Lu Chengwen pressed his head, which was splitting with pain, and patted Xu Xuejiao's back with the back of his hand: "Hey, hey, get up, it's already dawn."
Xu Xuejiao, with her disheveled hair and sleepy eyes, sat up: "Huh? It's dawn?"
Lu Chengwen stood up, swaying as if he had no bones, and walked out, muttering: "Hurry up and get dressed. I'll have Zhao Gang take you out the back door later, so you don't scare my dad and mom."
"Hey! Is that how you treat me?"
"Didn't we agree to stop contacting each other after getting drunk? Well, that's it."
Lu Chengwen walked out and went downstairs, seeing his parents eating in the dining room.
"Oh, everyone's already eating?" Lu Chengwen yawned, pulled over a chair, and sat down: "Aunt Xia, get me a bowl of porridge, no rice. I feel terrible, I want something light."
Lu Chengwen turned to look at Aunt Xia, who didn't move, looking awkward and pointing at Lu Guanghong.
Lu Chengwen looked at Lu Guanghong: "Dad, what's wrong now?"
Everyone looked at Lu Chengwen as if nothing had happened.
Lu Chengwen still hadn't realized that there was a girl's bra hanging around his neck.
Lu Guanghong looked at Lu Chengwen: "Who did you bring home to drink with last night?"
"Ah? Oh, it was... Chen Moqun."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Chen Moqun has quite a cup size, huh?"
"Huh? He's a man, what does cup size matter?" Lu Chengwen laughed: "Let's eat, let's eat."
At that moment, Xu Xuejiao walked out, head down, as if she had done something terribly wrong, shy to the extreme, her voice as soft as a mosquito: "Uncle, Auntie, good morning."
Lu Chengwen turned around, utterly frustrated: "Sis, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you to sneak out the back door? You're making this so awkward for me!"
Lu Guanghong looked at Lu Chengwen: "Kid, is that any way to talk?"
Lu Chengwen smiled: "Dad, we were just drunk. We only drank, didn't do anything else, totally different from last time, completely different."
Lu Chengwen, with a clear conscience, didn't take it seriously and walked over: "Hey! Say something yourself, or they'll misunderstand again, and I won't get to eat and will get beaten."
Xu Xuejiao looked up at Lu Chengwen with pitiful eyes.
That little expression, so pitiful, so moving, tears welling up in her eyes, looking at Lu Chengwen with fear, shyness, nervousness, and heart-wrenching tenderness: "Yes... Brother Chengwen is telling the truth, he didn't force me to drink, really, please don't be angry, Uncle and Auntie, it's all my fault, it's me... I was wrong..."
Lu Guanghong was furious: "Are you even human?"
Lu Chengwen was even more furious.
"Sis! You were so bold last night, and now you're acting like this? What's the point? Playing the victim? With your acting skills, you think you can fool my family? Who are you trying to fool!"
Lu Chengwen poked Xu Xuejiao's head with his finger: "My dad and mom are super smart, they won't fall for your tricks! I really..."
Smack!
Lu Chengwen covered his head: "Dad, why did you hit me?"
Lu Guanghong, holding a broomstick, rolled up his sleeves: "Hit you? Today I'm going to beat you to death!"
Lu Chengwen quickly stepped back: "Dad, do you even know what's going on before hitting me?"
Lu Guanghong was so angry he was about to explode: "Do I need to know what's going on to hit you? A beating every day, and I never wrong you!"
Lu's mother was also angry: "What's that around your neck?"
Only then did Lu Chengwen realize there was something around his neck. He picked it up and was shocked.
"This isn't mine!"
Lu Guanghong roared: "Of course it's not yours! If it were, your mom and I would jump off a building!"
Lu Chengwen turned to Xu Xuejiao, squinting: "You! You set me up!"
Xu Xuejiao was now a frightened little girl.
She was already short, and now she hung her head, always looking scared, timidly looking at Lu Chengwen: "Brother Chengwen, you... don't be like this, it was you who insisted on... checking my body... I... I... was afraid you'd be unhappy, so I agreed..."
Lu Chengwen's eyes widened: "You little brat, are you playing games with me?"
Lu Chengwen rushed over, grabbed Xu Xuejiao's collar: "Last night after drinking, you lay down and fell asleep, and I clearly slept on the sofa. What's with this bra? Explain! Explain clearly!"
Xu Xuejiao "scared" and screamed, crying: "I'm sorry, Brother Chengwen, it's my fault, don't be angry, I'm scared..."
Lu Guanghong was completely exploded.
He hit Lu Chengwen on the head with the broomstick, grabbed him, and started beating him.
Lu Chengwen protected his head, not daring to fight back, only shouting: "Dad! Dad! Don't believe her, this little brat is a great actress! She's lying to you, you're so smart... Dad, it hurts! Mom, say something for me!"
Through the gaps in his arms, he saw his mother comforting Xu Xuejiao, who was crying earnestly.
Lu's mother pointed at Lu Chengwen: "Old Lu, beat him to death! If he dies, we'll just consider ourselves without a son!"
Lu Chengwen and Lu Guanghong started scuffling.
Lu Chengwen knew his dad's health wasn't good, still suffering from surgery aftereffects, so he didn't dare to struggle too hard, just took the beating.
Xu Xuejiao suddenly rushed over, grabbed Lu Guanghong's hands, protecting Lu Chengwen, crying with tears all over her face: "Uncle! If you want to hit someone, hit me!"
Lu Guanghong was stunned, looking at the pitiful little girl, his heart aching, then turned to Lu Chengwen, as if he wanted to skin him alive.
