The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(266-270)

Chapter 266: Counting Stars


Bai Lu refused, "I'm not going."


The girl felt overwhelmed by Xiao Cheng's imposing pressure, the threat of death in his eyes, and the cold gaze that made her tremble with fear. She felt as if she were plunging into an icy abyss of thousands of years, finding it hard to breathe, and she really wanted to turn and run away.


After some contemplation, she had no choice but to continue, trembling, and spoke to Bai Lu again—


"It's about the college entrance examination."


Bai Lu hesitated for a moment and continued to refuse, "I can take care of my own exams, you don't need to worry about me."


However, the girl, Lan Caiying, said, "You have been expelled from school and cannot participate in the college entrance examination."


Bai Lu's eyes turned cold, "I haven't committed any major mistakes at school, why would I be expelled? You're lying."


Although the original owner had poor academic performance, she attended classes and completed assignments on time every day, never absent.


She had never made any academic mistakes, let alone any major ones. The school wouldn't expel her for no reason.


"I'm not lying to you, it's true. The reason is that your personal life is chaotic, you lack discipline, and your conduct is deficient... You have poor grades and tarnish the reputation of the school..." Lan Caiying didn't know that Bai Lu was being evasive, so she blurted out everything.


Bai Lu sensed that there was something fishy about it. Although she didn't know if what Lan Caiying said was true or false, she could imagine that the purpose behind Zhou Jiayi and Li Shuixian's invitation was definitely not pure.


But she had practiced military boxing and wasn't afraid of Li Shuixian and Zhou Jiayi's tricks. She was ready to attend the feast of Hongmen.


However, just as she raised her foot, she heard a voice beside her ear, "Don't go, they're lying to you."


Bai Lu raised her head in surprise.


Xiao Cheng glanced at her, sometimes seeing her bright and wise, sometimes naive and innocent eyes.


Speaking softly, he patiently guided, "For this kind of thing, you need to confirm with the school to be reliable."


Bai Lu also knew that, but said, "Zhou Jiayi may have more important information in her hands, I want to go talk to her."


Xiao Cheng frowned slightly, obviously disagreeing.


Bai Lu blinked at him, "How about you accompany me?"


Xiao Cheng agreed to this suggestion of her getting closer to him.


The two stepped forward at the same time, Lan Caiying was suddenly frightened and ran away.


When Zhou Jiayi and Li Shuixian saw Xiao Cheng coming over, they were even more shocked, not knowing whether to leave or stay.


That dead woman Bai Lu, why did she have to bring the big killer over!


Zhou Jiayi and Li Shuixian's plan was ruined by Xiao Cheng's sudden intervention.


They hurriedly said to Bai Lu, "We have something else to do, let's talk another day," and decisively returned the same way.


Li Shuixian's husband, Xiao Zhilan, was a member of the champion team and had a seat in the second raft, so he didn't have to row.


The Pingcheng team supported by Zhou Jiayi didn't win the championship this time, so they had to row and row to the third place.


She was naturally unwilling to go, if she went, she would definitely lose face and be looked down upon by Bai Lu.


Because she had ridiculed and mocked the Xinzhen team before the competition, and now that the Xinzhen team had won the championship, none of the team members welcomed her.


She couldn't go to the second raft.


Zhou Jiayi could only go to the third raft.


The third raft was occupied by the runner-up team, and there were classmates of hers, so she could enjoy the scenery while rowing.


Rowing slowly was fine, but not rowing was not allowed, that was the rule.


Zhou Jiayi had been pampered since childhood and wouldn't do such rough work, so she deliberately came to a less conspicuous position at the back and directly handed the oar to Lan Caiying.


She sat next to Lan Caiying and enjoyed the scenery.


Seeing Bailu and Xiao Cheng return to the dragon boat, Zhou Jiayi was gnashing her teeth with anger, but could only wait for the right time.


With Xiao Cheng there, harming Bai Lu was like seeking death.


But Zhou Jiayi waited for half a day, gnashing her teeth until she was furious, her anger burning her heart.


Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu were still enjoying the scenery, chatting and laughing as if no one else existed. Bai Lu was counting stars, moons, bamboo forests, and willows by the river as if she were mentally handicapped.


Seeing temples she had never seen before, she even asked Xiao Cheng about them, and Xiao Cheng explained patiently without feeling annoyed.


