Chapter 32: I'm Really Tired

Lu Chengwen was puzzled: "Big sister, can I ask what you're thinking?"

"There's no need to think. Since you, Young Master Lu, took over the Great Sage Group, you haven't made a single loss-making deal. So, whatever you invest in, I'll invest in too."

Lu Chengwen broke out in a cold sweat.

[Damn it, isn't this all for nothing!? After going around in circles, we're back to square one!]

[I'm definitely going to lose money on the shantytown project, what are you after? I'm not afraid of losing my family fortune, but your Leng family can't afford to take any more hits!]

[Besides, Long Aotian and your dad are waiting for my good news! If you're determined to invest in this loss-making project with me, won't they skin me alive?]

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen's bewildered expression and laughed heartily.

"Look at your silly face, are you really that scared of my dad and Long Aotian?"

Lu Chengwen said, "I'm serious, you really shouldn't get involved with the shantytown project."

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen: "Brother Chengwen, tell me the truth, do you... still like me?"

Lu Chengwen was instantly stunned.

He looked at Leng Qingqiu's serious expression and quickly shook his head: "N-no, I don't."

Leng Qingqiu's eyes dimmed instantly: "When did you stop liking me?"

"I can't really say, but... let's settle the engagement first. If you can make a quick profit from this project and join forces with Long Aotian, Qianfeng Group will surely thrive again. Then there will be no need for any marriage alliance, and you'll be free to pursue the boys you like, without having to put up with a scoundrel like me."

Leng Qingqiu said, "I suddenly..."

"Huh?"

Leng Qingqiu felt nervous, her heart beating wildly.

Seeing Lu Chengwen frowning at her, earnestly waiting for her to continue, she felt so nervous she started sweating.

"I..."

"What is it?"

Leng Qingqiu's mouth moved for a while before she finally mustered the courage: "I think... I've fallen for you."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened, his mind momentarily short-circuiting: "You... what did you say?"

"I said, I like you."

Lu Chengwen looked at Leng Qingqiu, his mouth half-open, motionless.

Leng Qingqiu's face turned red: "These past few days without you... I've felt... very unsettled."

She shyly lowered her head and chuckled: "I know this is crazy, but I really feel like I can hear your inner thoughts, know what you're truly thinking. I think... you're a good person."

Lu Chengwen was as still as if he'd been hit by a paralysis spell.

Leng Qingqiu pursed her lips: "So... if you're willing, if you don't dislike me... from today on, I'll be your girlfriend. Next month's engagement also..."

Leng Qingqiu was so nervous she was almost incoherent.

Her heart was pounding like a drum, thumping so loudly it felt like her whole body was resonating.

"...If you think the engagement is too rushed, we can hold off, get to know each other first, try... dating, and then... tell our families..."

Lu Chengwen was petrified, still motionless, showing no reaction.

"If you don't agree, that's okay too."

Seeing Lu Chengwen unresponsive, Leng Qingqiu's heart was in turmoil.

Overthinking is a girl's instinct, and now she shifted from excitement and nervousness to anxiety and despair.

"I'm not saying it has to be you. But... actually... we can take it slow, I don't want to pressure you too much. It's just... I have many flaws, and I need you to be patient with me. But you'll also need to make some changes, because I... I'm planning to... give myself completely to you..."

After saying this, Leng Qingqiu was too shy to even lift her head.

But Lu Chengwen still showed no reaction.

Finally, Leng Qingqiu noticed something was wrong.

She looked up at Lu Chengwen: "Brother Chengwen? Are you okay? Can you... say something?"

Leng Qingqiu waved her hand in front of Lu Chengwen's eyes, but there was no response.

"Brother Chengwen? Are you okay? Hey?"

Leng Qingqiu took out her phone: "Hello, 120? I need to report, someone here has crashed. He's just standing still, not responding, it's like he can't hear anything. What caused it? I just... confessed to him, said I liked him, and he crashed. Crashed means crashed, no response, just standing still, you're the doctor, why are you asking me? How should I know! Just get someone over here. No need for the funeral home, he's crashed, not dead..."

...

Lu Chengwen returned home, his eyes vacant, like a walking corpse.

It's over, completely over. The female lead! The golden female lead! The top of the harem!

She confessed to me!

What kind of plot is this!?

This isn't a confession, it's my death knell!

As a villain, I've won over the female lead!?

The male lead won't rest until he's killed me!

No matter who writes this script, I'm doomed! There's no way out!

What did I do wrong!? Where did I go wrong?

I've been doing everything to make you dislike me, fanning the flames, trying to keep you away...

Is there something wrong with the female lead's brain? You're confessing to someone like me?

Don't you have any standards for choosing a partner?

Do you all feel like something's missing if you don't kill me off?

Lu Chengwen was out of his mind, staggering into the living room.

His parents were chatting with Chen Mengyun, and they were delighted to see him back.

Mrs. Lu said, "Chengwen, look who's here!"

Chen Mengyun quickly stood up, her face slightly red: "Brother Chengwen."

"Yeah." Lu Chengwen responded absentmindedly and continued towards the stairs.

"Hey!" Mrs. Lu grabbed his arm: "Mengyun has been waiting for you for a long time, keep her company."

