Leng Tianhao's voice was low and hoarse. "Lu Chengwen, what are you playing at? Qingqiu was never like this before—she was never impulsive, never out of control. Today, you're acting clueless on purpose, pushing my daughter into your trap. What hold do you have over her to make her break down like this?!"
"N-No, I… I really didn't…"
Long Aotian chimed in, "You're scheming to ruin the Leng family, to make Qianfeng Group collapse and go bankrupt so you can swoop in and buy it cheap. Then Qianfeng and Leng Qingqiu will both be yours to toy with, right? That's your plan, isn't it?"
Lu Chengwen thought: You bastard!
You're useless at wooing women, but when it comes to framing me, you're a damn genius! You're out to bury me!
Your scheming is sharp and vicious!
But Lu Chengwen knew he couldn't lose it now. He had to handle this carefully, or he'd be done for. He couldn't die a seventh time in such a muddled mess!
He quickly said, "Both of you, calm down. I'll go talk to her, I'll convince her…"
Long Aotian grabbed his collar. "You? Who do you think you are?"
Lu Chengwen's heart raced. Oh no, this guy's about to get violent!
Am I going to die in Leng Tianhao's study?
Damn it! Here goes nothing!
Lu Chengwen roared, "Long Aotian! You better behave!"
"What did you say?!"
"I'm telling you, I genuinely believe the shantytown redevelopment project has potential. In business, I'm just giving my honest opinion. What's wrong with that? How was I supposed to know Leng Qingqiu would react like this?! It's completely beyond what I expected—can't you see that?"
Leng Tianhao was furious. "Potential? In the shantytown project? That project's barely a third done, it's gone through four managers, and three people have jumped off buildings! And you want Qingqiu to dive into that mess?"
Lu Chengwen doubled down. "Fortune favors the bold! Crisis means danger and opportunity!"
Long Aotian smirked derisively. "Oh? If it's such an opportunity, why isn't the Lu family investing?"
Lu Chengwen had been waiting for that. "I've already decided to invest in the shantytown project."
The statement stunned both Leng Tianhao and Long Aotian.
The shantytown project was a death trap—a bald head on a louse, no, a louse on a bald head, wait… it was a blatant pit. A giant, endless pit.
Whoever touched it was doomed. Countless tycoons had been bled dry by it, drowning in debt, some even jumping to their deaths to escape.
And now Lu Chengwen was saying he'd jump in? It was beyond shocking.
Lu Chengwen softened his tone. "Originally, I thought we could tackle this project with the Leng family. Sure, I had selfish motives—sharing the risk. But now, it looks like I'll have to do it alone."
Leng Tianhao was skeptical. "You're… really investing in the shantytown project?"
"When I, Lu Chengwen, make a decision, I don't back down."
Leng Tianhao grimaced. "That's disgusting!"
Long Aotian's mind was reeling. Why is Lu Chengwen making this suicidal move? It doesn't fit his character!
This guy's always about profit—he'd never touch a losing deal, let alone one that'll strip him down to his underwear!
Lu Chengwen thought: Underwear? I'd go naked to survive! Nothing's more important than my life.
"Uncle Leng, don't get worked up. I'll talk to Qingqiu. Once she calms down, we can sort this out."
To Long Aotian, he added, "Brother Aotian, don't rush. I'll convince her to go for the amusement park project. That okay? But the Lu family won't touch it—you'll have to work closely with Qingqiu and help her out."
With a long sigh, he added sincerely, "Honestly, I don't believe in this project. Something this good has to have a catch. But since you both think it's promising, I won't be the bad guy. If it goes south, don't forget I opposed it today!"
Long Aotian thought: Damn!
He's got me there!
He's saying it's his opinion, and Qingqiu's reaction caught him off guard. Fair enough!
And now he's agreeing to convince her to follow our plan, doing exactly what we want.
If it fails, don't blame him.
Reasonable, justified, measured!
Plus, he's subtly saying he's not competing with me, leaving the project to me and Qingqiu.
Man and woman working together, her beauty, my charm… you get the idea. Maybe it's not just the project we'll be working on, right? A little romance could happen too!
Long Aotian smirked, then grew serious. "Can you actually convince Qingqiu?"
"I'll try."
Lu Chengwen felt like he was in a slaughterhouse—one wrong word, and his life was over. Time to bolt!
"I'm going to find her now. Wait for my good news!"
He rushed out to chase Leng Qingqiu—or so the two in the room thought. In reality, he was desperate to escape with his life.
Leng Qingqiu sat in the driver's seat of a sports car, sobbing into the steering wheel.
Lu Chengwen watched from outside, his heart aching.
He gently opened the passenger door and slid in.
Leng Qingqiu sat up, wiping her tears and nose. "What now, Mr. Lu? Got another pit for me to jump into?"
Lu Chengwen, a bit embarrassed, sighed. "Let's take a drive. You get out."
Leng Qingqiu expected him to comfort her, even if it was fake. But he didn't.
