Chapter 23: A Day in the Life of Long Aotian

Leng Qingqiu said, "I need to get engaged to you."

Xu Xuejiao already detested Leng Qingqiu, and at this, she was overcome with jealousy and let out a scoff.

"That’s hilarious. Brother Chengwen chased after you for three whole years, and you played the pure, untouchable maiden the entire time. Haha, now that Brother Chengwen has become a hot commodity, you’re the one throwing yourself at him."

Leng Qingqiu looked at Xu Xuejiao coldly. "I recall that you used to be too lazy to even say a word to Lu Chengwen. What’s happened these past two days? Have you stopped studying pharmacology to focus on fighting over a man?"

Xu Xuejiao perked up at that. She leaned in close to Leng Qingqiu, looking completely unfazed. "If I want to compete for someone, others are only fit to stand by and watch."

Leng Qingqiu smiled. "You should give your chest a rest; use your free time to develop your brain instead."

"You’re one to talk. You dressed so sexily today—don't tell me this is your usual style. Do you think I don't know what you’re thinking? You think you can attract Brother Chengwen just by flashing some leg?"

Leng Qingqiu’s face flushed slightly. "The clothes I wear and the style I choose require no explanation to anyone."

"True," Xu Xuejiao replied. "And I have no interest in hearing your explanation. I’m busy developing my brain, and I know exactly what you’re up to!"

Lu Chengwen quickly stepped in. "Alright, alright, that’s enough. Let’s get going; let’s not hold up the police officers in their work."

They walked outside into the bright, scorching sun. A line of luxury cars was parked at the entrance. A Bentley pulled up, and the door opened.

As Lu Chengwen stood there, puzzled, Xu Xuejiao took his arm. "Let's go, Brother Chengwen. Sister Mengyun is waiting for you in the car."

Leng Qingqiu’s face turned pale. She couldn't help but clench her fists, her knuckles turning white. She stared at Lu Chengwen, desperately wishing he would say he was leaving with her and let them go home on their own.

But Lu Chengwen disappointed her.

"Well then, Qingqiu, drive carefully on your way back. Thank you again." With that, he offered her a polite smile.

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, a surge of bitterness washing over her. If this had been the past, Lu Chengwen would have abandoned the entire world to follow her.

But now, Lu Chengwen was no longer the man he used to be. His entire demeanor had shifted, as if he had transformed into a completely different person. He was so courteous to her. He would never again pester her, never again whisper sweet nothings in her ear, never again obey her commands with total submission, and never again treat her as his sun, orbiting around her tirelessly and without complaint...

His gaze had become clear, bright, yet resolute and composed. The craftiness, the snobbery, the restlessness, and the flippancy of the past had vanished. Now, he came across as someone with a clear mind and a methodical approach, someone who knew exactly what he wanted to do.

Leng Qingqiu realized with a painful ache that Lu Chengwen would never again be at her beck and call, never again fuss over her, never again send her morning and evening greetings or shower her with gifts daily... The special treatment she had once taken for granted—and even the one-sided affection and pursuit that she had found so tiresome—were gone forever.

Yet, for some reason, she felt as if she had suddenly become deeply dependent on him. A vast sense of emptiness and sorrow welled up in her heart.

Why? Didn't you always love me? Didn't you say you would do anything for me? Why would you humiliate me in public today? What did those three years mean? Have I become so unimportant to you overnight?

Leng Qingqiu stood there stubbornly, motionless, just staring at Lu Chengwen. Lu Chengwen felt a bit unsettled by her complex gaze. He scratched his head and forced a smile.

"Well, you head home first. I’ll check on Mengyun and see how she’s doing, then I’ll come find you later, okay?"

Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath and pouted slightly, feeling that she had finally regained a bit of her dignity. "Don't rush when you get back. Rest first; you must have had a terrible night's sleep. Get some energy back, and call me when you wake up."

Lu Chengwen was stunned. *Damn, in the three years prior, you never had this attitude, Leng Qingqiu! What’s gotten into you today? You’re showing concern for me and telling me to get some rest?*

*Did the sun rise in the west?*

Lu Chengwen stood with his mouth half-open, unable to respond, and simply nodded awkwardly. "Oh, r-right. Okay."

Then, Leng Qingqiu flashed a sweet smile. "I’ll wait for your call."

Her voice had shed its usual coldness and indifference, replaced by a touch of warmth, a hint of tenderness, an air of anticipation, and a lingering reluctance to leave...

Beside them, Xu Xuejiao rolled her eyes so hard she almost wanted to tell the whole world she was nauseated to the point of vomiting. Leng Qingqiu shot her a glare before turning to walk toward her own car. Han Yue opened the door, and before getting in, Leng Qingqiu turned back and smiled at Lu Chengwen once more.

Lu Chengwen stood in place, shuddering.

*[What is wrong with this woman? Why is she suddenly... so terrifying!]*
*[She couldn't possibly be interested in me, could she? Is that even possible?]*
*[What did I even do? Why did she suddenly... change her personality?]*

Xu Xuejiao said coldly from the side, "Are you still thinking about being her lapdog? Can you have a little backbone?"

Lu Chengwen quickly replied, "What are you talking about! Let’s go, let’s go."

Once inside the car, Chen Mengyun burst into tears the moment she saw Lu Chengwen, burying herself in his arms and sobbing uncontrollably. Lu Chengwen immediately held his hands up high to show he hadn't done anything, his brow furrowed as he looked at the woman in confusion.

