Chapter 52: The Masterclass Actress, Xu Xuejiao

Lu Chengwen rubbed his splitting headache and patted Xu Xuejiao's back with the back of his hand. "Hey, hey, hey, get up. It's already daylight."

Xu Xuejiao sat up with messy hair and sleepy eyes. "Huh? It's daylight?"

Lu Chengwen stood up, swaying as if he had no bones in his body, and walked out while muttering, "Get dressed quickly. In a while, I'll have Zhao Gang take you out through the back door so you don't scare my mom and dad."

"Hey! Is that how you treat me?"

"Didn't we agree that once you're drunk, we cut ties? Ah, that's just how it is."

Lu Chengwen walked out, went down the stairs, and saw his mom and dad having breakfast in the dining room.

"Oh, everyone is eating already?" Lu Chengwen yawned, walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Aunt Xia, get me a bowl of porridge, no rice. I feel awful, I want something light."

Lu Chengwen looked back at Aunt Xia. Aunt Xia remained motionless with an embarrassed look on her face and pointed at Lu Guanghong.

Lu Chengwen looked at Lu Guanghong. "Dad, what is it this time?"

Everyone stared at Lu Chengwen as if nothing had happened.

Up to this moment, Lu Chengwen still didn't realize that he had a girl's bra hanging around his neck.

Lu Guanghong looked at Lu Chengwen. "Who did you bring home to drink last night?"

"Huh? Oh, it was... Chen Moqun."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Chen Moqun has a pretty decent cup size, huh?"

"Huh? He's a man, does cup size matter?" Lu Chengwen smiled. "Let's eat, let's eat."

At this moment, Xu Xuejiao walked out, keeping her head down like someone who had committed a grave mistake. Too shy to look up, she said in a voice no louder than a mosquito's buzz, "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie."

Lu Chengwen looked back and felt utterly depressed. "Big sister, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you to sneak out the back door by yourself? How am I supposed to not feel awkward with you pulling this?"

Lu Guanghong looked at Lu Chengwen. "Boy, are you speaking human words?"

Lu Chengwen smiled. "Dad, I drank too much. We just drank, didn't do anything else. It's not like last time, completely different story."

Lu Chengwen had a clear conscience, so he didn't take it to heart. He walked over and said, "Hey! Say something yourself, otherwise they'll misunderstand again, and I won't get to eat and might even get beaten up."

Xu Xuejiao raised her head and looked at Lu Chengwen with a pitiful expression.

That little look was utterly pitiful and heart-wrenching, with tears welling up in her eyes. Looking at Lu Chengwen, she appeared both frightened and shy, both nervous and endearing:

"It's... Chengwen is telling the truth. He didn't force me to drink, really didn't. Please, Uncle and Auntie, don't be angry. It's all my fault, it's... it's my bad..."

Lu Guanghong was about to burst with anger. "Are you even human?"

Lu Chengwen was even closer to exploding.

"Big sister! You were so bold and overbearing last night, do you think playing this act now is interesting? What are you doing? Acting pitiful? With your acting skills, you want to show off in front of my family? Who are you trying to act pitiful for?"

Lu Chengwen kept poking Xu Xuejiao's head with his finger. "My mom and dad are exceptionally smart, do you think they'll buy your nonsense? I really..."

Smack!

Lu Chengwen clutched his head. "Dad, why are you hitting me?"

Lu Guanghong clutched a broom handle, rolling up his sleeves. "Hitting you? Today I'm going to beat you to death!"

Lu Chengwen quickly retreated two steps. "Dad, do you even know the situation before you start hitting people?"

Lu Guanghong was so angry he could explode. "Do I need to know the situation to beat you? A beating every day, and I'll never wrong you!"

Mother Lu also said angrily, "What is that hanging around your neck?"

Only then did Lu Chengwen realize there was something on his neck. He picked it up to look, and was instantly stunned.

"This is not mine!"

Lu Guanghong roared, "Nonsense! If it were yours, your mother and I would have to jump off a building!"

Lu Chengwen turned his head to look at Xu Xuejiao, narrowing his eyes. "It's you! You framed me!"

