Chapter 72: Heard Someone Wants To…

Chen Qianqing Proves “Don’t Make Trouble, and Trouble Won’t Come” With His Life

Chen Qianqing never thought he’d see the day he’d end up in a cold war with himself—or rather, with Lu Zhengfei. In his previous life, no matter what the real Chen Qianqing did, Lu Zhengfei endured it all without ever starting a cold war.

But now? Watching Lu Zhengfei silently chewing his food with a blank expression, Chen Qianqing’s gaze turned subtly resentful. Zhengfei, you’ve changed…

Lu Zhengfei noticed Chen Qianqing’s gaze but remained motionless, completely unfazed by his expression.

With a long sigh, Chen Qianqing began picking the celery out of his bowl. Lately, Aunt Zhao had been making dishes full of things he didn’t like to eat. He couldn’t imagine how Lu Zhengfei managed to stomach it all.

Once Lu Zhengfei finished eating, he went to his study without saying a single word to Chen Qianqing.

Left with no choice, Chen Qianqing pulled out his phone and sent a text to Wang Wulin. The message was dripping with grievance: “Lu Zhengfei is mad. He’s ignoring me.”

When Wang Wulin saw the text, he immediately imagined Chen Qianqing’s expression and inexplicably shivered. Without hesitation, he called to ask what had happened.

After learning that it was because of him that Chen Qianqing had ended up in this mess, Wang Wulin’s voice was tinged with anger. “How could he treat you like that?”

Clearly, Wang Wulin had the wrong idea. Knowing Lu Zhengfei’s temper, he assumed Chen Qianqing had been mistreated because of this incident, unaware that the real victim here was Lu Zhengfei himself…

Chen Qianqing said, “I don’t know why he thinks this way. I love him so much. Why would he believe what others say about me…”

There was a two-second pause on Wang Wulin’s end before he quickly realized why Chen Qianqing was talking this way. He played along, saying, “I bet someone is stirring up trouble. Didn’t you ask him who said this to him?”

With his phone wedged between his shoulder and ear, Chen Qianqing lazily trimmed his nails as he replied with a perfectly tear-inducing tone: “Sigh, even if I asked, he wouldn’t tell me. Maybe… he’s found someone else.”

Wang Wulin paused for a moment before muttering an “Oh.” From Chen Qianqing’s tone and content, he guessed their conversation was being monitored. Even so, this odd tone was a first for him.

Chen Qianqing continued to spout sentimental nonsense, and Wang Wulin, realizing it wasn’t for him, put the phone aside, answering with vague “hmms” and “ahs” as he attended to other matters.

By the time Chen Qianqing started to feel disgusted by his own words, the bedroom door suddenly swung open. Lu Zhengfei stormed in, his face dark as he snatched the phone out of Chen Qianqing’s hand and ended the call.

Gritting his teeth, Lu Zhengfei glared at Chen Qianqing and said, “Chen Qianqing, have I been spoiling you too much?”

Knowing he had gone too far, Chen Qianqing maintained an innocent expression, quietly setting down the nail clipper in his hand.

With a sharp clack, Lu Zhengfei threw the phone onto the ground and said coldly, “You knew I was listening. Were you saying all that on purpose?”

Feigning alarm, Chen Qianqing said, “What? You were listening to me?”

Lu Zhengfei’s face remained impassive, but the anger in his eyes was unmistakable. “Chen Qianqing, I really want to spend my life with you, but if this is your attitude, then I have nothing left to say to you.”

Hearing this, Chen Qianqing dropped the façade, his expression returning to calm indifference. “Lu Zhengfei, do you dare tell me who spread this rumor?”

Lu Zhengfei straightened up and stared coldly at Chen Qianqing. “A few months ago, you met with Wang Wulin, didn’t you? Did you give him a note?”

Chen Qianqing’s brows furrowed slightly. Could the leak have come from Wang Wulin?

Lu Zhengfei continued, “What did you write on that note?”

Chen Qianqing met Lu Zhengfei’s gaze and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Emotion flickered in Lu Zhengfei’s eyes. He reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out a piece of paper, and tossed it onto the table in front of Chen Qianqing. “Is this your handwriting?”

Chen Qianqing picked up the note and examined it. Suddenly, he started laughing.

Lu Zhengfei frowned. “What’s so funny?”

Chen Qianqing replied, “I’m laughing because you actually believe I wrote this.”

The handwriting was remarkably similar to his own. Whoever was behind this had gone to great lengths, likely employing experts to study his writing style and produce an impeccable forgery. Even professional handwriting analysts might struggle to spot any discrepancies.

This person not only understood Chen Qianqing but also knew Lu Zhengfei well, fully aware that Lu Zhengfei would never tolerate betrayal from Chen Qianqing. That’s why they orchestrated this scheme.

The meeting between Wang Wulin and Chen Qianqing, along with the commotion caused by the Wang family in the subsequent months, provided the perfect groundwork for this person to fabricate the allegations. Slandering someone, after all, is quite simple—as long as the accused refuses to explain or even if they do, no one believes them.

