For a moment, both of them look at each other in silence.
For the first time in his life, Xie Lianzhen was put in a difficult situation of being exposed. The feeling was strange â being cornered by someone and forced to answer something that he didnât want to answer. He had an urge to run away from her as far as he could, howeverâŠ
âMiss, what do you mean?â
Lu Mingshu stood up and moved back. The oppression radiating from her was gone, and Xie Lianzhen felt that he could finally breathe again.
âThe noble and gentlemanly you that everyone sees â is that really you?â Lu Mingshu wasnât tall, but because Xie Lianzhen was in a wheelchair, she was able to tower above him. âAlioth Star Lord, do you know that I have a certain strength?â
âSince a young age, the amount of approval Iâve receive is so little that I never had room to be arrogant.â Lu Mingshuâs voice was melodious, yet it brought chills down Xie Lianzhenâs spine. âYou donât even know me, neither do you know what any of my aspirations are. How are you so sure that you like me?â
She sneered and shook her head. âWhat I see from your eyes isnât fondness, but examination.â
Her cold voice echoed through the big greenhouse. âYou examine and observe me like Iâm an interesting experiment that you can perform research on. I donât know what you want from me, but I am 100% sure that itâs not my love you want.â
Word by word, she sliced open his shell.
âYou have absolutely no respect for anyone â me or anyone else. We arenât humans, but merely objects that are different from yourself. You observe and research us out of idle curiosity, and you donât seem to have any goal in life. Nothing in this world matters to you, including your sect, status, your mother, or even yourself. Cold, ruthless, ungrateful, undisciplined, and out of controlâŠ.â
Each word was like a sharp knife piercing through his heart.
âIs this the real you? A two-faced snake whoâs sick and tired of the world and thinks the whole world revolves around himself.â
âMiss Lu, you are overconfident in your ability to judge, arenât you?â His voice was so soft that she could barely hear.
âNo. Itâs just that I donât know what you want, and that makes me feel threatened. I have always believed in my intuition after everything Iâve experienced, and I donât feel that youâre courting me for a good cause. In fact, youâre even worse than those who despise me.â
Xie Lianzhen had never heard such things in his life. Everyone around him was scared of him and avoided him.
Such words could be considered extremely malicious. If the queen heard this, she would skin Lu Mingshu alive and exclude her from the selection list no matter how he pleaded.
However, Xie Lianzhen didnât feel angry. He couldnât even feel the pain of being exposed anymore.
âSo what message is Miss trying to send to me? Do you want me to cancel my plans and stay far away from you?â He nodded and smiled. âItâs certainly one method.â
Lu Mingshu smiled thinly. âSo thatâs whatâs in your brain, huh? Alioth Star-Lord, you have observed me for so long, how could you not know that Iâm someone who doesnât beat around the bush? Iâm just telling you what I really feel about you â youâre creepy, thatâs all. Please stop harassing me. I wonât bother to entertain you anymore, so donât waste your time on me.â
âHow is it wasting my time?â he replied softly. âLook, I have always been helping you. From understanding the rules of the Qilin Festival, teaching you about what kind of situation you are putting yourself into, and now, I will get you into the New Generation Ranking. All you have to do is to just believe in me and you will not need to do anything else. From now on, just reject all challenges. I will definitely let you enter the New Generation Ranking. And it would be even more convenient if you could agree to you-know-what! If you want to escape Nine Jade Palace, Iâll help you. Changing the sect master is also not a big deal. Or if you want somebody to disappear, itâs also possible! See how convenient your life could get?â
He emphasised each and every word he said. Every word was coated with sugar, and with his gentle voice, it was a temptation that one couldnât resist.
âAnd then you could do whatever you want. Thereâs no need to consider much or meet with any trouble. Nobody could control what you want, and you will have everything you want. Iâll settle all the troubles.
âSo, how does it sound? As soon as you agree, everything is settled.â
Like a patient predator, he slowly lured his prey into his trap with temptation and sweet-talk.
Lu Mingshu burst into laughter suddenly. âForgive me for my straightforwardness, but if I agree now, you would immediately break the promise, right?â
âLook at what youâre saying.â Xie Lianzhen hummed. âAm I that untrustworthy?â
âWhy would someone who doesnât even give a damn about himself give a damn about a promise?â she replied firmly. âIf I agree now, would you still be so nice to me? Youâre only curious why I wonât take a step back and agree. If I suddenly did, I doubt you would still be so nice.â
Lu Mingshu was already running out of patience. Why on earth am I wasting my time with this idiot talking about useless stuff? The challenge is tomorrow, and it will be a cruel fight⊠and it has nothing to do with Xie Lianzhen.
She walked forward and held up his chin tightly.
Xie Lianzhen eyes widened in shock. Her eyes looked cold, something that he had never seen before. He bit his lips as he heard her taunt; âAlioth Star-Lord, why bother using all that to tempt me? You should just use your face, because itâs the most valuable thing that you have.â
Lu Mingshu removed her hand abruptly. âIâm sorry, itâs late, and I have competition tomorrow.â
She then left the greenhouse without looking back.
When Xie Zhanghui entered, he saw Xie Lianzhen staring into space.
âYoung Master?â For many years, Xie Zhanghui had never seen him in this manner; totally lost about what to do.
âZhanghui.â Xie Lianzhen looked at him
âShe said that the most valuable thing I have is my face, but she doesnât even give a damn about this face.â He sighed and became emotionless. âDoes she mean that I am worthless?â
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Xie Zhanghui was lost of words. He was aware of what Xie Lianzhen wanted, and there were only two possible results. Either she rejected it or she accepted it. Listening to Xie Lianzhen, it didnât make any sense.
What did they even talk about?
âIâŠâ Xie Lianzhen started slowly, âcanât find a word to define her anymore. Sheâs much more observant and straightforward than I thought. Should I continue this matter? She just makes meâŠâ
His voice lowered, and the sentence was left unfinished.
ââŠnevermind. Letâs go.â