Chapter 7

Lu Chengwu quickly and ingratiatingly handed over a pair of new slippers.

Leng Qingqu naturally slipped her feet into the slippers, looked at herself in the vanity mirror, patted her face, adjusted her hair, and acted as completely at home as if she were in her own house.

Standing behind her with his hands crossed in front of him, Lu Chengwen said nervously: "Look... say something, will you? If you just stand there like this... I... I'm scared."

Leng Qingqu turned her head. "Why did you come to my room to sleep?"

Lu Chengwen quickly blurted out, "I don't know! I swear on the lamp, I really don't know! Yesterday I was exhausted to the point of collapse, and as soon as I came back and lay down, I passed out... Maybe because it was my first day here, my brain just had a minor glitch regarding the room's layout after my burnout, or something like that! I really didn't do anything!"

Leng Qingqu couldn't hold it in any longer. She turned around, laughed secretly to herself, and then said with a straight face: "I need to wash up. Get out."

"Yes!"

Lu Chengwen spun around and bolted out of the room like a rocket, closing the door behind him and leaning against the panel to let out a long breath. [Good heavens! I just cheated death!] [If she had convinced herself I did that on purpose, I could jump into the Yellow River and never wash myself clean!] [Come to think of it, Leng Qingqu isn't so bad after all. She's quite reasonable!]

On the other side of the door, Leng Qingqu heard these thoughts and stopped holding back, breaking into a soft, covert laugh. *You dead man,* she thought to herself. *You still don't even know that I can hear your inner voice.* *If you had done it on purpose, did you really think I would have let you off?*

***

After washing up, Lu Chengwen took the elevator down to the first-floor dining room.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw the whole family gathered for breakfast.

Lu Chengwen was starving. Having just escaped catastrophe, he was in high spirits and practically glowing. "Hey, everyone's here? Dad, Mom, morning! Oh, wow, the food looks great today. Quick, quick, Aunt Xia, dish me a bowl of rice. Goodness gracious, I'm starving..."

Aunt Xia stood frozen in place, her mouth twitching awkwardly, refusing to budge.

"Dish up the rice!" Lu Chengwen looked at Aunt Xia. "What's wrong?"

He glanced back at his family and noticed that everyone was deathly quiet. Only Lu Guanghong refused to look at him, keeping a blank expression and staring straight at his food, chewing with a loud crunching sound.

Lu Chengwen knew something was wrong. He forced a smile. "Dad, did... did something happen?"

Lu Guanghong finally raised his head and looked straight at Lu Chengwen. "Where were you last night?"

Understanding dawned on Lu Chengwen. "Oh! I can explain!" Lu Chengwen said. "That batch of medicine failed quality standards. Speaking of which, it's my younger brother's fault. To cut costs, he actually skimped on the fine ingredients. Dad, we can't keep spoiling my little brother. That's medicine, it saves lives! Don't let him touch the pharmaceutical business ever again..."

Without warning, Lu Guanghong pulled out a bamboo broom stub from who knows where. Yes, the foundational tradition of the Lu family was the mandatory possession of a bamboo broom stub—that basic cleaning tool found in every rural household. Even though the family lived in a five-story luxury villa, they still had to keep a broom stub. The broom stub was the totem of the Lu family! The educational divine artifact of the Lu family! The ultimate pillar of the Lu family! And the eternal nightmare of the younger generation of the Lu family!

Lu Chengwen jumped up instantly and took a step back. "Dad, let's talk this out! Why are you pulling out the heavy artillery? That batch of medicine really couldn't be sold! Can't the financial losses just be charged to me?"

"I can afford to lose a few hundred million! If I dared to hand the business over to you, I wouldn't be afraid of you losing money."

"Then what is this..."

"I'm asking you, what did you do yesterday? What did you do to Qingqu?"

Only then did Lu Chengwen realize that his old man was talking about this. "I can explain this too!" "Explain my foot! I'll beat you first, then you can explain!"

