The Bootlicking Antagonist Only Wants to Survive, but the Female Lead Refuses to Follow the Usual Plot

Chapter 256: The Brutal Huo Wendong

Under the moonlight.

On the oval-shaped balcony of a luxurious European-style villa.

The long table is filled with various exquisite dishes, along with candlesticks and fresh flowers.

The arch inside the balcony is adorned with flowers, and the fragrance of the flowers is intoxicating.

The balcony railings are decorated with balloons, streamers, and small toys...

Xu Xuejiao is wearing a pure white strapless gown with a row of creamy white flowers on the chest, each adorned with colorful gemstones.

Wearing a pair of shiny dark pink high heels, she steps forward.

Long Aotian, dressed in a well-tailored suit, holds a glass of red wine, standing upright. He turns around and smiles, extending his hand.

Xu Xuejiao places her hand in his palm, and Long Aotian leads her to her seat, thoughtfully pulling out the chair for her.

Everything feels so romantic.

They talk for a long time, about medicine, business, life, dreams...

And finally, about love.

Standing by the edge of the railing, Xu Xuejiao looks at the moon:

"I really wish everything could stay in this moment."

"Xuejiao," Long Aotian says, "if you want to change your mind now, there’s still time."

Xu Xuejiao shakes her head: "Lu Chengwen is overflowing with evil deeds; you’re the only one in this city who can defeat him. As long as he, that villain, can pay for what he’s done...I’m willing to be your strongest support."

Long Aotian feels moved!

For him, she’s willing to go to Lu Chengwen’s side!

The sacrifice is too great!

"Xuejiao, I promise you, I won’t let you down."

On the nearby small balcony, Qi Meishao watches the situation with great satisfaction.

Luo Shiyin, however, is deep in thought, staring intently at Xu Xuejiao.

"Brother Aotian!" Xu Xuejiao looks at Long Aotian: "When I go this time, I’ll definitely need to act affectionately with Lu Chengwen. To gain his trust, I have to go all in. Will you be angry?"

"How could I be angry with you?"

"Brother, you truly are a man of great character."

"Exactly! I, Long Aotian, am a man with a heart wider than the ocean!"

"So if I...pretend to date Lu Chengwen, will you be upset?"

"How could I? After all, it’s me who asked you to do it!"

"You swear, when you see me with him, you won’t let your imagination run wild, won’t get jealous or angry, won’t get petty! You won’t doubt me, hate me, or cancel the plan! Because if that happens, I’d be so hurt!"

"I swear! I, Long Aotian, will absolutely not let my imagination run wild, won’t get jealous or angry, won’t be petty, won’t doubt Xuejiao, and will never hate her! Not until our plan is complete!"

"Good brother, then I’ll go seduce Lu Chengwen now!"

"Huh? Right now?"

"Yes! No time to lose; the longer we wait, the more things could change!"

There’s a fierce flame in Xu Xuejiao’s eyes – no, it’s a flame of anger!

She frowns: "I want Lu Chengwen to...be so close to heaven yet...suffer a fate worse than death!"

Long Aotian pauses: "Did you mean to say that, or was it a slip of the tongue?"

"It doesn’t matter!" Xu Xuejiao says. "Anyway, just watch how I play him!"

"But...we haven’t finished eating yet?"

"I can’t wait any longer, and I have my own plan."

"Your...plan?"

"Stay in touch."

"Alright."

After saying that, Xu Xuejiao turns and leaves, picking up her skirt as she reaches the hallway corner, and starts running.

Long Aotian stares blankly for a while before bursting into laughter: "This girl is truly eager for revenge."

...

That night, Xu Xuejiao arrives at Lu Chengwen’s villa and kicks off her high heels as soon as she steps in.

"Hey, Lu!"

Lu Chengwen comes out: "Xuejiao?"

"Hahaha!"

Xu Xuejiao runs barefoot and jumps straight into Lu Chengwen’s arms.

Lu Chengwen holds her, spinning her around twice: "Why are you here?"

