Chapter 31: Why Can't I Shake This Off!?

Leng Tianhao's voice was low and hoarse: "Lu Chengwen, what are you really up to? Qingqiu was never like this before; she was never impulsive or out of control. Today, you're playing dumb and pushing my daughter into your fire pit. What dirt do you have on her to make her completely break down!?"

"No, I don't... I really..."

Long Aotian also chimed in: "You're planning to destroy the Leng family, make Qianfeng Group completely collapse and go bankrupt, and then you'll buy it at a low price. That way, both Qianfeng Group and Leng Qingqiu will be in your hands, at your mercy. Is that your plan?"

Lu Chengwen thought to himself, damn it!

I can't believe you're so good at framing people when you can't even flirt properly! You're really digging me a grave here!

Your knack for screwing people over is both quick and vicious!

But Lu Chengwen knew he couldn't lose control now. He had to handle this situation, or he'd be finished.

He couldn't die for the seventh time in such a muddled way!

Lu Chengwen quickly said, "Don't get worked up, both of you. I'll go talk to her, I'll go..."

Long Aotian grabbed Lu Chengwen by the collar: "You? Who do you think you are?"

Lu Chengwen's heart raced. Damn, this guy's about to throw a punch!

Am I going to die in Leng Tianhao's study?

Screw it! I'm going all out!

Lu Chengwen suddenly erupted in anger, shouting, "Long Aotian! You better calm down!"

"What did you say!?"

Lu Chengwen said, "I'm telling you, I genuinely believe the shantytown renovation project is profitable. In business, I just stated my professional opinion. Is that wrong? How was I supposed to know Leng Qingqiu would suddenly get so emotional!? This was completely unexpected. Can't you see that?"

Leng Tianhao was furious: "What profit is there in the shantytown renovation? The project hasn't even reached one-third completion, and they've already gone through four leaders, with three people committing suicide! And you want Qingqiu to jump into this pit?"

Lu Chengwen said, "Fortune favors the bold! In crisis lies opportunity!"

Long Aotian sneered, "Oh? If there's so much opportunity, why isn't your Lu family investing?"

Lu Chengwen had been waiting for this: "I've already decided to invest in the shantytown renovation project."

This move left both Leng Tianhao and Long Aotian stunned.

The shantytown renovation project was like a ticking time bomb, a disaster waiting to happen.

It was a pit, a huge pit, a bottomless pit.

Anyone who touched it would be ruined. Many wealthy people had already been bankrupted by this project, left with nothing but debt and no way out but suicide.

And now, Lu Chengwen was saying he was going to jump into this pit? It was truly unexpected.

Lu Chengwen softened his tone: "Originally, I thought we could do this project together with the Leng family. Of course, I had my own selfish reasons—sharing the risk. But now it seems I'll have to do it alone."

Leng Tianhao still didn't believe him: "You... really plan to invest in the shantytown renovation project?"

"When I say something, I never take it back."

Leng Tianhao grimaced: "That's disgusting!"

Long Aotian's mind was spinning. Why was Lu Chengwen suddenly making such a suicidal investment? It didn't fit his character at all!

This guy always put profit first and would never do a deal that was guaranteed to lose money, especially one that would leave him penniless!

Lu Chengwen thought to himself, screw the pants! I'd rather be naked than dead. Right now, nothing is more important than my life.

"Uncle Leng, please calm down. I'll go talk to Qingqiu. Once she cools off, we can discuss everything."

He then turned to Long Aotian: "Brother Aotian, don't worry either. I'll convince her to invest in the amusement park project. How about that? But our Lu family won't be involved in this project. You'll have to work closely with Qingqiu and help her out."

Lu Chengwen sighed, putting on a sincere expression. "But honestly, I really don't think this project is a good idea. It seems too good to be true. But since you both think it's worth it, I won't stand in the way. If something goes wrong, just remember I was against it from the start!"

Long Aotian was taken aback. Damn!

This... leaves me with no room to argue!

He's got a point!

I don't think it's a good idea, but I'm just sharing my opinion. Leng Qingqiu's reaction was unexpected.

There's nothing wrong with that!

And since things have turned out this way, I'll go along with your plan and convince Leng Qingqiu to listen to you. I'll do everything you suggest.

But if something goes wrong, don't come blaming me later.

Reasonable! Logical! Fair!

Moreover, Lu Chengwen subtly hinted that he and Long Aotian weren't competitors. The Lu family wouldn't get involved in this project, leaving it to you and Leng Qingqiu to work on this profitable venture. And, well, when a handsome guy and a beautiful woman work together, you know what might happen, right?

Long Aotian couldn't help but smile slightly, then quickly composed himself: "Do you think you can convince Qingqiu?"

"I'll try."

Lu Chengwen felt like he was in a battlefield. One wrong word, and his life could be over.

He needed to get out of there fast!

"I'll go find her now. Wait for my good news!"

With that, Lu Chengwen hurried off to chase Leng Qingqiu. Of course, the two men in the room thought he was rushing to catch up with her, but in reality, he was rushing to save his own life.

Leng Qingqiu sat in the driver's seat of a sports car, crying bitterly with her head on the steering wheel.

Lu Chengwen watched her from outside, feeling a pang of sadness.

He gently opened the passenger door and got in.

Leng Qingqiu sat up, wiping away her tears and snot: "What now, Mr. Lu? Got another pit for me to jump into?"

Lu Chengwen felt a bit awkward and sighed: "Let me take you for a drive. Get out."

Leng Qingqiu thought he might comfort her, even if it was insincere.

But he didn't.

He gave her a gentle smile, like an elder seeing a younger person crying, not rushing to lecture her but first taking her out to relax.

