Lu Chengwen lay sprawled on the living room sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Zhao Gang."
"Boss Lu."
Lu Chengwen sighed. "I'm setting aside some money for you. Go back to your hometown."
"Boss, did I… do something wrong? Is it because I didn't take on that big guy the other day?"
Lu Chengwen shook his head. "My luck's run dry. I'm probably done for soon."
"Boss, let's find a master to take a look!"
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "Masters? Bunch of con artists."
"I'm serious—this master's legit! Tons of rich folks go to him for fortune-telling, business advice, love matches, or to ward off bad luck!"
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Who's that?"
"I'll check."
Moments later, Zhao Gang bounded back, thrilled. "Boss! It's Miss Xu!"
Lu Chengwen shot upright. "What's she doing here?"
Before he could finish, Xu Xuejiao sauntered in. "Why can't I come? Zhao Gang, out. I need to talk to Brother Chengwen."
"Yes, ma'am." Zhao Gang, ever tactful, slipped out and closed the door.
Lu Chengwen eyed Xu Xuejiao warily. "What do you want?"
Xu Xuejiao grinned. "Nothing much. You're my boyfriend—I'm here to hang out!"
"Who's your boyfriend? Go play at home. I'm not in the mood to spar with you."
"Hehe." Xu Xuejiao shrugged off her trench coat.
Lu Chengwen's jaw dropped. Good grief!
Under the coat, Xu Xuejiao was dressed to kill in a stunning maid outfit, complete with black stockings and high heels—an absolute vision of temptation. She pulled a pair of bunny ears from her pocket, popped them on her head, and bounced over to him. "I've studied dance. Want me to perform for you?"
Lu Chengwen was on the verge of tears. "Big sister, what are you doing?"
"Dating you, duh!"
"Dating? I'm about to go bankrupt!"
"Are you?"
"Definitely."
"No worries. Your big sister will take care of you, hehe!"
Lu Chengwen groaned. "Dressed like that, aren't you embarrassed? Come here—I'll record a video and send it to your dad."
"Go ahead!" Far from scared, Xu Xuejiao struck a series of sultry poses.
"You're really not afraid?"
"Afraid of what? I'm not naked. Tons of influencers wear bunny girl outfits for streams—what's the big deal? But if this video gets out, I'll run to Uncle and Auntie Lu, crying that you hit me, abused me, forced me to wear weird outfits to play cute and satisfy your perverted tastes…"
Lu Chengwen was out of moves.
Xu Xuejiao was fearless, shameless, and unstoppable. He had no way to deal with her.
He put his phone away. "I'm in a rotten mood. I really don't have the energy for this."
"Oh, got it! I'll cheer you up!"
"What are you—"
Xu Xuejiao pulled out her phone, connected to the smart home system, and tapped a button.
The room's lighting shifted to a soft, intimate glow. A sultry, seductive female voice crooned a slow, romantic melody. The curtains slid shut, transforming the living room into a dreamy dance floor.
Xu Xuejiao tossed the bunny ears aside, her gaze smoldering as she bit her lip, one hand slowly pressing against her chest. She began to strut toward him with a catlike grace…
Lu Chengwen's eyes lit up.
[Holy—! This isn't the Xu family's prim little miss; this is a life-threatening vixen!]
[Xu Xuejiao's too gorgeous, too sexy, too vibrant, too incredible!]
[A girlfriend like this is worth ten of anyone else! So many tricks, so much variety!]
[Oh! She's dancing now—so hot, so thrilling! That figure! Those eyes!]
[I can't take it anymore!]
Lu Chengwen broke into a grin.
If he was doomed anyway, he might as well go out with a bang.
With that thought, he leaned back, arms behind his head, smiling as he savored Xu Xuejiao's provocative dance. Her movements were slow but dripping with allure, clearly aimed at ensnaring him.
Lu Chengwen's blood was racing. All rational thoughts melted away as he lost himself in her captivating performance.
[This little minx is full of tricks and always screws me over, but this dance… it's got me fired up!]
[Why not just go for it right here, right now?]
Xu Xuejiao glided closer, her catlike steps leading into a sultry dance against him.
Nearby, Tang Yiyi had snuck in. Sensing something off with the music, she started filming from the shadows, cursing the dim lighting. When she saw Xu Xuejiao crawling on the floor, teasing Lu Chengwen's legs like a playful kitten, she nearly gasped aloud, clamping a hand over her mouth.
That's… Xu Xuejiao!?
My God! The private lives of these rich people are downright shocking!
So poised and capable by day, but behind closed doors, so depraved and shameless!
I've got to record it all—evidence!
Wait, this is just their personal life. Other than embarrassing them, what's the point?
Still, this video alone confirmed that Lu Chengwen was cheating on Leng Qingqiu during their engagement—and with the Xu family's eldest daughter, no less!
These two are so twisted, so disgusting!
This footage could disgrace the Lu, Xu, and Leng families in one fell swoop.
But Tang Yiyi's main goal wasn't this. She was after proof of Lu Chengwen's fake drug scheme and his illicit profits from the shantytown project.
