Ordinarily, this would have been Lu Chengwen's most humiliating moment. Not only was he publicly dumped, but he was also being shown the door. The old Lu Chengwen would have either groveled with sweet talk or stormed out, slamming the door and vowing to crush the Leng family. But today's Lu Chengwen was different. He wasn't about to beg or lose his temper. Today, he was all about survival—playing it safe, staying low.
He shot to his feet, bowing repeatedly. "Alright, alright, you're busy. I've got things to handle at home, so I'll head out. No need to see me off—oh, right, no one was going to anyway. No worries, no worries…"
Leng Qingqiu stood abruptly, her voice sharp. "Stop right there!"
Lu Chengwen, already at the door, turned with a pained expression. "What now?"
Leng Qingqiu was on the verge of tears, her anger barely masking her hurt. Lu Chengwen scanned the room, and a pang of sympathy hit him. Poor thing. No one in her family cares for her. Her own father treats her like a cash cow. And now, with Long Aotian clearly gunning to swallow the Leng family, she's all alone, destined to be his prey.
If I leave, she'll have to face her power-hungry dad and that scheming Long Aotian by herself. But what can I do? This is the heroine and protagonist's story. I'm just a small-time villain—I can't get involved!
Leng Qingqiu's hands trembled, tears welling up as she stared at him. Lu Chengwen felt a mix of guilt and helplessness. "I… I really have to go."
Xu Xuejiao, catching his inner thoughts, bristled. "Come on, let's go! They're kicking you out—why stick around?"
Leng Qingqiu's lips quivered, her voice almost a plea. "Chengwen… help me."
Guilt gnawed at her. What right do I have to ask this? He chased me for three years, and did I ever give him a kind word? No. Did I ever give him a chance? No. Did I ever show him any warmth? Not once. Now I'm in trouble, cornered by my dad and Long Aotian, and I'm shamelessly begging for his help.
It's unfair. Why should he risk crossing my dad and Long Aotian for me?
But Lu Chengwen was her last lifeline. Once that five billion landed, Leng Tianhao would restructure everything, ousting her and handing Qianfeng Group to Long Aotian. Even with ten billion in her personal account, she'd have no control over Qianfeng's fate.
Lu Chengwen was shaken, his heart warring with itself. Deep down, he wanted to help her. His lingering feelings for Leng Qingqiu and her pitiful, desperate state made it nearly impossible to resist. But his opponent was Long Aotian—the protagonist! A fight he couldn't win. He'd only end up a stepping stone.
Stay rational, Lu Chengwen. Impulse will get you killed. Your death won't change their story—it'll just be a pointless sacrifice.
Long Aotian smirked. "Lu Shao, are you leaving or not? Make a choice. Standing there silently—what's that about?"
Leng Tianhao chimed in, chuckling. "Chengwen, go home. We'll handle our family affairs. Besides, I doubt you've got cash left to help me buy land. That shantytown project? Haha, good luck. If you don't bankrupt your family, I'll personally come congratulate you!"
Long Aotian sauntered over, leaning close to Lu Chengwen's ear. "I know what you're scheming. Qianfeng Group is mine. Leng Qingqiu will be in my bed sooner or later. As for you… just wait. Your Lu family's next. Thanks to your reckless antics, you'll go bankrupt faster than I planned. I'm ready to take over Dasheng Group. You and your family will drown in debt, begging on the streets. I'll have spare change ready when you're there."
Lu Chengwen's fists clenched, his eyes meeting Long Aotian's with barely contained fury. Long Aotian grinned arrogantly, but Lu Chengwen's gaze turned feral.
"Not bad eyes," Long Aotian taunted. "Keep it up."
Xu Xuejiao's head popped in, wide-eyed. "What are you two whispering about?"
Startled, Long Aotian leaned back, forcing a smile. "Oh, Miss Xuejiao. You shouldn't waste time with this useless rich kid. He's only where he is because of his parents. He's got no real skill. Don't let him drag your Xu family down."
Xu Xuejiao pouted. "I'm a useless rich kid too, relying on my parents. Birds of a feather, right?"
"You're different. A prodigy doctor, young and accomplished…"
Lu Chengwen cut in. "Long Aotian, where's this consortium of yours? Dare to let me see them?"
Long Aotian glanced at his watch. "Meeting them at the café soon. Want to tag along?"
"Exactly my plan."
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Long Aotian's eyes narrowed. "You're dead-set on crossing me, huh?"
