The Cannon Fodder Alpha Who Made the Heroine Pregnant - Chapter 32

32:

Today was a good day for Zhou Lan, she finally received her long-awaited diploma.

This document elevated her credibility as a musician. In this industry, background mattered immensely before fame could speak for itself.

Another cause for celebration: ‘Newborn’ would be released in three days. As the original singer, she had a 40-minute livestream event scheduled—audio only, no camera.

Since one song couldn’t fill 40 minutes, she’d perform four or five new tracks. Hua Qiao would compile these into a digital album.

‘Newborn’ served as the lead single.

The tentative tracklist included False Relationship and Proud of One’s Art, a recently composed song about Madam Wu’s tragic story.

(Proud of One’s Art sounded playful, but its lyrics depicted heartbreaking desolation—guaranteed to induce melancholy.)

She’d sent the demo to Hua Qiao. The “Screw Off” band would again handle instrumentation. Recording would begin tomorrow at Capital City if all went smoothly.

Hua Qiao had already shot and edited Newborn’s MV (expedited by Chu Yue Entertainment). The other tracks’ visuals would follow within a week.

Zhou Lan didn’t care much about MVs—as long as she didn’t have to appear in them.

(Hua Qiao had pushed for her to star in them as a debut, but she refused. She wanted to be a musician, not a celebrity.)

After finalizing album details with Hua Qiao, Zhou Lan faced a more critical task: persuading Zhou Xianling.

Her father wouldn’t be at the Zhou residence, either at the company or golfing. When she called, he redirected their meeting to Zhou Corporation’s headquarters.

A calculated move.

Despite employing Zhou Lundao and Chu Zhao, plus hiring professional managers, Zhou Xianling clearly hadn’t abandoned hopes for his daughter.

Otherwise, why block her from joining Zhou Corp while letting outsiders in?

The rumors—Zhou Lan refuses to enter the family business, Zhou Xianling considers his daughter useless—were deliberate smears from those threatened by her potential involvement.

—

Zhou Corporation Tower stood 39 stories tall, its pinnacle housing the chairman’s office.

Dressed in white sportswear with a high ponytail, Zhou Lan aimed for low-key but radiated youthful vibrancy, drawing stares regardless.

The nearly empty lobby contained only receptionists and security.

“Who are you visiting?” a guard asked when she bypassed the access gates.

“Making a call,” she said, dialing Zhou Xianling.

He answered instantly, as if awaiting her arrival.

“I’m here.”

The guard gestured her to a waiting area. Moments later, an impeccably suited man in his thirties emerged from the elevators.

Kang Kang, Zhou Xianling’s top assistant. With an 8 million yuan salary and authority surpassing VPs, his appearance sent receptionists scrambling to attention.

“Young Miss,” he greeted respectfully. “The chairman sent me to escort you.”

Young Miss. The title electrified the lobby. Zhou Lan suppressed a frown.

By sending Kang Kang, Zhou Xianling signaled to the entire company: She remains the prime successor.

Now every private work chat would buzz about her visit. During this leadership transition, vultures would come circling.

Her father was pressuring her—inheritance is your only path.

The private elevator ascended silently. Kang Kang ushered her out to the 39th floor. “The chairman awaits.”

His workstation outside the glass-walled office concealed a floor-to-ceiling document cabinet. Behind the drawn curtains, Zhou Xianling’s voice boomed: “Enter.”

—

Zhou Xianling rose and began an elaborate tea ceremony—a twenty-minute test of patience Zhou Lan passed effortlessly, never glancing at her phone.

“Good tea,” he finally remarked after tasting his brew. “Try it.”

She sipped politely but remained silent.

“State your request,” Zhou Xianling prodded.

“Not a request. An exchange,” she corrected.

“Oh?” His interest piqued. “Continue.”

She set down her cup. “Three terms. First, I will take Madam Wu out of Jiangning.”

“Second, publicly announce that I won’t inherit Zhou Corp.”

“Third, appoint Chu Zhao as VP of Project Development.”

Only by stacking demands would he engage. A single favor would’ve been dismissed outright.

Zhou Xianling’s eyes gleamed. “The first term is trivial. Wasting negotiation capital on outsiders is unwise.”

(Madam Wu meant nothing to him.)

“I love Chu Zhao,” Zhou Lan stated bluntly. “Her mother is my mother. You know what the Chu’s did. They won’t relent while she’s here. Plus, my proposal requires Chu Zhao’s cooperation.”

Zhou Xianling: “…”

A love-struck fool flashed through his mind. His assessment of her sharpened, perhaps she was as useless as rumored.

“No woman is worth all this,” he scoffed.

“My values aren’t yours,” she fired back.

Zhou Xianling’s jaw tightened. (He’d chosen power over love his whole life. This disappointment might need… disposal.)

Internally, Zhou Lan smiled. Playing the besotted fool had advantages, it explained all her actions.

Even if Chu Zhao might actually start believing it.