Chapter 21: Trouble Brewing

Both of them thought it was the maid coming to attend to them. Because they were so engrossed in their conversation, and since Chen Mengyun rarely entered Chen Moqun's room without prior notice, the situation became awkward.

As soon as Chen Moqun saw Chen Mengyun, he immediately pointed at Lu Chengwen and scolded, "Lu Chengwen! What nonsense are you spouting? That's my sister, the person I respect, admire, and deeply love the most... my elder sister!"

Lu Chengwen was stunned.

[Why is she home? Didn't they say she rarely comes back?]

[How much did she hear? Judging by her expression, she must have heard everything.]

[Oh no! I'm dead meat now!]

"I-I'm sorry, I might have... had too much to drink," Lu Chengwen stammered nervously.

"Sis, it's like this, Chengwen today isn't..." Chen Moqun stood up, trying to mediate.

"Get lost!"

"Alright," Chen Moqun immediately scurried away without hesitation.

Watching the spineless fat guy disappear in a flash, Lu Chengwen had to face the furious Chen Mengyun alone.

"I'm sorry, I really had a bit too much to drink, and I spoke out of turn. I apologize..."

Chen Mengyun looked at Lu Chengwen, her eyes filled with anger, humiliation, and sadness.

Her voice trembled, "Lu Chengwen, after we broke up, you went around telling people that I acted like a slut in bed, and now you're saying such things in front of my brother. I really want to know, what did all those times we spent together mean to you?"

Lu Chengwen wished he could slap himself.

Men, sometimes they're like this. They like to discuss girls with their close friends.

The closer the friends, the more unrestrained the conversation gets—who has bigger breasts, who has a nicer butt...

This doesn't necessarily mean they have low moral standards, although Lu Chengwen and Chen Moqun are exceptions; their moral standards have always been somewhat questionable.

But this kind of banter is common among men.

It's like a spice in life, just letting off steam with words, nothing serious.

But if a woman hears it, especially the woman in question, the situation becomes entirely different.

It's an insult, a belittlement, and a great disrespect to women.

Especially for a pure girl like Chen Mengyun, it's hard to accept her first love saying such things about her.

Seeing Chen Mengyun's tears fall, Lu Chengwen said guiltily, "It was really just a joke, and I didn't go around badmouthing you."

"To you, I'm just a woman you once played with, no different from any other woman when naked, just a big toy for you, right?"

"I didn't play with you!" Lu Chengwen said, "I really didn't, and I didn't say those things. Someone must be spreading rumors. You know how it is with our status, gossip flies everywhere at school, how much of it is true?"

"Bragging to everyone that you've slept with the Chen family's eldest daughter, Chen Mengyun, must feel great, huh? Proud? Boosting your ego?"

"Stop, please, I was wrong."

Chen Mengyun took out her phone and dialed a number.

"Are you calling the police?"

"Hello, Hu Shuhui, didn't you say you wanted to take me out to eat? I'm free today."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened in shock.

Hu Shuhui!?

Damn it! One of the antagonists!

He's been pursuing Chen Mengyun, and during a meal, he drugged her. Just as he was about to succeed, Long Aotian kicked him in the groin, breaking his family jewels, and then...

This is bad!

This plot has been triggered ahead of schedule!

The key issue is that Long Aotian took the day off today, he's not at work, sis!

If you go out to eat with him, isn't that like a lamb willingly walking into the wolf's den?

Lu Chengwen immediately said, "Mengyun, you can't associate with Hu Shuhui, and you definitely can't go out to eat with him."

"Why not? Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"It's not that, Hu Shuhui is not a good person, he's up to no good!"

"Is there anyone worse than you? Anyone more despicable than you?"

Lu Chengwen was at a loss for words.

"Anyway... even if you must go, can you make it tomorrow? Tomorrow you can do whatever you want with him, and I won't interfere."

"I'll eat whenever I want. I'm telling you, all these years I've been waiting for you, I've been waiting!"

Chen Mengyun shouted, "I thought you would change, that you would settle down and remember the little moments we shared as kids. But I never imagined that in your heart, I'm so frivolous, cheap, and worthless!"

"You're valuable, very valuable, Mengyun, I was wrong, you can't eat with Hu Shuhui, he's really not a good person!"

Chen Mengyun turned to leave, and Lu Chengwen grabbed her arm, "Mengyun, I beg you, it's all my fault, give me one more chance!"

Chen Mengyun looked at Lu Chengwen and sneered, "You said the same thing back then. It's laughable that you think this line can keep fooling me, that I'll keep believing it. Lu Chengwen, I'm not the little girl who was easily swayed by your sweet talk anymore. Why don't you go find your Leng Qingqiu and continue being her lapdog!"

Chen Mengyun strode out, and Lu Chengwen chased after her, trying to explain.

Chen Mengyun didn't want to hear a single word, walking swiftly.

Lu Chengwen grew anxious and grabbed her, "Chen Mengyun! I forbid you to go!"

By now, they had reached the living room, where Chen's father and mother were sitting with a fruit platter, watching TV.

Chen Moqun was also in the living room, lying on the sofa, watching them nervously.

Lu Chengwen didn't notice the change in environment and shouted, "I don't care about anything else, but you can't eat with Hu Shuhui, at least not today!"

"Why do you get to decide?"

"Because I... because I'm a jerk! I'm being unreasonable today! So what?"

Chen's father, chewing on something, picked up the remote and muted the TV. The three of them sat on the sofa in silence, just watching.

