Chapter 30: The Limp Cannot Make It

No fool would believe this was a coincidence.

There were already people from Yu Mandong’s side both inside and outside the Sichuan restaurant. The owner, just running a small business, didn’t want to attract attention from someone with a big reputation.

The owner smiled and approached. “Sir, we have private rooms upstairs. It’s not appropriate to block the hall and disrupt my business.”

The small restaurant was known for its good reputation, even though it was small. The business was thriving, and they were always busy.

Yu Mandong kept his gaze on Lu Hui. “Let’s go upstairs to a private room.”

The owner, initially thinking he could just send them away, now felt as if he had shot himself in the foot. He said, “It’s a bit embarrassing, but the stairs are narrow, and your wheelchair might not fit.”

Yu Mandong casually replied with an “Mm,” and one of his subordinates immediately handed him a cane. The man stood steadily with the black cane in his hand, then ordered someone to take the wheelchair to the car.

His subordinates were all tough-looking. “Lead the way.”

The owner, feeling unlucky, reluctantly led them upstairs to the empty private room.

By now, Lu Hui wasn’t even hungry anymore. When it came down to it, life was more important than food. She quickly grabbed her bag and walked briskly towards the exit. Yu Mandong didn’t stop her, not even glancing back, as he used his cane to go upstairs.

However, Lu Hui was blocked by his bodyguards. “Miss Lu, please go back.”

Lu Hui took a deep breath, telling herself not to get angry.

No anger. No anger. Initially, when sick, no one helped.

She was politely “invited” upstairs to the private room by Yu Mandong’s subordinates. At this point, continuing to deceive herself was pointless. Lu Hui took off her mask, folded it neatly, and put it back in her bag. She sat across from Yu Mandong, her lips curling up slightly.

Yu Mandong was a calculating fox, an old fox full of schemes. His exquisite features made for a handsome face, and his every movement was graceful and elegant. It was hard to imagine that when he was young, he had to get involved with the underworld to make a living, committing arson, theft, and violence. He had been known for being reckless and fearless.

For a man to rise up in the world, intelligence alone wasn’t enough; ruthlessness was an essential quality.

Yu Mandong had made his fortune from scratch. Once he had a foothold, he began to clean up his act and stop doing shameful things. Lu Hui had witnessed him dispose of someone who had betrayed him. The dagger was driven forcefully into the person’s palm, and their cries grew more and more desperate. Yu Mandong had simply wiped the blood off the knife and, once he’d vented his anger, had his subordinates drag the person away to “take care of it.”

That “taking care of it,” anyone who knew the underworld would understand.

But it didn’t matter. Lu Hui wasn’t afraid of Yu Mandong doing anything now. He couldn’t kill or silence anyone anymore.

Yu Mandong took out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and a mist of smoke lingered between them. He exhaled a long puff of smoke and asked, “How have you been lately?”

The question was asked as though she had never died.

If Lu Hui remembered correctly, when she completed her mission, she had chosen the most direct way to die, becoming a corpse in front of him! How was it possible for her, a person who had died, to be standing here now, and he wasn’t even scared? He even casually asked how she was doing. The male lead was truly a different breed, his psychological resilience far beyond ordinary people.

The three dishes that Lu Hui had just ordered were brought to the private room.

As she ate, she said, “I’m doing well, no need to worry.”

Lu Hui focused on her food, not interested in speculating why Yu Mandong was here. In the book, whenever the male lead appeared, it was never for good reasons.

Yu Mandong flicked off the ash from his cigarette. As it burned out, he suddenly commented, “Eat more, you’ve lost weight.”

Suddenly, the food in front of Lu Hui didn’t seem appetizing. She looked up again, “How did you break your leg?”

It had been a long time since she last saw him, and now he was in a wheelchair. It was strangely satisfying.

Yu Mandong explained, “I had an accident.”

Lu Hui couldn’t help but enjoy his misfortune. She asked, “It shouldn’t be too serious, right?”

Since he could stand up from his wheelchair with a cane, his legs likely weren’t completely broken. It seemed like heaven was still looking out for the male lead, not letting him become a fully disabled person.

Yu Mandong grunted in a low voice, “It’s just that my knee hurts more than usual on snowy days. It doesn’t affect walking too much.”

Lu Hui accidentally spoke her true feelings, “That’s rather disappointing.”

She spoke clearly and loudly, so Yu Mandong certainly heard her well.

Lu Hui didn’t feel awkward. After all, there was no need for her to greet a man who once had her sent to the police station with a smile and kind words, right?

Men like to degrade themselves, but she wouldn’t stoop that low.

She was strong and unyielding, the type to add insult to injury! To make matters worse! To pour oil on the fire!

Yu Mandong remained calm on the surface, his hands lazily crossed over his knee, relaxed and composed, as if everything were under his control. He said, “You should eat more.”

Lu Hui felt that this person had a sinister aura. Perhaps his physical disability had twisted his mentality too.

She didn’t know which kind-hearted person had done such a good deed to hurt Yu Mandong’s legs so badly.

