Chapter 20: When Life Is at Its Peak, Death Looms Near
Xu Xuejiao didn’t know why she was so angry. She just was—angry. This man… made no sense at all! Who just gave away over ten billion like that? Lu Chengwen was equally baffled.
“Are you crazy? Weren’t you the one asking me for shares?” he questioned.
“Sure, take all the shares. It’s better to suffer a financial loss than a disaster. Besides, if I stay away from you, maybe I’ll live a few years longer,” she replied coolly.
“Just follow the usual script—be someone’s concubine. I’ll quietly live my life as a wealthy man in the North, and we don’t bother each other.”
“Perfect.”
Xu Xuejiao grew even more furious. Over seventeen billion yuan, fifty-one percent of the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory’s shares—just to send me away? Because you dislike me so much, you want me to vanish from your life? Have I really made you hate me to this extent?
She felt she had never been so deeply humiliated in her life. A man willing to give up nearly two hundred billion yuan just to sever ties with her—what did that even mean? It meant she was nothing more than a ghost in his heart. Such disdain was beyond contempt.
Tears welled in her eyes from anger.
Her outburst drew a few people nearby over. Her team anxiously asked, “Ms. Xu, what’s wrong? Why… why are you crying?”
Lu Chengwen said, “Made over ten billion, just overwhelmed with emotion.”
“Everyone, leave,” Xu Xuejiao said firmly.
“Oh… alright. We’ll be over there. Just call if you need us…”
“Go away!” she shouted, and her secretaries quickly retreated.
She looked at Lu Chengwen. “Am I really that annoying to you?”
“Huh?” Lu Chengwen was completely lost.
“Are you sick? Seriously, are you sick? You made me over ten billion! Take the money and go party! I even handed over the shares to you! So why are you still angry?”
“Don’t you think what you’re doing is absurd?”
“I… I’m a bit confused,” Lu Chengwen admitted. “Isn’t this the outcome you wanted?”
Xu Xuejiao grabbed the contract and tore it into pieces.
Now it was Lu Chengwen’s turn to be shocked.
“Xuejiao…”
“Lu Chengwen, I’m not you. Every penny I earn is ethical and proper—I’ve never threatened anyone’s life to do business. Keep the shares yourself.”
“Oh.”
He still didn’t understand. “Are you… okay?”
“Am I really that detestable?”
“No, not at all.” He scratched his cheek. “You’re actually quite cute.”
“Then why do you always want me to disappear?”
“Do I? Am I that obvious?” Lu Chengwen felt guilty.
“Not at all. It’s just… haha, haven’t you always annoyed me since we were kids? Wouldn’t you be happy if I disappeared?”
Xu Xuejiao took a deep breath. “I’ve changed my mind. I want to understand you better.”
Like a master of disguise, she wiped away her tears and instantly revealed a radiant smile.
“From today on, I’m going to be with you every day. The more you find me annoying, the more I’ll stick around and bother you. I’ll drive you crazy!”
Lu Chengwen feared nothing else more than this.
He looked at this leading lady in terror.
“Why support that?!”
Lu Chengwen said, “None of this makes sense! What’s wrong with all of you? First, Qingqiu suddenly agrees to an engagement yesterday and then tries to kiss me today. Now you look at me strangely and talk about engagement. I’m not sure if I can live like this.”
“Are you going to get engaged to Qingqiu?”
“I’d rather get engaged to her six times over!” Lu Chengwen exclaimed. “I want to live a few more years!”
Xu Xuejiao looked at him. “Fine, then get engaged to me.”
Lu Chengwen was sipping his coffee when she said this, and he immediately choked, coughing so hard he could barely speak.
Xu Xuejiao frowned at him.
He patted his chest, wiped his mouth, and fussed, “Big sis, don’t scare me. I’m not that lucky. You can’t joke about this.”
Xu Xuejiao rested her arm on the table, propping her chin on her hand, smiling warmly at him.
“Chengwen, I think you’ve changed a lot over the years.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Though I don’t know what madness you’ve been up to lately, I think you’re actually a pretty good person.”
Lu Chengwen sighed. “I have things to do; I’m leaving now.”
...
Sitting in the back seat of the car, Lu Chengwen silently gazed out the window. The direction things were heading was a bit strange.
He could no longer keep the arrogant dragon sealed. If he sealed him day after day, he’d go mad. Better to release him, let him mingle with those leading ladies and their harem.
Why were all these girls revolving around him? First, Qingqiu suddenly changed her usual self, agreeing to an engagement yesterday and trying to kiss him today. Now Xu Xuejiao seemed to look at him strangely, even talking about engagement.
Though she was joking, he couldn’t afford to joke about such things.
If this kept up, he’d sooner or later lose control.
No, he had to… make them dislike him, find him annoying, and want to stay far away.
Too many leading ladies bumped into today; he needed a break.
Chen Moqun called, saying his grandfather wanted to see Lu Chengwen.
He didn’t want to go at first, but thought there was plenty of time before noon tomorrow. Hanging out might lead to meeting another big leading lady.
Fine! He’d go to the Chen family, drink with Chen Moqun till dawn, then sleep past noon. That should do.
Brother Aotian, you really need to improve your efficiency and get rid of these little demons. Right now, I feel like a thief.
At the Chen household, after chatting briefly with Chen Qiushou, he pulled Chen Moqun to his floor.
They sat on balcony chairs, watching the sunset, drinking red wine, and smoking cigars.
Chen Moqun asked, “How’s Qingqiu? Did you win her over?”
