The room fell silent, as if someone had hit mute on the world.
What's going on?
What is HAPPENING?!
For three years, Lu Chengwen had clung to Leng Qingqiu like a persistent leech, using every trick in the book to scare off any man who dared approach her—all to claim her for himself. And for three years, Leng Qingqiu had exploded at the mere mention of their engagement, radiating a defiance that screamed she'd rather die than marry him.
But today? The tables had flipped.
Lu Chengwen didn't want to marry her, and Leng Qingqiu was suddenly agreeing to the engagement?
Lu Chengwen was losing his mind.
He whipped his head around, staring at Leng Qingqiu in utter disbelief.
Big sister, what are you doing?! Agreeing to the engagement? Are you insane? You're supposed to be Long Aotian's harem girl! You're supposed to be fawning over him, not screwing me over! Long Aotian's gonna kill me for this!
That guy's been scheming to get close to you, playing the humble hero to show off at the critical moment, winning you and your family over.
Then you fall for him, hand over your family's fortune, and follow the script! Stick to the damn plot!
Leng Qingqiu shot him a cold smirk.
You want to ditch the engagement?
Did you ask me?
You've been a thorn in my side for three years, and now you think you can just walk away, acting like I'm destined to be some security guard's trophy wife?
Today, I'm going to make you squirm.
I want to see how this so-called Long Aotian drags me into his harem.
The ability to hear Lu Chengwen's inner monologue shocked her to her core. He seemed to know bizarre, impossible things. She didn't know what game he was playing, but for now, thwarting his every move felt like the best strategy.
The elders from both families erupted into excited chatter, eagerly planning the wedding, their future lives, and even who'd babysit the grandkids.
Lu Chengwen pulled Leng Qingqiu aside, his voice urgent. "Qingqiu, are you… not thinking straight today?"
She snorted. "I think you're the one acting strange."
He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Okay, okay, let's not argue. This engagement—it's a mistake. We need to fix this, seriously."
Leng Qingqiu felt a surge of triumph. For three years, she'd been powerless against this shameless pest. He'd used every dirty trick, undeterred by her rejections, clinging to her like a shadow. She'd been driven to the edge of insanity.
But now, seeing him sweating bullets, practically spinning in circles, she felt a rush of satisfaction. Got you, you scum.
Lu Chengwen pressed on. "Qingqiu, are you feeling pressured by the elders? Think about it—am I annoying?"
"Very."
"Am I repulsive?"
"Absolutely."
"Do I make you sick?"
"Beyond sick."
"Then why on earth would you agree to marry me?"
"Because I want to."
Lu Chengwen stared at her, dumbfounded, suddenly realizing he didn't know this woman at all.
Meanwhile, the families had finalized their plans and ushered the pair into the garden for the announcement. Lu Chengwen's mind was a fog of panic as he stood beside Leng Qingqiu on the stage, thoughts racing:
This is it. I'm screwed. In a few minutes, Long Aotian's gonna burst in, snap my leg like a twig, and sweep Qingqiu off her feet.
Is this my inescapable fate? Even knowing how the story unfolds, am I powerless to change it?
Qingqiu's acting so off! She's supposed to hate me! What's her deal today?
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes, catching every word of his inner panic. Her shock deepened. Not only can I hear his thoughts, but he claims to know the future?
Will Long Aotian really show up to object?
The emcee, brimming with enthusiasm, addressed the crowd. "Honored guests, on behalf of the Lu and Leng families, I'm thrilled to announce a momentous occasion! Lu Chengwen, heir of the Lu family, and Leng Qingqiu, eldest daughter of the Leng family, will hold their engagement ceremony on the tenth of next month…"
"I object!"
A voice cut through the crowd as a security guard stepped forward—the novel's leading man, Long Aotian.
The emcee glanced at him. "Guards, remove this lowlife!"
Lu Chengwen's legs turned to jelly at the sight of Long Aotian. He instinctively stepped back.
Leng Qingqiu glanced at Lu Chengwen, her heart pounding. He was right.
Long Aotian strode toward the emcee, who tried to shove him back but was effortlessly tossed off the stage.
Leng Qingqiu's eyes blazed. "Long Aotian, what are you doing?"
He grabbed her shoulders, his voice firm. "Qingqiu, don't worry. I won't let anyone force you into this. Your fate is yours to decide."
If the plot had played out as expected—Lu Chengwen hounding her, the Lu family pressuring her, and her own parents pushing for a profitable alliance—Long Aotian's heroic intervention might have left her stunned and touched. The security guard had already impressed her days ago with his extraordinary skills during an incident, earning a spot as her personal bodyguard. Over the past few days, her opinion of him had only grown.
But Lu Chengwen's inner warnings had tainted everything. Now, she saw Long Aotian as a scheming opportunist, after her family's wealth, more repulsive than even Lu Chengwen.
