Lu Chengwen's face flushed red as he muttered under his breath, "Stop messing around."
Leng Qingqiu's cheeks were slightly pink too, but her smile was radiant. Seeing Lu Chengwen acting all shy like an innocent virgin, her playful side emerged, and she called out again, "Daddy?"
Lu Chengwen grew even more flustered. "Y-you… stop it. If someone hears, they'll think we're perverts."
"Does Daddy really dote on his daughter? How about I become your secretary?"
Lu Chengwen stood up abruptly. "If… if you keep teasing me, I'm ignoring you."
Leng Qingqiu also rose to her feet, her tone certain. "You like me."
"No such thing." Lu Chengwen averted his gaze, his hands awkwardly fidgeting.
Leng Qingqiu grinned even wider. "It's settled then. Starting tomorrow, I'll be your secretary."
Then, leaning closer to his ear, she whispered, "If you install a big bathtub in your office suite, I'll take a bubble bath with you."
Lu Chengwen's face burned crimson.
In his past life, he had been just a delivery guy—poor, unattractive, standing at 169 cm, with no education, rural household registration, zero savings, no property, no money for cigarettes, and no taste for alcohol…
Though he'd played the villain a few times, he'd never had the chance to enjoy the perks before the protagonist took him out.
Xu Xuejiao was delicate, Chen Mengyun was gentle, but he realized that the one he found hardest to resist was Leng Qingqiu.
Leng Qingqiu, who was usually so serious, suddenly turning tender, mischievous, and even a little wicked, left Lu Chengwen utterly defenseless.
His heart pounded uncontrollably, his face burned as if feverish, his limbs felt awkward, his mind went blank, and even his tongue refused to obey him.
Leng Qingqiu found Lu Chengwen utterly amusing.
"Hey, didn't you used to chase girls all the time in college? Weren't you some legendary playboy? And in the past three years, you've never been this shy before."
Lu Chengwen's face reddened further. "That was…"
"Is it because I'm different from them?"
Lu Chengwen nodded instinctively, then quickly shook his head. "Stop teasing me."
Leng Qingqiu's heart swelled with joy.
In her mind, Lu Chengwen wasn't just any ordinary guy—he was a seasoned playboy who'd never lacked beautiful women around him.
The highest compliment she could get from him was, "You're different from other girls."
Leng Qingqiu felt that losing Qianfeng was inevitable—some things were beyond her control, and she had to accept reality.
But today, having won Lu Chengwen's heart, she felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, as if her future was brimming with hope.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."
The two strolled along the shaded path in the park.
Zhao Gang and Jiang Shihan followed at a distance.
Lu Chengwen's mind was in turmoil.
**[How did this turn into something so much like dating?]**
**[Leng Qingqiu is truly beautiful. Standing in the park, she looks like a painting—her face, her figure… She's the kind of goddess who could drive men mad, the type they'd willingly risk everything for.]**
**[Let me just enjoy the romance of this little path.]**
Though Leng Qingqiu could hear his thoughts, she deliberately asked, "What are you thinking about? Why so quiet?"
"Huh? Nothing." Caught off guard, Lu Chengwen stumbled over his words, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Just… I've been so busy lately, haven't had time to take a quiet walk like this."
"Now that I'm free, you can ask me out more often."
Lu Chengwen blushed like a shy college student.
**[Dude, why are you so nervous? Weren't you full of pickup theories before? Now that there's an actual girl in front of you, you're chickening out?]**
**[Relax! Think about how to respond.]**
**[Girls like guys with a sense of humor, right? Yeah, I'll show her my witty side.]**
"Ahem." Lu Chengwen cleared his throat, turned to face Leng Qingqiu, opened his mouth… and froze.
Leng Qingqiu watched him, barely suppressing her laughter, curious to see how he'd display his humor.
But he stood there like a statue, unmoving.
After several seconds, Lu Chengwen quickly turned away. "Let's go this way… it's… easier."
Leng Qingqiu burst into laughter.
She caught up to him. "Hey, who knew you could be so shy?"
Lu Chengwen's ears burned red as he feigned nonchalance. "No way, I'm never shy. I've got the thickest skin."
Leng Qingqiu giggled uncontrollably.
They reached the end of the path, the park's exit just ahead.
Lu Chengwen glanced back at Zhao Gang, who immediately understood and rushed off to prepare the car.
**[It's time. Sigh.]**
He turned to Leng Qingqiu. "Qingqiu."
"Hmm?"
"I used to like you."
"Used to?"
"Yeah." Lu Chengwen smiled. "For the past three years, everyone called me a simp, but… I don't regret it. I actually felt pretty happy."
"Oh."
"Now, our lives have completely changed. I hope we can still be friends."
"Just friends?"
"Yes. No matter what difficulties you face in the future, if you need help, I'll always be there."
"Only friends?"
"Only friends. We can only be friends."
"What kind of friends?"
Lu Chengwen met her gaze, no longer shy or evasive, his expression calm.
"The kind who don't usually keep in touch—no dinners, no calls, no movie dates… just there for each other in critical moments, ready to go through fire and water."
The warmth in Leng Qingqiu's eyes faded, replaced by deep disappointment.
"Why?"
Lu Chengwen smiled faintly. "No reason. My situation is complicated now, and I can't explain it to you. But… trust me, this is the best choice for you, for me, for everyone."
"What if I disagree?"
