Everyone in the room fell silent.
What was going on?
What the hell was going on!?
For three years, Lu Chengwen had clung to Leng Qingqiu like a leech, using every possible means to make every man around her keep their distance, all just to get her.
And throughout those three years, whenever Leng Qingqiu mentioned Lu Chengwen's engagement, she would explode, with the determination to die rather than submit.
Why had the two of them switched places today?
Lu Chengwen no longer wanted to marry her, while Leng Qingqiu had agreed instead?
Lu Chengwen had completely lost his mind!
He turned his head and stared at Leng Qingqiu in shock.
He thought:
What are you doing, sis? What the hell do you mean, agreeing to the engagement? Sis, you're part of Long Aotian's harem! You need to go lick Long Aotian's shoes! If you pull this, Long Aotian will beat me to death!
That guy painstakingly approached you just so he could play the weakling and crush the strong, show off at the crucial moment, and make you and your family like him.
Then you'll offer yourself to him, your family's fortune will all become his... Just follow the plot properly, will you!?
Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen with a cold sneer.
You wanted to break off the engagement?
Did you ask me?
You disgusted me for three years, and now you wanted to cut ties just like that? And you were certain I'd go become some bodyguard's harem girl.
Today, I was going to disgust you right back!
I wanted to see exactly how that Long Aotian planned to drag me into his harem!
And there was something else: Leng Qingqiu was deeply shocked that she could suddenly hear Lu Chengwen's inner monologue, while Lu Chengwen seemed to know many strange things.
Though she had no idea what he was up to, for now, making sure none of his goals could be achieved was undoubtedly the best choice.
The elders of both families began chatting enthusiastically, excitedly discussing how the two would hold their wedding, what their life together would be like, and which family would raise the grandchildren...
Lu Chengwen pulled Leng Qingqiu aside and said anxiously, "Qingqiu, is something wrong with your head today?"
Leng Qingqiu snorted. "I think you're the one acting strangely."
Lu Chengwen tried hard to calm himself. "Fine, fine, let's not argue. But this engagement—we can't go through with it. We have to change it back. Seriously."
Leng Qingqiu felt that she had won.
For three years, she had had no way to deal with this bastard.
He had no shame, no dignity; he was like a leech, and he dared to use every dirty trick imaginable.
She had truly been driven crazy by him.
Now, seeing him sweating profusely and running around in circles, Leng Qingqiu felt so good she could practically take off.
Big sister was going to put this scumbag in his place!
Lu Chengwen said, "Qingqiu, are you only doing this because of pressure from the elders... Think about it. Am I annoying?"
"Annoying."
"Am I hateful?"
"Hateful."
"Am I disgusting?"
"Super disgusting."
"Then you still want to get engaged to me?"
"Yes."
Lu Chengwen stared at her in shock, suddenly feeling as though he did not understand this woman nearly as well as he thought.
By then, the two families had already settled everything and excitedly ushered the pair into the little garden.
Lu Chengwen's mind was completely blank the entire time.
Standing on the stage with Leng Qingqiu, he was still thinking:
Isn't this completely screwed!? In a few minutes, Long Aotian will burst out, kick my leg in half, and take Leng Qingqiu away.
So this is a disaster I can't avoid? Even if I know how things will unfold, am I still doomed to be unable to do anything?
Qingqiu is acting way too strangely! Didn't she hate my guts? What's going on today?
Leng Qingqiu narrowed her eyes. Listening to Lu Chengwen's thoughts, she was even more shocked!
This guy's inner monologue could not only be heard by her, but he also "knew how things would unfold afterward"?
Long Aotian... was he really going to step forward and object?
The host said excitedly, "Dear guests, entrusted by the Lu and Leng Families, I am here today to announce some major news! Young Master Lu of the Lu Family, Lu Chengwen, and the Eldest Daughter Leng of the Leng Family, Leng Qingqiu, will hold their engagement ceremony on the tenth day of next month..."
"I object!"
At that moment, a security guard stepped out from the crowd. He was none other than the true Male Protagonist of This Book—Long Aotian.
The host glanced at him. "Someone, get this lowly security guard out of here!"
The moment Lu Chengwen saw Long Aotian, his legs began to tremble.
He could not help taking a step back.
Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, utterly shocked.
He had really predicted it!
Long Aotian walked up to the host. The host tried to push him away, but Long Aotian flung him off the stage with a single motion.
Leng Qingqiu glared at him. "Long Aotian, what are you doing?"
Long Aotian grabbed Leng Qingqiu by the shoulders with both hands. "Qingqiu, please rest assured. I will never allow anyone to force you. You should control your own fate."
Honestly, if things had followed the plot—if Lu Chengwen had shamelessly pestered her, the Lu Family had used their influence to pressure her, and her parents had also wanted to facilitate this marriage of interests—then Long Aotian stepping forward now would have left Leng Qingqiu surprised and moved.
This bodyguard had performed exceptionally during an accident a few days ago, demonstrating extraordinary skill and making her see him in a new light.
That was why she had specifically taken him under her wing as her personal bodyguard. And over the past few days, her impression of him had indeed continued to improve.
But with Lu Chengwen's prior mental setup, the whole thing now felt completely different.
All Leng Qingqiu felt was that this guy had deliberately approached her to covet her family's fortune. He was sinister and revolting—he was even more disgusting than Lu Chengwen!
Leng Qingqiu brushed his hands away. "Long Aotian, you're only my bodyguard. My family affairs are none of your concern."
This short chapter was not over yet. Please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content ahead!
"Qingqiu, I know what you're worried about. Don't worry. As long as I'm here today, no one will force you into a political marriage."
Lu Chengwen nodded.
Of course. You're so damn amazing!