Chen Mengyun sneered, "Lu Chengwen, get this straight! Our Chen family isn't one to tolerate your nonsense for the sake of corporate interests. When speaking to me, Chen Mengyun, you better think carefully!"

The two continued to argue.

Chen Mengyun's father leaned over to Chen Moqun and whispered, "What's going on?"

Chen Moqun quickly lied, "They're having a lover's quarrel. He wants to pursue my sister, but she's ignoring him and is planning to eat with another man."

Chen's father nodded.

Chen's mother asked, "Who is Hu Shuhui?"

"The eldest son of the Hu family," Chen Moqun said. "We got into a fight back in school."

Chen's mother was puzzled, "Isn't Chengwen pursuing Leng Qingqiu? Aren't they getting engaged next month? Why is he after our Mengyun now?"

Chen Moqun made up an explanation, "It's only at the last moment that he realizes who his true love is! Just watch, it's more dramatic than a TV show."

Chen Mengyun said, "I'm going out to eat with Hu Shuhui today, and if it goes well, I'll date him. If I feel like it, we can get a room tonight, get engaged next week! We can even have the wedding before you and Leng Qingqiu!"

Lu Chengwen was furious, "Fine! You better mean it, and don't come crying to me after Hu Shuhui scams you out of money and sex!"

"Even if I'm scammed out of money and sex, it's none of your business. I'd rather be scammed by Hu Shuhui than hear another word from you! The biggest regret of my life is knowing you!"

"Chen Mengyun, I'm telling you for the last time, what you do is your freedom, who you're with is none of my concern, I don't care at all!"

"Then why are you yelling at me?"

"Just not Hu Shuhui!"

"Well, I've taken a liking to him, what are you going to do about it?"

"Tomorrow! You can get a room, get engaged, pick a wedding dress, whatever you want tomorrow, just stay home today, okay?"

"No! The moment you dumped me, you lost any right to tell me what to do!"

"It was you who dumped me!" Lu Chengwen roared.

"And why did I dump you? Do you have the nerve to say?"

Lu Chengwen's mouth moved but no words came out, "It was my fault back then, but now, I need to make it clear to you, you cannot go to Hu Shuhui's dinner!"

Lu Chengwen turned around and saw the three people on the sofa staring straight at them.

His mind instantly cooled, and he bowed politely, "Uncle, Auntie, hello."

Chen's father said, "Oh, Chengwen's here? Sit down, let's chat."

Chen's mother also said, "Chengwen, it's been years since you last visited! Sit down, have some fruit."

"Well, these past few years... I've been too embarrassed. I was immature back then, hurt the elders' feelings, and I've always felt guilty. Today, I was feeling down and wanted to chat with Moqun..."

Lu Chengwen was overwhelmed, not expecting that while he was arguing with Chen Mengyun, her parents were right there, listening. He rambled on, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Chen Moqun reminded him, "Buddy, my sister's left!"

Lu Chengwen turned to look, and sure enough, Chen Mengyun was gone.

He hurriedly chased after her, "Uncle, Auntie, goodbye."

Chen's mother called out, "Come visit when you're free!"

"Will do!"

Chen's father looked puzzled, "What was that about?"

"Ah, young people's matters, let them handle it themselves. Boys and girls at this age are all about love and hate."

"But Chengwen's about to get engaged!"

"Back then, I was about to get engaged too, but didn't you sweep me off my feet?"

Chen's father grumbled, "About to get engaged, and still chasing after my daughter..."

Chen's mother urged, "Turn the volume back on."

...

Lu Chengwen chased out the door, but Chen Mengyun was nowhere to be seen.

Leaving Zhao Gang behind, he drove around searching, but in a city as big as Snow City, how could he possibly find her?

In desperation, he frantically called Leng Qingqiu.

Leng Qingqiu was sitting alone on her bed, hugging her knees, heartbroken and distressed.

The situation had completely changed.

Her father had issued an ultimatum; he was a man of his word, and her position as CEO could be revoked at any moment.

And Lu Chengwen, from being her devoted follower, had suddenly turned cold and indifferent, treating her like a pariah, wanting to stay as far away from her as possible.

Is the whole world abandoning me?

Just then, Lu Chengwen's call came through. Seeing his name on the screen, a sudden surge of hope ignited within Leng Qingqiu.

She was surprised at how quickly her mood had shifted.

Just moments ago, she was so negative, so sad.

But seeing this call, she suddenly felt happy, holding onto a glimmer of hope, her mind racing with over a hundred thoughts simultaneously:

Why is he calling me? What does he want?

Has he changed his mind, wanting to pursue me again? Hmph, I won't pay him any attention!

What if he asks me out? What should I wear?

Wait, how should I talk to him?

Leng Qingqiu sat up straight, crossed her legs on the bed, tidied her hair and clothes, cleared her throat, took a deep breath, patted her chest to calm herself.

Then, carefully, she pressed the answer button, trying to stay composed, but her voice still trembled slightly, "Hello, what's up?"

"Qingqiu, are your people still on standby? Has Long Aotian gone home?"

Lu Chengwen seemed in a hurry.

"They've been pulled back."

"Send someone to find Long Aotian immediately!"

"Why look for him?" Leng Qingqiu's mood instantly plummeted again.

So, it's not about me, nor is he pursuing me.

Lu Chengwen was frantic, "It's an emergency, a real emergency. I had a fight with Chen Mengyun, and in her anger, she went out to drink with Hu Shuhui. I'm really worried about her. We need to find Long Aotian now; only he can find her and bring her back to me..."

Leng Qingqiu exploded in anger, "Lu Chengwen! Go to hell! Just die!"

With that, she hung up the phone.