Lu Chengwen turned away. "Let's go."
Leng Qingqiu grabbed his arm. "I'm asking you—what if I disagree?"
"I don't get it. You clearly hated me before. Why the sudden change?"
"I don't get it either. You clearly liked me before. Why the sudden rejection?"
"I don't hate you."
"Then why don't you like me anymore?"
Lu Chengwen didn't know how to explain. "Call me if you need anything."
"Wait."
Leng Qingqiu pressed him. "Explain it to me. Why don't you like me anymore? Is it because of how I treated you before? I can apologize."
"No, no, no." Lu Chengwen shook his head. "You didn't do anything wrong. No need to apologize. The old me was annoying—I hated that version of myself too. So it was completely normal for you to ignore me back then."
"Then what's your problem?"
Just then, a voice called out, "Chengwen-ge!"
Both turned to see a stunning young woman in a floral sundress, holding a parasol, walking toward them.
She was breathtakingly beautiful—a face that could topple cities, with long, slender legs that, even hidden beneath her dress, hinted at their allure through the curve of the fabric and the glimpse of smooth calves.
Her fair, delicate arms and slender fingers lightly gripped the parasol handle. Her high heels accentuated the faint arch of her feet, exuding a seductive charm.
As she reached Lu Chengwen, she folded her parasol. "What? Don't recognize me?"
Leng Qingqiu glanced at Lu Chengwen, who thought:
**[Oh no, why her?!]**
Luo Shiyin simply couldn't swallow her pride!
Normally, even without using any of her techniques, men flocked to her.
She'd even employed some tricks on Lu Chengwen, yet he remained uninterested?!
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Either he wasn't a man, or he wasn't a complete one!
Otherwise, there was no way he could resist her!
But the intel said otherwise—this guy had been a notorious playboy since college, with enough dating experience to fill a book.
Later, he'd set his sights on the Leng family's business and become a simp for Leng Qingqiu.
If he had the makings of a simp, he should've been easy prey for her!
Her! Luo Shiyin!
After ten years of mastering unique seduction techniques, her greatest asset was driving men wild.
If she couldn't even handle a simp, how could she face her master or the Young Master?
Long Aotian had already connected with Huo Wendong—the Young Master's grand plans were unfolding.
And Lu Chengwen? She had to conquer him!
Leng Qingqiu's expression instantly cooled. "You know her?"
Lu Chengwen thought:
**[I wish I didn't. But after nearly losing my mind to her charms, forgetting her is impossible.]**
These words struck Leng Qingqiu like a blow.
"Nearly lost my mind to her charms" and "forgetting her is impossible" filled her with dread.
Especially since the woman before her was just as stunning, with an aura that seemed to radiate seduction.
Men couldn't resist this type.
As the saying went: In the face of sheer sexiness, cuteness stood no chance!
And this woman wasn't just sexy in an overt way—it was an innate, bone-deep allure that made men want to conquer, control, and possess her.
Luo Shiyin smiled sweetly. "Oh my, this big sister is so pretty. Who is she?"
Lu Chengwen replied flatly, "You don't know her. What do you want?"
Luo Shiyin pouted. "You didn't help me yesterday. I almost fell into Huo Wendong's clutches."
"We're busy. Let's go."
Lu Chengwen grabbed Leng Qingqiu's hand, eager to leave.
Leng Qingqiu's heart leaped with joy.
So he does still like me.
Honestly, why did I doubt myself?
Chengwen-ge has seen it all—what kind of beauty hasn't he encountered? A woman's true worth lies in her heart.
This woman… Hmph, reeks of desperation. Chengwen-ge would never go for her.
Luo Shiyin blocked their path, her voice pleading. "Chengwen-ge, could you do me a tiny favor?"
"I'm in a hurry."
Lu Chengwen tightened his grip on Leng Qingqiu's hand, desperate to leave.
Leng Qingqiu smirked triumphantly.
See? He's still mine.
I can't believe I almost lost confidence!
Chengwen-ge has been around—he's seen all types of beauties. What matters is what's inside.
This woman… Ugh, so tacky. Chengwen-ge would never be into her.
Luo Shiyin pouted. "Chengwen-ge, just one little thing!"
Lu Chengwen was on the verge of losing it.
"Fine, fine. What is it? Make it quick."
"Oh."
Luo Shiyin produced a jade pendant. "I need money urgently, so I want to sell this. I heard Great Sage Group has an auction house. Can you help me?"
She held out the pendant to Lu Chengwen.
He didn't take it.
"I'll give you a number. Contact this person—he'll handle it."
"But this pendant was my grandmother's. She's gone now…"
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes. This woman was ruthless.
She was clearly trying to establish a long-term connection with Lu Chengwen, using her deceased relative to tug at his heartstrings. And unfortunately, Lu Chengwen, despite his usual tough act, had a soft spot for sob stories.
But to their surprise, Lu Chengwen remained unmoved.
"Who owned the pendant doesn't matter. Contact this person and negotiate the price yourself. Qingqiu, let's go."
"Wait, Chengwen-ge…"
Lu Chengwen snapped, "Hey! I've already helped you. Stop pestering me!"
"Why?" Luo Shiyin's eyes welled up with tears. "Why are you so mean to me?"
Leng Qingqiu rolled her eyes and snatched the pendant. "I'll help you sell it. Give me your number."
Lu Chengwen panicked. "Don't take anything from her!"
But it was too late.