In the Lu family's courtyard, Chen Mengyun and Xu Xuejiao stood awkwardly, the air thick with tension.
Chen Mengyun broke the silence first. "You… like Brother Chengwen?"
"Huh?" Xu Xuejiao flushed, feeling as if she'd stolen Chen Mengyun's boyfriend. "Um… yeah, I do."
"Why? I thought you were just messing around when you said you liked him. Didn't you used to hate him?"
"I did…" Xu Xuejiao sighed. "But a few days ago, when I was treating Grandpa Chen, I… I suddenly realized I could hear Brother Lu's thoughts, clear as day. You might think I'm crazy, but it's true—I can hear them, even his tone."
Chen Mengyun gave a bitter smile. "I can too. And from what I've seen, Leng Qingqiu can as well."
Xu Xuejiao nodded. "Then you get it, right? I used to despise him—thought he was a sleazy, annoying jerk. Then he turned into this pathetic simp, which was even worse. But… when I heard his thoughts, I realized he's often trying to do good. He's weird like that. His heart's in the right place, but he pretends to be a villain. He does good deeds in secret, deliberately letting people misunderstand him, like he wants everyone to stay away from him."
Chen Mengyun nodded. "He's changed a lot lately, I've noticed. Even though he was harsh to me, I can feel he doesn't actually hate me. I believe he still has feelings for me."
Xu Xuejiao had no response to that. If he has feelings for you, and for Leng Qingqiu, then where does that leave me?
Sensing her discomfort, Chen Mengyun, ever perceptive, shifted the topic. "How can something so strange happen? How can we hear his thoughts?"
Relieved by the change, Xu Xuejiao perked up. "I've been thinking about it a lot—it's so bizarre! It seems only certain people can hear him. Uncle Lu, Auntie Lu, Zhao Gang—they don't seem to pick up on it."
Testing the waters, Xu Xuejiao added slyly, "Hearing his thoughts makes me feel secure. I know he's not lying or turning bad. His heart's so kind, loyal, and filial. And he hasn't been messing around these past three years."
Chen Mengyun thought, You're praising him? That's my role. Smiling politely, her tone soft but competitive, she said, "Oh, absolutely. When we were kids, he was so pure. A bit naughty, sure, but so caring and attentive. Later, in his teens, he was handsome and rich—girls were too easy to come by. A little fooling around was understandable. What teenage boy isn't curious? You can't stop them."
The subtext was clear: I've already made peace with his past. We're the real childhood sweethearts with a solid foundation.
Xu Xuejiao smiled thinly, not backing down. "Sure, I haven't known him as long, but we've been through a lot together. Today, for example, he pretended to be all tough in the car, acting like he was going to… you know. But I heard his thoughts—he was just waiting for me to beg for mercy! I didn't, and he was so flustered, like a kid caught in the act. Adorable, right?"
The two women locked eyes, understanding each other perfectly. War was inevitable.
Xu Xuejiao was staking her claim: I'm not backing off from pursuing Lu Chengwen. Don't talk to me about your deep history or how you've forgiven his past. I'm not letting go of the man I want.
Chen Mengyun's smile stiffened. She got the message. To win Lu Chengwen, she'd have to outshine both Leng Qingqiu and Xu Xuejiao.
Silence fell. There was nothing left to say.
Xu Xuejiao broke the awkwardness. "Well… I'll head out. See you."
"Drive safe," Chen Mengyun replied.
At that moment, Lu Chengwen stormed out, shouting, "Zhao Gang! Get the car!"
Spotting Chen Mengyun, he tossed out, "You're still here?"
Xu Xuejiao opened her car door. "Brother Chengwen, where are you going? I'll drive you!"
Lu Chengwen snapped, "Get lost! Stop causing chaos at my house. You've driven me up the wall today!"
"Hey! I didn't do anything! Why're you yelling at me?"
In his head, Lu Chengwen thought, Didn't do anything? You're worse than Leng Qingqiu and Chen Mengyun combined! Running into you shaves ten years off my life!
But he had no time for this. "I've got an emergency. I can't deal with you right now."
Chen Mengyun, hearing his thoughts, felt a smug satisfaction. Knowing Xu Xuejiao could hear them too made it even sweeter.
"Brother Chengwen, if you're in a rush, let me drive you," Chen Mengyun offered.
No way, Lu Chengwen thought. Can't let Chen Mengyun drive—she's too gentle, she'd freak out.
His face hardened. "Go back where you came from!"