She swatted his hands away. "Long Aotian, you're just my bodyguard. My personal affairs are none of your business."
Of course, you're the big shot! Lu Chengwen thought. Got a whole speech lined up, don't you? Go on, let it rip. Show everyone you're the righteous hero.
Perform, War God, perform!
Long Aotian turned to the crowd, his voice booming. "The four great families of Snow Capital resort to sacrificing a woman's happiness for profit! Have you no shame? Do you even care about Qingqiu's well-being?"
Lu Chengwen clapped silently behind him. Nice one! Qingqiu, your cue—start crying!
He's laid it on thick; you've got to be moved. Come on, tears!
Leng Qingqiu's icy gaze met Lu Chengwen's, burning with humiliated fury. He froze, awkwardly dropping his hands and pretending to look elsewhere.
Long Aotian pressed on. "Mr. and Mrs. Leng, Qingqiu is your daughter. Can you truly bear to push her into a pit of misery? Lu Chengwen's reputation is infamous across Snow Capital. Marrying her to a scoundrel like him—don't you feel even a shred of pain or regret?"
Leng Qingqiu snapped, "My affairs are none of your concern, bodyguard! You're fired. Get out."
Long Aotian blinked, confused. What? This… isn't how it's supposed to go.
The crowd buzzed.
"Who is this guy? So rude!"
"Crashing a joyous occasion? What a creep. Lusting after the Leng heiress with that attitude?"
"Look in a mirror, buddy!"
"Ugh, he's so sleazy!"
Lu Chengwen's nerves were fraying. Why are you all shouting? You're pulling his aggro! He's about to start swinging!
Everyone, calm down!
A burly Lu family enforcer charged forward, grabbing Long Aotian's collar. "You punk! It's Young Master Lu's big day, and you're stirring trouble? Ever seen a fist the size of a sandbag?"
Long Aotian smirked. A mere mortal? I could end you with a flick.
He closed his eyes, tilting his head back. My first battle to make a name for myself begins now!
Glory! Honor! Beauty! All mine from this moment!
He took a deep breath, eyes snapping open, his aura radiating dominance. "If you want a fight, I'll show you what a War God's return looks like! Today, I'll—huh?!"
With a thud, the enforcer vanished. Long Aotian looked down to see him pinned to the ground by Lu Chengwen, the two wrestling in a tangle.
The enforcer struggled, itching to pummel Long Aotian. Lu Chengwen held him down, panting. "Brother, calm down! Calm down!"
He had to intervene. This guy was the first sacrificial lamb in today's script—Long Aotian would one-shot him, then turn and snap Lu Chengwen's leg. I'm not letting that happen!
Lu Chengwen was on the verge of tears. "Brother, it's not worth it. For my sake, let it go…"
The enforcer froze, stunned. "Young Master Lu, you're calling me your brother?"
Lu Chengwen, exhausted from the struggle, gasped, "Yeah, brother—for life."
The man's eyes welled up. "Young Master Lu, a man of your status, calling me brother? I'll take this punk out for you!"
Long Aotian roared, "Come on, then! Let's go!"
Lu Chengwen pinned the enforcer down, gritting his teeth. "If you're my brother, don't move!"
The man went still.
Leng Qingqiu shouted, "Long Aotian, enough! Get out!"
Long Aotian was floored. "Qingqiu, are the Lu's threatening you? Don't worry—the Lu family? Mere ants in my eyes."
Leng Qingqiu felt like she'd been punched in the gut. What a clichéd line.
"You're fired, Long Aotian. Collect three months' pay and leave. I don't want to hear another word from you."
Long Aotian "understood." Qingqiu's been threatened by the Lu's. She doesn't know I'm the War God, so she's pretending to cut ties to protect me, sacrificing herself.
So noble! My woman's got courage!
Lu Chengwen was thinking the same. Big sister, you don't need to protect him! I'm being good, I swear—no trouble from me!
Please, just go with him. I can't handle being in this plot anymore!
Leng Qingqiu glanced at Lu Chengwen, sprawled on the ground, pinning a sobbing enforcer. For some reason, the sight was absurdly funny. All these years, she'd never seen a single redeeming quality in him. But today, flustered and disheveled, he was… oddly endearing.
She smiled faintly. "Brother Chengwen, get up."
Long Aotian spun toward Lu Chengwen, his eyes murderous.
Lu Chengwen froze. No way! How's this my fault? I didn't do anything!
A mob of bodyguards charged in, batons raised. "Brothers, someone's trying to steal Young Master Lu's woman! Get him!"
Lu Chengwen's jaw dropped. He's a War God! You're all just XP fodder! Stop making this worse!
My leg—my heroic, chivalrous leg—is done for if you keep this up!
Heavens, earth, is this arc really this hard to survive?!