"Speaking of the devil, you really know how to pick the wrong subject!"
Right in front of his first love, discussing his own engagement—could things get any more awkward?
[Xu Xuejiao, you are the bane of my existence. I truly give up on you. If you weren’t one of Long Aotian’s harem members, I would’ve pinned you in a corner and spanked you until you begged for mercy!]
Both girls looked stunned.
Xu Xuejiao knew this was just venting, and she also knew what she’d done was genuinely nasty, so instead of getting angry, she secretly chuckled to herself.
But Chen Mengyun couldn’t just let it slide.
A trace of displeasure appeared on Chen Mengyun’s face. "President Lu, congratulations."
Lu Chengwen said awkwardly, "Oh, no, no—*ahem*—it’s not even set in stone yet. You both know how much Qingqiu despises me."
Chen Mengyun didn't want to dwell on it. She gave a polite smile and said, "Then you two keep chatting. I have things to take care of."
Lu Chengwen quickly added, "Oh, right, right. I’m busy here too. Another time, another time."
Watching Chen Mengyun’s retreating figure, Lu Chengwen felt a strange sense of loss.
The memories were right there in his mind, impossible to shake. He and Chen Mengyun really were childhood sweethearts, having grown up together. It would be a lie to say he had no regrets. If he hadn’t acted like a fool back then… how could the villainous Lu Chengwen of today exist?
[It was my fault back then. I’m sorry.]
[I truly wish you happiness.]
Chen Mengyun hadn't walked far, and she heard his inner voice perfectly. Suddenly, she felt a wave of bitterness, her eyes stinging.
She stopped.
Subconsciously, she turned back to look at Lu Chengwen. In that glance, there was resentment, regret, sadness, and melancholy…
Lu Chengwen was also looking at her, pitiful as a stray dog. When she turned, their gazes met once more.
Lu Chengwen hurriedly forced a smile and waved.
Chen Mengyun offered a polite smile in return, then turned and walked away.
Xu Xuejiao shook her head and sighed. "What a pity. You two were so good together back then; we were all so envious. But you, you scumbag, running around flirting with everyone and breaking her heart."
Lu Chengwen looked at Xu Xuejiao. "I’ve just realized something about you..."
At that moment, Jiang Shihhan came stumbling over, looking incredibly anxious, almost on the verge of tears. "President Lu, I need to take leave."
"What’s wrong?"
"My mother is critically ill. The doctor said..." She was already crying. "The doctor said she might not make it!"
Xu Xuejiao narrowed her eyes.
Lu Chengwen was deeply shocked.
[That’s impossible! Her mother’s illness is supposed to be cured by Long Aotian! She can’t die before Long Aotian makes his move!]
[This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen!]
Lu Chengwen felt a surge of panic. "Don’t panic yet. Go to the hospital and stay with your mother. I’ll think of a way."
"Thank you, President Lu!"
After saying this, Jiang Shihhan turned and ran off, crying.
Xu Xuejiao didn't understand. Why did it *have* to be Long Aotian? Did he have three heads and six arms? "I’m standing right here. If you really want to save someone, why don’t you just ask me?"
Lu Chengwen ignored her, dashed into the restroom, and shouted, "Nobody come in!"
Once inside, he began summoning the system.
*Ding-dong!*
"What’s going on? What about Jiang Shihhan’s mother?"
"Oh, Host, you may not be aware, but Jiang Shihhan’s mother has a rare illness, and now it has flared up..."
"I know she’s ill! I’m asking what’s happening *now*! Why is she critical and about to die?"
"Oh, because she is ill, and the condition has flared up, so she is about to die!"
"Damn it! Can you understand human speech? I’m saying, according to the plot, shouldn’t her illness be cured by Long Aotian? Then they’re supposed to fly off together and become a couple!"
"That’s right, the plot to cure her was supposed to be today, but you sealed Long Aotian, remember? It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s just one human life. Long Aotian has over nine hundred other ways to woo Jiang Shihhan."
Lu Chengwen’s eyes went wide. "So even you... damn it!"
Isn't this just perfect!?
I sealed Long Aotian for a day, and now Jiang Shihhan’s mother is sealed to death by my actions?
Doesn't that effectively mean I killed her mother?
How the hell can the plot go like this?
Lu Chengwen quickly said, "I’m unsealing him! Release him immediately, let him go cure Jiang Shihhan’s mother!"
"Apologies, but once a seal card is used, it cannot be revoked."
"A human life is at stake! Can’t you make an exception? That girl is so worried she’s crying!"
