Tang San spoke while deliberately putting on an indignant expression, his eyes flicking toward Gu Yuena from time to time as he awaited her nod of agreement.
But the next second, Tang San's smile froze—he saw Shen Lian looking at him with an ambiguous half-smile, as though he were looking at an ignorant fool; and when Gu Yuena's gaze fell upon him, there was not the slightest hint of agreement. Instead, there was an indescribable note of pity, as if she were watching an overconfident clown making a spectacle of himself.
The air instantly fell into an awkward silence. Tang San's smile gradually faded, and unease rose within him:
"What's going on? Did I say something wrong?"
Gu Yuena gently shook her head, shifted her gaze away from Tang San, and looked back at Shen Lian. Her tone softened somewhat, though it still carried dissatisfaction over the destruction of her home:
"Handle your trouble first. Then we'll settle the score over you destroying the forest."
Shen Lian nodded with a smile and glanced at the stunned Tang San, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:
"Tang San, it seems your calculations were wrong."
Only then did Tang San realize—far from finding an ally, he had embarrassed himself before the real "insider"!
Watching the tacit exchange of glances between Gu Yuena and Shen Lian, a chill rose from the depths of his heart:
This suddenly appearing powerhouse was actually Shen Lian's helper!
When Tang San saw Gu Yuena fall into thought, a spark of hope immediately ignited in his heart—as long as she hesitated, there was still a chance to win her over!
Then Tang San gritted his teeth, stepped forward again, and spoke to Gu Yuena with almost fawning urgency:
"Miss, as long as you help me get rid of