Female lead’s Delusion of Starting Over - Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Why Trust

With You Meng gone to change her outfit, Lu Li finally turned his attention to Chen Ya, who was tied up thoroughly. With just one look, he could tell that both her arms were dislocated. You Meng was indeed a gem, obedient and proficient in her tasks.

Seated on the sofa, facing Chen Ya thrown onto the ground, Lu Li’s expression cooled.

“Ms. Chen Ya, is it? Where are your bodyguards?” Lu Li coldly scrutinized the woman before him. “Also, claiming to be my woman, what’s your purpose?”

He had thought it was someone from the Dragon Group sent by Ye Chen, but it turned out to be a big fish indeed!

With his cold tone and icy demeanor, Chen Ya felt a tremor in her heart. She knew that in Ye Chen’s narrative, she was just Ye Chen’s aunt, and Ye Chen was on bad terms with Lu Li. His treatment of her was justifiable, but it still left her with a bitter taste in her mouth.

From luxury to simplicity is hard. In her memory, Lu Li was always the one trying to warn her, even at great costs. He appeared indifferent on the surface, but his heart was tender. Now, Lu Li’s coldness, emanating from within, made Chen Ya somewhat uncomfortable.

Biting her lip, she tried to calm herself: “Isn’t it said, ‘Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?’ Lu Li, I came without bodyguards, hoping it would prove my lack of hostility. Is your current attitude not overly rude?”

“Rude?” A hint of chill flashed in Lu Li’s eyes. “Perhaps I shouldn’t waste words with you. Maybe it would be more appropriate to send your head directly to Ye Chen.”

He stood up, pulling Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying to leave. Dirty work was You Meng’s favorite; he’d let her take care of it cleanly later.

“Wait a moment!” Chen Ya panicked, sensing the seriousness in Lu Li’s words: “I’ve come to seek a collaboration with you.”

Lu Li’s current state clearly showed he wasn’t inclined to discuss further with her. Without a reasonable explanation, he would indeed follow through on his words. No matter how eloquent she was, it was useless against Lu Li, like a scholar encountering soldiers.

“Collaboration? Let’s hear it!” Lu Li raised an eyebrow.

“I know you and Ye Chen are enemies. Ye Chen is now favored by my father within the Chen family. He’s ambitiously trying to usurp my position and has even set his sights on me. I need your help. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?”

Lu Li remained noncommittal, eyeing the woman before him with interest. He had noticed Ye Chen’s designs on her, a commendable observation.

In the narrative, she was one of the female protagonists, a strong woman who, unfortunately, was led astray by Ye Chen’s constant calling of ‘Auntie,’ losing her vigilance until it was too late. Last lifetime, she was somewhat foolish.

“Why should I help you? You and Ye Chen share blood ties. Why should I trust you? Your Chen family is already in chaos. Wouldn’t it be better to join forces with the Wang and Lin families to thoroughly destroy the Chen family?”

His voice echoed in the living room, Chen Xiaoyi and Cao Yingying watching Chen Ya warily.

“I can offer the Chen family’s power for your use.” Chen Ya lowered her head, her voice tinged with difficulty. This was her plan, but the butterfly effect had brought too many changes. Cao Yingying was by Lu Li’s side, as was You Meng, and Lu Li had become uncharacteristically cold.

Chen Ya was worried.

It wasn’t that she disliked Lu Li’s current demeanor; she just wished he wouldn’t show it to her. She couldn’t blame him, given her unbreakable blood relation with Ye Chen. His wariness was understandable, but the bitterness was overwhelming.

Lu Li nodded: “That’s quite appealing, but how can I be sure you’re not here on Ye Chen’s orders, playing a game of deception? You, the renowned underworld queen, known for your versatility, could easily manage that.”

Chen Ya’s face stiffened for a moment, surprised to be seen in such a light by Lu Li.

Feelings of injustice, discomfort, and bitterness surged, leaving her speechless.

“Perhaps… this is retribution for my past life!” she thought bitterly.

This misunderstanding mirrored her past actions towards Lu Li – well-intentioned gestures misinterpreted, doubted, and even insulted. Wasn’t this all what she had done to Lu Li?

Cao Yingying watched Chen Ya, having no fondness for anyone who had hurt Lu Li. The alliance between Zhang Ziqin and Ye Chen had caused Lu Li distress and aided Ye Chen’s rise. She despised Lu Ya for betraying her own brother. Su Bingqing, Liu Menghan – all had harmed Lu Li, including Chen Ya.

But after Lu Li’s death, they suddenly had a change of heart. What good was that?

You Meng earned Cao Yingying’s respect for not troubling Lu Li in her previous life and for her decisive end. That woman was extraordinary.

“Master brother, let’s just kill her. I can make it clean. Even without her, we can deal with Ye Chen,” You Meng, now dressed in her maid outfit, suggested with a cold killing intent that contrasted her cute appearance.

Chen Ya, observing You Meng’s attire, despite her inner turmoil, was taken aback. Was this the same ruthless assassin?

Not only did she call Lu Li “master brother,” but she also wore such attire willingly!

Her confession was certain, but it seemed there were conditions to her staying. Yet, it appeared You Meng was more than willing.