yu Fuqing. Just tell him the truth,” Bai Lu replied lightly, opening the car door. “President Gao, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Gao Fanqin looked at her and suddenly smiled. “I told you, you’re worth it.”

“President Gao, come upstairs for some tea and warm up. We can talk at leisure.” Bai Lu led Gao Fanqin to 444.

“I prefer coffee,” he said.

Bai Lu nodded and poured him a cup. “Sorry, I just moved in. Only instant coffee for now.”

Gao Fanqin sat on the sofa, crossed a leg, and clasped his knee with both hands. “I like to be direct.”

“So do I.” Bai Lu smiled gently and took out a contract she had prepared from her drawer. “This was drafted by my lawyer on the day I signed with Yu Xing Entertainment. President Gao, please take a look.”

Gao Fanqin set the file on the coffee table without opening it. “Bai Lu, I know you didn’t ask me here to sign with Huangying. You even refused the studio of Film King Lu; you have even less interest in my company. Just tell me what you want.”

Bai Lu was straightforward. “I want to swallow Yu Xing Entertainment.”

A glint flashed in Gao Fanqin’s eyes. “Oh? It seems Yu Fuqing’s betrayal hit you hard. From love to hate—I understand.”

Bai Lu was speechless.

The hell you do!

But letting Gao Fanqin misunderstand saved her the trouble of explaining and making up excuses.

Bai Lu swallowed her frustration and asked, “What is your decision, President Gao?”

Gao Fanqin stroked the file, took out a pack of cigarettes. “Mind if I smoke?”

Bai Lu pointed to the balcony. “Go ahead.”

Gao Fanqin went out, smoked an entire pack, and stood there for over ten minutes before returning.

“I’d like to read the contract first, if that’s alright.”

Bai Lu gestured. “Be my guest.”

Gao Fanqin skimmed through at lightning speed. Halfway through, he couldn’t help but gasp softly, his sharp gaze shifting from the contract to Bai Lu’s face.

Bai Lu smiled sweetly. “President Gao, do you see my determination and sincerity now?”

Gao Fanqin nodded slowly. “A ten-year management contract, signed with me personally. Wherever I am, you’ll be there, fifty-fifty split. Bai Lu, your resolve and sincerity are overwhelming.”

“President Gao, your answer?”

Gao Fanqin placed the file back on the table. “I still need to hear your plan before I can answer. In matters like this, caution is never too much. Besides, you’re only eighteen—not exactly a reliable partner. But that’s alright. I can give you some reassurance.”

Ah, here she was again, needing to invoke Dr. Ye as her backing.

I must treat Dr. Ye to a nice meal someday, Bai Lu thought.

She said, “Ye Jingyan. You might not know—”

“I know,” Gao Fanqin interrupted. “He’s your fan. The Ye and Huo families are old friends, and Ye Jingyan can enter the richest man’s bedroom at will. Before meeting you, I did my homework.”

Bai Lu said sincerely, “You truly are a reliable partner. President Gao, even if I have to use a poison spell on you, I have to win you over.”

“That’s quite the reassurance.” Gao Fanqin, decisive and ambitious, no longer hesitated. He picked up a pen and signed his name on the contract.

“Wonderful!” Bai Lu reached out her little hand. “There are so many things I can’t handle personally. With your help, President Gao, it will be much easier for me!”

Gao Fanqin gripped her hand firmly. “Bai Lu, if it’s a spell you cast on me, I’ll gladly accept it.”

Bai Lu’s smile was harmlessly sweet. “My spell is incurable, you know? President Gao, you’ll never escape me for the rest of your life!”