Lu Chengwen watched as Lu Chengwu bolted into an inner room, utterly confused.
"What's with him?"
Zhao Gang chuckled. "You know how it is, Boss. Young Master's been scared of Miss Chen since he was a kid. Back when she was practically the queen of the house, she kept him in line for over a year."
Lu Chengwen nodded, the memory clicking.
Right—back when he was dating Chen Mengyun, she was the undisputed "empress" of the Lu family, strutting around like she owned the place. Lu Chengwu, always a bit of a troublemaker, became her personal project. She managed him with an iron fist, stricter than she was with her own brother.
It was a nightmare for Chengwu.
My God, why's Chen Mengyun here? How'd she even know I was here?
Before he could process further, Chen Mengyun walked in.
Seeing Lu Chengwen, she gave a shy smile. Both of them felt a touch of awkwardness, unsure how to proceed.
Zhao Gang piped up, "I'll keep watch at the door."
Lu Chengwen scratched his head. "Uh, sit, please."
Chen Mengyun sat stiffly, unsure where to begin.
Lu Chengwen headed to the fridge. "Want a drink?"
"Oh, anything's fine."
"New place, not much stocked. Just soda or water."
"That's okay."
She took a bottle of water, holding it as she looked at him. "So…"
"Something up?"
"Not really. I heard you bought a new house here, and I was passing by, saw your car, spotted Zhao Gang, and… had some free time, so…"
"Oh." Lu Chengwen nodded. "Just passing by, huh?"
Chen Mengyun set the water down. "The shantytown project—what's your real plan?"
Lu Chengwen shrugged. "No plan. The country needs someone to step up, so I did."
She laughed. "You expect anyone to believe that?"
"What?"
"You, Lu Chengwen, never touch a deal unless it's profitable. Word on the street is you've got some money-making scheme up your sleeve, or you're pulling in big benefits from other channels. Otherwise, you wouldn't just fork over cash like that."
Tang Yiyi, hidden nearby, perked up.
Jackpot! Today's my lucky day!
Not only did I catch Lu Chengwen and the Xu family's heiress in a scandalous affair, but I also got footage of the Lu brothers arguing over fake drugs at the factory!
Now they're talking about the shantytown project? I'm on fire!
Lu Chengwen said, "Mengyun, I'm not lying. I'm not doing this project for profit. There are hundreds of thousands of people in the shantytown—displaced, scattered by the government, waiting years for homes they still haven't gotten. They're practically homeless."
"This project's dragging down the local economy and affecting people's lives. Because of it, investment projects have stalled, and outside capital's losing trust in Xuecheng. If this goes on, the losses will be incalculable."
Chen Mengyun stared at him, incredulous.
"Chengwen, I can't believe those words came out of your mouth."
"Huh?"
"If you're right, you're going to lose a fortune!"
"No big deal." Lu Chengwen said, "Once the project starts and gets off the ground, I'll cover your costs. I'd rather make nothing myself than let you lose your investment."
Chen Mengyun smiled, testing him. "Then sign a contract. A guarantee contract, so my dad and I can justify it."
"Done."
Lu Chengwen grabbed his phone and called Jiang Shihan. "Shihan, draft a contract and bring it to my new villa. Actually, make several—one for each of the Chen, Xu, and Leng families, guaranteeing their principal."
Jiang Shihan was stunned. "Boss, that's hundreds of billions! A contract like that needs board approval!"
"I'm signing it personally, not touching a cent of company funds. If I lose it all, I'll sell my shares. Print it and get it here fast!"
"Yes, sir."
He hung up.
Lu Chengwen smiled at Chen Mengyun. "It'll be here soon."
She looked at him. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
Chen Mengyun laughed. "You're suddenly a terrible businessman, but… you've become a man I admire."
Lu Chengwen, basking in her praise, grinned. "Right? Money's nothing! I'm the hero saving the world!"
She nodded eagerly, eyes shining. "In my heart, you are a hero!"
She leapt up, throwing her arms around him and planting kisses on his face.
Lu Chengwen pushed her back. "Whoa, whoa, whoa—calm down! Let's keep things proper."
Chen Mengyun giggled. "I heard your engagement with the Leng family's off?"
"News travels fast."
He guided her to sit back on the sofa.
She stood again, pressing close. "I know you did it for me."
"Huh?"
"You've finally seen your true feelings, haven't you? The one you've always loved is me!"
He pushed her back down. "Not necessarily."
"What's with you? You used to love taking advantage of me—why the change?"
"It's not…" Lu Chengwen laughed. "This has nothing to do with you. It's just that things fell apart with Leng Qingqiu's family."
