"Please, heroine, stop coming over!

"Huh? I didn't say anything!" Xu Xuejiao finally figured it out—not only could she hear, but Chen Mengyun could too!

Xu Xuejiao narrowed her eyes, thinking to herself that she needed to observe carefully. This bizarre situation had to be clarified. She remained silent, just watching the two of them.

Lu Chengwen awkwardly said, "Uh... I have something to do... Let's talk another time, okay?"

"Oh." Chen Mengyun forced a smile and nodded. "Alright."

"Hey, don't leave! Let's chat for a bit!" Xu Xuejiao, never one to miss a chance to stir the pot, grabbed Chen Mengyun's arm and said to Lu Chengwen, "Brother Chengwen, I heard you're getting engaged to Qingqiu soon, right?"

Lu Chengwen wished he could slap this annoying girl! Why did she have to bring up his engagement in front of his first love? Could it get any more awkward?

[Xu Xuejiao, you're the bane of my existence. I really can't stand you. If it weren't for the fact that you're part of Long Aotian's harem, I'd drag you to a corner and spank you until you cried!]

Both girls were shocked. Xu Xuejiao knew this was just venting, and she had indeed been quite mean, so she wasn't angry. Instead, she secretly laughed inside. But Chen Mengyun couldn't handle such words.

Chen Mengyun's face showed displeasure. "Congratulations, Mr. Lu."

Lu Chengwen awkwardly replied, "Not at all, not at all. It's not finalized yet. You know how much Qingqiu dislikes me."

Chen Mengyun didn't want to linger. She politely smiled and said, "You two chat. I have things to attend to."

Lu Chengwen quickly said, "Oh, I'm busy too. Let's talk another time."

Lu Chengwen watched Chen Mengyun's retreating figure, feeling a sense of loss. Memories flooded his mind, impossible to shake off. He and Chen Mengyun had been childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were kids. It was impossible not to feel regret. If only he hadn't messed up back then... there wouldn't be the villainous Lu Chengwen now.

[I was wrong back then. I'm sorry.]

[I wish you happiness, sincerely.]

Chen Mengyun hadn't gone far and heard his thoughts clearly. Suddenly, she felt a pang of sorrow, her eyes welling up. She stopped and instinctively glanced back at Lu Chengwen. Her gaze was filled with resentment, regret, sadness, and melancholy...

Lu Chengwen was also looking at her pitifully. Their eyes met again. Lu Chengwen quickly forced a smile and waved. Chen Mengyun also smiled politely and then walked away.

Xu Xuejiao sighed, shaking her head. "What a pity. You two were so close back then. We were all so envious. It's just that you, scumbag, went around fooling with others and broke her heart."

Lu Chengwen glared at Xu Xuejiao. "I just realized you're the kind of person..."

At that moment, Jiang Shihan stumbled over, looking anxious and on the verge of tears. "Mr. Lu, I need to take leave."

"What's wrong?"

"My mom is critically ill. The doctor said... she might not make it!" She burst into tears.

Xu Xuejiao narrowed her eyes. Lu Chengwen was shocked.

[This can't be! Her mom's illness was supposed to be cured by Long Aotian. She can't die before he intervenes!]

[This wasn't supposed to happen!]

Lu Chengwen anxiously said, "Don't panic. Go to the hospital and stay with your mom. I'll figure something out."

"Thank you, Mr. Lu!" Jiang Shihan turned and ran off, crying.

Xu Xuejiao didn't understand why it had to be Long Aotian. Was he some kind of god? She was right there. If he really wanted to save someone, why not just ask her?

Lu Chengwen ignored Xu Xuejiao and rushed into the restroom. "No one comes in!"

Once inside, he called the system.

Ding!

"What's going on? What's happening with Jiang Shihan's mom?"

"Oh, host, you see, Jiang Shihan's mom has a rare illness, and now it's flaring up..."

"I know she's sick! I'm asking why she's suddenly critical and about to die!"

"Oh, because she's sick, and now it's flaring up, so she's about to die!"

"What the hell! Can you understand human language? I'm saying, according to the plot, her illness was supposed to be cured by Long Aotian! Then they'd live happily ever after!"

"Right, the cure was supposed to happen today, but you sealed Long Aotian, remember? No big deal, just one life. Long Aotian has over nine hundred other ways to win Jiang Shihan over."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. "So even you... What the hell!"

This is a disaster! I sealed Long Aotian for a day, and now Jiang Shihan's mom is going to die because of it? Doesn't that mean I killed her mom? How can the plot go like this?

Lu Chengwen quickly said, "I'll unseal him. Let him out so he can cure Jiang Shihan's mom!"

"Sorry, once the sealing card is used, it can't be undone."

"This is a matter of life and death. Can't you make an exception? The girl is crying her eyes out."

"She's crying? Well, everyone cries when their mom is dying. If you find her crying annoying, just stay away from her. It's normal."

"Normal my..."

Lu Chengwen was utterly frustrated. "You just wait!"

He dialed Leng Qingqiu's number.

"Hello." Leng Qingqiu's voice was as cold as ever.

"Qingqiu, it's me, Lu Chengwen."

"I know. What do you want? To brag about your new girlfriend?"

