The Thunderclap of Fate and the Doomed Message

Tô Vãn Vãn, a brilliant editor at Lệ Thị media group, prided herself on her organized life, even if she occasionally indulged in whims. Yet, nothing could have prepared her for the sheer shock of the pregnancy test result. “Miss Tô, you are one month pregnant.” Just one month, but it was a chaotic month, riddled with memory gaps and mysterious encounters.

Who was the father?

Lệ Dạ Thần, the tyrannical, cold yet captivating CEO. Between us, there was a dangerous attraction and endless mind games. Or Lăng Diệu, the famous A-list celebrity with a sculpted face and a massive fanbase—the one I often “cursed” to express my intense fangirl love?

“자꾸 가둬와 내 운명이죠. (You keep surrounding me, it is my destiny),” a song played in my mind, recalling a fleeting kiss and a risky game.

“Little reporter, should we rehearse that scene again?” Lăng Diệu’s voice echoed in my thoughts.

“What scene?”

“A good one,” he chuckled mysteriously.

Oh no. Could it really be Lăng Diệu? If his fans found out, wouldn’t they tear me into a thousand pieces? “I usually curse the ‘sister-in-law’ when following my idol. Am I about to become the actual sister-in-law this time?” I trembled, trying to maintain a false sense of calm.

Wait, there was one more. Bạch Triệt, the young, naive, and adorable colleague.

“Bạch Triệt, what are you doing?” I vividly remember the night he clung to me.

“Sister Vãn Vãn, I’m just drunk.” But his eyes that night were anything but innocent.

It couldn’t be him. Bạch Triệt was normally so naive and sweet.

I was spinning in this confusion when the nurse walked in with an enigmatic smile. “Miss Tô, please bring the baby’s father to your next prenatal visit.”

I, a sharp journalist, suddenly became foolish. “Doctor, is there a possibility? I mean, could the baby actually have no father? Have you read the news about frogs reproducing asexually due to lightning? Could my child be…”

“Impossible. I know,” the nurse cut me off, her eyes resolute.

I was doomed. This harsh truth had to be concealed, at least until I found a solution. But fate is a joker.

It’s over. Why did I send that message to the company’s main chat group?

That damn hand! Quick, recall it! Too late. The message was sent. This time, I was truly finished. My phone screen flashed, my message boldly displayed in the group of over a hundred people: “I’m pregnant, but I don’t know who the father is.”

Development: The Three Fathers and the Fateful Meeting

Lệ Thị company instantly exploded.

“Some people are lazy during the day but work overtime at night. Our K.P.I. is worse than a uterus that knows how to contribute.” “The company is not a den, the workplace is not a maternity ward, for heaven’s sake.” “Who is the baby’s father?”

“Everyone shut up!” I roared in the chat, but it was too late.

Before I could breathe a sigh of relief, my phone rang. It was my father.

“Dad, I, Vãn Vãn…”

“What’s wrong? Your voice sounds off. I’m fine, Dad,” he worried. “Vãn Vãn, I’ve known what you’re up to since you were little. You wait, I’m coming to your house right now.”

Oh no! If my father found out I was pregnant and didn’t know the father, he would surely faint from anger. And he has a heart condition. No, no, no.

I checked my phone. All three of them—Lệ Dạ Thần, Lăng Diệu, Bạch Triệt—had no news. It seemed they had all completely forgotten.

“Oh, my poor child, why must your fate be so miserable?” I lamented.

“Who says your fate is miserable? You have a great fate.”

A tiny voice rang out. Who, what sound is that? Am I hallucinating?

“Mom, it’s me.”

“Who, who’s there?” I frantically looked around.

“Mom, just look down and you’ll see me. Mom, you’re too loud. Did the ‘dads’ all leave because you were being too noisy?”

My unborn baby can talk? “Wait, you just said, ‘The dads’? So you also don’t know who your father is?”

“Of course not, you’re so promiscuous, Mom. How would I know about adult matters? You fetus, mind your own business.”

“I’m here, Dad!” A voice boomed from the door. I rushed to open it, and froze.

“Lệ tổng, why is it you?”

