"Shen Lingxi, clarify what you’re saying."
"Duan Chen likes Tang Xiaohua."
Lin Xinglan’s body stiffened for a moment, and the next moment she hurriedly retorted, "That’s not true."
"Heh, believe it or not, what benefit do I gain from lying to you? I just see you, all these years, still as naïve as ever, being toyed with without even realizing it. I really can’t stand it anymore."
As Shen Lingxi spoke indifferently, Lin Xinglan’s eyes shimmered with unease, clearly visible to her.
"In fact, you don’t need me to tell you, you’re aware that Duan Chen looks at Tang Xiaohua differently than he looks at others. You’ve also seen how capable Tang Xiaohua is. Do you think Duan Chen would prefer a woman he admires, or a prideful, capricious heiress from a family that has fallen into misfortune, with no power or stature?"
Every word from Shen Lingxi was like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Lin Xinglan’s innocent heart.
"Have you come... to drive a wedge between us?"
Shen Lingxi’s words were undoubtedly hurtful, but even if Lin Xinglan was foolish, she would still ponder over the ulterior motives behind Shen Lingxi saying these heart-wrenching words during the selection process.
"I can only say it’s a side issue," Shen Lingxi even brazenly admitted.
"I don’t like Tang Xiaohua."
Shen Lingxi spoke earnestly, "And I certainly won’t stand by and watch her pass this military officer cadet selection."
"Not liking someone is reason enough."
"You specifically came to tell me this, what are you trying to accomplish?" Lin Xinglan had a very bad feeling.
"Actually, I don’t believe that dragging you into this, without any baggage, Tang Xiaohua can pass the selection smoothly, but I must also admit, underestimating Tang Xiaohua could end up biting me back. Better safe than sorry."
"You’re her companion, you must have a way to prevent her from passing the selection."
After Shen Lingxi spoke, she got straight to the point.
"Shen Lingxi, you really underestimate me. Even if Brother Duan Chen truly likes Tang Xiaohua, I wouldn’t—at this time—"
"I told you, the reminder was just by the way, for making you do me a favor, I have other chips to play."
"Shen Lingxi, even if my father is indeed ruined, and I’m no longer the daughter of the mayor, I won’t engage in such despicable acts."
Lin Xinglan stated each word to Shen Lingxi, and then intended to leave,
"Simply by speaking a word to Commander Shen, maybe your father will pass the inspection safely."
Shen Lingxi patted Lin Xinglan on the shoulder,
"The decision is yours, but if Tang Xiaohua passes the selection, your father absolutely won’t pass the scrutiny."
"Lastly, considering we are both from Xilin, and we grew up together, I’ll give you a piece of advice: once you step out of your own home, you are no longer a princess. Don’t bring that naivety out with you, or you will be a laughing stock!"
Lin Xinglan clenched her lips, her whole body trembling but unable to utter a word.
Just a short distance from their conversation, Song Lili was leaning against a tree...
Lin Xinglan was not making things easy, and after much hesitation, Song Lili decided to patrol herself to avoid losing the well-laid trap.
Who knew, just by chance...
Shen Lingxi was setting traps for herself, and she always seemed to stumble upon them!
Despite being the daughter of a commander, she was ranked first when she entered the military academy, and even then, showing such a disagreeable face behind closed doors was quite unbecoming.
It was just during the induction ceremony that she had retorted Shen Lingxi a couple of times, leading to such animosity...
She exhaled softly, expressionless as she walked back, ensuring not to let the prey slip away.
She was calm, with not a speck of sorrow or anger in her heart...
She just didn’t know how Lin Xinglan would react, that was the only curiosity she harbored, like a detached onlooker.