Leng Qingqiu didn't seem to care at all. She stood up gracefully, straightened her skirt, and sat down naturally on a nearby chair.
Jiang Shihan gave an apologetic look, and Lu Chengwen nodded at her, so she left.
Xu Xuejiao walked over. "I didn't expect this, Lu Chengwen. You're quite the hot commodity now."
Lu Chengwen frowned. "Why are you barging into someone's office like this? You're the vice president of Houde Group now. Shouldn't a big-shot executive like you have some manners?"
"Oh, *you* have manners!" Xu Xuejiao glanced at Leng Qingqiu. "What's the meaning of this? Are the two of you back together?"
Lu Chengwen quickly retorted, "Don't make it sound so cheap. What do you mean 'back together'?"
Leng Qingqiu said coolly, "I'm pursuing Brother Chengwen. Any objections, President Xu?"
Xu Xuejiao smirked. "All the wealthy families in Snow City know that the Leng family has already announced the dissolution of your engagement. Acting like this now is beneath your dignity."
Leng Qingqiu replied, "That's a laughable statement. What's undignified about pursuing a man? Besides, since when have I, Leng Qingqiu, cared about others' opinions?"
Xu Xuejiao strode over to Lu Chengwen and hooked her arm through his. "I'm already his woman. He raped me in the car, and Uncle Lu and Auntie Lu saw it!"
Lu Chengwen's face turned green. "Who raped—what did they see?! I didn't do anything! I was just scaring you!"
Leng Qingqiu smiled faintly. "Hmm, my man should be the kind all women fight over. It's fine if he snacks on street food occasionally. I'm still his main course."
Xu Xuejiao immediately flared up. "Only someone on the verge of bankruptcy would need to set up a street stall, right? When you open your pancake stand, Brother Chengwen and I will come cheer you on!"
Lu Chengwen quickly stepped between them. "Stop! Stop it right now!"
Xu Xuejiao puffed up her cheeks angrily. "Lu Chengwen! I get that you saved her, but are you really so spineless that you'd still simp for her?"
Lu Chengwen: "I'm not—"
Leng Qingqiu: "Brother Chengwen, you know how I feel about you. It's fine to play around outside, but don't get too attached."
Lu Chengwen: "I didn't—"
Xu Xuejiao: "Our dad and mom already approve of me. If you dare mess around, I'll make a scene at your house every day!"
Lu Chengwen: "Whose dad and mom?!"
Leng Qingqiu: "Brother Chengwen, I'll move in with you tonight. Should we aim for twins, or one boy and one girl?"
Lu Chengwen bellowed, "Enough!"
In his heart, Lu Chengwen was screaming in despair:
*Is there anyone in this world more miserable than me? Is there?!*
*Who dares to be more miserable than me?!*
---
The sect master sat majestically on his throne in the dimly lit hall.
The strategist appeared like a ghost. "Your subordinate pays his respects, Sect Master."
"Hmm." The sect master, wearing a black iron mask, glanced at the strategist with dark, piercing eyes. "I've made some progress in my cultivation recently. You've worked hard managing the organization's affairs, Strategist."
"Under your far-sighted guidance and the direction of your core principles, our Snow City branch has flourished and thrived."
The sect master smiled imperiously. "My imminent breakthrough to the Upper Fourth Gate is partly due to your efforts."
"Thank you, Sect Master."
"How is the Young Master doing?"
"Not well."
"Hmph." The sect master snorted coldly. "A brat with some military achievements on the border, blown out of proportion. Seems to me he's still a greenhorn in need of tempering."
"Indeed. Compared to the Sect Master's grand vision, the Young Master does seem somewhat inexperienced."
At this, the sect master slammed the armrest of his throne in frustration. "Because of his negligence, we've already spent ten billion! Now the entire branch is out of cash. We can't even pay next month's salaries, and we're drowning in debt. It's infuriating!"
The strategist nodded. "The Young Master's goal is to unite the four major families of Snow City. Any one of those families has assets in the hundreds of billions. Investing ten billion upfront is a small price for a long-term gain. We won't lose out."
"True. But this youngster talks big, demanding five billion like it's pocket change."
"Headquarters' orders are clear: fully support the Young Master's activities, providing whatever manpower or funds he needs. We're just following orders. I'm sure both headquarters and the Young Master will reward you generously in time, Sect Master."
"I know that. Forget it. Enough about that. Has Copper King arrived yet?"
"That's what I was about to report."
"Hmm."
"Copper King has defected to Lu Chengwen."
"What?!"
The sect master shot to his feet.
The strategist continued, "It's bizarre. He switched sides the moment he got there, no hesitation. He's cut all ties with us and is now conspiring with Lu Chengwen."
The sect master suppressed his rage. "That idiot! Does he think cozying up to a rich man will give him a good life? Does he not know our organization's rules?"
"There's more bad news."
"What? Don't tell me—"
"You've guessed it, Sect Master. Copper King's five-billion transfer is complete. It was split into four batches: one for 4.9 billion, sent to Lu Chengwen's personal account at Great Sage Group. The other three went to newly created private accounts. I suspect they've pocketed the money."
"Ah—!"
The sect master was livid.
With a single palm strike, he shattered the armrest of his throne!
"I'll kill him! I'll kill those three traitorous bastards!"
