If Chen Qianqing really were just a twenty-something student, he would’ve probably believed that Ruan Wenhong was doing this for his sake.
It’s a pity that in this world, Chen Qianqing understood Ruan Wenhong more than Lu Zhengfei. He listened to Ruan Wenhong’s explanation and laughed. “Can I go to other countries besides Country A?”
Ruan Wenhong, “Of course. However, if you were to go to other countries, Lu Zhengfei may or may not find you, and I will not be able to protect you.”
Country A, according to Ruan Wenhong, was the best choice. This was because after the anti-Chinese incidents, for a period of time, the country didn’t allow Chinese citizens to enter the country. In addition to that, Lu Zhengfei’s family had a special political status: it was even more impossible for Lu Zhengfei’s reach to extend to Country A.
Saving someone was very difficult, but killing someone was very easy. Ruan Wenhong just needed to use his money to silence Chen Qianqing overseas.
Ruan Wenhong was thinking about this and obviously, Chen Qianqing was too. He looked at his kindly smiling cousin and only felt like sighing.
If he were the real Chen Qianqing, he probably would have agreed to Ruan Wenhong’s proposal. It was a pity that back then, Lu Zhengfei didn’t tell Ruan Wenhong in advance that he planned on coming out of the closet, so his cousin didn’t have time to go look for Chen Qianqing to have a chat.
A sudden turn of events led to this.
Ruan Wenhong looked at Chen Qianqing, who wasn’t talking; he then opened his mouth to speak. “What are you worried about? If you agree, I can have your parents come with you.”
Chen Qianqing, “Country A?”
Ruan Wenhong, “Country A.”
Chen Qianqing suddenly felt some admiration for this cousin who obviously wanted to harm people. In spite of this, he looked extremely kind, similar to someone actually concerned about the newer generation, a sympathetic and good person.
Ruan Wenhong looked at Chen Qianqing, who still hadn't answered. He thought that he wasn’t content; vague disgust appeared in his eyes, but he quickly reverted to a smiling expression. “I can also give you a sum of money. Although it isn’t much, it should be enough for your family to live comfortably.”
Chen Qianqing, “How much?”
As expected, he wanted money. At first, when Ruan Wenhong entered the room, he didn't have a bad impression of Chen Qianqing; but at that moment, that impression of him went away. “Five million.”
Five million, in addition to the chance to leave Lu Zhengfei - who wouldn’t be tempted? However Chen Qianqing, who was listening to these numbers, laughed. He casually took out a card from his pockets and threw it in front of Ruan Wenhong. “A card your didi gave me.”
Ruan Wenhong looked uncertain.
Chen Qianqing, “Inside there are three million yuan.”
Ruan Wenhong immediately understood what Chen Qianqing was saying – the amount was too small.
Chen Qianqing, “I have at least three or four cards like this one. There are also a few limitless credit cards.”
Five million, what was that even worth?
Chen Qianqing leaned forward slightly, his gaze gradually turning cold. “Mr. Ruan, you want to use an amount of money as insignificant as five million to buy my life, don’t you think that’s a bit cheap?”
Ruan Wenhong’s pupils shrank. He and Chen Qianqing held each other's stare for a short while; Ruan Wenhong then laughed. “I underestimated you.”
Someone who could draw Lu Zhengfei’s attention of course couldn’t be simple. According to the data, he was “pure” and “stubborn”, but Ruan Wenhong couldn’t see any of it.
Chen Qianqing leaned against the sofa. “Ten million, Country B.”
Ruan Wenhong, “Aren’t you being a bit greedy?”
Chen Qianqing sighed. “Mr. Ruan, if you can use those ten million yuan to stop Lu Zhengfei from harassing me, then I have no objection. Using such a small sum of money to resolve such a messy situation, wouldn’t you be profiting from that?"
Ruan Wenhong appeared to be considering Chen Qianqing’s words.
Chen Qianqing, “Five million yuan are fine too, but you would need to help me settle school matters. What’s more, when I return after graduation you cannot stop me.”
Ruan Wenhong looked at Chen Qianqing, who was holding Xiao Hua in his arms. Suddenly, he understood why Lu Zhengfei was so captivated. When he first laid eyes on Chen Qianqing, he assumed Chen Qianqing was weak, similar to Xiao Hua. What he didn’t
(1.)
expect was that this flower(1.) was a man-eating flower.
Ruan Wenhong, “Chen Qianqing, are you aware that, even if Lu Zhengfei fancies you, if I want this life of yours it’s a very simple thing to obtain?”
Chen Qianqing was unmoved. “Are you willing to part?”
Ruan Wenhong, “Am I willing to part with you?”
Chen Qianqing dragged out his words, “What I mean is, are you willing to have your cousin hate you?”
Ruan Wenhong was struck speechless: he discovered that Chen Qianqing was quite knowledgeable about the matters between himself and Lu Zhengfei.
Although Lu Zhengfei and Ruan Wenhong were cousins, they grew up together, so their relationship was good. Otherwise, Ruan Wenhong wouldn’t abandon his business abroad and fly all the way there just for Lu Zhengfei.
Ruan Wenhong, “You’re smart. Did Lu Zhengfei tell you all about matters related to me?”
Chen Qianqing, “He hasn’t said a word.”
Ruan Wenhong sighed and shook his head. “This cousin of mine…he still hasn’t grown up...”
If the person sitting here had been the original Chen Qianqing or any other person, Ruan Wenhong’s plans would have succeeded. A lot of money plus the chance to get away from someone you don’t love; why would the country you’re moving to really matter?
