Chapter 86: Shen

People in the Class A classroom were gradually increasing.

Those passing by cast looks of attention at them.

Shen Zhaojue felt a bit guilty under Ling Wu's stare; he tilted his head to look out the window, curled his knuckles to rub across the tip of his nose, and said as if nothing were the matter: "This young master has been bored lately, so I'm doing some good deeds. Is that not allowed?"

【Villain, your wife is being coveted by someone else!】

【Ugh, Shen Zhaojue, you pretentious jerk, if you're bored, go drink some water!】

【You're doing good deeds again? You really think of yourself as a good person.】

After Shen Zhaojue finished this sentence, he added as if trying to cover up the truth: "Since you've returned, throw it away yourself. This young master is annoyed just seeing you now. Move aside."

Ling Wu's expression was a bit subtle: "We... aren't blocking your path."

You can leave on your own.

【See~ing~you~is~an~noy~ing~ (shaking head)】

【I'm dying of laughter, Shen Zhaojue seems very busy, but who knows what he's busy with. What Ling Wu's wife means is, you stopped yourself to babble for ages, and absolutely no one cares, ha!】

【Shen, you're annoyed because you saw the second male lead with the villain, aren't you? After all, you cared so much before, and even went to ask on purpose.】

【Shen Zhaojue, look down, your red nose fell on the floor.】

【Suspected Joker.】

Shen Zhaojue walked past Ling Wu, and upon seeing Wei Ranxu's gloating expression, his face changed immediately; after reaching Wei Ranxu's side, he even lifted his leg and kicked the desk, emitting a harsh "screech" sound.

The few rows of seats in the back were empty.

He sat down brazenly, placed his forearms flat on the desk, turned his body, and leaned forward slightly: "Wei, you damn well want to die, don't you?"

"What's wrong?" Wei Ranxu also turned his body, raised an eyebrow calmly, his gaze scrutinizing him: "Who made our Shen angry?"

He leaned close to Shen Zhaojue's ear and whispered, his tone unkind: "Don't be a coward. Don't you like Ling Wu? I went with the flow to help you out, why are you unhappy instead?"

Coward.

Shen Zhaojue's long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly, his voice dangerous: "Who told you I like him?"

Wei Ranxu spread his hands, teasing: "That's an interesting thing to say."

"If you don't like him, then stop watching him in class all the time. Whatever business someone has asking for leave, does it need you to care?"

"Hmm?"

As desk-mates and former "plastic friends," Wei Ranxu clearly understood the thoughts in the back of his mind, but he was just too lazy to point them out. However, today he was acting foolish, and his mischievous streak flared up, so he enjoyed watching others feel awkward and embarrassed.

"Don't blame me for not warning you..."

Wei Ranxu's gaze was stickily locked onto Ling Wu's back, then he glanced at quite a few people in Class A, his long fingers tapping a rhythm, with a bit of a rogue air: "Among the people rushing to be a dog for Ling Wu, you, Shen, don't even make the list."

Shen Zhaojue caught a hint of subtext, his eyes pitch-black, his gaze like a torch, and he broke it down: "Then what about you?"

What are your intentions toward Ling Wu?

"If you weren't observing Ling Wu, how could you possibly know I was looking at him?"

The air went silent instantly.

The faint light in the depths of Wei Ranxu's pupils trembled; he could hear the dry sound of swallowing saliva in his throat. He began to feel terrified following this sentence, to the point where the blood throughout his entire body swelled along with it...

Such agitated emotions lasted for less than two seconds.

Wei Ranxu quickly returned to normal; he sat up straight, his gaze earnest: "Shen Zhaojue, stop joking... The person I like from beginning to end is Jing Du."

Jing Du?

Shen Zhaojue naturally knew this point; initially, Wei Ranxu had only gone to trouble Ling Wu because of this matter.

But among the nobility, if you strip away interests and money, how much sincerity can there be?

In the Empire, with the Four Great Families at the head, the Jing Family ranks at the top regardless of financial power, material resources, or manpower, and even military and arms resources. Families that have stood for hundreds of years like the Shen and Wei families naturally also belong to the first-tier clans.

The clans are intertwined, sharing honor and disgrace, accustomed to using marriage to consolidate interests, holding the solidified class firmly in their hands, and subsequently enslaving those at the bottom.

Even a first-tier clan like the Wei Family is still not enough in the eyes of the Jing Family.

The Shen Family relies on the Yin Family and is in its prime, while the Wei Family wants to latch onto the Jing Family tree. In recent years, the business dealings between the two families, while appearing inseparable, are in reality just means to consolidate power and interests.

Shen Zhaojue pursed his lips and chuckled: "What do you like about the young master of the Jing Family? Money, power?"

"If you ask me, the Wei Family has good methods, and they are willing to go all out. Even the only heir can be pushed out for a marriage alliance. The young master of the Wei Family is also enduring humiliation, being able to pretend for so many years."

"Is it tiring, brainwashing yourself?"

It is common knowledge that Wei Ranxu is the number one supporter of Jing Du in the Academy. Usually, relying on his good family background, he carries out indiscriminate attacks on anyone who likes Jing Du.

Does Jing Du not know about these methods of his?

Of course he knows.

It's just that with interests at stake, he turns a blind eye.

And would Wei Ranxu, an excellent heir raised with the power of an entire clan, be stupid enough to lose his mind and throw away his dignity and pride to chase after another man all day?

So, what exactly is he afraid of?

He is afraid that the bridge to the heavens the Wei Family worked so hard to build will be shattered under his hands; it is nothing more than that, so he cannot tolerate sand in his eyes, and this path cannot tolerate stumbling blocks.

This marriage alliance must be carried through to the end!

Wei Ranxu was high and mighty, victory in his grasp: "No matter what you say, on the 17th of next month, you are welcome to attend our engagement banquet."

The Same-Sex Marriage Law pushed by the noble class will ultimately be fulfilled by the nobles themselves.

Shen Zhaojue was surprised: "The Jing Family agreed?"

Wei Ranxu had no particular emotion, only saying: "Is there a better candidate than me?"

Even Shen Zhaojue fell silent. His five fingers unconsciously clenched into a fist; a sense of tragedy unexpectedly welled up. He had not yet realized that this guillotine of the feudal noble class hanging over his head would inevitably cause tears and blood to be shed when it fell...

The rules will also bind the people who make the rules.

People in the back rows arrived one after another, and the two stopped talking.

Silent.

"Ring-a-ling!"

As the class bell rang, Class A quieted down in an unprecedented manner.

Unlike usual, Class A had actually welcomed a transfer student for the advanced grade, which was simply setting a precedent; Zhang Lijuan had given a heads-up beforehand, then beckoned for the person to enter: "Students, let's give a welcome."

The boy who walked in had fair skin, sharp facial features, and a distinct jawline; his black hair was a bit long, brushing against the crease of his eyelids, making him appear somewhat gloomy and sullen.

Shen Zhaojue frowned, thinking back to the day he had an argument with Ling Wu in the classroom next to Class A, when Jin Bei had stood outside the door and said in a lazy, spectator-like voice—"Isn't my brother's temper quite something?"

Later, Jin Bei proposed a collaboration, saying he could help him get Ling Wu, but Shen Zhaojue had just listened to it as a joke, never expecting that this person would actually have the ability to transfer into Class A.

The only one with such great power was the family head, Jin Liangjin.

What is going on?