Lu Chengwen looked at Xu Xuejiao, giving her a thumbs up: "Sis, you're really something!"
Lu Guanghong roared: "Beast! Kneel down! Kneel down!"
Lu Chengwen was almost wronged to death: "Fine, the whole family is playing along with you. But dad, your health isn't good, don't get too angry. When you find out the whole story, you'll feel really guilty towards me."
"I told you to kneel down, did I say you could talk?"
As Lu Guanghong was about to hit him again, Xu Xuejiao knelt in front of him, crying: "Dad! Don't hit Brother Chengwen anymore, I beg you!"
Lu Chengwen knelt on the ground: "Dad!?"
Lu Guanghong murmured: "Dad... Dad?"
Lu's mother also covered her mouth: "So... she's changing how she addresses us?"
Xu Xuejiao cried like a pear blossom in the rain, so pitiful: "It's my fault... it's me... Brother Chengwen did nothing wrong, it's me who's shameless, it's me who seduced Brother Chengwen, it has nothing to do with Brother Chengwen... I'm sorry, I've made you sad, it's my fault, I... I'll leave!"
Xu Xuejiao pretended to leave, but how could Lu Guanghong and Lu's mother let her go?
The couple stopped Xu Xuejiao, comforting her with a flood of words.
"Child, don't say that, it's this beast's fault, not yours. Don't worry, Uncle and Auntie will take care of everything."
"Yes, our Chengwen is just irresponsible, he has no sense of propriety, we know that. Don't worry, Auntie will definitely discipline him properly and will take responsibility for this."
"Then... can you not hit him? I... I still like Brother Chengwen, I'd rather you hit me than see Brother Chengwen suffer."
Lu Guanghong sighed, shaking his head at Lu Chengwen: "Look, Lu Chengwen, look! You're just creating disasters! You're going to kill your mom and me with anger!"
Lu Chengwen saw Xu Xuejiao sneak a hand under her armpit, giving him an "OK" sign. He was so angry he felt like he was about to have a heart attack.
This woman is truly a devil.
The family started eating together.
Lu's mother and father kept putting food on Xu Xuejiao's plate.
Xu Xuejiao acted so well-behaved and adorable, so shy and moving.
"Xuejiao, when did you two get together?"
Xu Xuejiao lowered her head: "A... a long time ago. When Brother Chengwen was still pursuing Sister Qingqiu..."
Lu Guanghong looked at Lu Chengwen, nodding: "You're something, chasing Qingqiu on one side, and you..."
Lu Chengwen knelt on the ground, shaking his head.
[Oh heavens, before Long Aotian does anything, I'm going to die at Xu Xuejiao's hands, aren't I? Is she the real villain?]
[Act! Just act! I don't believe you can keep acting without being exposed!]
Lu's mother sighed: "Good girl, you knew he was like this, why... You're such a good girl, why follow him?"
Xu Xuejiao said: "Actually, Brother Chengwen is a good person. He's loyal to his friends, and very filial to Uncle and Auntie. You might not see it, but every time he's with me, he talks a lot about you."
"Ah? This kid?"
"Yes." Xu Xuejiao said: "He always says that Uncle Lu worked hard to build the business from nothing, running around for even the smallest deals, ruining his health, so now his health isn't good. He asks me to develop some supplements and medicines suitable for Uncle Lu, hoping you'll get better soon."
"Hmph." Lu Guanghong said: "If he didn't make me angry, that would be the best medicine!"
Xu Xuejiao continued: "Brother Chengwen says he really wants to revive the Dasheng Group, make a lot of money, and become the pride of Uncle and Auntie. But Uncle Lu is too successful, he can't catch up, so he often feels useless."
Lu Guanghong felt a bit uncomfortable, glanced at Lu Chengwen, and pretended to be dissatisfied: "What's the rush? Life isn't just about business? If you can be an upright person, your mom and I will be very happy."
Xu Xuejiao said: "Also, Brother Chengwen said that pursuing Leng Qingqiu was just out of spite, and that he would marry me."
At this point, Xu Xuejiao smiled while tears fell, her voice slightly choked.
"Actually, I know he's lying to me, he thinks I'm a fool. But, aren't all girls in love fools? So, even though I know he's lying to me, I accept it. I just hope..."
Xu Xuejiao struggled to control her emotions: "...that he can lie to me a bit more, not shatter my illusions of love too soon."
Lu's mother covered her mouth and ran to the kitchen to cry.
Lu Chengwen was convinced.
Completely convinced.
This woman is a devil, isn't she!?
How can she be like this!?
Lu Guanghong took a deep breath: "Family disgrace, family disgrace! Chengwen, when will you grow up? Huh?"
"Dad... I have nothing more to say."
"Of course you have nothing to say! Xuejiao, don't worry, yesterday the Leng family communicated with me, they've called off the engagement. I, Lu Guanghong, promise you, your marriage is settled! Unless you disagree, or your parents disagree. As long as you agree, I'll tie this scoundrel up and make him marry you!"
Lu Chengwen stood up excitedly: "Dad, shouldn't we discuss this a bit more?"
"Discuss what! It's settled. Chengwen! You're not a kid anymore, give your mom and dad some peace of mind. Xuejiao is such a good girl, devoted to you, loving you so much, what more do you want?"
Xu Xuejiao immediately knelt and kowtowed: "Thank you, Dad! Dad treats Xuejiao so well!"
Lu Guanghong was overjoyed by being called "Dad": "Oh dear, good child, good child, get up, get up, no need for this in the family!"
Lu Chengwen looked despairingly at the distant sky, two lines of hot tears streaming down.
[I'm afraid I won't live long enough for Long Aotian to kill me.]