"Crying is crying. Everyone cries when their mother is dying. If you find her crying unpleasant, you can stay away from her for a while. This is normal."
"Normal your..."
Lu Chengwen was incredibly depressed. "You guys just wait!"
Lu Chengwen dialed Leng Qingqiu’s number.
"Hello." Leng Qingqiu’s voice was, as expected, cold.
"Qingqiu, haha, it’s Lu Chengwen."
"I know. Why are you calling? To show off your new girlfriend?"
"No," Lu Chengwen said. "That Long Aotian, your former bodyguard—you have his phone number, right?"
"No."
"Please, I’m begging you, a life is at stake! He worked at your company; he must have filled out personal information. His contact number must be in there..."
"Not interested."
"This isn't about being interested! Someone is going to die!"
"Who?"
"My secretary's mother."
"And what does that have to do with Long Aotian?"
"Only he can cure that strange illness. Please, help me find his contact details."
"Let's talk in person. I’m on the twenty-ninth floor of your launch event hotel."
Leng Qingqiu hung up.
Lu Chengwen arrived at the twenty-ninth floor, where Leng Qingqiu had already dismissed her subordinates. She looked at Lu Chengwen, clearly still angry.
Lu Chengwen grinned. "Busy? Did you find the number?"
"I did, but I couldn't get through. It’s powered off."
"Damn it!"
Lu Chengwen was crushed. If this continued, wouldn't he have caused the death of Jiang Shihhan’s mother? No, this couldn't happen! The plot couldn't proceed like this!
"I don't understand. Isn't your girlfriend Xu Xuejiao a renowned medical expert? Our family’s medical team uses her group’s services. Why look far away when the solution is right here?"
Lu Chengwen thought, [You have no idea what situation I’m in. That brat wants me dead! She’s trying every trick in the book to ruin me; there’s nothing she wouldn't do.]
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes. This guy... he isn't even in a relationship with Xu Xuejiao! He’s clearly doing this just to irritate me!
Lu Chengwen asked, "Do you have Long Aotian’s address?"
"I sent people to check. He’s not home. I have people watching the door."
"Oh, good, good."
Just then, someone pushed the door open. It was Han Yue.
Han Yue smiled at Lu Chengwen. "Hello, President Lu."
"Yeah."
"President Leng, President Jiao’s team has arrived at the conference room, and the contracts are ready."
"Understood."
Leng Qingqiu stood up, grabbed her coat, and put it on. "Make yourself at home if you like. I have business to sign over there."
"Wait!"
Lu Chengwen asked Han Yue, "President Jiao? Which President Jiao?"
"President Jiao Shiheng."
Lu Chengwen was stunned.
Everything was a complete mess now!
Jiao Shiheng was a villain—a real, dyed-in-the-wool villain. According to the normal plot, he initiates a project, lures Leng Qingqiu into investing, and when she falls for it, Long Aotian steps in at the crucial moment to stop the signing and expose Jiao Shiheng’s conspiracy.
But this was a disaster!
Long Aotian was locked up by him today, and now Leng Qingqiu was about to sign a contract with Jiao Shiheng!
How did everything manage to pile up at the same time?
Lu Chengwen quickly blocked Leng Qingqiu’s path. "Qingqiu, how much do you know about Jiao Shiheng?"
"Not much. An out-of-town businessman. Good reputation, solid financial backing."
Sweat beaded on Lu Chengwen’s forehead. "Look, can you push the signing of that contract with Jiao Shiheng to tomorrow?"
"Are you joking? Are we playing house?"
"It’s not that! He is..."
Lu Chengwen thought, *How do I say this?*
[If I tell her this is a trap, Long Aotian won’t be able to intervene, and I’ll lose another chance for a hero to save the beauty!]
[But if I don't tell her, she’s going to sign with Jiao Shiheng today.]
[I have to find a way to move the signing to tomorrow. It *must* be tomorrow. Long Aotian will be out by then.]
Leng Qingqiu’s heart skipped a beat! *Is this contract a conspiracy!? How does Lu Chengwen know? Why is he so certain Long Aotian will come to help stop me from signing? If he said it, I wouldn't believe a word of it, but no one lies to themselves in their own mind, right?*
*This guy, who has been chasing me for three years—he’s giving up such a perfect opportunity to earn my favor just to give the credit to someone else!?*
Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, saying nothing, waiting to see his performance.
Lu Chengwen thought for a moment. "I just feel... the almanac says today is a bad day. It’s an unlucky day for signing contracts."
Leng Qingqiu huffed. "I don’t believe in any of that."
She picked up her handbag and prepared to walk out.
