Chapter 31

Leng Tianhao's voice was low and hoarse: "Lu Chengwen, what are you up to? Qingqiu wasn't like this before; she was never impulsive or out of control. Not only are you pretending to be ignorant today, but you also forced my daughter to jump into your fire pit. What did you do to her that made her completely break down!?"

"No, I didn't... I really didn't..."

Long Aotian also said: "Are you trying to ruin the Leng family and make Qianfeng Group completely collapse and go bankrupt, so you can buy it at a low price? This way, Qianfeng Group and Leng Qingqiu would both be your playthings, to be manipulated at will. Is that your plan?"

Lu Chengwen thought, "Damn you!"

"Damn, you can't even date a girl, yet you accuse me of something so ridiculous! You're really trying to kill me!"

"You're so quick and vicious in framing people!"

But Lu Chengwen knew he couldn't lose control now; he had to handle this situation, or he would be done for.

He couldn't die for the seventh time like this!

Lu Chengwen hurriedly said: "Don't get so worked up, both of you. I'll go and talk to her, I'll go and talk..."

Long Aotian grabbed Lu Chengwen by the collar: "You go? Who do you think you are?"

Lu Chengwen's heart raced. Oh no, this guy is going to hit me!

I can't die in Leng Tianhao's study, can I?

Damn it! I'll fight!

Lu Chengwen suddenly roared: "Long Aotian! Behave yourself!"

"What did you say!?"

Lu Chengwen said: "I'm telling you, I genuinely believe the slum renovation project is profitable. In business, I just expressed my business judgment. What's wrong with that? How was I supposed to know Leng Qingqiu would get so agitated? This is completely unexpected, can't you see that?"

Leng Tianhao was almost fuming: "What's so profitable about slum renovation? The project is less than a third complete, and the project leader has been changed four times, with three people jumping to their deaths! You want Qingqiu to jump into this fire pit?"

Lu Chengwen said: "Wealth comes from taking risks! In crisis, there is opportunity!"

Long Aotian laughed, saying disdainfully: "Oh? If it's such a good opportunity, why doesn't your family invest?"

Lu Chengwen was waiting for this: "I've already decided to invest in the slum renovation project."

This move left Leng Tianhao and Long Aotian stunned.

The slum renovation project was like a louse on a bald head, or rather, a bald spot on a louse, or a louse on a bald head—it was obvious.

It was a pit, a huge pit, an endless pit.

Whoever touched it would die. Many rich people had been ruined by this project, losing everything and even their lives.

Now, Lu Chengwen was saying he would jump into this pit, which was indeed surprising.

Lu Chengwen softened his tone: "I was thinking of involving the Leng family in this project. Of course, I have my own selfish reasons, to share the risk. But now, I'll have to do it alone."

Leng Tianhao still didn't believe him: "You... really want to invest in the slum renovation project?"

"Whatever I say, I stick to it."

Leng Tianhao said with disgust: "That's disgusting!"

Long Aotian's mind was a bit muddled. How could Lu Chengwen start making a suicidal investment? It doesn't fit his character!

This guy always puts profit first and would never do a losing business, let alone one that would leave him penniless!

Lu Chengwen thought, "What's a pair of boxers? I have to live, even if I'm naked! Nothing is more important than my life right now."

"Uncle Leng, please calm down. I'll go and talk to Qingqiu. Once she calms down, everything can be discussed."

He then said to Long Aotian: "Brother Aotian, don't worry. I'll persuade her to invest in the amusement park project. This should be fine, right? But our family won't be involved in this project. You, Brother Aotian, will have to communicate more with Qingqiu and help her."

Lu Chengwen sighed and said sincerely: "To be honest, I don't see the amusement park project as profitable. I think something this good must have a catch. But since you both think it's worth it, I don't want to be the bad guy. If there are any problems with this project, remember today, I clearly opposed it!"

Long Aotian thought, "Damn!"

This... makes me look like I have no temper!

His words are reasonable!

I don't see it as a good project, and I said so when asked. Leng Qingqiu's reaction was unexpected for me too.

This is fair!

Moreover, since things have turned out this way, I'll follow your advice and persuade Leng Qingqiu to listen to you. Everything will be done as you say.

But if anything goes wrong, don't blame me.

Reasonable, justified, and measured!

Moreover, Lu Chengwen indirectly expressed that he and Long Aotian were not competitors. His family wouldn't be involved in this project, leaving it to Long Aotian and Leng Qingqiu to make it a profitable venture.

So... when a man and a woman work together, and she's beautiful and you're handsome, right...

It might not just be about the project. You know what I mean? You could also find a partner!

Long Aotian's lips curled into a smile, then he said seriously: "Can you persuade Qingqiu?"

"I'll try."

Lu Chengwen felt like he was in a battlefield, and one wrong word could cost him his life.

He had to get out of there quickly!

"I'll go find her now. Wait for good news!"

Lu Chengwen hurriedly left to chase after Leng Qingqiu. Of course, the two men in the room thought he was eager to talk to Leng Qingqiu, but in reality, he was eager to escape.

Leng Qingqiu was sitting in the driver's seat of a sports car, crying bitterly on the steering wheel.

Lu Chengwen watched her from outside, feeling a pang of sadness.

He gently opened the passenger door and got in.

Leng Qingqiu sat up, wiping away her tears and snot: "What is it, President Lu? Do you have another pit for me to jump into?"

Lu Chengwen felt a bit embarrassed and sighed: "Let's take a drive. Get in."

Leng Qingqiu thought he would comfort her, even if it was insincere.

But he didn't.

He gave her a gentle smile, like an elder seeing a crying junior, not rushing to lecture but taking her out to have fun.