Lệ Dạ Thần smiled triumphantly, walking in as if he owned the place. “I knew it. I am the baby’s father. Such a delicate creation. Who else but me could have created it?”

“I’m not even fully formed yet!” I retorted.

“That night at the hotel. Four-star or five-star?” He smirked, not waiting for my answer before calling his secretary. “Never mind. Buy everything; consider it my welcome gift for the baby.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Mommy, I love this dad. Choose him. I don’t want to try hard anymore. I want to be a ‘rich second generation’.” The child’s voice in my belly chimed in.

“Shut up!” I snapped.

Lệ Dạ Thần looked at me with amusement. “Your mouth is truly formidable. Me… children shouldn’t watch me.” He leaned down, whispering in my ear. “The lights were too dim. I mistook you for someone else.”

“Mistook me? Then is this size, this hand-feel, also a mistake?” He reached out and touched me. “It’s just okay. But you didn’t say that that night.”

“You… you misheard.”

“Misheard? Then let’s do it again. Prove it to me.” He pulled me close.

“No, no! My dad is coming, you have to hide!”

“Hide? You’re telling the CEO of Lệ Thị Group, Lệ Dạ Thần, to hide? Fine, out of respect for my future father-in-law.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

Just then, the doorbell rang again. It was Lăng Diệu. “Lăng Diệu, what’s he doing here?” I peeked through the peephole.

“What’s with the ‘dad, dad’ outside? Let’s talk inside.” Lăng Diệu walked in, holding a large box. “I’ll be brief. This is prenatal music I recorded myself. This is my entire filmography collection.”

“I’m not your fan, you know.” He sighed. “To have a healthy baby, prenatal education is essential. Something to listen to, something to watch, all included, if you get bored. Most importantly, this is the key to my house.”

“The key to your house? Almost every beauty in the capital has one of those.”

“Everyone knows you’re a beast,” I muttered. “I’ve taken them all back, and even deactivated a few others. You… what are you implying?”

Lăng Diệu bowed his head, his eyes sincere. “Just let the baby be born.”

“Mom, this dad is quite handsome.”

“My child!” Lệ Dạ Thần stormed out of the kitchen, furious.

“Yours? What are you claiming?” Lăng Diệu turned back.

What was that noise? “A mouse! Just a mouse! Lǎo shǔ (old mouse)!”

“Um… it’s my dad!” They both exclaimed simultaneously, then glared at each other. “Your dad! Go, hide!”

“For the baby’s sake, I’ll endure it!” Lệ Dạ Thần and Lăng Diệu grudgingly hid in the bedroom.

And then, the third man appeared. Bạch Triệt, innocent and somewhat flustered.

“Why is it you?”

“Sister Vãn Vãn, it’s me. Is there anyone else in the house?”

“No, no. This house has no shortage of people,” I stammered.

“Let’s go.”

“Bạch Triệt, are you here because of the baby too?” I tried to gauge him.

“No! I’m here to bring you soup.”

That’s good. Finally, someone reassuring. “Sister Vãn Vãn, taste it quickly.”

“Hmm. Delicious,” I said, touched.

“Sister Vãn Vãn, I’m not here because of the baby. I’m here for you. Beast!”

“Sister Vãn Vãn, drink slowly,” he said, his expression suddenly changing.

“Ah, well, Bạch Triệt, do you remember what happened between us that night?”

“You don’t remember? This place still hurts.” He pointed to his hand.

Beast! The word coming from Bạch Triệt stunned me.

“Sister Vãn Vãn, I will take care of your living and daily needs throughout your pregnancy.”

“Mom, this dad is okay too.”

At this point, Lệ Dạ Thần and Lăng Diệu could not hold back, rushing out of the bedroom. “Take your pot-cleaning lid away. Don’t poison my child to death!” Lệ Dạ Thần roared.

“My child is my child,” Lăng Diệu declared.

“Other babies are still choosing milk powder, and I’ve already chosen a dad,” the voice in my belly complained.

“Tô Vãn Vãn, I… I don’t remember anything.”

“Don’t remember? An actor, a chef. I believe anyone with a brain would choose me,” Lệ Dạ Thần scoffed.

“Anyone who chooses you must be brainless!” Lăng Diệu shot back.