Lu Chengwen grabbed her arm. "Qingqiu, don’t go!"
Leng Qingqiu glared at him. "Let go! Lu Chengwen, you’re being too presumptuous!"
Lu Chengwen quickly let go, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry. Qingqiu, today really isn't suitable for signing."
Leng Qingqiu said to Han Yue, "Han Yue, tell the finance department to prepare the transfer."
"Yes!"
Leng Qingqiu walked ahead, and Lu Chengwen followed behind, rambling: "Qingqiu, can you trust me just this once? Think about it—have I ever lied to you all these years?"
Leng Qingqiu turned back in shock. "What do you think?"
"Oh, right, I’ve... hardly ever told the truth. No, wait... just think, haven't I always been trying to look out for you?"
Leng Qingqiu stopped and looked at him, saying nothing.
"Yes! I... I do things for myself, but... oh, my god. Why am I such a failure? I do so many bad things usually that now, when I actually speak, no one believes me."
Leng Qingqiu couldn't help but secretly smile, but she quickly straightened her expression. "Are you done? If not, stop delaying me from making money."
Leng Qingqiu’s team walked past Lu Chengwen, everyone bowing to greet him. Lu Chengwen didn't have the heart to acknowledge them. He watched Leng Qingqiu’s back, gritting his teeth.
[Damn it! He’s just a minor villain! I’m a villain too! And my profile is bigger than yours!]
[Today, I’ll show you how a real villain handles things. If you guys manage to sign that contract, I’ll write my surname ‘Lu’ upside down!]
[Bad guys! We can ignore the rules!]
Lu Chengwen decided—it was time to let loose!
***
Inside the large conference room, Jiao Shiheng shook hands with Leng Qingqiu. "President Leng, you’re so young and full of drive! A true rising star! Come, come, let’s sign. Mutual cooperation, mutual benefit, hahaha!"
Leng Qingqiu forced a polite smile. "Apologies for keeping you waiting."
"Ah, no problem, no problem. It’s good that you’re here! Would you like to take one more look at the contract?"
Leng Qingqiu said, "No need, let’s sign."
"Oh, so decisive! As expected of the top beauty entrepreneur in the Northern Country. Very generous, very generous! Let’s sign, let’s sign!"
Just then, the door was kicked open.
With a thunderous crash, everyone turned to look. The glass door shattered across the floor.
Lu Chengwen stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets, his face stone-cold like an avenging demon, his presence naturally imposing. A security guard nearby tried to step forward, but Zhao Gang immediately pressed his hand against the guard's chest.
Zhao Gang pointed at him. "Young Master Lu is handling business. If you don't want to die, get lost!"
Lu Chengwen might not have much else, but his notoriety was the real deal. If you didn't know Lu Chengwen, it meant you hadn't lived in Snow City. If you hadn't cursed Lu Chengwen in your heart, it meant you hadn't lived in Snow City.
No one dared to move against Lu Chengwen.
Lu Chengwen loosened his tie and walked across the shattered glass. A dozen men brought by Zhao Gang rushed in like bandits, pushing everyone from both teams to the sides.
Leng Qingqiu suddenly felt that Lu Chengwen looked remarkably dashing.
This aura, this devil-may-care banditry, this "I am the boss, the world is second, and I come third" arrogance—it was truly something. Leng Qingqiu liked the tough guys. She hated spineless men. Could a man without a temper even be called a man?
Especially knowing that he was doing this to protect her, her anger vanished, replaced by a surge of excitement.
But she still feigned anger. "Lu Chengwen! What are you doing?"
Jiao Shiheng was bewildered. "Oh, President Leng, who is this person? Why is he so rude?"
Leng Qingqiu said, "It’s fine, I’m here."
"Oh, oh, oh."
Leng Qingqiu feigned rage. "Lu Chengwen, we are discussing business! Stop causing trouble!"
"Business my foot!"
Lu Chengwen walked in, acting like a mob boss, his face stony and his eyes fierce. He scanned the room, and everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.
Lu Chengwen said, "Jiao Shiheng, get over here!"
Jiao Shiheng didn't dare move closer; this guy didn't look like a good person at all!
Jiao Shiheng looked back at Leng Qingqiu, and she comforted him, "It’s fine, don't worry, I’m here."
Leng Qingqiu shouted, "Lu Chengwen, stop messing around! Don't make me turn against you!"
"Turn against me?" Lu Chengwen laughed. "Today, I’m turning against you first! You, Jiao, Qingqiu is my fiancée. You dare to harass her?"