"No," Lu Chengwen said. "I just want to see how big a mouth you have, thinking you can swallow Xuecheng's four great families."
Leng Qingqiu, barely holding it together, broke into sobs. This man… I treated him terribly, yet he helps me again and again, selflessly, without hesitation. When the world abandoned me, he didn't. He says he doesn't like me anymore, so why is he doing this?
Stepping forward, she asked, "Why? You said you don't like me anymore. Why help me?"
Lu Chengwen looked at her, smiled softly, and wiped her tears. "Because you're crying. Anyone who makes my goddess cry, I'll destroy."
Leng Qingqiu, laughing through her tears, threw her arms around him. The hug snapped Lu Chengwen back to reality. "Whoa, whoa! Hold on, no need for this. I was just… showing off a bit. Don't get too emotional—I'm scared!"
Lu Chengwen was kicking himself the whole way. What's wrong with you, Lu Chengwen? Brain flooded? She cries, and you lose it? Now you're squaring off against Long Aotian. That's a death wish!
Leng Qingqiu, sitting beside him, smirked. "Regretting it?"
"Huh? No, no."
"Why are you so scared of Long Aotian?"
He glanced at her. "A fortune-teller said he's my kryptonite."
"You believe that stuff?"
Xu Xuejiao, fuming, cut in. "Lu Chengwen, didn't you say you don't like Leng Qingqiu anymore and like me? What's this now?"
Lu Chengwen groaned inwardly. Why's she everywhere? "I don't like Leng Qingqiu, but I never said I liked you!"
"Then why were you ogling me in this uniform?"
"I ogle any pretty girl in a uniform! I can watch spicy videos all night on my phone. Problem?"
"Do those girls dance in uniforms for you in person?"
"I'm rich! I can have as many as I want!"
"You're comparing me to them?"
"Why not?"
Xu Xuejiao, livid, wanted to kick him dead. Leng Qingqiu scoffed, "Xu Xuejiao, didn't you always dislike Chengwen-ge? Why're you clinging to my fiancé now?"
"Fiancé? Your dad's canceling the engagement. Chengwen-ge's single now—everyone's got a shot."
Leng Qingqiu fumed. "He chased me for three years! What've you got to compete with?"
Xu Xuejiao grinned. "I wear uniforms. He loves my figure. He's crazy for girls in uniforms, right, Chengwen-ge?"
Lu Chengwen, mortified, stammered, "Can you… watch what you say?"
"Wasn't my uniform cute today?"
"Is that the point?"
"Nonsense, Chengwen-ge loves black stockings. I wear them, and he drools, right?"
"Qingqiu, don't stoop to her level. Calm down…"
Xu Xuejiao pressed on. "I've never had a boyfriend—I'm pure. Chengwen-ge loves innocent, curvy lolis, right?"
Lu Chengwen wanted to die. "Stop… not so loud…"
Leng Qingqiu countered, "Funny, I've been stringing him along for years and stayed pure too. And, little girl, cute doesn't hold a candle to sexy. Chengwen-ge's seen it all—your act's just a passing novelty, right?"
Lu Chengwen covered his face. "Stop it, both of you. Can you consider the setting?"
Xu Xuejiao didn't let up. "Don't be fooled by Chengwen-ge's jerk act. He's a freak—loves role-play games. He said I'm versatile, full of possibilities, right?"
Lu Chengwen gaped. "When did I say that?!"
Leng Qingqiu smirked. "Some games need long legs. He said mine could keep him entertained for life…"
Lu Chengwen lost it. "Stop the car! I'm getting out. I'm done!"
The car halted. The driver, sweating, glanced back, jealous enough to throttle him. The girls got out, still glaring at each other, ignoring one another. As Lu Chengwen stepped toward the café stairs, Xu Xuejiao hooked his arm, smirking at Leng Qingqiu. "Hmph."
Leng Qingqiu grabbed his other arm, scoffing back. "Hmph."
Lu Chengwen, caught like a criminal between two cops, panicked. "Come on, let go! I was wrong, okay? I'm done meddling in your drama. Let's have a breakup drink and never see each other again!"
Both girls shouted, "She drinks first!"
Long Aotian stepped out of his car, saw the scene, and his face turned green. Lu Chengwen's hair stood on end. This is suicide. I've got to run!
He turned to flee but nearly collided with a massive figure. Both froze. The man, shocked, pointed. "Young… President Lu?!"
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. Tie Tuo Wang!
He glanced back at Long Aotian. Long Aotian ahead, Tie Tuo Wang behind. I'm dead.
_
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