Chapter Thirty-One: Are You Really My Child?

On the way back, Xu Bunian, who was driving, kept glancing at Chen Qi from time to time. Each glance, he seemed about to say something, but every time the words caught in his throat.

Since getting in the car, Chen Qi had been quietly gazing out the window, lost in his own thoughts.

Finally, as they waited at a red light, Xu Bunian could no longer restrain himself. “Do you really have to leave?” he asked.

Chen Qi drew back his gaze and looked at him, offering a faint smile, and nodded, “Yes. I’ll leave after I finish the KUKU mobile phone commercial.”

He had promised Manager Zhao to do the KUKU commercial. Besides, during the past week, Blueprint had treated him well. Regardless of the reasons, he felt obligated to see this advertisement through.

“Won’t you reconsider?” Xu Bunian’s lips curled into a bitter smile. He looked at Chen Qi and said, “I think Blueprint is a great place for you to grow, and you’re very well-suited to Blueprint.”

“The light’s green,” Chen Qi reminded, nodding towards the signal ahead.

Xu Bunian glanced up and pressed the accelerator, unhurried.

“No.” Chen Qi shook his head with a smile.

Xu Bunian sighed inwardly, full of regret.

This was an outcome he’d never anticipated. When he’d followed the chairman’s instructions and brought Chen Qi in, he’d thought he was just another well-connected recruit with a good degree. Yet in just a few days, Chen Qi had proved his own abilities. And just as Xu Bunian thought he’d found a diamond in the rough, the young man was leaving.

He wanted to say more, to persuade him, but in the end, he swallowed the words. This young man was remarkably strong-willed. Even the chairman couldn’t sway him, so what chance did he have?

Over twenty minutes later, the two returned to the company.

“If you need anything, just come find me,” Xu Bunian said before heading back to his office.

Chen Qi didn’t return to his own office, nor did he go to the post-production department. Instead, he wandered alone to a quiet corner where few people passed, pacing as if torn by indecision.

After more than ten minutes, he seemed to have finally made up his mind. He took out his phone, opened his contacts, and fixed his gaze on the number labeled “Dad.”

Though he still felt anxious, he knew these things had to be faced eventually.

He hesitated for nearly half a minute, then gritted his teeth and dialed the number.

Beep—beep—

The call went through.

After seven or eight rings, someone finally answered. A weary-sounding voice came from the other end. “What is it?”

“Uh…” The sudden voice startled Chen Qi, making him panic for a moment. He hurried to say, “Someone named Shen Mowen called me today.”

“Mm. He’s an old friend of mine. You can trust him.” His father clearly knew what he wanted to ask.

“Oh…” Chen Qi responded softly.

Then, both ends of the line fell silent, and an awkward, inexplicable tension arose.

“Anything else?” his father asked.

“Um…” Chen Qi hesitated for two seconds before asking, “How… are things going over there?”

“We’re fine. Don’t worry about us. Just take care of yourself. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.” Before Chen Qi could say anything more, his father ended the call.

Chen Qi froze.

He stood there, mouth half open, momentarily unable to react.

That was it? He hung up just like that?

They were separated by two entire countries, and yet after just a couple of sentences, he hung up?

Didn’t he care how I felt after learning about the family’s bankruptcy? Wasn’t he even a little curious? My god…

Chen Qi raised a hand to his forehead, feeling as if his worldview had just expanded.

Never in his life had he experienced a father-son relationship like this. He couldn’t help but wonder—had they always interacted this way?

Wasn’t this a bit… too distant?

Was he really his biological son?

He’d wanted to ask if they had enough money over there.

After lingering for several minutes, Chen Qi suddenly burst out laughing. Strangely, he felt much lighter.

He put his phone away and strolled back to the office.

As soon as he walked in, he saw Manager Zhao pacing restlessly, looking quite agitated.

As soon as Chen Qi entered, all five of his colleagues turned their eyes on him in unison—then, just as quickly, darted wary glances at Manager Zhao.

What’s going on? Chen Qi was utterly baffled.

“Come to my office,” Manager Zhao said with a sigh of relief when he saw Chen Qi. Leaving this command behind, he strode out of the room.

Chen Qi shot his colleagues a questioning look. What could be so important that Manager Zhao had to wait here personally?

The five all shook their heads, looking even more confused than he was.

Manager Zhao hadn’t said a word—just began pacing anxiously when he found Chen Qi gone, making everyone nervous.

Without saying more, Chen Qi hurried to Manager Zhao’s office. By now, he had a faint suspicion of what was going on.

But to his surprise, when he entered, Manager Zhao didn’t ask about his resignation.

“The KUKU mobile phone commercial—there’s been a development,” Manager Zhao said.

“Huh?” Chen Qi was taken aback. That fast?

“Didn’t we just say yesterday we had ten days left?”

“Mr. Xu just got the news. Hongxing came up with a pretty decent slogan,” Manager Zhao spoke quickly. “While it’s only rated as decent, the new phone is about to launch, and they don’t have time to wait.”

“So?” asked Chen Qi.

“So, if we don’t come up with something better and more precise, they’ll have to go with Hongxing’s proposal.” Manager Zhao’s expression grew serious. “Mr. Xu is still negotiating for a final chance, but if that fails, KUKU will soon publicly announce their cooperation with Hongxing and sign the contract.”

It all clicked for Chen Qi.

Now he understood Manager Zhao’s anxiety. If KUKU announced a partnership with Hongxing, Blueprint would completely lose its chance. That was the least of it—the greater loss was the damage to their reputation and the potential loss of many existing and future clients.

KUKU would be switching to Hongxing because Blueprint failed to deliver a good enough proposal.

If this deal went through, Hongxing’s reputation would soar off the back of it, and the balance of power in the industry could shift for good.

To put it in today’s terms, Hongxing would be bragging about this for a year!

“Has Mr. Xu gotten a response from KUKU yet?” Chen Qi asked.

Manager Zhao shook his head. “No. He’s probably still on the phone with them now.”

Chen Qi nodded thoughtfully, saying nothing more.

Manager Zhao studied him for a moment, then furrowed his brow and asked, “I heard you’re leaving after this commercial is done?”