She put down her chopsticks. “I’ve finished eating.”

The food on the table remained untouched by Yu Mandong. He nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”

Lu Hui stayed seated. “Where to?”

Yu Mandong forced a smile that didn’t seem natural. “My place.”

Not wasting time and directly doing things was typical of Yu Mandong’s style, just like when he chose to marry her for the sake of profit and, on their wedding day, sent her straight to a police car without any warning.

A wife can be locked up, but a childhood friend shouldn’t suffer such a fate.

Lu Hui smiled slyly. “Mr. Yu, how about we fix our relationship first?”

Yu Mandong’s response was blunt and to the point, “Yes.”

Lu Hui pretended to think deeply, scanning his entire body. She lazily spoke, “If you were still the same—wealthy, powerful, and healthy—I might consider bearing the shame and getting back together with you.” After a pause, she added, “But now you’re a cripple with two disabled legs. In some ways, it’s karma, isn’t it?”

Yu Mandong was a mature man and didn’t get angry at her taunts. “There are three bodyguards downstairs. Do you think you can walk away?”

Lu Hui wanted to shout in his ear, “Times have changed!”

This was no longer a world where a gangster like him could control everything with a snap of his fingers.

The police were eager for cases like his to fall into their lap.

In the end, Lu Hui didn’t hesitate to call the police. The police arrived quickly, within ten minutes, and took everyone to make statements.

At the police station, when Yu Mandong signed the record with a grim expression, his calm demeanor finally cracked. His subordinates smiled awkwardly, explaining to the police, “It’s an unfortunate misunderstanding, sorry for the trouble.”

The police officer clicked his tongue. “Don’t give me that nonsense about a misunderstanding. Do you think a young girl would call the police over a misunderstanding? Are you trying to intimidate people just because you have numbers? This is a rule-of-law society, you know?”

Everyone was silenced by the officer’s words.

Lu Hui almost couldn’t hold back her laughter when she saw Yu Mandong’s face after being detained. He looked utterly miserable.

Who would have thought that his usual tricks wouldn’t work here? He’d have to face jail if he continued.

Just thinking about Yu Mandong being handcuffed made Lu Hui want to burst out laughing. It gave her an exhilarating sense of satisfaction.

While waiting, she called out to the system, “System, I advise you to take care of them quickly. These people are crazy, and you don’t need me to describe it further.”

System: “I’m powerless.”

Lu Hui asked, “So we just have to wait like this?”

System: “There’s no better solution for now. If you can eliminate their obsession, everything might go back to normal.”

Lu Hui couldn’t help but ask again, “What exactly is their obsession?”

System: “It’s you, the host! According to the system’s investigation, the obsession of the male leads is to win your favor.”

“…” Lu Hui reclined, resting against the chair. “I’m really sorry, but I have no such worldly desires right now.”

She absolutely refused to pick a man out of the trash. Being with them wasn’t about love; it was a gamble with her life.

After the statement was completed, the police asked Lu Hui to sign. A kind-hearted female officer even reminded her to be careful and report anything unusual immediately.

Lu Hui shed a tear of gratitude. This was the normal world, not the one where the male lead had a cheat code.

On the other side, Yu Mandong’s lawyer arrived at the police station. After paying the bail, he was allowed to leave.

From morning until late into the night, the police station was now nearly empty.

Lu Hui ordered a car through a ride-hailing app and waited on the steps outside the police station. Yu Mandong, leaning on his cane, slowly walked over to her. His lawyer and others had already been sent away.

He asked, “Do you hate me?”

Lu Hui looked up at the moon, “Isn’t that obvious?”

Yu Mandong closed his eyes in pain, “You should hate me, but whether you believe it or not, my life hasn’t been good.”

No lover, just endless loneliness. Living in longing, living in memories, living in their only photo together.

Lu Hui’s phone screen lit up, showing that the driver was nearby. She turned her back on him and ran to the roadside, not even bothering to say goodbye.

Yu Mandong wanted to catch up, but his legs weren’t useful anymore. He stumbled, falling to the ground. His knees hit the cobblestones, and sharp pain shot up from his knees to the back of his head. His face turned pale, and it took him a long time to get back on his feet. He staggered to the door, risking another fall, and in the last second before she got in the car, he grabbed her wrist.

They struggled, but it was unclear.

The driver grew impatient, and after a few attempts to call out, he canceled the order and drove off.

Lu Hui felt anger rise in her chest, and just as she was about to speak, a soft laugh from behind interrupted her.

Cen Yueze had just finished his business and saw the scene unfolding. He couldn’t help but applaud them, his mouth moving in a mocking way, “Oh, isn’t this the little empress?”

This was the nickname Cen Yueze had given Lu Hui, calling her the new emperor with countless male lovers in the harem.

“…”

“Your boyfriend? Haven’t seen him before. A new one?”

“…”

“Still a cripple.” Cen Yueze, the young master with a sharp tongue, added, “No offense, but crips don’t cut it.”