OUT GAME.
The grand ballroom of Yue Corporation was dazzling crystal chandeliers cast shimmering light over the polished marble floors, and rows of elegantly dressed guests buzzed with excitement. This was the night of the year: the annual corporate gala, where alliances were celebrated, and futures forged.
Mr. Yue stood at the centre of the room, his broad shoulders squared and his face the picture of pride. Beside him, Lumi was radiant, her poised smile flawless as she greeted the assembled crowd. The engagement announcement was to be the highlight, a symbol of unity between the Yue and Koo families, strengthening their business empire.
The room erupted into polite applause as the event's MC stepped aside, signaling Mr. Yue to take the stage and address the guests. Lumi stood by his side, her hand lightly resting on his arm.
But then, from the back of the room, a confident voice cut through the hum of chatter.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ruan's voice rang clear, calm yet commanding. All eyes snapped towards him.
Ruan stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Mr. Yue's. A hush fell over the room.
"In all the celebration tonight, I must ask — are we truly considering the future? Or simply performing for the cameras?"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Mr. Yue's expression hardened.
Ruan continued, "Mr. Yue, with all due respect, the company has been facing serious financial difficulties lately. The stock prices have been dropping, and key investors are growing wary. Isn't it reckless to proceed with an engagement that seems more like a business bailout than a genuine union?"
Lumi's smile wavered, eyes narrowing sharply at Ruan. Indistinct buzzes were heard, people at the hall talking of what Ruan was talking about. No one absolutely no one saw this coming.
Ruan didn't back down. "If this alliance is to mean anything, it should be built on strength and transparency, not desperation and secrecy."
The room went silent. Mr. Yue's jaw clenched visibly and Lumi's fingers tightened around his arm.
"You're accusing us of weakness, Ruan," Mr. Yue said coldly.
"Not accusing, sir," Ruan replied smoothly. "Just demanding accountability. Before we celebrate, I challenge you, present a clear plan to restore the company's stability. Show us all why this alliance makes sense beyond appearances."
Lumi stepped forward, and whispered, "Ruan, this isn't the time or place for your theatrics."
But Ruan met her glare unflinchingly. "The time is now. If we cannot be honest in front of our partners and peers, then what good is any engagement?"
Guests shifted uneasily, some whispering, others casting shocked glances between the families.
Mr. Yue, usually unshakable, faltered slightly before regaining composure. "We will address these concerns privately, Ruan. This event is not for airing grievances."
Ruan gave a slight bow. "Very well. But I won't stand by silently while our future is negotiated on shaky ground."
He turned and walked away, leaving a charged silence in his wake. Lumi stared after him, fury and fear flickering in her eyes. She knew this was no ordinary challenge — Ruan had just made the engagement a battlefield.
Mr. Yue exhaled heavily and looked at Lumi, "This changes everything."
The night that was supposed to be a celebration had turned into a war zone, with the stakes higher than anyone anticipated.
In a quiet corner of the gala, away from the chattering guests, Lumi's eyes blazed with fury as she faced Ruan. The glittering lights didn't soften her glare.
"So this is your idea of out gaming me?" she spat, voice low but fierce. "Publicly humiliating my family at their own event? Do you think this will break me?"
Ruan's smirk widened, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. "Funny, I thought you told me to out game you. Didn't you? You wanted a game, Lumi. So I'm playing."
Lumi's hands clenched into fists. "You don't get to play me. I'm not some pawn in your little schemes."
He took a step closer, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Neither am I. You think I'm afraid of you? Of your threats? I'm already two moves ahead."
"Two moves ahead? We'll see about that," Lumi snapped back, eyes narrowing. "You've just made a powerful enemy, Ruan. And enemies don't forget."
Ruan tilted his head, amused but serious. "Oh, to begin with I don't remember the two of us as friends. However, I don't forget. That's why I'm warning you, don't underestimate me. Because I'll make sure you don't get away with this."
They stood there, locked in a fierce battle of wills, the tension crackling between them like electricity. Neither willing to back down, both knowing this was just the beginning of a war neither could afford to lose.
Later Ruan walked away, smirking.
Lumi screamed her lungs out, breathing heavily.
At Yue condo, it was no better. Lumi sat on the couch. Her dad, Mr Yue kept pacing from left and right infront of her.
"This...this cannot be happening?" Mr. Yue complained.
Lumi sighed, "Can you at least sit. You, acting like that is not helping father."
Mr. Yue paused. Then he turned to Lumi.
"And whose fault is this?" Mr. Yue asked, pointing at her. "That Koo boy was under your observation. Now look, he's going off limits."
Lumi scoffed, "For once, can you not blame me for what is happening?"
"Huh?"
Lumi stood up. "What if you could have worked hard? Everything in the company would have been running smoothly by now. And we couldn't be here right now throwing words to each other. And maybe...maybe I would be living a simple life like other teenagers.
"Lumi!" he snarled.
"What!"
A moment of silence passed. Lumi sighed tiredly, "Don't worry. I will have Ruan shut up."
With that she left the place, climbing the stairs to her room.
She pulled out a cigarette, "Ruan! You are mine. Whoever is stopping you, I'll look up into it, and you will never succeed." Lumi thought to herself.
At this point, it was not about the complain. It was about her obsession towards Ruan.
***
Eric Koo stormed into the room, his face flushed with anger. He threw the tablet to him that had the news:
"Mr. Koo's illegitimate son causes a bizarre in the Yue event"
"Ruan!" he snarled. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" His voice thundered, Ruan didn't flinch.
Ruan looked up calmly, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "I'm doing what needs to be done, dad. This engagement is a business deal, not a cage."
Eric's hand shot out before he could stop himself, a sharp slap landed on Ruan's cheek. "You ungrateful brat! You think you can play games with the family name? You've embarrassed me in front of the entire company."
Surprisingly, he didn't back down. Ruan chuckled softly then it grew into laughter.
"You are laughing? Is this funny?" Eric grumbled.
"Do you think, I'm still in middle school or some? Where you used to beat me up whenever you liked and I sat here without doing anything only because I thought you will become a better father. But no, you just have proven that you cannot change." Ruan muttered.
"So you think you are grown up now?"
Ruan clenched his jaw, "Maybe it's time you listen instead of barking orders."
Eric's fists clenched. "You're walking a dangerous line, Ruan. One wrong move, and this company , our legacy — will crumble."
Ruan stood, meeting his father's glare head-on. "Then maybe it's time the legacy changes. Because I won't be your pawn."
Eric's face twisted with fury, but for a moment, a shadow of doubt crossed his eyes.
He shook his head sadly, pointing at him. "Maybe that's why they call you illegitimate."
"And who made me one?" Ruan asked brows arched.
Eric didn't answer. Instead he turned and walked away angrily out of Ruan's room.
Ruan stood still watching his father walk away angrily. His phone chimed. A message popped up.
"Is everything alright?" Akari