It was as if they had never talked before, with one sentence from her and one from him, talking non-stop.


From the small town to entering Pingcheng.


Zhou Jiayi was about to explode with anger.


Fortunately, after a big turn at a fork in the road, Xiao Cheng suddenly had something to do and returned to the boat.


There was only Bai Lu left in the pavilion.


Still counting stars like an idiot.


A sinister smile floated in Zhou Jiayi's eyes.


Bai Lu heard footsteps and turned around, seeing the three who had disappeared not long ago coming back again.


She might have exchanged a few words with them in the past, but tonight she didn't know what was going on and decided to speak her mind.


"You want to push me into the river, don't you."


A statement without doubt, with certainty.


The plan was suddenly exposed, Zhou Jiayi and Li Shuixian were caught off guard, their faces slightly stiff.


When did Bai Lu become so smart and straightforward! Even if she guessed it before, she wouldn't say it so clearly!


Even if the plan was discovered, Zhou Jiayi didn't intend to admit it: "You're good at telling lies besides anything else, I think you're the one who wants to push us into the river."


Not only Xiao Cheng was in the bow, but there were also other people in the boat. If there was too much movement, they would definitely be found out.


Li Shuixian also sarcastically said in a low voice, "We just think the bow position is good, we can see farther and more beautiful scenery, just come over and admire it, who wants to push you into the river, you're overthinking."


Lan Caiying stood silently behind because she was afraid of Xiao Cheng's retaliation, hesitated for a moment, and then fled back.


"Oh, so you're the one overthinking."


Bai Lu leaned lightly on the railing, her posture relaxed, her eyebrows lazy, calmly and calmly kicked back the original words.


She even looked at Li Shuixian's pale face and Zhou Jiayi's red face, exposing them both, "When the dragon boat enters Pingcheng, it will slow down, and you're waiting for this opportunity to push me into the river. By then, you'll chat louder, drowning out my voice, and when someone finds me, I'll already be half-dead in the water."


Li Shuixian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, wondering how Bai Lu knew everything.


Even Zhou Jiayi was startled.


She stared at Bai Lu as if she had seen a ghost, "That's just your guess, what does it have to do with us."


"It doesn't matter, why are you here?" Bai Lu retorted unceremoniously, deliberately turning her back to the three of them to enjoy the scenery.


The railing outside the pavilion was not high, and pushing someone over it would make them fall into the water, a good place for a profound lesson.


At this moment, the dragon boat was about to pass through the arch of the stone bridge, if someone fell, the area under the bridge was dark and deep, the boat was slow, and when someone on the dragon raft behind noticed, it would be half dead by then.


Zhou Jiayi and Li Shuixian glanced at each other, it was simple for the two of them to deal with Bai Lu.


"We said we came to see the scenery."


As the faint voice fell, a series of footsteps quickly sounded.


Bai Lu's lips curved into a cold smile, intending to make way, but she was already swept away by a sudden big hand around her waist, leaving the place in an instant.


"Thud!" "Thud!"


Two heavy objects fell into the water.


Bai Lu raised her head from Xiao Cheng's arms, "What's that sound?"


Xiao Cheng rubbed her head lightly, the cold indifference in his eyes hidden.


"It's nothing, the crew is rowing."


As soon as he finished speaking, he gave the juice in his hand to Bai Lu and hugged her back into the cabin, "Let's go back inside and drink."



















Chapter 67


Bai Lu returned to the boat and was immediately stunned.


The young men who were originally sitting around the table, talking about life and ideals, had now turned into a group dancing hand in hand around the table.


They were singing and dancing, their voices loud and cheerful, with happy smiles on their faces.


The dancing was also very graceful.


Similar to the last time during Xiao Cheng's birthday, Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dazhuang, along with others, were dancing in unison, kicking left, kicking right, dancing with coordinated rhythm, very characteristic of the ethnic dance.


Xiao Wei couldn't escape the friendly clutches of his older brothers. He was held by Luo Shiliu and Wang Hao, dancing with his arms in theirs, looking pitiful and forlorn.


"Is everyone drunk?"


Looking at the drunk people, one after another, Bai Lu finally concluded that it must be the fruit wine.


