Chapter 617
Xu Ke kept his word and started arranging to evict Lu Chenyu’s family right after dinner.
After taking one last look at his plan, Xu Ke closed his computer with satisfaction. Within a week at the latest, he was confident he would have Lu Chenyu rolling out of Shangjing, penniless, with no way of returning to the city again.
Three days flew by, and Lu Chenyu was driven to desperation by Xu Ke. He had put everything on the line in Shangjing, but now he was on the brink of bankruptcy. His financial chain was near the breaking point, and he could already see his bleak future after its collapse.
Lu Chenyu dragged his fingers through his unkempt hair and, with bloodshot eyes, growled in a low voice, “Xu Ke, I’ve got you in my sights. Just wait until I rise up and crush you underfoot. On that day, I’ll make you wish you were dead.” At that moment, Lu Chenyu was like a cornered beast, trapped in Xu Ke’s iron cage, unable to break free no matter how much he roared.
As Lu Chenyu teetered on the brink of madness, the study door was pushed open. Mrs. Lu’s face showed some healing, though the bruises were still visible beneath the powder.
Holding a cup of warm water, Mrs. Lu stepped in, “I brought you some water. It’s warm, so you can drink a little. Remember to rest early after you’re done. I’ll leave now.” She placed the water by Lu Chenyu’s side, swallowing the words she intended to say when faced with his maddened gaze.
Mrs. Lu took two steps back, intending to leave, “Did I tell you to go?” Lu Chenyu’s voice was like a spell, freezing her in place.
His voice was hoarse from long dehydration, like sandpaper grating against a blackboard, unbearably grating.
“What do you need?” Mrs. Lu turned stiffly around, her previously beaten areas beginning to ache once more.
“Why the rush to leave? Is it because you see I’m about to go bankrupt, and you want to flee as fast as you can, huh?” As he spoke, Lu Chenyu circled around the table, heading towards Mrs. Lu. As he approached, she kept retreating, shaking her head frantically while softly rebutting, “I’m not, I’m not, you’ve misunderstood me.”
“Misunderstood?” Lu Chenyu chuckled coldly, reaching out to grab her hair, pulling her head towards him. “If you aren’t eager to cut ties with me, why dress up so nicely? Are you, at your age, still putting on powder for? What, are you seeing someone behind my back? Who is it? Where’s he? Let him come out and face me if he dares, instead of skulking around, causing trouble for me,” Lu Chenyu spat vehemently.
With one hand around her throat, he continued, “Never thought you’d be someone who runs off chasing after losers. You were so unwilling when you were with me, I thought you were high and mighty. Did it feel good having me treat you like a fool?”
Mrs. Lu’s eyes rolled back as she struggled to breathe, unable to let air in or out of her body; soon, her eyes were rolling back.
Having learned from experience, Lu Chenyu loosened his grip a bit as soon as he saw her eyes roll back, ensuring she stayed alive, yet his abusive words never ceased for a second. “Why aren’t you talking? Did I guess it right? You cheap woman, in your old age, still trying to be so lewd. Do you think that by dressing nicely, you can snag a rich man? Do you even realize how old you are? Still thinking you can hook a fool like me?”
“Stop dreaming. Wake up now.” He slapped her cheek, faint traces of madness in his expression.
His hand movements weren’t gentle; soon, the red marks appeared one after another on her face, resembling worms crawling over her cheeks.
“From today onwards, you can’t leave through that door without my permission. You need to be at my beck and call. Remember, it wasn’t you who abandoned me; it’s I who doesn’t want you. As long as I don’t agree, you’ll always be Mrs. Lu Chenyu. You have to listen to me in everything you do. In life, you’re my person, in death, you’re my ghost. Don’t ever think you can escape my control in this lifetime.” Lu Chenyu said viciously, ripping a large tear into her clothing.
The perfectly good clothes became barely able to cover her.
“I’m heading out for a while. Stay in the study until I return. Remember not to touch anything in the room. If I find anything out of place when I return, I’ll hold you responsible.” He threatened.
Her face showed only fear, terrified of the punishment he described.
She believed Lu Chenyu to be crazy, not like this before coming to Shangjing. Since arriving, he changed into someone entirely unfamiliar to her.
Lu Chenyu released his grip on her, watching her gasping, coughing so hard it seemed she’d cough up her windpipe, and immediately lost the desire to continue.
Lu Chenyu tidied himself up briefly and went to find Feng Aimin.
Fortunately, Feng Aimin didn’t distance himself due to Lu Chenyu’s current business troubles, instead allowing him to be brought in.
Seeing Feng Aimin gave Lu Chenyu a glimmer of hope, but before he could speak, Feng Aimin stopped him.
“I know what you want to say. I’m aware of everything happening with you, but I can’t help you.” Feng Aimin gave a bitter smile before continuing, “Don’t think I’m unwilling. We’ve known each other for years and always had a pleasant cooperation. Our children even grew up together. If I could help, I would’ve, but the truth is, I can’t even protect myself now. The position that was supposed to be mine has been taken, and I still don’t have a proper position.”
Feng Aimin gave a wry smile, his expression towards Lu Chenyu filled with helplessness and melancholy.
Lu Chenyu hadn’t expected such a result, looking at Feng Aimin with shock and disbelief.
“How did it come to this?” Lu Chenyu murmured blankly.