Lu's mother beamed, "Qingqiu, try this. Knowing you love Cantonese cuisine, your uncle specially brought in a Cantonese chef to cook for us today."
"Thank you, Aunt," Leng Qingqiu replied politely.
Lu Guanghong chimed in, "Qingqiu, have some of this crab porridge. It's great for your skin and health! I ordered these crabs fresh this morning—first catch of the day, flown straight to Snow City, still kicking and jumping."
"Thank you, Uncle. You're too kind," Leng Qingqiu said, a touch embarrassed.
Lu's mother urged, "Qingqiu, taste this. Doesn't it remind you of home?"
"Mmm, it's really delicious," Leng Qingqiu nodded.
Lu Guanghong added, "And this one—pair it with foie gras. It's good for vitality and immunity."
Leng Qingqiu was being treated with the utmost hospitality.
As the eldest daughter of the Leng family and CEO of Qianfeng Group, she was accustomed to receiving top-tier treatment wherever she went. But today felt different.
It wasn't about her status.
Her impulsive agreement to the engagement had clearly led Lu Chengwen's parents to treat her like their future daughter-in-law.
Their warmth and attentiveness weren't the formal politeness reserved for a VIP or corporate leader. It was the kind of care and affection one shows to family.
This was a new experience for Leng Qingqiu.
She couldn't help but feel captivated.
Her own family was rational, almost clinical. They lacked the earthy warmth of the Lu family, their unrestrained freedom, their casual closeness.
Meals at her house felt like formal affairs, everyone polite and proper, adhering to strict table manners.
Never would they be like the Lu family, where the moment she sat down, every delicious dish was eagerly pushed toward her, the table a chaotic symphony of care.
Leng Qingqiu envied Lu Chengwen.
Their family's bickering didn't feel crude or rude. Instead, it radiated a strong sense of familial warmth and coziness.
Even the sight of Lu Chengwen tussling with his father, getting scolded and smacked, filled Leng Qingqiu with a sense of happiness and fulfillment.
Lu Chengwen stood off to the side, whining, "Dad, Mom, I'm starving too."
Lu Guanghong whipped around, his face darkening. "Get lost!"
Leng Qingqiu burst out laughing.
Lu's mother quickly intervened, "Qingqiu, don't mind him. He was in the wrong this time, and your uncle disciplined him. Please forgive him. Honestly, Chengwen's been a good kid since he was young—bright, compassionate. You two practically grew up together; you know how he is."
She sighed, "It's just that during his college years, his dad was sick, and we were busy keeping the family business afloat. We didn't have time to guide him properly, just gave him money. So he picked up some bad habits. But deep down, our Chengwen's a good boy…"
Lu Guanghong cut in, "He's a rotten punk! Qingqiu, don't worry. If he ever bothers you again, call me directly. I'll sort him out anytime, anywhere."
Leng Qingqiu quickly responded, "It's really not a big deal. For the past three years, I've been the one with a bad attitude. I've said some harsh things and even disrespected you both. I owe you an apology."
"Oh, let bygones be bygones! Parents don't hold grudges against their kids," Lu Guanghong waved it off.
"That boy's shameless sometimes. We get mad watching him act like a fool. Here, have some more food…" Lu's mother added.
Lu Chengwen watched his family fawn over Leng Qingqiu, his stomach growling, his eyes practically tearing up from hunger and frustration.
As he stepped outside, he spotted his younger brother, Lu Chengwu, walking in. Their eyes locked.
Lu Chengwen pointed at him, "You, stop right there!"
Lu Chengwu panicked and bolted.
"You little brat, don't move!" Lu Chengwen shouted, ready to chase after his troublemaking brother.
Suddenly, a chime rang in his head: Ding-dong!
System: "Host, please accept the First Day Gift Package!"
Lu Chengwen froze, his heart racing with excitement.
It's here!
The First Day Gift Package! With this, he'd never have to fear being hunted down by "Sister Qingxia" again.
System: "Congratulations, Host, for surviving the first 24 hours in this world. Now, please claim your First Day Gift Package!"
Lu Chengwen dashed into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.
In his vision, a massive, game-like interface appeared, filled with slots containing various gift package icons.
Lu Chengwen could barely contain his excitement.
He clicked the first one:
"Jade Maiden Ecstasy Pill: Gets the female lead in the mood, if you know what I mean."
Lu Chengwen's face fell. "This is a death sentence! I'm trying to keep them a mile away, and you give me this? Useless garbage."
He clicked the second:
"X-Ray Vision x3: Choose three female leads for some X-ray fantasies. Guaranteed nosebleeds."
Lu Chengwen hung his head. "This is supposed to be a grand gift package? What is this trash? All sleazy nonsense! Don't you have anything good? Something to make me strong enough to stand up to Long Aotian when he comes for me?"
He clicked the third:
"Pregnancy Protection Pill: If a female lead is carrying your child…"
"I'd be dead meat!" Lu Chengwen roared. "Why is it all stuff that'll get me killed? Don't you have anything legit? Like Great Teleportation of the Universe or Immovable King Technique?"
He clicked the fourth:
"Protagonist Vanishing Card: One-day duration. This card prevents the main protagonist, Long Aotian, from appearing, provided you don't do anything villainous or make moves on the female leads. Would you like to use it now?"
"Hahaha!" Lu Chengwen's eyes glistened with tears. "Just one day? Fine, fine, at least it's something legit. Use it, use it! Today's my Children's Day!"