There was no sensation when drinking, and no sensation right after, but after a while, the effect started to kick in.


Once it did, people started to feel dizzy.


Bailu sipped her juice while admiring the men's ethnic dance. As she watched, she even felt like joining in.


Her feet were itching to move, but her waist was firmly held by strong arms, preventing her from going.


"Ah Cheng, I want to go too."


Bai Lu poked the large hand wrapped around her waist, trying to pry it open but failing, only able to shake his hand.


To go dancing meant holding someone's hand. Xiao Cheng disagreed and handed her a piece of watermelon from a nearby table.


"Eat watermelon."


Bai Lu's eagerness to dance was instantly diverted by the watermelon. After finishing it, Xiao Cheng handed her a slice of cantaloupe.


After the cantaloupe, it was a peach.


Bai Lu automatically stuffed it into her mouth, only to realize, "It's not peeled."


She promptly closed her mouth, retracting her determination to bite down.


Xiao Cheng handed her another slice of watermelon.


Bai Lu refused, "I want to eat peaches."


Xiao Cheng knew exactly what was on her mind, his left hand encircling her slender waist, he picked up a peach from the table with his right hand and began peeling it with a fruit knife.


Without affecting the blockade at all.


Bai Lu looked down at the arm across her waist and followed it to the hand holding the peach on the right side.


For the first time, she had the thought of fattening up her waist.


Perhaps due to frequently holding a knife, Xiao Cheng peeled the fruit skin very neatly, the peel remained intact from beginning to end.


His speed was also fast, just as Bai Lu's thought of fattening up had halfway risen, real-time feeding arrived.


Each bite was sweet and juicy, delicious.


The men dancing were sour to the core.


They decisively stopped dancing, surrounding Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu in the middle. "Big brother, big sister-in-law, come and dance together~"


"Let's dance together~"


Xiao Cheng had just calmed everyone down when the group of men came over, and now he only wanted to punch someone.


Bai Lu shook Xiao Cheng's arm. "Ah Cheng..."


"Help! Someone fell into the water!"


A pig-like scream suddenly rang out, interrupting Bai Lu's unfinished words, echoing from outside the ship.


"Quick, someone save them!"


"Someone fell into the water, hurry, save them!"


More and more voices filled the night, piercing through the loud singing of the men's group, bringing the dancing to an abrupt halt.


Everyone staggered out.


Xiao Wei, the little pitiful, was finally relieved, following Xiao Cheng and Bai Lu, walking out with everyone.


The screams for help were not coming from the front of the dragon boat but from the fifth raft at the back of the dragon's body.


When Bai Lu and Xiao Cheng arrived at the fourth raft, Li Shuixian and Zhou Jiayi had already been rescued.


Apart from being pale, soaking wet, trembling all over, with their hands and feet shaking like chaff, and their exposed skin slightly whitened from being soaked for too long, they were fine.


They even had the strength to glare at people, glaring fiercely at Bai Lu, then trembling with fear, they looked away.


Xiao Zhihai wanted to help Li Shuixian back to the second raft, but Li Shuixian's legs were weak, and she couldn't stand up.


Her body, as round as a ball, was too heavy for Xiao Zhihai to lift. With the help of others, he struggled to lift her up and move step by step.


Zhou Jiayi was helped away by Lan Caiying and another male classmate. As she passed by Bai Lu, she glared at her, her eyes full of fear and malice.


They hadn't taken two steps when they tripped over something, and all three figures fell to the ground.


"Oh my god, you guys so pitiful"


Luo Shiliu leaned against the railing between the third raft and the fourth raft, exaggerating sympathy on his face.


Wang Hao and Xiao Dazhuang beside him also showed sympathy.


"You can fall into the river even while sitting on a boat, how pitiful, please go back and lie down."


"Can't even walk steadily, so pitiful."


"All their strength is spent on glaring at people, of course they can't walk steadily, they just want to crawl back."


Zhou Jiayi had never seen such nosy men before, feeling angry and indignant, but dared not speak up.


After all, she had really fallen into the river, really fell down, embarrassed to the core, and was helped away.


Failing to steal the chicken and losing the rice, she couldn't get back at Bai Lu, and if the matter got out, she would be condemned and criticized.


Li Shuixian and Zhou Jiayi were unwilling, but they could only swallow their anger and swallow their words.


