She didn't know that as she blended into the crowd, a man in a dark gray jacket and a baseball cap, under the shade of the banyan tree behind the hospital entrance, quickly put away the small camera he had mounted on the lid of a trash can and pulled his hat down even lower. He slipped out of the shadows like a fish, slid to a public phone booth across the street, inserted a coin, and dialed a number.
The phone connected immediately. "Mr. Huo, it's me, Richard." The man spoke quickly and clearly, lowering his voice. "It's confirmed. Miss Liu just came out of Dr. Sophie's office. It seems the treatment has indeed begun... I'll try to find a way to get the specific treatment plan and details..."
Soon, Richard called again. "Mr. Huo, I've got the stuff. It's very detailed, with the treatment plan and contraindications all there... Yes, it's the diagnosis of 'uterine hypoplasia'... Sophie said it herself. It's a combination of injections and medication, and the course of treatment is at least two and a half to three years. Absolute abstinence is required during this time... Yes, I've taken photos of the key details of the medical report... Miss Liu seems to have accepted it. She even touched her stomach when she came out just now... I understand. I'll leave the stuff in the same place for you tonight."
In the study of the Huo family mansion, velvet curtains blocked out the neon lights outside. Huo Zhenting reclined on a leather sofa, the phone pressed to his ear. The whistle of a ship's horn and the gentle chime of a clock outside couldn't drown out the words coming from the phone—"uterine hypoplasia," "two and a half to three years," "absolute abstinence"...
His handsome face tensed instantly, a subtle pang rising from the depths of his heart. Thinking of Liu Rumeng's pride and stubbornness, facing the embarrassment of such a verdict, the feeling was fleeting, quickly overwhelmed by a strong sense of pity and possessiveness. Then, Kobayashi Tianwang's always slightly aloof expression came to mind. That Japanese man was, at heart, a more astute businessman than he was.
Huo Zhenting snorted softly. Xiaolin Tianwang, how much genuine love could he have for Miss Liu? It was nothing more than a lust for beauty and conquest. Even if he were a little serious… Huo Zhenting's lips curled up in a cold arc. Could he tolerate her being only able to look at her for two or three years without touching her? Could he accept a lengthy treatment that might still be in vain? Could he not care about not having an heir in the future?
Ho Chun-ting could almost imagine the stiffness on Kobayashi Tianwang's face, the evasive look in his eyes, and the polite evasion that followed when he heard the news. How could he possibly accept a partner who was at risk of long-term or even permanent infertility?
But my Huo Zhen is quite different! He suddenly opened his eyes, a persistent light burning in his eyes. He is willing to wait! What are two or three years? Five years, ten years, as long as it is Liu Rumeng, he can wait! The Huo family's assets can be used to cultivate children from other branches or rely on a manager system in the future, and this will not be an obstacle. He is willing to invest all resources and mobilize all his connections to give her the best treatment. Even if the treatment ultimately fails...
He wouldn't underestimate her in the slightest! Her value wasn't limited to her fertility. His goal was to free her from the shadow of her illness, allowing her to safely become the head of the Huo family, enjoying prosperity and protection. This deep affection and devotion was enough to overwhelm Xiaolin Tianwang's calculations.
A darker thought surfaced. Huo Zhenting tapped lightly on the armrest of the sofa, his eyes dark. If he weren't concerned about damaging Liu Rumeng's reputation and state of mind, or even interrupting her treatment, he would have immediately and "accidentally" spread the news of her illness. He wouldn't have to do anything; someone would naturally pass the news on to Xiaolin Tianwang. That "flawed" report would be enough to make Xiaolin Tianwang give up completely, giving up, and eliminating this rival once and for all! But not now... He couldn't resort to such a risky move unless it was absolutely necessary.
While his mind was mulling over his emotional defense, his eyes fell on the Ming Pao newspaper open on the corner of his desk. The front-page headline was an article written by Jin Yong, lauded with the newspaper's fullest praise: "A revolutionary work in martial arts fiction... a future leader..." The words were filled with praise and sincere promises of a high-paying job. Kobayashi Tenmo's newly founded Asia Daily, fueled by this groundbreaking novel and Jin Yong's promotion, quickly became a huge hit in Hong Kong. Ho Chun-ting recalled the praise his circle had showered on Kobayashi Tenmo and the New Paper yesterday, and a wave of irritation mingled with jealousy washed over him.
Liu Rumeng's illness gave him a winning weapon, while Xiaolin Tianwang's success in the newspaper industry gave him another attack point. Huo Zhenting pointed his index finger at the pen name "Huang Yi". This Huang Yi was Xiaolin Tianwang's most powerful card at the moment.
Poaching! Using the most direct, crude and effective method! No matter how much money Xiaolin Tianwang offers, can it ever surpass Huo Zhenting? Even if Jin Yong's Ming Pao is willing to spend, it can only give double the royalties. But if Huo Zhenting comes to his rescue...
A cool, confident smile played across Huo Zhenting's lips. He believed in the power of money, especially for a rising writer. Fame? Ming Pao, represented by Jin Yong, was a towering figure in the literary world! Huo Zhenting would pay—and Ming Pao would step in, granting Huang Yi a larger platform, higher status, and greater reputation. With both fame and fortune on the line, how could Huang Yi, unless he were a saint, not be tempted? Jin Yong would surely smile like a fox at this suggestion.
Kobayashi Tenmo's Japanese nationality is a source of irritation for some, and for writers like Jin Yong, it's even more of a leverage for "greater righteousness." When faced with significant interests, what does a spirit of contract or gratitude really matter?
The more Fok Chun-ting thought about it, the more he felt this plan was feasible. It was a naked conspiracy! It was a commercial competition that no competitor could accuse him of. As long as you're willing to spend money, there's no corner you can't poach. If the pillar of "A Step into the Past" were to fall, even if it were to hit Ming Pao, the false prosperity of the Asia Times would be shattered in an instant.
At that time, if the "cultural boutique" that Kobayashi Tenmo had painstakingly cultivated collapsed, what capital would he still have to challenge me in Hong Kong Island? This would be a fatal blow to the foundation of Kobayashi Tenmo's career!
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