*[Everything is a mess. Yesterday she wanted me dead, and today this... what a disaster!]*
*[Why can't this woman stop crying? Do... do I have to comfort her?]*

Xu Xuejiao laughed from the side. "Aren't you going to comfort her?"

Lu Chengwen patted her back gently. "It’s, it’s alright. It’s all in the past now."

"I'm sorry." Chen Mengyun finally pulled away from him.

Lu Chengwen exhaled in relief. He was the only one in the world who knew that being this intimate with a "Main Heroine" was like slamming the gas pedal on the road to a death sentence.

Chen Mengyun looked at Lu Chengwen. "Brother Chengwen, I'm sorry. I was too emotional yesterday."

"No, the fault was all mine," Lu Chengwen said. "I have a loose tongue; I shouldn't have said those things I thought were funny and hurt your feelings. I’ll be more careful with my words from now on."

Chen Mengyun laughed through her tears. "You know that, do you? What girl wouldn't be angry if she found out you were talking about her like that behind her back? But I heard from Xuejiao that you spent half the night trying to save me and even ended up in a jail cell for the night. I feel quite embarrassed."

Lu Chengwen felt the direction of this conversation was wrong. It wasn't safe for him!

*[Wait, what am I doing? Why am I getting along so well with them?]*
*[How did I end up in their car?]*
*[I've seen them now, they're fine, I can rest easy.]*
*[Long Aotian, you see this? I took good care of your wife, she didn't get taken advantage of. Don't blame me if something happens in the future.]*

Chen Mengyun felt puzzled. *Who is Long Aotian? I don't know him at all; how did I become his wife?*

"Brother Chengwen, actually... I don't have a boyfriend."
"Ah, I know."
"I'm serious, I've never had one."
"Uh-huh, I know."

Lu Chengwen said, "Alright, you’re physically fine, so I’m not worried anymore. You two should go do whatever you need to do; I’m going home too."

"Hey, you... you're leaving just like that?"
"Leaving, leaving. I have things to do. Goodbye."

Lu Chengwen got out of the car and walked away.

Chen Mengyun felt a bit dazed. So many things had happened from last night until today that it felt like a dream. Lu Chengwen had appeared in her life once again, taking center stage and causing waves in her heart. Memories from her childhood resurfaced one by one—the innocent Lu Chengwen who used to take her to catch mud loaches, dig mud pits, play hide-and-seek, and share snacks was coming back to life in the depths of her soul. The boy who fought other kids for her, who found her first to share his snacks, and who hid from her after middle school because he was shy and would be chased around by her in embarrassment—that Lu Chengwen had now grown into a truly proud and strong man.

Everyone wasn't a child anymore. They had loved, hated, felt sweetness, and felt sorrow...

After all the twists and turns, is it still you? That’s actually quite nice.

Xu Xuejiao looked at Chen Mengyun. "Sister Mengyun, you aren't falling for him again, are you?"

"Ah? No such thing," Chen Mengyun quickly said. "I have so much work to do; I need to get back to the company."

"Oh. Really not?"
"No, how could that be?"
"Hmm, that's good."

...

Long Aotian felt that something was wrong. He was squatting on the toilet, his stomach cramping painfully. Since yesterday morning, he had spent most of his time in the company of the toilet. He hadn't eaten anything strange, so why was he suddenly suffering from explosive diarrhea? As the saying goes, even a hero can't withstand three bouts of the runs. Long Aotian was indeed a hero, but he had definitely had more than three bouts.

Long Aotian prided himself on his unparalleled medical talent, yet he had no clue and no solution for this twenty-four-hour nightmare of diarrhea. Acupuncture, hot compresses, pills, internal energy... none of it worked. The toilet! Only the toilet! Only the toilet was his friend; only the toilet stood by him through this adversity, never leaving his side. Long Aotian was on the verge of dehydration.

*Oh heavens! I have so many things to do, so many women to woo. You wouldn't let a great hero, a peerless champion like me, die on a toilet in such a state, would you?*

Just then, outside the bathroom door, a beautiful female assassin knelt on one knee. "Young Master! It is time to set out."

Long Aotian was on the verge of tears. "Yes, I am 'setting out' all right."

"May I ask, Young Master, is it still flowing?"

Long Aotian was covered in sweat. "Don't get poetic at a time like this. Get to the point."

"The Master has sent orders: you must integrate the four great families of Snow City as soon as possible."

"No problem! Everything is under my control!" Long Aotian said with great difficulty. "Although there were slight setbacks with Leng Qingqiu and things are a bit tricky with Xu Xuejiao, I will stage a comeback today. Help me arrange my schedule."

"Yes."

"I’ll go help Jiang Shihan’s mother with her illness first. Her condition cannot be delayed any longer; if it drags on, something could go wrong at any moment."

"Yes."

"And today should be the day Leng Qingqiu signs the contract with Jiao Shiheng. I must go expose his true face and save Leng Qingqiu’s enterprise!"

"Understood!"

"Tonight, I must thwart that Hu Shuhui’s scheme and save Chen Mengyun."

"Very well."

"As long as I handle these three things, everything will be back on track."

"Young Master is mighty! Would you like me to bring you a portable toilet, or perhaps some adult diapers?"

Long Aotian raised his head and glared at the bathroom door. "Do you think you're being humorous?"

"Please calm your anger, Young Master. Your subordinate does not understand humor; I only act according to logic. You know this about me."

Long Aotian rolled his eyes. "In any case, coordinate well in the shadows. Today is the day that I..."

"Young Master? Today is the day that you what? I didn't hear you."

"Wait... wait..."

"Today is the day you have the runs?"

"Get out."