In the spacious conference room, Jiao Shiheng shook hands with Leng Qingqiu, a broad smile on his face. "President Leng, so young and full of vigor! Truly a rising star! Come, come, let's sign the contract. A win-win partnership, haha, win-win!"
Leng Qingqiu managed a polite smile. "Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"No worries, no worries at all! You're here now, that's what matters. Would you like to review the contract one more time?"
"No need," Leng Qingqiu replied. "Let's sign."
"Bold move! No wonder you're known as the top beauty entrepreneur in the North! So decisive! Alright, alright, let's sign!" Jiao Shiheng beamed.
At that moment, the glass door was kicked open with a deafening crash, shards scattering across the floor. All eyes turned to the entrance.
Lu Chengwen stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, his face dark and menacing, exuding an aura of unyielding authority. A security guard moved toward him, only to be stopped by Zhao Gang, who pressed a hand against the guard's chest.
"Lu Shao's handling business," Zhao Gang warned. "If you don't want trouble, back off!"
Lu Chengwen's reputation preceded him. In Xuecheng, not knowing Lu Chengwen was like never having set foot in the city. And if you hadn't cursed him under your breath at least once, you hadn't truly lived there.
No one dared challenge him.
Loosening his tie, Lu Chengwen strode in, glass crunching under his feet. A dozen of Zhao Gang's men followed, swarming in like a gang of bandits, forcing both teams to the sides of the room.
Leng Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat. Lu Chengwen looked… undeniably commanding. His raw, reckless energy, his "I'm the king of the world" swagger—it was magnetic. She admired strength, despised weakness. Men without a spine weren't men in her eyes. Knowing he was here to protect her, to stand up for her, melted any resentment she might have felt. Instead, a flicker of excitement stirred within her.
But she kept her face stern, feigning anger. "Lu Chengwen! What are you doing?"
Jiao Shiheng, bewildered, stammered, "President Leng, who is this guy? Why's he so rude?"
"It's fine," Leng Qingqiu reassured him. "I've got this."
She turned back to Lu Chengwen, her voice sharp. "We're in the middle of a business deal. Don't make a scene!"
"Business deal, my ass!" Lu Chengwen's face was a mask of menace as he scanned the room, his gaze so fierce that everyone averted their eyes. "Jiao Shiheng, get over here!"
Jiao Shiheng froze. This guy didn't look like someone to mess with. Glancing at Leng Qingqiu for support, she calmly repeated, "It's fine. Trust me."
Leng Qingqiu raised her voice. "Lu Chengwen, stop causing trouble, or I'll lose my temper!"
"Lose your temper?" Lu Chengwen smirked. "I'm flipping out first! Jiao, Leng Qingqiu is my fiancée. You dare flirt with her?"
Jiao Shiheng blinked, flustered. "Oh, oh, Lu Shao! My apologies, my apologies! It's a misunderstanding, I swear! We're just talking business, no flirting, none at all!"
Lu Chengwen grabbed the contract from the table, glanced at it, and scoffed. "Tch." He tore it to pieces and flung them at Jiao Shiheng's face. "Beat him!"
Zhao Gang landed a punch, knocking Jiao Shiheng to the ground, pinning him with a foot to the chest. Raising a baseball bat, he paused and looked back at Lu Chengwen. "Lu Shao, how exactly should I beat him?"
Lu Chengwen lounged in the chairman's seat, legs crossed like a kingpin. "Just make sure he can't get up before noon tomorrow."
"Got it!" Zhao Gang raised the bat, then hesitated. "Lu Shao, that's a pretty precise timeline. I'm not sure I can nail it that accurately!"
"Quit yapping and just do it!" Lu Chengwen barked.
Jiao Shiheng's team was stunned. No one dared intervene.
Jiao Shiheng pleaded, "President Leng, please, explain this! Say something!"
"It's fine, don't worry," Leng Qingqiu said calmly. "I've got this."
"What do you mean, 'it's fine'?" Jiao Shiheng wailed as Zhao Gang started swinging.
Lu Chengwen rocked back in the chair, savoring the chaos. If Long Aotian doesn't exist in this world, I really can do whatever I want.
Jiao Shiheng's screams filled the room as Leng Qingqiu called out, "Lu Chengwen, stop it! Don't hit him too hard!"
Jiao Shiheng's team was dumbfounded. What's wrong with these two? One wants to beat our boss until exactly noon tomorrow, and the other's saying 'don't hit too hard'? What kind of mediation is that?
Lu Chengwen grinned at Leng Qingqiu, playing the rogue. "I'm Lu Chengwen, Xuecheng's number one tyrant. This is my style. Got a problem with it?"
Leng Qingqiu couldn't help but laugh, shoving him playfully. "Stop it," she said softly, almost like a pout.
"Hm?" Lu Chengwen raised an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, I won't sign the contract. Happy?"
Lu Chengwen nodded. "Zhao Gang."
"Almost done, Lu Shao!" Zhao Gang replied. "By my estimate, we're about three hours, twenty-five minutes, and thirty-nine seconds away from your goal."
