C19 Chapter 19

The next morning, Qiu Anan was up early. She kissed her baby’s soft, chubby cheeks, gave the nanny a few quick instructions, and headed out. Thinking about the afternoon meeting, she couldn’t help feeling a little pressure.

Luh’s stood out among every company in City A—no one could afford to underestimate them. Even though she had a lot of confidence in Norson’s team, their opponent was strong enough that she couldn’t let her guard down for a second.

After she got to the office, Qiu Anan and Norson stayed slammed all morning. By the time everything was finally more or less ready, it was already 2:00 p.m. after they ate, and they headed straight to the Biya Group.

“Anan, we’ve got a real battle ahead. Let’s do this!”

Norson looked serious. Today he was in a crisp, tailored suit, every bit the young, capable boss—nothing like his usual laid-back self.

“Yeah. Let’s do this.” Qiu Anan clenched her fist. Business was war, and since she had nothing to do with Luh’s anymore, she wasn’t about to go easy on them.

The car pulled up in front of the Biya Group. Norson went to park and had Qiu Anan wait by the entrance.

Qiu Anan stood off to the side and, from a distance, saw Luh Yubai walking over with his assistant. She acted like she hadn’t seen a thing and headed straight inside, but Luh Yubai caught up to her and stepped in her way.

Luh Yubai grabbed her arm, his brows drawn tight. “Anan, do you know I’ve been looking for you these past three years?”

Qiu Anan lifted her eyes and looked at him coldly. “Mr. Luh, I’m a senior HR manager at DH now. You pulling me aside like this at the Biya Group entrance—don’t you think people might get the wrong idea? Like you’re trying to poach me so you can win the deal later?”

At that moment, the assistant who’d come with Luh Yubai hurried over. Seeing what was happening, he quickly stepped in to remind him, “Director Luh, DH is our competitor today.”

Luh Yubai still didn’t let go. He quietly studied Qiu Anan, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Maybe he was afraid that the moment he loosened his grip, she’d disappear again.

After Norson parked, he didn’t see Qiu Anan outside the office. The second he stepped into the lobby, he spotted a man who looked like he was tugging at her. Norson broke into a quick jog, pulled Qiu Anan into his arms, and held her close.

He sized up the man beside him. Luh Yubai had a strikingly handsome face, and there was a chill in those deep-set eyes that left Norson momentarily stunned.

It wasn’t until Qiu Anan discreetly pinched his side that he snapped back. “Sir, I’m Norson, CEO of DH. I’m not sure what my girlfriend did to upset you?”

So the child really was this man’s. Luh Yubai didn’t answer. He shot Qiu Anan a cold look, then walked off with his assistant without another word.

“Anan, who was that guy? He’s really… pretty impressive,” Norson said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he pressed his lips together.

Qiu Anan replied evenly, “Luh Yubai,” and kept walking toward the Biyah Group conference room.

“Whoa. So that’s the guy who’s your—Anan, wait up!” Seeing she was already moving, Norson hurried after her.

The Biyah Group conference room was packed with more than a dozen shareholders. This partnership would shape the company’s future, so everyone was taking it seriously.

Once the representatives from both companies were seated, the chairman got straight to the point.

“Luh’s Group and DH are both strong players. Since you both want this contract, I’ll give each of you ten minutes. After that, our board will vote to decide the winner. Which side would like to go first?”

Qiu Anan glanced at Luh Yubai. He sat back on the sofa, glaring darkly at Norson beside her, clearly in no rush to make the first move. She looked to Norson, and they exchanged a quick, knowing glance.