The strategist said calmly, "Please calm down, Sect Master. There's another matter requiring your decision."
"What now?!"
"The Young Master is pressing us to raise another five billion and send it to him immediately. He says it's urgent."
"Go to hell!"
The sect master tore off his black iron mask, his face twisted in fury. "Are you kidding me?! Is this a joke?! Does he think I'm an ATM? One or two billion, fine, I could stomach that. But he just casually demands five billion like it's nothing! One five-billion payment after another—even if I were a 24/7 money-printing machine, I couldn't keep up with this spendthrift!"
"Sect Master, please maintain your dignity!"
"Dignity my ass!" The sect master completely lost his composure, on the verge of tears. "I gave him everything I've saved over the years, and not only did he drive Iron King to rebel, but he also let five billion end up in Lu Chengwen's pocket!"
"I scraped together every last penny, even considered pawning my underwear, to raise another five billion—and now that's in Lu Chengwen's pocket too!"
"And now he wants another five billion?! No way! Not a single cent! Let him figure it out himself. If he's so bold, let him go ask his high-ranking father for money! I'm tapped out!"
The strategist hurriedly advised, "Sect Master, we've already invested ten billion. If we fall out with the Young Master now… that ten billion will truly be wasted."
"What else can I do?!" The sect master stamped his feet. "Even if I starve myself, I can't scrape together another five billion! Should I sell my ass?!"
The strategist rubbed his chin. "That's an idea, but it might take too long—"
"Screw you! Can't you take a joke?!"
The strategist quickly said, "Sect Master, please calm down!"
The sect master trembled with rage. "Find him. Find Long Aotian. Get my ten billion back!"
The strategist objected, "Sect Master! Absolutely not!"
"Why not?!"
"That ten billion never passed through the Young Master's hands! Our own people handed it to Lu Chengwen. Plus, both Copper King and Iron King have attacked the Young Master. If we turn on him now, we'll suffer. Headquarters will blame us, and… your position as sect master will be in jeopardy."
The sect master slumped into his chair. "Then… what do we do? Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?!"
The strategist pondered. "We could sell assets."
"What?"
"At this point, we have no choice but to gamble. If the Young Master gets the five billion, he'll eventually turn it into fifty billion, five hundred billion. By then, we'll recoup all our costs. I've done a rough estimate. Selling all our domestic and overseas assets could net us over three billion."
"That still leaves us over a billion short!"
"Then we'll have to take out high-interest loans."
"I…"
The sect master felt like vomiting blood.
"Me, the illustrious sect master of the Snow City branch of the great organization… reduced to borrowing from loan sharks?"
"We can order the Red and Black divisions to take on more missions—low margins, high volume. Quick cash. Meanwhile, we sell off assets to get the Young Master his money."
"My… my life's work!"
"Sect Master! This is the time for decisive action! If headquarters finds out that two of our teams have defected with huge sums of money, it'll reflect poorly on your leadership! In their eyes, we'll be nothing but fools! The consequences—"
The sect master paled.
He sat frozen on his throne for a long time before slowly looking up. "Do as you say. Keep this quiet."
Just then, the doors swung open, and a tall, handsome young man strode in.
The youth moved with confident strides, a self-assured smile on his face. He knelt on one knee. "Your subordinate, Silver King, reporting back! I've completed the mission assigned by the Sect Master and Strategist ahead of schedule!"
The sect master stood excitedly and hurried down the steps to help him up. "Ah, Silver! You're back!"
"Sect Master, your mask?"
"Forget the mask! Copper King has also betrayed us! And he gave my money to someone else!"
Silver King's face darkened with rage. "Has he lost his mind?!"
The sect master gripped Silver King's arm like a brother. "Your elder brother hasn't returned yet, so this falls to you. I'll scrape together another sum. You take it to the Young Master and capture those two bastards, Copper King and Iron King. Make them return the money!"
Silver King was already seething. "Rest assured, Sect Master! Even if I have to crush their bones and drain their blood, I'll make them cough up your money!"
"Good! You're truly reliable! Those two idiots… I'm so angry I could die!"
"Hahaha!" Silver King threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Chief, there's no need to worry. With me, Silver King, stepping in, I can turn the tide and settle the matter with a single decisive blow!"
"Then I'll leave it to you, brother!"
"Chief!"
"Brother!"
"Chief!"
"…"
Lu Chengwen looked at Bronze King, the fat guy, and the skinny guy.
"Did you have fun last night?"
Bronze King quickly replied, "It was amazing! We called four girls, drank over a dozen bottles of premium liquor, and spent more than 200 grand in one night."
Lu Chengwen smiled. "Good, knowing how to spend means you know how to earn."
"Yes."
"Starting today, keep a low profile. If you need anything, just tell Jiang Shihan. Stay put unless necessary—I'm about to assign you a major task. Succeed, and you'll be Richly rewarded."
"Thank you for your guidance, Young Master!"
"Remember, from now on, you're my people. No further contact with the branch—if I find out…"
"The branch is worthless!" Bronze King immediately declared. "The Chief isn't even fit to polish your shoes, Young Master!"
Lu Chengwen was satisfied.
Stepping outside, he patted his chest.
His heart was heavy.
What should he do about this? If the truth came out, he'd be in deep trouble, wouldn't he?