Time's tight, and standing here with these two is torture.
He yanked Xu Xuejiao's driver out of the car. "Get out."
"Mr. Lu, I'm—"
"Tell me later. Out. Leave the keys. Xuejiao, get out. I'll have Zhao Gang take you home."
"No way! This is my car!"
Lu Chengwen had no time to argue. "Fine, hold on tight!"
He floored the gas, and the car sped off.
Xu Xuejiao grinned triumphantly. Hah, still ended up with me!
She slid to the back, wrapping her arms around Lu Chengwen's neck, her voice syrupy. "Brother Chengwen, where are you rushing off to?"
"Stop it! I'm driving! Sit back! Fatty Chen's been cornered—I've got to save him."
"Cornered? What's that mean?"
"He's been ambushed. Probably a big group ganging up on him. If I'm late, he's in deep trouble."
"Wow, that sounds dangerous!"
"I'll drop you at the next intersection. Call your family to pick you up."
"Heehee, I'm not scared. I'm sticking with you."
Lu Chengwen grumbled, "Then sit still. When we get there, stay in the car and lock the doors."
His driving skills were top-notch, and the car's performance was stellar. Weaving through traffic, he reached a secluded stretch of road where several vehicles had boxed in a sports car.
About twenty men, wielding sticks, were smashing the car, shouting, "Get out, you fat bastard!"
"Don't be a coward!"
"You're not escaping today!"
The sports car was a wreck—dented, headlights and windshield shattered, holes bashed into the body. Someone was jabbing a stick inside, while another pulled a knife, aiming for Fatty Chen.
Lu Chengwen was stunned. What kind of grudge calls for killing Fatty Chen?
His expression turned grim. "Xuejiao, hold on!"
"Okay!"
He slammed the accelerator, the car's roar startling the mob. They scattered, recognizing the speed and sound meant business. Lu Chengwen's car rammed into one of the sedans, which crashed into another, knocking down a few men.
He unbuckled his seatbelt, his face steely. "Stay in the car. Lock the doors."
Xu Xuejiao nodded, worried. "Be careful, Brother Chengwen!"
He stepped out, removing his watch as he strode into the crowd. One thug pointed a stick at him. "Who the hell are you? Can't you see Brother Jun's handling business?"
Lu Chengwen stepped onto the hood of a sports car, climbing onto its roof. Xu Xuejiao's eyes sparkled. So freaking cool!
Lu Chengwen showed no fear, facing down a dozen or more men with the confidence of a warrior charging into battle. Xu Xuejiao was smitten—this was the heroic vibe of a legendary hero! He walked across car roofs, one after another, exuding raw dominance.
The thugs jabbed their sticks at him. "Get down, you punk!"
Lu Chengwen stopped on an SUV's roof. "Who's in charge here?"
From a convertible jeep, a man stood, flanked by two flashy women, grabbing a megaphone. "Well, damn, kid, you've got some guts! Who are you?"
The sports car's sunroof was smashed open, and Chen Moqun climbed out, gripping a baseball bat, blood streaming down his face. Seeing Lu Chengwen, he laughed wildly. "My brother! I knew you'd come! You're my only real brother, Lu Chengwen!"
Lu Chengwen frowned. "Why'd you get out? You okay?"
"Can't kill me yet," Chen Moqun said, standing on his car, waving his bat. "Er Long, you bastard! You want to take me out? My brother's here now. You want me? You'll have to go through him first!"
He turned to Lu Chengwen. "Where's your crew? No ambushes—call them out. Let's do this fair and square!"
Lu Chengwen stared at him. "It's just me."
Chen Moqun's eyes widened. "What?"
Then, realizing, he grinned. "Oh! A sneak attack, huh? Smart, smart! Listen up, everyone—it's just us two, no backup! Whoever's not scared, come at us!"
Lu Chengwen sighed. He could see it now—Chen Moqun's life was so dull, filled with cars, yachts, and women, that this chaos was probably the most fun he'd had in ages. His teenage bravado was in full swing.
"Shut up," Lu Chengwen said.
He turned to the leader. "You're Er Long? Why are you after my brother?"
Er Long tilted his head, speaking through the megaphone. "Do I need a reason to mess him up?"
Lu Chengwen's tone was firm. "I thought you'd be reasonable. Let's talk this out first. If it's a fight you want, I'm game, but I need to know what's going on."
Er Long laughed. "Sorry, my style is beat first, talk later. If you're still standing in ten minutes, I'll explain."
He roared, "Boys, take them out!"
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