You've probably got plenty more righteous speeches, right? Go on, say them. As the God of War, you have to let everyone know you're standing on the side of justice.
Please begin your performance!
Long Aotian turned around and addressed all the guests in a ringing voice:
"As one of Xue City's Four Great Families, instead of conducting business and making profits through legitimate means, you intend to bind interests together by sacrificing a girl's happiness! Do you have any shame left? Have you ever truly cared about Qingqiu's happiness?"
Lu Chengwen applauded Long Aotian from behind.
Beautiful! Qingqiu, it's your turn. Cry for me!
He's put it that way already. If you aren't moved, it just doesn't make sense. Seriously, cry!
Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, cold fury born of humiliation burning in her eyes.
Seeing Leng Qingqiu's vicious gaze, Lu Chengwen awkwardly lowered his hands and pretended to look elsewhere.
Long Aotian continued, "Uncle Leng, Auntie Leng, Qingqiu is your biological daughter. Can you really bear to push her into a pit of fire? What kind of person is Lu Chengwen? Everyone in Xue City knows. Can you truly marry your daughter to such scum without even a trace of heartache or regret?"
Leng Qingqiu angrily rebuked him, "Are my affairs something a bodyguard like you gets to interfere in? You're fired! Leave this place immediately."
Long Aotian was dumbfounded too.
Huh!?
Why did this... seem... a little off?
This was not how things were supposed to develop!
The surrounding voices rose at once.
"Who is this guy? Why is he so unruly?"
"Someone's holding a happy family event, and he's here making trouble! He looks like some horny creep. With that behavior, he thinks he can covet the Eldest Daughter Leng?"
"Take a piss and look at your reflection, buddy!"
"Wow, this guy looks so sleazy!"
Lu Chengwen was extremely nervous.
Why are you all shouting so loudly? Once his hatred gauge is high enough, he'll make a move!
All of you, calm down!
At that moment, a burly man from the Lu Family charged forward and grabbed Long Aotian by the collar. "Kid, today is a joyous day for our Young Master Lu. You're looking for trouble, huh? See this? Ever seen a fist as big as a sandbag?"
Long Aotian sneered.
Just an ordinary mortal. I could take your life with a flick of my finger.
Long Aotian closed his eyes and raised his head. My first battle to make a name for myself is about to begin!
Honor! Dignity! Beauties!
From this moment onward—they are all mine!
Long Aotian took a deep breath, then suddenly opened his eyes. King's Aura surged around him. "Since you want to fight, then let me show you what it means for the God of War to return! Today, I will... Huh!?"
With a thud, the big guy before him vanished.
Looking down, he saw that Lu Chengwen had tackled the big guy and pinned him to the ground.
The big guy struggled to get up and fight Long Aotian, but Lu Chengwen held him down tightly, and the two rolled into a ball.
"Brother! Calm down! Calm down!" Lu Chengwen hurriedly tried to soothe him.
He had no choice but to soothe him!
This was the first sacrifice offered to the protagonist today. The protagonist would one-shot him, then go on to break Lu Chengwen's leg.
Lu Chengwen did not want the protagonist to break his leg!
Lu Chengwen was nearly in tears. "Brother, it's not worth it, not worth it... For my sake..."
The man froze. "Young Master Lu, you see me as a brother?"
After wrestling with him for so long, Lu Chengwen was exhausted. Panting, he said, "Yes. A good brother, for life."
The man was so moved that tears covered his face. "Someone of Young Master Lu's status sees me as a brother! Today, I'll help you take care of this kid!"
Long Aotian shouted excitedly, "Good! Come on! Make your move!"
Lu Chengwen pinned the man down and gritted his teeth. "If you're my brother, then don't move!"
Sure enough, the man instantly stopped struggling.
Leng Qingqiu shouted angrily, "Long Aotian! Have you made enough trouble? Get out! I said get out!"
Long Aotian was utterly shocked.
"Qingqiu, did the Lu Family threaten you? Don't worry. In my eyes, the mere Lu Family is nothing but ants."
Leng Qingqiu was so frustrated she felt internal injuries coming on.
Wasn't this line way too melodramatic?
"Long Aotian, you've been dismissed. You can collect three months' salary. Leave immediately. I can't be bothered to say another word to you."
Long Aotian "understood."
Qingqiu had been threatened by the Lu Family. She did not know that he was the God of War returned; she feared the Lu Family's power would hurt him, so she was deliberately pretending to break with him, sacrificing herself to protect him!
He was so moved!
His woman truly had a sense of responsibility!
He was not the only one thinking that. Even Lu Chengwen thought so now.
His heart collapsing, he thought:
Sis! You don't need to protect him this much! I'm very well-behaved. I absolutely won't cause you any trouble!
I'm begging you, hurry up and go with him. It'd be best if the rest of the plot doesn't involve me. I really can't keep getting tangled up with you two!
Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen lying on the ground, still pinning down a weeping security guard beneath him, and suddenly found him rather ridiculous.
Over the years, she had never discovered any merit in him. Yet today, his frantic, bedraggled state somehow seemed comically adorable.
Leng Qingqiu smiled for once. "Brother Chengwen, get up."
Long Aotian turned to look at Lu Chengwen, murder in his eyes.
Lu Chengwen was startled.
Damn! No way! You're going to hate me for this too? I didn't do anything!
At that moment, a large group of bodyguards charged over from the distance.
"Brothers! Someone wants to steal our Young Master Lu's woman! Get him!"
A crowd of men wielding security batons rushed toward them.
Lu Chengwen was dumbfounded.
He's the God of War!
You're all just experience points if you go up there. Stop making trouble for me!
After beating you up, my tough-guy protector with a chivalrous heart won't be able to stay either!
Heavens! Earth! Is this dungeon really that hard to clear?!
Before you continue