Lu Chengwen was perplexed: "Big sister, can I ask what's going through your mind?"
"No need to overthink it," Leng Qingqiu replied. "Ever since you took over Dasheng Group, you've never made a losing deal. So, whatever you invest in, I'll follow."
Lu Chengwen's forehead broke out in a sweat.
[This is freaking pointless! After all this maneuvering, we've circled right back to square one!]
[I'm diving into this shantytown project knowing it's a guaranteed loss. What's your game? I'm ready to burn through my entire fortune without batting an eye, but your Leng family can't afford to take another hit!]
[And let's not forget, Long Aotian and your dad are waiting for my good news! If you're dead set on sinking money into a losing project with me, they'll tear me apart!]
Leng Qingqiu watched Lu Chengwen's baffled expression and burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling like blooming flowers. "Look at that silly face of yours. Are you really that scared of my dad and Long Aotian?"
Lu Chengwen said earnestly, "I'm serious, Qingqiu. You absolutely cannot touch the shantytown project."
Leng Qingqiu gazed at him, her tone softening. "Chengwen-ge, tell me the truth… do you still like me?"
Lu Chengwen froze, his mind spinning.
Looking at Leng Qingqiu's sincere expression, he quickly shook his head. "No, no, I don't like you anymore."
Her eyes dimmed instantly. "Since when did you stop liking me?"
"I can't pinpoint when," Lu Chengwen said, flustered. "Look, let's focus on settling the engagement first. If this project can make you quick money and you can team up with Long Aotian, Qianfeng Group will surely rise again. Then there'll be no need for a marriage alliance. You'll be free to chase the guy you actually like, without putting up with a jerk like me."
Leng Qingqiu hesitated. "I suddenly…"
"Huh?"
Her heart raced, and she felt a nervous sweat breaking out. Seeing Lu Chengwen's furrowed brow as he waited for her to continue, her anxiety spiked.
"I…"
"What's wrong?" he pressed.
Her lips trembled for a moment before she mustered her courage. "I think… I've fallen for you."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened, his brain short-circuiting. "You… what did you say?"
"I said, I like you."
He stared at her, mouth agape, utterly motionless.
Leng Qingqiu's cheeks flushed crimson. "These past few days without you… I've felt so out of sorts."
She lowered her gaze, a shy smile breaking through. "I know this sounds crazy, but… it's like I can hear your heart, your true thoughts. I think… you're a good person."
Lu Chengwen stood frozen, as if turned to stone.
Leng Qingqiu pursed her lips. "So… if you're willing, if you don't hate me… from today, I'm your girlfriend. And next month's engagement…"
Her nerves got the better of her, words tumbling out in a jumble. Her heart pounded like a drum, resonating through her entire body. "…If you think the engagement is too soon, we can slow down, get to know each other better, try… dating first, and then… talk to our families…"
Lu Chengwen remained petrified, unresponsive.
"It's okay if you don't agree," Leng Qingqiu said, her heart now a tangled mess. A woman's instinct to overthink kicked in, shifting her from excitement and nerves to anxiety and despair.
"I'm not saying you're the only one for me," she continued, voice trembling. "But… we could take it slow. I'm not trying to pressure you. I know I have plenty of flaws, and I'd need you to be patient with me. But you'd have to make some changes too, because… I'm ready to give myself to you completely…"
Her face burned with embarrassment, and she could barely lift her head.
Yet Lu Chengwen still didn't react.
Leng Qingqiu finally sensed something was wrong. She looked up at him. "Chengwen-ge? Are you okay? Can you… say something?"
She waved a hand in front of his face. No response.
"Chengwen-ge? Are you alright? Hey?"
She pulled out her phone. "Hello, 120? I need help. Someone's crashed—completely frozen, not moving, not responding, like he can't hear anything. What caused it? I just… confessed to him, said I liked him, and he crashed. Crashed as in crashed—no reaction, totally still. You're the doctor, not me! How should I know? Just send someone fast. No, we don't need a hearse; he's crashed, not dead…"
Lu Chengwen stumbled home, his eyes vacant, like a walking corpse.
It was over. Completely over.
The female lead! The ultimate female lead! The queen of the harem!
She confessed to him!
What kind of plot twist was this!? This wasn't a confession—it was the tolling of his death knell!
As the villain, he'd somehow won over the female lead!?
The male lead would never let this slide. He'd be lucky to survive!
No matter who wrote this story, he was doomed. No way out.
What had he done wrong? Where had he messed up?