The dragon boat traveled from Xinzhen to Pingcheng, enjoying the lights of thousands of households, the magnificent scene of the Golden River, the starry sky, the green mountains, and the clear waters of nature, carrying laughter and joy, returning the same way.


Each went back to their own home.


After taking a bath, Bai Lu didn't sit in the yard as usual to enjoy the moonlight or do the laundry.


Instead, she took a small stool and sat by the washbasin, resting her chin in her hands, staring without blinking at Xiao Cheng washing clothes across from her, her clear and pure eyes full of curiosity.


"Why are you helping me with the laundry?"


Xiao Cheng paused in his skirt-washing motion and softly spoke, "Can you go back to sleep?"


Bai Lu shook her head, "I want to watch you do the laundry."


Xiao Cheng: "..."


"Not reading tonight?"


Bai Lu shook her head, "Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, I'm off."


Last time she said she was off, but it didn't turn out that way in reality.


Xiao Cheng looked at the girl's innocent and pure eyes, silent for a moment, said nothing, and continued washing clothes.


But Bai Lu said, "You look really good washing clothes, much cooler than a washing machine."


Xiao Cheng: "..."


Xiao Wei noticed that Bai Lu was a bit different tonight, a bit like his older brother after getting drunk.


But also a bit different.


When his older brother was drunk, he would cling to Bai Lu, and when Bai Lu was drunk... she would cling to his older brother, but not in the same way. She seemed a bit unreasonable, clinging to his brother to talk and ask questions, asking questions that wouldn't normally come up.


His sister-in-law must be drunk.


Xiao Wei suddenly remembered what happened last time, glanced at his brother and sister-in-law, quickly washed and hung up the clothes.


After saying goodnight, he went back to his room and closed the door.


Bai Lu stayed with Xiao Cheng until he finished washing both their clothes and hanging them up, then they went back to the room together.


But they didn't go to sleep after getting into bed.


They chatted under the covers.


"Ah Cheng, why don't you make and sell electric chestnut roasting machines?"


This question had troubled Bai Lu for a long time. Even though her brain was a mess at the moment, she hadn't forgotten about it.


Xiao Cheng looked at the rusty ceiling, silent for a moment, then glanced at her: "Do you want to know?"


Bai Lu nodded eagerly like a little chick pecking at rice: "I do."


Xiao Cheng opened up: "Come here."


















Chapter 268: Possessiveness


Bai Lu didn't hesitate and snuggled up to him.


Of course, she had thought about it before snuggling in, but even after thinking about it, she still wanted to be there. The atmosphere there felt safe and familiar, as if she had snuggled in countless times before.


Xiao Cheng hugged the girl in his arms tightly, his hand instinctively returning to her back, gently patting it with practiced ease.


He wondered if she would wake up tomorrow morning and forget everything that happened tonight, just like he did.


"I don't want to do it for others," he said.


Bai Lu hugged his waist, her mind blurting out whatever questions she had: "Only do it for me?"


Xiao Cheng: "Hmm."


Bai Lu was happy, but she didn't understand: "We're currently on the path of starting a teaching business. In the future, there will be more and more vendors selling candied chestnuts. For merchants, the electric chestnut roasting machine is nothing but beneficial, saving time and effort and making more money. Everyone will definitely want it."


"If you make and sell electric chestnut roasting machines, you don't have to worry about sales at all. For every student we teach, one machine will be sold. If we teach a hundred, a hundred machines will be sold. It's a guaranteed sale."


"People who come out of our candied chestnut teaching class will inevitably have the same idea as us, wanting to make money through teaching. They may not dare to do it now, but once our teaching class is over, they will definitely start teaching secretly."


"Once they start teaching, all the vendors in the market will be using our electric chestnut roasting machines. Their students won't be able to avoid buying them."


"To expand the candied chestnut business, buying electric chestnut roasting machines is inevitable. The increasing demand for electric chestnut roasting machines is also inevitable. For us, this means a continuous stream of wealth..."


"Wait." Bai Lu sighed and suddenly changed her tone: "This is your wealth alone. The technology is yours."


However, faced with such immense wealth, Xiao Cheng remained unmoved.


After listening to all of Bai Lu's words, he simply responded with a "Hmm" and made no further comment.