Lu Guanghong leaped up, moving with remarkable agility. "Whoa? Dad! Dad, Dad! Stop, ouch! Ouch, Dad! I really didn't do anything!" "You didn't do anything? Do you think I don't know what kind of scum you are? Damn it, every man knows how to chase women, but to use such a despicable trick against your own fiancée—is that how I taught you? If I don't beat you to death today, this broom stub has lived in vain!" "Dad, what did the broom stub ever do to you? At least listen to my explanation first!" "Explanation? Go explain it to the weapon in my hand! Still running? Get back here and stand still! Stand still, did you hear me? Take off your pants yourself and bare your bottom!"

Mother Lu hurriedly tried to intervene. "Guanghong, Chengwen is over twenty and about to get married. You can't go pulling down his pants to whip his backside anymore." "If I don't beat him, he won't learn his lesson!"

Lu Chengwen was depressed to the point of despair. "It really was a misunderstanding! Why won't any of you believe me?" "Believe you? I'd believe anyone in this world before I'd believe you, you little rascal!" "Dad, stop tugging at my pants! Ouch, have some mercy on my dignity!"

The father and son began wrestling right there in the dining room.

Just then, Leng Qingqu stood at the top of the stairs, coughed awkwardly, and said in a voice no louder than a mosquito's, her face blushing bright red, "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie."

Lu Guanghong instantly froze in place, snapped to rigid attention, and hid the broom stub behind his back. "Oh, Qingqu, you're awake! Come, come, you must be starving. Let's eat, let's eat."

Lu Chengwen gave a little *whoosh* as he yanked his pants back up, his face burning red. Could anything be more humiliating? Getting his pants pulled down and his backside beaten by his old man right in front of his fiancée—this was humiliating enough to throw away the family's honor to the ends of the earth.

Leng Qingqu honestly felt that the antics of this father and son were beyond comical. She wanted to laugh, but felt it would be impolite; she was too shy, yet desperately trying to hold in her laughter. She had only ever heard rumors about the Lu family traditions, but seeing them in action today, she realized they were even more earthy and unpretentious than the legends suggested.

Mother Lu hurried over and took Leng Qingqu's hand. "Qingqu, you must be starving, right? Our Chengwen is so clueless, he forced you to drink, didn't he? Next time, don't indulge him, don't give him any face. If he acts up again, just tell us, and your uncle and I will have your back."

Leng Qingqu was the eldest daughter of the Leng family. She was the chief executive officer of Qianfeng Group. Noble, elegant, a high-society, successful woman. And yet, after getting drunk and ending up spending the night at her fiancé's house—with his prospective parents fully aware of it—her image had taken a serious hit. What would his parents think of her now? What kind of woman would they take her for? She was mortified, blushing all the way to the roots of her hair, as red as a boiled crab. No matter how formidable a woman was, faced with a situation like this, she would inevitably reveal a shy, maidenly side. With her head lowered, she spoke in a faint voice, "Uncle, Auntie, it really was... a misunderstanding... Last night was also... I was just being too willful, Chengwen didn't... do anything to me."

Watching Leng Qingqu's bashful, sheepish expression, Lu Chengwen was instantly struck dumb and stared in mesmerized fascination. Then, snapping back to reality, he leaped in front of his father. "See! Look, look, look! How about that? She said it herself, I didn't do a thing!"

Lu Guanghong brought the broom stub crashing down on Lu Chengwen's head. "Shut up!"

***

**Chapter 11: Opening Day Mega Gift Package**

Mother Lu: "Qingqu, try this. Knowing you like Cantonese food, your uncle specifically arranged for a top Cantonese chef to come cook for us today." "Thank you, Auntie."

Lu Guanghong: "Qingqu, have some of this crab meat porridge. It's great for your skin and overall health. The crabs I ordered today were caught in the very first catch this morning and air-shipped straight to Snow City while they were still kicking." "Thank you, Uncle, please don't go to so much trouble."

