Chapter 17: Bad People Belong Behind Bars

Just as Leng Qingqiu’s lips were about to brush against Lu Chengwen’s, he couldn’t hold back any longer and dodged sideways past her cheek. Muttering curses under his breath, he said, “Dragging this out like this, I’m not in the mood anymore.”

Leng Qingqiu was stunned to find a sharp wave of disappointment swelling in her heart. What am I doing? I’m actually about to kiss Lu Chengwen? And when he refuses, I feel disappointed? Does this guy really annoy people that much? In the past three years, whenever I showed him a bit of kindness, he’d be ecstatic. Now he’s so arrogant, only knows how to bully others!

Turning around, she saw Lu Chengwen trembling with his back to her. She chuckled softly. This silly boy, so nervous? Hmph, always trying to act tough without the courage to back it up—no wonder you’re still single.

“Uh...” Lu Chengwen flailed his fingers awkwardly. “Let’s... just leave it at that for now. I have things to do, I’ll go first.”

He pretended to be calm but practically ran out like a fugitive. Zhao Gang hurried over. “Young Master Lu, how did it go?”

“Shut up, let’s get out of here!”

Leng Qingqiu came out behind them, wearing a nonchalant expression, calling out to Lu Chengwen, “Young Master Lu!”

He stopped.

“If you ever want to kiss again, come find me.”

Looking at her calm face, tinged with a hint of pride, Lu Chengwen clenched his fists. Are you all harbingers of doom?

“Got it.” He turned and fled almost as if escaping for his life.

Leng Qingqiu watched his retreating figure and guessed his mood perfectly—if he had rocket shoes, he’d have taken off by now. She laughed joyfully.

Nearby, Han Yue and the others were utterly shocked! Is their boss losing his mind?

Lu Chengwen hadn’t even reached the elevator when the doors opened. A female police officer stepped out with several officers, flashing her badge at him. “Lu Chengwen, right?”

Lu Chengwen felt completely exasperated. Grandma Bear! Can a guy not catch a break all day? Another leading lady?

Come on, Long Aotian, show yourself! I won’t lock you in your little dark room anymore! But no, your women take turns tormenting me!

The big female lead Zhang Shen’er—back in school, she was always tattling on him. If anyone in this world most wanted to see Lu Chengwen dead in the streets, it was definitely Zhang Shen’er. Unlike the usual annoyances of Leng Qingqiu and Xu Xuejiao, Zhang Shen’er truly hated him.

She despised her own wealthy, willful self who could bully others at will, believing she didn’t deserve to live in this world.

Following the usual plot, she would discover his misdeeds, sneak into his company to find evidence, but get caught.

He planned to do some underhanded things first, drugged her, even prepared a coffin.

Undoubtedly, the righteous hero and chosen one Long Aotian appeared, killed him just as he was about to succeed, and rescued Zhang Shen’er.

But what about the spring poison in Zhang Shen’er’s body?

Well, coincidentally, Long Aotian just happened to carry the antidote.

So, in utter helplessness, desperation, and unwilling sacrifice, Long Aotian had to grit his teeth and grudgingly, reluctantly administer the antidote in an indescribable manner.

*Applause, please!*

The real kicker? Zhang Shen’er got addicted to the antidote’s process and became obsessed with Long Aotian’s “miracle cure,” claiming it was the best in the world and that she couldn’t live without it.

Terrible! The plot’s so bad it’s unbearable!

Yet, many people loved it.

Lu Chengwen knew.

According to the story, this woman was the one who could truly send him to the afterlife—a far greater danger than any other female lead.

He could never afford to let his guard down.

“Oh, old classmate!” Lu Chengwen laughed heartily. “What a coincidence!”

“Someone reported that the Lu family’s eldest son was openly assaulting people here, even scheduling the fights. Hope I’m not mistaken,” Zhang Shen’er said.

Lu Chengwen thought: This is bad. Zhang Shen’er hates me more than any girl, and now she’s here. I’m in a rush to save someone—I can’t be taken away by her! If she arrests me, wouldn’t Jiang Shihan’s mother be doomed?

Zhang Shen’er blinked. “What did you say?”

“Ah? Oh, I mean, come on, old classmates should show some leniency! Let me tell you, that Jiao Shiheng’s a bad guy—drinks, gambles, womanizes, does all kinds of evil, abuses his power, thinks his money makes him great, humiliates and toys with women. Plus, he doesn’t close the bathroom door…”

“We don’t care about the bathroom door. You assaulted someone, come with me to the station.”

Lu Chengwen broke out in a sweat.

“Shen’er…”

“Call me Officer Zhang.”

“Alright, Officer Zhang. I’m really in a hurry to save someone. Please have mercy, just let me go this once, okay? Give me two hours, two hours is all I need. I’ll save the person then surrender.”

“Lu Chengwen, do you understand the law? The law is merciless. Do you think enforcement will wait for your schedule? Stop talking nonsense. You can resist arrest, but that only adds to your charges!”