He clicked the fifth:
"Passion Kit: The night gets spicy with whips, ropes, blindfolds, lingerie, handcuffs…"
Lu Chengwen slammed his hand down. "You think just because I'm an adult, I need this? What does this have to do with my mission? If I wanted this stuff, I'd buy it myself! You think I need you for this?"
He clicked the sixth:
"Flash Card: Instantly teleport to any location within a five-meter radius, passing through obstacles."
Lu Chengwen grabbed it eagerly, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "Now this is the real deal. With this, I've got a shot at escaping danger."
At that moment, his mother knocked on the bathroom door. "Chengwen, Qingqiu's leaving. Go see her off."
Without opening the door, Lu Chengwen shouted, "Got it! Let her go by herself, I'm busy!"
His father's voice boomed from outside, "No problem, I'll grab the broomstick. Someone, get this door open!"
Lu Chengwen groaned, "I'm coming out!"
_
In the garage, Lu Chengwen scratched his head, puzzled.
Most of the cars here belonged to his dad—business vehicles, sedans, and vans.
He had two sports cars parked here.
In this body's memories, he had a separate garage elsewhere, not at this villa.
Here, he only had two cars, both sports cars.
Zhao Gang jogged over. "Young Master, which one today?"
Lu Chengwen rubbed his chin, pointing at a car. "Get me the keys for that one."
Zhao Gang hesitated. "Young Master, that's the boss's car."
"It's just a car. I won't die borrowing it."
"Okay, but this car…"
"What?"
"It doesn't match your vibe!"
It was a low-key luxury car, unassuming on the outside but outrageously expensive.
"That's the one," Lu Chengwen decided.
Leng Qingqiu hadn't realized it, but her view of Lu Chengwen had shifted dramatically.
The events of the past two days made her feel like she'd never truly known him.
Before, three minutes with Lu Chengwen would drive her up the wall. One glance at him made her nauseous, and even hearing his name killed her appetite.
Yet today, she found herself lingering, insisting he drive her back to her company.
Hadn't her staff called to pick her up?
But Leng Qingqiu didn't make the call. She waited, knowing Lu Guanghong would threaten Lu Chengwen with the broomstick to make him drive her.
Part of it was that she no longer felt the same deep aversion to Lu Chengwen, though she hadn't fully registered this change herself.
She just found Lu Chengwen… kind of amusing.
The other part was that he was shrouded in mysteries she needed to unravel.
Sitting in the back seat, Leng Qingqiu calmly watched the scenery pass by, her mind racing on how to confront Lu Chengwen.
Lu Chengwen kept stealing glances at her through the rearview mirror, marveling to himself.
She's so beautiful. How can anyone be this beautiful? Is she even human?
Leng Qingqiu knew she was attractive. She'd been told so her whole life, almost daily. She'd grown numb to the compliments, even annoyed by them.
But hearing someone sincerely admire her stunning beauty, so genuinely captivated and moved, made her secretly pleased. A small smile tugged at her lips.
Ugh, I need to find a way to get her to stay away from me. This is getting messier by the minute. She got drunk and slept at my house? What kind of rotten plot is this?
Leng Qingqiu's smile vanished. She looked at him. "Why are you suddenly so annoyed with me?"
Lu Chengwen froze. "What? No way! How could I be annoyed with you? Everyone in Snow City knows how much I like you, haha, hehe, hahaha. Ahem, I mean… no, I'm not… uh."
His insincere response only made Leng Qingqiu feel worse.
This man had pursued her relentlessly for three years, never giving up. But now, he'd done a complete 180, acting like he wanted her to vanish from the planet.
The stark contrast was hard for her to accept.
Before, she'd seen Lu Chengwen as trash. But now, for some reason, she felt unsettled, like she was losing something precious.
It frustrated her.
Leng Qingqiu gazed out the window, struggling to stay composed. "Do you have someone else you like? Is that why you're over me?"
"Huh?" Lu Chengwen blinked, then quickly said, "Yeah."
Leng Qingqiu was shocked—shocked at how shocked and angry she felt.
"Who?"
"Oh, just… you know, that person."
"Who?"
"Does it matter?"
"It matters."
Leng Qingqiu pressed, "I need to know who beat me and became your new favorite."
Lu Chengwen pulled the car over.
This was the perfect chance to lay it all out.
"Qingqiu, let me ask you one thing: Do you want this marriage alliance?"
"No."
"Do you like me?"
"No."
"Do you hate me?"
"A lot."
"There you go!" Lu Chengwen exclaimed. "You don't want the marriage, you don't like me, you even hate me. So why are we engaged? Let's both go to our parents and call it off. You tell your parents I'm the one who backed out. I'll tell mine the same. Problem solved, right?"
"But I want to know why."
"The reason? I'm a playboy. I fell for someone else. Isn't that the most normal thing for a guy like me?"
"Who is it?"
Lu Chengwen was losing it, half-amused by her persistence. "Does it really matter?"
"It matters a lot."
His phone rang.
Lu Chengwen glanced at the caller ID, silently praising the timing.
He answered with a grin, "Hey, Xuejiao, my dear!"
Xu Xuejiao paused, clearly thrown off. Yesterday, he couldn't stand her; now he was all sugar and honey?
She played along, "Brother Chengwen, you must be exhausted from last night, huh?"
"Oh, you bet! You little minx, you really wore me out!"
"Heehee, don't talk nonsense, or I'll smack you! The press conference is today. Hurry over—we need to go over the script."
"Got it, got it. But you've gotta wear that JK uniform for me."
"Ugh, you're awful. Who wears a uniform to a press conference…?"
Leng Qingqiu flung the car door open, slammed it shut, and stormed off.