Jiao Shiheng was taken aback. "Oh, oh, oh, it’s Young Master Lu! My apologies, my apologies! It’s a misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding! The President and I are just discussing business, no harassment, no harassment at all!"
Lu Chengwen walked over, picked up the contract on the table, and glanced at it. "Damn."
He tore the contract in half and threw it in Jiao Shiheng’s face. "Beat him!"
Zhao Gang immediately knocked Jiao Shiheng to the ground with a punch. He stepped on his chest, raised a baseball bat, and suddenly stopped. "Young Master Lu, how should I beat him?"
Lu Chengwen sat on a nearby office chair, crossing his legs like a king. "Just beat him so he can’t crawl up until noon tomorrow."
"Understood!" Zhao Gang was about to swing the bat when he looked back at Lu Chengwen. "Young Master Lu, that time is very precise! I’m afraid I’m not that accurate!"
"Why the hell are you talking so much? Just beat him!"
Jiao Shiheng’s team had never seen such a scene; not one of them stood up to intervene.
Jiao Shiheng screamed, "President Leng! President Leng! Explain this, explain this..."
Leng Qingqiu said, "It’s fine, don't worry, I’m here."
"Huh? You’re still saying it’s fine? Ah—!"
Zhao Gang had already started the beating.
Lu Chengwen sat in the chair, rocking back and forth, feeling fantastic. *If there were no Long Aotian in this world, I could truly do whatever I wanted.*
Jiao Shiheng was howling in pain.
Leng Qingqiu said from the side, "Lu Chengwen, stop! Don't be so violent!"
Jiao Shiheng’s people were going crazy. *What is wrong with these two? One wants to beat their boss until he can’t crawl up by exactly noon tomorrow, and the other says ‘don't be so violent’? How much violence is she expecting? Is this even trying to stop a fight?*
Lu Chengwen looked at Leng Qingqiu with a shameless grin. "I, Lu Chengwen, am the number one villain of Snow City! This is my style. Not happy about it?"
Leng Qingqiu was amused by his shameless act. She pushed him and whispered, "Stop hitting him."
It was almost like she was acting coy.
"Hmm?"
Leng Qingqiu rolled her eyes. "Stop hitting him, I won’t sign the contract, okay?"
Lu Chengwen said, "Zhao Gang."
Zhao Gang replied, "Young Master Lu, almost done. Based on your requirements, I estimate three hours, twenty-five minutes, and thirty-nine seconds remaining."
Han Yue’s mouth twitched. *What is wrong with these two? Are they really timing the beating? How do you guys even manage that? Down to the second?*
Lu Chengwen said, "Alright, alright, stop hitting him. Let them get out of here."
The farce ended.
Jiao Shiheng had never imagined that after billions in cash were about to hit his account, something like this would happen. The key thing was that he didn't even know *why*—he was accused of harassing Leng Qingqiu! *With my looks, I can't even harass her! If you can't even harass her, me trying to do it is just suicide!*
This whole thing was too bizarre!
Lu Chengwen and Jiao Shiheng’s people left. Lu Chengwen turned to look at Leng Qingqiu’s team. "What are you still standing there for? Waiting for me to pay you?"
Han Yue was terrified. She knew best how terrifying this young master could be. When he was shameless, he was genuinely goofy, but when he turned against you, he recognized no one.
Han Yue looked nervously at Leng Qingqiu, who gave her a look.
Han Yue immediately said, "Everyone, leave. Let President Leng and President Lu talk alone."
Everyone left. Lu Chengwen sat there, still looking like a king.
"Stop shaking your leg!" Leng Qingqiu smacked him.
Lu Chengwen said disdainfully, "This is my style!"
"If you keep acting like a thug in front of me, I’m going to lose my temper."
"Eh, no, no, I was just messing around."
"Tell me, how did you know he was trying to trap me?"
"Huh? He was trying to trap you? Damn it, so that’s it. If I’d known, I would’ve hit him for a few more hours."
Leng Qingqiu gave him a fierce glare. "Tell the truth. How did you know?"
"I don't know."
"Refusing to be honest again?"
"How can I tell you if I don't know?"
Leng Qingqiu was angry. "You don't know, right? From now on, don't bother me with your issues, and never appear in front of me again!"
"Haha, it’s a deal!"
Lu Chengwen stood up. "The engagement issue still needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Did you tell your family?"
"I did. The tenth of next month, right?"
"No, I mean we need to call off the engagement and never see each other again."
"Oh, I’ll think about it."
"Don't ‘think about it.’ Just... you, call your dad and mom right now and clear things up."