“Who she chooses is her freedom. You green tea!” Lệ Dạ Thần targeted Bạch Triệt.

“On what grounds do you call me green tea? Just because you brought me a drink? You think you’re not green tea? What are you, then? Can you do it? I’m the one who treats Vãn Vãn best.”

“Let me speak, will you listen to me first? I have money, I can hire the most expensive chef for her!”

“Is having money all that matters? Having a heart is what’s important! How much is your heart worth?”

“Will you all let me explain!” I screamed, but in vain. “Stop! My dad’s car is here!”

“Can you listen to me for one sentence? Listen to me! Listen to me… No! Everyone be quiet, hide quickly! My dad is coming!”

But it was too late. My father walked in.

“No need to hide anymore.” He stared at the three men. “Ah, speak up, who did this?”

The three men stepped forward at the same time.

Lệ Dạ Thần: “Uncle, the baby is mine. I will give half of Lệ Thị Group’s shares, all of it, to the baby. The baby will bear the surname Lệ, I…”

Lăng Diệu: “Father-in-law, the baby will bear my surname, Lan. I will choose the best resources all year round to make him a child star.”

Bạch Triệt: “Uncle, it’s best if the baby bears the surname Tô. I will live in! The baby will bear your surname.”

“Shut up! Who is your father-in-law, huh? And who needs you to live in?” My father yelled. “Vãn Vãn, you tell me, who exactly were you with that night?”

I could only shake my head. “Dad, I don’t remember clearly.”

“Some people are the only son for three generations; how could they not succeed on the first try?” Lăng Diệu mocked Lệ Dạ Thần.

“That’s still better than those who frequent nightclubs, those with endless rumors. That energy has long been depleted.” Lệ Dạ Thần retaliated.

“Brother, Brother Lăng, Brother Lệ, don’t argue anymore. Sister Vãn Vãn, she seems to prefer younger men.” Bạch Triệt interjected.

“All of you, shut up!” My father roared one last time.

He turned to me, his eyes softening. “Vãn Vãn, this baby, do you want to keep it? If you don’t want to, no one can force you.”

I looked at my father, then at the three men.

“Tô Vãn Vãn, follow your heart. You don’t have to fulfill anyone’s expectations.” The small voice in my belly became more resolute than ever.

“I… I want this baby.” I choked up. “My mother passed away right after giving birth to me, and I’ve never experienced what it’s like to have a mother. So, I hope to be a good mother.”

“Hmm. Alright. Vãn Vãn. Since you want this baby, I will support both of you.”

“I will support you too.” Lệ Dạ Thần said.

“Vãn Vãn, this baby can only have a DNA test three months after birth. Before that, it’s completely impossible to know who the father is,” my father explained.

“That’s simple. Then let’s compete for the position. Choose the talented one,” Lệ Dạ Thần announced, his eyes full of challenge.

I could only sigh, my head aching. “What? Three fathers?” I muttered.

“Speak softly. My head already hurts so much.”

“What are you complaining about? You must be overjoyed, right? Fine, I won’t pretend anymore; it’s truly exhilarating. But what fault do I have? I only made a mistake that any woman in the world could make.”

Climax: The Workplace Battle and the Hospital Shock

Lệ Thị company was preparing to announce the promotion list. Although the young Tô Vãn Vãn was talented, having written five outstanding pieces, Julie, another colleague, was considered the favorite.

“Girls, don’t forget us when you become a director and get rich.” Ái Kỳ said, her face full of arrogance. “Considering experience and looks, our Sister Julie is the most reasonable choice for this director position. Everyone in the company knows that Lệ tổng is secretly in love with Sister Julie; this director position is just a small gift.”

“Don’t say that. Ah Lệ is so modest. Ah Lệ, so sweet. And Ah Lệ. Lệ tổng is secretly in love with her. Does he even know?” Sở Sở sarcastically teased.

Ái Kỳ turned to me, scornfully. “I think some people are just jealous, calling the grapes sour because they can’t eat them. You come to work wearing market clothes all day, with a hint of poverty clinging to you. Vãn Vãn, don’t blame Ái Kỳ; a girl should take care of herself a bit.” She held out a perfume bottle. “I just bought a bottle of Trà Nộ from France two days ago; do you want some? Let me lend you a bit.”

