Games That People Play

Chapter 15: A Deal

The Medical City

Lu Jinian was on the phone. He seemed to be engrossed in his conversation with the person on the other line. He nodded his head from time to time but his face was dark and serious.

Huang Lin glanced at his son, "Lu Jinian, relax... let our people do the job. It won't hasten your recovery if you keep working yourself up." She told his son knowingly.

Lu Jinian groaned and turned off his phone without a word. He knew his mother was watching him like a hawk. She could be a bull if she wanted to. His father Cheng Yue was a headstrong too, but he never attempted to cross his wife. He loved and respected her, he was thankful that she still accepted him after what he did... back then, only months away from their wedding day.

Cheng Yue was bethrothed to Huang Lin when they were only 12 years old. Their families arranged their marriage mainly for business reasons. They wanted to solidify the family's hold in the hotel industry. They were relatives by blood, liking each other was second priority.

Eventually, the two naturally fell in love with each other. Huang Lin was beautiful and she excelled in her class while Cheng Yue inherited his father's good looks and was very good in Mathematics and an excellent varsity player. They were a perfect pair.

A month before Cheng Yue and Huang Lin were to have their wedding vows, it was learned that the man had a short tryst with his classmate in college. The woman was Wei Mu, a senior student of the same university. When his family learned of his infidelity, his mother Lu Xiao Ming went to Wei Mu's family and made a deal.

-----------------------------------

Mu Residence

"What is your real relationship with my son?" Lu Xiao Ming was a direct person and didn't want to beat around the bush.

Wei Mu's parents looked at her intently. How could their daughter do something irrational? She was intelligent and attractive in her own way. Slowly, Wei Mu raised her head and spoke in a trembling voice: "I am pregnant..." a tear escaped the corners of her eyes.

Her mother almost fainted. "What are you thinking, stupid girl?" she asked angrily.

"Did you forget that graduation comes in three months? What were you thinking, child..." Wei Mu's father was calm but concern was written on his face.

He was a manager of a small company and his wife owned a flower shop. They were not very rich but they could afford to send their daughter to the best university where the Huangs and the Yues studied.

Lu Xiao Ming was deep in thought. She was a woman too, and she could tell that Wei Mu was not stupid. She possessed a good head and she was not promiscuous. She had Wei Mu's background checked before she came over to their home.

"So, have you discussed this with my son?" Lu Xiao Ming asked her gently.

"Yes Madam..." Wei Mu tailed off, while her mother cried silently in her husband's arms.

"... and...?" they waited for Wei Mu to continue. She looked so sad and she clasped her trembling hands together.

"He said he can't marry me..." Her voice trembled too, head lowered in shame.

"Why not? He was irresponsible enough to impregnate you and he can't be man enough to take the responsibility?" Wei Mu's mother was indignant.

Lu Xiao Ming stared at the young girl with interest. Her mother was shaking her daughter's shoulders.

"Wife, please calm down, let's talk about this objectively, ok?" Wei Mu's father was deeply sad and worried but he needed to be strong for his wife and daughter.

"Alright then, i will talk some sense into the head of that son of mine, he should be accountable for his actions!" Lu Xiao Ming said.

"Madam, no please...!" Wei Mu cried.

"Why not? Isn't he the father of your child?" Lu Xiao Ming asked.

"Yes, but i can't force him. He doesn't love me. We were drunk and we..." she sobbed forlornly.

"He told me he was engaged and he loved his girlfriend and will only marry her"

She was silent for a moment, then she continued, "He said he will tell the truth to his girlfriend, and if she won't forgive him, he still will not marry me." Wei Mu wiped her tears and raised her face.

"Dad, Mom, i'm so sorry!" her mother went into another fit of crying.

"What do you plan to do, then?" Lu Xiao Ming prodded. She wanted to know exactly the motive of this girl, if there was any.

"Abortion" Her small voice was like a bomb to their ears.

"What!?"

"Absolutely no!"

"That is absolutely out of the question."

Lu Xiao Ming thought for a moment, then said in a matter of fact way, "Here is my suggestion, since you do not want to marry my son and vise versa, and you are graduating in three months, why not keep your baby?" She waited for their reactions but none came, only three pair of curious eyes were directed at her.

Lu Xiao Ming smiled and continued, "In less than three months, you will get your college degree, then we can send you abroad to continue with your pregnancy and give birth to the child. You will then work in one of our companies abroad, and you can live your life as you wish, just as long as you allow us to recognize and register your child as a Yue." She finished her proposal.

Wei Mu and her parents were surprised and it was her father who spoke first. "Madam, i do not know if i should be angry or just be grateful for your idea at this point." Then he looked at his wife's pitiful state. "But it is my daughter who will decide on this matter. She is 19 and we will allow her to take the path that she wants..." sadness laced his voice.

"I agree." Wei Mu's soft voice came. "Mom, Dad, i will bravely take this path and i promise to make it up to you after i have given birth to my child. Please trust me one more time..." She pleaded.

"Then it's a deal!" Lu Xiao Ming was glad at the sudden turn of events. She turned to Wei Mu's parents. "Don't worry, my family will take care of your daughter."

She was relieved that this problem was settled amicably. The next step would be to know the thoughts of the Huangs as she had no intention to keep this a secret from the family.

"My lawyer will contact you anytime this week for the Agreement contract. This will be for your daughter's future and her protection." Then she stood and prepared to leave.

"I have to go now... do take care of yourself Wei Mu. Keep in mind that you are carrying a Yue child in your womb."

Then she left without another word.