His attitude towards money, like treating dirt, made Bailu feel a bit frustrated: "Don't you have any thoughts at all?"


Xiao Cheng calmly replied, "No."


Bai Lu: "..."


"Don't you want to make money?"


"I'm already making money."


"Don't you want to make a little more?"


"How much more do you want?"


Bai Lu was dumbfounded by Xiao Cheng's counter-question, her mind unable to keep up: "Why are you asking me that?"


Xiao Cheng looked at the girl's innocent and ignorant face, sighed helplessly, and said, "Nothing."


"This is a very serious matter. Please take it seriously and don't sigh."


"Sighing will make good luck disappear."


Xiao Cheng was convinced by her seriousness, his face shifting from helpless to expressionless: "Okay."


Bai Lu nodded in satisfaction.


When she tried to continue the previous topic, she couldn't remember what she wanted to ask!


"What did I ask you just now?"


Xiao Cheng remained composed: "candied chestnuts."


Bai Lu had no doubts: "Oh, about the candied chestnuts..."


"No!"


Bai Lu remembered: "We're not selling sugar-roasted chestnuts anymore. We're currently teaching classes, and we should be selling electric chestnut roasting machines."


Xiao Cheng fell silent, showing interest for the first time.


Bai Lu seized the opportunity and continued to ask, "So why don't you want to make and sell electric chestnut roasting machines?"


After pondering for a moment, Xiao Cheng replied calmly, "Not in a hurry."


This answer puzzled Bai Lu.


Growing up in the 21st century, she had never worried about food and clothing, but she also knew that money was needed for everything in life.


She had never seen someone push away an opportunity to make money when it presented itself, and Xiao Cheng was the first.


Her mind became even more muddled.


"Why aren't you in a hurry?"


"Don't you want to make money?"


Xiao Cheng comforted Bai Lu's puzzled mind by rubbing her head gently, his large hand stroking her long hair downwards.


Once and then again: "Not in a hurry."


Unable to figure it out, Bai Lu gave up thinking about it and directly suggested, "You should make and sell electric chestnut roasting machines."


Xiao Cheng didn't want to, but he didn't explain clearly. Bai Lu would surely forget about it by morning, given her ability to forget things in an instant after drinking.


Xiao Cheng controlled his expression.


In a serious tone, he said, "What others have, Lulu should also have. What Lulu has, others cannot have."


Bai Lu was momentarily stunned, staring straight into Xiao Cheng's eyes. "You like me, don't you?"


Xiao Cheng had considered countless questions Bai Lu might ask, even ones unrelated to the topic, but he never expected her to ask this question.


Moreover, she said, "Your way of thinking is a manifestation of possessiveness. Our professor said that men have a strong sense of territory. When they encounter someone they truly like, they will directly claim them as their own territory, akin to touching a sore spot. Any touch from another will trigger a warning of imminent battle."


"Men's possessiveness will manifest when someone they like is coveted or touched by others. They will declare their sovereignty in various ways."


"Men with stronger possessiveness will want to bring the person they like back to their territory, hiding them away where no one can see, belonging only to them. Everything about that person belongs solely to them."


"Men with extreme possessiveness will want to confine the person they like, using any means necessary, even if it means hurting them, just to keep them by their side. Everything about that person is unique, and anything similar outside must be destroyed. They will not allow anyone or anything similar to exist in this world, as extreme men will see it as a defilement of their beloved..."


Bai Lu recounted the teachings of her psychology professor without noticing the dark waves churning in Xiao Cheng's deep gaze, which were constantly suppressed.


The large hand that had been caressing her back went limp without her noticing, falling down to press against the bed, clenching and releasing, as if it had undergone numerous tense struggles.


Like the claw of an evil dragon inching closer, afraid of causing harm but also retreating cautiously.


After a while, the hand with clearly defined bones returned to its usual warmth and thickness, gently approaching the girl's back again.


The rhythm of the gentle strokes became irregular, one after another.


"Lulu."


Bai Lu was so lost in her words that she didn't know where she had stopped until she heard the gentle call.


"Hmm, what's wrong?"















Chapter 269: Stolen Kiss


Xiao Cheng tightened his embrace around Bai Lu's arm, feeling her soft warmth. His tone was slightly lighter as he asked, "Do you really want me to sell the electric chestnut roasting machine?"