I smirked, pulling out an old bottle of insect repellent spray. “Lately, the company has had a lot of mosquitoes buzzing around my ears. This is our old national brand, specifically for driving away company bugs.”

“Tô Vãn Vãn, don’t be so excessive. Wait until our Sister Julie becomes director; you’ll be the first one fired.”

“Fine, I’m waiting.”

The promotion list was announced. Julie confidently stepped forward.

“Well? Is it Sister Julie? I personally checked Julie’s competence,” the department head praised.

“See? The department head personally certified it. Some people can be jealous all they want, but it won’t happen. You dogs. So, it must be Sister Julie who got promoted. Of course.”

Lệ Dạ Thần’s voice rang out, full of authority: “I hereby announce that the person promoted to General Director of the company is Tô Vãn Vãn.”

What? Tô Vãn Vãn!

The entire company was in shock. Julie and Ái Kỳ were furious, their faces flushed.

“What right does Tô Vãn Vãn have? Isn’t Lệ tổng her stalker? How can this be? Fine. Tô Vãn Vãn, how dare you arbitrarily change the promotion list? Tô Vãn Vãn, that illegitimate child in your belly. Did you sleep with some big boss in the company to get pregnant? I can’t believe you’re that kind of person, using such dirty tricks to climb to a high position,” Ái Kỳ yelled.

“Vãn Vãn. If you wanted this General Director position so badly, you could have just asked me, and I would have given it to you. Why stoop so low?” Julie tried to maintain a false composure.

“If I recall correctly, you just said that Lệ tổng liked you and that you two were flirting. The promotion list has been announced, and Lệ tổng didn’t even side with you. So tell me, did Lệ tổng cheat, or did Miss Julie cheat?” I retorted.

“What are you saying? Our Sister Julie relies on her true ability, unlike you who relies on bedroom skills. Who is the baby’s father? Do you dare to say? Who is the baby’s father? Do you dare to say?” Ái Kỳ pressed.

“You don’t dare to say, do you? I see. I bet all your hot articles were also slept out, right?”

“That was our Vãn Vãn’s hard work, typing out every word!” Sở Sở defended me.

“Alright, alright. Everyone stop talking like that. Vãn Vãn did indeed write it herself. She just revised my article. This is what I, as a senior, should do.” Julie played the benevolent card.

“Sister Julie, good people are often bullied. Tô Vãn Vãn. You rely on this child in your belly, which has no name or standing. Not only did you steal Sister Julie’s position, but you also stole her article. Are you even human?” Ái Kỳ continued.

“Colleagues only need their mouths to talk. Well, I can also say that your article from last week, and the week before, were both written by me,” I sneered.

While everyone was arguing, a piercing scream came from the door.

“Vương Phú Quý! Where is the mistress? Where is she?” A woman rushed in, her face full of fury. “Wife, wife, let’s talk about it at home. Home? What home? We don’t have a home anymore. Why did this yellow-faced woman come all the way here?”

Manager Vương, the sneaky man in the company, fearfully avoided her. “No, I can’t let everyone know about my bad business with Manager Vương.”

“Vãn Vãn’s baby doesn’t know who its father is, and she doesn’t know who the mistress is. Could it be?”

The woman suddenly turned to me. “Great, Miss Tô Vãn Vãn, so you are Manager Vương’s mistress. That’s why you got promoted; it turns out you hooked up with Manager Vương. Fine, you two already have a child?” She lunged at me.

“Me! Tô Vãn Vãn, is that right?”

“Let go! You accuse me of destroying your family; do you have proof?”

“Proof? I do. This video is proof that she seduced my husband.” She showed her phone.

In the video, a man’s hand appeared. “This hand belongs to Lệ Dạ Thần. This is Lệ Dạ Thần’s watch. Could it really have been him that night?”

“The woman in the video is indeed Tô Vãn Vãn, but it’s hard to identify anyone just by looking at the hand.”

“This hand is definitely my husband’s. The sapphire watch is my husband’s,” the woman insisted.