Instead, he gave her a gentle smile, like an elder seeing a crying junior—not rushing to lecture, but offering to take her out for some fun.
She didn't resist. They switched seats.
"Buckle up. Here we go."
Lu Chengwen started the car. The gatekeeper hurriedly opened the iron gate, and the car sped off.
In his past life, Lu Chengwen was a delivery driver, always seeing luxury cars on the road. His first time crossing over, he was so thrilled to drive one that he got himself killed by the protagonist on day one.
This was his seventh go, and he'd adapted. He handled the car like a pro, even throwing in a drift that scared Leng Qingqiu half to death.
Her face paled, but she bit her lip, refusing to scream.
Lu Chengwen thought: What a woman. Scared but never backing down.
Let's go harder.
The car roared at high speed. Leng Qingqiu finally cracked. "Chengwen…"
"What?" The car flew, but Lu Chengwen's face was calm, his gaze steady.
"Slow down… I'm scared."
"Alright."
He pulled over on a quiet coastal road, and they strolled onto the beach.
Leng Qingqiu, barefoot, carried her heels, gazing at the sunset, lost in thought.
They walked in silence, just kept walking.
When Leng Qingqiu grew bored, they sat on a wooden bench by the road. Lu Chengwen bought drinks, and they sipped, watching the sun dip below the horizon.
Leng Qingqiu stared at the sea. "Do you really think the shantytown project will make money? Be honest."
Lu Chengwen laughed. "Nonsense. It's a money pit. So many have died trying. Who in their right mind would touch it?"
"Then why'd you push me toward it?"
"I didn't know you'd actually go for it!"
"You knew the right answer. Why didn't you say it?"
He sighed. "I have my reasons."
Leng Qingqiu smiled, sensing his sincerity.
In the distance, a boy introduced a girl to a middle-aged woman. "Mom, this is my girlfriend, Xiaoli."
The woman praised the girl, and the three sat happily on the beach, chatting, laughing.
Lu Chengwen and Leng Qingqiu watched. Ordinary people—a youthful, acne-scarred boy with a basketball, a gentle, shy girl glowing with happiness, and a kind, warm mother.
Lu Chengwen's heart ached, thinking of his own mother, still in the hospital. He longed to return to his world, earn enough to cure her.
[If I could marry an ordinary girl like that and take her to meet my mom, she'd be so happy.]
[I'd trade everything—my cars, my villa—for that. Your happiness—can I have it?]
Leng Qingqiu was stunned.
In her mind, Lu Chengwen was a ruthless, money-obsessed businessman, a scheming capitalist. But today, she saw his heart.
No one would believe this.
If I couldn't hear his thoughts, I wouldn't either!
His calm face betrayed envy, blessings, and a touch of sorrow.
Leng Qingqiu suddenly felt she and Lu Chengwen were cut from the same cloth.
"Are people destined to be lonely? Is the world really that cruel and cold?" she asked, looking at him.
He paused, then nodded. "Yes."
Disappointed, she lowered her head.
He turned to her, his voice gentle. "That's why people crave connection. The world's lonely and cold, so we yearn for family's care, friends' loyalty, lovers' devotion, the warmth and romance of life."
Leng Qingqiu pouted, a faint smile breaking through. "Who knew Young Master Lu could spit pearls from a dog's mouth?"
"Of course!" he said. "In business, we deal with wolves. No one wants to be the lamb. Ordinary people's emotions are hard for us to come by. Betray us once, and they can earn more than most do in a lifetime. That temptation's too much for most. Even good people might take the risk in a moment of weakness."
She nodded. "So we're doomed to be lonely?"
"Not quite. We've got money—they envy us for that."
She scoffed, turning away, then back. "Your family seems so harmonious. Why doesn't yours follow that jungle law? They all seem happy."
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Lu Chengwen thought for a moment. "My family… might be a bit special."
Leng Qingqiu gave a bitter smile. "I'm jealous of you."
He felt the mood was right. "That amusement park project could make money. You should move on it fast."
Leng Qingqiu was already smitten, but business wasn't her only focus now. "I know, but my funds are tight. And securing that land quietly and quickly won't be easy—word could leak."
She looked at him, hoping for a response.
He nodded. "You don't need to worry. Long Aotian will help you. He's got ways to secure that land without anyone knowing…"
Her hopeful expression turned to disappointment. Staring out at the sea, she said coldly, "Lu Chengwen, you're a total jerk."
He didn't get mad. He laughed. Her hating or misunderstanding him wasn't an issue—it was a blessing.
"So, you go for the amusement park. I'll tackle the shantytown. You're a good person, just too stubborn."
Smiling, he added, "Stay away from a jerk like me. Cherish life, avoid scum."
Leng Qingqiu looked at him. "I don't believe in jinxes. I'm investing in the shantytown project with you."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. This woman was getting weirder by the minute.
[Big sister, are you out of your mind?!]
_
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