Two-Faced Man

The world had a kind of monster that specialized in tearing parents and children apart. It was called growing up!

Wu Wei had grown up.

So he was destined to grow further and further apart from Wu Tian.

Of course, some children were willing to live entirely according to their parents' wishes.

Unfortunately, Wu Wei had never been one of them.

Wu Tian thought Lin Shen had raised Wu Wei to be a puppet.

Perhaps she had. But back then, Wu Wei had spent about as much time with Wu Tian as he had with Lin Shen. He'd even spent more time with Wu Tian, since Lin Shen was genuinely busy.

So why hadn't Wu Tian had a greater influence on him?

Wu Wei had always believed this was his own choice.

He didn't want to be like Wu Tian. In his eyes, that wasn't true freedom.

If you weren't strong, how could you talk about freedom?

Free people often had to pay a greater price.

There had never been a way to fly without resisting gravity.

Lan Meng's call interrupted Wu Wei's thoughts.

"Wu Wei, I need help, fast."

"I'll be at Imperial University in ten minutes. Take your time explaining."

He'd just asked Lan Meng for a favor last night. Wu Wei wasn't so arrogant as to expect others to come running whenever he called.

Favors had to be returned. That was just basic decency.

"Zhao Xin confessed to me again."

Wu Wei's eyes flickered.

"What's so unusual about that?"

"This time was different. He made a huge production out of it and got a lot of people to help. They've surrounded the area outside my dorm."

Wu Wei's expression turned strange. He asked bluntly, "Is he out of his mind? What's with this public confession routine?"

Though Wu Wei had never been in a relationship himself, he knew that pressuring someone with public opinion when the feelings weren't mutual was absolutely idiotic.

Even if the other person gave in to the pressure and got together with you, they'd absolutely regret it later.

And that was without even mentioning how they'd be embarrassed in front of everyone.

Some things could only be done once both people were on the same page.

Zhao Xin was obviously in love with her alone, yet he was pulling this stunt. What else could that be but stupid?

Lan Meng was clearly annoyed too.

She moved her phone away, and Wu Wei heard the onlookers chanting, "Get together! Get together!"

Wu Wei thought, What a bunch of idiots.

What's it got to do with you?

The more they did this, the less likely Lan Meng was to say yes.

"Wu Wei, I need a shield. Get here, quick!"

After ending the call, the first thought that came to Wu Wei's mind was:

Is Lan Meng taking this opportunity to hit on me?

It was a little ungenerous to assume the worst of her, but what could he do? He was handsome.

Lan Meng's eagerness to pursue him was probably just as intense as Zhao Xin's eagerness to pursue her.

Still, he had to help her.

Using something like this to pressure a girl was classless.

Besides, Lan Meng was his friend.

Ten minutes later, Wu Wei arrived. Sure enough, Lan Meng was surrounded by a crowd, with Zhao Xin holding a bouquet of flowers nearby.

Zhao Xin stared intensely at Lan Meng, his eyes full of affection. He seemed oblivious to everyone else around them.

Lan Meng, meanwhile, looked gloomy and glanced around anxiously. The moment she spotted Wu Wei, her whole face lit up.

"Wu Wei, over here."

Lan Meng waved him over at once.

The crowd's attention immediately shifted to Wu Wei as well.

Wu Wei frowned. He didn't like this kind of attention.

It wasn't that he didn't want to show off. He just didn't want to pull this kind of stunt.

Competing with someone like Zhao Xin over a woman and winning was only to be expected.

Even so, Wu Wei walked over to Lan Meng.

When he reached her, Lan Meng brazenly took his arm. Then she said to Zhao Xin in a very serious tone, "I'm sorry, but I already have a boyfriend."

The crowd erupted.

Zhao Xin staggered back two steps, his face ashen.

"That's impossible. Mengmeng, you're lying to me, aren't you? You're just using Wu Wei as a shield. That's all this is."

"You guessed wrong. Wu Wei really is my boyfriend."

Lan Meng silently gave Zhao Xin a thumbs-up.

What a perfect assist.

Otherwise, she really wouldn't have had an excuse to announce something like this in front of everyone.

Zhao Xin looked at Wu Wei, his eyes full of hope.

"Wu Wei, you're not Lan Meng's boyfriend, are you?"

Lan Meng pinched Wu Wei hard, signaling him to help her get through this first.

Wu Wei smiled, then said, "That's right. I'm not."

He was willing to help, but he wouldn't repeat the mistake Wu Tian had made back then.

The problem with a playboy who tried to be everyone's sweetheart was that he made everyone feel the same warmth. That kind of warmhearted man was a scoundrel.

Wu Wei wouldn't do that. He'd make things clear from the start.

If the other person still refused to let go, that was their problem.

He would only do what he was supposed to do.

"You guessed right. Lan Meng really did ask me to come as her shield.

"But if you ask me, your way of confessing is downright idiotic.

"Keep making yourself feel moved. I'm taking Lan Meng away."

Wu Wei didn't want to waste any more time on Zhao Xin, even though he did have some things he wanted to ask him.

Wu Wei didn't notice that after he turned around, Lan Meng and Zhao Xin exchanged a brief glance.

Lan Meng looked disappointed. Zhao Xin looked guilty.

But inwardly, Zhao Xin was delighted.

"You did well this time."

"Just like I told you, if you put your mind to it, you'll be better than anyone. Lan Meng or Wu Wei, you'll be able to play them both in the palm of your hand."

Zhao Xin ignored the voice. He only watched Wu Wei and Lan Meng's retreating figures, slowly losing himself in the sight.

To anyone else, he was naturally watching Lan Meng.

Only he knew who he was looking at—Wu Wei.

Lan Meng's thoughts were in turmoil too.

She remembered the conversation she'd had with Zhao Xin earlier.

"Lan Meng, I want to have a serious talk with you."

"There's nothing for us to talk about."

"Don't you want to win Wu Wei over?"

That made Lan Meng willing to hear him out.

"If you like someone, you're happy as long as she's happy. If you're sure you'd be happy if you won Wu Wei over, then I'll help you win him over."

"How?"

"I'll create a situation and atmosphere where Wu Wei won't reject you."

And that was how the scene Wu Wei had witnessed came about.

Unfortunately, the result wasn't what Lan Meng had hoped for. It was exactly what Zhao Xin had expected.

"Wu Wei, you really didn't disappoint me.

"That means I'll have one less rival now, right?

"I really can't understand it. How can a man as perfect as you exist?

"I'd better stop thinking about this. If I keep it up, I'm going to get hard."