“Fine, Tô Vãn Vãn. I can’t believe you’re this kind of person. Vãn Vãn, as a colleague, I sympathize with you, but as a woman, I deeply despise people like you who destroy other people’s families. There’s nothing more to say, is there? Grab her now!” Julie and Ái Kỳ smiled triumphantly.

“Let go! What do you want to do? Beat the mistress!” The woman slapped me.

“Vãn Vãn, Vãn Vãn, are you okay? Vãn Vãn, she’s pregnant.” Sở Sở rushed to help me.

“Sở Sở, my stomach hurts so much. Mom, I hurt too.” The child’s voice in my belly screamed.

“I’ll call an ambulance right now.”

“Tô Vãn Vãn, are you still pretending to be pregnant to escape? Is this fair to the other woman’s wife? It’s just a bastard child. Losing it is no big deal, right? Do you still want to rely on this child to cling to Manager Vương? Tô Vãn Vãn. If I don’t beat this bastard child out of your belly today, I’m not Trần Thúy Hoa!” She lunged at me in a frenzy.

Just then, a cold, angry voice, more powerful than anyone else’s, rang out.

“Lệ tổng!”

Lệ Dạ Thần appeared. He roared: “Tô Vãn Vãn, you are not allowed to be hurt.”

“Who is this?”

“The General Director.”

“Assistant Lý, handle this matter.” Lệ Dạ Thần embraced me, handing the situation over to Assistant Lý.

“Lệ tổng, is it necessary to be so harsh? Just for an unrelated woman, you’re being so aggressive towards us. Isn’t Lệ tổng pursuing my sister? You should go explain it to him.” Ái Kỳ was still stubborn.

Lệ Dạ Thần only smirked, looking at Trần Thúy Hoa. “Assistant Lý, Tô Vãn Vãn and Manager Vương had an illicit relationship. His wife came right to the door. I’m doing this to give the wife a clear explanation.”

“That’s right, someone with morally corrupt behavior appearing in the company has seriously affected the company’s image,” Julie added. “Sister Julie also wants what’s best for the company. Moreover, Sister Julie is about to become the President’s wife, and she certainly won’t allow such a person to appear in the company. People like this ruin the atmosphere.”

“Manager Vương, aren’t you going to step out and explain a little?” Lệ Dạ Thần looked coldly at the trembling Manager Vương.

“Wife, let’s go home first, I’ll explain clearly to you.”

“Go home? What home? You’ve done so many embarrassing things; do you still want to go home? Today, I will definitely expose all the bad things you and that fox spirit have done in front of everyone. Assistant General Director, right? I have proof here. Your company employee seduced my husband.”

Assistant Lý looked at her phone. “So there is proof. This even has a video. How did you record it?”

“The watch on the hand in the video is the one I bought for this damn man with a year’s salary. The watch in the video is indeed real. Great. I told you. Tô Vãn Vãn, this despicable person, is a mistress. Except…” Assistant Lý paused, looking at Julie and Ái Kỳ.

“…the one on her hand is fake. Furthermore, the person in the video is not him but our General Director.”

The room was silent. That watch belongs to the General Director! My God! The General Director? What? Fake?

“The watch looks similar. But the bezel is warped, the corners are too round, and the luminous coating on the hour markers is uneven. This watch wouldn’t even be taken at the counterfeit market.”

Lệ Dạ Thần turned back, his eyes sharp as knives. “Vương Phú Quý, do you want to die? Where is the real watch I bought for you?”

Manager Vương stammered: “It… it’s not here?”

Lệ Dạ Thần looked directly at Julie. “Julie, I remember you bought a similar watch recently. Did Manager Vương give you this watch?”

Julie’s face turned pale. Everyone understood. Julie gave it to her.

Lệ Dạ Thần ordered: “Julie for disrupting order. Fabricating lies without reason. Bullying colleagues. I see you people are truly idle with nothing to do. If you’re so free, then all of you will be collectively demoted to do odd jobs. And by the way, all the company’s toilets must be thoroughly scrubbed clean.”

“Assistant, I’ve been wronged so much.”

“Serves you right for fabricating rumors. Now you’ve met your retribution, haven’t you?” Sở Sở gloated.

