Chapter 31: I, Ling Qiong, Send Money! (31)

Footsteps sounded upstairs, approaching from above. Judging by the voices, it was more than one person. Just now, Ling Qiong had kissed him, and he hadn't put his mask back on. If anyone saw...

Lu Wenchi said, "I promise you, let go."

Ling Qiong's lips curved into a smile; she released her grip.

Lu Wenchi hurried downstairs, set her down, and put his mask back on.

The young woman was joyfully tapping away on her phone, sending messages to someone, her whole demeanor radiating happiness.

Lu Wenchi was a little dazed. Was she really this happy?

...

Father Su, upon receiving Ling Qiong's text, wore the classic subway elder's 'phone face'.

[Su Miaomiao: Dad, look, I've found you a face of the brand. Absolutely worth it, a potential stock. Investing in him is a sure win!]

Attached was a photo.

"What a pretty boy," Father Su muttered, tossing the phone aside. "How long has she behaved, and now she's fooling around again."

Fuming, Father Su gulped down a cup of health tea, then picked up the phone and glanced at it again.

He summoned his assistant, holding up the phone, "Who is this?"

Lu Wenchi's face was distinctive; even though the assistant didn't care about the entertainment industry, he recognized him.

"I think his name is Lu Wenchi, a pretty popular celebrity lately."

"A celebrity?" Father Su frowned, muttering, "That troublemaker is playing with celebrities again?"

"Mr. Su, what did you say?"

Family matters shouldn't be aired out, so Father Su quickly shook his head, "Nothing. You can go."

Once the assistant left, Father Su searched for Lu Wenchi's news.

The 'mystical constitution' meme was everywhere.

After reading, Father Su's expression became rather subtle.

His daughter constantly cried poverty, taking on one project after another, making plenty of money, but she always claimed to have none, always trying to get pocket money from him.

Could all that money... have gone toward promoting this young star?

The more Father Su thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. If she stopped spending money on him, wouldn't he fade away?

Father Su concluded that Lu Wenchi was just a flashy facade, all that popularity a false image built by his daughter's money.

This couldn't go on!

...

Father Su looked outside at the gray, shabby buildings that appeared almost condemned.

Clearly a scam for money!

If he were really that popular, how could he live in such a place?

Father Su didn't get out of the car but waited for his assistant to call the person.

Lu Wenchi happened to be at home; he followed the assistant downstairs, puzzled, and got in the car.

Father Su wasted no time, "Mr. Lu, I'm Su Miaomiao's father."

"......"

Lu Wenchi had anticipated this moment.

But he hadn't expected it to come so soon.

So soon, he could barely believe it.

He had only agreed to her yesterday...

Father Su didn't beat around the bush. "I hope you will leave my daughter. You two aren't suited for each other."

Lu Wenchi: "......"

...

Ling Qiong returned from work, heading straight for Lu Wenchi, tackling him onto the sofa.

Lu Wenchi caught her, "Don't run, the room's so small you might bump yourself."

"I'm fine, really," she said.

Ling Qiong humph'ed, cupping Lu Wenchi's face and kissing him.

Lu Wenchi was distracted; Ling Qiong was displeased, "What's wrong? It's only the second day, and you look like life's lost its meaning. Are you going to give up this easily?"

Lu Wenchi couldn't help but laugh, "I'm not..."

Ling Qiong snorted lightly. "Did my dad come to see you?"

Lu Wenchi replied instinctively, "How did you know?" Then immediately fell silent.

"I'm very popular," Ling Qiong lifted her chin, a hint of pride in her tone. "Did he give you a check?"

"......"

Lu Wenchi pulled out the check.

Ling Qiong glanced at the number, clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, "Such a stingy boss..."

She waved the check and then, delighted, declared, "I'll confiscate this."

Lu Wenchi said, "Your dad wants us to break up."

"Oh," Ling Qiong tilted her head, nodding decisively. "Alright, let's break up then."

Lu Wenchi pressed his lips together, his gaze dimming.

Ling Qiong got up; Lu Wenchi reached out to grab her, his fingers brushing her clothes, then slowly withdrawing.

What was he supposed to say?

Wasn't it he himself who said they weren't suitable?

They really weren't suitable.

Wasn't this better now...?

Lu Wenchi kept his gaze lowered, silent. Suddenly, Ling Qiong sat back down, wrapped her arms around his neck, "It's been a minute. Can we make up now?"

Lu Wenchi: "???"

He felt as if he were riding a roller coaster, his mood rising and falling, his throat dry.

"Don't joke."

"I'm not joking," Ling Qiong counted on her fingers earnestly. "My dad told us to break up, but he didn't say how long, nor did he say we couldn't reconcile. I've already broken up with you, right?"

Twisted logic, one after another.

Lu Wenchi almost thought it made sense... almost!

"But..."

"But what? Do you just not like me?" The girl tilted her head, looking at him.

"I do like you."

"Then what's your point?"

"Your father..."

Ling Qiong puffed out her cheeks, "Why do you care about him? You're not dating him."

......

Could it really be that simple?

Didn't she feel guilty fooling her father?

The person in question—did not, and was quite happy about it, even eager to fool him more.

Lu Wenchi had been feeling heavy-hearted.

But with Ling Qiong's antics, his mood couldn't stay heavy.

"Why don't you go tell my dad you want this much?" Ling Qiong gestured, looking expectantly at him.

"......"

Is this a shakedown of your own father?

Lu Wenchi picked her up and set her aside, physically refusing her unreasonable request.

"Come on, think about it," Ling Qiong hopped after him, trying to persuade, "It's a good deal. I can even share some with you."

...

Lu Wenchi borrowed a sum from his company and returned the money Ling Qiong had taken to Father Su.

Lu Wenchi wasn't the smooth-talking, diplomatic type, so he solemnly promised Father Su that he would work hard, cherish her, love her, and never let her be wronged.

Father Su: "......"

Of course, Father Su did not agree.

"You're just a celebrity. How far do you think you'll go?" Father Su's words were laced with unmistakable threat.

Lu Wenchi's gaze lowered, calmly watching the cup of tea on the table.

After several seconds, he stood, bowed slightly toward Father Su, "Mr. Su, if you truly insist, there's nothing I can do. But until she leaves me, I won't leave her first."

With that, Lu Wenchi left, leaving Father Su alone, fuming.

A little celebrity dared to talk back to him?

Fine!

He would see just how long this pretty boy could hold out.

Father Su sent word around.

Any disturbance in the entertainment world spreads fast.

Lu Wenchi had offended someone; his resources were blocked at every turn.

Among his fans, there were plenty of Sherlocks, who quickly noticed and began to speak out for him.

Yet everyone observed that Lu Wenchi continued to thrive.

His schedule never stayed empty for long; there was always a new opportunity—resources that couldn't be blocked even with money.

Even if, during that period, there was only one drama, it was enough to keep his popularity high.

Father Su tried to sabotage him.

But in every instance, there was either someone too powerful to cross, or he simply couldn't intervene.

Father Su stared at the online talk of 'mystical constitution', so furious he took two heart pills.

How could this pretty boy have such good luck...

In the end, Father Su's attempts to block him amounted to nothing.