"I’m here to be your spy!"

"A spy?"

"Yes!" Xu Xuejiao says. "Long Aotian wants to secure the Xu family, so this large comprehensive hospital project can proceed smoothly. He sent me to keep an eye on you."

Lu Chengwen laughs: "Did he come up with this clever idea himself?"

"Who else?"

Lu Chengwen gives her a hard pinch on her bottom: "You cheeky little minx, look at you, so daring."

"I missed you so much!"

Lu Chengwen gives her another firm smack: "He’s too dangerous; you shouldn’t keep playing like this."

"He’s not even capable! What are you worried about?"

Lu Chengwen thinks about it – true, a man who’s not capable is only good for looking.

Xu Xuejiao goes to the fridge, grabs some fruits and snacks, and waltzes back to the living room, dropping onto the sofa:

"Anyway, tomorrow both our teams will draft a contract. Our teams will connect on all necessary permits, certificates, and qualifications for the hospital’s construction; we can handle everything on our end."

"Can you really call the shots on this?"

Xu Xuejiao proudly pulls open the bustier of her gown and takes out an appointment letter.

She tosses it to Lu Chengwen, who glances at it, shocked: "You’re the president of Houde Group now!?"

Xu Xuejiao says, "Not only that, I now hold a 15% stake – I’m a wealthy woman! The internal appointment letter has already been issued; tomorrow, I officially take office, so be sure to come and show your support!"

Lu Chengwen laughs, picks her up, and kisses her: "Well, little rich lady, your Lu is here to serve you tonight."

"Alright, alright! Where’s my toy?"

Lu Chengwen looks embarrassed: "Not sure, probably put away by Jiang Shihan."

"Call her, let’s give it a try tonight."

Lu Chengwen sighs: "Lately, that girl’s been out of it; she’s been unhappy recently and even more so these past few days..."

"What’s wrong?"

"Don’t know. I suggested she take a break, but she wouldn’t. She’s definitely hiding something from me."

"I’ll ask tomorrow."

The next day.

Lu Chengwen’s schedule was packed, but Jiang Shihan suddenly took the day off.

Zhao Gang returned, saw Lu Chengwen working, and quietly waited on the side.

After handling some work, Lu Chengwen asked, “Did you figure it out?”

“Got it!” Zhao Gang replied, “Ever since Shihan’s mother recovered, she reconnected with old relatives and started working in Nancheng under one of them.”

“But…”

“Just say it directly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zhao Gang continued, “Lately, Jiang Shihan’s been constantly arguing with her mom.”

“Why?”

“Gossip! Her relatives and neighbors have been spreading rumors, saying Jiang Shihan’s latched onto a wealthy man, that she’s your mistress, claiming she climbed the ranks through ‘favors,’ and not only that but she’s also supposedly arranging girls for you, luring young women to stay over at your villa…”

Zhao Gang shook his head, “In her relatives' and friends' eyes, she’s basically a shameless woman, selling herself for money, and worse, pulling young girls down with her. The rumors are vicious. Some are even saying that you, President Lu, have a thing for high school girls, and that Shihan’s out scouting pretty young girls for you…”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The more Lu Chengwen listened, the angrier he became.

“These gossiping tongues! I should rip their mouths apart!”

“Sigh, that’s just how it is. People earning five, eight thousand a month love luxury gossip the most. All it takes is a bit of imagination, and they dare to post anything on social media. Does President Lu need Jiang Shihan to ‘arrange girls’ for him? Am I dead?”

Lu Chengwen shot him a look, “This isn’t good. Jiang Shihan’s under too much pressure.”

“Exactly!” Zhao Gang agreed, “Her mom just recovered, and she doesn’t want to upset her. But her mother keeps pushing her to quit and find another job. That old lady doesn’t understand – where else is a secretary pulling in millions a year? Even a good position somewhere else would max out at twenty thousand a month!”

Lu Chengwen laughed, “What’s Shihan doing today?”

