Chapter 20: Destroying Facade

The duo continues to eat their food, but Zhang Jian sighs, “As expected of the prince.”

“‘Mhmm, the guy is good at manipulating the situation.” Lu Chen agrees with him as he eats the grilled meat.

“What manipulating the situation? Aren’t you just being jealous of him, brother Chen?” Zhang Jian jokes as he placings more meat onto the grill.

“So you didn’t notice what he was doing, huh?” Lu Chen shakes his head. It’s not surprising if he couldn't understand if it that man. Even when Lu Chen was older, he didn't realize how two-face Long Shen was.

Zhang Jian looks at Lu Chen with confusion, “What did Long Shen even do?”

“Let me ask you this: what did you just see?” Lu Chen knew before he could go against Long Shen, he would need to grow a big reputation to go against his. It was a tall order, but Lu Chen knew he could do it. But the first thing he needs to do is to change Zhang Jian’s perspective about Long Shen.

Even though Zhang Jian doesn’t like him, he still thought Long Shen is a kind person.

Zhang Jian smiles as he begins to talk about what he saw, “ Originally fatty Shao was just ranting about us without the care in the world. And we were going to use that against him once he talks to the point of no return.”

The reason why the two didn’t mind what Yao Shao was saying because he was reckless. They knew he was going to say something that will screw him over. So they continue to let him say what he wants until it was enough for them to use it against him.

Nodding his head, Lu Chen smiles, “Yep, your right. And fatty Shao was going to destroy himself anyway. But what else?”

“And Long Shen stops the two with just a word. And not only that, he was able to change everybody’s perspective of them to positive. Am I missing something?”

Lu Chen claps his hand slowly, “Good, good. You seem to have gotten the gist of what had happened. Props to you.”

“Hehe, see. I’m not an idiot.” Zhang Jian rubs his nose and acts smug.

“But you’re overlooking one thing in that analysis, Zhang Jian.”

“What’s that?”

“Timing,”

Zhang Jian repeats, “Timing?”

Lu Chen nods his head, “ Yes, timing. Long Shen and Yao Shao have been friends for years now, so shouldn’t he know how Yao Shao would react when he saw me?”

“?!” Zhang Jian suddenly realizes that fact as well. Why didn’t he stop him before he could say anything more about Lu Chen?

Zhang Jian finally understood what Long Shen did, as he looks up to Lu Chen to ask him to confirm his thoughts.

Nodding his head, Lu Chen explains, “mmhmm, you guessed correctly. The reason why Long Shen didn’t stop fatty Shao was it wouldn’t have the same effect. He knew it would have been better to wait a little bit longer for maximum effect. So he took advantage of fatty Shao’s loudmouth to boost his reputation. It would make him a magnanimous person who treats his enemies as friends. And it all had to do with the timing he did it in.”

Lu Chen couldn’t realize it in high school as he was too impulsive when he went against Long Shen. He was similar to how rash Yao Shao was. To the point that Long Shen just needs Lu Chen to screw himself over, while he just sits there and watches him do it.

Zhang Jian was starting to realize the manipulation that Long Shen was doing behind the scene, and he couldn’t believe it, “I knew it! How could someone be that perfect! That’s impossible. Such a manipulative bastard. Brother Chen, why didn’t you tell me?”

“How am I suppose to make you believe that Long Shen wasn’t who he says he was?” This altercation with them was a godsend that allows his friend to understand the fake appearance Long Shen was using.