At this moment, Xu Xuejiao looked like a terrified young girl.

She wasn't very tall to begin with, and now, keeping her head down with an expression of constant terror, she looked timidly at Lu Chengwen. "Brother Chengwen, you... you shouldn't be like this. Obviously, you insisted... insisted on checking my body... I... I... I was afraid you'd be upset, so I agreed..."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened. "Wretched girl, are you playing games with me?"

Lu Chengwen rushed forward and grabbed the collar of Xu Xuejiao's shirt. "After drinking last night, you went straight to bed, and I clearly slept on the sofa! What is this bra about? Tell me! Make it clear!"

Xu Xuejiao shrieked and cried in terror, covering her head. "I'm sorry, Brother Chengwen. It's my fault, please don't lose your temper, I was wrong, I'm scared..."

Lu Guanghong had completely blown his top.

He slammed the broom handle onto Lu Chengwen's head, grabbed him, and started beating him mercilessly.

Lu Chengwen protected his head, not daring to fight back, and could only shout loudly, "Dad! Dad! Don't believe her, this wretched girl is a fantastic actress! She's lying to you, you're so smart... Dad, it hurts! Mom, say something for me!"

Looking through the gap in his arms, his mother was hugging and comforting Xu Xuejiao, who was crying with utmost sincerity.

Mother Lu pointed at Lu Chengwen. "Old Lu, beat him to death! If he dies, we'll just pretend we never had this son!"

Lu Chengwen and Lu Guanghong went at it.

Knowing that his father was in poor health and still suffering from the sequelae of his surgery, Lu Chengwen didn't dare to struggle hard, so he could only take the beating unilaterally.

At this moment, Xu Xuejiao suddenly rushed forward, grabbed Lu Guanghong's hands, shielded Lu Chengwen, and cried with her face covered in tears. "Uncle! If you want to hit someone, hit me instead!"

Lu Guanghong froze. Looking at the pitiful young girl, his heart ached terribly. He turned to glare at Lu Chengwen as if he wanted to skin him alive.

Lu Chengwen looked at Xu Xuejiao and gave her a thumbs-up. "Big sister, fine, you're the boss!"

Lu Guanghong roared, "Beast! Kneel down! Kneel down for me!"

Lu Chengwen felt deeply wronged. "Fine, the whole family is playing along with you. But Dad, your health isn't good, don't get too angry. Once you know the whole story, you'll feel very guilty toward me."

"I told you to kneel, did I tell you to speak?"

Lu Guanghong raised the broom to hit him again, but Xu Xuejiao directly knelt down in front of Lu Guanghong, crying, "Dad! Stop hitting Brother Chengwen, I'm begging you!"

Lu Chengwen knelt on the ground. "Dad!?"

Lu Guanghong muttered, "Dad... Dad?"

Mother Lu also covered her mouth. "Just like that... changing how she addresses us?"

Xu Xuejiao cried pear blossoms drenched in rain, looking utterly soul-stirring. "It's my fault... it's me... Brother Chengwen did nothing wrong. I'm cheap, I seduced Brother Chengwen, it has nothing to do with him... I'm sorry for breaking your hearts, it's my fault, I... I'm leaving!"

Xu Xuejiao pretended to leave. Could Lu Guanghong and Mother Lu let her leave?

The couple intercepted Xu Xuejiao and began comforting her all at once.

"Child, don't say that. This beast is the one who sowed the disaster, it has nothing to do with you. Don't worry, Uncle and Auntie will make decisions for you in everything."

"That's right, our Chengwen is just irresponsible, he lacks discipline in this area, we all know that. Don't worry, Auntie will definitely discipline him properly and make him take responsibility for this."

"Then... won't you guys beat him anymore? I... I still like Brother Chengwen, I'd rather you beat me than see Brother Chengwen suffer."

Lu Guanghong sighed, shook his head, and said to Lu Chengwen, "Look at this, Lu Chengwen, just look! Keep making disasters! You're going to worry your mother and me to death sooner or later!"

Lu Chengwen watched as Xu Xuejiao stretched out a hand from beneath her armpit and secretly flashed him an "OK" sign. He was so angry he felt like he was having a heart attack.