Han Yue, Leng Qingqiu's assistant, stood frozen, thinking, Are these two for real? Timing a beating down to the second? How do they even do that?
Lu Chengwen waved a hand. "Enough, enough. Let them go."
The chaos ended as abruptly as it began. Jiao Shiheng, battered and bewildered, couldn't believe it. A multi-billion-dollar deal, gone, just like that. And for what? They said I was flirting with Leng Qingqiu? Me? I wouldn't dare! If I can't even charm Leng Qingqiu, why would I try? This is insane!
As Jiao Shiheng's team and Lu Chengwen's men filed out, Lu Chengwen turned to Leng Qingqiu's team. "What are you all standing around for? Waiting for a paycheck from me?"
Han Yue, terrified of Lu Chengwen's volatile reputation, glanced at Leng Qingqiu, who gave her a subtle nod. "Everyone, out," Han Yue said quickly. "Let President Leng and Lu Shao talk privately."
The room cleared, leaving Lu Chengwen lounging like a lord and Leng Qingqiu standing before him.
"Stop shaking your leg!" Leng Qingqiu swatted at him.
"This is my style!" he shot back, grinning.
"If you keep playing the thug in front of me, I'll really lose it."
"Alright, alright, I'm just messing around." He chuckled.
"Spill it," Leng Qingqiu demanded. "How did you know Jiao was trying to scam me?"
"Scam you?" Lu Chengwen blinked. "Was he? Damn, I should've had them beat him longer!"
Leng Qingqiu glared. "Tell me the truth. How did you know?"
"I didn't."
"You're lying again?"
"I'm not! How do I explain what I don't know?"
Leng Qingqiu's temper flared. "Fine. If you don't know, don't come to me with your problems ever again. Stay out of my life!"
"Deal!" Lu Chengwen stood. "About the engagement—have you told your family we're calling it off?"
"I did. We'll sort it out by the tenth of next month."
"No, I mean we need to cancel it now. Cut all ties, done for good."
"Oh, we'll see about that," she said coolly.
"Stop playing games! Call your parents right now and make it clear."
Leng Qingqiu's eyes narrowed. "Lu Chengwen, what's your deal? You chased me for three years!"
"And you rejected me!"
"Well, I'm saying yes now."
"Why?!"
"Because I like you. I'm happy with you. I love you."
Lu Chengwen's jaw dropped. "Don't mess with me, Qingqiu! Everyone in Xuecheng knows you can't stand me. You've always hated me, wanted to strangle me! Now that I'm ready to walk away, why is it so hard to break things off?"
"You really want to end it?"
"Yes."
"Then tell me why."
In his head, Lu Chengwen screamed, I'd tell you if I could! But I can't! You don't even like me—you're supposed to be with Long Aotian!
Leng Qingqiu's voice was calm but firm. "I don't care what's going on in that thick head of yours. If you won't tell me the truth, I'm not letting you off the hook."
Lu Chengwen smirked. Fine. If you want to play, I'll show you what I'm capable of.
He stepped closer, looming over her. Leng Qingqiu instinctively leaned back, her hips pressing against the table. "What are you doing?"
"Women," he said, his voice low and teasing. "When I was into you, you played hard to get. Now that I want to walk away, you're suddenly interested."
Leng Qingqiu's eyes flashed. "Watch your mouth, Lu Chengwen!"
He grabbed her chin, his rogue persona in full swing. "Today, I'm playing hardball."
Leng Qingqiu's mind went blank. Is he… going to kiss me? This jerk! He's such a scoundrel! So infuriating, with that smug, thuggish attitude!
Her thoughts spiraled. Oh no, he's getting closer. My breath—does it smell okay? What am I even thinking? He's about to kiss me!
Lu Chengwen leaned in, his mind racing. Come on, push me away! Slap me! That's the perfect excuse to call off the engagement! Why aren't you moving? Why are your eyes closed? Are you serious? You're giving in?
Her flawless face was in his grasp, her eyes shut, lips slightly parted. Any normal man would've caved—would've kissed her no matter the cost. But Lu Chengwen couldn't. She's the female lead, Long Aotian's female lead. I can't touch her.
Yet he was in too deep to back out now. It was a game of chicken, and he was losing.
Leng Qingqiu, somehow hearing his thoughts, wasn't angry. A faint smile curved her lips. So, you're playing the bad boy, huh? Think I'll fall for it? Go ahead, kiss me. I dare you.
Lu Chengwen switched tactics, releasing her chin. "Come on, make the first move. Kiss me. Don't waste my time."
Leng Qingqiu opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. Lu Chengwen froze. There was no anger in her eyes, no disgust, no resistance—only a quiet intensity.
Then, her hands gently cupped his face.
Lu Chengwen's mind short-circuited. What is happening? This is not how this is supposed to go! Your character is completely off-script! You're not supposed to be okay with this!
Her face inched closer, her lips nearing his. This can't be real. The plot's gone completely off the rails.