Mother Lu: "Qingqu, try this one. Does it taste like your hometown?" "Mm, it really tastes authentic."

Lu Guanghong: "And this, paired with goose liver pâté. It builds *qi*, nourishes the blood, and strengthens your immune system."

Leng Qingqu was receiving the highest level of hospitality. Of course, as the eldest daughter of the Leng family and the chairwoman of Qianfeng Group, she received top-tier receptions and treatment wherever she went. But today was completely different. Her status was different. She had agreed to the engagement on a whim of stubbornness, and this elderly couple clearly regarded her as their future daughter-in-law. Their attentive care wasn't the polite, deferential courtesy shown to a VIP or a corporate executive; it was the warmth and affection shown to a member of their own family.

It was the first time Leng Qingqu had ever experienced such treatment. And she had to admit, she was captivated. Her own family was a rational one, completely lacking the earthy warmth, freedom, spontaneity, and casual comfort of the Lu family. Family gatherings at her house always felt like formal duties, where everyone was polite and courteous, strictly adhering to table etiquette. They would never be like the Lu family, where the moment she sat at the table, all the best dishes were shifted around to crowd her side of the table.

Leng Qingqu found herself deeply envious of Lu Chengwen. The noisy commotion of this family didn't feel vulgar or rude in the slightest; instead, it possessed a rich, vibrant domestic atmosphere and a warm ambiance. Even when Lu Chengwen and his father were brawling and he was getting beaten, Leng Qingqu felt it looked remarkably happy and fulfilling.

Standing off to the side, Lu Chengwen chimed in, "Dad, Mom, I'm hungry too."

Lu Guanghong turned around, his expression shifting instantly as he glared at him. "Get lost!"

Leng Qingqu burst out laughing. Mother Lu quickly smoothed things over. "Qingqu, pay him no mind. It was his fault this time, and your uncle already beat him, so please forgive him, alright? Actually, Chengwen has been an exemplary student with a lot of empathy since he was a child. You two practically grew up together, so you know what he's like." "Sigh, it's just that during those college years, his father fell ill, and while he was struggling to hold the family business together, we didn't have time to properly discipline him. We just gave him money, and as a result, he picked up a bunch of bad habits from hanging out with the wrong crowd. But at his core, our Chengwen is a good person..."

Lu Guanghong interrupted, "He's just a good-for-nothing scoundrel! Qingqu, don't mind him. If he ever bullies you again, just call me directly, and I'll vent your frustrations for you anytime, anywhere."

Leng Qingqu quickly said, "Actually, it's fine. Over the past three years, my attitude wasn't great either. There were times when I spoke harshly and even offended Uncle and Auntie. I should apologize to you both." "Oh, let's not dwell on the past! As elders, how could we take things personally with the kids?" "This brat is shameless. Sometimes when we see his brazen antics, we get mad too. Have some more food..."

Watching his family harmony from the sidelines while his own stomach growled with hunger, Lu Chengwen felt like crying without tears. Just then, he walked out and saw his younger brother, Lu Chengwu, just stepping through the front door. Their eyes met. Lu Chengwen pointed a finger at him. "You—stop right there!"

Looking panicked, Lu Chengwu turned around and bolted. "You little punk, stop right where you are!"

Just as Lu Chengwen was about to chase after his troublemaking brother, he suddenly heard the system notification chime:

*Ding-dong!* "Please claim the Host's Opening Day Mega Gift Package!"

Lu Chengwen stopped in his tracks, his heart surging with excitement. It's here! The Opening Day Mega Gift Package! Heh! With this, he'd never have to fear being hunted down by Sister Qingxia again.

The system announced: "Congratulations to the host for successfully surviving the first-day trial. You have successfully endured twenty-four hours in this world. Please claim your Opening Day Mega Gift Package now!"