Lu Chengwen laughed, “Win her over? I just woke her up and sent her away.”
Chen Moqun was surprised, then gave a thumbs up. “Good! You’ve got strong willpower! I don’t submit to anyone in this life except you.”
“You’re not getting any younger. Find something to do. You can’t just loaf around.”
“I heard you saw my sister?”
“Yeah, I did.”
Just then, Chen Mengyun entered the hall.
She had been arguing over an expense Chen Moqun made. Entering the hall, she saw not only her brother but also a familiar silhouette smoking a cigar on the balcony.
Chen Moqun said, “I suggest you break up with Qingqiu quickly and come after my sister. Since you and my sister broke up, she hasn’t had a boyfriend. If you didn’t take her virginity, it’s still intact.”
“Are you sure? I think she looks quite curvy, might not be the original.”
Chen Mengyun was furious.
These two were partners in crime, always scheming together.
Whenever they met, it was never good news.
Behind her back, they talked without any respect—one her first love, the other her brother—people she should be closest to.
Chen Moqun said, “My sister’s definitely a virgin! After breaking up with you, she went straight to work at the company, working over ten hours a day like a madwoman.”
“Half a year later, she took over managing a branch, keeping everyone out. She stopped caring about anything but work.”
Lu Chengwen asked, “I heard she’s still working hard?”
“No, not anymore, and she doesn’t need to,” Chen Moqun said. “She understands the entire company now and has honed her skills. She’s not struggling like before. This is the chance! If you show her half the passion you showed Qingqiu, I guarantee she’ll be your loyal steed, ready to gallop wherever you want.”
Chen Mengyun was nearly livid.
Did her brother really speak of her this way? It sent chills down her spine.
Lu Chengwen suddenly said seriously, “Hey, please don’t talk about your sister like that anymore. She’s your sister—show some respect.”
“I’m not saying it to outsiders; you’re family. Listen, while my grandfather’s still alive, if you want my sister, no one in the family will oppose, especially with me on your side!”
Looking at the setting sun, Lu Chengwen smiled wryly. “No way, it’s over between us.”
“Why? Just that little thing back then? That’s nothing. Which rich kid hasn’t been wild? As long as you treat my sister well, the family will support you.”
Lu Chengwen thought, you don’t know the whole story. This isn’t just about the two of us; there’s a big male lead in between.
I’m not naive. Some meat I dare not even touch, let alone see!
He laughed. “You should focus on yourself. Maybe start a family, settle down. Responsibility matures a man.”
Chen Moqun sighed, “Sounds unrealistic.”
“So what?”
Lu Chengwen turned to him. “Life’s about family—a wife, kids, a warm home. Imagine having someone you truly love, feeling warm inside when you see her, and her smiling so her eyes narrow. How wonderful is that?”
“For love, two people care for each other by day, and at night share a bed without shame. That’s true happiness.”
“When you have kids, watch a new life come into the world. You’re busy raising them until your head spins, and they call you ‘Dad.’ That feeling beats playing around with a bunch of little demons a million times over!”
Chen Mengyun was stunned.
This guy actually said something heartfelt?
She couldn’t help but smile in relief.
Chen Moqun looked at Lu Chengwen like he was a stranger.
“Damn! When did you get so deep? You’re supposed to be a ruthless businessman, not some righteous sage!”
Lu Chengwen sighed. “Life’s hardships are the true path. The flashy world dazzles and distracts. A real man, no matter how strange or chaotic the world, keeps his heart true—no vanity, no depravity, no drifting, no indulgence. He holds on to what truly matters. That’s a man.”
Chen Moqun was stunned, and even Chen Mengyun smiled.
These troublemakers are actually smarter than anyone, just choosing the wrong path.
They competed in mischief even back in school.
Chen Moqun shook his head. “Did something happen? Has your brain gone soft? You really going to go straight now?”
Lu Chengwen laughed. “I’m no vegetarian. A man needs his meat.”
Chen Moqun suddenly understood. “Oh, you’ve got a new target? How does she compare to my sister?”
“Your sister…” Lu Chengwen paused deliberately. “Amazing figure. By the way, has her chest developed more? Those two treasures look like they could burst out of her clothes anytime.”
Chen Mengyun was instantly furious.
These two knuckleheads—just when they start being serious, they go right back to nonsense!
“Hahaha!” Chen Moqun laughed. “Be honest—did you ever really get with my sister? Swear!”
“No!”
“I don’t believe you!”
Lu Chengwen grinned. “I’m telling you, everything was ready that day. Your sister was completely under me, lying there, ready to be taken.”
“Finally telling the truth!”
“But you know what happened next?”
“You… didn’t finish?”
“No!” Lu Chengwen bit his teeth, pinching Chen Moqun’s cheek. “You got into a fight and called me. I ran out with my pants on in a flash!”
“That was the fight with Bao Lao Liu, right?”
“Exactly!”
“Hahaha…”
The two bad boys laughed together.
Though absurd, recalling wild youthful days brought indescribable feelings and joy.
Chen Mengyun walked over, scowling. “Want some more wine?”
“Yeah, open another bottle.”
Chen Moqun said casually.
Lu Chengwen leaned toward Chen Moqun with a mischievous smile. “You don’t know the mischief you caused! That day, your sister’s face was as red as a monkey’s behind, lying there stripped naked, shyly biting the corner of the blanket, not resisting at all, and I…”
Chen Moqun blinked. “Spit it out! Spit it out!”
Lu Chengwen slowly turned his head and noticed Chen Mengyun giving him a cold glare.
I’m doomed.