Chapter 159: Two Faced

　　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 – being cornered by someone and forced to answer something that he didn’t want to answer. He had an urge to run away from her as far as he could, however…

　　“Miss, what do you mean?”

　　Lu Mingshu stood up and moved back. The oppression radiating from her was gone, and Xie Lianzhen felt that he could finally breathe again.

　　“The noble and gentlemanly you that everyone sees – is that really you?” Lu Mingshu wasn’t tall, but because Xie Lianzhen was in a wheelchair, she was able to tower above him. “Alioth Star Lord, do you know that I have a certain strength?”

　　“What?”

　　“Since a young age, the amount of approval I’ve receive is so little that I never had room to be arrogant.” Lu Mingshu’s voice was melodious, yet it brought chills down Xie Lianzhen’s spine. “You don’t even know me, neither do you know what any of my aspirations are. How are you so sure that you like me?”

　　She sneered and shook her head. “What I see from your eyes isn’t fondness, but examination.”

　　Her cold voice echoed through the big greenhouse. “You examine and observe me like I’m an interesting experiment that you can perform research on. I don’t know what you want from me, but I am 100% sure that it’s not my love you want.”

　　Word by word, she sliced open his shell.

　　“You have absolutely no respect for anyone – me or anyone else. We aren’t humans, but merely objects that are different from yourself. You observe and research us out of idle curiosity, and you don’t 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 control….”

　　Each word was like a sharp knife piercing through his heart.

　　“Is this the real you? A two-faced snake who’s sick and tired of the world and thinks the whole world revolves around himself.”

　　Xie Lianzhen sighed.

　　“Miss Lu, you are overconfident in your ability to judge, aren’t you?” His voice was so soft that she could barely hear.

　　“No. It’s just that I don’t know what you want, and that makes me feel threatened. I have always believed in my intuition after everything I’ve experienced, and I don’t feel that you’re courting me for a good cause. In fact, you’re even worse than those who despise me.”

　　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 didn’t feel angry. He couldn’t even feel the pain of being exposed anymore.

　　“So what message is Miss trying to send to me? Do you want me to cancel my plans and stay far away from you?” He nodded and smiled. “It’s certainly one method.”

　　Lu Mingshu smiled thinly. “So that’s what’s in your brain, huh? Alioth Star-Lord, you have observed me for so long, how could you not know that I’m someone who doesn’t beat around the bush? I’m just telling you what I really feel about you – you’re creepy, that’s all. Please stop harassing me. I won’t bother to entertain you anymore, so don’t waste your time on me.”

　　“How is it wasting my time?” he replied softly. “Look, 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, I’ll help you. Changing the sect master is also not a big deal. Or if you want somebody to disappear, it’s also possible! See how convenient your life could get?”

　　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 couldn’t resist.

　　“And then?”

　　“And then you could do whatever you want. There’s no need to consider much or meet with any trouble. Nobody could control what you want, and you will have everything you want. I’ll settle all the troubles.

　　“So, how does it sound? As soon as you agree, everything is settled.”

　　Like a patient predator, he slowly lured his prey into his trap with temptation and sweet-talk.

　　Lu Mingshu burst into laughter suddenly. “Forgive me for my straightforwardness, but if I agree now, you would immediately break the promise, right?”

　　“Look at what you’re saying.” Xie Lianzhen hummed. “Am I that untrustworthy?”

　　“Why would someone who doesn’t even give a damn about himself give a damn about a promise?” she replied firmly. “If I agree now, would you still be so nice to me? You’re only curious why I won’t take a step back and agree. If I suddenly did, I doubt you would still be so nice.”

　　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; “Alioth Star-Lord, why bother using all that to tempt me? You should just use your face, because it’s the most valuable thing that you have.”

　　Lu Mingshu removed her hand abruptly. “I’m sorry, it’s late, and I have competition tomorrow.”

　　She then left the greenhouse without looking back.

　　When Xie Zhanghui entered, he saw Xie Lianzhen staring into space.

　　“Young Master?” For many years, Xie Zhanghui had never seen him in this manner; totally lost about what to do.

　　“Zhanghui.” Xie Lianzhen looked at him

　　“Yes.”

　　“She said that the most valuable thing I have is my face, but she doesn’t even give a damn about this face.” He sighed and became emotionless. “Does she mean that I am worthless?”

　　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 didn’t make any sense. What did they even talk about?

　　“I…” Xie Lianzhen started slowly, “can’t find a word to define her anymore. She’s much more observant and straightforward than I thought. Should I continue this matter? She just makes me…”

　　His voice lowered, and the sentence was left unfinished.

　　“…nevermind. Let’s go.”