Chapter 13: The Villain’s Self-Cultivation

Page 1/3

Lu Chengwen lowered his head, deeply lost in thought, searching for a solution. Jiang Shihan was even more bewildered.

What is this guy… what’s going on? I’m already… I’m about to lose my mind! Is he really trying to help me?! Help my mother get better?! And it seems like he can foresee things! What on earth is going on? This person can’t just be imagining things, right?

After pondering for a long time, Lu Chengwen decided to hold his ground for now.

As long as he didn’t act, Long Aotian, as the protagonist, would likely have a chance to get close to Jiang Shihan. Once they grew closer and started talking, they’d inevitably discuss her mother’s illness.

That’s right! Exactly!

Then, even if he himself didn’t do anything inappropriate to Jiang Shihan, Long Aotian would help cure her mother. When that happened, he could just have Long Aotian take Jiang Shihan away. Problem solved.

I really am a genius!

With that thought, Lu Chengwen exhaled in relief, smiling as he addressed Jiang Shihan.

“Shihan.”

“Huh? Oh… Mr. Lu…”

“Don’t be nervous. Uh… I… well, before… hey, sorry about earlier…”

Jiang Shihan thought, what on earth is he talking about? Why does this guy look even more nervous than I am? That’s definitely not the style of the Lu family’s eldest son! What’s gotten into him today? Why is he so frightening?

Lu Chengwen kept recalling what his past self had done—guilt and embarrassment flushed his cheeks, his words stumbling as he spoke.

Jiang Shihan quickly said, “Mr. Lu, did I do something wrong? If so, you can just scold me.”

“Ah? No, no, no…”

Lu Chengwen hurriedly said, “You’re a very capable secretary, excellent in every way. It’s just that I… hey, I’ll be straightforward.”

“I was an asshole before. I wasn’t good to you at all. Please don’t be angry—no! Actually, you should be angry; that’s better for everyone. I want to ask for your forgiveness… no, better not forgive me, or the story will fall apart.”

Lu Chengwen thought to himself: why can’t I say this clearly?

“In short, it’s okay for you to hate me—you should hate me.”

Jiang Shihan managed a forced smile. “Mr. Lu, you’re joking. How could I hate you? I’m very grateful for the job opportunity and years of care you’ve given me.”

[Only a fool would believe that. You’re probably cursing me to get run over by a car in your heart.]

Lu Chengwen gave a bitter smile. “Anyway, I know you have your struggles in life, or you wouldn’t still be working here…”

Now, neither Jiang Shihan nor Lu Chengwen trusted each other’s words.

Jiang Shihan quickly said anxiously, “I am loyal to you, Mr. Lu, without a second thought.”

Lu Chengwen was extremely frustrated.

She’s one of Long Aotian’s concubines; he can’t offend her, nor can he get too close.

“Alright, starting today, you’re on leave.”

Jiang Shihan was stunned, immediately pleading, “Mr. Lu, I was wrong, please don’t fire me. I really need this job.”

She was on the verge of tears. Lu Chengwen hurriedly said, “Your salary will be doubled, but you don’t have to do any work. Is that okay?”

“Mr. Lu, please don’t do this. I’ll work even harder…”

“No, did you hear me? I said you don’t have to work but still get paid, with your salary doubled…”

Jiang Shihan knelt on the ground, grabbing the corner of Lu Chengwen’s shirt, sobbing uncontrollably. “Mr. Lu, my mother is seriously ill. I really can’t lose this job. I promise I’ll do my best. Please don’t fire me…”

[Why can’t I make this clear!?]

Lu Chengwen hadn’t expected this to be so difficult.

At that moment, Xu Xuejiao pushed the door open. Zhao Gang stood at the entrance with a helpless expression, signaling he couldn’t stop her.

Lu Chengwen and Xu Xuejiao exchanged glances.

Xu Xuejiao’s face instantly turned cold when she saw the scene.

Sure enough, a dog can’t stop eating shit.

Lu Chengwen was at it again with workplace manipulation, bullying a pretty female employee.

Page 2/3

He actually bullied her to this extent.

“Chengwen, you’re in a great mood today!”

Though Xu Xuejiao smiled, within her classic sweet expression lay glinting blades and a chilling sharpness.

In that moment, Lu Chengwen’s mind sparked an extremely strategic idea.

[Perfect timing!]

[I used you to deal with Leng Qingqiu before; now I’ll use this Jiang Shihan to deal with you!]

[Exactly! Exactly!]

[It’d be best if you, in a fit of anger, buy her freedom and take her away. Then if Long Aotian wants to save someone, he’ll have to come to you, and my legs are safe!]

Both girls were dumbfounded.

What the hell!?

Xu Xuejiao frowned deeply: what nonsense is this bastard thinking now?

So he was deliberately teasing me on the phone earlier, with Leng Qingqiu sitting right next to me?

Isn’t he always chasing Leng Qingqiu? Didn’t they even plan to hold their engagement ceremony next month?

Why does he want to use me to “get rid of” Leng Qingqiu?

And now he’s using this female secretary to “get rid of” me!?

Xu Xuejiao felt the mysteries in Lu Chengwen’s mind were multiplying.

Jiang Shihan was also stunned.

Hearing her big boss’s inner monologue made her feel both eerie and frightening.

But she couldn’t understand—he actually wants to help me?

Why?