He'd been working overtime to make her hate him, fanning the flames to push her away, to keep everyone at a distance…
Was there something wrong with this female lead's head? Confessing to a guy like him? Did she have no standards for picking a partner?
Were they all just out to ruin him!?
Lu Chengwen, half out of his mind, staggered into the living room.
His parents were chatting with Chen Mengyun. Seeing him return, they perked up.
"Chengwen," his mother said, "look who's here!"
Chen Mengyun stood, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Chengwen-ge."
"Yeah," Lu Chengwen mumbled, heading toward the stairs.
"Hey!" His mother grabbed his arm. "Mengyun's been waiting for you for ages. Go talk to her."
Lu Chengwen sighed wearily. "Mom, you guys chat. I'm tired."
Her eyes narrowed. "Tired? She came here just for you. Show some manners!"
He turned to Chen Mengyun, who gave a polite, shy smile. "Chengwen-ge, I just wanted to thank you in person."
He nodded. "Got it. You can go now."
Chen Mengyun was stunned. She'd come to his house, like they used to do in high school and college, not caring if his family teased her for it. And he was brushing her off like she was nothing?
Feeling humiliated, she said awkwardly, "Well, Uncle, Auntie, I'll head out then."
"No, don't go!" His mother grabbed Lu Chengwen, fuming. "She waited for you all this time, and you're acting like this?"
Turning to Chen Mengyun, she said, "Mengyun, go upstairs with him and talk. You young people sort it out. Your dad and I have a card game to get to."
Chen Mengyun hesitated. "Is that… okay?"
"Perfectly fine! It's been years since you visited. I'm thrilled you're here. You two chat, we're heading out."
Lu Chengwen's parents left.
He shuffled toward the elevator, Chen Mengyun hurrying after him. Inside, she said nervously, "Chengwen-ge, thank you for the other day."
Lu Chengwen gave a bitter smile. Those words were meant for Long Aotian, not him. "Aren't you supposed to be busy? Why come here for something you could've just texted?"
Chen Mengyun felt a pang of hurt. I could've texted, but I came because I wanted to see you!
"About what happened back then…" she started.
He cut her off. "Let's not talk about the past. You were ruthless, and it crushed me. But I messed up first, so I don't blame you. Just… let's forget it. I don't care anymore, and you shouldn't either."
Chen Mengyun had a thousand things to say, but Lu Chengwen kept shutting her down, refusing to let her speak. In a conversation like this, three exchanges were enough for both sides to get the message.
She hadn't expected such coldness. Humiliated and heartbroken, she thought, I came here to reconnect, to rebuild what we had. And this is how you treat me? I misjudged you, Lu Chengwen.
"Looks like you're tired, Chengwen-ge. I'll go," she said, making one last attempt.
If he tried to stop her, there might still be a chance. She looked into his eyes, hopeful.
But he didn't even glance at her. "Sure. I'll have Zhao Gang drive you."
Chen Mengyun's anger flared. Her expression turned icy. "No need. I can manage."
She took the elevator down alone, Lu Chengwen not sparing her a second thought.
How pathetic am I? she thought. He saved me once, and I thought we could rekindle something? I remember all our childhood moments, but he's forgotten them. He doesn't care.
Her eyes stung as she walked to her car in the villa's parking area.
Just as she reached it, Lu Chengwen came charging out of the house like his life depended on it, coat in hand, shouting, "Zhao Gang! Get the car!"
Zhao Gang, who'd just parked Chen Mengyun's car, looked at his boss, confused. "Mr. Lu, what's wrong?"
Lu Chengwen snatched the keys. "Whose car is this?"
Zhao Gang pointed to Chen Mengyun. "Miss Chen's."
"Get in," Lu Chengwen said.
Chen Mengyun, still fuming, snapped, "What are you doing?"
He was already in the driver's seat, starting the engine. "Get in!"
She stood her ground, arms crossed. "This is my car, Lu Chengwen. What are you doing?"
Zhao Gang, ever the loyal sidekick, was already buckled up, ready to follow orders without question.
Chen Mengyun was still sulking when Lu Chengwen roared, "Damn it! Get in! Now!"
Startled, she froze, cowed by his intensity.
"Fine, I'm getting in! Why are you yelling?" she muttered, climbing in.
Before she could settle, Lu Chengwen floored it. Zhao Gang, quick on his feet, radioed ahead, "Open the gate! Young Master Lu's car is heading out!"
The gate swung open just in time, and Chen Mengyun, pale with fear, shrieked, "Lu Chengwen, have you lost your mind!?"
_
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