Lu Chengwen glanced back, saw Leng Qingqiu storm off after slamming the car door, and quickly said into the phone, "Alright, alright, I'll be there soon."
Leng Qingqiu was trembling with anger.
But this time, even she felt she was being unreasonable.
Didn't you hate Lu Chengwen? Him chasing after Xu Xuejiao should be exactly what you want. So why are you so mad? Why did you slam his car door?
That slam was so unwise—it made it seem like she cared about him!
But… she was furious!
Absolutely infuriating!
How could he do this to her?
Xu Xuejiao—what did she have going for her? Just that cutesy, whiny act she put on?
Just thinking about her made Leng Qingqiu sick!
Fine, both of you stay far away from me! I, Leng Qingqiu, don't care one bit!
After a few steps, a flicker of hope stirred in her heart.
This guy… seeing me this angry, he'll come after me to apologize, right?
Hmph, even if he begs, I won't forgive him!
What a jerk! If he doesn't grovel and apologize properly today, I'll never let this go!
Leng Qingqiu strode forward confidently, wanting to glance back but not daring to. She kept her head high and marched on.
Using her phone as a makeshift mirror, she peeked and saw Lu Chengwen's car pulling up behind her. A smile crept onto her face, her heart suddenly light with joy.
Hold it together!
Leng Qingqiu, stay calm. You can't let this punk know he's got you all worked up!
The car screeched to a stop beside her. She halted, arms crossed, and said icily, "What now? Aren't you cozy with that Xu girl? Leave me alone from now on."
"Uh-huh," Lu Chengwen replied. "Call your assistant to pick you up. I'm out."
Without giving her a chance to respond, he floored the gas and sped off.
Leng Qingqiu's eyes widened as his car disappeared into the distance. Her anger boiled over.
She stomped her foot. "Lu Chengwen! You… you're killing me!"
_
Lu Chengwen cruised along in the understated luxury sedan, fingers tapping the steering wheel, cheerfully singing, "The skies of the liberated zone are clear and bright, the people of the liberated zone are so delighted…"
One major female lead down! I'm a freaking genius!
Xu Xuejiao's call couldn't have come at a better time.
Now Leng Qingqiu would probably never forgive him—perfect!
Next up, he'd deal with Xu Xuejiao.
He pulled up to the hotel where the press conference was being held and spotted his team anxiously waiting. They were all staring at the back of his car, craning their necks expectantly.
When he stepped out, everyone looked shocked.
The old Lu Chengwen was a car enthusiast, always rolling up in flashy, modified supercars—loud, ostentatious, screaming wealth.
But today? A discreet business sedan.
And his outfit had changed too.
Gone were the garish, colorful designer suits. Instead, he wore a sharp, dark formal suit paired with classic Oxford shoes, exuding elegance and dignity.
His secretary, Jiang Shihan, hurried over. "President Lu."
"Hey, Shihan," he greeted casually.
Jiang Shihan was visibly nervous.
She had no choice but to be. Her mother suffered from a rare illness, requiring millions annually for treatment and rehabilitation.
She couldn't afford to lose this job.
But working as Lu Chengwen's secretary was… excruciating.
This guy was disgustingly vile.
In the first couple of years, his personal life was a scandalous mess, his misdeeds too numerous to count.
As his personal secretary, Jiang Shihan had seen things that shattered her worldview and made her skin crawl.
He'd harass her almost daily. Cracking crude jokes he thought were funny, lifting her skirt in front of others without a care, groping her thigh during meetings while cursing out subordinates, and subjecting her to relentless verbal harassment that often left her crying in the bathroom, eyes red and swollen.
The last three years were even worse.
Besides the constant harassment and groping, he'd become Leng Qingqiu's obsessive suitor.
The tasks he gave her were often humiliating, forcing her to run errands at Qianfeng Group, where everyone looked down on her like she was some shameless woman who'd do anything for money.
But who could understand? She couldn't lose this job. Her monthly salary of over a hundred thousand was top-tier for a secretary.
Without it, her mother's medication would stop.
If she crossed Lu Chengwen, she'd lose her mother.
Like a frightened bird, always on edge, Jiang Shihan kept her head down. "President Lu, the speech draft is ready. You can review it. There's still time—if you're not satisfied, we can revise it immediately to your liking."
"Alright, let me see," Lu Chengwen said, striding inside.
His team hurried to keep up, bodyguards flanking him on both sides.
He was escorted straight to the lounge.
After skimming the draft, he nodded. "Looks good. It's fine."
He handed it back to Jiang Shihan.
Everyone was stunned.
Lu Chengwen was notoriously difficult.
He was a demon, a devil, a tyrant.
No matter how perfect your work was, he'd find fault and tear into you. It was inevitable.
He'd curse out your parents, spouse, kids, and ancestors back eighteen generations, then demand revisions that ended up barely different from the original.