Why did this note exist? Why did Wang Wulin make such a big move after meeting Chen Qianqing? And why did Wang Wulin thank Chen Qianqing?

Combining all the clues, the answer seemed glaringly obvious.

However, amidst all their meticulous calculations, this person overlooked one critical point: the current Chen Qianqing was no longer the proud, aloof individual he once was. Not only was he willing to explain himself, but he could also offer a perfect explanation.

Faced with Lu Zhengfei’s fury, Chen Qianqing maintained a calm smile. He walked over to the table, picked up a sheet of paper and a pen, and, in front of Lu Zhengfei, rewrote the words from the note.

Lu Zhengfei, unsure of what Chen Qianqing was up to, remained silent, his face still dark with anger.

After finishing, Chen Qianqing handed the paper to Lu Zhengfei. “You say this note was mine. Are you sure?”

Lu Zhengfei took the paper, scanning the handwriting. His expression turned to one of astonishment.

Chen Qianqing sat back down, placing the pen on the table. Calmly, he said, “Lu Zhengfei, the truth is—I’m not the Chen Qianqing you once knew.”

Lu Zhengfei froze.

Chen Qianqing continued, “You can think of it as a split personality. The Chen Qianqing you first fell for no longer exists.”

Lu Zhengfei asked, “Then who are you?”

Chen Qianqing smiled faintly. “Looking at the handwriting, don’t you understand who I am?”

The handwriting on the paper was identical to Lu Zhengfei’s. Having practiced calligraphy, Lu Zhengfei’s penmanship was distinctive and hard to replicate. He couldn’t imagine Chen Qianqing going to such lengths for something so trivial.

Chen Qianqing explained, “That note wasn’t written by me—or rather, it wasn’t written by the me of four years later.”

Lu Zhengfei furrowed his brows, seemingly processing Chen Qianqing’s words. “You’re imitating me?”

Chen Qianqing calmly looked at Lu Zhengfei and revealed a secret he thought he’d take to his grave. “No. I am you—just another version of you.”

Lu Zhengfei struggled to comprehend Chen Qianqing’s statement, but one thing was clear: Chen Qianqing hadn’t betrayed him.

What exactly is love? An obsession? A companionship? A spark of passion? Or the traces left by time? Lu Zhengfei didn’t want to waste his time pondering such abstract concepts. All he knew now was that he wanted Chen Qianqing by his side—every single day, without exception.

From Lu Zhengfei’s gaze, Chen Qianqing saw the answer. He sighed softly and said, “Lu Zhengfei, now can you tell me who gave you this note?”

Lu Zhengfei replied, “Lu Yiqin.” While she hadn’t handed it to him directly, he had traced the manipulation back to her.

Chen Qianqing asked, “So, what are you going to do about it?”

Lu Zhengfei tucked the note into his pocket. “What needs to be done will be done.” Love clouds reason. The thought of Chen Qianqing being with him for Wang Wulin’s sake had driven Lu Zhengfei to the brink, leaving him desperate for answers and neglecting important details.

When it came to matters involving Chen Qianqing, Lu Zhengfei was never at his best.

But now, Chen Qianqing had given him clarity and eased his doubts.

Fiddling with the pen in his hand, Chen Qianqing said, “Lu Zhengfei, I hope this doesn’t happen again.”

Lu Zhengfei nodded solemnly before turning and leaving the room.

Standing by Lu Zhengfei’s side doesn’t seem to be an easy task. At least not until Lu Zhengfei becomes strong enough to eliminate all obstacles—until then, one must endure the trials of storms and hardships.

The real Chen Qianqing wasn’t strong enough, so he was destroyed—crushed under the weight of rumors and his own pride. He was innocent, but the true culprit behind his downfall was Lu Zhengfei, the one who pulled him into the storm.

Chen Qianqing was like a proud Cymbidium orchid, but Lu Zhengfei forced him to become a towering tree, just like himself. In the end, the grass withered, and the tree, too, began to dry out.

Chen Qianqing uncapped his pen and scribbled aimlessly on a sheet of paper. Suddenly, he understood—some people are simply not meant to be together.

If the real Chen Qianqing were the one sitting here today, he could already envision the kind of explosive argument that would erupt between him and Lu Zhengfei.

One was insecure, while the other was too proud to explain. The result would be like lime thrown into water—boiling and scalding enough to cause burns.

Chen Qianqing capped the pen, crumpled the paper, and tossed it into the trash. After stretching lazily, he glanced out the window at the bright, sunny day and decided to take a walk.

The weather was lovely—perfect for a visit to the park and some fresh air.

As he headed out, Chen Qianqing noticed Lu Zhengfei on the balcony, making a phone call. He walked over and, standing behind the glass, looked at Lu Zhengfei’s silhouette bathed in the backlight. A smile suddenly spread across his face.

The smile was so natural, so radiant, that even Chen Qianqing himself didn’t notice its brilliance.