Leng Tianhao left, and Lu Chengwen grabbed the phone. "Li Meiqin! Change the transfer. Send it directly to Leng Qingqiu's personal account. No questions—just do it."
Slamming the phone down, Lu Chengwen, seething, smashed his fist on the desk. "What kind of outstanding entrepreneur? What kind of pillar of the four great families? A dog! Leng Tianhao, you're nothing but a money-grubbing dog! Leng Qingqiu is beautiful, capable, and your daughter—yet you don't cherish her, love her, protect her like a treasure? You're utterly disgusting!"
Panting, he slumped into his chair, muttering, "Leng Qingqiu won't be able to handle this blow… You think you can outsmart me? I'm giving her the ten billion directly. Kick her out now, and you'll get nothing. Let's see how you play your games then! Mess with me? If you weren't her father, I'd kick you so hard you'd wish you were never born!"
Exhausted from his outburst, Lu Chengwen leaned back, staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind a tangled mess.
Then, a figure emerged from behind the door.
Leng Qingqiu, tears streaming down her face, stared at him expressionlessly. Lu Chengwen turned, saw her, and jolted upright as if electrocuted. "Qing… Qingqiu? What are you doing here? How… how long have you been standing there?"
"I heard everything."
Lu Chengwen froze. Oh, crap. This is a disaster. She must be heartbroken. Who wouldn't be, hearing that? His mind raced. She probably hates me and her father now. I can take her hating me—I'm used to it—but how will she face her dad after this?
"Qingqiu, listen, I… there's a lot to explain, and…"
"No need to explain. Words can't fix this."
Lu Chengwen was at a loss. No amount of eloquence could salvage this situation. Even a silver-tongued strategist like Zhuge Liang would be stumped. Guilt washed over him. "I… I'm sorry."
Leng Qingqiu said nothing, just stared, tears flowing freely. Lu Chengwen's frustration boiled over. "Zhao Gang! Jiang Shihan! Get in here!"
The two rushed in, pale with fear, knowing something had gone terribly wrong. "You idiots!" Lu Chengwen roared. "Why didn't you warn me Qingqiu was here? What do I pay you for? Pack your things and get out!"
Jiang Shihan stood frozen, and Zhao Gang dropped to his knees. "Mr. Lu! Mr. Lu, I messed up. Please, give me another chance…"
Leng Qingqiu's voice cut through, firm and clear. "I forced them. If you want to yell, yell at me."
Lu Chengwen's anger deflated instantly. Turning to Zhao Gang and Jiang Shihan, she said, "Leave us. This isn't your fault. I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"N-No, it's fine…" Zhao Gang, tugging a dazed Jiang Shihan, bolted out.
Li Meiqin burst in, breathless, and froze at the sight of Leng Qingqiu crying and Lu Chengwen silent. "Mr. Lu… a ten-billion transfer needs your signature."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Hand it over."
As he reached to sign, Leng Qingqiu slapped her hand over the signature line, her tear-filled eyes locked on his. He gave a bitter smile. "Don't stop me. Once I sign, the money's yours. You can keep running Qianfeng, lead it forward."
Leng Qingqiu's voice trembled. "Why… don't you want to marry me?"
Lu Chengwen's smile was pained. "I won't buy you with money or force you. You don't love me. Being together would only hurt us both. Why bother?"
Gently, he moved her hand, signed the document, and handed the pen to Li Meiqin. His voice softened, warm and sincere. "Qingqiu, I know I've been a jerk before, causing you trouble. I'm truly sorry. If I could turn back time, I'd make sure none of this happened. If there's any way to make up for the pain I've caused, I'd do anything.
"This money is my apology. Take it. You're a good woman—smart, hardworking, kind. Trust me, one day, you'll meet your true match. He'll be extraordinary, flawless, someone who loves, cherishes, and protects you. He'll be the one you've been searching for, and with him, you'll never feel lonely again. Believe me, that day will come."
Leng Qingqiu snatched the signed transfer document, clutching it tightly. "Qingqiu, what are you doing?"
She turned to Li Meiqin. "Leave us."
Li Meiqin, eager to escape, bowed and fled.
"What are you doing?" Lu Chengwen asked. "You need this money."
"You're so rich. Buy me, then."
His eyes widened. "What?"
"I'm worth ten billion, right? Buy me."
"I've already apologized. Isn't that enough? Please, let me off the hook. I swear I won't—"
"I'm willing."
Lu Chengwen groaned, exasperated. "Come on, you're just angry…"
"I'm not angry. I've fallen for you."
He stared at her, stunned, then laughed incredulously. This chapter isn't over yet. Please turn to the next page for more exciting content!
"Qingqiu, you're… you're just confused. You're upset…"
"I'm not confused. These past few days, I've seen who you really are. I genuinely like you. From the bottom of my heart, I want to be the young mistress of the Lu family."
Lu Chengwen's face went slack, as if paralyzed. "You…"
Leng Qingqiu's resolve was unshakable. "Just answer me one question: Do you still like me?"
His mind screamed, Like you? Are you kidding? Do I dare? For three years, I chased you like a dog, and you barely spared me a glance. What's gotten into you these past few days? What do I do now?
Leng Qingqiu, reflecting on those three years, felt a pang of guilt. She'd been harsh, dismissive, barely knowing him. Most men would've walked away, but Lu Chengwen had stuck it out. Now, thinking back, she realized those years weren't so bad—maybe even happy—because of him. Memories flooded in, and she felt foolish for not seeing it sooner, ashamed of how she'd treated him.
"I… I was wrong before," she said softly. "Don't be mad at me. I messed up. I'm sorry."
Lu Chengwen couldn't fathom her change of heart. To him, it was a complete 180, incomprehensible and unacceptable. "Qingqiu, are you… doing this on purpose because of everything that's happened? I promise, I won't bother you anymore…"
"I want you to bother me!" she blurted. "I was blind to my blessings before. And you—you acted so annoying on purpose, making me misunderstand you for so long."
"Misunderstand?"
"I finally see what's in your heart. I like you—truly, sincerely."
Lu Chengwen's head buzzed. "You're not thinking straight. This is just impulse."
"Fine, I get it. You're not interested anymore. That's okay. You chased me for three years—now it's my turn to chase you."
Lu Chengwen was speechless, unsure how to react. Her smile, a mix of joy and sorrow, tugged at his heart. "From today, you'll see I've changed," she said, glancing at the document. "This money? It's a loan. I'll pay you back when I make it."
Suddenly, she leaned in, pecked his lips, and blushed. "I'm leaving. I… I'll be in touch."
She left, and Lu Chengwen sat, dazed, like a wilted vegetable, unmoving for ages.
When he finally emerged, Jiang Shihan stood nervously. He waved a hand. "Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled earlier."
"No, Mr. Lu, it's my fault. I shouldn't have let just anyone in."
He patted her shoulder, chuckling. "Don't be silly. I was out of line, too angry to think straight. Leng Qingqiu storms through Dasheng Group like she owns it—more than me. How could you stop her? Don't overthink it. Take a day off, rest."
"No, no, I'm fine. I can work."
"Then stop crying. You're too pretty for that." He grinned.
Relieved by his smile, Jiang Shihan beamed. "It won't happen again."
Zhao Gang approached, nervous. "Mr. Lu."
"What's up?"
Grinning awkwardly, Zhao Gang said, "Xu Xuejiao is here to see you."
"Xu Xuejiao?"
"Yeah. I stopped her. She got mad, said she'd make you look bad. I followed your orders, gave her no face, and now she's fuming…"
Lu Chengwen's lips twitched. Karma, huh? I chewed out Zhao Gang, scared him senseless, and now he's gone and pissed off Xu Xuejiao, the dark-loli queen.
Sighing, he said, "Next time Xu shows up, show some respect, got it?"
"Got it."
Zhao Gang nearly cried with relief. He said 'next time'—my job's safe! I can keep being the loyal sidekick!
Lu Chengwen hurried to the lounge, where Xu Xuejiao sat, chest heaving with anger. He forced a smile. "Miss Xu, what an honor! Forgive me for not greeting you sooner."
Xu Xuejiao stood, glaring. "Lu Chengwen, you've got some nerve!"
"No, no, just a misunderstanding. I chewed out Zhao Gang earlier, and he got spooked, so he offended you. My apologies."
"Why'd you suddenly invest in the shantytown project?"
Lu Chengwen groaned inwardly. "I… got carried away."
"You sure it'll make money?"
"I'm sure it'll lose money."
Her eyes widened. "Then why are you and Leng Qingqiu both in on it? What's your game?"
Lu Chengwen sighed internally. Where's Long Aotian when you need him? Come on, just end me. I'm done.
_
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