Lu Chengwen couldn't wait to get out of there. The moment he found an excuse, he slipped away from the Chen family estate.
As soon as they stepped onto the stone path outside, he asked nervously, "What happened?"
Zhao Gang's face was grim as he scanned the surroundings. "Let's talk in the car."
Lu Chengwen understood instantly—something serious had gone down.
At that same moment, Xu Xuejiao also received the news. Furious, she stormed out and caught up with them just as they were about to get in the car.
Zhao Gang immediately shut his mouth, standing stiffly under her cold gaze.
Lu Chengwen, still clueless about what was going on, forced a smile. "Hey, Xuejiao, why are you chasing after me like this? Something wrong?"
Xu Xuejiao stared at him, her expression unreadable. Inside, however, she sneered. This guy really can act. He embezzled the funds meant for premium ingredients, causing the formulas and shipments to go completely off-spec, and now he's pretending to be innocent?
She smiled sweetly, though her voice was sharp as a blade. "Brother Chengwen, everything's fine at the pharmaceutical factory lately, right?"
"Uh…"
Lu Chengwen caught Zhao Gang frantically winking at him and quickly said, "Nothing serious. Don't worry, I'll handle it if anything comes up."
[Why is this girl here? Where's Long Aotian? Weren't they supposed to be off having tea together, discussing medicine and falling in love?]
[Why is the female lead still glued to me? Isn't she supposed to be in the protagonist's harem by now?]
[Whatever the factory issue is, it must be huge. I've got to deal with it fast.]
Xu Xuejiao froze for a second. Judging by his reaction, he really didn't seem to know what was happening at the factory. Could it be someone else who stole the money?
She thought for a moment, then smiled again. "Brother Chengwen, it's been over a year since we last met, hasn't it?"
"Huh? Really? Haha, time flies, doesn't it? As the wheels of history roll mercilessly over our fading youth—"
Xu Xuejiao nearly gagged. This man gets more disgusting every time I see him.
Still smiling, she suddenly opened her arms. "Give me a hug!"
Lu Chengwen's scalp went numb.
He was neck-deep in trouble and didn't even know which mess to clean up first.
He'd already ruined Long Aotian's "fated encounters" twice in a single day—no doubt he was now public enemy number one.
Leng Qingqiu, that troublesome girl, was suddenly insisting on getting engaged to him, and he still had to figure out how to get out of that without angering Long Aotian further.
And now Xu Xuejiao, the main heroine, was going off-script—clingy, unpredictable, and dangerous.
But above all else, the pharmaceutical factory had to be handled. We're talking about medicine. One wrong move and people could die!
And this little demon wants a hug right now!?
A hug? For what!? You trying to get me killed!?
Out of the corner of his eye, Lu Chengwen saw Chen Mofan and Long Aotian emerging from the villa. The instant their gazes met, his heart dropped.
Great. Just great. I'm screwed again.
Long Aotian's eyes narrowed, hatred flashing in them. This bastard—ruining my plans again!
Lu Chengwen forced a nervous laugh. "What hug? Oh, Long bro! Perfect timing! Xuejiao here was just saying how impressed she is by your medical skills. You two should grab a coffee and talk shop—fellow geniuses always have plenty to discuss! I've got business to handle. Gotta go, bye-bye!"
He turned to leave, muttering internally:
[That's as much help as I can give you, buddy. Hope you two live happily ever after—just don't drag me into it.]
[You're meant for each other. I'm just the trash villain, okay?]
[Time to go before Long Aotian decides to pick a fight.]
Xu Xuejiao glanced back at Long Aotian, then snorted softly and grabbed the hem of Lu Chengwen's jacket.
"Brother Lu, don't go! Since we were kids, haven't you always given me a hug before leaving?"
Lu Chengwen froze, staring at the sweet little face before him.
Her delicate features were like those of a doll—bright eyes like polished gems, skin soft as porcelain.
But beneath that angelic facade, he caught a flicker of malice—smug, cunning, almost demonic.
She was doing this on purpose.
Of course she was.
He'd already pissed her off badly enough, and after hearing all his inner thoughts, she'd decided she wasn't going to let him off easily.
Xu Xuejiao smirked inwardly. So you're afraid of Long Aotian, huh? Perfect. I'll just make sure he sees us together. Let's see how you talk your way out of that.
Lu Chengwen's eyes filled with fury and disbelief. He slowly pushed her hand away, his mind racing.
[That damn girl's setting me up!]
[She knows I'm scared of Long Aotian—this is all deliberate! Absolutely deliberate!]
Xu Xuejiao nearly burst out laughing. Keeping her act up, she looked up pitifully, her big eyes brimming with fake innocence, as if to say: What's wrong, scaredy-cat? Didn't expect me to fight back, huh?
Interesting… very interesting. Let's see how far I can push you before you crack.
Oh? You're sweating already?
Long Aotian and Chen Mofan walked up just then. Long Aotian's cold smile widened.
"Every time you part, you have to hug? Young Master Lu, you sure know how to enjoy yourself."
Lu Chengwen's mouth twitched, but before he could explain, Zhao Gang blurted out, "Yeah, so what if he did! Who the hell are you—"
Lu Chengwen yanked him back. Shut up before we both get killed!