I was taken to the hospital. Lệ Dạ Thần sat by the bed, his hand tightly holding mine. “Truly, Tô Vãn Vãn, I won’t let anything happen to you and the baby.”

He’s so worried about me and the baby. Could the baby really be his?

Conclusion: The Challenge of the Three Fathers and the Final Wager

The doctor came in. “The patient’s vital signs are all normal. Currently, she needs physical cooling and cleansing to promote blood circulation, which will aid faster recovery. A family member can help wipe her down with warm water.”

“Wipe me down?” I was surprised.

“Hmm. Ah, I’ll go find a nurse.” Lệ Dạ Thần was about to leave.

“The intimate contact and care of a partner are sometimes more effective than medicine. There’s warm water and a towel here; just be gentle.”

Lệ Dạ Thần froze. “I’ve never served anyone since I was little. Tô Vãn Vãn, your whole life is quite worthwhile now.”

Did he really want to wipe me down? My face flushed. “Mommy, your face is all red.” My child’s voice mocked me.

“Shut up!”

“Hmph. Still pretending? That’s right, me personally serving you is indeed worth pretending to sleep to enjoy.”

“Who, who’s pretending?”

“Not pretending? Then whose heart rate was that just now? One and a half times faster.”

“I… I feel hot.”

“Really? My hand isn’t hot.”

As I was trying to argue, the door burst open. “Doctor, where is my daughter?” My father rushed in, frantic.

“Uncle, I think she’s here.”

I was finished. If my father knew he was here, he’d break my legs, and his legs too. He promised him he wouldn’t meet me alone. Lệ Dạ Thần immediately hid in the wardrobe.

Just after my father left, Bạch Triệt and Lăng Diệu also rushed in.

“Vãn Vãn, are you okay? Your complexion is pale. How about I peel a jelly fruit for you?” Lăng Diệu worried.

“No, no, no. Sister Vãn Vãn, I never realized your legs were so long before.” Bạch Triệt suddenly blurted out something nonsensical.

“Me, my legs have always been long. This is like me.” Lăng Diệu boasted.

“It’s just that the leg hair is this thick, it’s also like Uncle’s,” Bạch Triệt said innocently, referring to my father.

“What? Should I have to tell you people about things like this?”

“Tô Vãn Vãn’s family member, I’m here.” The nurse walked in. “Why did the person change again? Which of you two is Tô Vãn Vãn’s husband?”

“I am,” Lăng Diệu and Bạch Triệt said simultaneously. Lệ Dạ Thần poked his head out of the wardrobe.

“Come in.”

The next morning, at my house. The three men were sitting upright, their expressions tense.

“Vãn Vãn, why are you dressed so formally?” Lệ Dạ Thần asked.

“Formally? I usually wear this at home. What’s wrong? Is it not beautiful?”

“Beautiful, of course. Only you talk too much, only he has an eye for beauty.” Lăng Diệu mocked.

“Wait, why did all three of you come at the same time?”

“Dad, was this your idea?” I looked at my father with suspicion.

My father coughed. “This, this was all, all their own free will. If you don’t believe me, ask if it’s true.”

“Ah, right, right, right, we came voluntarily. Right, right, right, completely voluntary, voluntary.” The three men answered in unison, though their faces looked unwilling.

“The first round of the qualifying tournament starts today. Anyone absent will be immediately disqualified.” My father announced, handing each of them an apron. “I declare the first Father Assessment Competition. It begins now.”

“There’s a saying that a father who can’t cook is like a mother hen that doesn’t push the eggs—completely useless. Therefore, today’s test is cooking skills.”

“Which father, who can cook, Dad? Which social media account did you see this on, Dad? Vãn Vãn, don’t you know how to cook? I don’t want my precious daughter to suffer later.”

“One who has never eaten pork, has he never seen a pig run? Someone who has eaten Michelin food since childhood, how could they be bad?” Lệ Dạ Thần challenged.

Lệ Dạ Thần immediately called. “Hello, Assistant Lý, right now, go prepare Australian lobster, lamb, Greek crab, Roman cabbage, black truffle, and caviar… That’s right, if one of these items is missing, you won’t live either. Today, I’ll let everyone taste my skill.”

After a while struggling in the kitchen. “Hey, where exactly is this lobster injured?”

