Chapter 46: Life Hanging by a Thread

Normally, this should be the most humiliating moment for Lu Chengwen.

Not only was he rejected in marriage, but he was also asked to leave.

If it were the old Lu Chengwen, he would either shamelessly sweet-talk his way out, or in a fit of anger, slam the door and leave, threatening to ruin the Leng family.

But today's Lu Chengwen is no longer the same as before.

Today's Lu Chengwen is neither shameless nor prone to rage.

Today's Lu Chengwen is absolutely cautious.

He quickly stood up, bowing to everyone: "Alright, alright, you all must be busy. I have something to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave now. No need to see me off. Oh, no one plans to see me off? That's fine, that's fine..."

Leng Qingqiu stood up abruptly, shouting, "Stop!"

Lu Chengwen, already at the door, turned with a grimace, "What now?"

Leng Qingqiu was almost in tears.

Lu Chengwen glanced around, suddenly feeling a pang of pity for Leng Qingqiu.

[This girl is quite pitiful. Unloved by her family, her father uses her as a cash cow. Now that Long Aotian is clearly aiming to take over the Leng family, she's left alone, destined to be at his mercy.]

[If I leave, she'll have to face her power-hungry father and the scheming Long Aotian alone.]

[But what can I do? This is between the female and male leads. I'm just a minor antagonist; I can't get involved!]

Leng Qingqiu's hands were trembling, tears welling up in her eyes as she stared at Lu Chengwen.

Lu Chengwen felt both guilty and helpless: "I... really have something to do."

Xu Xuejiao also heard Lu Chengwen's inner thoughts, her face showing displeasure.

"Come on, let's go. They've made it clear they want you to leave. Why are you still lingering here?"

Leng Qingqiu's lips quivered, her voice almost pleading, "Chengwen... help me."

She felt deeply ashamed.

What right did she have to ask for his help?

He had pursued her for three years, but had she ever given him a kind look?

No.

He had been devoted to her for three years, but had she ever given him a chance?

No.

He had humbled himself to please her for three years, but had she ever said a kind word to him?

Still no.

Now that she was in trouble, caught between her father and Long Aotian, she was shamelessly asking for his help.

This was a thunderbolt!

Why should he risk offending her father and Long Aotian for her sake?

It made no sense.

But Lu Chengwen was the last straw Leng Qingqiu could grasp.

Once the five billion funds were injected, Leng Tianhao would immediately start restructuring, pushing Leng Qingqiu out and letting Long Aotian take over as the president of Qianfeng Group.

Even if Leng Qingqiu had ten billion in cash, the fate of Qianfeng Group would no longer be in her hands.

Lu Chengwen was deeply shaken.

His mind was in turmoil.

His first instinct was to help Leng Qingqiu.

Given his deep feelings for her and seeing her so pitiful and alone, his impulse was almost uncontrollable.

But his opponent was Long Aotian!

The main protagonist!

There was no way he could defeat him!

He was destined to be a stepping stone for Long Aotian.

[Be rational!]

[Lu Chengwen, you must be rational. Impulsiveness will get you killed.]

[After your death, their story will continue. Your impulsiveness and passion are meaningless.]

Long Aotian smiled: "Young Master Lu, are you leaving or not? Make up your mind! Standing at the door in silence, what's that about?"

Leng Tianhao also laughed: "Chengwen, go home. Our family matters will be handled by ourselves. Besides, I don't believe you have any cash left to help me buy land. That shantytown renovation project, haha, I wish you success. If you don't lose your family fortune, I'll come to congratulate you in person, hahaha..."

Long Aotian walked up to Lu Chengwen, whispering in his ear: "I know what you're thinking. Qianfeng Group is mine for the taking. Leng Qingqiu will eventually be my plaything. And you... just wait. Your family is next."

Lu Chengwen's fists slowly clenched.

At this moment, he locked eyes with Long Aotian.

Long Aotian laughed arrogantly, while Lu Chengwen struggled to suppress his anger, his eyes turning fierce.

"Oh? Not bad, that look." Long Aotian chuckled: "Thanks to your mental breakdown, the Lu family will go bankrupt faster than I expected. Heh, I'm ready to take over Dasheng Group. You and your family will be burdened with insurmountable debt, forced to beg on the streets... When that time comes, I'll have some change ready for you."

Just then, a head popped in.

Xu Xuejiao widened her beautiful eyes: "What are you two whispering about?"

Long Aotian was startled, leaning back, then quickly smiled: "Oh, Miss Xuejiao. You'd better not hang around this useless rich kid. He's only where he is because of his parents; he's got no real skills. Be careful he doesn't drag your Xu family down."

Xu Xuejiao pouted: "I'm also a useless rich kid relying on my parents, so birds of a feather flock together."

"You're different, you're a talented doctor, young and promising..."

Lu Chengwen suddenly spoke: "Long Aotian, where's your financial group? Dare to show me?"

Long Aotian checked his watch: "We'll meet at the café later. What? You want to see for yourself?"

"Exactly."

Long Aotian narrowed his eyes: "Kid, you're determined to oppose me, huh?"

