"Uh? I didn't say anything!" Lu Chengwen protested.
Xu Xuejiao pieced it together: not only could she hear his thoughts, but Chen Mengyun could too!
Narrowing her eyes, she thought, I need to keep a close eye on this. This weird phenomenon—I've got to figure it out.
She stayed silent, watching the two.
Lu Chengwen awkwardly said, "Uh… I've got some stuff to handle… let's catch up another time, yeah?"
"Sure," Chen Mengyun forced a smile and nodded. "Sounds good."
"Hey, don't go! Chat a bit!" Xu Xuejiao chimed in, clearly enjoying the chaos, as if watching a funeral and cheering for a bigger spectacle.
She hooked her arm through Chen Mengyun's, turning to Lu Chengwen. "Brother Chengwen, I heard you're getting engaged to Sister Qingqiu, right?"
Lu Chengwen wanted to slap this meddling little troublemaker.
Talk about bringing up the worst possible topic!
Discussing his engagement in front of his first love—could it get any more awkward?
Xu Xuejiao, you're my personal kryptonite. I'm done with you. If you weren't part of Long Aotian's harem, I'd pin you in a corner, strip you, and spank you!
Both women were shocked.
Xu Xuejiao knew it was just venting, and since she'd stirred the pot, she wasn't mad—secretly, she was amused.
But Chen Mengyun wasn't having it. Her face darkened slightly. "Congratulations, President Lu."
Lu Chengwen laughed awkwardly. "Oh, come on, it's not set in stone. You both know how much Qingqiu can't stand me."
Chen Mengyun didn't want to linger. With a polite smile, she said, "Well, you two chat. I've got things to do."
Lu Chengwen quickly added, "Yeah, I'm swamped too. Another time, another time."
As Chen Mengyun walked away, Lu Chengwen watched her, a pang of loss hitting him.
The memories flooded back, impossible to shake.
He and Chen Mengyun had been childhood sweethearts, inseparable.
To say he had no regrets would be a lie. If he hadn't messed around back then… would he still be the villain Lu Chengwen today?
I was wrong back then. I'm sorry.
I wish you happiness, truly.
Chen Mengyun hadn't gone far and heard his thoughts clearly.
A wave of bittersweet sorrow hit her, her eyes stinging.
She stopped.
Glancing back instinctively, her gaze—full of resentment, regret, sadness, and longing—met Lu Chengwen's pitiful stare.
Their eyes locked again.
Lu Chengwen forced a smile, waving.
Chen Mengyun returned a polite smile and turned away.
Xu Xuejiao shook her head, sighing. "Such a shame. You two were so good together. We were all jealous. But you, you scumbag, messed around and broke her heart."
Lu Chengwen glared at her. "I've noticed you're—"
Jiang Shihan stumbled over, frantic and on the verge of tears. "President Lu, I need to take leave."
"What's wrong?"
"My mom's critical. The doctor said…" She was already crying. "The doctor said she might not make it!"
Xu Xuejiao narrowed her eyes.
Lu Chengwen was floored.
Impossible! Her mom's supposed to be cured by Long Aotian. She can't die before he steps in!
This isn't how it's supposed to go!
His heart raced. "Don't panic. Go to the hospital and stay with her. I'll figure something out."
"Thank you, President Lu!"
Jiang Shihan turned and ran off, sobbing.
Xu Xuejiao didn't understand. Why did it have to be Long Aotian? Was he some kind of miracle worker?
I'm right here. If you really want to help, just ask me.
Lu Chengwen ignored Xu Xuejiao, rushing into the bathroom. "No one comes in!"
Inside, he summoned the system.
Ding-dong!
"What's going on with Jiang Shihan's mom?"
"Oh, Host, you may not know, but Jiang Shihan's mother has a rare illness, and it's flared up now…"
"I know about her illness! I'm asking why she's suddenly critical and dying?"
"Well, because she's sick, and it's flared up, so she's dying!"
"Are you even listening? According to the plot, Long Aotian's supposed to cure her mom! Then they get all lovey-dovey and live happily ever after!"
"Right, the healing plot was supposed to happen today, but you sealed Long Aotian away. Forgot? No worries, it's just one life. Long Aotian has over nine hundred other ways to win Jiang Shihan over."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. "So you're saying… damn it!"
What the hell!?
I sealed Long Aotian for a day, and now Jiang Shihan's mom is dying because of me?
Does that mean I'm the one who killed her mom?
Can the plot really twist like this?
Lu Chengwen hurriedly said, "Unseal him! Let him out to cure Jiang Shihan's mom!"
"Sorry, the sealing card can't be undone once used."
"This is a matter of life and death! Can't you make an exception? That girl's crying her eyes out!"
"She's crying, so what? Everyone cries when their mom's dying. If you think it's annoying, stay away from her for a bit. It's normal."
"Normal, my ass—"
Lu Chengwen was beyond frustrated. "You'll pay for this!"
He dialed Leng Qingqiu's number.
"Hello," came her icy voice.
"Qingqiu, haha, it's Lu Chengwen."
