Anli: Pretending to be Weak Really Works

Meng Anli quickly took note of the time.

The Crown Prince also gave the secret recipe to Meng Shiwan.

Meng Shiwan said confidently, "Please give me time, Crown Prince, and I will definitely be able to create even more powerful explosives."

The Crown Prince was indifferent, "As you wish."

He then lowered his gaze to Meng Anli.

The moment Meng Anli met his gaze, she seemed to suddenly realize something was amiss and quickly moved further away from him.

Her cheeks flushed as she curtsied, "Crown Prince, I was presumptuous."

"It is I who was presumptuous towards Miss Xiaoying." The Crown Prince reached out to help Anli up.

Meng Anli shyly stood up first.

Meng Shiwan bit her lip and was about to make a move when Meng Liangmiao stopped her.

She simply turned her back, refusing to watch.

Meng Anli called out softly, "Wanwan, I'm leaving now."

Meng Shiwan replied indifferently, "Whatever."

Meng Anli immediately put on a hurt expression, gave a perfunctory bow to the Crown Prince, cast him a deep glance, and hurried away.

"Miss Xiaoying!" The Crown Prince chased after her without hesitation.

He caught up to her in a few steps, only to see her in tears, turning her face away from him.

He grabbed her shoulders, forcing them to look at each other.

"Don't cry. It's truly difficult when your true feelings are unreciprocated. I won't give them next time."

Meng Anli nodded heavily.

At least he said something she could listen to.

"Thank you for your comfort, Crown Prince. I should be going back."

The Crown Prince asked, "Where do you live? I'll escort you."

"I'll go back by myself."

The Crown Prince softened his voice and teased, "Do you have any spare shoes?"

Meng Anli appropriately broke into a smile, "Crown Prince~"

"I have a sedan chair, I'll take you."

Meng Anli opened her mouth.

The Crown Prince stated unequivocally, "No one has ever refused me twice."

Meng Anli nodded with a blush.

The two of them left.

Meng Shiwan's teeth were almost ground to dust.

"Damn green tea! Damn fake!"

Meng Liangmiao turned back and looked at her gnashing her teeth, lost in a daze.

"Wanwan? Why have you become like this?"

Meng Shiwan was startled and recalled everything that had just happened.

She was also shocked; she hadn't controlled herself just now.

She had successfully developed explosives, so it was only right for her to be a little proud, wasn't it?

It was all Meng Ying's fault, that damned green tea, so timid and useless, yet she dared to scold her.

Shouldn't she have hit her?

She only wanted to prove herself, to make the Crown Prince look at her with new eyes and treat her with affection.

Yet she was repeatedly thwarted by Meng Ying.

Especially when she heard the words "firecrackers," it reminded her of how that bald old monk in class had disdainfully said "firecrackers."

She lost all reason and only wanted to prove herself.

She had fallen into a trap of self-validation.

Meng Ying must have been deliberately provoking her.

When did Meng Ying become so scheming?

Once Meng Shiwan figured this out, her eyes turned red.

"Big Brother, I'm sorry, I was too hasty."

Before, when Meng Liangmiao saw her like this, he felt his heart soften and wanted to protect her.

However, he remembered the Crown Prince's disgust towards her just now, and the Crown Prince's words about not meeting unless it was something important.

He found her tearful, whiny demeanor annoying.

Meng Shiwan looked at his slightly furrowed brows and displayed a stubborn, resilient expression.

"I worked tirelessly for two months to develop explosives, and finally succeeded. Then, I was flattered by my classmates and couldn't help but feel proud. I'm sorry, I've embarrassed you, brother."

In the past, when she spoke of her hard work, her brother would always comfort her.

But now, mentioning explosives made Meng Liangmiao recall her foolish act of giving away the formula.

He sighed, "You don't know the Crown Prince well enough. His memory is exceptional. He's probably memorized the formula by now and will immediately find someone to develop it. Do you think your individual strength can match the power and connections of the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Realm?"

Meng Shiwan felt as if struck by lightning, her face turning genuinely pale, showing a hint of real pity and fragility.

"This... how could this happen?"

Seeing her like this, Meng Liangmiao couldn't help but feel sympathetic. "You haven't experienced deception and manipulation; it's not your fault."

Meng Shiwan still murmured, "How could this happen? It shouldn't be like this."