He forced an awkward laugh. "Xuejiao's just joking. That never happened."
"Oh, it didn't?" Xu Xuejiao's voice was sickeningly sweet. "You forgot? I was eight. At the family banquet—you tricked me into a corner for a 'checkup,' saying you were going to be a doctor. You said I had to take my clothes off so you could examine me… remember now?"
Long Aotian's fist clenched so hard his knuckles cracked, his glare sharp enough to kill.
Lu Chengwen's eyes narrowed dangerously. This devilish girl had found his weak spot and was squeezing for all it was worth.
[Damn it… after finally getting another chance to defy fate, I'm going to die because of this brat!?]
[Why is Long Aotian and his entire harem my eternal curse!?]
Meanwhile, Xu Xuejiao was thinking her own thoughts:
He seems to know Long Aotian well… maybe they've got some bad blood.
Perfect. Let evil devour evil. Neither of you are good people anyway—one's a domineering scumbag, the other's a snake in a suit. Whoever kills who first, I'll enjoy the show.
Lu Chengwen wiped the sweat off his forehead and forced a stiff smile. "Sorry, I don't remember much from childhood."
"Then let's make new memories. How about a hug today?"
Xu Xuejiao leaned in close, her breath brushing against his ear. "If you don't hug me… you're not leaving."
Lu Chengwen glared at her, voice low and full of venom. "You've got guts."
He forced the ugliest smile of his life and gave her a quick, awkward pat.
But Xu Xuejiao threw her arms around him, letting out a playful squeal. "Ahh, Brother Chengwen, you're so naughty—always taking advantage of me!"
Lu Chengwen shoved her away, on the verge of snapping.
Long Aotian stepped forward, holding Xu Xuejiao steady. "Young Master Lu, what's the meaning of this?"
Oh, crap.
Lu Chengwen laughed stiffly. "Just a cramp! No big deal. You two go on—my factory's in trouble, gotta handle it right away!"
He turned and bolted.
Zhao Gang pointed at Long Aotian. "You just wait, bastard!" Then ran after his boss.
Long Aotian didn't chase. With a beauty beside him, he had better things to do.
"Xuejiao, are you okay? Did he hurt you? Don't worry—I'll make him pay."
"Oh? Will you?" Xu Xuejiao's expression went cold as she stepped back. "He's the young master of the Lu family in Snow City. Not someone an ordinary man can provoke. And you think you can?"
Long Aotian chuckled proudly. "Four great families? Hah. In my eyes, they're nothing but ants."
Her eyes flashed dangerously. "Ants, huh?"
Realizing he'd said too much, Long Aotian stammered, "Wait, I didn't mean—"
"Goodbye."
Xu Xuejiao strode toward her car. The moment she reached it, she tore off her school uniform jacket, and her assistants rushed forward to drape a black trench coat over her shoulders.
In an instant, the cute schoolgirl vanished—replaced by a cold, regal queen, every bit as imposing as Leng Qingqiu herself.
…
Inside the car, Lu Chengwen was still shaking, pounding his fist against the armrest.
"Damn it! I almost died back there!"
Zhao Gang quickly raised the divider between them and the driver.
"Don't worry, Young Master! I'll have someone take care of that Long Aotian punk, make him regret ever crossing you!"
"Bullshit!" Lu Chengwen snapped. "The real problem is Xu Xuejiao, that little witch!"
Zhao Gang chuckled. "Come on, Young Master. It's obvious she's falling for you! She practically threw herself into your arms! Don't worry, I'll help you win her over—then the whole Xu family's resources will be ours—"
"Shut up!" Lu Chengwen almost shouted. "Listen to me, you idiot—don't touch Long Aotian, don't even think about going after Xu Xuejiao! That girl's trying to bury me alive!"
"Heh, isn't that love though?" Zhao Gang grinned. "Who plays who doesn't matter, right?"
Lu Chengwen glared but didn't bother replying. The man was hopeless—a loyal fool who had no idea how deep this rabbit hole went.
He sighed. "What happened at the factory?"
What he didn't know was that, at that very moment, Xu Xuejiao was sitting in her business van, earphones in, calmly listening to their entire conversation.
That little "hug" earlier had been the perfect opportunity to plant a listening device.
Now, her expression was icy cold, her eyes sharp as knives. None of her assistants dared make a sound.
Zhao Gang's voice came through the feed:
"That bastard Director Zhang from the Drug Supervision Bureau's lost his mind! Young Master tried to cut costs a bit, removed some of the pricier herbs. It's Chinese medicine—no one's gonna die from it."
"But that old fool wrote a resignation letter and threatened to blow the whistle! Can you believe that? The nerve of him!"
"I say we just ship the batch out as usual. It's all Chinese medicine anyway—harmless stuff. The guy just wants money, right? Pay him a couple million to shut up. If he refuses, we'll make him disappear. Once he's gone, problem solved."
"Enough." Lu Chengwen's voice cut in coldly. "Close the window. Driver, step on it—head to the factory."
Xu Xuejiao removed her earphones, her gaze dark and dangerous.
Lu Chengwen… if you've sunk this low, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Others may fear the Lu family.
But I don't.
A faint, wicked smile curved her lips.