Lu Chengwen's face flushed red as he muttered under his breath, "Stop messing around."
Leng Qingqiu's cheeks were also slightly pink, but her smile was radiant. Seeing Lu Chengwen's shy, almost boyish embarrassment, she couldn't resist teasing him further. "Daddy?" she called again, her tone playful.
Lu Chengwen grew even more flustered. "Y-you… stop it! People will think we're weird."
"Does Daddy feel sorry for his daughter? How about I become your secretary?"
Lu Chengwen shot to his feet. "If you keep this up, I'm done talking to you!"
Leng Qingqiu stood too, her voice firm with conviction. "You like me."
"No way," Lu Chengwen said, looking away, his hands fidgeting nervously.
Her smile widened. "It's settled then. Starting tomorrow, I'm your secretary." Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, "And if you put a big bathtub in your office suite, I'll take a bubble bath with you."
Lu Chengwen's face turned scarlet, his neck practically glowing.
In his past life, he was just a delivery boy—poor, unattractive, 5'6", barely educated, from a rural background, with no savings, no house, no money for cigarettes, and no taste for alcohol. Despite playing the villain a few times in this world, he'd never gotten to enjoy the perks before the protagonist swiftly crushed him.
Xu Xuejiao was delicate and charming, Chen Mengyun was gentle and warm, but Lu Chengwen realized the one he couldn't resist was Leng Qingqiu. When a usually serious woman like her turned soft, playful, or even a little naughty, Lu Chengwen was utterly defenseless. His heart raced uncontrollably, his face burned like he had a fever, his limbs felt awkward, his mind went blank, and even his tongue betrayed him.
Leng Qingqiu found his reaction endlessly amusing.
"Hey, didn't you used to go out chasing girls all the time in college? Weren't you some Casanova, sweeping through the dating scene? And these past three years, you weren't this shy."
Lu Chengwen, still blushing, stammered, "That was… I was…"
"Is it because I'm different from the others?"
He nodded quickly, then shook his head just as fast. "Stop messing with me."
Leng Qingqiu's heart swelled with joy. In her mind, Lu Chengwen wasn't just any guy—he'd seen it all, always surrounded by beautiful women. To her, the highest compliment was being told she was different from the rest.
She knew losing Qianfeng was inevitable; the tides were against her, and she had to accept reality. But today, winning Lu Chengwen's heart filled her with boundless joy and hope for the future.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you," she said with a laugh.
They strolled along the shaded path in the park, Zhao Gang and Jiang Shihan following at a distance.
Lu Chengwen's mind was a battlefield.
[This feels way too much like a date!]
[Leng Qingqiu is stunning. Standing here in the park, she's like a painting—her looks, her figure… she's the kind of goddess men would go mad for, would die for just to have her!]
[Let's walk down this street.]
He thought to himself, [Let me savor the romance of this little path.]
Leng Qingqiu, catching his inner thoughts, deliberately asked, "What are you thinking about? Why so quiet?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing." Caught off guard, Lu Chengwen scratched his head awkwardly. "Just… I've been so busy lately, I haven't had time to take a quiet walk like this."
"I'm not busy anymore. You can ask me out anytime."
Lu Chengwen, like a shy college freshman, blushed faintly.
[Why are you so nervous, man? You've got all these pickup lines and theories, but when a girl's actually here, you choke?]
[Relax! Think of how to respond.]
[Girls like guys with a sense of humor. Right! I'll show her my wit.]
Lu Chengwen coughed twice, turned to face Leng Qingqiu, opened his mouth—and froze.
Leng Qingqiu watched, suppressing a laugh, waiting to see how he'd display his "humor."
But he stood there, petrified, for several seconds before turning away. "Let's go this way. It's… easier to walk."
Leng Qingqiu burst out laughing, catching up to him. "Who knew? You actually get shy?"
Lu Chengwen's blush spread to his ears, but he played it cool. "Shy? Me? I've got the thickest skin around."
Leng Qingqiu giggled uncontrollably.
They reached the end of the path, the park's exit in sight. Lu Chengwen glanced at Zhao Gang, who understood immediately and ran off to prepare the car.
[It's time. Sigh.]
Lu Chengwen turned to Leng Qingqiu. "Qingqiu."
"Hm?"
"I used to like you."
"Used to?"
"Yeah." He smiled faintly. "For the past three years, everyone called me a simp, but… I don't regret it. I was actually pretty happy."
"Oh."
"Now, our lives have changed completely. I hope we can still be friends."
"Friends?"
"Yes. If you ever need help, no matter what, I'll always be there."
"Just friends?"
"Just friends. That's all we can be."
"What kind of friends?"
Lu Chengwen met her gaze, no longer shy or evasive, his eyes calm and steady.
"The kind who don't talk much, don't dine together, don't call, don't watch movies… but when it matters most, we'd go through hell for each other."
The warmth in Leng Qingqiu's eyes faded, replaced by a wave of disappointment.
"Why?"
Lu Chengwen gave a small smile. "No reason. My situation's complicated, and I can't explain it to you. Just trust me—this is the best choice for you, for me, for everyone."
"What if I don't agree?"
He turned away. "Let's go."
