Just as Leng Qingqiu's lips were about to meet Lu Chengwen's, he couldn't hold it together anymore. He jerked his head to the side, dodging her.
"Stop dawdling," he muttered, feigning irritation. "I'm not in the mood anymore."
Leng Qingqiu froze, stunned to feel a wave of disappointment crash over her. What am I doing? Was I really about to kiss Lu Chengwen? And now that he backed off, I'm actually upset? Am I that repulsive to him?
For three years, she'd kept him at arm's length, and back then, the slightest hint of her approval would've had him jumping for joy. Now, he was acting all high and mighty, like some bully. She turned and noticed his hands trembling behind his back.
Leng Qingqiu let out a soft laugh. This idiot. So nervous, yet still trying to play the big bad wolf. No wonder you're single.
"Uh…" Lu Chengwen flailed his hands aimlessly. "That's it for now. I've got stuff to do. I'm out."
He tried to play it cool, but his exit was more like a desperate escape. Zhao Gang sidled up to him. "Lu Shao, how'd it go?"
"Shut up and move!" Lu Chengwen snapped.
Leng Qingqiu stepped out after him, her expression casual, almost teasing. "Lu Shao!" she called.
He stopped, turning reluctantly.
"Next time you feel like kissing, you know where to find me."
Lu Chengwen stared at her calm, faintly smug face, clenching his fists. Are you all trying to kill me? "Got it," he muttered, then bolted, practically tripping over himself to get away.
Leng Qingqiu watched his retreating figure, imagining him sprouting wings to fly off in a panic. She burst into laughter, thoroughly amused.
Han Yue and the others nearby were floored. Has our boss lost her mind?
Before Lu Chengwen could reach the elevator, the doors slid open, revealing a female police officer flanked by several others. She flashed her badge. "Lu Chengwen, right?"
Lu Chengwen's mood plummeted. For heaven's sake, can this day get any worse? Another female lead? Long Aotian, where the hell are you? I swear I'll never lock you in a dark room again! You're chilling somewhere while your women take turns tormenting me!
This was Zhang Shener, a female lead from his school days who'd always reported him for his antics. If anyone in the world wanted Lu Chengwen dead in a ditch, it was her. Unlike Leng Qingqiu or Xu Xuejiao, who merely found him annoying, Zhang Shener despised him with a passion. She loathed his rich, reckless ways, his ability to bully others without consequence, and believed he didn't deserve to exist.
In the original plot, she'd investigate his misdeeds, infiltrate his company for evidence, and get caught. He'd drug her, planning something sinister, even preparing a coffin. But, of course, the heroic Long Aotian would swoop in, beat Lu Chengwen to a pulp, and save her. Then, with Zhang Shener poisoned by an aphrodisiac, Long Aotian—conveniently carrying the antidote in his very being—would reluctantly, begrudgingly, and with great "sacrifice" detoxify her in an… indescribable way.
Clap, clap, clap! The plot demanded applause for its absurdity.
And afterward, Zhang Shener would become addicted to Long Aotian's "antidote," declaring his method the best in the world, unable to live without it. What a ridiculous story! Lu Chengwen thought. But people eat it up.
He knew Zhang Shener was the most dangerous of all the female leads—the one who could truly send him to his grave. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
"Hey, old classmate!" Lu Chengwen forced a laugh. "What a coincidence!"
"Someone reported that the great Lu family heir was assaulting people here, even setting a timetable for it. Sound familiar?"
Lu Chengwen's mind raced. This is bad. Zhang Shener hates me more than anyone. I'm in the middle of saving someone—she can't arrest me now! If she does, Jiang Shihan's mom is as good as dead.
Zhang Shener raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
"Huh? Oh, I mean, we're old classmates, right? Cut me some slack! That Jiao Shiheng's a scumbag—drinking, gambling, womanizing, bullying people just because he's got money. He insults women, plays with them, and doesn't even close the bathroom door!"
"We don't care about his bathroom habits. You assaulted someone. You're coming to the station."
Sweat beaded on Lu Chengwen's forehead. "Shener—"
"Call me Officer Zhang."
"Fine, Officer Zhang. I'm really trying to save someone here. It's a matter of life and death. Have mercy, give me two hours—just two hours! I'll save them, then turn myself in."