“The dish is ready. This, this is cheese lobster.”

Everyone looked at the plate, where there was a black lump of charcoal.

“If you hadn’t said it, I wouldn’t have recognized it. All those ingredients, and you only made a lump of charcoal? Truly, all the gear, no idea. Oh, poor lobster. You died an unjust death.”

“Don’t judge by the appearance; it tastes good. If you don’t believe me, everyone taste it. Let me try a bite first.”

“How is it?” Lệ Dạ Thần asked nervously.

“Sister Vãn Vãn, don’t eat any more; if you keep eating, we’ll all have to go to the hospital. Mom, Dad Lệ wants to kill us, two lives on one body?” The voice in my belly cried out.

“I think maybe a wild boar can’t eat a shark. I think it’s okay. Aren’t you a strange eater?”

“Lệ tổng, don’t make it hard for yourself. Although I don’t often cook, I do have a few good dishes. Let me do it.” Lăng Diệu suggested.

Lăng Diệu’s dish looked better, but I noticed his hand was injured.

“What’s wrong? You accidentally cut yourself. Vãn Vãn, can you help me?”

“But I don’t know how to cook.”

“It’s okay; you just need to help with some chores.”

“You only cut your hand; it’s not like you lost a hand.”

I couldn’t help but go near him, helping him bandage the wound. I’ve never looked closely before. His eyelashes are so long. His face is also so handsome. A man this handsome, even if he’s a bit of a playboy, I’d still willingly fall for him.

“Mom, are you a man-chaser?”

“Are you cooking or doing something else?” I tried to change the subject.

“Anyway, what should be done and what shouldn’t have already been done. We didn’t do anything, did we? Then I advise you, do well what should be done. And what shouldn’t be done, absolutely don’t do it,” Lăng Diệu said mysteriously.

Lăng Diệu brought out his dish. “This dish is called ‘Green Dragon Crossing the River’.”

“Isn’t this just spring onion soup?”

“Uncultured! It looks good, though. That’s right; I hope it’s not just a beautiful exterior.”

“Vãn Vãn, this is the dish we finished together. Do you want to try it?”

“Lệ Dạ Thần, you…” I tried to stop him.

“Tô Vãn Vãn, don’t drink!” Lăng Diệu yelled.

“Are you acting? Let me taste it.” Lệ Dạ Thần took a sip.

He grimaced. “I think I mistook sugar for salt.”

“It looks like you’re not much better than me.” Lăng Diệu gloated.

“Vãn Vãn, for the rest of your life, you won’t get a single hot meal.” My father sighed.

“Oh, Uncle, I’m still here.” Bạch Triệt spoke up. “That’s right, I remember you’re a great cook. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Of course. However, I’m still missing one ingredient.”

“What are you missing? I’ll send someone to buy it for you.”

“This ingredient can’t be bought outside. What is so precious that it can’t be bought with money? I want water radish. That’s simple. We have it in our backyard. Look closely.”

Bạch Triệt presented his dish. “Wow… too much. This truly looks amazing. Finally, a reliable father.”

“Although I can make many dishes, this beef stew with radish and tofu is my grandmother’s recipe. Before she passed away, she told me I must cook it for the girl I love most.”

“Vãn Vãn, try it quickly. Let me poison-test it.” Lệ Dạ Thần was still petty.

“No!”

“How is it?” Lệ Dạ Thần asked.

“It’s just okay.”

“If it’s good, eat more. After all, eating charcoal won’t fill you up,” Lăng Diệu mocked.

“Your cooked spring onion dish isn’t much better.”

“It’s still better than your charcoal. Come here, come here, let me taste it. Hmm, it’s good, it’s good. Vãn Vãn, you are truly lucky for the rest of your life. Uncle, if it’s good, eat more. In this day and age, there aren’t many people who know how to cook like me.”

At that moment, Lăng Diệu suddenly spoke up: “Wait, wasn’t that ‘Green Dragon Crossing the River’ also your grandmother’s recipe?”

Bạch Triệt was speechless.

“This…” My father shook his head. “I now officially declare that all three of you are unqualified.”