Lu Chengwen hurried into the bathroom and locked the door behind him. Above his field of vision, a massive, video-game-like screen appeared, filled with grids containing gift icons marked with various symbols.

Hardly containing his excitement, Lu Chengwen clicked on the first one: *"Jade Maiden Soul-Melting Pill: Allows the female lead to rapidly enter the desired state. You know what I mean."*

Lu Chengwen froze. "Isn't this courting death? I'm already desperate for them to stay a hundred feet away from me, what good is this thing? Trash."

He clicked on the second one: *"Triple Vision Eyes: Allows you to choose three female leads and use X-ray vision for some daydreaming. Guaranteed to make your nose bleed."*

Lu Chengwen lowered his head. "Isn't this supposed to be a mega gift package? What is all this messy junk? Nothing but sleazy trash! Isn't there anything good? Something that would make me... powerful enough to shrug off Long Aotian if he comes looking for trouble?"

He clicked on the third one: *"Fetus Protection Pill: If the female lead is carrying your child..."*

"Then I'm totally dead!" Lu Chengwen roared furiously. "Why is everything here designed to get me killed? Isn't there a single proper item? Where's the *Heaven and Earth Great Shift* or the *Immovable Wisdom King Skill*?"

He clicked on the fourth one: *"Male Lead Disappearance Card: Valid for one day. This card temporarily prevents the main male lead, Long Aotian, from appearing, on the condition that you do not commit evil deeds or make a move against the female leads. Would you like to use this immediately?"*

"Hahaha!" Tears of joy welled up in Lu Chengwen's eyes. "Only for one day, huh? That's fine, that's fine. At least it's a legitimate item. Use it, use it! I'm celebrating Children's Day today!"

He clicked on the fifth one: *"Roleplay Outfit Set: Passion always peaks in the dead of night. Whips, restraints, eye masks, erotic lingerie, handcuffs..."*

Lu Chengwen slammed his hand over the icon. "You can tell I'm an adult now, huh? What on earth does this have to do with completing my missions? If I like this stuff, can't I just buy it myself? Do you have to show off? Do you?"

He clicked on the sixth one: *"Blink Card: Instantly teleports you to any location within a five-meter radius, capable of passing through obstacles."*

Surprised, Lu Chengwen quickly grabbed it, a relieved smile finally breaking across his face. "Now *this* is a proper item. With this, I've got one more lifeline to escape with."

At that moment, Mother Lu knocked on the bathroom door. "Chengwen, Qingqu is leaving. Go see her off."

Without opening the door, Lu Chengwen shouted toward the gap, "Got it, let her walk herself out. I'm busy."

From outside came the voice of his old man: "No worries, I'll go fetch the broom stub. Someone go find something to force this door open."

Depressed to the max, Lu Chengwen yelled, "I'm coming out right now!"

***

Walking down to the garage, Lu Chengwen scratched his head, his mind full of question marks.

Most of the vehicles in his family's garage were his father's cars—primarily business sedans, standard sedans, and vans. He himself only kept two sports cars parked here. According to the memories tied to his manuscript, he had a separate garage, but it wasn't located at this villa. The only cars here belonging to him were two sports cars.

Zhao Gang hurried over. "Young Master, which one are you driving today?"

Rubbing his chin, Lu Chengwen pointed at a particular vehicle. "Bring me the keys to this one."

Zhao Gang was startled. "Young Master, that's the Old Master's car."

"It's just a car. Driving it won't kill anyone."

"Oh. But this car..."

"What about it?"

"It doesn't match your status!"

It was a low-profile luxury car that looked utterly unremarkable on the outside, but was actually extremely expensive.

"That's the one."

