CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 395: RUNNING A SCAM ON US

"What kind of bullshit are you spouting?" Wei Lejun suddenly realized something, but with Sang Ning present, her face darkened, and she couldn’t erupt on the spot.

The item was something she had secretly taken and lied about, giving it to Lian Qi. Now Lian Qi had gotten what he wanted and was ready to burn bridges. Sang Ning was probably mocking her internally, stripping her of all dignity.

Lian Qi, already seated in the makeshift folding tub and unable to move much, twisted slightly so his side profile faced them, clasping his hands together in mock prayer. "Sister Wei, my apologies, but no man could resist the temptation of being number one."

His tone sounded sincerely apologetic enough, but his perfunctory gesture of apology made it inexplicably aggravating.

"Lian Qi, I’ll give you one more chance to rephrase that!" Wei Lejun’s fists clenched unconsciously, her knuckles so tight they were turning white.

"Relax. You deserve part of the credit for this honor. I won’t forget you." As Lian Qi spoke, he reached into his coat and pulled out a paddle.

From afar, it looked smooth and perfectly polished, with no rough edges or signs of being handmade—more like something mass-produced in a factory.

Wei Lejun was visibly startled by the sudden appearance of the paddle. She had tussled with Lian Qi for quite a while earlier but hadn’t realized he had this thing on him the whole time.

"Did you go steal this from someone?" Blurted out without thinking, her words were filled with sharp suspicion. Beyond this, Wei Lejun couldn’t imagine where Lian Qi could’ve gotten his hands on a ready-made paddle.

"Just a stroke of luck, that’s all. The chosen one of mediocrity, stumbling onto two resources left by the production team." Even as he replied to Wei Lejun, Lian Qi didn’t hesitate. He spoke while using the paddle to stir the water, frantically rowing forward.

Wei Lejun felt a sharp jolt in her chest, followed by a dull thud as though something hit the ground with a heavy crash and shattered into pieces.

Anguish, fury, resentment, frustration, humiliation... A whirlwind of emotions twisted together inside her.

All she wanted now was to yank her own head off and throw it into the water.

To hell with it! That foolish brain of hers, duped by a man over and over again, wasn’t worth keeping anyway!

As Lian Qi rowed further and further away, Sang Ning, watching Wei Lejun tremble with anger, acted as though she hadn’t noticed her heartbreak. She cruelly added salt to the wound: "Don’t get too worked up. He’s not that far off yet. If you jump in the water now and swim fast enough, you might still catch up to him."

Wei Lejun admitted she’d been ruled by her "love-struck fool" tendencies, but she hadn’t reached a point of no return. She still had her pride and couldn’t tolerate Sang Ning’s mocking, spectator-like tone.

Wiping away her tears as if nothing had happened, Wei Lejun turned around. Chin slightly raised, she resumed her previous haughty and defiant demeanor.

"The old Wei Lejun is dead. Standing before you now is Wei ’Niohulu’ Lejun. Don’t you dare utter the name Lian Qi in front of me again!" Wei Lejun’s expression was fierce as she spoke, but instead of intimidating Sang Ning, it came across more like a petty cover-up for her frustration and shame-induced anger.

Sang Ning, knowing better than to press someone already on the verge, decided not to prod Wei Lejun further despite her stern words. After all, Sang Ning still considered herself a decent person. She extended her hand toward Wei Lejun, her tone half-teasing, half-sincere: "Welcome back, Queen. From now on, lock up your heart and focus on crushing your career goals!"

Wei Lejun hesitated for a moment but eventually clasped Sang Ning’s hand tightly. Her gaze dimmed bit by bit.

The water that had clouded her mind was slowly being wrung out by sheer willpower. As for the tender affection sprouting in some corner of her heart, it had been scorched into barren land by a wildfire of blazing fury.

The love hadn’t even begun to blossom, and she had already mentally declared Lian Qi dead to her.

To hell with men. From today onward, she had only herself.

With Wei Lejun having firmly sentenced Lian Qi to the metaphorical grave, the man himself, clueless as usual, pipe-dreamingly sought attention again.

Having paddled some distance away, his smug voice rang out, full of confidence: "Lele, don’t worry! Once I get the big feast, you’ll absolutely get your share!"

Sang Ning felt the pressure in Wei Lejun’s grip increase sharply before her hand was suddenly released. Wei Lejun lowered her head, scanning the ground before locking her gaze on a large rock by her feet. She bent down and picked it up.

Turning toward the riverbank, the lines of her face tautened. Her right hand clutched the stone tightly and pulled back as far as her arm would allow. She even took several steps back, putting some distance between herself and the riverbank. With a furious roar, she ran forward and hurled the stone with all her strength: "Lian-dog, drop dead!"

This time, Wei Lejun didn’t hold back at all. The stone was aimed straight for the back of Lian Qi’s head. She no longer cared whether it smashed his skull open or not.

Unfortunately, her aim wasn’t as precise as her anger, and Lian Qi had rowed quite far. The rock, loaded with Wei Lejun’s searing resentment, ultimately plunged into the river with a heavy splash.

Wei Lejun had used almost every ounce of energy she had. The impact of the stone hitting the water created a dull, unsettling sound that made those nearby’s hearts jolt involuntarily.

Lian Qi couldn’t help but glance back. It only took that single look to make him feel as though his soul was about to flee his body.

The spot where the rock had struck exploded like a bomb, sending water spraying high into the air as though reaching toward the heavens.

Behind the cascading droplets, Wei Lejun’s face emerged, her features terrifyingly clear as the veil of water faded. She looked like a ghost from a horror movie materializing through the fog, causing chills to ripple from Lian Qi’s scalp down his back.

Lian Qi was so startled he nearly capsized, barely steadying himself as he tilted dangerously. Regaining balance, he frantically worked the paddle, muttering nervously to calm his racing heart.

God help me! Does Wei Lejun really not know how to lose gracefully?

In games, there are no friends—only enemies. Isn’t she aware of the saying "all’s fair in war"?

Lian Qi regretted it. He should’ve just brought her along earlier.

But he couldn’t risk dilly-dallying now. What if Sang Ning suddenly changed her mind and dragged both of them back? Then all his efforts would be for naught.

Better to let someone like him, strong and capable, take the lead. With Wei Lejun’s small frame, she’d probably collapse halfway through.

Fine, fine. Later, he’d offer up the entire feast to prove his sincerity.

With this thought, Lian Qi lowered his head even further, his paddling growing more vigorous. He desperately wished the next second would deliver him to the finish line.

The feast awaited him!

Dreams are full, but reality often feels skeletal.

Lian Qi had assumed that as long as he slipped past Sang Ning, he’d face no further obstacles.

But when the scornful and enraged shouts from behind reached his ears, he realized he’d rejoiced far too soon.

"Lian Qi, you bastard! If we’re not leaving, you damned well aren’t either!"

"Pulling your scams on us? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, I might as well change my name!"

Lian Qi turned back, only to face yet another scene that left his guts trembling.