Just then, I received a call. “Young Master Lăng, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

“Are those two brothers of mine still having people follow me?” Lăng Diệu muttered. “That’s right, I just saw their people enter Vãn Vãn’s house. No, I’ve already used her child; I can’t hurt her any further.”

I saw Lăng Diệu holding an umbrella. “This is Lăng Diệu’s umbrella.”

A reporter suddenly rushed in and took a photo. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I knew it. You love me the most. Lăng Diệu, your umbrella. What kind of cornered trick are you playing? Tô Vãn Vãn. Aren’t you also in a complicated relationship? What right do you have to blame others?” The reporter pointed the camera at me.

Lăng Diệu immediately covered my face. “What are you doing? He can’t get a picture of Tô Vãn Vãn’s face.”

“Lăng Diệu, I deceived you once, and now you deceived me once. We are even now,” I said.

“We can’t be even.”

What exactly do these three men covet about me? Do they covet my money? “Mom, your wallet is cleaner than your face.”

Do they covet my beauty? “This face does have something special about it.”

“Mom, is there something wrong with your eyes or the mirror?”

“Shut up, you brat. I know, they covet you, alright?”

“Never mind, I won’t think about men anymore. Tomorrow, I will officially be promoted, get a raise, and reach the pinnacle of my life. I want to be a rich woman.”

But the next morning, I received a difficult task. “This is your first task as General Director: you must secure an interview with Lăng Diệu.”

“Lăng Diệu? Damn it. Why is it him?”

“Lăng Diệu is the Film Emperor. That’s right, he’s been in the industry for 10 years and has never accepted an interview from any media outlet. Isn’t this clearly meant to embarrass Tô Vãn Vãn? Someone who doesn’t deserve the position should be demoted. Julie will go with you on this mission.”

“If anyone can secure this interview, that person can assume the General Director position. Wait, General Director, wasn’t it mine originally?”

“The last incident, although Lệ tổng came forward to help you, rumors are still rampant in the company. If you can’t use this opportunity to prove yourself, you should voluntarily give up this General Director position.”

“Don’t worry, I will definitely complete this mission.”

Julie and Ái Kỳ continued to provoke me. “Vãn Vãn, you’re pregnant with a child, yet you’re dressed so glamorously. Anyone who doesn’t know would think you want to seduce Lăng Diệu to make him the father of your child.”

“Is there a possibility? Lăng Diệu is the baby’s father.”

At the bar, Julie secretly canceled my appointment and booked it under her name.

“Tô Vãn Vãn, let’s see what you’ll use to win against me this time.”

“Our Lăng tổng is very busy; he won’t meet you without an appointment,” the receptionist said.

“I… I remember besides booking an appointment, members of your club can also meet the boss, right?”

“Of course, members with any issues can meet our boss directly.”

I pulled out my card, swiped 100,000, and became a member.

I confronted Lăng Diệu. “Film Emperor Lăng, cooperate with me. What do you have in your hand? Is it money or… But unfortunately, your type is saturated here.”

“What I can give you is not me, but what you want.”

“So tell me, what do I want?”

“Film Emperor Lăng, you’ve been in the industry for many years, but you’ve never mentioned your father. But I know all the efforts you’ve made are for your father abroad to see. And our Lệ Thị, this interview will be broadcast nationally and internationally on the biggest video platforms. By then, your father will see all of this.”

He was silent. “You know me well. The interviewer naturally needs to understand the interviewee. It seems somewhat interesting, but unfortunately, I’m not interested in you.”

“You’re not interested in her, so what about me?” Julie interrupted.

“Not interested either.”

“Don’t you like drinking? Then let’s roll the dice. If you win, I’ll drink with you.”

“Are you being reckless? You’re pregnant. How can you drink alcohol?” Lăng Diệu showed concern.

“So, are you concerned about me? Or are you concerned about this baby? Are you threatening me?”

“One game determines the winner. If I win, you must accept the interview. If you win, I…”

“I will admit that you are the baby’s father.”

Lăng Diệu laughed brightly. “Alright.”

Film Emperor Lăng. He truly lives up to his reputation as the “Little God of Dice.” His skill is truly uncanny.

“Vãn Vãn, I advise you to surrender quickly. Although…”