Villain Subdues the Toxic Villainess At the Start - Chapter 74:

Chapter 74: Seeking Redemption:

At this moment, Bai Qingzhi looked pitiful. Her tear-streaked face made her appear so fragile and helpless. But Lu Yu remained unmoved, his heart hardened. Without even glancing back, he spoke without hesitation.

“I don’t love you.”

The cold words pierced Bai Qingzhi’s heart. She clenched her fists instinctively. Lu Yu truly didn’t have any feelings for her anymore. Without Qin Sisi in the picture, he might have been attracted to her just based on her looks. After all, he used to care about appearance. But now? He was a true rich second generation. If he wanted, he could easily find countless women like her. There was no reason to return to her.

“Is there… really nothing left?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“No.” Lu Yu replied flatly.

“I… I see.” Bai Qingzhi said, her voice hollow as she wiped away her tears. She stopped speaking after that.

Rather than heading straight to the hotel, Lu Yu drove Bai Qingzhi to a high-end café on the side of the road. Pulling up in his Porsche 918, the café staff greeted him with respect.

“Welcome, sir!”

“Just the two of us. Find us a private room,” Lu Yu instructed.

“Of course, sir. Please follow me.”

Bai Qingzhi was still wearing her usual white dress, but it was wrinkled today, and her makeup was far less polished than before. She looked like a shadow of her former self—gone was the lively, radiant woman she once was. This was why Lu Yu hadn’t recognized her at first.

Inside the private room.

They sat across from each other, and two glasses of plain water were brought to them. The waiter, noticing the expensive car and private room, treated them with courtesy despite their disheveled appearances.

Once the waiter left, Bai Qingzhi began to pour out her grievances. She told Lu Yu that Chen Bansheng’s death had been ruled a suicide, motivated by fear of prosecution. Since he had no family, no one cared to investigate further. The Wu family, who had once supported her family, now withdrew their backing. With no one to help, the Bai family’s financial troubles spiraled out of control. Their capital chain broke, and they were forced to declare bankruptcy. Their remaining assets—some high-quality building materials, their house, and cars—were sold off at low prices to pay off their debts.

Although the Bai family still lived better than many ordinary families, their fall from luxury to a cramped two-bedroom apartment had been devastating. Bai Qingzhi became the scapegoat for her family’s collapse. Even her parents, Bai Shan and Zhou Shuzhen, now resented her, while relatives like Zhou Shuting and Bi Tao constantly scolded her. She had lost everything—her family, her support, and her dignity. She spent every day in tears, haunted by memories of the past.

“Lu Yu… can we be together again?” Bai Qingzhi asked, grabbing his arm and looking at him with pleading eyes.

After everything she had been through, she now realized how much Lu Yu had once cared for her. She wanted to rekindle that connection.

“Do you really think that’s possible?” Lu Yu pulled his arm away, his tone cold and indifferent.

“Why not?” Bai Qingzhi’s voice cracked. “You used to love me so much. I never had any real relationship with Chen Bansheng. As long as you want it, we can be together again.”

“I already have a girlfriend.” Lu Yu lied, using it as an excuse to shut her down.

But Bai Qingzhi was desperate now. “I don’t care, Lu Yu! I don’t care if you’re with Qin Sisi. I’m willing to share you, even if… even if I can only be your lover. Please, Lu Yu… just give me one more chance,” she begged, her voice breaking. “I promise, just one more time.”

“I’m sorry, Qingzhi. I really can’t.” Lu Yu sighed.

If only she had realized sooner, maybe he would have given her another chance. But now, it was too late. Far too late.

“Why? Why can’t you?” Bai Qingzhi cried out in anguish.

“I know I was wrong before,” she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. “I shouldn’t have taken your kindness for granted. But now I understand, Lu Yu… Can’t you give me one more chance?”

“Chance?” Lu Yu said, his voice steady. “I’ve given you many chances. Did you ever cherish any of them?”

“But… that was before.” Bai Qingzhi pleaded, unwilling to give up.

Lu Yu paused, lost in thought. After a long moment, he sighed heavily. “Alright, for the sake of our past, I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Really? Lu Yu, I knew you were the best!” Bai Qingzhi exclaimed, her face lighting up with hope.

“Don’t be too quick to celebrate,” Lu Yu said, his voice turning cold. “There’s a condition.”

“Anything, just tell me!” Bai Qingzhi was desperate, clinging to this last lifeline.

“Kneel down. Crawl to me, and apologize.” Lu Yu demanded.

His words stunned her, leaving her frozen in place. She looked at him, disbelief written across her face. She never imagined Lu Yu would treat her like this. But now…

“If you’re not willing, we’ll just pretend this was our final goodbye.” Lu Yu said, rising from his seat as if to leave.

This was the same tactic Bai Qingzhi had once used on him, and now it was being turned against her.

Seeing him about to walk away, Bai Qingzhi quickly called out, “Lu Yu, wait!”

He stopped. She hesitated, her expression conflicted, but after a few moments, she bit her lip.

“If I do this… will you really be with me?” she asked softly.

“Do it.” Lu Yu repeated coldly.

Bai Qingzhi’s lips trembled as she fought back tears. Her mind raced. Lu Yu’s request was humiliating, degrading. In the past, she would never have stooped so low. But now, things were different.

“Alright. I’ll kneel.” She whispered.

With great difficulty, she lowered herself from the chair to the ground, her hands trembling. She paused for a few seconds, gathering her courage. Then, placing her hands on the floor, she began crawling toward Lu Yu.

At this moment, Bai Qingzhi finally accepted the harsh reality—she had fallen from an arrogant “Snow White” to a humble servant.

Lu Yu watched her silently, his face expressionless, making no move to stop her.

When she reached him, she looked up, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, Lu Yu. I was wrong. Can you forgive me?”

Instead of answering her, Lu Yu asked, “Let me ask you something, Qingzhi.”

Bai Qingzhi remained silent, and Lu Yu didn’t seem to mind. He squatted down to her level and looked her in the eyes. “If Chen Bansheng hadn’t died, would you be here right now?”

His sudden question caught her off guard. She wanted to say “yes,” but the words stuck in her throat. She knew the truth—if Chen Bansheng hadn’t died, she wouldn’t have sought out Lu Yu. Her pride wouldn’t have allowed it.

Seeing the answer in her expression, Lu Yu’s face remained calm. He reached out and gently touched her cheek, wiping away her tears. His touch was soft, as if he were afraid of hurting her.

“Qingzhi. let’s forget about this life. In the next life… be smarter.” He said quietly.

With that, Lu Yu stood up, ignoring her pleas, and walked out of the café without looking back.

Bai Qingzhi remained on the floor, dumbfounded. Long after Lu Yu had checked out and left, her heartbroken cries echoed from the private room.

“Master, something has happened with Bai Qingzhi.” Zhou Bin informed Lu Yu later that afternoon.

At 5:30 p.m., Lu Yu received the news, which didn’t surprise him in the slightest. He replied to Zhou Bin without hesitation.

“Send flowers to her funeral. After all, we were acquainted once.”

“Yes, sir.” Zhou Bin responded obediently.