Ruan Wenhong, “I looked you up. I read that you were very simple; yet from what I see, this doesn’t seem to be the case.”
Chen Qianqing said drily, “People can change. Since you looked me up, then obviously you also know what your cousin has done to me.”
Ruan Wenhong laughed and said, “If you were a girl, I would be happy to see Lu Zhengfei marry you.”
Chen Qianqing, “If I were a girl, I would’ve sued him for rape early on.”
Ruan Wenhong listened to what Chen Qianqing said and laughed. He got up and spoke, “You’re interesting. We will meet again.”
Chen Qianqing lowered his head to kiss Xiao Hua, ignoring Ruan Wenhong.
Ruan Wenhong, “I have one last question…do you really not like my didi?”
At first, before coming here, he didn’t wonder about this; it was after meeting Chen Qianqing that he began to doubt his own judgment. He felt that if Chen Qianqing truly wanted to leave Lu Zhengfei, then Lu Zhengfei wouldn’t be able to stop him.
Chen Qianqing didn’t expect Ruan Wenhong to suddenly ask this question. He raised his head and said, “Otherwise? You’re telling me that he’s actually very cute and I’m the one who can’t see that?”
Ruan Wenhong laughed. “Apologies.”
Chen Qianqing said coldly, “Have a good trip, I won’t see you out.”
As Ruan Wenhong turned to leave, his face still had a smile on it.
Xiao Hua started to meow again, so Chen Qianqing took a spoon and the newly bought milk to feed the kitten.
By night, Lu Zhengfei learnt that Ruan Wenhong went looking for Chen Qianqing. He couldn’t calm down, therefore he took the time to run over to Chen Qianqing’s apartment.
When Lu Zhengfei arrived, Zhu Mao and Chen Qianqing were eating the dinner Zhu Mao prepared.
The kid’s work was good; although it can’t be said that the food was excellent, it was still palatable.
Chen Qianqing’s appetite wasn’t big. He drank a little soup, ate a little rice, then he didn’t move his chopsticks anymore.
Hearing the doorbell, Zhu Mao got up to open the door. After seeing Lu Zhengfei, he said, “Qianqing, your friend.”
How could Chen Qianqing not know who it was? He didn’t even turn his head. “What’s up?”
Lu Zhengfei was panting; paying Zhu Mao no mind, he directly said to Chen Qianqing, “Did my cousin come looking for you?”
Chen Qianqing stood up and said, “Let’s speak outside.”
Together with Lu Zhengfei, he left the apartment and got in Lu Zhengfei’s car.
Lu Zhengfei, “Qianqing, what did he say to you?”
Chen Qianqing, “Can’t you guess what he said?”
Lu Zhengfei had been busy those last few days, staying up late at night for several days: right now, his eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed Chen Qianqing, and asked hoarsely, “Qianqing, did you agree to his proposal?”
Lu Zhengfei’s grasp was bruising Chen Qianqing a bit, so he complained, “Lu Zhengfei, you’re hurting me.”
Lu Zhengfei sighed, but he let go of Chen Qianqing. However, he couldn’t help but light a cigarette. Chen Qianqing noticed that as he lit it, his hands were shaking.
Chen Qianqing suddenly felt pity for the man in front of him. “Lu Zhengfei, can’t you be more reasonable? It was your cousin who sought me out, yet the one you’re mad at is me?”
Lu Zhengfei, “I’m sorry, I was just really worried.”
Chen Qianqing, “You didn’t come here just to talk about this, right? Tell me, what else?”
Lu Zhengfei was quiet as he moved away his cigarette and blew out a puff of smoke. He then spoke, “Qianqing, what about having a check-up?”
Chen Qianqing looked at Lu Zhengfei with suspicion. “Check up? What check-up?”
Lu Zhengfei was at a loss for a while; he had even asked advice from a therapist, and the answer he got was that if the patient refuses, it would be very difficult to know the truth. Therapy was also like this: if Chen Qianqing didn’t believe in it, then the success rate would be almost nil.
Lu Zhengfei, “Mental check-up.”
As expected, he found out…when Chen Qianqing heard those three words, he didn’t feel angry, rather he felt free. After becoming Chen Qianqing, he thought deeply about one thing. If Lu Zhengfei didn’t find out that he wasn’t Chen Qianqing, then wouldn’t that mean Lu Zhengfei’s love for Chen Qianqing was all an illusion?
By sheer luck, Lu Zhengfei finally found out that there was something different about Chen Qianqing. He just didn’t think that Chen Qianqing was a different person, only attributing the change to a mental illness.
Chen Qianqing laughed. “Lu Zhengfei, what do you think is wrong with me?”
Lu Zhengfei thought Chen Qianqing was angry and hastily explained, “Qianqing, I don’t think there’s something wrong with you…I’m just concerned.”
Chen Qianqing, “I won’t go. I’m fine.” It’s just that this isn’t that Chen Qianqing anymore.
Lu Zhengfei was silent. In fact, he had already guessed Chen Qianqing’s response, but he still had a glimmer of hope and wanted to make an attempt.
Lu Zhengfei, “Chen Qianqing, don’t be like this, think about auntie. She would definitely be concerned about you.”
Chen Qianqing suddenly felt that his head was hurting a little. He didn’t want to keep talking with Lu Zhengfei and just said, “I want to rest.”
When he finished talking, he got out of the car.
Lu Zhengfei looked at Chen Qianqing’s back, his eyes filled with worry.
Footnotes:
'Flower' - reminder: Xiao Hua’s name translates to Little Flower, so this is a play on words.