You Downer Guy

Ning Wanqin’s appearance made Shen Moyan anxious.

Wait, wasn’t the most important thing right now to help him achieve an unparalleled feat? So why was she… getting emotional?

And how was she supposed to persuade Lu Chaosheng if she got carried away like this?

He hurriedly reached over and gave Ning Wanqin a light nudge, along with a meaningful look.

Ning Wanqin understood at once. Although she was still seething with jealousy inside, she fortunately hadn’t forgotten the purpose of this journey across the river.

She pulled out a handkerchief, wiped the tears from her face, suppressed the countless grievances she had against Lu Chaosheng, and took a deep breath.

“Chaosheng, I’m very disappointed in you.”

“But I’ll give you a chance.”

“Right now, although Moyan has reached the Yangtze defense line and smoothly joined the Grand Commander’s faction, the Grand Commander thinks Moyan lacks ability and refuses to entrust him with any important responsibilities.”

“We can’t let Moyan go on like this.”

“We have to help him!”

Lu Chaosheng was stunned again.

“W-We?”

“Yes, us!” Ning Wanqin said decisively. “I’ve already done everything I can, but it still isn’t enough. Now it’s time for you to contribute.”

Lu Chaosheng was stunned once more. “I’m supposed to contribute?”

“That’s right, you.” Ning Wanqin spoke with astonishing smoothness, without the slightest hesitation, brimming with confidence. “I’ve thought of a way for you to help Moyan.”

“Although the Grand Commander commands the Yangtze navy, controlling a naval force isn’t actually his greatest strength. He relies on General Zhao and General Qian, the two generals under his command.”

“Even combined, those two can barely match you.”

“So, as long as you return to the Yangtze defense line with me and offer your services to Grand Commander Zhou Mengyan, Grand Commander Zhou Mengyan will surely come out personally to welcome you and entrust you with an important position.”

“That way, not only will you gain the Grand Commander’s trust, but Moyan will also receive the Grand Commander’s attention because he was the one who brought you in. He’ll be able to accomplish an unparalleled feat for the Grand Commander.”

“Moyan’s future will be limitless!”

After a pause, Ning Wanqin glanced tenderly at Shen Moyan before continuing, “Moyan is a dragon among men. For now, he’s merely biding his time. Once he rises with the wind, he’ll soar ninety thousand miles into the heavens.”

“We’ll have plenty of need for Moyan’s support in the future. Right now, this is the perfect chance to help him in his hour of need.”

Shen Moyan stood to the side, grinning. “General Lu, you can rest easy. Once I make it big, I definitely won’t forget you.”

Lu Chaosheng stood there in a daze.

At last, he had fully understood Ning Wanqin’s intentions. So that was where the dagger had been pointed all along. Yet he was still nearly driven mad with anger.

“I’m currently following Lord Duke, who values me highly. I’m in charge of reorganizing the entire chain of fortresses in Jiangbei, as well as all naval affairs throughout the army. Once we capture the Yangtze defense line, I’ll be the greatest contributor among all of Lord Duke’s meritorious officers…”

“You want me to give up this glorious future to help Shen Moyan?”

His words sounded like a question, but even more like an incredulous question directed at himself.

Ning Wanqin immediately cut in. “Of course. Moyan has suffered ever since he was young, and the journey here was even harder. How could we bear to stand by and watch him die without helping?”

“All right, time is of the essence. I won’t say more. Go pack your things at once and arrange for your trusted men to prepare boats for us to cross the river. I’ll give you…”

“One hour!”

“That should be enough, right?”

“Moyan and I have traveled all this way and are exhausted. We’re going to rest for a while now. Come call us when you’re packed, and we’ll leave together!”

As she spoke, Ning Wanqin grabbed Shen Moyan and started pulling him toward Lu Chaosheng’s tent, clearly intending to find somewhere to lie down and rest.

Lu Chaosheng was left standing there in complete bewilderment.

Wait…

What the hell?

Had she already made the decision for him?

Damn it, he hadn’t agreed!

How could she have the nerve to decide everything on her own?

And now she was dragging Shen Moyan off to rest…

Flirting with him right in front of Lu Chaosheng?

Rage boiled in Lu Chaosheng’s chest. Furious yet utterly dumbfounded, he immediately roared, “Ning Wanqin, are you dreaming? Or did you sleep so deeply you haven’t woken up yet?”

“I…”

“I never agreed to your unreasonable demand!”

“What?” Ning Wanqin spun around, her face filled with disbelief. “Y-You don’t agree?”

“Wait, Lu Chaosheng, what gives you the right to refuse?”

“I didn’t even send you a letter—I came all the way from the Yangtze defense line in person—and you still refuse?”

“You were unreasonable enough before, but what time do you think this is? This is a matter of life and death, and you’re still throwing a tantrum?”

“I’m already disappointed enough in you.”

“Don’t make me even more disappointed!”

Ning Wanqin looked down at him, her expression fierce and furious.

Lu Chaosheng was so enraged that he nearly slapped her across the face.

But he forced himself to hold back, remembering that he still had to report to Lord Duke. He said coldly, “Ning Wanqin, I advise you to stop dreaming. Stay here and think carefully about how you should speak to me from now on.”

“I’m going outside for some air!”

“Damn it, it’s suffocating in here.”

Lu Chaosheng intended to use the opportunity to seek permission, but the moment he took a step, Ning Wanqin grabbed him tightly by the arm. She was beside herself with fury, her eyes filled with disappointment.

“Lu Chaosheng, don’t push me too far!”

“Moyan is in such a difficult position. Why can’t you help him?”

“All I’m asking is for you to give up your current wealth and honor. What’s so impossible about that?”

“If you keep acting this way, then from now on…”

“I’ll never speak to you again.”

“There will be nothing left between us!”

“You and I…”

“We’ll be complete strangers!”

Ning Wanqin gritted her teeth, steeled her heart, and threw out what she thought was her ultimate weapon. She then waited for Lu Chaosheng to panic, break down in tears, and beg for her forgiveness.

Unfortunately, reality was completely different from what she had imagined.

Lu Chaosheng simply shot back, “Ning Wanqin, are you out of your mind?”

“Wasn’t there already nothing between us?”

“In front of all the soldiers in Zhenjiang, you and that bastard Shen Moyan officially registered your marriage. We’d already cut ties right then and there. And you still think you can come to me now?”

“Are you still asleep?”

“If you haven’t woken up, go back to sleep. Just stop dragging me into this.”

Lu Chaosheng tore himself free of Ning Wanqin’s grip and strode out.

Ning Wanqin broke down. “Lu Chaosheng, you—you—you already ended things with me in your heart long ago? You—you scumbag!”

“What a disgusting loser!”

“You shameless bastard!”

“You don’t have even the slightest sense of responsibility!”

When she saw that insults were having no effect and Lu Chaosheng was getting farther and farther away, Shen Moyan grew so anxious he nearly jumped out of his skin. Ning Wanqin also leaped up and shouted, “Lu Chaosheng!”

“So what if I broke up with you?”

“Even if we’re no longer together, you can still help Moyan!”

“Although I broke up with you, you have to help Moyan with this. Otherwise…”

Ning Wanqin was still trying to threaten Lu Chaosheng again, but his figure had already vanished from the tent. She hurried after him, only to be stopped by the guards outside. They refused to let her or Shen Moyan leave the tent.

Ning Wanqin was furious enough to jump up and down.

“I must have been blind back then!”

“I actually thought you were a man I could rely on for the rest of my life. But now I see that you’re nothing but a disgusting loser!”

“Loser!”

“You pathetic loser!”

……