"I know. What do you want? Showing off your new girlfriend?"
"No way," Lu Chengwen said. "That Long Aotian, your former bodyguard—do you have his number?"
"No."
"Come on, please, it's urgent. He worked for your company; he must've filled out personal info. There's got to be contact details…"
"Not interested."
"This isn't about interest! Someone's dying!"
"Who?"
"My secretary's mom."
"What's that got to do with Long Aotian?"
"Only he can cure her rare illness. Please, help me find his contact info."
"Let's talk in person. I'm on the 29th floor of your press conference hotel."
Leng Qingqiu hung up.
Lu Chengwen reached the 29th floor, where Leng Qingqiu dismissed her staff.
She looked at him, clearly still upset.
Lu Chengwen grinned. "Busy, huh? Got the number?"
"I found it, but it's off. Phone's dead."
"Damn it!"
Lu Chengwen was on the verge of collapse.
This means I've killed Jiang Shihan's mom. No way, the plot can't go like this!
"I don't get it," Leng Qingqiu said. "Your girlfriend Xu Xuejiao is a renowned doctor. Her group handles our family's medical team. Why go to Long Aotian instead of her?"
Lu Chengwen thought, You don't know the mess I'm in. That girl hates my guts and is doing everything to screw me over.
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes.
This guy's not even dating Xu Xuejiao. He was just trying to make me jealous!
Lu Chengwen asked, "Do you have Long Aotian's address?"
"I sent someone to check. He's not home. I've got people waiting at his place."
"Good, good, good."
At that moment, Han Yue walked in, smiling at Lu Chengwen. "Hello, President Lu."
"Hey."
"President Leng, President Jiao's team is in the meeting room. The contracts are ready."
"Got it," Leng Qingqiu said, grabbing her coat. "Feel free to hang out if you want. I've got a deal to sign."
"Wait!" Lu Chengwen stopped her, turning to Han Yue. "President Jiao? Which one?"
"Jiao Shiheng, of course."
Lu Chengwen was stunned.
This is complete chaos!
Jiao Shiheng was a villain—a real one.
In the normal plot, he starts a project, lures Leng Qingqiu to invest, and she falls for it. Long Aotian steps in at the critical moment, stops the signing, and exposes Jiao's scheme.
But now? Disaster!
Long Aotian was sealed away by Lu Chengwen, and Leng Qingqiu was about to sign with Jiao Shiheng!
Why is everything happening at once?
Lu Chengwen blocked Leng Qingqiu. "Qingqiu, how much do you know about Jiao Shiheng?"
"Not much. He's an out-of-town businessman with a good reputation and strong backing."
Sweat beaded on Lu Chengwen's forehead. "Here's the thing—can you push the signing to tomorrow?"
"Are you kidding? This isn't a game."
"No, I mean, he…"
Lu Chengwen thought, How do I explain this?
If I tell her it's a trap, Long Aotian won't get to swoop in, and he'll miss a chance to play hero.
But if I don't tell her, she'll sign with Jiao Shiheng today.
I need to delay the signing until tomorrow when Long Aotian's unsealed.
Leng Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat.
The contract's a trap!? How does Lu Chengwen know?
Why's he so sure Long Aotian will stop me from signing?
If he'd said it out loud, I wouldn't believe a word. But no one lies to themselves in their own head, right?
This guy chased me for three years. This is a perfect chance to take credit, and he's trying to pass it to someone else!?
Leng Qingqiu stared at him, silent, waiting for his performance.
Lu Chengwen thought for a moment. "I just think… today's not a good day in the almanac. It's in conflict with your zodiac sign—not ideal for signing."
Leng Qingqiu scoffed. "I don't believe in that stuff."
She grabbed her bag and headed out.
Lu Chengwen grabbed her arm. "Qingqiu, don't go!"
She glared at him. "Let go! Lu Chengwen, you're out of line!"
He quickly released her, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry. Qingqiu, today's really not good for signing contracts."
Leng Qingqiu turned to Han Yue. "Han Yue, tell the finance team to prepare the transfer."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Leng Qingqiu strode ahead, Lu Chengwen trailing behind, muttering, "Qingqiu, can you trust me just once? Think about it—have I ever lied to you all these years?"
She turned, shocked. "You tell me."
"Oh, right, I… haven't exactly been truthful. But… think about it, haven't I always had your best interests at heart?"
Leng Qingqiu stopped, staring at him silently.
"Yes! I mean… everything I've done was for myself, but… ugh, damn it! I've done too many bad things, and now no one believes me."
Leng Qingqiu stifled a laugh, quickly composing herself. "You got something to say or not? Don't waste my time making money."
Her team passed by Lu Chengwen, each nodding politely.
He barely noticed, staring at Leng Qingqiu's back, grinding his teeth internally.
Fine! I'm just a minor villain! But I'm a bigger villain than you!
Today, it's villain versus villain. If you sign that contract, I'll write my name backward!
Villains don't play by the rules!
Lu Chengwen decided—screw it, time to go all out!