“She’s attending her cousin’s engagement and contributing her share. She didn’t really want to go, but… her mother insisted. I feel like there’s more to this. President Lu, should we… take a look?”

Lu Chengwen thought for a moment, “Forget it. It’s her family’s matter; we shouldn’t get involved.”

Just then, the phone rang, and the secretary’s sweet voice chimed in, “President Lu, the Chamber of Commerce President, Mr. Zhang Tuofeng, is here to see you. He didn’t have an appointment.”

Lu Chengwen was surprised.

Zhang Tuofeng! I wasn’t looking for you, but you came to me!

Teaming up with Huo Wendong to mess with me, you bastard!

Lu Chengwen pressed the button, “Why would Brother Tuofeng need an appointment to see me? Send him in.”

Zhang Tuofeng entered with a smile, but Lu Chengwen could still detect traces of guilt and hesitation in his expression.

Lu Chengwen laughed, “Brother Tuofeng, long time no see.”

“Chengwen, everything going well?”

“Great, very well. Have a seat, Brother. Uh, Susan!”

The beautiful secretary walked in, “President Lu, my name’s Mifur.”

“Same thing. Bring a bottle of wine.”

“Yes, President Lu.”

Once seated, Lu Chengwen glanced at Zhao Gang, who immediately said, “President Lu, I’ll wait in the lounge.”

“Mm.”

Lu Chengwen poured some wine, “Brother Tuofeng, what brings you here with some free time today?”

Seeing it was just the two of them, Zhang Tuofeng sighed, “Chengwen, I owe you an apology.”

“Oh? Brother Tuofeng, why say that? You just helped me out recently. I had Zhao Gang send over two crates of wine, but you left the wine and returned the gold bar.”

Zhang Tuofeng sighed, “Chengwen, let’s be honest. What I did back then was unkind.”

Lu Chengwen smiled, “It’s fine; business is like that. You’re the Chamber President, not just my assistant VP. Business is a battlefield, and things change constantly. But with our friendship, at the very least, you should’ve given me a heads-up. It caught me off guard.”

Though he appeared polite, Lu Chengwen was, in fact, expressing his resentment.

How could Zhang Tuofeng not understand? His eyes turned red, “Chengwen, it’s not that I didn’t want to be loyal. Do you know what they did?”

Lu Chengwen shook his head.

“They took my son.”

Lu Chengwen was shocked, and suddenly everything made sense.

Zhang Tuofeng was an honest man, which was why Lu Chengwen trusted him.

For a major figure to trust someone wasn’t easy; Zhang Tuofeng pulling this stunt indeed made Lu Chengwen furious.

But he hadn’t expected the opposition to use such despicable means, not money or bribes, but something so vile.

Lu Chengwen’s smile vanished, which meant he was serious now, understanding Zhang Tuofeng.

“Brother, what exactly happened?”

“A group ambushed my son midway, and unless I signed, they…”

Lu Chengwen nodded gravely, clinking his glass with Zhang’s, “Brother, we’re all good. How’s your son?”

At this, Zhang Tuofeng’s eyes reddened again, “They took him again today. They’re forcing me…”

Lu Chengwen was livid.

Zhang Tuofeng continued, “They said you must transfer me the contract to build the seven-star hotel in Chengwen District. Chengwen, I’m out of options… He’s my only son…”

Lu Chengwen nodded, “Brother, I’ve never had a chance to repay you. This time, consider it a tribute from your younger brother. The seven-star hotel contract – it’s yours.”

“I’ll only take a small share, no more than five percent…” Zhang Tuofeng started to explain.

“No, you must take a significant share! Go back and tell them, this is my bottom line.”

“And my son…”

“Brother, are you confused? What they want is money! The contract! They won’t take your son’s life.”

Zhang Tuofeng nodded, “Then I’ll negotiate with them.”

After he left, Lu Chengwen took out his phone, “Silver Tuo Wang, bring Yuan Fang over; we’re going to handle something.”

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