Even Leng Qingqu hadn't realized how drastically her perception of Lu Chengwen had changed. The events of the past two days made her feel as though she hadn't really known this person at all before. In the past, being with Lu Chengwen for three minutes would make her break down; catching a glimpse of him disgusted her, and even hearing his name killed her appetite. Yet today, she had actually lingered, letting him drive her back to the company. Hadn't she made a phone call earlier asking someone else to pick her up? Yet Leng Qingqu hadn't made that call; she simply waited patiently for Lu Guanghong to force Lu Chengwen at broom-point to drive her.

Of course, part of it was that she no longer felt such deep revulsion toward Lu Chengwen—a fact she still hadn't quite realized herself. Leng Qingqu simply found that Lu Chengwen was actually quite amusing. And secondly, naturally, there were too many mysteries surrounding Lu Chengwen, and she needed to get some answers.

Sitting in the back seat of the car, Leng Qingqu watched calmly as the scenery outside the window flashed past, her mind turning over how to have a showdown with Lu Chengwen.

In the rearview mirror, Lu Chengwen kept glancing at her, clicking his tongue in silent admiration. [She really is gorgeous. How can anyone be this pretty? Is there really a woman in this world who looks like this? Is she an android?]

Leng Qingqu knew she was beautiful. Ever since she was a child, people had praised her looks—almost every single day. She had long since grown numb to such compliments, even finding them annoying. However, hearing someone praise her peerless appearance from the bottom of his heart, speaking so casually yet showing such infatuation, obsession, and a fluttering heart, still secretly pleased her, sending a thrill through her chest. The corners of her lips curved upward in an involuntary smile.

[Sigh, I've got to find a way to make her stay far away from me. Why is this plot getting more and more tangled? She actually ended up drinking with me and sleeping at my house. What kind of trash plot is this?]

Leng Qingqu's smile vanished. She stared at Lu Chengwen and asked, "Why have you suddenly become so sick of me?"

Lu Chengwen was startled. "No way! How could I ever be sick of you? Everyone in Snow City knows how much I adore you, haha, hehe, hahahaha. *Ahem*, no... I'm not... well."

Lu Chengwen's insincere reply only made Leng Qingqu feel even more melancholy. A man had pursued her day after day, persevering relentlessly for three years. But the moment he decided to turn around, he didn't look back, cutting ties cleanly without a shred of hesitation, as if he wished she would vanish from the face of the earth. This stark contrast was hard for her to accept. Before, she had thought of Lu Chengwen as nothing more than stinking dog manure, but... for some reason, she now felt deeply unsettled inside, as if she were about to lose something precious. It was intensely irritating.

Staring out the car window, Leng Qingqu tried her best to maintain her composure. "Is it because you have someone else you like? That's why you look down on me now?"

"Huh?" Lu Chengwen was taken aback, then quickly blurted out, "Yes."

Leng Qingqu was stunned. She hadn't expected herself to be so shocked, nor so furious. "Who is it?" "Ah, well, you know, *that* person." "Who?" "Is it important?" "It's very important," Leng Qingqu said. "I need to know what kind of person defeated me and became your new favorite."

Lu Chengwen pulled the car over to the side of the road. He felt this was the prime opportunity for a showdown.

"Qingqu, I'll ask you just one question: do you want this marriage alliance?" "No." "Do you like me?" "No." "Do you hate me?" "I hate you a lot." "There you go, then!"

Lu Chengwen said, "You don't want the alliance, you don't like me, and in fact you find me annoying and hate me—so why on earth are we getting engaged? Let's both go back to our parents and say we don't agree to the engagement. You tell your parents that I'm the one who refuses. I'll tell my parents that I'm the one who refuses. Wouldn't that solve everything perfectly?!" "But I want to know the reason." "The reason is that I'm fickle and have fallen for someone else! For a playboy like me, isn't that the most normal thing in the world?" "Who is that person?"

Driven nearly insane, Lu Chengwen was practically laughed to tears by this woman. "Is it important?" "Very important."

At that moment, Lu Chengwen's phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, Lu Chengwen secretly praised his good fortune. It had arrived at the exact right moment.