Be Careful, Scum Dad! Mommy Is Back!
Chapter 434: Borrowing a Person

Chapter 434: Chapter 434: Borrowing a Person

"Old Xi, I’m not very good at solving riddles."

Lu Xining met his piercing, oppressive gaze, her smile calm and placid as always.

Her voice carried a lazy tone, "At the ZN Experimental Base, my main responsibility is research and experimentation. Naturally, my understanding and manipulation of human psychology can’t compare to yours, Old Xi. Instead of beating around the bush with guesses and half-truths, why not be sincere from the start and speak openly?"

In simpler, less tactful terms: I refuse to guess, say it if you want.

Xi Juan’s gaze grew deeper; his voice dropped several octaves as he cut straight to the point, "What if I want to buy out the Artificial Uterus biological project?"

Buying out the Artificial Uterus biological project... He certainly dares to think big!

The seconds ticked by, and the silence between the two caused the atmosphere in the room to steadily solidify, forming an unspoken rejection.

"Xiao Lu, you know who I am. There are things in this world that take only one word from me."

"You, your child, and the laboratory behind you..."

The pressure from the other side kept increasing, like a lurking predator biding its time to strike. This silence seemed to be a psychological assault designed to break her defenses and achieve an unreasonable demand.

She raised her head with a full-faced smile, "Old Xi, I believe you’re not that kind of person."

"After all, there’s still law in this world. There’s always someone stronger, and skies beyond the sky. As long as humanity can’t reach the heavens, no one can monopolize everything. Don’t you think I’m right?"

Realizing the young woman in front of him was stubborn to the core, the laughter faded slowly from Xi Juan’s eyes.

He lowered his gaze, his seemingly gentle eyes now radiating an ominous sense of danger.

"Is your intention to oppose me, then?"

The bluntness of his words stood in stark contrast to the false gentleness he projected earlier. Lu Xining recognized this direct approach as his plan to cut through to the heart of the matter.

She put away her smile too, her voice composed and steady, "I don’t want to oppose anyone."

"From the moment I first met you, I understood your status and your capabilities. Crushing me would be as effortless for you as crushing an ant."

"But... do you really think that’s necessary?"

Lu Xining’s words forced Xi Juan to recollect their first meeting: he had been plagued by illness and requiring surgery, but among all the doctors in the country, not one dared offer confidence in an eighty percent success rate.

Until someone recommended... Lu Xining.

Looking back, she had saved his life. At the time, he promised her that if she ever needed assistance in the future, she could come to him for anything.

The current situation made those promises seem laughably hollow.

The sharpness in his aura suddenly dissipated.

Xi Juan’s darkly focused gaze remained fixed on her—calm, composed, and completely unflinching—as his tone softened with a hint of warmth.

"As long as you hand over the buyout rights for the Artificial Uterus biological project, I promise you a smooth path in this country—this promise remains in effect as long as I’m alive."

"Old Xi, when you first proposed collaborating on the Artificial Uterus biological project, I believed you were motivated by serving the greater good of the nation and its people. That’s why I agreed wholeheartedly to work with you. But now, it seems you have other motives."

From "Old Xi" to just "you," from honorific titles to equality—Xi Juan picked up on the subtle shift in her tone.

"Xiao Lu, there’s some advantage in being selectively naive about certain matters. Asking too much and knowing too much won’t be good for you."

The last few words were weighted heavily, carrying both a reminder and a warning.

Lu Xining met his gaze directly, her eyes flashing with an unreadable glint, her voice firm and resolute.

"What if I don’t agree?"

"..." The man’s gaze remained steady, but the killing intent lurking within couldn’t be ignored, sending a chill down one’s spine.

The conversation, at this point, had escalated into a taut confrontation.

Neither party was willing to concede an inch.

The sharp knock of knuckles on the door interrupted them.

Secretary Cheng’s respectful voice came from outside, "Old Xi, it’s time."

To avoid having others discover his connection with Lu Xining, the visit was arranged under the guise of a business trip.

Even the area outside the ZN Experimental Base was cleared of personnel.

Other than the guard stationed outside, everyone else remained inside.

Xi Juan’s voice was weighted with gravity, "I’ll be staying at Fuxian’s guesthouse for the next three days. Xiao Lu, if you come to a decision, you can contact Secretary Cheng. I know you’re a smart person; you understand which choice serves your interests best."

Despite his surface warmth and elegance, the man was brimming with icy detachment beneath the veneer.

From the privileged son of Beicheng’s Xi Family to a superior who held absolute sway in both influence and authority—Lu Xining saw in him a glimpse of Ji Muye’s future. Would Muye also eventually turn into someone like this?

Her current silence was precisely the outcome Xi Juan wanted.

If she thought hard enough, she’d understand which decision was the right one.

To him, Lu Xining made a fine partner.

Young as she was, she possessed courage, wisdom, and remarkable tactical insight. Her unparalleled medical proficiency and experimental expertise only added to her value.

She could be instrumental in paving his ascent to greater heights.

Of course, that depended on her choosing the proper path forward.

Lu Xining noticed that Xi Juan’s legs didn’t appear to be in any serious condition. It was just that the recent continuous rain in Beicheng had exacerbated his previous injury, causing symptoms akin to rheumatism—unease, swelling, and pain that made rest elusive.

Still, no trace of distress was visible on his face.

This was a man who played his cards close to his chest.

Secretary Cheng remained at the doorway, not leaving the office for even a moment. When their gazes met, Lu Xining saw him nod slightly before helping Xi Juan out.

This time, Xi Juan didn’t refuse the assistance.

The low-profile black car gradually pulled away from the ZN Experimental Base until it was out of sight.

Lu Xining stood on the balcony outside the office, watching Xi Juan’s departing figure and pondering his intention to buy out the Artificial Uterus biological project. What exactly was so enticing and vital about this project to a superior of his stature?

Her only wish had been to help families longing for children to fulfill their dreams with the aid of technology.

How had it all ended up entangled with power and influence?

Her phone’s familiar ringtone interrupted her thoughts.

Lu Xining saw Shang Lvxing’s name displayed on the caller ID and answered, "Shang Lvxing."

"It’s me, Xining. There’s something I need your help with."

Lu Xining: "Go ahead."

Shang Lvxing shared the findings of his investigation, which had almost pinpointed Haozi’s location. However, there remained a critical issue that needed addressing.

He continued, "Haozi’s last known whereabouts were at the Xi Family estate. I need to borrow someone from you."

She furrowed her brows: "Who?"

Shang Lvxing’s tone turned grave: "Cheng Cang."

Lu Xining paused briefly before replying, "I’ll need to ask for his opinion first. I’ll get back to you later."

Shang Lvxing: "Alright. I owe you one."

"There’s also something about Ji Muye that I believe you should know."

Her brow tightened: "...Has something happened to him?"

After hearing what Shang Lvxing had to say, Lu Xining’s gaze once again shifted towards the direction where Xi Juan’s car had disappeared, her eyes growing colder by the second.