Meng Liangmiao gently patted her shoulder. "Remember, never reveal your true capabilities to anyone."

"Mhm," Meng Shiwan nodded, her eyes teary. "Thank you, Big Brother. Please also go and explain to the Crown Prince that Meng Ying is truly very scheming."

Meng Liangmiao sighed, disapproving. "He's the Crown Prince. Countless immortal maidens in the heavens wish to serve him. He's seen through all sorts of women's schemes since he was young. If she were truly scheming, wouldn't he see it?"

Meng Shiwan was stunned and asked in disbelief, "Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Meng Liangmiao grew a bit impatient and decided to speak plainly. "I'll ask you, is Meng Ying your sister?"

Meng Shiwan wanted to deny it, but felt such a lie would be easily exposed.

She lowered her head, feigning helplessness. "She is my sister, but she bullied me since childhood."

"A woman traveled through mountains and rivers, ate dry rations, drank cold water, and wore out several pairs of shoes to find you. Is that how she bullied you?"

"Big Brother, I..." Meng Shiwan's tears fell.

"You cultivate well here." Meng Liangmiao turned and left.

Meng Shiwan wiped away her tears, her eyes filled with hatred.

Meng Ying, you really know how to act!

Immediately, she became spirited.

What's the use of just acting like a green tea girl?

She can also make shampoo and shower gel, and has many advanced ideas and creativity. She will definitely win back the Crown Prince's favor.

The Crown Prince, such a future Heavenly Emperor.

Only she, the true destined woman, is worthy of him.

Meng Anli was already seated in the Crown Prince's carriage.

She sat quietly, observing the glazed pearls on the carriage roof, occasionally glancing at the snow-white celestial horses and the clouds outside.

Her eyes showed surprise, but she didn't make a sound.

The Crown Prince kept staring at her, a smile in his eyes.

Meng Anli accidentally looked back and met the Crown Prince's gaze, then shyly lowered her head.

The Crown Prince greatly favored her demeanor. "No need to be shy. It's normal to be curious when seeing these things for the first time."

Meng Anli looked up at him, her eyes bright and full of curiosity.

"Thank you, Crown Prince. So you are the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Realm."

The Crown Prince proudly adjusted his collar. "Let's formally introduce ourselves. I am Crown Prince Shaoguang of the Heavenly Realm."

Meng Anli softly murmured, "Shaoguang, the bright spring splendor falls short of Shaoguang by even a fraction."

The Crown Prince's heart stirred slightly. "What did you say?"

Meng Anli waved her hands repeatedly, her eyes sparkling. "Nothing, nothing."

"What is your name?"

Meng Anli said bitterly, "Compared to Crown Prince Shaoguang, I am just a wildflower by the roadside under the tree's shade. You can just call me Xiao Ying."

The Crown Prince looked at her sadness. "I forbid you from belittling yourself."

"It's not belittling myself, it's just how it's been since childhood. Father didn't love me, my sister was mentally unsound, and Mother worked hard to raise us two, living by growing vegetables in the courtyard."

Meng Anli pinched her cheek and smiled. "My current appearance is all thanks to Mother growing the fruits and vegetables so well."

The Crown Prince looked at her pinching her soft, bouncy cheek and couldn't help but reach out and pinch the other side of her face.

Meng Anli stared at him blankly.

The Crown Prince released his hand, unable to suppress a chuckle. "Yes, your mother raised you very well. However, you said your sister was mentally unsound?"

"Yes, she was always slow and dull since childhood, very cute. More than two years ago, she accidentally fell into the water, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. After she woke up, she was fine, and we were very happy. But then..."

The Crown Prince's lips curved into a sneer. "She abandoned you, went up Chongwu Mountain alone, and went to the Heavenly Realm to enjoy a life of luxury, right?"

Meng Anli waved her hands repeatedly, "Your Highness, please don't say that. As long as she's happy, that's all my mother and I wish for her."

The Crown Prince sighed, "You are simply too kind."

Meng Anli lowered her eyes, appearing shy.

But this was merely to conceal the sarcasm in her eyes.

See? I made Meng Shiwan lose face today, and now he's still trying to butter me up.

So calculating.

Yet the Crown Prince still calls me kind.

As expected, to achieve anything, one needs to be indirect and play the victim.