Lu Chengwen took a deep breath, feeling triumphant.

[Lu Chengwen, your acting skills will be tested now. If you perform well this time, you’ll handle two women at once and have Xu Xuejiao take Jiang Shihan away.]

[Not only do I have to act well, but I also have to negotiate Jiang Shihan’s salary to at least over 100,000 a month—her mother needs treatment and medicine.]

[Next, I’ll show you how a true villain plays the game!]

Lu Chengwen made up his mind, leaning back in his chair like a proud lord.

He crossed his legs and, using his high-end Italian Oxford shoes, gently lifted Jiang Shihan’s chin, tilting his head flirtatiously:

“To me, women are nothing but playthings.”

Confidently, he glanced at Xu Xuejiao. “If you want to be my subordinate, you have to meet all my demands.”

“Oh? Is that so.”

Xu Xuejiao seemed to be Lu Chengwen’s nemesis by fate.

Now that she knew his true intentions, she naturally wouldn’t follow his script obediently.

She was even more excited to see how this villain planned to force her into saving this girl.

You want to bully her and have me come out as the good guy?

Heh, if this were before yesterday, the script might have gone as you intended.

I’d think you’re the scum of the earth, the worst of the worst.

But today… sorry, I’ve already seen through all your tricks.

Xu Xuejiao said, “Wow, Chengwen, you’re so mighty. Xuejiao likes that!”

Lu Chengwen’s mind was running out of capacity.

What’s up with the heroines in this “Granny Bear” story!?

What are you playing at!?

Why don’t you play by the rules!?

Lu Chengwen forced himself to keep acting. He leaned close to the kneeling, bewildered Jiang Shihan, wearing an evil smile as he pinched her chin.

“Tonight, come to my private villa. I have lots and lots of work to discuss with you. Hehe, plus… we need to communicate very honestly, without any barriers or obstacles… together. Hehehe, you know what I mean, right?”

Jiang Shihan’s mind was completely overwhelmed.

Surprisingly, she nodded.

Xu Xuejiao chuckled, “Then Chengwen, you better work hard!”

Lu Chengwen looked back at Xu Xuejiao. “Tonight, I’m going to impose the unspoken rules on her.”

Page 3/3

“Mm-hmm, you should, you should,” Xu Xuejiao wholeheartedly agreed.

[You should, my big-headed fool.]

[Hey, as a big sister… shouldn’t you have some sense of justice? Shouldn’t you scold me and make me bargain for her freedom?]

[This way… my play won’t end well! Should I act or not?]

Xu Xuejiao almost burst out laughing.

Go ahead, act, I love watching this, it’s too entertaining.

Jiang Shihan tried hard to regain her composure.

What exactly is this man doing? Forcing Xu to buy my freedom?

Lu Chengwen stood up, thought for a moment, then continued performing, pointing at Xu Xuejiao proudly:

“Xuejiao, do you know why she submits to me? Why no matter how I make things difficult, she still insists on working for me?”

Xu Xuejiao: “I don’t know.”

“Because her mother is ill, and the annual medical expenses are around a million yuan. So, hahaha, no matter how I treat her, she must endure and obey. She absolutely doesn’t dare to defy me or make me angry. She can’t resist me!”

Xu Xuejiao: “Mm-hmm, I see. Impressive, impressive.”

Lu Chengwen fought back the urge to vomit blood, and continued:

“That’s a person’s weakness. I’m the best at exploiting others’ weaknesses to bully them. Right?”

Xu Xuejiao nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes.”

Lu Chengwen’s expression twitched.

“But!” he said, “Now, if there’s someone who offers her a salary equal to mine, just over a hundred thousand a month, she could be saved from this misery.”

Xu Xuejiao: “Is that so!”

Lu Chengwen said proudly, “Xuejiao, tell me, where is that person?”

Xu Xuejiao looked confused, innocent, adorable: “I don’t know.”

Lu Chengwen thought:

[Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?]

“Could it be you?” Lu Chengwen went frantic, pointing at Xu Xuejiao commandingly. “It’s you! Just give her 120,000 a month, and you can rescue her from misery, start a new life! She’ll never have to endure a heartless boss’s bullying again, and live happily with her mother!”

Xu Xuejiao pointed at herself. “Me?”

Then shook her head. “Not interested.”

Lu Chengwen felt the heroine of this book was really… not even doing the bare minimum kindness or favors.

How can you be the heroine like this? How do you win readers’ hearts?

You’re a toxic heroine, aren’t you!?

Lu Chengwen hugged Xu Xuejiao. “Look at her. Isn’t she pitiful?”

“Pitiful.”

“Sad and miserable?”

“Miserable.”

“So will you save her?”

“Not interested.”

Lu Chengwen grew desperate. “Xu Xuejiao, how can you not want to save someone? You’re the compassionate doctor Xu Xuejiao! When a patient has a headache or fever, you suffer as if it were your own pain. You want to save the whole world, to make it a better place—that’s why you studied medicine! Now there’s a suffering person right in front of you. How could you not want to save her? Give me an answer!”

Lu Chengwen shouted.

This heroine was infuriating!

“I want a perfect explanation!”

Xu Xuejiao thought for a moment: “Too expensive. Spending millions in annual salary and hundreds of thousands in bonuses just to look at thighs and touch butts—only you would do something like that.”

Lu Chengwen was shocked.

Is it really about the money!?