But today, he approved the first draft.
Jiang Shihan let out a relieved breath.
Lu Chengwen said, "Everyone else, out. Shihan, stay."
The secretarial team exhaled in relief, exchanging knowing smirks with Jiang Shihan.
They all knew the deal.
What kind of guy was President Lu?
Heh, a predator! Every pretty female employee or executive in the company had been on the receiving end of his advances.
Today, he'd skipped the usual tirade—probably too eager to get his hands on her.
Jiang Shihan? She'd play along, half-resisting, half-compliant… Maybe that was their dynamic. She acted innocent, but that was probably her game. It's what Lu liked, right?
Everyone left, leaving Jiang Shihan trembling slightly.
Lu Chengwen looked up, about to speak, when he noticed her fear.
Oh, right.
This poor girl had been harassed endlessly by the old Lu Chengwen—the villain he'd become. She was practically traumatized.
What was her storyline again?
Right! There was a moment when he, overcome with beastly urges, tried to force himself on her. Long Aotian swooped in right on cue, broke both his legs, and rescued her.
Afterward, they poured their hearts out to each other. She revealed her mother's illness, and Long Aotian cured her, leaving her overwhelmed with gratitude.
Later, Long Aotian confronted him over her, made a bet, and naturally won in spectacular fashion. Lu Chengwen was left humiliated, while Long Aotian played the hero, securing Jiang Shihan's freedom.
And the rest of the story? You can guess.
Another devoted beauty joined Long Aotian's harem, selflessly supporting him, asking for nothing in return—not even a title. She'd be his maid if that's what it took.
There was even a moment when she took a near-fatal hit for him, only to be saved by Long Aotian in some ridiculously romantic way.
So damn cliché.
Lu Chengwen looked at Jiang Shihan, head bowed and trembling, and smiled. "Don't be nervous. I'm not going to bully you."
"N-no, I'm not nervous," she stammered.
Lu Chengwen sighed, thinking to himself:
Should I help her? Get her mother's illness treated? If I ask Xu Xuejiao, she'd probably be happy to help.
No, no, that's Long Aotian's plotline. Her mother's illness has to be cured by him. That's how she falls head over heels for him and joins his harem.
I should fire her. She's too dangerous.
Jiang Shihan's mind reeled.
What the hell!?
He hadn't said a word, but she could hear his thoughts?
It wasn't surprising he knew about her mother's illness—rich guys like him could easily dig up dirt to exploit her. But him wanting to help her mother?
And what was this about her meeting "Brother Aotian" a few days ago? How did he know? Could Brother Aotian really cure her mother?
Was she… destined to join Brother Aotian's harem?
Brother Aotian was kind and pure-hearted. If he could save her mother, she'd serve him like a cow or horse to repay him.
But would he look down on her for working for Lu Chengwen?
Her reputation at work was already in tatters. Everyone whispered that she was Lu's beck-and-call girl, ready to… you know, at any moment.
And now he wanted to fire her!?
She couldn't lose this job!
Just as Jiang Shihan opened her mouth to speak, Lu Chengwen's thoughts shifted.
No, this girl's had it rough. Bullied at work by me, taking care of her mom after hours. Dealing with all the gossip can't be easy. Firing her now would be too much pressure.
Better to keep things as they are. When Long Aotian cures her mom and comes for me, I'll do him a favor and let her go with him.
It's a shame. I've bullied her for so long and feel bad about it. I wish I could do something for her, but Long Aotian's got her covered. Her problems aren't my concern.
Jiang Shihan was floored.
President Lu… was thinking about her well-being?
Worried that firing her would push her over the edge, so he'd keep her on for now?
Wait—how was he so sure Brother Aotian would cure her mom?
And was Brother Aotian really coming to rescue her from this hell?
At that point, Lu would just let her go?
And this beast… felt guilty for bullying her? Wanted to do something for her?
What was wrong with the world?
What was wrong with this man?
What was happening?
It was too bizarre!
Jiang Shihan was so shocked by Lu Chengwen's inner thoughts that she couldn't speak, her eyes wide, staring at him, her brain short-circuiting.
Wait! Hold on! Lu Chengwen's mind raced to a critical realization.
If things follow the plot I know, I'd have to commit some beastly act against her, and just when I'm about to succeed, Long Aotian would show up to save her. And he'd break both my legs!
But if I don't do anything beastly, Long Aotian won't show up, right?
So… to help her and get her mom's illness cured, I'd have to commit a beastly act! And get my legs broken by Long Aotian!
What the hell!
Lu Chengwen's head was buzzing.
Was this plot unsolvable!?
To save one female lead, did he have to sacrifice himself, the villain!?
He looked down at his long, toned legs.
Oh, legs, my dear legs! I love you so much, but after just over 24 hours together… sob… it seems you're doomed!