Bai Lu's eyes immediately lit up, nodding eagerly, "Yes, you don't want to?"


"We have electric fans in your shop, we have the components to assemble the electric chestnut roasting machine, you have the technical expertise, and the market is in our hands. It's a unique opportunity, and we can set the price. It's a guaranteed profit!" With the first "we" uttered, the internal struggle within Xiao Cheng disappeared. With the second "we" spoken, the sense of weightlessness standing on the edge of a cliff vanished.


He said, "Okay."


Bai Lu was stunned, unable to react. He had been rejected countless times before, but this time, he actually agreed?


Xiao Cheng agreed to sell the electric chestnut flipping machine?


"You agreed?" Bai Lu couldn't believe it, raising her head to look at Xiao Cheng.


The dim light fell on his cold, sharp jawline, making it appear indifferent and ruthless. He never compromised, only refused to submit.


But the deep eyes that met hers no longer held the stubbornness and disdain for the world. Instead, they were filled with surprise at her astonished face, focused entirely on her.


A single-word answer was his earnest response, "Yes."


Bai Lu was suddenly excited, clasping Xiao Cheng's face with her hands, "You're really something!"


"I really like you, I really want to kiss you!"


This sudden surprise disrupted Xiao Cheng, leaving him momentarily stunned as his calm and collected thoughts were thrown into disarray.


His breathing faltered, his heartbeat momentarily stopping, before resuming at a faster pace. Yet, time seemed to stretch on, as if an eternity had passed.


However, Bai Lu made no move, simply holding Xiao Cheng's face in her hands.


Despite the bright smile on her face, it was just that—a smile.


There was no attempt to draw closer.


Only then did Xiao Cheng remember—she was drunk.


He had read too much into it.


"Do you like me?" Bai Lu suddenly spoke again, bringing up the same question.


Xiao Cheng, disappointed by dashed hopes, didn't want to talk to a girl who didn't keep her word, closing his eyes and ignoring her.


But Bai Lu continued, speaking with reason and evidence, "You definitely like me."


"If you don't admit it, I know. You buy me nice clothes, buy me shrimp that I like, buy me supplements for my health, and find every reason to keep me here, because this is your home, your territory."


"You bring me nice things from outside, you know when I'm not feeling well and take me out to play, to relax. You're so good to me because you've already included me in your territory. You have possessiveness towards me."


"Only when you like someone will you feel possessive. You definitely like me, so you always steal kisses from me..."


Until that point, everything was fine. But with the last sentence, Xiao Cheng's expression suddenly turned unnatural.


With a low, clear voice, he somewhat awkwardly coughed, "You're drunk."


"Does being drunk mean the kisses don't count?" Bai Lu evidently didn't realize that Xiao Cheng was referring to her current state of inebriation.


Speaking straightforwardly was her strength at this moment: "You kissed me without me knowing, so it's a stolen kiss. And it's happened more than once. Sometimes I don't remember, but I remember the details clearly."


"You kissed me when you went out of the province on business last time, early in the morning before you left, and kissed me for a long time before leaving..."


Xiao Cheng's complexion became even more unnatural, asking casually, "Did you wake up that morning?"


"Of course, I woke up. How else would I know you kissed me?"


Xiao Cheng coughed lightly, teaching her to distinguish facts, "If you woke up, it doesn't count as a stolen kiss."


"Is that so..." Bai Lu was taken aback by Xiao Cheng's somewhat reasonable argument, then suddenly said, "But I was originally asleep. You woke me up with a kiss. It's still a stolen kiss!"


"If it's not a stolen kiss, then it's a stolen kiss!"


This distinction suited her current state, detached from right or wrong.


Xiao Cheng couldn't lie down anymore.


Sitting up against the head of the bed, he met the girl's serious and affirmative gaze with a pure and direct look.


He pinched her chin, suddenly leaned in, and kissed her lips — "Is this considered stealing?"


A low, hoarse voice overflowed from his lips, creating ripples in the calm night, like waves splashing.


Bai Lu was shocked by Xiao Cheng's open act of stealing a kiss, and even more so by his refusal to leave after the kiss, unable to utter a word, staring blankly at his dark lashes.


After blinking, all she could see were his deep dark pupils, completely focused on her, magnifying her astonishment.