This woman is truly a devil.

The family gathered together and began to eat.

Mother Lu and Father Lu took turns putting food in Xu Xuejiao's bowl.

Xu Xuejiao acted so well-behaved, cute, shy, and touching.

"Xuejiao, dear, when did you two get together?"

Xu Xuejiao lowered her head. "A... a long time ago. Even when Brother Chengwen was still pursuing Sister Qingqiu..."

Lu Guanghong looked at Lu Chengwen, nodding. "You're something else. While pursuing Qingqiu over there, you..."

Lu Chengwen knelt on the ground, shaking his head.

[Oh Heavens, before Long Aotian does anything to me, am I going to die at the hands of Xu Xuejiao? Is she the real super villain?]

[Act! Just keep acting! I refuse to believe your act won't fall apart!]

Mother Lu sighed. "Good girl, knowing what kind of person he is, why... You're such a good girl, why do you follow him?"

Xu Xuejiao said, "Actually, Brother Chengwen is a very good person. He is fiercely loyal to his friends, and he is very filial to Uncle and Auntie. No matter how Brother Chengwen seems to you, actually, every time he's with me, he talks a lot about you."

"Huh? This brat?"

"Yes," Xu Xuejiao said. "He always says that it wasn't easy for Uncle Lu to start from scratch, and in the early days he had to rush around for even the smallest business, ruining his health, which is why his body is so poor now. He even asked me to develop more supplements and medicines suitable for Uncle Lu, saying he hopes you can get better as soon as possible."

"Hmph," Lu Guanghong said. "If he doesn't anger me, that's the best supplement!"

Xu Xuejiao continued, "Brother Lu said he really hopes to revitalize Dasheng Group, make a lot of money, and become the pride in Uncle and Auntie's hearts. But Uncle Lu has been too successful, and no matter how hard he tries he can't catch up, so he often feels like he's useless."

Lu Guanghong felt a bit awkward, glanced at Lu Chengwen, and feigned dissatisfaction. "Why rush into these things? Life isn't just about business. If you can live an upright life, your mother and I are already very happy."

Xu Xuejiao said, "Also, Brother Chengwen said that his pursuit of Leng Qingqiu was just out of spite, and he said he would marry me."

At this point, Xu Xuejiao smiled while letting out a tear, her voice slightly choked with emotion.

"Actually, I knew he was lying to me, treating me like a fool. But what girl trapped in love isn't a fool? So, even knowing he was lying to me, I accepted it. I just hope..."

Xu Xuejiao tried hard to control her emotions. "...I just hope he can lie to me a bit longer and not shatter the fantasies of love in my heart too early."

Mother Lu covered her mouth, stood up, and fled to the kitchen to cry.

Lu Chengwen surrendered.

Completely surrendered.

Is this woman a devil?!

You can even do this?!

Lu Guanghong let out a long sigh. "Misfortune to the family! Misfortune to the family! Chengwen, when are you going to grow up? Huh?"

"Dad... I have nothing left to say."

"Of course you have nothing to say! Xuejiao, don't worry, the Leng family already communicated with me yesterday, their engagement is canceled. I, Lu Guanghong, promise you—your marriage to him, I'll make the decision! Unless you disagree, or your parents disagree. As long as you agree, even if I have to tie him up, I'll make this scoundrel bow with you and get married!"

Lu Chengwen jumped up excitedly. "Dad, shouldn't we look into this matter a bit more?"

"Look into my foot! I've decided. Chengwen! You're not young anymore, give your mom and dad some peace of mind. A girl as good as Xuejiao is dedicated to you, loving you to this extent, what else could you possibly want?"

Xu Xuejiao immediately knelt down and kowtowed. "Thank you, Dad! Dad is so good to Xuejiao!"

Lu Guanghong was overjoyed at being called Dad. "Aiyou, good child, good child, get up quickly, we're a family now, no need for this!"

Lu Chengwen looked despairingly at the distant sky as two hot tears streamed down his face.

[I'm afraid I won't last long enough for Long Aotian to come kill me.]