Leng Qingqiu grabbed his arm. "I'm asking you—what if I don't agree?"
"I don't get it. You used to hate me. Why do you suddenly like me?"
"And I don't get why you, who liked me so much, suddenly don't anymore."
"I don't not like you."
"Then why don't you like me?"
Lu Chengwen struggled to explain. "If you ever need anything, call me."
"Stop right there."
Leng Qingqiu clung to him. "Tell me clearly—why don't you like me anymore? Is it because I treated you badly before? I can apologize."
"No, no, no," Lu Chengwen said quickly. "You didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to apologize. I was annoying back then—even I hated myself. It was normal for you to ignore me."
"What are you even saying?"
A voice interrupted. "Brother Chengwen!"
They turned to see a stunning young woman approaching, wearing a floral dress and holding a parasol. Her beauty was breathtaking, almost otherworldly. Her long, slender legs, partially hidden by the dress, hinted at their allure through the curve of the fabric and the glimpse of her smooth calves. Her delicate arms and graceful fingers held the parasol lightly, and her high heels accentuated the subtle elegance of her feet, exuding a captivating sensuality.
She stopped in front of Lu Chengwen, closing her parasol. "What? Don't recognize me?"
Leng Qingqiu glanced at Lu Chengwen, who was staring at the newcomer, thinking, [Oh no, it's her!]
Luo Shiyin couldn't swallow her pride. She was used to men fawning over her without effort, even without using her charms. Yet, despite employing some of her techniques, Lu Chengwen showed no interest. Impossible! Either he wasn't a man, or he wasn't a complete man. How could he resist her?
But the intel said otherwise. Lu Chengwen had been a playboy since college, with enough romantic exploits to fill a book. He'd only turned into a simp to pursue Leng Qingqiu for the Leng family's wealth. If he had the makings of a simp, he should've been putty in her hands.
I, Luo Shiyin! she thought. Trained for ten years in secret arts, my greatest asset is driving men wild. If I can't even handle a simp, how can I face the Young Master? Or my teacher?
Long Aotian had already connected with Huo Wendong, and the Young Master's grand ambitions were unfolding. Lu Chengwen was her mission, and she had to win him over.
Leng Qingqiu's expression cooled as she glanced at Lu Chengwen. "You know her?"
Lu Chengwen's inner voice betrayed him: [I wish I didn't know her. She nearly bewitched me out of my senses. I can't even forget her if I try.]
Those words—"bewitched out of my senses" and "can't even forget her"—hit Leng Qingqiu like a blow. Especially since this woman matched her in looks and figure, exuding an irresistible allure. Men were defenseless against her type. As the saying went, In the face of sensuality, cuteness doesn't stand a chance.
Even Leng Qingqiu, seeing her, couldn't deny her magnetic appeal—not the overt, revealing kind, but a deep, primal sensuality that stirred a man's desire to conquer and possess.
Luo Shiyin smiled sweetly. "Oh, this lady's gorgeous! Who is she?"
Lu Chengwen replied curtly, "You don't know her. What do you want?"
Luo Shiyin pouted, "You didn't help me yesterday. I almost fell into Huo Wendong's clutches."
"We're busy. Gotta go."
"Brother Chengwen, can you help me with something?"
"I'm in a hurry."
Lu Chengwen grabbed Leng Qingqiu's hand and started to leave. Leng Qingqiu's heart fluttered with joy. He still likes me, she thought. Why was I doubting myself? Chengwen's seen every kind of beauty. It's the inner qualities that matter. This woman… hmph, all she's got is that seductive vibe. Chengwen wouldn't fall for her.
Luo Shiyin stepped in front of them, looking pitiful. "Brother Chengwen, just help me a little!"
Leng Qingqiu's face hardened. "Hey, tone down the flirting. This is a park, not a hotel."
Luo Shiyin covered her mouth. "Oh, you're so fierce, sister! I'm not like that. I really just need Brother's help."
Lu Chengwen was losing his patience. "Fine, fine, spit it out. What do you need? I'm busy."
Luo Shiyin explained, "I have a jade pendant I need to sell because I'm short on cash. I heard Dasheng Group has an auction house. Can you handle it for me?" She pulled out the pendant and offered it to Lu Chengwen.
He didn't take it. "I'll give you a number. Call this person; they'll handle it."
"But this pendant belonged to my grandmother. She's passed away…"
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes, thinking, This woman's cunning. She was clearly trying to build a long-term connection with Lu Chengwen, using her late grandmother for emotional leverage. Lu Chengwen, despite his roguish exterior, was a softie at heart.
To their surprise, Lu Chengwen was unmoved. "Doesn't matter who it belonged to. Contact this person, negotiate the price, and sort it out yourselves. Qingqiu, let's go."
"Wait, Brother Chengwen…"
Lu Chengwen snapped, "Hey! I've helped you enough. Stop pestering me!"
"Why?" Luo Shiyin's eyes welled up. "Why are you so harsh with me?"
Leng Qingqiu rolled her eyes and snatched the pendant. "I'll sell it for you. Give me your number."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened in panic. "Hey, don't take her stuff!"
But it was too late.
_
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