It took some time for the shock to dissipate.


"You're ambushing!" Bai Lu was the first to reveal Xiao Cheng's crime as soon as he released her chin.


The second...


Decisively pinching Xiao Cheng's chin in retaliation!


Just as the sweet breath vanished, Xiao Cheng, slightly stunned, watched the girl's retaliatory expression, unable to suppress a smile, letting her act recklessly.


Bai Lu's counterattack succeeded, bringing balance to her heart.


However, just as she tried to withdraw, Xiao Cheng suddenly grabbed the back of her head, firmly holding her in place, deepening the stolen kiss.


What was meant to be a dragonfly touching the water's surface turned into a passionate kiss, a firm grasp with ten fingers.


Bai Lu's already muddled mind became even more confused, blank as if acupoints had been struck.


Her subconscious reactions vanished.


With an empty mind, a single thought emerged at some point—close her eyes and respond.


Xiao Cheng knew Bai Lu was exceptionally well-behaved tonight, but he didn't expect her to be this well-behaved, so well-behaved that he wanted to give his life to her.


She always plunged him into an unprecedented world of tenderness, drowning him in it, unable to extricate himself.


She was always hot and cold, distant and near, making him suffer, yet he accepted it willingly.


Every time she shone brightly in the crowd, dazzling with radiance, she seemed out of place in the world, making it hard for him to grasp, like a kite flying farther and farther away once the string was broken.


Every time she smiled at him, repaying his kindness, he always felt there was a chance.


But in the end, he discovered that it was just her way of repaying kindness, without owing or being owed, a noble character that was independent and self-sufficient.


She was a thousand times good.


But she didn't belong to him.


Xiao Cheng didn't want to let go, so he had to find other ways to make sure she was still there when he noticed she was drifting away.


Like tonight, taking advantage of her vulnerability.


Knowing she was drunk, her mind unclear, unable to make the right judgments.


Still, he forcibly claimed her as his own.


















Chapter 270: The Truth

My
Date: April 18, 2023

Author: Tang Linglong


The stars hung low over the river, a gentle breeze stirring as fish frolicked in the water, happily swishing their tails.


Ripples formed on the surface of the water with each playful movement.


Moonlight spilled onto the windowsill, and just before asphyxiation set in, Bai Lu was finally released.


Her mind, already muddled, was beyond description—it had shut down completely.


Gone were her independent thinking and rational judgment.


Even her clear and pure eyes were now clouded with mist, illusions overlapping.


Her lips were slightly parted as she breathed heavily.


As the air filled her lungs, her brain gradually regained clarity, and she blinked.


A radiant and enchanting glow blossomed in her eyes.


The crimson in Xiao Cheng's eyes, which he had just suppressed, surged again. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, but it was futile.


He could only raise his hand to cover her eyes.


Bai Lu: "..."


"Do you think you've gone too far?" Xiao Cheng's voice was calm as he released her, seemingly unaffected, and pulled her into his embrace.


His chin rested on her forehead, his breath carrying a faint fragrance, his voice unusually deep and hoarse.


"Lu Lu."


"Why did you..."


He paused, but couldn't bring himself to ask.


Bai Lu, as if she could read minds, hit the nail on the head, "Are you wondering why I don't like you?"


Xiao Cheng didn't say a word but held her tighter, his long arms acting like chains, firmly locking her in place.


His heartbeat momentarily stopped, his breath held, the room quiet except for Bai Lu's breathing.


Bai Lu's ethereal voice continued, "You must be wondering about this. You just acknowledged that you like me, so naturally, you want to know if I like you. It's a normal psychological phenomenon."


"If you didn't participate in the plan to harm my family, then I like you."


Her straightforwardness was due to her intoxicated state, answering any question asked of her.


Perhaps it was also because of the kiss just now; she hadn't recovered from it, so she blurted out such an important matter.


Xiao Cheng lowered his eyes and asked softly, "Why would I harm your family?"


Bai Lu looked troubled, "I don't know."


Xiao Cheng gently rubbed her head and said seriously, "I would never harm your family."


But Bai Lu said, "But you met that person, and shortly after, the plan was set in motion."


Xiao Cheng asked, "Who?"