"Do you understand the law? Justice doesn't wait for your schedule. Stop talking, or resisting arrest will make things worse!" She cuffed him with a click.
"Shener—Officer Zhang, I know you hate guys like me. Honestly, I'm not too fond of myself either. But this is about saving a life! Every time you've arrested me, I'm out in a few hours with bail, right? Just this once, cut me a break. We save the person, and we'll split the good karma—half for you, half for me!"
Zhang Shener wasn't your typical by-the-book cop. She flipped him off and turned away.
In the police car, Lu Chengwen's explanations fell on deaf ears. Unlike Leng Qingqiu, who at least maintained some civility for the sake of their families' ties, Zhang Shener gave him no quarter. As he was shoved into the car, she landed two quick jabs, leaving him gasping. She'd trained for this, and as kids, she'd beaten him up plenty.
Locked in a cell, Lu Chengwen gripped the bars, shouting, "Officer Zhang! Let me make a call! Just one call!"
She strode over, smacking his hands with a logbook. "Quiet down! This is a police station, not your mansion!"
Nursing his fingers, Lu Chengwen pleaded, "I know you hate me, but this isn't personal—it's life or death! Trust me just this once. One call. If I'm lying, all I get is a phone call. If I'm not, you could save a life!"
Zhang Shener had never seen him like this—desperate, sincere, almost begging. Usually, he'd swagger into the station, stay in a private cell, eat gourmet takeout, and waltz out after paying bail, tossing her a smug remark on the way. His crimes were minor, settled with money, which only fueled her disdain. But today, he was different. Urgent.
She stared him down, and he met her gaze, unwavering, his eyes earnest. "One call. Please."
"Fine. I'll make it. Give me the number."
He rattled off Xu Xuejiao's number. Zhang Shener dialed, her expression guarded, and hearing Xu Xuejiao's voice, she held the phone to the bars.
Lu Chengwen strained to speak. "Xuejiao, you there?"
"Yup, what's up, handsome?"
"Haha, got a favor to ask."
"Go ahead."
"You remember my secretary, Jiang Shihan? The one who knelt in the lounge today?"
Zhang Shener rolled her eyes, disgusted. Making his staff kneel? Scum.
"Yeah, I remember. What about her?"
"Her mom's sick—really bad. You've got to help her. Long Aotian's AWOL, and this is supposed to be his job, but he's not showing up today. Her mom's on the brink. Can you check on her?"
"How?"
"You'll know the illness when you see it. It's rare, but you can handle it."
"Oh? Lu Shao cares this much about his staff?"
"Come on, don't mess with me! This is urgent!"
"Nope."
"What?!"
"She's not my friend. I don't treat just anyone, you know that."
"Do it for me, please! Save her mom, and I'll pay you double the fee."
"Do I look like I need your money?"
"Right, right. How about this: help me out, and I owe you one. I'll do anything to repay you."
"Oh, you're begging me now?"
"Yes!" Lu Chengwen was losing it. "I'm begging you, my queen, my goddess, please help! I'd kowtow if I could!"
"Haha, I'm not interested in being your goddess, but if you're begging, you'd better act like it."
"Wait till I'm out, okay? Just save her first!"
"Agree to one condition, and I'll do it."
"Name it!"
"Transfer all your shares in the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory to me. For free."
Lu Chengwen closed his eyes. The factory was worth over 30 billion, his shares around 17 billion. "Fine. I agree."
"Deal?"
"Deal."
"Come sign the contract."
"I'm in jail!" he roared. "How am I supposed to sign? Just save her! The shares are yours—I don't want them!"
On the other end, Xu Xuejiao stifled a laugh. She was already in Jiang Shihan's mother's hospital room, having stabilized her condition and scheduled surgery for next week. Only Lu Chengwen was still panicking like a cornered animal.
Jiang Shihan, overhearing, was stunned. Seventeen billion? That's more than I'd earn in a hundred lifetimes! And Lu Zong's willing to give it up… for my mom?
As if to twist the knife, Xu Xuejiao drawled, "Still don't quite trust you. You're not exactly reliable. Is a secretary really worth all this?"
Lu Chengwen nearly exploded. "Because I like her, okay? I love her! I want her to be my wife! Is that enough for you?"
Xu Xuejiao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Really?"
She glanced at Jiang Shihan, who was utterly dumbfounded.