At that moment, Lu Chengwen gently lifted Xu Xuejiao's chin. She gazed into his eyes, radiating seduction.
Lu Chengwen let out a breath. "Little vixen."
"Meanie!" Xu Xuejiao blushed, playfully nipping his finger before climbing onto him.
Lu Chengwen took a deep breath.
[Screw it! If I'm going down, I'll go down with a goddess like this—no complaints!]
Xu Xuejiao, hearing his thoughts and knowing he was smitten, was delighted.
But then Zhao Gang's voice boomed from the door. "Boss! Young Master Lu's here!"
Xu Xuejiao tumbled into Lu Chengwen's arms as he scrambled to adjust his belt. "Why's he here now!? Damn it, perfect timing!"
Xu Xuejiao grabbed her trench coat, giggling as she slipped it on. "Not my fault, Boss. You'll just have to hold it in!"
"Hide, hide, hide! Don't let my brother see you!"
"Why not?"
"Just hide!"
Lu Chengwen's mind cleared.
[If I'm doomed, why drag Xu Xuejiao's reputation down with me? What was I thinking?]
[Sigh, she's a great girl. Dating her would be a blast, but I'm not fated for it.]
Xu Xuejiao, still laughing, ducked into a changing room.
Lu Chengwu strolled in. "Bro, wow, this new place is slick! Gotta cost tens of millions, right?"
Lu Chengwen's face darkened the moment he saw him. "So you finally show your face?"
"Heh, Bro, I… I'm a bit short on cash. Can you spot me some?"
"Short on cash?"
"Yeah."
"If you weren't, you'd still be avoiding me, huh?"
"Bro, it's just a batch of herbs! You burned them, no big deal—I don't blame you."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened as he stood. "What did you say? Say that again."
"I…"
Lu Chengwen snapped, "I put you in charge of the pharmaceutical factory, and you formed cliques, suppressed the technical team, pushed bureaucracy, and acted like a dictator. That's bad enough, but you dared to tamper with the drug ingredients? You've got some nerve!"
"I was just cutting costs!"
"Cutting costs?"
"Lots of factories do it. If we don't keep costs down, we'll lose the market!"
Lu Chengwen glared at Lu Chengwu. "Lu Chengwu, from now on, you're banned from the factory. Got it? Think you're clever cutting corners? Anyone with half a brain can come up with that immoral crap. You're embarrassing me!"
Hidden in a corner, Tang Yiyi filmed, buzzing with excitement.
Jackpot! I came at the perfect time—evidence of the Lu brothers tampering with the factory!
Once this video gets out, the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory will shut down overnight! The Lu family's stocks will crash to pennies, and both brothers will face justice!
Lu Chengwu grumbled, "Bro, what's with you lately? Everything I know about business, you taught me! Profit above all—screw the little people, they're just our cash cows. Their lives, their health? Who cares? Get them to fork over money—that's our golden rule, isn't it?"
Lu Chengwen hated his brother for being so morally blind—and himself for being stuck as a villain who'd corrupted his brother too.
He slapped himself hard, cursing his own sins.
Lu Chengwu, baffled by the self-slap, said, "Bro, no need to feel bad. Let me back in the factory. In three months, I'll have those old fogies eating out of my hand, and we'll run the place. We'll rake in whatever we want—"
"Shut up!"
Lu Chengwen clutched his chest, feeling a heart attack coming on.
"Chengwu."
"Bro."
"Listen up."
"Got it."
Lu Chengwen put an arm around his brother, still clutching his chest. "I don't remember what I was like before, but from now on, you stay away from the factory. It's not like other businesses—it needs professionals. Neither of us is qualified. From now on, Xu Xuejiao's in charge."
Lu Chengwu eyed his brother suspiciously. "Bro, that Xu Xuejiao's always against us. If you hadn't outsmarted her and sent her away for half a year, would we have made all that money? She's back to cause trouble—don't hand the factory to her!"
Lu Chengwen exploded. "Not her, then you!? Drugs! Drugs! They're for healing people! Regular folks work hard, get sick, spend their savings hoping to get better and provide for their families! Skimming off a pharmaceutical factory is the kind of scum move that curses your descendants! Whoever does it deserves to lose everything! Do you hear me!?"
Xu Xuejiao, listening from her hiding spot, was initially furious.
So Lu Chengwen's that cunning? Sending me away for six months was his ploy to keep me out of the factory's management?
But as she listened further, she grew confused.
What's with this guy? Is he saying this for my benefit, or is this really how he feels?
Tang Yiyi was equally puzzled.
If this conversation is true, Lu Chengwen isn't the bad guy!
He found the problem, dealt with it, fixed it, and took responsibility.
He's kicking his brother out of the factory to prevent this from happening again.
And… he personally destroyed billions worth of finished drugs.
So, at least in this matter, Lu Chengwen's… a good guy?
Just then, Zhao Gang burst in. "Boss, Young Master, President Chen's here!"
Lu Chengwen frowned. "Which President Chen?"
"Chen Mengyun!"
Lu Chengwu panicked. "Bro, I… I gotta hide for a bit!"
_
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