"No." Lu Chengwen said: "I just want to see how impressive you are, how big your mouth is, to swallow the four major families of Snow City."

Leng Qingqiu, who had been holding back her emotions, finally broke down in tears.

This man...

She had treated him so poorly, even terribly.

Yet he helped her time and again, selflessly, without regard for the consequences.

When the whole world abandoned her, only he remained.

He clearly didn't like her anymore, so why was he still helping her?

Leng Qingqiu walked up to Lu Chengwen and asked: "Why? Didn't you say you don't like me anymore? Why are you still helping me?"

Lu Chengwen looked at her, suddenly smiled, and reached out to wipe her tears: "Because you cried. Whoever makes my goddess cry, I'll make them pay."

Leng Qingqiu, through her tears, smiled and hugged Lu Chengwen tightly.

This hug instantly cleared Lu Chengwen's mind.

"Hey hey hey!? No no no no... it's not that serious, don't get too emotional, I'm scared..."

...

Lu Chengwen was filled with regret the entire way.

[Lu Chengwen, are you out of your mind!?]

[So what if she cried? Why did you feel sorry for her!?]

[Now you're directly confronting Long Aotian. Isn't this suicide?]

Leng Qingqiu sat beside Lu Chengwen, amused despite her anger: "Regretting it?"

"Huh? No, not at all."

"Why are you so afraid of Long Aotian?"

Lu Chengwen looked at Leng Qingqiu: "A fortune teller said he's my nemesis."

"You believe in that?"

Xu Xuejiao was furious: "Lu Chengwen, didn't you say you don't like Leng Qingqiu anymore and that you like me? What's going on now?"

Lu Chengwen thought, why are you always here?

He looked seriously at Xu Xuejiao: "I don't like Leng Qingqiu anymore, but I never said I like you!"

"Then why were you ogling me when I wore that uniform?"

"I ogle any pretty girl in a uniform! I can spend all night watching girls on my phone, got a problem with that?"

"Would those girls dance in uniform in front of you?"

Lu Chengwen widened his eyes: "Lady, I'm rich! I can get as many of those girls as I want!"

"You... you're comparing me to them?"

"Why not?!"

Xu Xuejiao was so angry she could have kicked Lu Chengwen to death.

Leng Qingqiu sneered: "Xu Xuejiao, didn't you always dislike Chengwen? What's with the clinginess lately?"

"Leng Qingqiu, don't get too familiar. Your dad said he's canceling the engagement. Chengwen is single now, and everyone has a chance."

Leng Qingqiu was furious: "He pursued me for three years! What can you compare to that?"

Xu Xuejiao retorted: "I can wear a uniform. He likes my butt. He loves girls in uniforms, right, Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen was too embarrassed to respond: "You... watch your words."

"Do you like my uniform today?"

"Is that the point?"

"Nonsense, Chengwen likes black stockings. He drools every time I wear them, right, Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen said: "Qingqiu, why are you like this too? Calm down..."

Xu Xuejiao: "I've never had a boyfriend, still a virgin. Chengwen loves pure, big-breasted lolitas, right, Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen wanted to bang his head against a wall: "Don't... don't say it so loud..."

Leng Qingqiu said: "Coincidentally, I've been holding out these years too, still untouched. And you know what, little girl, cuteness is worthless in front of sexiness. Chengwen has seen it all. Your act is just a novelty to him, right, Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen covered his face: "Stop it, can you two maintain some dignity?"

Xu Xuejiao said: "You think Chengwen is just a jerk on the surface, but he's actually a pervert who loves role-playing games. I can be sweet or salty. He said I'm highly versatile, with endless possibilities, right, Chengwen?"

Lu Chengwen looked at her in shock: "When did I say that!?"

Leng Qingqiu smiled: "Some games require long legs to play. He said my legs could keep him entertained for a lifetime..."

Lu Chengwen was going crazy: "Stop the car, stop the car, I need to get out, I need to die!"

The car stopped, the driver sweating profusely, looking at Lu Chengwen with envy, wishing he could kick him to death.

The two girls got out of the car, still fuming, ignoring each other.

As Lu Chengwen stepped onto the stairs, Xu Xuejiao hooked her arm through his, glaring at Leng Qingqiu: "Hmph."

Leng Qingqiu hooked her arm through his other arm, coldly snorting: "Hmph."

Lu Chengwen felt like he was being escorted by two police officers, extremely nervous: "You... don't do this, let me go, okay? I was wrong! From now on, I won't meddle in your affairs. Let's have a farewell drink, the kind where we never see each other again!"

Both girls shouted: "She drinks first!"

Long Aotian also got out of the car, his face turning green at the sight.

Lu Chengwen felt his hair stand on end.

[No! This is really suicidal. I need to run!]

Lu Chengwen turned to run but almost collided with a large, dark figure.

Both were startled, the other pointing at Lu Chengwen: "Young... Master Lu!?"

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened.

[It's over! Iron Tuo King!]

Lu Chengwen turned to see Long Aotian.

[Long Aotian in front, Iron Tuo King behind!]

[I'm done for!]