Chen Changsheng's every word struck Wang Lan straight in the heart.
But as someone whose hands were stained with blood, Wang Lan was utterly unwilling to accept Chen Changsheng's ideas.
"Imperial Tutor, what do you mean by saying all this?"
"Are you trying to make me your Hidden Piece, or are you trying to control me?"
Seeing the wariness in Wang Lan's eyes, Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. "For you to ask something like that, I imagine you've come into contact with Wang Hao."
"That fellow's methods of bewitching hearts are far from ordinary. You should be extra careful around him!"
"Imperial Tutor, you're talking around the point. Could it be that I've hit upon what you're truly planning?"
Wang Lan questioned Chen Changsheng, while Chen Changsheng merely looked at him calmly and said,
"Those who fear the light yet yearn for it in their hearts can only be rats in the gutter."
"When sunlight shines upon them, they always let out shrill cries."
"But once they lose the light, they long for it beyond measure."
"I told you to preserve the last patch of pure land in your heart, yet you think I'm taking advantage of you."
"Don't you think this behavior is very much like the rats I just described?"
At those words, Wang Lan froze for a moment.
Because he realized that he truly seemed to have changed from before.
Back then, although he too had schemes, he had never feared anyone.
Even if he failed, he never lacked the courage to start over.
But now, not only did he fear failure, he feared even more that someone might be plotting against him.
He truly was like a rat hiding in the gutter, living each day in constant dread.
"Why?"
Wang Lan asked softly.
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng