Xu Xuejiao's figure was, in a word, flawless. At just over 1.6 meters, she wasn't towering, especially next to Lu Chengwen, but her petite frame was dainty and captivating. Clad in a pale pink blouse, a pink plaid JK pleated skirt, and a large bow at her chest, paired with white ankle socks and deep brown casual school shoes, her legs were strikingly fair, as if untouched by the world's dust.
"Pure" didn't begin to cover it. Beyond purity, there was allure—a blend of innocent girlishness and subtle sensuality that could make anyone's heart race, yearning to pull her close.
Lu Chengwen exhaled heavily, his stress immense, but managed a smile. "Xuejiao, you look stunning," he said earnestly, his tone calm yet sincere, as if her appearance was a bright spot in his exhaustion.
Xu Xuejiao had expected him to act like a lecher, gushing exaggeratedly about her beauty, making a move, or tossing out suggestive jokes. His quiet sincerity threw her off. She'd prepared a hundred ways to spar with his teasing, but this? She was at a loss. Her heart pounded, and she fidgeted, blushing. "Why… why are you so serious all of a sudden? It's throwing me off."
He chuckled. "Don't dress like this too often. It's too lethal. You'll have every guy in Xuecheng losing sleep."
Overjoyed, Xu Xuejiao flung herself into his arms. "What about you? Will you lose sleep over me?"
He patted her head gently. "I've got too much keeping me up already. Xuejiao, if you run into Tie Tuo Wang again, just say you're Long Aotian's friend. He won't dare touch you. Remember that."
"Who's Long Aotian? Isn't knowing you enough?"
Lu Chengwen shook his head regretfully. "Today, I was bluffing. He mistook me for Long Aotian—that's why he was so respectful and scared. If he knew I'm just a rich kid, he'd probably kill me."
"Haha, you're full of it. That's ridiculous."
"I'm serious. You have to remember this."
Noticing his grave tone, Xu Xuejiao looked up at him. "So… that's why you were so shaken in the car?"
He nodded. "Long Aotian's background is complicated—dangerous. Honestly… he likes you. If you were with him, he'd protect—"
"What are you blabbering about?!" Xu Xuejiao snapped, indignant. "I'm in your arms right now, and you're saying this?"
Only then did Lu Chengwen realize how naturally they'd ended up embracing. Gently, he pushed her away. "Xuejiao, we can only be friends."
Her brows furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. I've got things to handle—dangerous things I can't explain. You, Qingqiu, Mengyun… you all need to stay far away from me. One misstep, and I'm dead."
"I'm not afraid! What's so great about Long Aotian? He's a creep! I wouldn't be caught dead with him!"
"You don't understand—"
"Then explain it to me! Is it business?"
"It's not that simple." Lu Chengwen sighed. "Long Aotian's a decent guy, in a way—"
"Decent?!" Xu Xuejiao scoffed. "When I was treating Grandpa Chen, he tried to sabotage me from behind, just to show off. You stopped him. A so-called doctor who endangers a patient to prove a point—that's decent?"
Lu Chengwen was stunned. "You… saw that?"
"Yeah! A guy like that, you call decent? Meanwhile, you didn't blink when a batch of faulty medicine cost you billions to destroy. You're the decent one."
He groaned. "Decent, my foot. That mess was my family's fault."
"But it wasn't your responsibility, and you owned it anyway." Xu Xuejiao's eyes softened. "I misjudged you before. You're loyal to your friends—back in school, you took beatings for Chen Moqun. You're good to your girlfriends—Mengyun-jie always talks about how caring you were, treating her like a little sister. And you're filial. Mengyun-jie says your dad smacks you around, but you never get mad, always cheering him and your mom up. You're a good guy, pretending to be a bad one."
Lu Chengwen gave a wry smile, but her words sparked a realization. She's right. I could run, but what about Mom and Dad? They're clueless about the danger. If I bail, leaving Dasheng Group to Dad, he'll face Long Aotian head-on without knowing what he's up against. He'd get crushed.
I can't leave. I have to stay. I'm the only one who knows Long Aotian's deal, the only one who can protect Dasheng Group and my parents.
Trapped in a corner, he saw no escape. Leaving was impossible; staying felt like a death sentence. Tie Tuo Wang's early appearance only made it worse. He'd planned to bide his time, gather resources in this "beginner's village" for the late-game battles. Now? The jungle ganker had arrived. Long Aotian was already a solo-lane nightmare, and now a heavy-hitter was here to gank. Was this really necessary?
His head spun. The story's script was unraveling—his "transcendent awakening" had thrown everything off. He'd avoided injury so far, but his goal wasn't just survival—it was outlasting everyone. The plot was growing deadlier. Seducing the protagonist's girls? Death sentence. Blocking Long Aotian's spotlight? Death sentence. Posing as him and subduing his dimwit subordinate? Another death sentence. Short of committing outright villainy, he'd done every reckless thing possible.
Then Leng Qingqiu called, insisting on an urgent meeting. Lu Chengwen hesitated. Meeting any heroine now was risky—especially Leng Qingqiu, who'd declared she'd chase him. Thanks a lot, he thought sarcastically. I chased you for three years, and you treated me like garbage. Now I want you miles away, and you're suddenly all in? What are women, even?
Xu Xuejiao, catching his shifting expressions and inner turmoil, felt a mix of anger and glee. "Hey, you really don't like Leng Qingqiu anymore?"
"Obviously."
"Hehe, then be my boyfriend! I'm dying to fall in love!"
Lu Chengwen stared at her. What's the difference? You're just as bad as her! "You, go back where you came from. Spend time at your company, and stop hovering around me. It's annoying."
Xu Xuejiao kicked his shin hard. "Then why'd you save me today?"
"I'm an idiot, okay?"
"Not good enough. If you're an idiot, commit to it! Come on, let's go see Leng Qingqiu."
"What for?"
"To show her she's yesterday's news. I'm your new queen!"
"What?!"
"Come on!" she tugged him.
"Don't make a scene!"
"Relax, I'll make you look good!"
Qianfeng Group, meeting room.
Leng Qingqiu sat in the boss's chair, exuding authority, her presence commanding. Leng Tianhao, at the head of the table, was equally stern, face grim. Lu Chengwen thought, Are this father and daughter at it again? Why do they keep dragging me into their mess?
"Uncle Leng, Qingqiu, something up?" he asked.
Leng Qingqiu gestured. "Sit."
Xu Xuejiao chimed in, "Hi, Uncle Leng!"
Leng Tianhao's face softened. "Oh, Xuejiao's here too! Sit, sit."
As Lu Chengwen sat, Leng Tianhao spoke. "Chengwen, I need to be clear. Your engagement to Qingqiu—it's off."
"Oh."
Leng Tianhao sighed. "I know you won't agree, but your money didn't go to my account. I, Leng Tianhao, don't do losing deals. I'm firmly against you two being together. I'll talk to your father later."
"Mm."
Leng Tianhao frowned. What's with this kid? So calm? He was obsessed with Qingqiu, groveling for three years, annoying me to death. He should be devastated.
"I'm not bluffing. I'm serious."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Great. Call my dad now and clear it up. Saves us the hassle of planning next month's engagement."
Leng Tianhao was stunned. Is he challenging me? Does he think I won't do it? "Fine, I'll call now."
Leng Qingqiu glared at Lu Chengwen. "What's your deal?"
He laughed. "Exactly what it sounds like. Uncle Leng and I are on the same page. You're annoyed with me anyway, right?"
"That's not what I said today!" Leng Qingqiu, frustrated and hurt, snapped, "I clearly said—"
"I don't care what you two say. After today, we go our separate ways."
Leng Tianhao's call didn't connect. Awkwardly, he said, "I'll talk to your dad later."
"Fine. Anything else? I'm out."
The door swung open, and Long Aotian entered, smiling. He scanned the room and addressed Leng Tianhao. "Uncle, I've found a consortium willing to lend me five billion at one percent interest to invest in Qianfeng Group."
Leng Tianhao laughed, nearly slamming the table. "Excellent! The situation's under my control now!" He shot Lu Chengwen a disdainful glance. "See our guest out!"
_
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