Leng Qingqiu didn't refuse, and they switched seats.

"Fasten your seatbelt, let's go."

Lu Chengwen drove, and the security guard quickly opened the iron gate. The car sped away.

Lu Chengwen used to deliver food and often saw various luxury cars on the road.

The first time he crossed over, he was so excited touching the steering wheel of a luxury car that he was killed by the protagonist on the first day.

This was the seventh time, and he had adapted.

He drove the luxury car smoothly, occasionally doing a drift, which scared Leng Qingqiu.

Lu Chengwen saw Leng Qingqiu's face turn pale with fear, but she still clenched her jaw, not making a sound.

He admired her: Good woman. Scared, but not cowardly.

Lu Chengwen thought, "Let's do something more intense."

The car started speeding again, and Leng Qingqiu finally got scared.

"Chengwen..."

"Yes? What's wrong?" The car was fast, but Lu Chengwen remained expressionless, his gaze calm.

"Slow down... I'm scared."

"Okay."

The car stopped on a quiet seaside road, and they walked on the beach.

Leng Qingqiu took off her high heels and walked barefoot on the sand, watching the sunset, lost in thought.

Neither of them spoke, just kept walking.

Until Leng Qingqiu got bored, and they sat on a wooden bench by the roadside. Lu Chengwen bought drinks, and they sipped them, watching the sun slowly set.

Leng Qingqiu looked at the distant sea: "Do you really think the slum project can make money? Be honest."

Lu Chengwen laughed: "Nonsense, it's a losing proposition. So many people have lost their lives on this project. Who in their right mind would touch it?"

"Then why did you suggest I go?"

"How was I supposed to know you'd really go?"

"You knew the right answer, why didn't you say it?"

Lu Chengwen sighed: "I have my reasons."

Leng Qingqiu smiled, and this time she was sure Lu Chengwen was telling the truth.

In the distance, a boy led a girl to a middle-aged beautiful woman.

"Mom, this is my girlfriend, Xiaoli."

Then, the middle-aged woman praised the girl, and the three of them sat on the beach, drinking and chatting, laughing from time to time.

Lu Chengwen and Leng Qingqiu both saw this scene.

Ordinary people, all three of them.

The boy looked young and strong, with acne and a basketball, full of youthful energy.

The girl was average-looking, gentle and shy, looking at the boy with happiness and bashfulness.

The boy's mother was beautiful, kind, and warm...

Lu Chengwen suddenly felt a pang of sadness, thinking of his mother who was still in the hospital. He wanted to return to his world, make a fortune, and cure his mother's illness.

[If I could marry such an ordinary girl and introduce her to my mother, my mother would be so happy.]

[I would give up everything for this. My sports car, my villa, all for you. Can you give me your happiness?]

Leng Qingqiu was surprised.

In her impression, Lu Chengwen was a heartless businessman obsessed with money, a ruthless speculator.

But today, she realized his inner world was different.

Who would believe this if I told them?

If I hadn't heard his thoughts, I wouldn't believe it either!

Looking at Lu Chengwen's calm expression, the envy, blessing, and comfort in his eyes, even a hint of bitterness.

Leng Qingqiu suddenly felt that she and Lu Chengwen were essentially the same.

"Are people destined to be lonely? Is the world really so cruel and cold?" Leng Qingqiu asked, looking at Lu Chengwen.

Lu Chengwen paused for a long time and nodded: "Yes."

Leng Qingqiu was disappointed by this answer and lowered her head.

Lu Chengwen turned back and said gently: "It's because the world is lonely and cold that people crave affection."

"Craving the love and care of family, the loyalty of friends, the fidelity of lovers, the warmth of the world, and the romance of life."

Leng Qingqiu pouted, but couldn't help smiling: "I didn't expect you, Mr. Lu, to have such a poetic side."

"Of course!" Lu Chengwen said: "In business, we face wolves who want to eat us. No one wants to be the lamb. Ordinary people can have feelings that we find hard to get. One betrayal can earn them more in a lifetime than we can. The temptation is too great for ordinary people. Even good people might take risks when their heads heat up."

Leng Qingqiu nodded: "So, we are destined to be lonely?"

"Not exactly, we have money, and they envy us."

Leng Qingqiu scoffed, turned her head, then quickly turned back: "Isn't your family quite harmonious? Why isn't there a jungle rule in your family? Everyone seems so happy?"

Lu Chengwen thought for a moment: "Our family... might be a bit special."

Leng Qingqiu smiled bitterly: "I envy you."

Lu Chengwen felt the atmosphere was right: "The amusement park project should be profitable. You should act quickly."

Leng Qingqiu was now moved by Lu Chengwen. Business was important, but that wasn't all she was thinking about.

So she deliberately said: "I know, but my funds are limited, and it won't be easy to quietly and quickly secure the land. It's easy for news to leak."

She looked at Lu Chengwen, waiting for his response.

Lu Chengwen nodded: "You can rest assured. Long Aotian will help you. He definitely has a way to help you quietly and quickly secure the land..."

Leng Qingqiu's hopeful expression turned to disappointment. She looked into the distance and said coldly: "Lu Chengwen, I think you're a scumbag."

Lu Chengwen didn't get angry; instead, he laughed.

He wasn't afraid of Leng Qingqiu hating or misunderstanding him. This was not a problem for him.

It was even a blessing.

"So, you invest in the amusement park, and I'll invest in the slum project. You're a good person, but your temper is too bad."

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Stay away from me, the scumbag. Cherish your life, stay away from scumbags."

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen: "I don't believe in evil. I'll invest in the slum project with you."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened, feeling this woman was getting more and more unpredictable.

[What's wrong with your head!?]