Leng Qingqiu didn't refuse. They switched seats.

"Buckle up. Let's go."

Lu Chengwen drove, and the gatekeeper quickly opened the gate as the car sped off.

Lu Chengwen used to deliver takeout and often saw luxury cars on the road.

During his first transmigration, he was so excited to touch the steering wheel of a luxury car that he got killed by the protagonist on the first day.

This was the seventh time, and he was used to it now.

He drove the luxury car skillfully, occasionally pulling off a drift, which scared Leng Qingqiu half to death.

Lu Chengwen noticed Leng Qingqiu was terrified, her face pale, but she kept her lips tightly shut and didn't scream.

He thought to himself: What a strong woman. Scared but not backing down.

Lu Chengwen decided to push it further.

The car sped up again, and Leng Qingqiu finally couldn't take it.

"Chengwen..."

"Yeah? What's up?" The car was speeding, but Lu Chengwen's expression was calm, his gaze steady.

"Slow down... I'm scared."

"Okay."

The car stopped on a quiet coastal road, and they walked along the beach.

Leng Qingqiu carried her high heels, barefoot on the sand, watching the sunset, her mind heavy.

Neither of them spoke, just walked and walked.

Until Leng Qingqiu got bored, and they sat on a wooden bench by the roadside. Lu Chengwen bought some drinks, and they sipped them, watching the sun slowly set.

Leng Qingqiu looked out at the sea: "Do you really think the shantytown project can make money? Be honest."

Lu Chengwen laughed: "Nonsense, it's a money pit. So many people have died because of it. Who in their right mind would touch that project?"

"Then why did you push me into it?"

"I had no idea you'd actually go for it!"

"You knew the right answer. Why didn't you say it?"

Lu Chengwen sighed: "I have my reasons."

Leng Qingqiu smiled. This time, she was sure Lu Chengwen was telling the truth.

In the distance, a young man led a girl to a middle-aged woman.

"Mom, this is my girlfriend, Xiaoli."

The middle-aged woman praised the girl warmly, and the three of them sat on the beach, chatting happily, laughter occasionally drifting over.

Lu Chengwen watched the scene, and Leng Qingqiu did too.

Ordinary people, all three of them.

The young man looked fresh and strong, with acne on his face, carrying a basketball, full of youthful energy.

The girl was average-looking, gentle and shy, her gaze filled with happiness and affection when she looked at the boy.

The boy's mother was beautiful, kind, and warm...

Lu Chengwen suddenly felt a pang of sadness, thinking of his own mother, who was still in the hospital. He wished he could return to his own world, make a fortune, and cure his mother's illness.

[If I could marry an ordinary girl like that and take her to meet my mom, she'd be so happy.]

[I'd give up everything for that—my sports car, my villa. Can I have your happiness?]

Leng Qingqiu was shocked.

In her mind, Lu Chengwen was a ruthless businessman, a capitalist who would do anything for profit.

But today, she realized his heart was actually like this?

Who would believe it if she told them?

If she hadn't been able to hear his thoughts, she wouldn't have believed it herself!

Looking at Lu Chengwen's calm expression, the envy, blessing, and warmth in his eyes, even with a hint of sorrow.

Leng Qingqiu suddenly felt that she and Lu Chengwen were, at their core, the same kind of people.

"Is life really destined to be lonely? Is the world really that cruel and cold?" Leng Qingqiu asked, looking at Lu Chengwen.

Lu Chengwen paused for a long time, then nodded: "Yes."

Leng Qingqiu was disappointed by the answer and lowered her head.

Lu Chengwen turned to her, his tone gentle: "But it's precisely because the world is lonely and cold that people crave connection."

"They crave the care and love of family, the loyalty of friendship, the devotion of a lover, the warmth of the world, and the romance of life."

Leng Qingqiu pouted, unable to suppress a smile: "I never thought I'd hear such wise words from you, Mr. Lu."

"Of course!" Lu Chengwen said: "In business, we're surrounded by wolves. No one wants to be the sheep. The kind of emotions ordinary people can have are hard for us to come by. Betray us once, and you can make more money than most people earn in a lifetime. That kind of temptation is too great for ordinary people. Even good people might take risks in a moment of weakness."

Leng Qingqiu nodded: "So, we're destined to be lonely?"

"Not exactly. We have money, after all. They envy us."

Leng Qingqiu scoffed, then quickly turned back: "Your family seems pretty harmonious. Why doesn't your family have that kind of jungle law? Everyone seems happy." Lu Chengwen thought for a moment: "Our family... might be a bit special."

Leng Qingqiu smiled bitterly: "I envy you."

Lu Chengwen felt the mood was right: "That amusement park project should be profitable. You should act quickly."

Leng Qingqiu, who had already developed feelings for Lu Chengwen, wasn't just thinking about business now.

She deliberately said: "I know, but my funds are limited, and it's not easy to quietly secure that land. Word might get out."

She looked at Lu Chengwen, hoping for his response.

Lu Chengwen nodded: "Don't worry about that. Long Aotian will help you. He definitely has a way to quietly and quickly secure that land..."

Leng Qingqiu's hopeful expression instantly turned to disappointment. She looked away, coldly saying: "Lu Chengwen, I think you're a scumbag."

Lu Chengwen wasn't angry. Instead, he laughed heartily.

He wasn't afraid of Leng Qingqiu hating or misunderstanding him. In fact, it was a blessing.

"So, you invest in the amusement park, and I'll invest in the shantytown project. You're a good person, just too quick-tempered."

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Stay away from scumbags like me. Cherish your life, stay away from scum."

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen: "I don't believe in that. I'm going to invest in the shantytown project with you."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. This woman was getting weirder by the minute.

[Lady, are you out of your mind!?]