Xu Xuejiao couldn't explain her fury. She was just mad.
This guy… made no sense! Who hands over 17 billion just like that?
Lu Chengwen was equally baffled. What's wrong with her? Wasn't she the one who demanded the shares? Fine, take them—good riddance. Stay away from me, and maybe I'll live a few years longer. Go play your part in the plot, join the harem. I'll just chill in the North, living my rich guy life. No one bothers anyone. Perfect.
Xu Xuejiao's anger flared hotter. A hundred and seventy billion, fifty-one percent of the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory, just to… get rid of me? Because you hate me that much? Am I that repulsive?
She felt humiliated like never before. A man willing to throw away nearly 20 billion to cut ties with her? In his eyes, she must be a monster. It was disdain on an unimaginable level. Tears welled in her eyes.
Her outburst drew her team, who rushed over. "President Xu, what's wrong? Why are you… crying?"
Lu Chengwen shrugged. "She made 17 billion. Probably overwhelmed with joy."
"Get lost," Xu Xuejiao snapped.
"Yes, we'll be right over there if you need us…" her secretary stammered.
"I said get lost!" she shouted.
The secretary scurried off.
Xu Xuejiao glared at Lu Chengwen. "Am I that annoying to you?"
"Huh?" Lu Chengwen was utterly confused. Is she nuts? You just scammed me out of 17 billion, lady! Go celebrate! I'd kiss your feet for those shares, and you're mad? This is absurd.
"I'm… kinda lost here," he said. "Isn't this what you wanted?"
Xu Xuejiao grabbed the contract and tore it to shreds.
Now it was Lu Chengwen's turn to be shocked. "Xuejiao, what—"
"I'm not you," she said, her voice sharp. "Every cent I earn is aboveboard, earned with integrity. I don't extort people using someone's life. Keep your shares."
"Uh, okay." He scratched his cheek. "You alright?"
"Am I that hateful?"
"No way!" Lu Chengwen said, puzzled. "You're pretty cute, actually."
"Then why do you keep trying to make me disappear?"
Was I that obvious? Lu Chengwen's heart sank. "No, no, it's just… you've always found me annoying, right? Since we were kids? Me disappearing should make you happy."
Xu Xuejiao took a deep breath. "I've changed my mind. I want to get to know you better." Wiping her tears, she flashed a dazzling smile. "From now on, I'm sticking to you like glue. The more you hate it, the more I'll be in your face. Bet that'll drive you nuts!"
Lu Chengwen's worst fear was coming true. He stared at her, horrified. "Why?!"
"No logic to it!" he exclaimed. "What's wrong with you all? First Leng Qingqiu, now you! She looks down on me, thinks I'm a pathetic lapdog. You've always thought I'm shady, barely bothering to say hi for years. Now you're both acting weird. Can't a guy catch a break?"
"Are you getting engaged to Leng Qingqiu?" she asked.
"Hell no!" Lu Chengwen said, agitated. "I want to live a few more years!"
Xu Xuejiao studied him. "Good. Then get engaged to me."
Lu Chengwen, mid-sip of coffee, sprayed it everywhere, choking. She watched, frowning, as he coughed, patted his chest, and wiped his shirt.
"Don't scare me like that," he gasped. "I'm not cut out for this. That's not a joke to make."
Xu Xuejiao propped her chin on one hand, smiling. "Chengwen-ge, I've noticed you've changed a lot."
"Have I?"
"Yeah. I don't know what's gotten into you lately, but I think you're a decent guy."
He sighed. "I've got stuff to do. I'm out."
In the back of his car, Lu Chengwen stared out the window, brooding. Things were getting weird—too weird. He couldn't keep suppressing Long Aotian like this. Either lock him away forever or let him out. This daily chaos was driving him insane. Time to release him. Let him deal with his harem. Why are these girls orbiting me?
First, Leng Qingqiu flipped her script, agreeing to the engagement and nearly kissing him. Now Xu Xuejiao was giving him strange looks, joking about engagement. Even if it was a jest, he couldn't afford to play along. This path led to disaster.
I need them to hate me, to find me repulsive, to stay miles away. Too many female leads in one day—he needed a break.
Chen Moqun called, saying his grandfather wanted to see Lu Chengwen. Initially, he wasn't keen, but then he thought, It's a while until noon tomorrow. Wandering around risks running into another female lead. Fine, I'll go to the Chen family, drink with Moqun till dawn, sleep past noon. Safe plan, right? Long Aotian, step up and collect your girls already. I'm living like a fugitive.
At the Chen household, after a brief chat with Chen Qiushou, Lu Chengwen dragged Chen Moqun to his private floor. They sat on the balcony, watching the sunset, sipping red wine, and smoking cigars.
"How's it going with Leng Qingqiu?" Chen Moqun asked. "Sealed the deal?"