With that, Lu Chengwen was handcuffed.

“Shen’er—no, Officer Zhang—I know you hate people like me. Honestly, I hate myself too. But today, it’s a matter of life and death! Every time you arrest me, I’m out in a few hours after paying bail. This time, please be kind. We’ll call it even once I save the person, fair and square.”

Officer Zhang wasn’t your typical cop; she flipped Lu Chengwen off and walked away.

In the car, Lu Chengwen kept explaining, but it didn’t help. Zhang Shen’er truly found him annoying.

Unlike Leng Qingqiu, who at least cared about the families’ reputations and tried to keep face, Zhang Shen’er gave Lu Chengwen no mercy. When he was put into the police car, she even sneaked a couple of hits at him.

Zhang Shen’er was trained; she had beaten Lu Chengwen plenty in their youth. Those two hits left him gasping for air.

In the police station, Lu Chengwen grabbed the bars, shouting, “Officer Zhang! Can I make a phone call? Can I, please?”

Zhang Shen’er approached with the register and smacked his hand away. “Calm down! This is a police station, not your villa!”

Lu Chengwen rubbed his fingers, “Officer Zhang, I know you’re annoyed with me, but this isn’t personal. It’s life or death! Trust me this once, please. Let me make a call. If I’m lying, I won’t ask again. If I’m not, you can save a life!”

Zhang Shen’er had never seen Lu Chengwen like this—so earnest and pleading. Usually, he was indifferent, stayed in a single room, ate fancy boxed meals, and swaggered out within hours, always taunting her on the way out.

Of course, his offenses were mostly minor, so bail was an option. Most victims agreed to settle, which made him bold.

But today, he was different—really desperate.

Zhang Shen’er’s face hardened. They locked eyes; Lu Chengwen didn’t flinch, his gaze sincere.

“Just one call, please.”

“I’ll make the call. Give me the number.”

Lu Chengwen gave Xu Xuejiao’s number.

Zhang Shen’er dialed cautiously. Hearing Xu Xuejiao’s voice confirmed it was really her. She handed the phone over at the bars.

Lu Chengwen stretched his head out, barely able to reach the phone. “Sister Xuejiao? Are you there?”

“Mm, listening. What’s up, handsome?”

“Ha ha ha, I actually have a favor to ask.”

“Go on.”

“My secretary, Jiang Shihan—you remember, the one who knelt for me in the lounge today.”

Zhang Shen’er rolled her eyes; she utterly despised him for making his subordinate kneel. What a scumbag!

“Yeah, I remember. What about her?”

“Listen. Her mother’s illness relapsed badly. You have to help. That brat Long Aotian is nowhere to be found. This should have been his responsibility, but he won’t show up today. Jiang Shihan’s mother’s life is hanging by a thread. Can you help?”

“How?”

“You’ll know just by seeing her. It’s a rare illness, but you can cure it.”

“Oh? Young Master Lu cares about his subordinates?”

“Please don’t joke. Saving lives is urgent!”

“I’m not going.”

“What?!”

“I’m not close to her. I don’t treat just anyone’s illness, you know that.”

“How about this: you help me once, save her mother. I’ll pay you double the consultation fee.”

“I don’t need your money.”

“Alright, alright. You help me, I owe you a favor. I’ll work like a beast to repay you, deal?”

“Oh, you’re begging me?”

“Yes!” Lu Chengwen was nearly exasperated. “I’m begging you! You’re my granny, great-granny, great-great granny—please help! I’m kowtowing here!”

“Haha, I’m not interested in being your great-great granny. But if you want me to help, you have to beg properly.”

“Let’s talk after I get out, okay? First, save the person.”

“You promise me one thing, then I’ll help.”

“Say it!”

“Transfer all shares of the Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory to me, no payment.”

Lu Chengwen closed his eyes.

The Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory was worth over thirty billion yuan, and his shares alone were worth about seventeen billion.

“Fine, I agree.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Come sign the contract.”

Lu Chengwen shouted, “I’m locked up! How can I go sign a contract? Save the person first! I’ll give you all my shares—I don’t want them!”

On the other end, Xu Xuejiao was holding back laughter. At that moment, she was sitting in Jiang Shihan’s mother’s hospital room, having stabilized her condition and scheduled surgery for next week.

Only Lu Chengwen was pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan.

Jiang Shihan was stunned. Over seventeen billion?! Even if she sold herself in pieces, she wouldn’t be worth more than a billion! That’s a fortune no normal person could earn in ten, a hundred lifetimes!

Is President Lu really so generous just to save his mother?

Xu Xuejiao deliberately slowed her words, “Still hard to believe. You’re so unreliable. Is a mere secretary worth all this?”

Lu Chengwen gritted his teeth, furious, “Because I like her! I love her! I’ve set my sights on her! I want to bring her home and make her my wife. Is that enough?”

Xu Xuejiao raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Really?”

She looked up at Jiang Shihan, who was still dumbfounded.