"No." Lu Chengwen said, "That Long Aotian, your former bodyguard, do you have his phone number?"

"No."

"Please, it's a matter of life and death. He worked at your company, so he must have filled out personal information. There must be his contact details..."

"Not interested."

"This isn't about interest. Someone's life is at stake!"

"Who?"

"My secretary's mom."

"What does that have to do with Long Aotian?"

"Only he can cure that strange illness. Please help me find his contact information."

"Let's meet. I'm on the 29th floor of your press conference hotel."

Leng Qingqiu hung up.

Lu Chengwen went to the 29th floor. Leng Qingqiu dismissed her subordinates and looked at Lu Chengwen, clearly still angry.

Lu Chengwen smiled. "Busy? Did you find the number?"

"I found it, but it's turned off."

"Damn!"

Lu Chengwen was on the verge of崩溃. This meant he had caused Jiang Shihan's mom's death. This can't happen! The plot can't go this way!

"I don't get it. Your girlfriend Xu Xuejiao is a renowned medical expert. Our family's medical team is from her group. Why go the long way around?"

Lu Chengwen thought to himself, [You have no idea what I'm dealing with. That girl hates me to death! She's doing everything to screw me over. There's nothing she wouldn't do.]

Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes. This guy and Xu Xuejiao aren't really a couple. He's clearly trying to provoke me!

Lu Chengwen said, "Do you have Long Aotian's address?"

"I sent someone to check. He's not home. I have people waiting at his door."

"Okay, good."

Just then, someone entered—Han Yue.

Han Yue smiled at Lu Chengwen. "Hello, Mr. Lu."

"Hi."

"Ms. Leng, Mr. Jiao's team is in the conference room. The contracts are ready."

"Got it."

Leng Qingqiu stood up, grabbed her coat, and put it on. "Feel free to stay if you like. I have a business deal to sign."

"Wait!"

Lu Chengwen asked Han Yue, "Mr. Jiao? Which Mr. Jiao?"

"Mr. Jiao Shiheng."

Lu Chengwen was stunned. Everything's gone haywire! Jiao Shiheng is a real villain. In the original plot, he proposed a project, got Leng Qingqiu to invest, and she fell for it. Long Aotian was supposed to stop the signing at the last minute and expose Jiao Shiheng's scheme.

But now it's all messed up! Long Aotian is sealed today, and Leng Qingqiu is about to sign with Jiao Shiheng! How did everything go wrong at once?

Lu Chengwen quickly stopped Leng Qingqiu. "Qingqiu, how much do you know about Jiao Shiheng?"

"Not much. He's an out-of-town businessman with a good reputation and strong financial backing."

Lu Chengwen was sweating. "Here's the thing. Can you postpone signing the contract with Jiao Shiheng until tomorrow?"

"Are you kidding? Are we playing house here?"

"No! He..."

Lu Chengwen thought, how can I explain this?

[If I tell her this is a trap, then Long Aotian won't have a chance to intervene, and he'll lose another opportunity to be the hero!]

[But if I don't tell her, she's going to sign with Jiao Shiheng today.]

[I need to find a way to delay the signing until tomorrow. Long Aotian will be unsealed by then.]

Leng Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat! This contract is a trap!? How does Lu Chengwen know? Why is he so sure Long Aotian will stop me from signing? If he said it out loud, I wouldn't believe a word, but no one lies to themselves in their own thoughts, right? This guy, who pursued me for three years, is giving up such a great chance to win my favor and letting someone else take the credit?

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, silent, waiting to see his next move.

Lu Chengwen thought for a moment. "I just feel... today's not a good day for signing contracts. It's inauspicious."

Leng Qingqiu snorted. "I don't believe in that stuff."

She picked up her handbag and was about to leave.

Lu Chengwen grabbed her. "Qingqiu, don't go!"

Leng Qingqiu glared at him. "Let go! Lu Chengwen, you're being too presumptuous!"

Lu Chengwen quickly released her, smiling awkwardly. "Sorry, sorry. Qingqiu, today really isn't a good day to sign contracts."

Leng Qingqiu said to Han Yue, "Han Yue, tell the finance department to prepare the transfer."

"Yes!"

Leng Qingqiu walked ahead, with Lu Chengwen following, muttering:

"Qingqiu, can you trust me just this once? Think about it, have I ever lied to you?"

Leng Qingqiu turned back, surprised. "Have you?"

"Oh, right, I almost... never told the truth. But... think about it, haven't I always had your best interests at heart?"

Leng Qingqiu stopped and looked at him, silent.

"Yes! I... always did things for myself, but... oh my god. Why am I so terrible? I've done so many bad things that no one believes me now."

Leng Qingqiu couldn't help but smile slightly, then quickly straightened her face. "Do you have something to say? If not, don't waste my time making money."

Leng Qingqiu's team passed by Lu Chengwen, each nodding in greeting. Lu Chengwen had no time for them, watching Leng Qingqiu's back, gritting his teeth.

[Damn it! So what if he's a minor villain? I'm a villain too, and a bigger one!]

[Today, I'll show that evil people can break the rules too!]

[Bad guys can ignore the rules!]

Lu Chengwen decided—to let loose!