Lu Chengwen laughed. "Seal what? I sent her packing once she came to her senses."
Chen Moqun gaped, then gave a thumbs-up. "Respect, man! That's some willpower. I don't admire anyone, but you? I'm impressed."
"You're not a kid anymore," Lu Chengwen said. "Find something to do. Stop loafing around."
"Heard you saw my sister?"
"Yeah, I did."
At that moment, Chen Mengyun entered the hall, fuming about Chen Moqun's latest spending. Spotting a familiar figure on the balcony with her brother, smoking a cigar, she froze.
Chen Moqun continued, "My advice? Drop Leng Qingqiu and go for my sister. Since you two split, she hasn't dated anyone. If you didn't get her first, it's still up for grabs."
"You sure? Her hips look pretty full. You think she's still untouched?"
Chen Mengyun's blood boiled. These two are cut from the same cloth—rotten to the core. Her ex and her brother, the two people closest to her, talking about her like she was some object, with zero respect.
Chen Moqun insisted, "My sister's definitely untouched! After you broke up, she threw herself into work, pulling twelve-hour days like a maniac. Six months later, she took over a subsidiary, shutting everyone out except work."
Lu Chengwen nodded. "I know. Is she still that intense?"
"Nah, not anymore," Chen Moqun said. "She's got the company figured out, honed her skills. Now's your chance! Show her half the passion you gave Leng Qingqiu, and I swear, she'll be your little pony, ready to ride."
Chen Mengyun was livid. What kind of brother talks about his sister like that? Disgusting!
But then Lu Chengwen said something serious. "Hey, stop talking about your sister like that. She's your family—show some respect."
"I'm not saying this to just anyone—you're practically family! While Grandpa's still around, no one in the family would oppose you going for her. Plus, you've got my support!"
Lu Chengwen gazed at the sunset, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "No way. It's over between us."
"Why? That thing back then? That's nothing! Every rich kid's done dumb stuff. Treat her right, and our family's got your back."
You don't get it, Lu Chengwen thought. It's not just about us—there's a male lead in the way. I'm not a saint, but some meat's off-limits. I can't even look.
He smiled. "Worry about yourself. Maybe settle down. A family might ground you, make you grow up."
Chen Moqun sighed. "Sounds… unrealistic."
"Why?"
Lu Chengwen turned to him. "Life's about family—wife, kids, a warm home. Picture this: someone you truly love, who warms your heart just by being there. She sees you, smiles, her eyes light up. That's the good stuff. Caring for each other by day, getting cozy under the covers at night—that's real happiness. Then, when you have a kid, watching that little life grow, raising them together, hearing them call you 'Dad'—that feeling's a million times better than messing around with party girls."
Chen Mengyun froze, a faint smile creeping onto her face. This guy's spouting wisdom now?
Chen Moqun stared at him like he was a stranger. "Whoa, since when did you get so deep? You're a cutthroat businessman, not some sage!"
Lu Chengwen sighed. "The world's full of distractions, but a real man stays true to what matters, no matter how chaotic things get. That's what makes a man."
Chen Mengyun chuckled softly. These two troublemakers are smarter than anyone, but they always choose the wrong path. Even back in school, they competed to see who could be worse.
Chen Moqun shook his head. "Did something happen to you? You're not broken, are you? You really going soft?"
Lu Chengwen laughed. "Soft? Nah, I'm all about the meat."
Chen Moqun grinned. "Got a new target, huh? How's she stack up to my sister?"
"Your sister…" Lu Chengwen paused for effect. "Her figure's unreal. Her chest looks like it's about to burst out of her clothes any second."
Chen Mengyun's rage flared again. Just when they say something decent, they're back to being pigs!
Chen Moqun laughed. "Tell me the truth—did you ever seal the deal with my sister? Swear!"
"Nope!"
"Liar!"
Lu Chengwen grinned mischievously. "Alright, I'll tell you. Everything was set that night. I had her all ready, lying there, waiting for me to make my move."
"You're finally admitting it!"
"But guess what happened?"
"What? You… didn't finish early, did you?"
"No!" Lu Chengwen grabbed Chen Moqun's face, mock-angry. "You got into a fight with that punk Bao Laoliu and called me. I yanked up my pants and ran to help you!"
"That time with Bao Laoliu?"
"Yup!"
They burst into laughter, reminiscing about their reckless youth with a mix of nostalgia and glee.
Chen Mengyun, stone-faced, stormed over. "Need more wine?"
"Yeah, open another bottle," Chen Moqun said casually.
Lu Chengwen leaned closer, smirking. "You ruined the best night of my life. Your sister was ready—face red as a baboon's butt, stripped down, clutching the blanket, biting the corner, not resisting at all. I was just about to—"
"Spill it!" Chen Moqun urged, eyes wide.
Lu Chengwen slowly turned, spotting Chen Mengyun glaring at him icily.
I'm so dead.
_
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