Chen Mengyun scoffed. "I knew it. Leng Tianhao only agreed to let you marry his daughter for your money. Now that you're tied up in the shantytown project and he thinks you're doomed, he backed out, didn't he?"
"Yeah."
"I'm not scared! If you go broke, Xiangyun Group will back you up."
"No way!" Lu Chengwen waved her off. "I'm handling this alone. If I lose, it's on me. If there's profit, we all share."
Chen Mengyun studied him. "Why won't you admit you still like me? Ask your heart—I know you do. You always have!"
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "Big sister, we're done. Let's not talk about liking or not liking. Breakups should be clean, no contact, moving on. We…"
"No way!"
She closed in again, wrapping her arms around him. "You know, when you said you'd take responsibility alone, you were so hot! I'm totally smitten!"
Sweat beaded on Lu Chengwen's forehead as he gently pushed her. "Look, just talk, okay? Why do you keep clinging to me?"
"Because I like you!"
"What's there to like? What's wrong with you all? Don't you have anything better to do? Big sister, you—"
"'You all'? Who else likes you? Spill it!"
Pinned to the sofa by Chen Mengyun, Lu Chengwen was flustered. "Don't do this. Why's everyone acting like this all of a sudden…"
"Oh, so there are others, huh? Let me think—besides Leng Qingqiu, who else? A classmate?"
Chen Mengyun straddled his lap, leaning in so close her breath brushed his face. "Chengwen, I've missed you. So much. This house hasn't had any girls over yet, right? Am I the first?"
"Hey, hey, stop—someone's here!"
"Who? Zhao Gang said it's just you."
"No, really, calm down! I don't want to hurt you."
"I want you to hurt me. I want to be the lady of this house—the only one."
"You—hey! Don't tug my shirt!"
"I've been saving myself for you, Chengwen. I've always loved you. Call me cheap if you want—I've been waiting for you all these years…"
"Enough!"
Lu Chengwen shoved her off, tossing her onto the sofa.
He stood, fuming, buttoning his shirt collar. "I said no, but you keep going, completely ignoring me!"
He noticed Chen Mengyun, hair falling over her face, lying motionless on the sofa.
Regret hit him instantly.
"Uh… did I… push too hard?"
No response.
"Did I hurt you? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
She stayed still.
He stepped closer, gently touching her shoulder. "I'm really sorry. I'm not in the mood for romance—I'm a mess, with a ton of things to handle. You're the Chen family's powerhouse now, practically running the show."
"You're gorgeous, young, and filthy rich. With your pick of guys, you can have anyone. I'm the past. Let's let it stay there, okay?"
Chen Mengyun suddenly looked up, tears streaming down her face. "You're the one who said we could still be friends after breaking up!"
Lu Chengwen saw her disheveled hair and tear-streaked face.
"That was just polite talk! Who stays friends after a breakup? It's been over three years with no contact—why bother? And you were the one who said you never wanted to see me again, told me to get lost!"
"I'm a woman! I say things in anger, so what? You cheated, and I'm not allowed to be mad?"
"I cheated, and you're still bothering with me!?"
"I'm cheap, okay!?"
"Don't do this. You're making it seem like I…" Lu Chengwen sighed. "Mengyun, I'm not the guy I was back then. The me you see now is a different person, not the one you fell for."
"I love the you now."
Lu Chengwen paced, scratching his head. "Look, once I sort out my mess, we'll find time to talk this through, okay? I'll sign the contract. Go back for now—I'll come to your company tomorrow to sign in person. Your two hundred billion? Even if I have to sell everything, I'll make sure you break even. Deal?"
Chen Mengyun stood. "It's always about money with you! You think I'm with you for money? You think I'm Leng Qingqiu?"
"Don't drag her into this. She's not that kind of girl!"
"See? You do like her! I was with you for three years, practically your servant. I took care of Uncle and Auntie Lu's every need. People laughed at me, saying I was acting like a daughter-in-law before even marrying in, calling me the Chen girl who threw herself at you."
"I didn't—"
"Your brother, Lu Chengwu—I treated him better than my own brother. I was more invested in your family's affairs than anyone. I begged my dad to work with the Lu family for your sake. I did so much for you—how did you repay me?"
"I…"
"In your eyes, I'm just some cheap girl you don't even want when I offer myself, right!?"
"No!" Lu Chengwen said, "There's someone here! Stop shouting!"
"Who!?"
He hesitated, mouth moving. "My… my brother."
Chen Mengyun turned, her aura commanding. "Lu Chengwu, get out here!"
_
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters of this story and also other stories join: patreon.com/Caluem