Bai Lu's mind couldn't function normally at the moment, so she temporarily put aside her memories since coming here and tried to recall memories from the 21st century.


From the surge of memories, she extracted all the information about that person.


This contemplation was silent.


Xiao Cheng thought she didn't want to answer, and his heart sank, preparing to change the topic.


But the quiet room was filled with Bai Lu's clear explanation: "I don't know who that person is, but I know he is one of the highest decision-makers in that organization."


Xiao Cheng asked, "What kind of organization?"


Given that it was a key target for crackdowns, Bai Lu occasionally heard her father and grandfather discussing it in the study.


Sometimes her grandfather would join them. Although she just passed by and didn't have detailed information, she remembered the important points clearly: "Its members are spread all over the world, manipulating politics in many countries, and involved in black and white industries..."


Through Bai Lu's intermittent expressions, Xiao Cheng understood that her father and grandfather received orders from above to capture important members of the other side and gather relevant national intelligence.


After the trial, when the organization behind the scenes received the news, they set up a trap to deal with her father and grandfather.


An undercover agent who received the information reported it at the risk of his life.


"The undercover agent could only obtain limited information and didn't know the detailed plan, only saw..."


At this point, Bai Lu's expression was complicated as she looked at Xiao Cheng, "The undercover agent only saw you meeting one of the decision-makers."


"No one knows what you talked about, only that the plan was set in motion shortly after you left for three days."


Xiao Cheng set aside the timeline and the unknowns of the world Bai Lu was in, focusing only on the event itself: "Do you think the plan started because of me?"


Bai Lu shook her head, "I don't think so. My father said that before there is conclusive evidence, one cannot jump to conclusions or judge others guilty based on subjective consciousness."


Just because the previous Xiao Cheng was involved in illegal activities and was marked as a key target for surveillance didn't mean the plan started because of him.


However, there might be some connection, whether it was good or bad, was the focus of Bai Lu's father and the trial team.


And the process of the "plan activation" was the focus of Bai Lu and her father.


So, Bai Lu came to probe Xiao Cheng's memories.


Although Bai Lu's father and grandfather had warned her that Xiao Cheng was dangerous and advised her not to get involved, how could she sit idly by when it concerned her family's safety? She secretly came over.


And then it happened.


Xiao Cheng noticed the sudden sadness in his embrace. By connecting her previous words, he understood everything and gently patted her back to comfort her.


Softly, he asked, "At what stage was the plan when you left your family?"


"I don't know..." Her muffled voice choked up.


And earnestly, "After the plan started, I came to find you, but you were elusive. No one could find you, so I couldn't find you either. Later, you came to me after I had a car accident, and only then did I have the opportunity to access your memories to find detailed clues about the plan."


Xiao Cheng asked, "Did you find any clues?"


Bai Lu shook her head and looked resentful, "I only saw the important parts, and you wouldn't let me see the rest."


Xiao Cheng had anticipated her origins, but not to this extent. After analyzing her words just now, he was shocked internally but remained calm on the surface.


He didn't know the connection between "him" and her, only through her could he find out.


"Why didn't I let you see?"


Bai Lu's resentment deepened, "You said you wanted to go back to rest before lunch."


Xiao Cheng suspected that guy was sick but could only pat her head to comfort her, "You can schedule for next time."


"I did schedule." Bai Lu was not comforted by the pat on the head; her resentful face was on the verge of collapse.


"The second time I scheduled with you, you were abroad, and when I went to find you, you had already returned."


Xiao Cheng fell silent for a moment, understanding her meaning from her words, then asked, "You came here?"


Bai Lu nodded, feeling wronged and sad, "Before I came, my grandfather and father were fine, but now I don't know..."


Xiao Cheng wasn't that damn "him," so he didn't know what happened. He didn't know how to comfort Bai Lu and could only tighten his embrace, pat


ting her back to soothe her.


After her emotions calmed down, he slowly spoke, "So, the plan... it's because you don't trust me?"


Bai Lu heard the loneliness in his tone and explained, "It's not that I don't trust you, I just need to confirm."


"I didn't finish reading the memories, and I'm not sure if you know anything or if you were involved..."


"I can only judge what kind of person you are and whether you are related to those things through observation and personal experience. When I first saw you here, your cold and ruthless aura was the same as what I saw there, but later, you changed slowly..."