57: The rich dad gets the better deal

Of course, Wang Ning was also half-joking. Qingcheng Entertainment's current track was short dramas, which couldn't compare to Black Pearl, especially since a top Agent like Su Jixing was there.

Lu Qingyu refused; he felt it was unnecessary. He had no intention of a long-term career in the entertainment industry. Signing with Black Pearl was just to earn money to start his own business. According to his plans, by the time his contract expired, he would be able to buy shares in Black Pearl and transition from an employee to a boss.

Working hard now was essentially earning money for his future self.

There was a mishap on Lu Jin's end. Because they weren't fully prepared, the sales of Pinno's new products were poor. Lu Guozhong was furious and gave Lu Jin a harsh scolding.

Lu Jin hadn't expected to lose to Lu Qingyu either. Who knew he could be so insidious, doing such things just to grab attention?

After Lu Jin left, Lu Guozhong looked at the news about Lu Qingyu on his computer with a complicated expression. He hadn't expected Lu Qingyu to change so much in just one month.

Previously, he didn't want to acknowledge Lu Qingyu because he was a useless waste. But things were different now. Considering Lu Qingyu's current commercial value, perhaps he could reconsider.

Lu Guozhong thought it over and made a decision.

In the afternoon, just as Lu Qingyu finished his classes and was about to head home, he was stopped at the company's side door by two men in black who looked like bodyguards.

"Mr. Lu, our master wishes to see you. Please come with us."

Lu Qingyu glanced at them. "And who is your master?"

A black car pulled up, the door opened, and it was actually Lu Guozhong.

This was the biological father of the Lu Qingyu in this world.

Lu Qingyu also wanted to know what Lu Guozhong wanted, so he got into the car.

They drove for half an hour without either of them speaking. Lu Guozhong was surprised that Lu Qingyu could remain so composed.

They arrived at a private hotel. After entering the room, a staff member brought in a pot of tea and left after finishing. Only Lu Guozhong and Lu Qingyu were left in the room.

Lu Qingyu: "I wonder what business Mr. Lu has with me?"

Lu Guozhong sat arrogantly at the other end of the table. With the high-and-mighty posture of an elder, he tossed a document to Lu Qingyu. Lu Qingyu opened it; it was a paternity test.

"I'll get straight to the point. You are my son. You and Lu Jin were swapped at birth, and I want to acknowledge you."

Lu Qingyu looked at the paternity report with a calm face. Lu Guozhong thought Lu Qingyu needed time to process the news, but seeing that Lu Qingyu didn't react, he continued:

"Our Lu family is a prominent one. Your past record isn't great. If we announce you're a member of the Lu family, it might make us a laughingstock and also affect Lu Jin. So, we'll just claim you're my nephew."

Lu Jin had been groomed by the Lu family with heavy investment, and his commercial value was many times higher than Lu Qingyu's. How could Lu Guozhong possibly give up on Lu Jin?

"Tomorrow, go to Freedom and terminate your contract. I'll pay the penalty fee. I can also give you the endorsement for Pinno."

A surge of anger rose in Lu Qingyu's heart. He laughed in frustration, feeling it wasn't worth it for the Lu Qingyu who had died in this world.

Lu Guozhong wanted to acknowledge him not because of their blood relation, but because he was now valuable.

Since Lu Guozhong mentioned he was his biological son, he hadn't asked a single question about how he had been living. Instead, he immediately wanted him to terminate his contract with Freedom.

He didn't want a son with a bad reputation, so he let Lu Jin keep the identity while not wanting to miss out on Lu Qingyu's value, trying to get him to endorse Pinno as his nephew.

He really wanted to have it both ways.

Lu Qingyu put down the report. "I'm sorry, I'm not interested in being your son or your nephew."

Lu Guozhong's expression turned stern, assuming Lu Qingyu was greedily after the status of a biological son. "Publicly revealing your identity now benefits no one. Don't be unreasonable."

Lu Qingyu looked at Lu Guozhong coldly. It wouldn't benefit him, he meant.

Lu Qingyu held the report and said to Lu Guozhong, "The date on this report is from five years ago. Why are you only bringing it out now?"

Lu Guozhong's expression froze for a split second before he masked it. He didn't answer the question directly, saying instead, "You've suffered these past few years."

Lu Qingyu sneered. "It's because five years ago, you felt I wasn't worthy of being your son."

Lu Guozhong: "What do you want?"

Lu Qingyu: "I want you to get lost and stay away from my world."

Lu Guozhong slammed the table. Most people would have been terrified, but Lu Qingyu remained unaffected.

"You brat! How dare you speak to your father like that?"

Lu Qingyu almost rolled his eyes. You're so entitled, still wanting to be my father.

"Chairman Lu wants to acknowledge me? Fine. Publicly announce that I'm your biological son and that Lu Jin was the one swapped at birth. Then take back everything Lu Jin has and give it to me. I'll be perfectly obedient then. How about that?"

Lu Guozhong was furious; indeed, Lu Qingyu lacked upbringing. "You're being too unreasonable."

Lu Qingyu: "Why should you get everything your way? On what grounds? Just because of this paternity report?"

Lu Guozhong's gaze turned dark. "So, what exactly do you want?"

Lu Qingyu: "I don't want much. My request is simple, as I just said. Can President Lu agree to it?"

Lu Guozhong remained silent. Lu Qingyu continued, "Since you can't, then don't bother me again."

Lu Guozhong: "Do you know who you're turning down?"

"You'll regret this."

Lu Qingyu stood up and walked out without looking back. To hell with them. He'd have to be an idiot to go back and be a puppet for Lu Guozhong.

After Lu Qingyu left, Lu Guozhong was livid. He hadn't expected Lu Qingyu to reject him. Truly, he lacked upbringing; he didn't realize what he was throwing away.

But he could still teach him a lesson.

Lu Guozhong intended to teach Lu Qingyu a lesson, and Lu Qingyu felt the same way. He had to make sure Lu Guozhong stayed far away from him and didn't try to get involved.

Around six in the evening, just as Lu Guozhong was telling his secretary to give Lu Qingyu a lesson, his assistant knocked and rushed in.

"Chairman Lu, this is bad."

The assistant handed the tablet to Lu Guozhong.

"Lu Qingyu posted on Weibo, saying he's your biological son and that he and Lu Jin were swapped at birth."