Lu Chengwen said weakly, "Mom, you chat with her, I'm tired."

Mrs. Lu glared at him: "What are you tired from? Mengyun came especially to see you, where are your manners?"

Lu Chengwen turned to look at Chen Mengyun.

Chen Mengyun suddenly felt shy, forcing a polite smile: "Brother Chengwen, I just... came to say thank you."

Lu Chengwen nodded: "Okay, I got it, you can go back now."

Chen Mengyun was taken aback.

She had come to his house on her own initiative, just like in high school and college, being so proactive and enthusiastic, not afraid of being laughed at by the Lu family.

But you, Lu Chengwen, are so indifferent, not treating me seriously at all.

Chen Mengyun felt humiliated and awkward: "Well, Uncle and Auntie, I'll be going now."

"Ah, don't go!" Mrs. Lu pulled Lu Chengwen, angrily saying: "She's been waiting for you for so long, what are you acting so high and mighty for?"

She turned to Chen Mengyun: "Mengyun, how about this, you go upstairs with Chengwen and chat, you young people, talk among yourselves, your Uncle and I have a card game, we'll be going out."

Chen Mengyun, lacking backbone, actually considered staying.

"Is that... appropriate?"

"Of course it is, it's been years since you last visited, I'm so happy you're here, you chat, we're off."

The Lu elders left.

Lu Chengwen turned to take the elevator, and Chen Mengyun quickly followed.

Standing in the elevator, Chen Mengyun looked slightly nervous: "Brother Chengwen, thank you for what happened the other day."

Lu Chengwen smiled bitterly, these were lines meant for Long Aotian, but now they're being said to me endlessly.

"Aren't you supposed to be very busy lately? There's no need to come to my house for such a small matter, a text would have sufficed."

Chen Mengyun felt wronged.

Couldn't I have texted? Why come to your house, of course, it's because I wanted to see you! Chen Mengyun said, "About what happened back then..."

Lu Chengwen quickly interrupted: "Let's not talk about the past, you were harsh enough back then, really hurt my young heart. But it was my fault first, I don't blame you. Anyway, let's not bring up the past, I don't care anymore, you shouldn't remember it either."

Chen Mengyun had a thousand words she wanted to say, but Lu Chengwen wouldn't let her speak, wouldn't give her a chance.

He just kept shutting down the conversation.

Between a man and a woman, with this kind of dialogue, it usually doesn't take more than three sentences for both parties to understand each other's feelings.

Chen Mengyun didn't expect Lu Chengwen to be so cold, feeling both humiliated and heartbroken.

She had come to his house on her own initiative, ready to reconnect with his family, trying to recapture some of the old feelings.

But this is the attitude you give me?

I, Chen Mengyun, must have misjudged you.

"Well... I see you're tired, Brother Chengwen, I'll be going now."

This was Chen Mengyun's last attempt.

If Lu Chengwen had tried to keep her, there might still have been a chance.

Chen Mengyun looked expectantly into Lu Chengwen's eyes.

But Lu Chengwen didn't even look at her: "Alright, I'll have Zhao Gang take you back."

Chen Mengyun was she was absolutely livid.

Instantly turned cold: "No need, I can leave on my own."

Until Chen Mengyun took the elevator down by herself, Lu Chengwen didn't pay her any attention.

Chen Mengyun felt cheap.

Really cheap!

Why did I come to find him?

He saved me once, and I thought we could rekindle our old flame? Go back to how things were?

I remember all those innocent days from our childhood, but he's forgotten all about it! Doesn't care anymore!

Chen Mengyun's eyes reddened,feeling wronged, she walked towards the parking area of the Lu family villa..

Just as she was about to get into her car, Lu Chengwen came rushing down from upstairs as if his pants were on fire, grabbing his coat and shouting: "Zhao Gang! Get the car ready!"

Zhao Gang had just parked Chen Mengyun's car and was looking at his boss in confusion: "Boss Lu, what's wrong?"

Lu Chengwen rushed over, snatched the car keys: "Whose car is this?"

Zhao Gang had never seen Lu Chengwen in such a hurry, pointing at Chen Mengyun: "Miss Chen's."

Lu Chengwen said, "Get in."

Chen Mengyun was still angry: "What are you doing?"

Lu Chengwen was already inside starting the engine: "Get in!"

Chen Mengyun stood her ground with arms crossed: "This is my car, Lu Chengwen, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Zhao Gang, ever the efficient henchman, knew that in situations like this, you don't let the boss waste words, you just do as he says promptly.

Chen Mengyun was still standing outside throwing a tantrum, while Zhao Gang had already fastened his seatbelt.

Lu Chengwen roared: "Damn it! Get in! Now!"

Chen Mengyun was startled,吼住了 by Lu Chengwen.

"Fine... fine, I'll get in, no need to be so harsh!"

Before Chen Mengyun could even sit properly, Lu Chengwen's car shot forward.

Zhao Gang, always quick on the uptake, was already on the intercom shouting: "Open the gates! Young Master Lu's car is heading out!"

By the time the car reached the gates, they were already open.

Chen Mengyun was pale with fear: "Lu Chengwen, are you crazy!?"