"Please, heroine, stop coming over!

Lu Chengwen lowered his head, deep in thought, trying to figure out a solution.

Jiang Shihan was even more confused.

This guy... what's going on with him? I'm... I'm about to lose my mind!

He's actually trying to think of a way to help me?! To help my mom with her illness!?

And, it's like he can predict the future or something!

What's going on? Is this guy just delusional?

After thinking for a while, Lu Chengwen decided to stay put for now.

[As long as I don't make a move, Long Aotian, as the protagonist, should have a chance to get close to Jiang Shihan. Once they start talking, they'll naturally discuss her mom's condition.]

[Yes! That's it!]

[By then, even if I don't do anything despicable to Jiang Shihan, Long Aotian will still help cure her mom's illness. When he comes to me, I'll just let him take Jiang Shihan away.]

[I'm such a genius!]

With that thought, Lu Chengwen relaxed and smiled at Jiang Shihan.

"Shihan."

"Ah? Oh... Mr. Lu."

"Don't be nervous. Uh... I... well... before... I mean, I'm really sorry..."

Jiang Shihan was baffled. What's going on?

Why does he seem more nervous than me? This isn't the style of the young master of the Lu family!

What's wrong with him today? He's so scary!

Lu Chengwen kept recalling the things "he" had done before, feeling both guilty and embarrassed. His face turned red, and he stammered:

Jiang Shihan quickly said, "Mr. Lu, did I do something wrong? If so, you can just scold me."

"Ah? No, no, no..."

Lu Chengwen hurriedly replied, "You're a great secretary, really capable in every way. It's just me... well, I'll just say it."

Lu Chengwen continued, "I was a jerk in the past, and I didn't treat you well. Please don't be mad—no, wait! You should be mad. That would be better for everyone. I want you to forgive me... no, actually, it's better if you don't forgive me. The plot might collapse."

Lu Chengwen thought to himself, why is this so hard to explain?

"Anyway, it's fine if you hate me. You should hate me."

Jiang Shihan forced a smile, "Mr. Lu, you're joking. How could I hate you? I'm very grateful for the job opportunity and your care over the years."

[Only a fool would believe that. If you're not secretly wishing I'd get run over by a car, that's already a win.]

Lu Chengwen smiled bitterly, "Anyway, I know you have your own struggles in life. Otherwise, you would've left my side long ago..."

At this point, neither Jiang Shihan nor Lu Chengwen believed each other's words.

Jiang Shihan quickly said nervously, "I am absolutely loyal to you, Mr. Lu. I have no other intentions."

Lu Chengwen was utterly frustrated.

She's one of Long Aotian's harem members. I can't offend her, but I also can't get too close to her.

"Alright, starting today, you're on leave."

Jiang Shihan was stunned and immediately pleaded, "Mr. Lu, Mr. Lu, I'm sorry, Mr. Lu. Please, please don't fire me. I... I really need this job."

Jiang Shihan was on the verge of tears. Lu Chengwen quickly said, "Your salary will be doubled, but you don't have to do anything. How's that?"

"Mr. Lu, I beg you, please don't do this. I'll work even harder from now on..."

"No, no, did you not hear me? I said you don't have to do anything, and you'll still get paid. You don't even have to see me, and your salary is doubled..."

Jiang Shihan dropped to her knees, grabbing Lu Chengwen's clothes, crying uncontrollably, "Mr. Lu, my mom is very sick. I really can't lose this job. Mr. Lu, I'll do my best. Please, please don't fire me..."

[Why is this so hard to explain!?]

Lu Chengwen didn't expect this to be so difficult.

At that moment, Xu Xuejiao pushed the door open and walked in. Zhao Gang, at the door, gave a helpless look, indicating that he couldn't stop her.

Lu Chengwen and Xu Xuejiao locked eyes.

Xu Xuejiao's face immediately turned cold when she saw the scene.

As expected, a dog can't change its habit of eating crap.

Lu Chengwen is at it again, bullying a beautiful female employee in the workplace.

He's even driven her to this state.

"Chengwen, you're in high spirits today!"

Xu Xuejiao was smiling, but her sweet smile was laced with sharp edges, cold and piercing.

At that moment, a brilliant strategic idea flashed through Lu Chengwen's mind.

[Perfect timing!]

[I used you to deal with Leng Qingqiu earlier, and now I'll use Jiang Shihan to deal with you!]

[Yes! That's it!]

[Best case scenario, you get so angry that you help her break free and take her away. That way, if Long Aotian wants to save her, he'll have to go through you, and my legs will be safe!]

Both girls were stunned.

What on earth!?

Xu Xuejiao frowned: What nonsense is this scoundrel thinking now?

Was he deliberately teasing me on the phone earlier while sitting next to Leng Qingqiu?

Isn't he always pursuing Leng Qingqiu? Aren't they supposed to have an engagement ceremony next month?

Why does he want to use me to "get rid of" Leng Qingqiu?

And now he wants to use this secretary to "get rid of" me!?

Xu Xuejiao felt that the mysteries in Lu Chengwen's mind were only growing.

Jiang Shihan was also completely baffled.

Being able to hear her boss's inner monologue made her feel both eerie and terrified.

But she couldn't figure it out—he... actually wants to help me?

Why?

Lu Chengwen took a deep breath, feeling quite pleased with himself.

[Lu Chengwen, it's time to test your acting skills. If you nail this performance today, you can handle both women at once and get Xu Xuejiao to take Jiang Shihan away.]

[Not only do I need to act well, but I also need to secure at least a hundred thousand yuan monthly salary for Jiang Shihan. Her mom needs money for treatment and medicine.]

[Next, let me show you what it truly means to be a villain!]

With his mind made up, Lu Chengwen leaned back in his chair like a proud boss.

He crossed his legs and used his high-end Italian Oxford shoes to gently lift Jiang Shihan's chin. Tilting his head, he said flirtatiously:

"Women are nothing more than playthings to me."

Lu Chengwen glanced confidently at Xu Xuejiao: "To be my subordinate, you have to meet all my demands."

"Oh, is that so?"

Xu Xuejiao seemed to be Lu Chengwen's natural nemesis.

Now that she knew Lu Chengwen's true intentions, she wasn't about to follow his script.

In fact, she was even more excited to see how this scoundrel would try to force her to play the hero and save this girl.

You want to bully her so I step in as the good guy?

Hehe, if this were yesterday, the script might have gone the way you planned.

I would have thought you were the scum of the earth, the worst of the worst. But today... sorry, sis has already seen through your heart, liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys.

Xu Xuejiao said, "Wow, Chengwen, you're so impressive. Xuejiao really admires you!"

Lu Chengwen's brain was about to short-circuit.

What the hell is going on with the female leads in this book!?

What are you all playing at!?

Why aren't you following the script!?

Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth and continued his act. He leaned closer to the kneeling, bewildered Jiang Shihan and gave her an evil smile, pinching her chin: "Tonight, come to my private villa. I have a lot of work to discuss with you. Hehe, and... we need to communicate very openly, without any barriers or obstacles... you know what I mean, right?"

Jiang Shihan's brain was completely fried.

She actually nodded in a daze.

Xu Xuejiao chuckled, "Then Chengwen, you better give it your all!"

Lu Chengwen turned to Xu Xuejiao, "I'm going to exploit her tonight."

"Mhmm, as you should," Xu Xuejiao agreed deeply.

[As you should, my ass!]

[Shouldn't you, as the female lead, have some sense of justice? Shouldn't you scold me and then make me pay to set her free?]

[What are you doing... this act is getting hard to wrap up! Should I keep going or not?]

Xu Xuejiao was almost laughing out loud.

Keep going, keep going. I love this. It's so entertaining.

Jiang Shihan tried her best to regain her composure.

What is this man doing? Is he trying to force Ms. Xu to buy my freedom?

Lu Chengwen stood up, thought for a moment, and continued his performance. Pointing at Xu Xuejiao, he said arrogantly:

"Xuejiao, do you know why she puts up with me, no matter how I mistreat her, and begs me to keep her job?"

Xu Xuejiao: "No, I don't."

"Because her mom is sick. The medical bills cost about a million yuan a year. So, hahaha, no matter how I treat her, she has to endure it, obey me, and never dare to defy me. She can't resist me at all!"

Xu Xuejiao: "Oh, I see. Impressive, impressive."

Lu Chengwen suppressed the urge to vomit blood and continued, "This is human weakness. I'm the best at exploiting others' weaknesses to bully them. Right?"

Xu Xuejiao nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, you are."

Lu Chengwen's face twitched.

"But!" Lu Chengwen said, "If someone were to offer her the same salary I do, say, a hundred thousand yuan a month, they could save her from this misery."

Xu Xuejiao: "Oh, really?"

Lu Chengwen said smugly, "Xuejiao, tell me, where is this person?"

Xu Xuejiao looked utterly confused, innocent, and adorable: "I don't know."

Lu Chengwen thought to himself:

[Are you messing with me on purpose?]

"Could it be... that you are this person!" Lu Chengwen, desperate, pointed at Xu Xuejiao and declared, "It's you! If you give her a hundred and twenty thousand yuan a month, you can save her from this misery and give her a new life! She'll never have to suffer under a heartless boss again. She can live a normal life and be happy with her mom!"

Xu Xuejiao pointed at herself: "Me?"

Then she shook her head: "Not interested."

Lu Chengwen felt like the female leads in this book were... not even willing to do a simple good deed or show basic kindness?

How are you supposed to win over readers like this?

This female lead is toxic!

Lu Chengwen grabbed Xu Xuejiao's shoulders: "Look at her. Isn't she pitiful?"

"Pitiful."

"Isn't her situation tragic?"

"Tragic."

"Then won't you save her?"

"Not interested."

Lu Chengwen was getting desperate: "Xu Xuejiao, how can you not be interested in saving someone? You're the compassionate doctor, Xu Xuejiao! When patients have a headache or a fever, you feel their pain as if it were your own. You want to save everyone in the world and make it a better place. That's why you became a doctor! Now, there's a poor soul right in front of you. How can you not want to save her?! Give me an answer!"

Lu Chengwen was shouting now.

This female lead is infuriating!

"I demand a perfect explanation!"

Xu Xuejiao thought for a moment: "It's too expensive. Spending a million yuan a year plus bonuses just to look at legs and touch butts? Only you would do something like that."

Lu Chengwen was stunned.

Is it about the money!?